Random Thoughts Late Night.

My mind is just tick, tick, tick, tick, tick with ideas for my little company and I am trying to use up as much free time I have when I’m not on baby duty or mom duty with the big kids… I am very lucky to have such an understanding man in my life. He is always trying to keep little Liv busy while I’m cutting, gluing and daydreaming. My “big” kids are amazing with their little sister as well. I couldn’t have any more luck in my life with my amazing family!

Tonight needed to (once again) get my thoughts on the screen. I need to get my thoughts out and organize my ideas before I start buying random craft supplies and waste my business cash.

I definitely need to create a business plan since I want my company to become a thriving, full-time (keeps me working from home) business. I also need to dedicate a great space in my house to being my work space. Right now, I have my crap spread out over several rooms…my poor family! I feel a little bit in limbo since I’m waiting on my supplies to come in.

By the way, fabric.com and ribbonretreat.com so far have had a great turnaround time for shipping but the sunshineshoppesupply.com took the entire 5 day processing time which is acceptable (since they posted that as a possibility) but I really, really hate waiting! I was completely shocked and satisfied when my order at fabric.com that I placed at 10:30pm was shipped by 11:00am the very next day.

My official list of items created and provided is:

*Sports Team Hair bows, Head bands & Tutus

*Birthday Princess Crowns

*Paper Garland (vertical and horizontal)

*Tassel Garland (horizontal)

*Cupcake flags and twirls

I keep thinking that these five sound like too much to start out with but if I think about which one I could cut out, I can’t imagine not doing it! I’m such a dork! I figure I can just start out with these items and grow, expand certain hit items, reduce certain non-hit items (not that there will be any ; ) ) and go from there. Hey, I’m sure many business owners started off in one direction but ended up switching things up a bit.

Tomorrow we will be having our first yard sale and I really  hope we rake in the cash!! Mostly, I just hope we get rid of our crap! Ugh if I see anymore baby clothes that don’t fit Olivia, I’m going to freak out! I tried to sell these clothes at a family members house for the past two weekends and it was a bust so I’m hoping since we have a busy busy street, we will be successful If not, don’t even bother calling the fire department…I’m burning it all.

Besides the garage sale, my fabric came in so I can start my birthday crowns. Ah! They just make me so happy just thinking about them. I think they are so pretty! I will definitely document my first attempt at making them and I sure hope I don’t totally blow it!!

Wish me luck!

Morgan

My brain, the hamster wheel.

It has been about a week since I decided to start my own company and I’ll tell you, I have never been happier. My hands (and baby) are covered in glitter, I have multiple colors of tulle scattered all over my floor and there are a bajillion cupcake flags covering every surface of my living and dining room. It feels amazing.

My mind is filled with constant swirls of ideas, questions, dreams…It has all been overwhelming but in a very good way. I just really needed to open up my Live Writer and get these thoughts out of my head and onto my screen. Earlier I caught myself Googling`how to package cupcake flags` because the only idea I came up with involved a small box and a styrofoam block. I can only imagine how much that would drive up my shipping and handling costs. Then the idea flashes before my mind that I shouldn’t worry about it because I’ll probably never sell a single box. Then I push that thought aside…Shhh, I don’t have time for that negativity because I’m doing this!

When it feels right, it must be right, right? I just have this warm feeling of joy in my heart that this is what I am meant to do! Heck, I would buy what I make so I’m sure plenty of people out there will love my stuff!! You don’t have to be the biggest, most popular shop to do well. We all start somewhere!!

Here are some of the million questions I have running through my busy brain:

-How would I ship my Cupcake twirls? They will definitely lose their charm all smushed from the Post Office!

-How will I display my tutus and head bands at vendor shows? I’ll have to look up how other people do it and pray their ideas aren’t costing big bucks!

Um, intimidating much??? Wow, that is a display!

I should totally make a Katy & Liv sign out of felt garland and hang some shiny pompom tassels!

I guess I am just really, really nervous to go to my first vendor show! I don’t want to be a turd up against these super crafty ladies that can whip up a tutu while drinking an iced coffee and crocheting a scarf all at the same time. Geez, even the thought makes me tired!

Whoa, I really need to get busy!

I still have a lot of supplies to ponder buying but I have already put in about $100 in supplies and I want to start bringing in some money before I really start spending more. One of the most expensive craft supply I would love is a circle punch…those suckers run anywhere from 9.99 to 20.99 at Joann Fabrics! For one shape, one size? You are kidding, right?

Cardstock garland is one of my favorite things to look at. I have never actually seen cardstock garland in person but it is all over my favorite blogs and Etsy. My favorite shape is the star! I would love the star, heart, football and leaf shape. How cute would a Christmas tree-shaped one be?! I have also seen that a lot of crafters actually sew their garland; I don’t have a sewing machine so I guess I would opt to use 2 pieces of garland every couple of inches and just glue them to the twine, ribbon, thread, etc.

Oh so many things to still sort out but I’ll get there. It wouldn’t be worth it if it was totally easy!! I have to go, my tulle is calling me!

Lots of love & Martha Stewart extra fine glitter!

Morgan

And it starts with a cupcake flag :Create:

My first post ever.
Well I’ll just jump right into it…
I made the decision to begin my own business. I have been craving my own business for the past couple months but I never really thought it would be possible. I figured that it would cost too much money (which I don’t have) so I just wrote it off as a dream for when I win the lottery (any day now)
Then it hit me one day…JUST DO IT.
And I did.
I started my business, Katy & Liv.


Named after my gorgeous daughters – I picked a girly name because originally I was only planning on selling my handmade hair bows and headbands. Then when I got the crazy idea to expanding into party décor and favors, I was still hell-bent on the name Katy & Liv. I put my supply order in, told a few friends and Shazam! I am a business owner.

While I am waiting for my hair bow supplies, I decided to get busy making one of my favorite things ever…Cupcake flags. They are such a cute, easy way to decorate a cupcake, birthday cake, donut cake…any kind of cake for any kind of event!
I have made 2 types of Cupcake Flags – Washi tape and card stock. I love the card stock for a few reasons:

1) Since washi tape has adhesive on the back, it is easy to get caught up in the “OMG my tape is sticking to itself” dance – even though washi tape will separate easier than other kinds of tape, it is still a royal pain in the ass!
2)Washi tape is more expensive than card stock and I’m a lady on a tight budget!
3)I can think of one million other ways to decorate with washi!

All you need to make your own flags are:

Scissors

Cardstock (Decorate, solid color, whatever your heart desires!)

Toothpicks

Craft glue

Then get busy!

First, Cut your card stock strips! I measured mine at 2.5” long and just over .5” high.

Then fold, fold, fold!

Lay your cardstock flat and apply a ‘delicately generous” swirl of glue. I say it that way because I cannot STAND an over usage of glue that leaves its all over my fingertips!

Play your toothpick in the fold of the cardstock and close your sides together. Press firmly and line up your corners…also make sure the toothpick is lined up straight coming out of the cardstock.

Cut a triangle out of the end of your flag…perfection is NOT the key here. I love a nice, unique look to each flag…gives it that true homemade look!

Then repeat a couple hundred times until you have your desired quantity! BAM!

I just love how customizable they are! You could have them for every possible event you could think of and if you are like me, there is ALWAYS a reason for cupcakes!

Have a good night!!
xoxo,
Morgan