One Word Wednesday: Project

I'm super glad the word this week was project.... because this is a project I have been meaning to get done for a long time. They are thank you cards that I'm sending out with each order. Simple + cute... they are an extra way I'm trying to let my customers know how much I appreciate their orders. The glitter tape I got a couple weeks back at Michaels. With a discount the whole set was around $7 and are turning out to be my favorite crafty purchase.

The thank you stamp I had custom made because.... well to be honest my handwriting stinks, and this way I'm hoping people will hold onto the cards and reuse them on gifts of gratitude to their friends and family.

 Amanda / Briana

Our other friends have had some big news and important things keeping them busy this week so though we don't have a OWW photo to share they certainly do have some projects going on:

Bethany's move from kuwait to santa cruz, ca

Leslie's new foster baby arrived

Jessica's announcement of baby #2 on its way

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If you are new to the One Word Wednesday project you can read more about it here. Check out these wonderful photos that were submitted by readers from last weeks word Pink.

one. two. three. four. five. six.

Did you take a photo for the One Word Wednesday project? I'd love to see if you did! Please leave a link below or tag #onewordwednesday on instagram. Next weeks word is Growth.

Craftstravaganza 2013

Saturday was our first show of the season. To me this marks the beginning of crazy-town. There is never enough time, never enough sleep. Life feels full to the brim with work and I try to squeeze in some fun times too, but summers to me are all about keeping my head above the water and keeping the orders rolling out on time while also stocking up enough handmade goodies for shows. It's overwhelming.... but when I think about it, I think I thrive on this time of the year.

This year I asked my lovely husband to help me build a new booth design. I was so tired of our previous grid wall situation. I just wanted something easier and more permanent feeling. So he set to work and over the span of a couple weekends he created this lovely booth for me to decorate and display to my hearts desire. I'm so very happy with how it turned out and can't wait for all my customers in Edina to get to see it in just 2.5 weeks.

One Word Wednesday : Pink

When you are in the wedding industry you end up with a lot of pink supplies around your house. Fabric, washi tapes, flowers, pens, did I say fabric? Oh yes I have lots of pink fabrics, but I choose these pretty pink Guttermann threads for todays One Word Wednesday Challenge. I use them for hand sewing details like bows onto clutches or pearl beads onto flowers. I've been learning to enjoy hand sewing more and more lately. It's relaxing. Your mind can wander while your hands are busy. I've even been thinking about pulling that quilt top out of my closet and finally hand stitching the binding on. It was a process that I dreaded years ago, but now I think I might just like it.

Below are the PINK photos from my dear friends.

1. Briana 2.  Jessica 3. Jenna (me) 4. Amanda  5. Bethany 6. Leslie

I hope that you are able to join us from time to time in the One Word Wednesday Photo Challenge! I would really love to see your photos! Next weeks word is PROJECT. Please feel free to share on your blog or instagram and then let me know with a link or #onewordwednesday.

To find out more about the One Word Wednesday Photo Collaboration visit the introductory post here.

Instagram Update 5.7.13

What shopping therapy looks like to me!

Bake Sale Supplies.

Cupcakes for the church bake sale we had. Sales went to help youth pay for a mission trip. Win-win!

More mini triple berry pies. I was told these were the first to sell out at the bake sale! One cracked in half when I was taking it out of the pan so I was forced to eat it. YUM!

Behind the scenes of a photo shoot. I can't wait until you see what we were up to! So much goodness I could scream!

#WIDN  : I stopped to take a photo of these clutches as they filled up the table before shipping. I love this step when everything has come together and they are ready to go out to their new homes.

 

My original issue of Darling Magazine got lost in the mail so I was really excited to see this copy on my doorstep over the weekend. It's such a beautiful and inspiring collection of works.... and perfect timing too... we are just starting to enjoy spring weather here in MN this week.


About Instagram Updates:
All photos were taken on my iPhone 4s and shared through instagram. If you'd like to see more photos from my instagram series you can check them out here or start following me @jennaloudesigns

Dashing Daffodils in May

This week my daffodils finally opened up! They are the first flower to bloom every year and this year they were really taking their time. I think I have photos of them blooming in early April from last year. To say this was a long winter is an understatement. Our neighboring towns just 30 minutes away have yards covered in snow at the moment. By some grace we were spared this time... and hopefully it will be the last of the year.

I'm really looking forward to more fresh cut blooms from my garden. Next should be the tulips!

One Word Wednesday Week One: Morning

I have been working behind the scenes for the past several weeks on a new collaboration project between blog friends who I adore and am inspired by. Today we are launching One Word Wednesday!


One Word Wednesday is a simple photo challenge intended to tie friends together and inspire anyone and everyone to document the everyday beauty in the world around them. Please join us every Wednesday, sharing a photo that celebrates a scene from your life on your blog and/or instagram. Each word will be announced one week in advance to give you time to think on and capture an image that celebrates that particular word. Be sure to leave a link or add hashtag #onewordwednesday to your photos, so that we can all share in the joy! Next week's word: PINK!

This weeks word: Morning

 

Taken at my kitchen counter where I look out the window and eat my coconut oil on toast each morning. I've heard before you're not supposed to eat standing up at a counter (something about bad digestion), but it has become a ritual and a quiet moment that I look forward to each day. A time just for me before the busyness begins.

There are five other bloggers participating in this challenge. Each I have gotten to know through our blogs, but the friendships are real and I feel so blessed to have this new connection with them also.  Below are their photos which celebrate morning.

1. Bethany 2. Leslie 3. Jessica 4. Jenna (me) 5. Amanda 6. Briana

I hope you will join us next week on Wednesday! Please leave a link to your post here on the blog or if you join on Instagram then tag me @jennaloudesigns and #onewordwednesday so we can join in your celebration of the word of the week. Next weeks word is PINK.

Behind the Scenes - Mixing Fabrics

I spend a good part of each workday talking with brides. We talk about shoes, dresses, jewelry and flowers.... and how those things will relate to the custom clutches they are ordering. I often suggest picking an accent color for the clutches so they pop against their dresses rather than just blend in. And I LOVE when they send me photos to create a fabric board around.

I thought it would be fun to share a few of the fabric boards I've made for brides recently!

This one is a favorite of mine because of the unexpected color combinations. These jewel tones are going to be great for her fall wedding and I'm dying over those green sunflowers!

And here are a few more:

As you can see I have a lot of options. Over 300 in fact! And I know it can be overwhelming to navigate.... so if you're trying to pick out some fabrics that go together just drop me a email and I'd love to create a custom set for you.

This part of my job can be time consuming.... but it is part I thoroughly enjoy! I just love seeing how my collection can come together to create a unique look and because I'm always adding and subtracting from the collection, as we run out, it is forever evolving and challenging me to come up with new combinations.