A Productive Week {A Semi InstaFriday Post... on Saturday}

This has been such a productive week, although I didn't finish the new items I thought I would (i'm so close!), I was still able to accomplish 90% of my to-do list.  Sew awesome!  It feels great to get back on track.

Here's a snapshot of my week... I'm ready to enjoy the weekend and I hope you are, too!

Linking with LifeRearranged: 

I posted this fun Subway Art Mug Rug tutorial:

It's great to plan ahead, even if it's just a snapshot of the year to come.  This week I sat down with my 2013 calendar to look at events I'd like to attend.  SoChick! is going to be busy!

Some TLC was needed on my machine.... yuck!  This is a weekly occurrence, cleaning the bobbin area of lint, but it's never this bad... must be from the cotton thread I was quilting with.

I asked Andrea, of Bubblewrapp'd, if she could do a custom order for me... I know she's a super busy gal, but I love her blocks and figured it was worth a shot.  To my delight, she was happy to work on my custom order: Shop signs.  One large one for my Vendor Booths, and one for my space at a local Cake Shop, Ali Smith Cake Designs.

I was so excited when I came home to find my package waiting for me. (Side note: Our mail lady left two tiny milkbone dog treats on the box for our pups... so sweet.)  I was blown away when I opened the box to reveal my beautiful new signs!!

I asked Andrea if she could make them look like my business card (sitting atop the small block in the picture)... And, wow, what an awesome job she did!  The sides of the blocks are painted turquoise to match my branding and she even added nice holes in the back so that I can hang the large sign, Without risking destroying it by trying to add my own holes... she didn't say this, but I'm glad if she thought it! *wink*

I also had super cooperative little chickies on Friday and was able to get six new bags started, should have these babies in the Shop next week (also you can find a selection of them at Ali Smith Cake Design's Ghent Plaza location, in New Bern, NC, if you're local.)

Finally, rainy days in the house lead to being goofy... this is a perfect example of the Sewing Geek that I am:

**Don't forget to save 25% in the Shop through Monday with discount Code SUMMER25**

Lots of Love!
XxOo~ Melissa

InstaFriday {Sewing, My Pups and Winners}

This week went by so quickly.. I guess that's what happens when Monday is a Holiday!

Here's the rundown of my week via Instagram, I'm linking up with Jeannett!  You can follow me on Instagram (thesochickchick).

Always nice to start the week with a Twitter Swap... Kristen from kd-quilts stitched this quilted pouch for me, I love the fabrics!  She also stuffed it with lots-o-scraps, all of which I'm itching to use!

Tropical whatever-it-was Beryl came through on Wed., So I took the time to cut and prep some items for this weekend's Farmer's Market.

I love my poodle boy, Conrad, with a clean shaven face and ears... apparently he thinks that being fresh from the groomer means he can lounge on the couch.  Although, my youngest chickie doesn't help with the confusion when she calls him to lay with her... ha.

A little of what will be at the Market this weekend.

Marilyn, our Boston Terrier, rules the roost... Conrad thinks she shouldn't be on the couch, well.. at least not in his spot!

I'll be at the New Bern Farmer's Market tomorrow, June 9th and June 16th... so I'll be sewing lots in between... if you're in the area, come by for a visit!!

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GiveAway Winner Info:

 This sale has ended, and while I didn't meet my goal to kick-off the GiveAway, I did e-mail something special to those who participated!  Thank you! 

The Advocare Spark Energy Giveaway had two participants... lucky for them, because they are each getting a prize!  Thanks for entering!

Have a fabulous weekend!

XxOo~ Melissa

Insta-Friday {Feeling Better}

So, about this mini hiatus I took from blogging... It wasn't intentional, really, I promise.  You see, the kids had a nice three (and a half) day weekend from school and my oldest chickie ended up bringing home a nasty stomach virus, which hit her on Sunday, to share with the rest of us.  I'll save you all of the details and tell you that we are all feeling much better after a few days of rest.  Whew!

Anyway, where has the week gone?!  I'll share the highlights (which are few) via an Insta-Friday post... linking up with Life Rearranged.

I was able to sneak in some sewing earlier in the weekend, prepping for new items... here's a sneak peek of some swirly pink fabric straps:

I also stitched up my February Blocks for the Craftsy BOM, but I'm going to wait to share those on the blog... you can visit me on Craftsy.com (TheSoChickChick) and you may have caught a peek if you're following me on Twitter or Instagram (Both @TheSoChickChick).

Next up is my Nan's grandfather clock, this is a seven day clock, meaning I need to "wind it" (raise the weights) once a week.  Every time I do, I open the front of it, take a breath in and am hit with all kinds of nostalgia of growing up and my Nan's home.  This was her clock, and all those years of being in her home have been sucked inside, they greet me every time I open that door... warm fuzzies. every. time.

Marilyn Louise, our 5 yo Boston Terrier, is always up for napping and snuggling... she's happiest snuggling under the covers snoring her brains out, so naturally she got some enjoyment out of us all being sick and resting.  Very recently, the pups have started sleeping in the girls' room again; they think they've gone to heaven every night when we say "time for bed", 've never seen two dogs run up stairs, jump in bed and lay still so quickly.  No, they are not spoiled... 

Well, there you have it... my week in photos.  This weekend I will be busy playing catch-up as there are lots of orders to fill, lots of projects going on and an upcoming trip to Sewing Expo (I'll tell ya more about that next week)... all of which means lots of coffee and maybe a late night, or two.

Don't forget that the Craftsy BOM Blog Tour kicks off today with Miss Print!! Pop over to say hi, you may find that you'll want to stay a while! Want the list of stops on the tour?  Visit my "Save the dates" post, Here.

Have a great weekend.

XxOo~ Melissa

Insta-Friday & A SoChick Sneak Peek!

Have you noticed the lack of posting this week?  That's because I'm a one-woman operation and have been sewing like crazy to get things ready for the re-opening of SoChick! Handbags (The Shop) on MONDAY!!! Eeeeek! I am so super excited for you to see whats going to be in there!

Today I'm linking with Life Rearranged to give you my week in photos, and a Shop Sneak Peek... Enjoy!

Early in the week I made Stuffed Cabbage, my Hungarian Grandmother (Nan) made the best stuffed cabbage. Ever.  I try my best to get it right, from memory, every time.

Super warm to start the week here in Coastal North Carolina... I LOVE it!

I also love when my husband stops at Costco after work and brings home a case of VitaCoco for me!

Yesterday's lunch, delish!

Aaaand, although it's windy and dreary, this temp is a Very nice way to end the week:

After months of planning and weeks of being closed, my SoChick! Shop is re-opening on Monday, January 30th... here's a sneak peek for you!

Also, I'm proud to say my oldest Daughter is a Straight A student!  We were very pleased with yesterday's report card!  This weekend will be busy with gymnastics and girl scouts as well as final prep for the Shop!  Have a wonderful one!

**Have you entered the GiveAway for a Free Fat Quarter from Pat Bravo? Enter HERE.**

XxOo~ Melissa

Insta-Friday {& 100 Followers!}

[Hello Friday!]

  I kind of, sort of, kicked off the week with some instagram photos in Monday's Weekend Wrap-Up post, so today I don't have much (I've been super busy sewing, sewing and sewing...) here it goes:

Ruffle Scarves I packaged up earlier in the week:

Along with some lanyards: 

And in the midst of sewing I also got in some machine embroidery :

Looks like this Titanium needle wasn't up for the job...slacker, *wink*

[In Other News]

My sweet little blog is growing... I now have 100 followers {via GFC}, Yay!! And Thank You!!  I love all of your support, that you think enough of my space to follow it, and I am happy to have you here!

Be sure to check out the SoChick Handbags Facebook Page for this weekend's Sale Event!

Have a fabulous weekend!!

XxOo~ Melissa

Insta-Friday [My week in Photos]

I think it's quite obvious that I don't have a lot of blog posts scheduled and ready-to-go.  Sometimes I do, and that's great, most times I don't.  


So, for today, since I'm busy trying to sew a million and one things (before switching over to embroidery on my machine so that I can embroider a million and two things) I thought I'd try out an Insta-Friday Post.


Insta-Friday is hosted by Life Rearranged, a blog worth checking out.  Basically I'm sharing my week in instagram photos... which I tend to take a lot of... enjoy!

 Here are some new Yellow/White Chevron Wristlets that I made up.  I love the Grey Velvet Accent, don't you?!  There are still a few left in The Shop.

 Here's how Jack Bauer greets me first thing in the morning, with the 'Puss  in Boots' eyes... because he thinks he's starving... all 18lbs of him. (P.S. that white speck in the middle of the photo is my iPhone camera, i've had the thing three months and this is what happens *sigh* probably need to go to AT&T and ask "What the deal?")

 From-the-box Chocolate fudge Brownies, with icing thankyouverymuch.  Seriously sinful, seriously delicious!

 Super gloomy-yet-warm-and-humid day. 'Nuff said

Affordable Gwen Steffani at Target?! YES!! It's for the kids, but that make's it easier to justify spending...right?!?!

 This was my Nan's jewelry chest.  I only have a few pieces in it because I've not taken out what was there to begin with... I want to refinish this piece but need to research where to start so I don't ruin it... I'd like for one of my girls to have it one day.

Finally... here I am with my new hair cut trim, yay! *happy dance* So glad to have found a new stylist (since mine moved away in March... yes, it's been that long since anyone has touched my hair)

Hope your weekend is fabulous!! Ours is going to be a busy one!


XxOo~ Melissa