Goodbye Designs by Vanessa

Well, that was the shortest blogging break ever lol! I'm excited to announce the launch of The Crafty Nest! It is still a work in progress but I'm too excited not to share it with you now! This move is bittersweet to me because I've grown attached to Designs by Vanessa, having blogged here for the past 2 years. I'm looking forward to my own space (no more .blogspot.com) and a website that can grow with me. Thank you to my fabulous readers (the ones that come back post after post, even when I have nothing interesting to say), you have kept me inspired and I hope that you will continue to follow along my crafty journey at my new site.

Meet me over at The Crafty Nest!

Taking a break...

Without going into any behind the scenes details, my new website launch has unfortunately been delayed. No fears, I have a new fab designer on the case and I should be up and running again really soon. But until then, I'm in need of a small blogging break. Something that started out as a stress reliever has recently turned into a major source of stress, which is not a good thing at 30 weeks pregnant. So I'm taking a step back to remember what I love so much about blogging - which for me has always been my awesome readers in blog land and having a creative space just for me. I'll be back soon but until then, keep calm and craft on!

Designs by Vanessa: Tutorial Roundup

I only have a few more days left on this blog and I thought it would be fun to recap the tutorials that I've shared over the past year on Designs by Vanessa. Don't fret, I already have some fabulous new tutorials lined up for my new blog! I hope you've been inspired to create something!

Shirt Full of Posies Tutorial

Fabric Wall Art Tutorial

Upcycled Yarn Vase Tutorial

Apple Crisp Recipe


Picture Perfect Pumpkin Tutorial


Tutu Cute Wreath Tutorial


Shark Infested Jello Tutorial


Worms and Dirt Pudding Tutorial


Fabric Leaf Place Cards Tutorial


Chex Party Mix Recipe


Upcycled Gift Wrapping Tutorial

I've been tagged!!

My cartoon alter ego.

I was tagged a million years ago by the fabulous Lindsay of Shrimp Salad Circus, so here's more information than you probably ever wanted to know about me...

1. Your hair? I'm in the process of growing it out. The plan is to donate it to Locks of Love, let's hope I can resist chopping it off before then!
2. Your favorite food? If I had to pick just one food to live on for the rest of my life, I would pick pickles. Yes, I realize I'm strange.
3. Your favorite drink? I'm addicted to Soy Hot Chocolate but part of my new year's resolution is to cut way back on caffeine (good bye Starbuck's).
4. Your dream/goal? I would love to do something creative/write about crafting for a living. I also want to travel the world with Mr. Designs by Vanessa and to one day become a mommy.
5. Your hobby? Besides being crafty, I love photography, writing, traveling and I even enjoy working out (most of the time).
6. Your fear? I have a seriously irrational fear about spiders. Eww, just thinking about it makes me cringe!
7. Where were you last night? Mr. Designs by Vanessa and I watched Point Break (you know, the movie where Patrick Swayze plays a hot surfer/ex-president bank robber?) and went to bed. I live an interesting life!
8. Something you say all the time? I probably need to stop saying "fabulous" so many times. I annoy myself with it lol.
9. Something that you’re not? An outdoorsy person (but I still enjoy looking at the outdoors - from indoors!)
10. Wishlist item? A wireless remote for my camera.
11. Last thing you did? Wrote up a report for my "real" job.
12. What are you wearing? Jeans, a fuchsia top and a fabulous (I told you I overuse this word) new fuchsia/gray scarf.
13. Your pets? I have the 2 cutest furbabies - Sparkles and Chyna.
14. Friends? I have them and love them.
15. Missing someone? I miss my family and friends who are scattered across the country.
16. Something you’re not wearing? I'm not wearing shoes at the moment.
17. Your favorite store? Anthropologie and of course Etsy!
18. Your favorite color? I was always a purple and pink fan but now I'm really loving all of the bold colors, especially mustard.
19. The last time you cried? I started tearing up at one of those heartbreaking ASPCA commercials. Those get me every time!
20. When's the last time you laughed? I laugh everyday, Mr. Designs by Vanessa is a pretty funny guy.
21. One place that I go to over and over? Hmm the internet?
22. Where do you eat? When I'm out and about I love me some Pita Jungle.

I'm supposed to pass it along, so tag - you're it:

Aspiring Fashionista
Pinecone Camp
Prim and Polished
Lovely Purses

The Little Black Box

Designs by Vanessa is in The Little Black Box this month - I sent in tons of little birdie iron on appliques (don't worry, no sewing required). For those of you who don't already know, every month The Little Black Box sells a box full of handmade goodness. You can read my LBB review HERE. This is a fun way to sample different handmade products, so go check them out! While your at it, check out the Handmade Black Friday 2009 sales HERE (look for the Designs by Vanessa coupon code)!

Craft Fair Tips

Is it Saturday yet? I think I need another weekend because I 'm incredibly exhausted today! Mr. Designs by Vanessa and I (with help from my awesome parents) had a yard sale over the weekend and we FINALLY cleaned out our garage and unpacked every last box from our move (no we didn't just move...we have just been putting off unpacking). I didn't think it was possible but we can now park our cars inside of the garage with room to spare! I decided to do a little Designs by Vanessa craft fair test run at the yard sale and I'm glad I did because I learned a few things from this...


1. Do a test run of your display before the actual craft fair. I learned what I needed to make more of and how I could better present my designs. I also learned how to set up my tent (not an easy task when the instructions were missing).

2. Bring snacks, drinks, etc. with you so you rarely have to leave your booth. As much as he tries, Mr. Designs by Vanessa will never be able to explain the difference between a bicone and a rondelle (although I would like to witness that conversation) so it is important that I be there the majority of the time.

3. Bring supplies - pens, paper, tape, scissors, stapler, calculator, etc. Even if you don't think you will need it, just bring it!

4. Start an email list. I learned the importance of being able to network with customers after the event. I plan on having a notebook available at my next event for potential customers to leave their email addresses in so I can update them about future events/sales/etc.

What are your craft fair tips?

Me

When the fabulous Kathy of Kathy Scoffield Photography offered to shoot a few photos of me for Designs by Vanessa (there are some nifty changes in store for this blog) and my craft journalism ventures, I jumped at the chance. Kathy is super sweet and a fabulous photographer - just check out her blog for yourself. I have to admit that I was a little anxious about how I would look in the pictures because I'm still working to return to my pre-wedding/pre- guys can eat anything they want without gaining a pound/pre-"let's just order pizza" weight. I had nothing to worry about because Kathy worked her photo magic. I always enjoy seeing the face behind the blog so I thought I would share a few pics...

Brassiness

Fall is almost here (well not in sunny AZ but in most places) and I have a new line of cards and jewelry that I'm excited to show you. I'm loving the antiqued brass look at the moment, let me know what you think. I will be listing new items weekly so check back often.

Darling Swallow Necklace

Blue Jay Earrings

Pretty Birdie Cards

2 Fabulous Years

Mr. Designs by Vanessa and I have been married for 2 fabulous years today! We celebrated over the weekend with fondue and we're planning on watching our wedding video tonight (a little tradition we started last year). This year we decided to make each other something...I'm excited to see what Mr. Designs by Vanessa came up with!

In perfect timing for our "cotton anniversary", we recently received our amazing canvas print from Photo-Canvas. I just had to share because they did such a great job and I just love looking at it lol.

Hello Cupcake

I've been neglecting my blog lately but only because I've been busy in my craft studio. I'm working on a few new designs (think baby) but I'm not quite ready to reveal those just yet so I will leave you with pictures of my new Hello Cupcake cards...

Tree Huggers Welcome

For those of you that have been following my blog, you know that I have a tiny obsession (ok, a huge obsession) with anything birdie related and that would include where our feathery friends call home. Check out my new line of greeting cards named Tree Huggers because, well, these trees just need someone to hug them (and purchase them of course...a green thumb is not required).

Tree Hugger - Pink and Green

Tree Hugger - Green and Blue

Sneak Peek

Here is a little sneak peek of my new card design. Can you guess what it is? I'll be listing new cards in my etsy shop tomorrow. I hope everyone had a fabulous Thursday!

New Listing - Cecil Earrings

Check out my newest listing and let me know what you think. These classic earrings are composed of 8mm Bronze Swarovski pearls, 6mm round Golden Shadow Swarovski crystals and wire wrapped to sterling silver french ear wires. These earrings are perfect for a special occasion or everyday elegance. All metal findings are sterling silver.

Cecil Earrings by Designs by Vanessa

Bunky Boutique

I have some exciting news to share with you! Designs by Vanessa can now be found in the very adorable Bunky Boutique in downtown Phoenix, Arizona! Check out this fun boutique if you get a chance and don't forget to be on the look out for my jewelry/paper goods!

Bunky Boutique

812 N 3rd St. 85004.
Ph 602-252-1323
www.bunkyboutique.com
Open: Tue-Fri 11-8, Sat 11-6, Sun 12-4

Just Listed

These Little Birdie Cards are too cute not to make them in multiple colors. I found this pretty blue felt today and knew it would be perfect for a note card! This note card features an adorable baby blue little birdie hand cut from felt and mounted onto an acid-free brown card. The phrase "joy, love, happiness" is hand stamped in black on the front and the inside is blank so that it can be used for many occasions.

Baby Blue Little Birdie Card by Designs by Vanessa