The one where I actually do something

So after weeks months of procrastination, I've finally designed my business cards. Spurred on by Moo's offer of free stickers for Etsy followers on Twitter, I quickly designed some round stickers, which although cute looked nothing like what I had originally planned for my business cards and branding.

My new Moo round stickers

Given that I'd designed them in a bit of a hurry I wasn't sure how good they'd be, but I loved them as soon as they arrived - so much so I completely ignored previous ideas for the business cards and followed the same theme. I've been waiting impatiently for business cards, mini cards and return address labels to turn up (what can I say, I was one of those kids that bought new stationery right at the start of the summer holidays!), and had a massive smile on my face when these turned up today.

Yeah, Helen, open me quickly...

A veritable rainbow of business cards

Ooh look, mini cards

I do love Moo's branding. They've captured a playfulness on their website but that also extends to their email communications and packaging. The mini cards came with their own baggage info.

I've also (finally) set up a Facebook page for Josie and May (it's almost embarrassing how long it's taken my to sort all this out, given that my day job is dealing with websites and social media), and I'm slowly adding pictures of past makes. As a result, I'm getting a few custom orders so I've been busy making new reversible bags. I love this one so much I'm tempted to keep it for myself, but I think I'll end up buying some more fabric for another one.

Nautical reversible bag - ahoy sailor!

This weekend I'm planning on making more make up bags and taking decent photographs so that I can add them to my Etsy store before a self-imposed sewing lock down, where I will be entertaining in-laws and decorating the bedroom (not at the same time). Well, at least until the time comes to make the curtains.

You never forget your first sale

I sold my first make up bag yesterday - it seems those colleagues who said my bags were good and they'd want to buy one weren't lying!

My first sale was a small make up bag made in Amy Butler fabrics (Daisy chain in clematis and lined with Belle oxford stripe) - ta da!

What's that? Why yes, it is a Josie and May label! How lovely of you to notice!

It never ceases to amaze me how popular the outer fabric is amongst my friends. It's brown, I keep thinking, who'd want that? But clearly I did - I bought it for a reason!

I have another order for a larger make up bag using the same fabric combinations from another work colleague, and I plan on working out a pattern for a make up brush wrap, so that'll keep me busy over the weekend.

I can't wait to make more and sell them on Etsy. It's been good practice, forcing me to make sure the stitching is as close to perfect as I can get, rather than thinking that it'll do as it's only for me.

It also gave me an opportunity to try out wrapping ideas. I love opening those purchases you make online only to discover the seller has made a bit of an effort in sending it to you. I had planned on having sorted out the Josie and May colours by now, and also have some moo mini cards to use, but those work/life scales have been tipped firmly towards work in the last couple of months and those were the things that could wait. Fortunately I love wrapping presents, so have quite a stash of tissue paper and ribbon. It was the perfect excuse to use the stitch-effect ribbon I picked up when I visited Wyken Vineyards just before Christmas (we spent so much time at the farmers market and in the shop that we forgot to actually look around the vineyard - oops).

I knew it was bought as a present for a family member, so I included a little gift tag she can write a message on and stick on before passing on (if it had been for her to keep, I would have written out the tag myself).

So now I'm recovering from all of the excitement, and preparing for a weekend spent in front of the sewing machine. Lovely.