My Minky Blanket designs

 In my last couple of posts I've mentioned making minky blankets for the Hooper Holiday Boutique, and I'm sure people wonder why are minky blankets so expensive.

Well let me tell you the biggest reason: The fabric is so PRICY!

 About 17 years ago I was working at a fabric shop and I remember minky fabric being a brand new thing. I was a poor college student and fell in love with the soft fabric but boy oh boy it was about $15-$20/yard. I sure didn't have that kind of money. AND that was not the fur fabric that you find today, that was just the stuff that a person would use for the front design. There wasn't the variety of colors and designs either. 

Anyway I totally missed the boat on that one.... If I had figured out how to make minky blankets and sell them online I could have made my mark on the minky blanket industry years ago.🎉

The next reason these blankets are so costly is that when you purchase a blanket from a retailer you are helping pay for the overhead costs such as:  rental space for the retail store, the cost the manufacturer pays their seamstresses, and all other items to create a quality product. And Yes these blankets are quality, I truly know when you pay over $100 for the name brand minky blankets there is some serious quality control going on. 

A couple years ago I started working as a seamstress for one of the minky companies in my local area, and each week I wanted to quit! That is until I really figured out the learning curve. Sewing with this fabric is so tough, and the fur gets everywhere! I did eventually quit because the company was closing the office I reported to. Yet, I still love what I do! I love making minky blankets!

Now, when you purchase a blanket from me you don't pay those retail prices!!! Each blanket is a creation of my own imagination, and my own time and energy. I personally love each blanket I make, and have a hard time parting with them. I also have to love the fabric I purchase in order to spend the money on it in the first place.  Also because of my experience sewing as an independent seamstress I offer the same quality of product you will find at those major retailers. 

When I create products to sell I make sure they are the same quality that I desire from any major retailer. 

Happy crafting everyone!

Kristin 💖

To see my latest creations :

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Fleece Slippers

 About 6 Christmases ago I wanted to start a tradition for making something for my family. I wasn't in the market to make pajama pants for everyone because of time and money. So I went to Pinterest and found a pattern for fleece slippers. They were an instant hit! The kids loved them!

 As I mentioned yesterday there is a holiday boutique here in the city I live in and in addition to making minky blankets I decided to make these slippers. I hope the shoppers there love them the way my family does. 

 

And yes this is how I have to take pictures of us wearing our slippers. I usually do different fabric for the boys than the girls but last year a friend purchased the fabric and we made slippers for both of our families.

Have a great day!

Kristin 💖

Sewing Messes

 Yesterday I mentioned seeing my neighbors room for her embroidery supplies and machines ( yes machines) and thought I'd show you what my room looks like when I start crafting. This is in my bedroom. 

And this is in my front room.

 

I've been busy creating things for a Holiday boutique on November 28th. Inside that black bin are minky blankets. I'm hoping to sell some fleece slippers, minky blankets, and machine embroidered towels and aprons, with a few different gift baskets. Here's hoping I'm successful. 

Anyway back to the reason for showing my different messes, I sure wish I had a craft room. I've threatened to make my kids share rooms again to get a craft room but no one is on board. Oh well someday I'll get my wish, and my husband will get his "man craft room." 

Happy crafting everyone! 

Kristin 💖

Machine Embroidery my way to make personalized gifts

 A little over a year ago I was at my neighbor's house and discovered that she had not one but three embroidery machines. Let's just say that there was a little bit of jealously, as I was leaving her house, after seeing her craft room filled with towels, and other blank items ready for her to embroider to make gifts for anybody. Of course I went home and immediately told my husband about it.

A couple months later my husband got me an embroidery machine for Christmas. I was so surprised because I never in a million years thought that he would have remembered how cool I thought they were, and that I would like one.  I was also so excited until I realized that I needed to purchase thread in order to use it. 

I waited a couple of months before I could order some thread, and a bit of research because.... Amazon... sometimes you don't get the quality product you are expecting. I'm glad I waited and looked around because the thread I ended up getting has been wonderful with my machine, and lasts forever! 

Anyway it's been a few months since then and I've been experimenting with the included patterns on my machine, and some purchased patterns. I've been making gifts for my family all year, and have been enjoying it. Here are a few items I've done recently. Enjoy!

Let's just say I've been stocking up on blanks and storing them so I can make fun gifts for my family. 

Each of the embroidery patterns were either purchased on Etsy, ohmycs.com, preprogrammed on my machine or on another website dedicated to machine embroidery. 

If you are looking to have anything personalized with machine embroidery I can work with you to find or create an item.

Have a great day!

Kristin 💖

Three tier Fondant Daisy Cake

This cake was so elegant, yet simple. I loved making the flowers, and how easy the whole cake came together. I got so excited when the bride showed me a picture of the cake that she wanted. I love making a cake from the examples that are given me.

Topsy Turvy, black, white, and Red wedding cake

This cake was so much fun to make!!!! I am so glad that I had a chance to make it and that the couple let me figure out the best way to decorate it. They wanted the stripes and the curly cues on the cake, and the rhinestone border, but the curly ribbon and the fondant roses were my idea. I Loved making this cake and I got chills as I saw it come together.

I Survived the Storm

This cake was done for a surprise party, it was the 10th anniversary of surviving being struck by lightning. The family loved the cake. I have 2 more cakes coming in this next month, maybe even three. The family that had me do this cake was the same one that had the teddy bear picnic cake. I took the pictures before I cleaned up my mess, oops.