Life... Or Something Like It

September was a bit crazy for me. My dad was in the hospital for two weeks, so my mom stayed with us. It went better than I expected; Mom has dementia, and struggles when she's out of her routine. I have also been working a lot, and of course, adjusting to our oldest starting Kindergarten. I feel like I'm really the one back in school, there's so much work! But it's really fun. All that to say that I haven't been posting much on the blog or in the shop, but still filling orders. Hope all is going well for you!

Happy Anniversary To Me!

I can't believe it's been a year since I opened my Etsy shop. As time usually does, it's gone incredibly fast, and so much has happened in the last twelve months if feels like much more than a single trip around the sun. To celebrate, all items in the shop are 25% off through Labor Day. (Fitting name, no?) Enter the code HAPANN25. Thanks to everyone for their support this year!

Where Did Summer Go?

It was so hot here this summer - hottest July on record - 106 a couple of days - that I could barely muster the energy to do the bare minimum. In other words, work, laundry, fix meals and get groceries. Both this blog and my personal blog were neglected. I'm hoping to get them back into shape with fall right around the corner. School has started - our oldest had her first day at kindergarten this week! Routines are back in fashion. And a certain Etsy shop, ahem, is preparing to celebrate it's one year anniversary! Stay tuned for special offers coming up next week.

Giveaway at Sluiter Nation

My friend, Katie, is celebrating her 5th blogoversary by giving away a bunch of awesome stuff, and Jaborandi Grove was lucky enough to be included in her party! Head over there to check out the drawing for my stuff here, and while you're there, look at all the other fun things she's got available.

Church Banners

Here's a photo of the four finished banners in action. They ended up asking me to do them in black and white so they could do the colors with the lights, and I think they ended up looking really cool. (The center rectangle is the regular screen with lyrics on it.)

The final print size was 3' x 8' for each. Definitely my largest project to date!

Check back on Tuesday when I'll be featured in a giveaway on a friend's blog.

Summertime!

Can you believe it's summer? Ok, not officially, but as far as most of the US is concerned. I realized today that I haven't unveiled my SUMMER seasonal set, so I promise to get that to you in the next week. I've been working on a cute set of letters (above) as well as something new for me. Stage set design! I'm really excited about it. It's challenging because I have to think about things in such large terms. It's for panels at church, so it's not set design for a play. The first draft I put together didn't quite cut it, so I'm working on a second one now. When it's all said and done, I'll post the photos of the final product.

50th Wedding Anniversary Party

Wow, I knew I was slacking writing over here, but sheesh! I didn't post at all in April? Sorry, guys!

I've been finishing up these 50th wedding anniversary invitations as of late. So fun to work on something like that. Makes you think about how amazing it would be to reach that kind of milestone. My husband and I were a little older when we got married, so not sure we'll still be around for that. But it's a great goal to set our sights on anyway.

Things were going well on these babies until Friday when there was a bit of a mishap at the office and my boss accidentally closed his office door on my fingers. Ouch! (Serves me right for having them by the hinge in the first place.) But after a couple of days without using the Xacto, I'm back on track. Hope to wrap them up tonight or tomorrow night at the latest.

Spring!

So we have had crazy weather in the midwest, as I think most of the country has. Our girls spent the second week of March eating popsicles on the front drive wearing shorts. We've already spotted mosquitoes and had to break down and turn on the AC for a couple of days. It's made it tough to stay inside in front of the computer and network. But I am working on a set of letters and some wall posters for a nursery based on a beautiful quilt that was handmade by the sweet little boy's grandmother. I'm excited to share the results with you soon. In the meantime, don't forget to check out the Seasonal Set for Spring that's in the shop!

The Creative Process

Sometimes you start on a project and go with what you know only to discover you've tripped down an unintended path. I had to share this funny moment with you all.

I have a client who saw my recent product of a Bible verse posted here on my Facebook samples page, and requested that I do one for her nephew and his soon-to-be-bride as a wedding gift. Based on the green kitchen towel on their registry and her knowledge of the living room having white walls with light brown carpet, she decided she'd like the plaque to be green, so it would be able to go in either the living room or kitchen. I put this together for her to review:

And this was her reply:

It's funny, but although I liked the plaque when I first looked at it, thinking only that I might want the background just a bit lighter & the words just a bit darker, plus maybe some watermarks like the crosses you put on [the other Bible verse] plaque, I looked at it again just now & had a strange impression. The plaque looks almost like a dinner plate, which is okay for displaying in the kitchen, but then the Bible verse makes it kind of funny. If it's a dinner plate, then "we will serve the Lord" takes on an unintended meaning! 

Ha ha! Back to the drawing board.

Pinterest Projects

I posted this on my other blog, but since my Pinterest account is through my Jaborandi Grove name, I thought I should repost it here! These are my frugal projects as we are on a tight budget right now.

*  *  *  *  *  *

First, for Valentine's Day, I made these cute butterfly cards for S's party at preschool. I skipped buying the googly eyes, so all I had to pay for were the suckers. I would have had to buy some kind of candy anyway, so that worked out well.

Then, I've really been wanting to make a menu board I had pinned, and the only thing I needed was a frame. I found a mirror on clearance at Target for $5 that would work perfectly, and the price was right to move forward with completing this project. I did end up having to buy the gingham paper for the edging to cover up the mirror since the size was off. But the paper was on sale and only $0.30.

I used a suggestion from the comments on the original pin, and put velcro on the backs of the clothespins. I decided to color code our recipes with red for beef, blue for fish, orange for pork, yellow for chicken and green for vegetarian main dishes. I usually make one of each every week with a pizza day and a leftover day thrown in.

I customized it to include sides, too, since some of our favorites (mushroom barley, edamame salad) are more complicated and require more ingredients to prepare for. I color coded those as well - yellow for starches, green for veggies. I try to have one starch and two vegetables with dinner.

I love how it turned out, but I do need to find some more recipes to include!

Finally, DH had bought a generic brand of Tide the last trip to Costco in an effort to save money, so I decided to try making some laundry soap since I'd found a recipe that was supposed to be $20 for 9 months of soap. I've used it a few times, and so far, no complaints! Our youngest has very sensitive skin, so hoping it all works well. Just did a load of sheets, so we'll see if there's anything to report.

What have you pinned to your "I Did It!" board lately? Check out mine to see the original pins for these projects.

Vendor Spotlight: The Creative Idea Shop

As a small biz owner, I try to lend a helping hand or a leg up to others out there. I found Susan from The Creative Idea Shop on LinkedIn. She asked if I would mind posting about her newest line, and once I saw the products, I jumped at the chance. I love that she does it all herself, and everything is made here in the U.S. So without further ado, please take a moment to check out this note from Susan below!

•   •   •   •   •   

My latest retail gift line "ScentedMOMENTZ™" was born out of my passion for graphic design, the arts, meaningful words and thoughtful and practical no-junk gift giving. ScentedMOMENTZ™ is a line of unique STAND-UP Scented Sachets, not meant to go into drawers or closets but to be DISPLAYED, to INSPIRE through graphics, colors and wording and to INFUSE living and working spaces with harmonizing and uplifting fragrances from blends of essential and fragrance oils. The back side of each ScentedMOMENTZ™ sachet offers room for PERSONALIZATION, an easel back for standing and each sachet is packaged in a resealable crystal clear sleeve. I am the designer of this line and the manufacturer. It is a handmade, Made In USA product.

I currently offer 6 themed collections with each 6 different designs and different fragrances. My website features all designs of all collections and scent descriptions as well as information for wholesalers:

SPRING & SUMMER Collection  

OCEAN & SEASHORE Collection 

LOVE & ROMANCE Collection 

VINTAGE LADIES Collection 

POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS Collection

TEA ROOM Collection  

As I get older I experience a growing sense for spirituality in myself and I would like to work this part of myself into my work and my products by turning them into something that not only has practical value for some time, but also something that makes someone happy and that can inspire people. At the same time I want these little gifts to be affordable.

In production collections are "Angels", "Simply Positive" and "Home Sweet Home".

ScentedMOMENTZ can be purchased in 6-packs through my website or in local retail specialty stores.

I also offer customization of this product for businesses to be used as promotional or client appreciation gift or to fundraiser groups to raise money with for their cause, ScentedMOMENTZ™ can be completely tailored to my clients' needs, both graphics and scent choice.

Hello, Again!

So sorry for being gone for so long. I have had some technical difficulties as of late. Still trying to get my RSS feed to work properly! Anyway, I've gotten a couple of new orders, and that has lead to some brainstorming about more options for the plaques aside from just individual letters. I'm going to add a Quotable section to the shop! It's so me, I don't know why I didn't think of it before! My roommate in college and I used to love to find quotes. I think she even gave me a copy of Shakespeare's sonnets for my birthday one year. Anyway, the first few available are Bible verses like this one, though this is a one-of-a-kind custom design:

What about you? Are you a quote person? 

Giveaway Winner!

In case you missed it, Pin Savvy Social announced the winner of the Jaborandi Grove giveaway yesterday. Sorry for the delay here, I've come down with a cold and spent most of yesterday in bed (a big shout out to my awesome hubs for taking over kid duty!). Congratulations to Jamie! And check out all the cool purses that were pinned to the PSS Handbag Heaven board.

First Vendor Fair

I enjoyed the Networking and Shopping Expo in Mission today. Though it was small, I made some connections and think I'll have a few orders come in. I borrowed some supplies from my dear friend, Stephanie, from {NOTES} by redletter design studio, and I think everything turned out well. The only issue I had was where to put the sign. Next time I think I'll bring a white tablecloth to overlay the polka dot patterned one at an angle, and pin the sign to the front.

Don't forget to visit Pin Savvy Social to be entered in a giveaway for $50 of Jaborandi Grove products!!

Updated Look

I did not like the dark background and white type that the blog originally had. I knew it was bad, all blog feedback says you shouldn't do it - but I kind of threw it together to be honest. So now that I had to update the header to include the R.S.V.P. logo, I knew I needed to fix the rest of it. It's a bit better. Still have some kinks to work out. (For example, why are the headers on my sidebar blue? I have no idea. Searching for the option to fix them.) Anyway, hopefully this is easier to read. Planning to post all the new products to the shop this week. One of them is the Valentine's themed set pictured here. Enjoy!

Spring Patterns

Inspired by a conversation with my friend Stephanie from {NOTES} by redletter design studio, I bring you patterns for this spring. Posting to the Etsy shop this week!

Sunshine Gingham

"R" Gyle

Hot Pink Chevron

Hearts and Swirls

Tangerine Polka

Networking and Shopping EXPO!

Pin Mission, Kansas on the map as Jaborandi Grove's first public appearance!

As promised, here's the info on the vendor fair I'm going to be at. If you are interested in going, please let me know and I'll send a copy of the flyer to you as it is your ticket for a free lunch! Please pass this on to as many people as you can. Hoping for a great turn out! 

 

NETWORKING &

SHOPPING EXPO

Enjoy a Free Lunch 

 

Shop Vendor Tables 

Amazing Door Prizes Fr

                                               

Thursday Jan 26^th 11a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lunch & Presentation

“Nutrition Made Simple, Life Made Rich”

At 12 Noon

Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center

6200 Martway Mission, KS 66202

This is a great opportunity to network with local business owners,

Health and business professionals, consultants,

Fitness experts, crafters, entrepreneurs and the general public.

Vendor tables and sponsorship opportunities available for
a small fee.

	Great opportunity to network with local business owners, health and business professionals, consultants, fitness experts, crafters, entrepreneurs and the general public. EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS     Vendor tables and sponsorship opportunities available for small  fee…contact Wendell wIishmael@kc.rr.com for details.

And Then Comes Your Ruby Anniversary

Or any other reason to celebrate your love. The heart cutout inside is slightly raised and adds extra dimension to the simple, elegant layout.

... Then Comes the Bride with a Baby Carriage!

But first there's usually a baby shower to celebrate the news that a baby is on the way. This adorable Doggie Door invite features illustrations of all things boy according to the old rhyme.



Once your little one arrives, this tri-fold, neutral Jungle Baby Announcement is a bright way to share your news.

...Then Comes Marriage...

This sophisticated wedding invitation set comes with an outer card that has an interlocking heart with the bride and groom's first initials. Inside, the invitation, RSVP card and map are tucked behind the top and bottom flaps.

First Comes Love...

The first invitation I'll be posting to the shop is this Flower Petal invitation. Used for a bachelorette party in these photos, it has a versatile, feminine feel that works well for birthday parties, bridal or baby showers, or almost any occasion.

It's a New Year, New Products!

Though the decorative wall letters have done very well for me, I'm ready to spread these jaborandi branches and add some new products to the shop. I'm excited to introduce a new line of invitations, called "RSVP." I'll be posting some photos here on the blog as well as listing them in the shop later this week. Hope you like them!