The [Idea] Notebook, Why You Need One

If you sew, crochet, knit, craft, blog, or do anything you are passionate about and enjoy, you really should invest in a notebook for your thoughts. {Write that down, then keep reading for the Why}

I can't tell you how many times I have sat down to my sewing machine to start a project and my mind starts thinking of all of these great projects I can do next... before I'm even a dozen stitches into whatever it is I'm currently making.  My Notebook can tell you, though.

I am sure to keep it handy when I'm doing just about whatever and have gotten into a great habit of hunting it down when an idea pops into my head.

I will admit that I have more than one notebook, yep, I have about three.  True story! 

[My Go-to Gal]

This is my number one notebook, she's got divided sections that hold everything from business goals to sewing patterns, measurements and solid (to-do) ideas.  She's the one who sits on my cutting table while I prep, and next to my machine as I sew.  I have sketches in this notebook from the very first days of SoChick!, if not earlier! Like I said, Go-To. Gal.

[The Everything Notebook] 

  I always keep a brainstorming notebook, this would probably be all that I would use if I wasn't running my own sewing business and blogging (and if I was less neurotic about being organized... I'm a Virgo, ya know, that's how we roll.) This notebook is a jumble of ideas, if I have an idea for a DIY project, a bag design, fabrics, blogging, a sewing lesson, a to-do list... it all gets written in here.  I periodically go through and weed out the keepers and non- keepers.  The keepers I write in my Go-To Gal. See Above.  Or in my Blog "Planner". Keep reading.

[The Blog "Planner"]

Finally, because I do blog, I have a blog planner aka notebook.

I keep my ideas for posts in here when they come to me, I date the page, write up an outline and check it off when it's been scheduled or posted.

About once a week I will go through my blog notebook and 'schedule' my posts, typically writing them down on the calendar in my "Busy Mom" Planner:

The Idea Notebook is a great way to:

- Organize your thoughts:

- Set and track your Goals

- Reflect on what you've done and where you want to go. (Seriously, when you look back in your notebook, it feels great to see all of the projects you've checked off... because then you know it's time to dream up more!)

- Free up your brain!  Those ideas are floating around and trying to get out, set them free... in your notebook, and get back to them when it's convenient for you.

This quote is on my blog notebook, I love it.

XxOo~ Melissa

Reading and Following Blogs [How-To and Why You Should!]

Source: etsy.com via Melissa on Pinterest

[Why Blogs]

Well, you can learn tons from blogs... DIY/Craft Tutorials, Recipes, Organization, Design, Fashion, Beauty Tips, Gardening... shall I go on?  You can network, find inspiration & support, share faith, and grow through blogs.  And, mostly because many blogs are the real deal... real people, like you and me, sharing their lives, experiences, knowledge and passions through their little place on the internet they call 'Blog'.

[How do I find a blog worth reading?]

I have found that this takes time, building a list of blogs you enjoy reading, that is.  A lot of the time, once you've found a blog you like you can search within that blog for Guest Posts, Feature posts and Sponsors which will bring you to other bloggers who may share a common thread and qualities that got you hooked on the initial blog.

[I found a blog I want to follow... now what?]

Follow it!  Here are some tips:

Subscribing via Google Friend Connect

Some blogs, like mine, are hosted through Blogger (by Google) and allow you to subscribe via Google Friend Connect aka GFC, using your Google account.

Once you click "Join this site", you'll come to a window where you can then choose to follow publicly or privately... the choices are pretty self-explanatory, but it gives you a breakdown anyway... *wink*

Using an RSS Reader such as Google Reader (and the super cool 'Subscribe' toolbar widget)

When you subscribe via GFC, the feeds for those blogs will be stored in Google Reader... a super easy way to keep up with  the blogs you are following, and its Free! 

The reader will automatically get updates for the blog you follow and you can read them all from one screen... anywhere you can get an internet browser window! You can also access it from your iPhone with the Google Reader App... woot!

[What if I want to follow a blog that's not hosted on Blogger?]

Google reader also allows you to add this cute little "Subscribe" widget to your toolbar:

Yep, mine sits next to that addictive little 'Pin It' Pinterest widget!

When you find a non-Blogger blog that you love, you can click that 'Subscribe' button up on your toolbar to add it to your Reader... and viola! you can now keep up with that site, too!

[Did you know?]

  You can follow more than just blogs in a Reader...

This widget shows you that a feed is available for the site you are reading... when you click it, you have an option to select the reader you are using, in my case, Google Reader, and you can then choose to subscribe that way!  Super for news sites such as FoxNews or CNN.

~ ~ ~

These are just some tips that I've learned along the way...  I love being able to keep up with all of the blogs I enjoy without feeling overwhelmed or that I may miss something.  When I set aside an amount of time weekly, I am able to learn, be inspired by and connect with all of the blogs, and bloggers, that I enjoy!

Also, don't be afraid to leave a comment... us bloggers love feedback and to know that you are liking what you see/read!  You can comment as little or as much as you like, but definitely do so if you come across a cool post, or yummy recipe that you enjoyed.  Not only does it make us do a *happy dance* it shows other readers that it may be a recipe worth trying or tip worth trying!


So grab a cup of Pumpkin Spice coffee (or beverage of your choice) and get to reading and following! You'll be happy you did!

XxOo ~Melissa

Real Tips for Balancing your Handmade Business & Family [Shop Anniversary Celebration Week]

Today I have Andrea here to share how she balances her handmade business, Bubblewrapp'd, with her family and home life... after reading her post you will understand why I adore Andrea's real-ness... she's so fun to follow on Twitter for that very reason!


* * *


Hola SoChick readers!

Melissa was so sweet to ask me to guest post! I'm thrilled to be here to be a part of her {Shop Anniversary Celebration Week}!

I'm Andrea from Bubblewrapp'd!

I have an awesome hubby {who also happens to build me super awesome things!}, two little {stinker} boys. They are 5 and 4. Although now they are closer to being 6 and 5...

 They are 12 months and 2 weeks apart.

 Yes. They keep me very very very busy.

 I started Bubblewrapp'd late last year thanks {mostly, and really, completely} to my husband's encouragement.

 I've loved creating things for as far back as I can remember, and so, with his encouragement, "Bubblewrapp'd" came to be.

 My shop includes wood blocks with bright, fun colors, and motivational, inspirational, or just fun sayings to decorate your life!

 Melissa mentioned that she would like for me to talk about how I balance running Bubblewrapp'd while managing my family.

 I've thought about my "balancing" for a couple of days, and here's what I've got for you.

 A few definitions of the word "balance" are:
So, if we go with definition #2, "balance" is a means of judging or deciding".

 Which is the exact definition I would use for the "balance" I have with running Bubblewrapp'd while managing my family. 

I judge and decide each day where my priorities for that particular day need to be.

 Something wins every day, and something doesn't quite win {although I wouldn't exactly say it looses either}. It's a fact. It's how it has to be.

  I cannot do everything in every day.

 Some days, my priority is on getting my boy's situated with school, and with being at school with them. Volunteering, etc.

 Some days, my priority is a order from my shop. Completing, and shipping that order or orders.

 Some days, my priority is on my house. Cleaning, organizing, or CLEANING.

 Some days, my priority is on grocery shopping for my family.

 Some days, my priority is on MY SANITY. Which usually means a trip to Target at 8 am with Starbucks in hand, on a weekday.

 Some days, my priority is laundry.

 Not all of these can be a priority together on the same day.
 It's just not possible.
 It's insane to think that's possible.

Because, in between a particular day's "priority", is still the normal routine....

 Drop off's, pick-ups, phone calls, emails, bills, the unexpectedness of life, you know, the stuff that you don't "plan" on.

 Some days, the dishes get done in my house.
 Some days they don't. Some days the laundry gets done {and put away}.
 Some days it doesn't.
Some days I make a {mostly} from-scratch dinner.
Some weeks I order pizza delivery twice in one week.
Some days I remember the papers that need to be signed for school.
Some days they get signed one day later.

 Some days I respond to emails the moment I get them.
Some days, they have to wait.

 Some days I have to deal with the unexpected.
 Some days I don't.

 Some days the coffee works for me.
 Some days it doesn't.

 My points are these...

 You cannot win everything every day.
You cannot do everything every day.
You cannot be everything every day.

 You just can't.
 Accept it, deal with it. Move on.

 Some days you do some things great, while other things that you do suck.

 Some days you suck at several things, but you do some things very well.

 That's the balance, friends.
 Accept it.
 You cannot be great at all things everyday.
 Do your best.
 Try your hardest.
 Strive for excellence in every area of your life.

 BUT.
 Accept your weaknesses.
 Accept that you are not perfect.
 Accept that you need people to help you.
 That's the balance I try to have.
* * *

Thanks, Andrea!  

Come by tomorrow as I close out my Celebration week with a GiveAway  from another Handmade shop I "♥"!!

XxOo~ Melissa

The 5 Sewing Notions I ♥ [ A Top 5 List ]

I can pretty much guarantee that every one of us who sews has a 'Top 5' list of the items they can't live without.  You know, the fun little bits and bobs that make our life as crafters, seamstresses and sewists, a little easier...

These are my Top 5 Sewing Notions that I ♥  ... I swear I'm lost without them and I'll tell you what and why:

[ Number 1 ]
  My Gingher Dressmaker Scissors... with hand painted cheetah print (I know, they rock, right?!):

Nothing beats a great pair of scissors. Period.  These Ginghers have the perfect weight to them, which allows me to cut through layers of fabric like buttah!  I will never forget when I bought a cheap pair of fabric scissors:  The first time I attempted to cut fabric with fleece interfacing, the handle of the plastic scissors just snapped!  After a few expletives on my part, and some handy McGuiver work to get the scissors to finish cutting the rest of the fabric, I vowed to never cheap out again!  Good scissors are so worth the extra cash... especially since you wont have to spend your gas to drive back to the store to buy yet another set of cheap-o scissors. *wink* I actually picked this pair up from Joann's with a 40% Off coupon... woot!


[ Number 2 ]
  The Grabbit! Magnetic Pin 'Cushion'.

This thing is AWESOME, and not only because they come in pink!  With kids and pets (and a husband) in the house, I can't afford to have pins lying around.  Although I have a room dedicated as my studio, it would be no fun if I forbade everyone from coming in to visit because there may or may not be pins all in the rug... Not to worry... with my Grabbit!, if I drop a pin (or pins) I can just wave it slowly over the rug and any rouge pins are sucked right up with its super-magnet! Yeeeahhh Baby!  I have also mastered the pin-flick... which is basically where I set my Grabbit! off to the side as I'm sewing and as I remove pins from my project I just flick it towards the Grabbit and, well, it will Grab It... the pin... thus making my life easier and me more efficient, I'm convinced.

[ Number 3 ]
  Titanium Needles... yes, you read right... Titanium.

Okay, I know the package says "Embroidery Needles" and I do use them for embroidery... buuuut, I also use them for plain ol' sewing, too.  These suckers are so strong, it's not even funny!  They will stitch forever, it seams, for embroidery without breaking or dulling.  When I use them to sew, the only way thus far, that I have had to change one is b/c I have bent the needle... not broken it.  (Note: my bending of a titanium needle is mainly in part because I try to force some ridiculously thick amount of fabric through my machine which is saying 'no, no, no' whilst I try to convince it 'yes, yes, yes'... not a nice way to treat one's machine, I know, and I apologize.  I love my Singer).  I honestly can't say if there are Titanium sewing needles as I've not actually looked for them... shame on me.  I'm happy with what these do, ha.  Again, a little more expensive... but worth it!! 

Look at that beauty of a Titanium Needle.

[ Number 4 ]
  Seam Ripper
  

A seam ripper rates on my list for so many reasons... not only does it allow you undo wonky stitches, it helps make holes for snaps, poke out corners of fabric, open seams (duh), push fabric into purse frames, unclog your fabric glue bottle, tease bits of thread out from below the presser plate on your machine... shall I go on?


"To Sew is to rip" - Lisa Lam, U-Handbag




[Number 5]
 The Fasturn Tool, the most awesomest fabric turning tool! (Yep, I said 'awesomest' which is more awesome than awesome, hence the '-est' at the end of it... you may use it. *wink*)

  I picked up the Fasturn (links to video!), at The Sewing Expo in Atlanta, Ga, a little over two years ago.  This handy tool has helped me in so many ways.  It for sure makes life much, much, easier.  Honestly, when I first bought it I thought... "really, am I going to use this??" the answer... YES!  It's amazing how many times I've found easier ways through projects with this handy dandy tool... aside from turning tubes of fabric, I've used the wires to pull ribbon and elastic through casings, etc.  I actually showed my daughter how to use it when she made her first dress this past weekend!


I could go on and on with tools and stuff that make sewing easier for me... but that would defeat the purpose of having a Top 5 List... right?  What are some of your fav. tools?  I'd love to hear about them and learn a thing or two... I'm always up for learning about new things!  Leave a comment!  Or, if you have tried one of the above items I ♥ ... I want to hear about that, too!

 Happy Sewing!
  

XxOo~ Melissa
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