I'm Back..more free time after Balloon Festival

Some have asked "Where are you been???"... Sorry for disappearing for 2 months.. it's been a crazy last 2 months.. After my last trip to the Sew & Quilt Expo, I had this grand idea to take my craft to the public.. and it definitely was a crazy idea but we did it anyway..

The event: 2013 Quick Chek Balloon Festival from July 26-28.
The plan was to sell decorated apparel on the spot.

2013 Quick Chek Balloon Festival

I've been thinking about doing a craft booth for a while but just didn't know what we wanted to do at the booth. All of the items we typically design can't be easily sold in mass quantities.. But I think we finally found the balance to actually sell personalized items on the spot.

We decided to take our most popular item - the t-shirt and centered the whole concept behind it.

Typically when designing a t-shirt, we would work to create a design specifically for an event or a personalized gift. But selling in an outdoor booth, there were lots of limitations especially if we wanted to keep to KadoHeart's theme to create Gifts from the Heart.

Fashion It Your Way came to existence with the concept to allow people to create a fashion statement on the spot. Designs were pre-created so that people could mix and match to style a t-shirt with their own unique flair. The person can place the designs anywhere on the shirt and we make that shirt on the spot for them. No two t-shirts would come out the same (unless you wanted it that way).

After two months of preparing for the booth and the designs, the balloon festival finally arrived. Here are some pictures of our booth; the designs were showcased on t-shirts to give people an idea of how they would look.

Fashion It Your Way Booth - Outside

Fashion It Your Way - Inside

Fashion It Your Way Booth - Right Display

Fashion It Your Way - Left Display

The Balloon Festival drew in a lot of crowds coming to attend the concerts and see the hot air balloons ascending twice a day. There were 125 hot air balloon with 10 special shaped balloons. Check out the awesome view we had of the balloons rising from the booth.

Special Shaped Balloon - Elvis

Special Shaped Balloons - Flag and Light house (Dedicated to those effected by Sandy - Stronger than the Storm)

Endless sea of hot air balloons

Special shaped Balloon - Dedicated to the Heros of Sept 11

Click Here to see more balloon fest pictures.

It was a great learning experience especially dealing with extreme weather that mother nature decided to give us for that weekend. I was grateful that it wasn't the 90+ degs like the week before but we had hot and humid weather on Saturday and rain off and on on Sunday. The outdoor concerts still went on even with the rain. Kudos to those who stayed for the concerts.

But the balloon festival came to a close early on Sunday due to a heavy torrential rain that lasted for 45 mins. Lots of people got stuck in the mud and rivers of water flooded many streets. But we were very luck to come out of the rain with no damage to our equipment and supplies. :-)

I tip my hat to those who sell in outdoor craft booths for a living/hobby.. it's not easy with the unpredictable weather. At this point, we're taking a breather to get the house back in order and looking for a Christmas (Indoor) show to try next..

If anyone knows of a good Christmas show that draws a big crowd in the NJ/PA area, let me know..

~~Words of Encouragement~~
The Lord says "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you"
Psalms 33:8 (NLT)

Dreaming of a White Christmas..snowflake gifts

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas tomorrow and I have an 65% chance of  getting some snow tomorrow :-)  I'm being optimistic that we will have a white Christmas this year, even if it's only with a few inches.   Snow on Christmas makes the holidays more special. The beauty about snow it is made up of a lot of snowflakes and each snowflake is very unique.  There is not two snowflake alike.  Snowflakes reminds me of people.  Each person is as unique as a snowflake, each with their own name and unique personality.  So this Christmas, I decided to make personalized snowflake names, embroidered on scarfs.
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With each person's name, I designed the snowflake to try to match their individual personalities. I tried to make each one special and unique.  The ones for the women were more fun to play with all the script fonts options and the ones for the men, I tried to make them simple and masculine.   I love how they came out, I think they came out pretty awesome for my first try.  I hope they will like the personal touch.

The idea of making the snowflake names come from a YouTube video I saw last year.  It was about how words or music can affect water.  Masuru Emoto experimented with crystallizing water to see what shape the water would talk by speaking positive or negative words.  He published his findings in a series of books called "The Hidden Messages in Water".  It's amazing how words or music can affect the way the water crystals formed.  Watch this video to see the effects, it will blow your mind.

 

I can't compete with water crystal formations or real snowflakes but I can make my own.  Here are the ones I made for the ladies:

Anita

Ann

Debora

Imelda

Janie

Linda

Noreen

Saloni

Shaefali

Silviana

Trivena

To see real snowflakes, check out Marion Owen's blog.  Marion camps out in the cold and takes pictures of actual snowflakes.  They look amazing.  Here are the ones for the men:

Abraham

Eugene

Michael

Lukas

Ryan

Shawn

Each person is unique so hopefully I was able to capture their personalities in these snowflake names. So with that, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. May this be a Christmas full of love, laughter and wonderful memories for you and your loved ones. Christmas is not all about present, don't forget about the "Christ" in Christmas. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

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On the 12th Day of Christmas, My True Love gave to me…. Twelve Cutting Boards

On the 12th Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...
Twelve Cutting Boards

Eleven iPad Covers,

Ten Photo Plates,

Nine Water Bottles,

Eight Travel Lattes,

Seven Stocking Stuffers,

Six iPhone Cases,

Five Mirror Frames,

Four Picture Mugs,

Three Coasters,

Two Baby Cups,

and a Mouse Pad on my work desk.

Happy Cyber Monday!!! This is the last day of the 12 days of Christmas gift giving series, I hope you found a gift giving idea for the whole family from baby, brother, sister, mom, dad, aunt & uncle, cousin, niece, nephew, Grandpa & Grandma to give them that special gift this year for everyone on your list. Did you miss anyone else?

For the last and final gift, I saved my favorite item; a tampered glass cutting board that is too pretty to hide. It's a beautiful accent on your kitchen counter top and can also be used as center piece or serving platter on your dinner table.
Add your favorite picture or quote to make this cutting board a unique addition to your kitchen.

The cutting boards are made of high quality tempered glass that is stain resistant and more sanitary than traditional wood boards. They are easy to clean. Just wipe it down with a damp cloth and air dry. They also come with small rubber feet to lift the cutting boards off your counter.

These cutting boards are so pretty, they may actually inspire you to cook! :-)

Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays!!
May the holiday season bring you much hope, joy and peace...

~~Words of Encouragement~~
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Ephesians 1:18 (NLT)

On the 7th Day of Christmas, My True Love gave to me…. Seven Stocking Stuffers

On the 7th Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....
Seven Stocking Stuffers

Six iPhone Cases,

Five Mirror Frames,

Four Picture Mugs,

Three Coasters,

Two Baby Cups,

and a Mouse Pad on my work desk.

Digging into my stocking was my favorite part of Christmas morning as a kid, and it still is now. The best gifts come in small packages!

Nobody is getting a lump of coal in their Christmas stocking this year.  Christmas is the season for giving!  Find small Christmas gifts and keepsakes that are perfect for stuffing everyone’s stockings, that will be treasured for years to come. Shop for Babies, Kids, Teens & Adults.

	1. Compact Mirror (Oval shaped) Material: Silvertone metal Size: 2.5" x 3" x .4"
	2. Christmas Ornament Material: Ceramic Size: 3 inch in diameter Double sided Full Color Picture
	3. Bookmark (Rectangle shaped) Material: Aluminum Size: 2" x 3" One sided Full Color Print
	4. Keychain (Oval shaped) Material: Aluminum Size: 2.5 inch tall Double sided Full Color Picture
	5. Crystal Pendant (Heart shaped) Size: About 1 inch tall Comes with a leather neck chain
	6. Mother of Pearl Pendant (Oval shaped) Size: About 1.3 inch tall One sided Full Color Print
	7. Mini White Hand Towel Material: 100% Polyester Size: 11" X 18" Message: "I have come that you may have life and life more abundantly"

Happy Shopping!

~~Words of Encouragement~~
Many try to win the kindness of a generous person,
and everyone is a friend to a person who gives gifts.
Proverbs 19:6 (GW)