It's time for Coffee!

Hey there!
Gosh we haven't had coffee together in a while!
So let's do this! Grab your cup and let's chat.
What are you drinking today?
Now since the whether is warmer I have been craving coconut flavors in my coffee. I love getting a chocolate coconut frappe at our local Sweet Spot. I feel like I have seasonal go-to flavors. Summer is definitely a coconut kind of time. Or white chocolate raspberry, which is probably my all time favorite.
Or chocolate covered strawberry anything.
By now you probably think I have really weird taste...

Moving on.
Currently we are coming to the end of our spring shows. Our last two are in Ardmore at Clover Markets on May 18th (this Sunday!) and June 22nd.
I am resting easy this week and in the meantime finishing up some projects I have been working on here and there during the whole show season madness.
One of my projects is my cousin's wedding gown. She wanted something romantic and classic. We picked out a vintage-inspired top pattern that fit the image she had in mind. And from there I turned it into a floor length wedding gown in head to toe lace. 

Here is just a sneak peek! I don't want to spoil it for her wedding day! 

I am really enjoying the whole process of making this dress. From muslin fittings to final fittings.
It is going to be gorgeous on her!

So other than that I have been making some videos for the blog and I have some more ideas up my sleeve, including a few more giveaways coming up soon.
After notes from the show season, we are planning a new fall collection that will feature a different look for our handbags that we are pretty excited about. We are going to work all summer on this new line and it will be ready by the fall show season.
We also have some new products we are going to be adding to our shop soon, including cloth napkins and pouches. Check out previews of them on our instagram in the sidebar!

Also a new logo and design is in the works and you will get to see that all mid summer! 

Our little business is growing like a spring flower!

That's all I am going to tell you for now!
See ya!

Katie

Coffee Date: Craft Shows!

Let's grab some late morning coffee and chat about what is happening.

Well, I am freaking out with the excitement and joy right now!

God is blessing me and my business so much.
Since feeling called to leave my day job I have been able to dedicate all of my time to pursuing my passion and building my relationships with family and friends. 

In result, online sales have increased and I have become increasingly busy with projects!

I will be teaching classes at a sewing center in the Summer. (More details soon!)

I have had the opportunity to host several brunch and dinner parties for our dear friends. 

But most recently, I am going to three spring craft shows (still waiting to hear from two more) this year!

You can see us and shop at Clover Markets and Downtown Glenside.

We will be at the April 13th and May 18th Shows. 

This show is the First Annual show and it is on April 26th.
Come out and celebrate with us! 

Super exciting stuff, right?!

I touched base a little bit with you last week on my goals after finding out I made it to one craft show.
I am feeling overwhelmed, but I'm ready to grab hold of this opportunity.
I have what feels like a million things on my to-do list and I am so grateful to have friends that are willing to step in when I give a shout out for help. 

We are looking forward to some new products being made.

Some new business cards and promotional items.
And finding fun display pieces for our booths. 

Write down those dates on your calendar and check out their websites!
We hope to see you there! 

Chat soon!
Katie

How is God working in your life?
What has He blessed you with lately? 

Coffee Date: Goal Setting

One of my blog friends started a segment called "coffee date" last year and I have taken a liking to the idea. Every once and a while she fills us in on what she is up to or what has been on her mind lately. I love reading her posts because it feels like you are catching up with an old friend!
So today I am going to start my own "Coffee Date" segment, because chatting over coffee is my favorite way to catch up with my friends! 

Especially when a Raspberry Mocha and a slice of Lemon Cake are involved. 

So if we were out for coffee, this is what I would be chatting about:

(Hold on! Let's do this right. Go grab your coffee cup!)

I am currently reading a book by Dave Ramsey called Entreleadership.
Are you familiar with Dave Ramsey?

I enjoy his ideas and lessons on finances so when I was looking for books to read about business to help me grow mine, I picked up his. Being a good leader is important in a business. I learned this especially in some of my past work experiences, when my managers did not have good leadership qualities. It was emotionally draining for me because there were no goals, no teamwork, no organization and that lead to a selfish community of miserable employees. I knew I needed to take action to change myself to become a better leader before I ever considered hiring anyone to work for me. I don't want just bodies to do the work. I want passionate teammates that help the business reach goals and set new ones. I want my business to thrive and my employees to love their work.

I finished a chapter last night that focused on Goal Setting. 

I love setting goals and dreaming up new ideas. 

But you know what I'm not very good at? Making myself reach those goals. 

I have a good run at the beginning, and then I slack off a little and slowly lose touch.

Like that time I tried to eat more fruits and vegetables...

Or drink the recommended amount of water... or workout more...

I was failing, because these were ideas. Not goals. Goals have deadlines. They are specific. 

So instead of saying, I want to become more toned this year, I should have said, I want to do my Jillian Michaels DVD once a day for a month. I want to eat only fruits and vegetables for lunch for a week. Etc. 

You need short-term goals that help you reach the long ones. 

So currently I am preparing for a Craft Show because one of my big goals was to make it into one craft show this year. I know that I need to have inventory for my craft show, so I must create, let's say 50 handbags for the show. I have two months until the show. So I must make 25 bags a month. Which is about 6-7 a week. And lets say I want to have at least 8 different colorways of my best style. That means that each week I will focus on one color and make at least six handbags.

That is my goal right now. And I need you help hold me accountable for my goal.

So how about every Saturday for the next two months, I post about the new bags I just created.

Sound good?

And if I reach my goal the first month I get to purchase the emerald wool cashmere I am drooling over. And the second time I reach it I get to purchase the navy melton coating I just need to have. 

(Ha, like I really need more fabric!)

What goal are you working on right now?

What are you going to treat yourself with when you accomplish that goal?

Do tell! =]
I hope you enjoyed having coffee with me this morning!
See you next time!
Katie