GOOD BYE

It's time for me to wave you good bye. I started this blog as a way of sharing my creative side and my inspirations. I used to make cards, quilt, and sew my own home decor among other things. I thought it would be fun to share my projects and ideas with anyone who wanted to read this. I started All Things for Baby at the same time, and as you can guess, I'm no longer a cardmaker, quilter, or interior decorator. Instead, I spend all my spare time sewing shoes and promoting my business. Not that I'm complaining as I LOVE creating the shoes. However, that has left me no time for any other creative projects.

Blogging has been a struggle for me since I started this. I've kicked myself more than once wishing I had taken a class or two in creative writing back in high school. How much easier blogging would have been! I never wanted the blog to be about my business, but I find myself with nothing else to write about. So...thank you to everyone who has been reading and commenting. I hope you enjoyed a post or two. Maybe someday I'll return to blogging, but until then, you can find me on Etsy and FB.

So long,
Terri

ALL DONE

So here are the final photos of our new and improved master bath. We're so pleased with how it turned out! Don't you think my husband did a fantastic job on it?! I tried to get more of the shower in this photo so you could see a bit of the tiling he did in there. I actually like our vanity even more than the inspiration vanity. I like having the drawers in the middle instead of just the cupboards below the sinks. And can I tell you how I love just wiping down the counter top instead of having to scrub the grout!

x

We've got a few neighbors interested in seeing how it all turned out. Now I just need to replace the old palm tree rug in front of the shower before we invite them over for the unveiling and maybe get some new towels. Then we'll need a new duvet cover and pillows for the bed, and definately new window treatments...

x

Terri

BATHROOM REMODEL

It all started with this inspiration piece...Actually it all REALLY started with this. Our dull and boring master bath. Take note of the lovely light fixture. White tile counter top in a bathroom is the absolute worst to keep clean.

A couple years ago my husband ripped out our non-working whirlpool tub, tiled, and replaced it with a spacious shower. About that time I fell in love with the inspiration vanity at Pottery Barn, but didn't like the $2600 price tag. I did, however, find a very similar vanity at Homegoods for almost a third of the price! Down came the ugly old vanity and up went the new tile to match the updated shower.

We also replaced the carpeting, light fixture and mirror. Pretty nice so far, right! You can just glimpse a bit of the shower area on the left side through the doorway. I'll have the finished photos in my next post. Stay tuned!

Terri

WEDDING ELEGANCE

I'm so excited to show you these wedding invitations. I spent quite a bit of time working on them with the mother of the bride and another friend of mine. They've finally been mailed out so I can share them with you. Here's the front......and here's the inside. Aren't they just beautiful! The bride and groom are getting married in a very small church, so the majority of the guests are only being invited to the reception.

The graphite gray with the cream is just so elegant. Don't you just love the brocade design as well! The design and printing of the invitations was done by Artiface Invitations and the three of us did all of the assembly. I just loved the way they turned out! Yay us!

Terri

TABITHA

If you are a fan of BravoTV, you already know her. But for those of you that don't, let me introduce you to Tabitha. She has a hit TV show called Tabitha's Salon Takeover. Tabitha and her crew go into salons that need help. She gives the owner and stylists advice on how to improve the salon and does a makeover as well. I'm not sure why, but she has a gigantic following of fans who absolutely adore her. Maybe it's because she isn't afraid to tell it like it is. She says all the things the rest of us are thinking, but are too afraid (or polite!) to say. Tabitha paid a little visit to Mission Viejo, California to a salon called A Star is Born Kids Hair Salon and I just happen to work there. She came in last September and tookover our salon. The episode of our show airs this Monday night, February 7th. For your entertainment pleasure and to get a taste of Tabitha, here are the links to watch the clips for the episode.

http://www.bravotv.com/tabathas-salon-takeover/season-3/videos/a-star-is-born

http://www.bravotv.com/tabathas-salon-takeover/season-3/videos/spring-cleaning

Now, before you watch, I must insist that you remember this...Just because it was on reality TV, doesn't mean what you saw is EXACTLY WHAT WAS SAID AND EXACTLY THE WAY IT HAPPENED! Ok, now you can watch...

The show airs on the west coast at 10:00 pm on Monday nights. Check your local listing for the time it airs in your area. And in case you miss it, Tabitha has countless reruns during the week. I'd love to know if you are a Tabitha fan and what you think of our episode.

Terri

ZEBRA ROCKS

It never ceases to amaze me how well my zebra shoes sell. Whether it's a mary jane with rhinestone bling, a sandal with a bow, or a high top sneaker, zebra just doesn't seem to be slowing down in popularity. Maybe this is why... Is she not just absolutely adorable! Tutus and zebra seem to just go together like peanut butter and jelly! They're perfect for each other and zebra with fuschia is always a winning combination.

Thanks to my customer for sending me this photo. I love seeing my creations on happy little feet!

How are you wearing zebra?
Terri

THINK SPRING

I know some of you are knee deep (or further!) in snow right now and Spring must seem light years away. I found this post recently and wanted to share it with you. There is hope. Spring is on it's way, and oh how beautiful it will be. Aren't these images just gorgeous! Can't you just feel the warmth of the sun!

The Wedding Stylista is the blog that I found this inspiration board on and it's a must read, especially if you are planning a wedding!

Here's to Spring...may it arrive soon!

Terri

SAMPLE SALE

Everyone loves a sale...especially ME! I just put over a dozen of my samples at 30% off so hop on over to Etsy and take a look. Here's a few to entice you. There's only one of each, so you better hurry up!

As for me...I'll be stitching up some new styles for spring.

Terri

WHICH ONES TO GET?

I've loved Wellies ever since I saw my first pair when I visited New Zealand in the early 90's. I saw a pink pair for little girls and thought how fun they would be. In New Zealand they aren't called Wellies, they are called Gumboots. Not sure why, they just are. I acutally prefer to call them rain boots. Afterall isn't that what they are for? If it's still pink that I'm after, I could get the striped ones above or the cheetah below.

But these red ones are just so sassy! I'm loving the bow on the back.

But then I'm thinking these orange ones are just about as fun as it gets!

But then theres's just something about these purple plaid ones...

So many choices and only two feet. What's a girl to buy?

Terri

PAPER CRAFTING MADE EASIER

One more thing checked off the list. The save the dates have been sent out. If you are into paper crafts, I want to share something with you that will make your life much easier. When I make cards, I usually use 2 sided tape to adhere the layers. Time consuming to say the least, and not the system I wanted to use to put together numerous save the dates. My friend, Janae, sent me the Micheals ad for this tape gun and off I went to purchase it immediately.

Janae and I previously used the commercial version when we worked in the invitations industry, and I'm thrilled to have this version now at almost half the price. Michaels sells it for about $40 and the best part is that you can use a 40% coupon on it. Oh, no...the BEST part is that it's pink so it matches my craft room!

It's easy to load the tape and even easier to use. Get one. I guarantee you'll love it. Now on to the wedding invitations...

Terri

ETSY FRONT PAGE

If like me, you live in the world of Etsy, you know what this image means. It's the home page for Etsy, and features items by Etsy members that are grouped together in what are called Treasuries. It's every Etsy members goal to be on the Etsy front page. Look closely. Do you recognize anything?Yep, right there in the bottom corner, it's a pair of my Denim Comfort shoes for boys! I was looking at a site tonight called Craftcult that gives Etsy members the option to see if they have been listed in any treasuries that have been on the front page. I knew I hadn't been, but entered All Things for Baby anyway. I was so surprised when I saw this. And it was way back in April. How could I have missed it? My business was only 2 months old and this was one of the original 6 pieces that I listed. My shoes have been listed in many treasuries since then, but never on the front page, so it was so fun to see this.

You can bet I'll be watching much more closely now in the hopes that another pair of shoes makes it to the front page. Maybe two pairs this year...or a pair of shoes and a hat...I'm not picky!

Terri

NEW YEAR, NEW FABRIC

Last night I did some online shopping. Now you need to know one thing about me. I hate paying for shipping. I know that sounds absurd for someone who has an online business, right?! I'm not sure why, but it just bothers me to pay it. Maybe it's because so many businesses have gauged me on what they call "shipping and handling". Sometimes I pay more for shipping than I do for the product. I finally get the product delivered to my doorstep, and it's in a box three times the size it needs to be. It's like they looked around the warehouse to find the biggest box they could find just to charge me more for shipping. Does anyone else know the feeling, or is it just me?

Ok, I'm done ranting. Here's the real reason for this post. I found a couple of Etsy sellers who have some gorgeous, fun fabric...

So, here's a peek of some of what I purchased for Spring 2011. I had such a hard time making up my mind. Don't you just love it! I wanted to buy more, but there's that thing called a "budget". I can't wait to receive it and start creating. Can't you just picture the mary janes, sandals, and high tops already! Oh, and the best part...neither seller over charged on shipping. Makes me love the fabric even more, and you can bet I'll be shopping with them again!

Fabric shops can be found here and here.

Terri

GIVEAWAY

One of my favorite blogs, Renovating a Brooklyn Limestone, is having an amazing giveaway. Take a look at the fantastic photos and decide which ones you would love to own. I know which ones I want!
Terri

ALLSORTS

One of my favorite blog reads is Allsorts. Jenny B. Harris is the writer and illustrator behind this delightful blog. I absolutely love her studio and wanted to share it with you. Here's the whole room. What an amazing place to work. Well, maybe in a space like this it's not work. Maybe it's play!

Jenny has a real cheerful, fun, and bright style that you can't help but fall in love with. What about that lattice work with the paper lanterns hanging down!

My piles of fabric look NOTHING like this. I think Jenny calls her studio "organized chaos". Serve me up some of that chaos, please.

You can find more of Jenny's creations here on her blog. In the meantime, I'll be at the fabric store looking for aqua/blue and red fabric. I'm feeling inspired to do some shoes in Jenny's signature color combination!

Terri

A BRAND NEW YEAR

Happy New Year! Today is the day that I put away my Christmas decorations and do a bit of reflecting. I like to look back on the past year and look forward to what is ahead. As I look back on 2010, I see the newfound confidence that I have gained by starting my own business. A year ago I didn't even know what Etsy, blogging, or Facebook were...and now they are all a part of my everyday life. I've improved my writing and photography skills and have my own website. I've rediscovered my love for sewing and am a happier person because of it.

As I look ahead to 2011, I see the exciting possibilities that lie before me. How much more can my little company grow? What new items will I be creating? Will I manage to find the balance between work and play that I wasn't able to find in 2010? It's all up to me and the possibilities for indulging my creative side are endless!

Here's to a happy, healthy, creative 2011 for us all!
Terri

MOOD LOS ANGELES

You know the place...it's where Tim Gunn says, "Thank you, Mood." Yep, I was there!
I've been wanting to visit Mood since I first started watching Project Runway. I've always pictured myself along with the shows designers searching for just the perfect fabric. It was a scene out of "Fabric Heaven." I can honestly say now that Mood IS as close as you can get to "Fabric Heaven"! The fabrics are stunning and I wanted to touch every beautiful roll of fabric I saw. There was wool, organza, silk, cashmere, and every other fabric you can imagine.Most of the fabric I looked at was in the range of $10-$70 a yard, which I thought was reasonable. The problem was that there wasn't much for children's fabric, so I was a bit out of luck. I did find a buy a couple of yards (I had to, right?), but was really hoping to find more. If I was designing women's wear I'd have gone bankrupt, and I'll just say that the cashmere was to die for!

Next season of Project Runway, I'll be sitting on my couch watching the designers choose their fabric, knowing the excitement they're feeling as they choose just the right piece.

Thank you Mood!
Terri

SURPRISE!

I received an early Christmas present this week. My son surprised me and flew here from MN on Tuesday night. I came home from work to find him sitting on my couch! He arranged everything with my husband, and I had absolutely no idea! What a wonderful Christmas present! We've been having loads of fun since he arrived and I'll be sad to see him leave on Sunday. After the rain that CA has been having, we couldn't wait to get to the beach today. Hope you are having a blessed Christmas with your family!
Terri

FAMILY CHRISTMAS

Tonight my family will be celebrating Christmas. My husband and I won't be there in body, but we will be there in spirit. I'll definately be thinking of them as they eat, drink, open presents, and play silly games. This year they are having the second annual "Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest". If I was there, I think this sweater would be the one that I would be wearing.Really...what WERE we thinking back in the 80's? I even remember thinking that some of the Christmas sweaters back then were actually CUTE! This vest might be another option for the gathering with my family tonight...

And I just know my husband would look hot in this vest! Can't wait to see the photos of everyone having a great time in their sweaters. And in the meantime, I'm just a little bit thankful that I don't have to wear one.

Sweaters can be purchased here. (My sincere apologies if I insulted anyone who might actually own one of these sweaters and think it's cute.)

Terri

NO HANDMADE THIS YEAR

I love making cards. It's relaxing and it's fun to create these little works of art. I love hearing from my friends and family how much they enjoy receiving my cards. Well, until this year anyway. I'm no longer a cardmaker who spends a little time sewing. Now I'm a seamstress who has no time for cardmaking. I'm ashamed to say that I purchased my cards this year. It was that or not send any out at all. (So remember that friends and family when you open my card this year and notice that it is not handmade. You are lucky to get one at all!)

Here are some of my past handmade Christmas cards...

I did have a friend tell me yesterday that she thought my card this year was "just darling". She thought for sure I had made it. If I fooled one person...

Terri

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Autumn Color in December

Have a great day!

Terri