Shop Update - Stocking Stuffers

A great Monday for a shop update! 
Lots of wonderful items for Stocking Stuffers in the Nina Bina Etsy Store. 
Buy three of anything and it ships for free.
Local friends - drop off is always available.  

Ruffled Headbands - no two are alike.
Features a flexible/comfy metal headband and the perfect ruffle.  8 each with 2.50 shipping.  Buy three and free shipping.  These are perfect for mom and daughter.  
Find Headbands here

Also added to the shop - the perfect purse case.  Great as a little wallet, camera case for your purse camera, or to hide girly things in your bag.  Also 8 each with free shipping if you buy three.  Camera Cases found here.

All items shipped with wrapping inside the package.  That way you are all set for the holiday season.  Happy Ruffly Shopping my friends! 

Blank Chaos

                                                                         Source: ahnini.tumblr.com via Heather on Pinterest

That's been me lately. Nothing to say, finding it hard to sew, can't even keep a mile straight. So discouraging.

 

                                                                Source: femmenamala.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

Keep Calm Carry On 

I am doing that just fine. In fact, not much seems to rattle me lately. I keep busy (I have four kiddos). The is a certain quality about me that is awkward. I just work well under pressure. Not that I am asking for pressure but I just seem to produce what I love during those times. Wait, what am I saying? There is no way I need a fire right now - literally. But maybe, just maybe, a spark. Not too many sparks otherwise my days will look like this....

                                                                            Source: thaneeya.com via Heather on Pinterest

So Lord, I know you are listening please just answer. Ignite in me a passion driven with direction. Let me be intentional about all I do or think. Let it be fruitful in your name. AMEN.

                                                                           Source: shortquotes.org via Heather on Pinterest

Custom Orders - New Items

Thought I would share some custom pieces that went out to 
Denver today! 

I think they are yummy. 

Tissue Cases - 5-

Zippered Top Ipad Cases 25-

Button Front Ipad Case with Front Pocket 25- 

in Woodstock Paisley

Zippered Top Ipad Case in Confetti Dot 25-

Button Front Ipad Case in Tea Time 25-

Tons of Ruffled Headbands 8- 

Small Zippered Wallets 12-

Large Zippered Wallet 19- 

Jersey Rose 8-

Come Visit THE STORE

Shop Update

I haven't blog all week.  It isn't that I haven't had anything to say.  Those who know me well know that would NEVER happen.  I have just been distracted.  Distracted by a hurricane.  Distracted by earthquakes.  Distracted by fourth grade homework.  Distracted by the cool mornings and calling asphalt.  Most of all, I was pleasantly distracted by the joys of having Ms. P home alone with me!  

Even today, I find myself with some quiet time only to use it watching the wind gently blow the leaves.  Fortunately I was able to find enough guster (or maybe it was the mocha) to update the shop a little.  Much for the anticipated upcoming Christmas Season!  Hope you enjoy!  

The Shop

Its Free!

I have been keeping an eye on the free listings in Craigslist.  I have a short list of things that I need for my boutique display and I am so hoping to find them free.

                                                                               Source: homeroad.net via Heather on Pinterest

1.  3 doors.  Preferable french doors with the glass gone

2. large windows - no glass

3. chicken wire

4. frames - not sure why

5. paint

                                                                              Source: marthastewart.com via S on Pinterest

A weird list.  I am still not sure the product and vision will match but if it is free - hey!

What is really weird in the situation is the things people are offering for free on Craigslist.  Strange to say the least.

Right here you can find used baby formula cans.

Or if you must, who knows why, you can get some broken concrete

Not to mention the 7 running ads for free horse manure.

                                                                              Source: flickr.com via Alexandra on Pinterest

I am still searching for my treasures, but in the meantime I will continue to chuckle at the weirder than me crowd.

Random weekend

It was a very random weekend for me.  Forty eight hours with no kids - fun!  Actually got to go to dinner with some friends (without having to cancel) - fun!  Sewing beacuse I wanted to - fun!  I missed my kiddos but oh, the peace and quiet was so welcomed!  

Here are some pretties from my weekend of random sewing.  All on Etsy now!  

Find it here

find it here

find it here

find it here

Can anyone tell, I am ready for fall?  I don't want me kids to go back to school but I am seriously craving a pumpkin spiced latte.  Oh my!

A Little Tutorial on Embroidery Machines

Did you know that Nina Bina is a little boutique business?  The ninabina carries burp clothes, shirts, dresses, and such that are appliqued or monogrammed.  The cuteness overflows and the budget requirements of boutique type items at a reasonable price are met.  

Nina Bina is fun, creative, and spunky - just like the child the shop was named after.  

A few of my Proverbs 31 friends have asked how, when, why and what to buy in an embroidery machine and maybe how to start a Nina Bina type of their own.  Now this is not a comprehensive manual (that will cost you :) but more of a fact sheet in which you start finding some answers on your own.

1. Save the money.  I do nothing in business that is not cash.  Finance NOTHING!  N- O- T- H - I - N - G.  God does not want you to be slave to the lender.
2. You need a computer.  I have a mac (shout out to all the cool spiky hair people) but any computer will do.  You need a computer/internet to download designs, use your monogram software, and store designs.  You will be choosing a machine that either you put designs onto a USB stick or has a USB cord that plugs right into your machine.  
3. Start with a starter.  I started off with an embroidery/sewing machine.  It embroidered      a 4” x 4” area.  Perfect for three letter/ one letter monograms or small appliques.  I have since moved onto a solo embroidery machine that does a 5x7 area.  I find this efficient for what I need right now (although there is an envelope for saving for the commercial/home machine).  Alot of retailers will let you trade in your smaller machine for a discount on a new machine too. 
4. Remember you want to monogram - you have to buy monogram software.  I have the monogram wizard.  It has tons of fonts, formats the letters for you and has tons of options for style.  It is super easy to use and runs about 250- for the basic addition.  You can add fonts for around 50 - at a time.  
5. You can research different web sites to download applique designs from.  Applique designs cost anywhere from .99 - 9.00 each.  One you download them - you can use them as many times as you would like.  
6. Educate yourself.  Read reviews.  Look for sales.  Wait.  Research thread preferences of people.  Study up on the art of hooping (this is how you put backing on your items and attach them to the machine for embroidering).  Have scraps available for learning.  Remember there is a huge learning curve when you first start.  Find out about what needles you need. 
7. Refurbished vs new.  This is your choice.  I bought a refurbished machine that broke down within the first month.  But the catch here is I bought it from a reputable retailer that honored their guarantees and exchanged it for another machine - no questions asked.  I have had the replacement refurbished machine for 2 years now and have not had a problem.  

Right now, I have a Brother 700II.  It is a 5x7 area machine that has a usb cord that plugs right into the machine and computer.  It is a great machine.  I have always had a Brother.  I find it simple to understand and very user friendly.  My machine is for personal use but Brother has many other machines available for commercial use too.  I also have the regular Monogram Wizard for my monogramming.  It is perfect.  I have added on two alphabet sets and have just about everything I need.  I would say with machine, software, stabilizers, thread, needles and supplies my initial investment was 900-.  Remember - I paid cash!  

I am probably missing some little details here and there but this has been my adventure into embroidery!  I love it and hope you do too.  

Resources 

Brother International

Ken's Sewing Center

Monogram Wizard Information

Creating a create room

I have this dream room.

It is spilling with supplies.

Has a bright window where birds sit in front to chirp me along my way.

White painted cabinets fill the wall space.

A large cutting table adorns the center.

My kids have a place to create along side me.

Color spills from every corner.

Yet, it is calm and relaxing when I get there.

Ideas creep out of the woodwork with little effort at all.

                                                                               Source: flickr.com via Heather on Pinterest

Could it be here?

                                                                 Source: french-knot.tumblr.com via Heather on Pinterest

Or maybe here?

                                                                                Source: tipjunkie.com via Heather on Pinterest

Or perhaps here?

But alas, it is a room in basement.

No window, no white cabinets, no large cutting table - just yet......

But I do see a kids area, a large pin board, bright colored paint.  

It could just what I am looking for and I didn't know it!  

Ruffles!

Thought I would share some Ruffled Love with everyone today!  These little beauties are heading out to Colorado today to The Ruffly Rose.  Emily runs the cutest little flower/gift shop on South Pearl Street!  Oh, how I wish I lived in Colorado so I could go pick my own little bouquet of heaven from there!   Not to mention I have seen some awesome picture of yummy cupcakes!

Photo Credit

An interesting thing about the Ruffly Rose is that one night a couple of months ago I was praying about what direction God wanted me to take my little sewing business.  Low and behold, a few minutes later I had an email from Emily saying she had visited the Nina Bina Etsy Store and was interested in placing an order.  Confirmation from God via a very talented florist in Colorado - how neat? 

Thanks Emily for sharing a bit of Sew Four in your little bit of flowered heaven!

If you would like a ruffled headband - just visit the Etsy Store , go to Denver and meet Emily and friends at the The Ruffly Rose or email directly!  Sharing the Ruffly Love would be fun!

 

Kiwi Paisley

Summer Picnic

Preppy Polka Dot

 Enjoy your Sunday!  

Fondly, 

Heather