PDF Sewing Patterns

 I am please to tell you that I have added a fourth PDF Sewing Pattern to my shop, http://www.originalsbylauren.etsy.com/ .  The newest pattern is for my curvy girl's apron.  It is designed for real women, sizes 12 and up.  The pattern is for the apron that sells in my shop, so you now have the option of purchasing the pattern and making your own. 

There are 2 sizes included, the first fits size 12-18 and the second fits size 20-24.  The pattern is $7.00 and will be emailed to you the day of purchase.

As with all of my patterns, I am always happy to answer any questions and to help with any problem you might have.

The other patterns in my shop are one for my vendor apron and one for 3 different zippered, lined bags.

In my second shop, http://www.originalsbylaurentoo.etsy.com/ , you can purchase my children's twirl skirt pattern.
I also have kits available for the skirts, they come with precut fabric and elastic.

I hope to add some new designs in early 2011.    Lauren

 

Jewelry Clearance, Limited Quantities

Today I wanted to share with you an opportunity to pick up some one of a kind jewelry pieces .  I make sterling silver and copper jewelry, but will not be making any new pieces for sale.

I have 6 pendants left and am giving great deals on them. The currently aren't listed in my shop, as they were getting lost there, so if you are interested in purchasing them, I will reactivate the listing for you.  These are all my original designs and will make wonderful gifts.  Each comes in a handmade pouch.

 I would love to see all of these go to people that would enjoy them, so I am drastically slashing the prices.  If you are interested in any of these, please contact me through my shop http://www.originalsbylauren.etsy.com/  or leave me a message here.

The sterling with the stones are $30 each and the other 4 are $15.  You get real stones and sterling silver and/or copper, you can't buy the materials to make them for that price.

Lauren

 

Check Out What's New and What's Coming

Alot has happened since my last blog post. I thought I would share some of my new items with you from my shop http://www.originalsbylauren.etsy.com/ .

I have made several designs of holiday potholders, some in traditional Christmas colors, and some with pinups.

I added a few styles of oven mitts. Right now I have male and female pinups, but if they do well I will add some other fabrics to the mix. They come in sets of 2 for $25. They make great gifts.

My most popular new line is sandwich, snack and food storage bags. They are made out of top quality 100% cotton fabrics with a foodsafe ripstop nylon lining. Here is the best part, they have a zipper! No velcro . They are machine washable, and will last for many, many uses.

I have lots of choices of fabrics, some juvenile, some pretty, even some a little funky. I sell them individually and in sets. They come in snack size, sandwich size, and a larger size for things like wraps, or for food storage at home.

I am thinking of adding bread bags, I am still working on the size. If anyone has any preferences in size, please let me know. I am deciding between one for french bread, one for bread machine bread, or just a large size that would fit most shapes of loaves.

I promise I will try to update again more quickly than last time.

thanks for stopping by, Lauren

It's Finally Here!

I finally finished my second PDF pattern. This one is in my second shop , http://www.originalsbylaurentoo.etsy.com/

I am hoping to get some kits listed in the days to come, perfect for busy moms that don't have the time to go shopping for fabric. I am going to include elastic in the kits, thanks Kim and Jaci.

The pattern is $7 and will be emailed to you. It is copyrighted, so please no commercial use.

It is easy to follow and has color photos of the steps.

Now I have to start thinking about the next pattern.

Lauren

wanted to add the link for the kits, I have them up now

http://www.etsy.com/shop/OriginalsbyLaurenToo?section_id=7142806

I have 2 different fabrics offered. If you would like to see a different color or design, please let me know..Thanks for lookiing;

Preparing for a Change

I am doing some redesigning of my children's clothing in http://www.originalsbylaurentoo.etsy.com/ and in order to make room, I am running a sale on the existing dresses and skirts.

I will refund 25% of your purchase price through paypal (excluding the shipping) or send you an invoice, whichever is more convenient for you.

I have the dresses in the style pictured selling for $32, and you will get and $8 refund, for a net cost of $24.

The skirts are listed at $30, you will get a refund of $ 7.50, for a net cost of $22.50.

Inventory is very limited, so don't wait .

I am also releasing a PDF pattern for the twirl skirt in the next week, it will sell for $7. I am also making kits, price still to be determined.

One question, isn't there always a question, the kit will have the pattern and the fabric precut. Would you expect elastic to be included in the kit? I know normally it would not be, but I am thinking of busy moms and don't want them to have to run to the store.

Thanks for stopping by,

Lauren

What Do You Think About Christmas in July?

As usual, I need your help.

I am going to run a Christmas in July promotion in my shop http://www.originalsbylauren.etsy.com/ and would love your input.

I am undecided if I should offer a percentage off, free shipping , or a combination of the two.

I don't know if I should run it for a week or longer, and would also love your thoughts on that. I am thinking that 4th of July week would not be the best, as alot of people are on vacation, but maybe the week after that?

One more question, I got the holiday hunks pictured above in black, red, and green. I am making aprons and potholders, is there anything you would like to see in my shop made from these fabrics?

I look forward to your comments, thank you very much.

Lauren

A Little More Help, Please

You have been so helpful with my shop www.originalsbylauren.etsy.com that I want to ask your advise again.

I opened a second shop last fall www.originalsbylaurentoo.etsy.com and it hasn't hit it's stride yet.

I carry childrens clothing, mostly girls, handmade and designed by me. I also have crib shoes, children's scrubs, and hospital gowns.

The maternity and children's hospital gowns are steady, but the clothing sales are stagnent.

Here is what I need from you, is my shop lacking something, do you like or dislike what I currently carry? Please be brutally honest, I can take it.

As an added incentive to you all, once I get this shop straightened out, I will be having a giveaway and you can choose which shop you want to take it in.

Thanks in advance, Lauren

I Would Love Your Input

I have a large variety of items in my shops
http://www.originalsbylauren.etsy.com/
and http://www.originalsbylaurentoo.etsy.com/
and I always try to listen to what my customers want.

I recently added sandwich, snack and food storage bags at the
suggestion of several people, and they have been a big hit,
so I thought I would ask again.

Is there anything my shop needs, or do you want to see an item
I already have in a different fabric or style?

I can't wait to hear what you think, I will value every suggestion
and I thank you in advance.

Lauren

Time is Running Out to Enter

I am having a giveaway on facebook. One lucky winner will get their choice of a set of 1 sandwich bag and one snack bag. They have foodsafe lining and a zipper closure.

I have everything from pretty to funny to a little crazy. They are great for school or work, or use them around the house to store food.

To enter, go to my fan page and click on the discussion tab. There you can enter to win. The drawing is 8am edt on Saturday, so you better enter quickly before time runs out.

The link for my fan page is to the right in the facebook box. And don't forget to click on the thumbs up, you need to be a fan to win.

Good luck, and check out my shop www.originalsbylauren.etsy.com

Lauren

De Los Muertos and Wine

I have just made some new lunch, snack and sandwich bags out of some really fun fabrics.

For anyone who doesn't know, de los muertos (day of the dead) is a holiday in Mexico celebrated around the time of our halloween. They bring sugar candy shaped like skulls to the cemetary and place them on graves of loved ones. The rain makes the sugar melt into the ground, thus sharing the treats with the deceased. Kind of a cool idea, I think.

I have Alexander Henry's interpretation of that holiday in white and in black, and the fabrics are wonderful.

I have also made some snack/sandwich bag

sets in Michael Miller fabric which is covered

in green leaves, purple grapes, and wine bottles

in both red and white. The fabric is really pretty.

As always, my bags are lined in food safe ripstop

nylon. The lunch bags close with a vintage button

and the smaller bags have a zipper.

So make sure to stop buy http://www.originalsbylauren.etsy.com/

and take a look at these and the many other choices for

lunch.

Lauren

We Have a Business Card Winner

Congratulations to Nicole from www.etsy.com/shop/nikid . Nicole won 500 business cards from

http://www.uprinting.com/ .

Nicole will receive 500 business cards in her choice of styles . For everyone that didn't win, uprinting is a great company and does a wonderful job, so please check them out.

Thanks to everyone that participated and watch for more giveaways.

Lauren

We Have a Winner on Facebook!

I had a facebook fan giveaway, and the winner is Sandie at www.etsy.com/shop/zaftigdelights . She chose the Day of the Dead poholders in black. Make sure to stop by Sandie's shop and take a look.

As a thank you to all the people that became my fans on facebook , I am offering 10% off all purchases from either shop www.etsy.com/shop/originalsbylauren and www.etsy.com/shop/originalsbylaurentoo . Mention facebook in the comments to seller and I will refund the 10% through paypal. This offer ends Sunday at midnight (5/9).

So thanks to all my fans and I will be offering more giveaways and special discounts. If you aren't already a fan, there is a link to the right.

Lauren

Blatant Request for Fans

I know I might sound pathetic, but I am looking for some people to become fans of my facebook fan page Originals by Lauren. I have only been on facebook a few weeks, and I would like to build a solid base so that I can start doing giveaways and contests.

That being said, here's the deal, I currently have 50 fans, not bad for just over 2 weeks, but I would like to break 100 soon. As soon as I get 100 fans, I am going to do a facebook giveaway, so if you tell your friends about me, not only will I get more fans, but you will get a chance to win something fun!

Thank you very much! Lauren

P.S. there is a link to the right that will take you directly there

500 Free Business Card Giveaway!!

I have a fantastic giveaway for you!
UPrinting is offering you a chance to win 500 high quality business cards absolutely FREE, even free shipping!
Here are the details of the prize :

500 Business Cards for One (1) Winner
Sizes : 2x3.5", 2x3", 2x2"(square), or 1.5x3.5" (slim card)
Paper:14 pt gloss cardstock, 14 pt matte cardstock, or 13 pt recycled uncoated cardstock
Specifications, Full Color Both Sides, Offset Press, 3 Business Day Printing
Shipping: Free UPS Ground Shipping
Eligibilty: Limited to US Residents Only

Here are the links, so you can check them out
Business cards http://www.uprinting.com/Business-Cards.html
Print Online http://www.uprinting.com/

check them out, they do a great job.

Okay, here is how you enter, and you have 5 chances to win
1. go to www.etsy.com/shop/originalsbylauren and find your favorite item, come back and leave a comment telling me what you chose and why
2. go to www.etsy.com/shop/originalsbylaurentoo and do the same with this shop, but make sure to leave it in a seperate comment
3,4 &5 tweet, post on your blog, or post on facebook this offer

So that's it, easy to do and a great prize offered! Don't need new business cards right now, you can use these for hang tags, or even for personal cards, so make sure to enter.

The contest ends on May 1o, so you have a very limited time to enter.

Good Luck, Lauren

More Food Talk

Now that my food storage bags are made and listed, and I had my first sale of them last night, I though it would be fun to show you some things to put in them. Of course, this is just an excuse to think about food.

The delicious oranges dipped in chocolate are from
my friend Nicole's shop, www.etsy.com/shop/nikid .
Check her out, she has tons of delicious goodies.

The snack sized bag is perfect for, well, snacks, such as cookies, carrots, cheerios, or whatever you want to take with you or pack in your children's lunches.

The sandwich bags are big enough for most breads, and the large bag is perfect for a wrap sandwich, or to store banana bread on you kitchen counter.

I think the next time I bake some cookies for a neighbor, I will enclose them in a large bag, that way they can have something to use when the treats are gone.

Just a reminder, check out my shop www.etsy.com/shop/originalsbylauren for these items and lots of other things you might like.

I have to go now, I am starving so I am going to make lunch :)

Lauren

I Have Added A New Line

I have added a line of food safe bags to my shop www.etsy.com/shop/originalsbylauren . They compliment my oversized lunch bags, and I am very excited about them.

I really owe many of you a thank you for your input about this. I have taken alot of your suggestions, and still feel free to let me know if you think I am missing something.

I have made 3 sizes for now, snack size, sandwich size, and a bigger bag for whatever you need to store or carry. I used zippers instead of velcro, and they are lined with food safe ripstop nylon. They can be wiped out with a damp cloth, or machine washed when necessary.

The large bag is 9" square, the sandwich is 7" square and the snack bag is 4.5"x6". All of them are a little larger than average, so if you use large whole grain bread, or want to carry alot of carrot sticks, you will have plenty of room.

The larger bag can be used for wraps, or an number of lunch items, or you can use it for food storage in the kitchen. I plan to store banana bread in mine, or fresh baked cookies. They will look alot nicer on my counter than a plastic bag.

I have offered a variety of sets, from 2 to 5 bags. If you have a different quantity or configuration in mind, just ask and I will set up a custom listing for you. Of course, the sets are less expensive than buying individual pieces.

So take a look, and let me know what you think. They make a great mother's day gift!

Lauren

And The Winner Is

Congratulations to Kim from
www.etsy.com/shop/kimscraftyapple
and www.etsy.com/shop/theapple .

Kim has won her choice of pinup pouches from my shop www.etsy.com/shop/originalsbylauren

For those of you who didn't win, if you go to my shop and purchase a pin up pouch before May 1, put the code blog10 in the comments to seller and I will give you 10% off the price of the pouch and anything else that you purchase with it. Discount does not apply to shipping charge.

So here is the deal, you buy a pouch and as many other items as you like, put in the code, and you get a discount, so everyone is a winner!

Thanks to everyone that entered and watch for more contests and giveaways in the future.
Don't forget to visit my shops, and stop by Kim's shops too, she has alot of great items.

I am also in need of fans on facebook, where there will be upcoming goodies too, so click on the facebook badge to the right and it will take you there.

Thanks again everyone, Lauren

Happy Earth Day!

Today is earth day, and it got me thinking. Times have changed so much over the last 40 years. My grandmother used to reuse aluminum foil and grocery bags, and we kids thought that was awful, everyone wanted "new" and we thought it was an "old lady" thing.

In the 1970's the hippies reused things, but we thought it was a matter of need, and most people wanted new things.

I have been bringing my own bags to the supermarket for quite a few years now, and would never go back to those plastic bags, first because of the waste, but second, because my bags are so much nicer .

I started a couple of years ago bringing my own bags for all of my other shopping too, and isn't it nicer to have a new article of clothing in a cloth bag than in one of those plastic ones?

We changed to cloth napkins quite a while ago too, and now I can't stand those flimsy little paper ones. I toss them in the washer when doing a load of clothes, so I am not even wasting soap and water to wash them.

So I guess my grandmother knew more than I did back then, what's next, will my mother have been right about my boyfriends?

Lauren

I Need Your Input

I have been making lunch bags for a while now for my etsy shop, www.etsy.com/shop/originalsbylauren .

I have had requests for a while for sandwich bags and snack bags, and would love some input.

I am thinking of making sandwich bags with the same foodsafe nylon lining that I use in the lunch bags, and a thin strip of velcro to close them.

I thought maybe a smaller snack bag too, or even possibly an oversize bag.

Here is what I need to know, would you prefer to buy these items individualy or in sets, and what would you like a set to consist of, how many, which size ?

I am planning on using some of the same fabrics you see already in my shop. Would you want your bags to match or be different, and what are your thoughts on children's novelty prints with a matching napkin?

I am also thinking of silverware rolls.

I would love any input you can give me, it is so hard to be objective.

Thanks, Lauren

Swan Lake

I had the great pleasure of seeing Swan Lake performed at the Stanley Theatre in Utica, NY last night. It was magnificent, and I have been replaying every moment in my head this morning. I was fortunate enough to have orchestra seats, so I was able to see every expression on their faces as they performed. If anyone gets the chance to see it, don't pass it up. I have a question though, how do women who are so skinny that you can count the ribs in their chests have the strength to dance like that? They have these wonderfully thin legs, and they can dance on them for hours.

Lauren

I made the front page of etsy this morning. I want to thank lindesigns for curating such a lovely treasury, and I would encourage everyone to visit the other shops that shared the front page with me, they are all full of fanstastic goodies.

Lauren

I Have Entered The 21st Century!

I can hardly believe it, but after much resistance, I joined facebook last night. I have been told that I need a fan page, so now I have one. I have the link listed to the right at the top of my links, I would love some fans.

I am still figuring out what to do there, but I plan to make it fun to visit.

If you become a fan, come back and leave a comment on the givewaya post saying so and it will enter you .

In case you haven't scrolled down yet to see what you can win, here are a couple of pictures.

Hope to see you on facebook, and good luck with the contest.

Lauren

Thank You Etsy Friends

One of the reasons that I have neglected my blog for so long is that my brother Bobby was tragically killed last fall in an automobile accident while travelling for business in NH. He was 46 and left a wife and 2 teenagers, and was hit by a teenager that had only been driving a month, but was going over 100 mph.

When all this was going on, many etsy friends were wonderful to me, and I can't possibly name them all here, but I wanted to thank a few of them . Some came to the wake or funeral, some were great comfort through email and convoes.

This wonderful quilt was made by Nancy at www.etsy.com/shop/uniquelynancy

The gorgeous cathedral window pillow cover is by Tiffany at www.etsy.com/shop/warmnfuzzies

This beautiful cut paper is done by Cathy at www.etsy.com/shop/myserenityway

The colorful birdfeeder is done by Dan at www.etsy.com/shop/ddb7

This fun felt sandwich comes from Myrhieah at www.etsy.com/shop/tangbaby

Please check out these shops, they are not only wonderful friends, but they do great work and you might just find something there that you can't live without.

I wish I could thank everyone, there are so many of you, but this small group will have to do for now.

Thanks to everyone for their kind words, their thoughtful gestures, and all the prayers. My sister-in-law, niece and nephew and doing pretty good, it is still very hard for them but they are trudging along like troopers. Bobby would be proud of how well they are doing.

Lauren