Bundles of Joy

A little over a year ago, just after my boys turned 2, it seemed we heard the wonderful news of SO MANY expected babies! I think between close family and friends, there was a head count of something like 13 babies to arrive in the Spring/summer of 2014. First babies, first grandchildren, second, third, and forth! babies, even first sets of twins. Such and exciting time, except for when those invitations started rolling in for baby showers! A stay at home mom, I couldn't help but wonder how on earth I was going to afford baby gifts for these amazing moms to be!?

I took to the registries. I found many items that I had made before and items I would love to attempt to make. Things like swaddles, nursing pillow covers, infinity nursing scarfs, changing table pad covers, Mei Tai baby carriers, the list went on and on.  In fact, I knew I could make even more for the amount of money I could have budgeted for each new mom. Excited to get started, I took to my machine. By the time I finished (hallelujah for nap times and bedtimes!) each mom had an assigned heap of homemade love that I just couldn't wait to present to her! This actually became the tricky part.

I started placing items in bags... homemade bags or store bought gift bags. This presentation wasn't doing it for me. I wanted a presentation that was cute! Just as cute as what I felt my creations were. I needed a way that complimented my style. I then took to the Internet! What I found was interesting...

Some crafters are twisting and contorting store bought or Internet ordered items into shapes and figures. The idea is cute! I figured I could create items and fold them in a way that would make an adorable presentation, ready for any shower gift. And so the Baby Bundle was born ;)

I began to give Bundles as gifts at the showers I was invited to. Before long, orders started coming in from other shower goers that saw the Bundle and wanted to give one to someone else they know. I had never been so flattered. I started filling orders, and posting pictures of each creation on my FaceBook page Follow Me Designs. More and more orders started coming in. Inquiries started coming through from my Etsy Shop, and craft fairs and showings have proven profitable and entirely worth all time and efforts. A year later, I am not sure I could make an accurate count of the orders I have filled and sent out. I am so thankful for all of my customers, and return customers! You have made staying home to raise my twins a much more comfortable situation, and have provided me an opportunity to be a part of your gift giving experience! Thank you thank you thank you! And keep the pictures of those adorable babies coming!! ❤️

Crochet Hooray!!

What do you call the steps it takes to crochet a project?

A chain of events!

What’s the best Halloween costume for a crocheter?

Captain Hook!

 

Why did the crocheter join a dating service?

She wanted to get en-gauge-ed!

 

 

I have been busy with my crochet hooks again!  It has been interesting  actually..for those of you who are either knitters or crocheters- or who just  appreciate the feel of yarn, textures, colors, stitches and patterns will understand. 

As my boys have been having a tough time sleeping at night, I find it hard to get involved in any of my sewing projects at that time .  I am always listening for a shout, or a cry for "mama," that dashing from my sewing space, tucked away in my attic doesn't allow me to get as much done up there as I would like.  I find these smaller projects more accommodating for the small spans of time that I have...  and actually get more done on them in the evening.  I have been knitting some, and crocheting more.  I feel like I am better at it, and it goes faster!  As most of you recall- I do enjoy being able to see a project come together quickly, and see the end result even faster! 

Here are some cup cozy's that I stitched up!  We love to go to the new café in our town, and these cozy's help to keep those delicious drops hot, and my fingers cool ;) 

Well...  Greetings and Salutations to anyone who may actually still be connected to this blog!  This post is so embarrassingly long overdue, I have butterflies while writing it. For anyone who doesn't know... shortly after my last post in the spring of 2011, I became pregnant with twins, Cullen and Wyatt.  They became my number one project... as they made life a pregnant mom of twins the most challenging experience of my (then) 32 years.  I will let you read on that experience on another blog I kept for a while...  http://22iloveyou.blogspot.com/  Yes, that blog is also long overdue for updating.  It is my intention to be better about both blogs.  Call it a resolution or call it what I like to think of as me following through with a project, or two (things do happen in two's in my life :)) that I started. 

So happy 2014 to everyone! Thank you for following this chapter for now, or for a while. I hope your year ahead is filled with blessings, love, creativity, and the simple moments that define what life should really be about.

 

Xo! Gina

Happy Haps

I know it has been a long while since I have posted last. I can actually say I have been behind my machine (and oven!), more so than my computer... woop woop! So many special orders- I love it!! Some fun projects have included, reupholstering my good friend (and running buddy)'s foot stool (I am hoping it is much more comfy for her now- her poor ol' tootsies need some R&R for sure!), headbands, bags (messenger and hand), belts, mother and daughter matching kitchen aprons, pillow cases with matching sleeping masks, leather initialed cuffs, yoga bags, baby onesies, and oh yea... cakes!! That is correct friends- my creativity has been requested in the kitchen?!

True story, I have been making and baking desserts for family and friends for years. I am not promising anything reality TV worthy, but I will be trying my hand at some cake creations. I will be providing a temporary list of prices for anyone interested in helping me build a portfolio (collection of pictures of cakes). I will send an update, but also be sure to check my website, www.wix.com/followmedesigns/fmd for pictures, and pricing. For a fraction of the cost of what cakes go for through someone else, you could be my taste testers! SWEET!

Thank you to those who are keeping me busy, and helping me save for some fun and exciting endeavors! Your contribution to my portfolio, and to my fund means more than words will ever be able to express. With so much gratitude, xo!- Gina

Bridesmaid Guide

I've recently had the honor of being asked to be in my dear friend Allie's Wedding. To simply state that it has been "fun" helping Allie get started planning her union with her hunky fiance, Josh is an understatement. :) Elegant- yet low key, classic with a twist of trend, traditional with a touch of mod, relaxed however completely and thoroughly thought out. On a quest to figure out how to best represent who these two special individuals are- as they come together to be an especially perfect couple, I've come across this extremely helpful link for any Bridesmaid :)

Check this out!

April Newsletter

APRIL 2011

FOLLOW ME DESIGNS

April Showers Bring May Flowers :)

It is hard to believe this month is already at it’s midway point! So many fun and exciting happenings for FMD over the course of this past month- some news I get to share with you now, but the rest can’t be let out of the “bag” just yet ;)

Month in Review

Girls Night Out at the Town Club in Sanford, The Jordan Small Middle School Craft Fair, and a fun informal showing at Gray/New Gloucester High School kept this bag fanatic prepping for days, and filling orders left and right. Huge shouts out to Jen at Lulu Lemon, and Jen McCullum for being this past month’s BIG spenders. I truly appreciate your orders! xo!

Blog Followers

Many thanks to all of my blog savvy FMD buddies. You are fantastic, and I am always looking for more folks to follow. This month the free giveaway goes to one very lovely Gal who never has to reason chocolate...or blogging for that matter, Nicole Lesperance. Nicole wins a custom made headband for her, and an adorable baby cloth for baby #2... on the way! Congrats Nicole! xo! Pics to follow!

Where and When...

April 16 &17... Ogunquit Patriots Day Beach Bazaar... 9-4, 9-3

April 30... University of Southern Maine, Gorham- (field house) 10-4

May 7... West End Craft and Treasure Fest, 9-1, Williston West Church Portland Maine

May 21... GreenerPosture’s Yoga: 1 Year Anniversary Party, time TBA 740 Broadway, South Portland Maine

**The first 10 customers at each show to mention this Ad, receive a gift!

Visit us online anytime! www.wix.com/followmedesigns/fmd

March 19 Show!

FOLLOW ME DESIGNS SHOWING

Jordan Small Middle School, 423 Webbs Mills Road, Rt. 85 in Raymond March 19th, from 9:00am-3:00pm

Come support the JSMS 8th grade class of 2011 this Saturday, at their Craft Fair Fundraiser. They will be featuring art & craft tables of all kinds, make & takes activities, a vendor raffle table and 50/50 raffle. Chili, soups, sandwiches, baked goods and other refreshments will be on sale.

I am offering one free gift to the first 10 FMD customers!! See you Saturday!

www.wix.com/followmedesigns/fmd