time for a new sewing machine

I was smack in the middle of sewing a huge order of animal pillows this past weekend when I heard an unpleasant grinding sound in my sewing machine. I broke a gear, or at least I am assuming I did. I have had my little Diana Singer sewing machine serviced a few times over the past few years, and I decided it was finally time to purchase a new machine.

I purchased for myself this Singer 7258 Stylist Model sewing machine. It had really great reviews, and was said to be a "workhorse" of a machine. Sounded good to me! I wanted to buy a machine in town over the weekend, but found that the price was much better online.

Then, I saw this really cute 3/4 sized Janome Hello Kitty Sewing Machine! Oh, how I wish Violet was old enough to use it. She has been wanting me to teach her how to sew. But, a 3 year old handling a needle and thread doesn't sound too smart.

I am so tempted to buy this machine for her now and give it to her in oh, 4 years? I have visions of us sewing animal pillows together, side by side.

Not that I would make her sew my Gingiber pillow....er.....um.... yeah...

My machine will arrive on Thursday, so I have had to take a break from pillow making. Which is nice. I feel like I am regaining some of my sanity.

Gingiber Shop Update!

Hi! I know I showed you the new Fox Tote Bag last week, but I completely forgot to show you a few other new items in the old Gingiber shop :)

I've released a new bear pillow in 2 colors, plus a sweet mini love bear (a great little Valentines Days Gift). Also, since February is a love month, I have released a sweet love themed owl Illustration and some mini love notes (a set of 20). 

You can learn more about the new products over at the Gingiber Shop :)

What do you think of the new products? I am dying to get back to drawing and creating more fun stuff for 2012 :)

Need Some Input: Vintage Letters

So I purchased these awesome little letters from Etsy shop OhSoRetroVintage. They are super cute, about 3 inches tall, and I really want to put them in Violet's room! Now the only problem is how to mount them?

They are super thin, vintage, and I don't know if I need to glue them to a board then mount that? Or should I hang a shelf and just set them on top of it? Shadow box? I need suggestions because I am at a loss!

What do you think? 

Saturday

This is the best photo I could catch of the Bloomfield girls. Oh Saturday. I long for the day when weekends are restful again. Having 2 kids is simply exhausting. But I can honestly say I am happier than I have ever been previously.

Momma needs a haircut. And to buy some makeup as I have been out of everything but mascara and concealer since December.

Oh, and sleep would be nice too.

And maybe a date night with the husband. Heck, even a night when we are the only ones in our bed! The girls have a habit of wanting to sleep with us....

I have been working so much that I finally made myself stop on Friday and relax. It was much needed and a reminder that even though I am working from home I need down time.

How has your Saturday been?

Some Vintage Clothing!

On my birthday last week, I decided to wander over to a cute new vintage clothing shop in Fayetteville called Vintage Violet. Obviously, I could not resist their adorable moniker, so I did some real shopping! I tried on clothes and everything :) Now, I still have 10 pounds to go until I reach my goal post pregnancy weight, and golly even then I will still be a size 12. But the great thing about vintage clothing is that it is cut for real women!

Take this adorable 1950's vintage Apron Dress! I love the orange gingham check and the embroidered pocket. But must of all I love that it was cut for a woman with curves, not a stick!

The dress is thin so I have to wear a slip or some sort of camisole under it. But I think it is cute as a button. And it was less than $20 clams, so I do I do love it!

Okay, so I am not a fashion blogger. And don't expect regular outfit posts from me. But I just loved this cute dress enough that I had to share!

Do you wear vintage clothing? Or even a few pieces mixed into your daily wardrobe?

My 1st VLOG With An Announcement

Hi friend! I made a VLOG! It is really short, so feel free to watch and here some great Gingiber news!

I never get used to seeing myself on camera! Oh well :)Now is not the time to be self-critical, but golly do I need a hair cut!

Stacie

The Process: Getting Cheeky

I just added this adorable Blushing Fox Tote Bag to the Gingiber Shop! If you follow me on Twitter (my handle is GingiberSnap) or on Instagram (user name Gingiber) then you saw lots of peeks into the process over the weekend!

Originally, the totes were going to be just black. Then I thought that this fox needed to get cheeky. So rather than create an entire screen for silk screening cheeks, I rigged up a simple stencil using a transparency sheet, a hole punch, a foam brush, and some pink ink!

What do you think? Loving the blushing fox? Or is just black the ticket?

Blog Reading List

I will be honest, my days are spent mostly wiping poopy bottoms, making bottles, washing diapers, and sewing Gingiber animal pillows! Of course, there is the occasional break for blog reading :) Here's a short list of my recent go to blogs for a little daily pick-me-up!

 For Fresh Home Decor: SF Girl By Bay

 For a Fresh Perspective on Motherhood: Girl's Gone Child

 To Keep Me Motivated on Home Improvement Projects: Young House Love

Daily Approachable Food Recipes and Pretty Food Photography: Food Coma

I bet most of you have read these blogs too! Do you have any favorite blogs? Leave their name's in the comments section below, because I am always on the lookout for a good read :)

Coming Soon: The Little Fox Tote Bag

Guess what? A Gingiber Shop Update is coming soon! Like in 2 weeks ;) And here is a preview of a new product, a Little Fox Tote Bag! The perfect cotton tote with the sweetest little fox this side of the Mississippi!

I am thinking of adding some pink little cheeks to the foxes... what do you think?

26

Hello friends! Today is my 26th birthday, and I am celebrating with little Lucy, waiting for the rest of the little family to get home.

I have had the most phenomenally blessed year of my life. And, I look forward to seeing what my 26th year has in store. I have a few personal goals for the year, and may write a proper "26 before 27" post later on this week is over. As I am now closer to 30 than 20, I want to focus on my sweet family. Now that I have 2 precious daughters, I want to become a less selfish mother. I tend to be a workaholic, and now that Violet is older, I need to find a way to put her needs before my own. Because that is what being a parent is all about, right?

This morning I was lying in bed, Lucy cradled in my arms, I was thinking of my own mother. All I wanted to do was call my mom and chat with her, because she always knows how to cheer me up and encourage me. She knows me so well. She is selfless and somehow knows how to make the small things in life magical. Every birthday growing up with her was magical because she made it that way. Breakfast in bed. A special handpicked present. Dinner with the family. Homemade cake.

It never occurred to me how much effort my mother put into making my sister and I feel so special and loved. Yet she made it seem effortless.

I want to be that kind of mother to my girls. Finding the sparkle in the mundane things of life. Celebrating special moments with creativity and love.

Funny how the older I get, the more I cherish my friendship with my own mom.

Here's to turning 26, and growing with grace, striving to become more like my own mother.

January Home Project: Houndstooth Chair Upholstery

Hi. My name is Stacie. And I need to get my groove back. Case in point? I recently had to say goodbye to my beloved houndstooth coat do to an increase in, well, personal mass (dropping baby weight is no laughing matter, my friends!). Anywho, I handed down my coat to my older sister. Sigh, I am glad that it found a good home where it will be taken care of :)

But now I am definitely lacking some houndstooth in my life :( The pattern is the epitome of classiness. And it would look so lovely on a nice arm chair, don't you agree?

I have this old arm chair. Covered in nifty but dizzying Alexander Henry fabric. You know that's good, but not classy. I need something classy (channeling Michael Scott from The Office), so a houndstooth upholstery job it will be!

What does this have to do with getting my groove back? Aside from needing some content for this little blog of mine, this has inspired me to tackle one home project a month. It could be small, like hanging some curtains or sewing a pillow cover, or BIG, like say, stripping down and painting a nice piece of furniture! The sky's the limit!

Do you have any monthly goals for yourself creatively? Are you a home decorating junkie, like me? Always on the lookout for a way to jazz up your home?

Free Domestic Shipping Today Only at Gingiber

Dont miss out on a special 1 day offer! Free Domestic Shipping on all Gingiber Products! Use discount code "FREESHIPPING" during Checkout!

I really hope that you make your way to the good old Gingiber Shop and buy buy buy!

I Went Shopping (Around My House)

I have a corner of our dining room that has never really been functional. It is in between the kitchen table and kitchen, and usually ends up being a landing space for boxes, Violet's larger toys, or extra chairs. So, I finally decided to go "shopping" from around the house and give this corner a makeover.

The first thing I did was grab this lounge beige chair from the living room. I love the chair, but it has always blended in to the beige carpet in the living room. Really, no one walks into a room and thinks, "You know what this room needs? More beige!" So I was happy to relocate the chair.

Next, I took this newish rug (originally purchased for the living room, but alas it was too small) and laid it down. The rug is a dark navy blue, but it looks mighty fine against the white bead board and black chalkboard walls! Go ahead, marvel at all of the messages written on the walls. Lately I have been considering repainting them, but I love having 3+ years of memories recorded! If you come visit our home, you get to draw on the walls :)

I have had this old chalkboard since college, and have had it in storage ever since Violet was a baby! Note it says "Welcome Home Clementine" as at one point that was going to be Violet's name. (Golly I need to erase that). It balances the blank space next to the chair. The blue magazine rack is the perfect landing spot for my back issues of Martha.

And, I moved this Fairfield Porter print from the living room and hung it above the chair. Essentially, I was trying to create a more cohesive color palette throughout the kitchen/dining area. Black walls with hints of blues and greens. The print, accented by a blue throw pillow and navy rug work well together.

This is a cozy little nook, perfect for early morning coffee or late night reading. Ant the space is filled which I LOVE! Do you ever have the urge to redecorate? Do you ever pull things from other rooms instead of hitting the stores?

Now I get to work a little bit on adding some new pieces and artwork to the living room! So excited!

2011 Recap: Best Year EVER

I know that it is already 2012, but lo and behold I was fast asleep when the ball dropped last night. So here is a blog of thankfulness for 2011, arguably one of the very best and most fulfilling years of my young family's life!

J A N U A R Y 

I turned 25 and made a list of goals for the year. The truth is that I have a lot still to finish, and my birthday is 10 days away! Yikers.

F E B R U A R Y

My new niece Charis was born! She is such sweet girl, is a the perfect addition to my sister's family.

M A R C H

Gingiber was named the #1 etsy shop for nursery decor by Babble.com! Such an honor and motivator for growing my business :)

A P R I L

In April we announced that we were expecting another little Bloomfield!

M A Y

In May we closed on our little house in Springfield, MO! We were so blessed to sell it given the housing market. Definitely a big amazing highlight :)

J U N E

We found out that we were having another girl!

JULY

My owlphabet print was in DIY Magazine! Granted it is in the background of the picture, but still it counts!

A U G U S T

I added my line of animal pillows to the Gingiber shop in August! 

S E P T E M B E R

The month of September was filled with lots of decorating the girls' shared room! I made this headboard for Violet and she loved it!

O C T O B E R

I hit 500 Etsy sales in October!

N O V E M B E R

Miss Lucy Emmeline Bloomfield was born on November 11th, 2011 (11.11.11)! Great birthday, right? We so did not plan it :) 

D E C E M B E R

I was honored to be named the Etsy Featured Seller on Decembr 5th! Definitely a big step for my business and a dream come true!

So there you have it. 2011. Amazing. Fulfilling. A year of growing. Letting go of the old, and making way for new goals and dreams.

Perhaps 2012 will be even better? Be still my heart!

Stacie