Raccoons, Squirrels and Opposums

We have lived in our home for two years.  In that time, we have seen our neighborhood raccoon checking out our trashcan, captured several flying squirrels who thought they could make their home in our attic, and this fall, an opossum in our trap on the front porch.  Welcome to country living!

We love living on the mountain...adventuring in the woods behind our home...making campfires...hiking...and seeing the beautiful hummingbirds, wild turkeys (which we saw 4 of today while getting the kids ready for school), cardinals and bunnies.  The raccoon and squirrels, although pests, were absolutely adorable....but the opossum...gross.  Their beady eyes...rat like tails...nastiness.  I had to explain to my 5 year old why we couldn't keep him!

What wildlife visit your home?

Laughs, Connections and Good Samaritans

This weekend one of my friends and I attended a craft fair in Belleville.  I spent almost every moment of the past 2 weeks making items, creating displays, and designing signs.  I was true to Southern form….go BIG or GO HOME!   I wanted everything to look professional and, well, perfect! 

There was next to no traffic through the show and I didn’t make much moola, BUT my friend and I had a blast together!  We laughed, told stories, made some more stuff and enjoyed having a morning without kiddos.

I had several people ask where the name Southern Belle Frills came from and as soon as I started talking they figured it out!  People are funny…we want to make some kind of connection with people – find some common ground.  When I tell people I’m from the South, I get a story about an uncle in Florida, a friend in Kentucky or a movie with a bad accent!  I’ve heard some interesting connections, but none as hilarious as this one lady who came through.  She asked where I was from and when I told her originally from Tennessee she said, “Do you know Tara from Tennessee??”  I wasn’t sure how to respond!!!  What do you say to that?  My friend and I did get to make a lot of connections with other vendors though which was a lot of fun!

My favorite part of the show was this morning…a lady was talking to my friend about jewelry and I noticed her purse…it was super cute and I had been looking for one similar to it for a LONG time!  I asked her where she got it and she said it was a 31 bag…surprise surprise…cute bag from 31!  J  Anyways, she told me she hated the bag…she liked bigger ones and this one wasn’t doing the trick.  Then she asked if I wanted it…I told her I had not made enough money to spend money…then she said “You can just have it!  I really don’t like this purse!  I’ll put my stuff in a bag and you can have it right now!”  Again, I was speechless…twice in one day…that doesn’t happen often.  So I handed her a paper bag, she emptied the purse and gave it to me.  I was able to talk her into taking a key fob/wristlet which she did.   She walked off and my friends and I started dying laughing…who does that?  Who walks up to a stranger and gives them something like that?  As silly as it sounds, it truly made my day!  She was a crazy good Samaritan!

 

I hope to do many more shows…and hopefully actually make some money next time!  

Announcements, Shirts & Organizing

I’ve been busy in my “office” getting to know my new machine and having so much fun with it!  I’ve even started getting orders!!!!  I’ve made a few custom key fobs.  This one is for my Nana who is turning 80 this week!!!  Although you’d NEVER know from looking at her!

I just finished personalizing a purse for a friend and making more key fobs for teacher appreciation week!  On top of it all I’ve been slowly working through my designs and trying them out on shirts.  There are pictures below of some I finished today.

Finally, the big announcement….drum roll……..I’m going to be at a craft fair next weekend!!!!!!  A good friend of mine owns “Pretties”…an incredibly cute jewelry line and we’ve talked all winter about doing a craft fair together.  Finally we took the leap!  I’ve been frantically trying to get inventory made, preparing displays and getting all my other ducks in a row.  PLEASE come visit us at Belleville Community Hall on April 24th 5-8pm, April 25th 8am-2pm!!!!

How cute are those brother shirts????  I've also been organizing my craft room/office and am loving what I've come up with.  I'm hoping to do a whole post on my new favorite room in the house!  

Enjoy your weekend!!!!!

Summer, T-shirts and Monogramming

I’ve mentioned before that I’m a Southern Gal through and through.  One thing most Southern girls can’t get enough of is Monogrammed EVERYTHING!  Whether it’s a shirt, bag, pillow, scarf or tote, we love it monogrammed!  And add a few kiddos and the mix and EVERYONE knows who they belong to!

I’ve always wanted an embroidery machine so I could personalize items.  I love a good appliquéd shirt on a kiddo or a beautiful tote bag with an elegant monogram.  In February I walked graduated from college and received some monetary gifts!  I was finally able to get a machine!  I’m totally loving all the good things it can do.  

I’m still learning the ropes… what colors, patterns, and fabrics work best together…how to do the perfect appliqué…and which fonts I like the best!  And I’m loving every minute of it!!!!

This week I've made a few shirts for my kiddos and some really cool key fob wristlets that I just LOVE!  We even had a giveaway this week and three of my friends received FREE ones!  I'll be giving away another one soon when we reach 100 likes on our Facebook page!

I am now officially open for orders!!!!!  For the next month or so, all embroidery products will be HALF-OFF to account for the learning curve and reflect any imperfection of still learning..  I will be posting the current patterns I have soon, but I can do custom projects too with just about anything you want!  Pricing is based on stitch count, what you want embroidered, and how many appliqués you desire.  If you have a design you'd like me to do, please message me on Facebook or email me at southernbellefrills@outlook.com and I'd be happy to work up a quote for you!

I'm so excited about this new component of Southern Belle Frills and I hope you are too!

For now, here are some of the projects I’ve done this week…enjoy!

Key Fob 

Reg $5.00

50% OFF Sale $2.50

Personalized Key Fob 

Reg $8.25

50% OFF Sale $4.25

Anchor Shirt

Reg $19.75

50% OFF Sale $10.00

Crab Shirt 

Reg $20.00

50% OFF Sale $10.00

Hoppy Easter Peep Hand Towel 

Reg $21.00

50% OFF Sale $10.50

"My Peeps"

Reg $21.75

50% OFF Sale $11.00