Coral & Spring Green

With 9 weeks ’til the baby arrives (holy crap!), I’m actually starting to get down to business on all the nursery projects I’ve been thinking about doing.  Below is the fabric my mom and I picked out over the holidays on our trip to Florida.  Big shout out to The Quilt Place in Rockledge, FL for having a huge selection and being super nice and helpful.

coral_green_fabric

My mom and I plan to make a valance for the window and a bed skirt for the crib out of the fabric we purchased.  We’ve already purchased this white Jenny Lind crib, which we really love (note: took the husband under 15 minutes to assemble – highly recommended).  It’s simple and a little vintage looking.

jennylindcribwhite

I also have some art projects I want to work with the left over fabric.  And I’ve started a mobile made out of felt and ribbon (based on my holiday birdie ornaments!):

birdie

I also had this little wooden bear as a child that had an embroidered insert saying “Sarah’s room.”  I’ve painted it a coral color and made a new insert for “Lydia’s room” in coral and green.  It’s a simple project, but I’m happy to be up-cycling decor from my childhood for my daughter.

bear_baby

I still have lots more to do, but I love that I’m able to make something handmade for my little girl’s nursery.  Check out my pinterest board for more photos!

by Sarah on January 28, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Baby, Crafts, My House, Personal
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Posted by Sarah on January 28, 2013

http://hitchcockcreative.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/coral-spring-green/

2013 Postage for Weddings & Events

If you’re a regular follower of my (admittedly-not-so-oftenly-updated) blog, you’ll remember that I posted information about the postage increase and stamp design options last year around this time.  Well, it’s January again which means it’s time for a USPS postage price increase and new lovely stamp design options!

New rates will be in effect starting Jan. 27, 2013. 

Increase for International First Class Mail:

  • Regular Mail (under 1 ounce) is increasing to a $0.46 stamp.  Or you can continue to use or stock up on “forever” stamps.
  • Mail between 1-2 ounces (many invitation suites) will increase to $0.66.
  • Postcards will increase to $0.33.

Increase for International First Class Mail:

  •  All International Mail under 1 ounce will now use a $1.10 stamp (sorry Canada).

What this Means for You:

  • If you are mailing invitations BEFORE Jan. 27, you will save some money on your outer envelopes (aren’t you so smart!).  BUT, remember to use the higher postage rates or forever stamps on your RSVP postcards/envelopes so that your guests (who could reply after Jan. 27) will not be caught with embarrassing ”returned due to insufficient postage” mail.
  • If you plan to mail your invitations AFTER Jan. 27, remember to use increased postage on both your outer envelopes and RSVP materials.

New Design Options:

stamps

Other Options:

  • Zazzle.com – “Create your own” and pre-designed stamp options in any postage rate.  But be prepared to pay twice as much as government issued stamps.
  • Vintage Stamps - Check Etsy,Ebay, Amazon, and local flea/craft markets for vintage postage sellers.  Some great online options are Verde Studio, TreasuryFox, PreciousOwl, Kenmore Stamps, or Champion Stamp.
    • Pro Tip:  Be sure you’re purchasing stamps that are unused and uncancelled.  While postage technically never expires, if it is used or cancelled, it may not be usable.

Business Owners:

  • Do you love shipping USPS Priority Flat Rate like I do?  Rates are going up for us as well.
    • Small box — $5.80
    • Medium box — $12.35
    • Large box — $16.85
    • Large APO/FPO box — $14.85
    • Regular envelope — $5.60
    • Legal envelope — $5.75
    • Padded envelope — $5.95

Other Links:

by Sarah on December 31, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Business, Wedding
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Posted by Sarah on December 31, 2012

http://hitchcockcreative.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/2013-postage-for-weddings-events/

Peach & Gold Wedding Inspiration

I can’t stop pinning new ideas for a friend’s upcoming Spring 2013 wedding.  She’s getting married in the Virginia countryside, but her mix of elegance and country style is just stunning.  And I’m not one bit surprised… she’s a professional event planner after all.  She is taking the country chic concept to a new level with mixes of peaches and cream, plus shimmery gold accents to turn the country setting into a formal intimate dinner space.  Complete with string lights hung from trees and faint touches of dark teal, this is going to be one celebration you won’t want to miss!

Check out my Pinterest board for a full collection of photos and inspiration.

Photos:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5

by Sarah on November 18, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Design, Wedding
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Posted by Sarah on November 18, 2012

http://hitchcockcreative.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/peach-gold-wedding-inspiration/

Getting back to things…

As you may remember, I wrote a post a while ago on how many of us in the creative industry have other jobs to help pay the rent.  I think most of us dream of being able to design/photograph/create/plan full time, but running a full time business with no other source of income can be hard.  Having another job, either full time or part time, is nothing to be ashamed of in my opinion, especially when you’re first starting your business.

Since June, I’ve been freelancing as a designer and event planning after being temporarily laid off from my full time job while the space I worked in underwent a huge renovation.

Photos from Kennedy Center Facebook page

I was genuinely excited for this time off so that I could really look at growing my business and see if it was possible for me to design full time.  Or if I even really wanted to.  Well, as always, life has many plans for us.  I found out shortly after leaving that I was pregnant (hooray!).  And as the old saying goes, “having a baby changes everything.”  The pregnancy has been harder than I thought it would and I’ve had to take off more time to keep myself healthy.  So maybe this isn’t the right year to be expanding my business after all.  No problem.  Now I just have more time to plan for the direction of my business!

As of last week, I started working back at my “9 to 5″ and I am really enjoying the work I’m doing there.  I’ll continue to juggle the two jobs, as I have for the last four years, until the baby comes in April.  From there?  Who knows. I plan to keep my options open and re-evaluate once I know how having a little one in my life will change things for my family.

Baby Items on Etsy – photo links:  1, 2, 3

by Sarah on November 12, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Business, Design, Etsy, Personal
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Posted by Sarah on November 12, 2012

http://hitchcockcreative.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/getting-back-to-things/

A peek at the paper goods from the Mark Twain Prize!

Congrats to the everyone working on tonight’s 15th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor celebrating this years honoree, Ellen DeGeneres!  I had a blast working on the paper goods for this event over the last few months.  Tonight is the live performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.  The show will be televised on Tuesday, October 30 at 8:00pm on PBS.

Below is a peak at the invitation and some of the paper goods for the event.  Super fun time working on this.  I’m always a little sad when projects this awesome end.

by Sarah on October 22, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Design
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Posted by Sarah on October 22, 2012

http://hitchcockcreative.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/a-peek-at-the-paper-goods-from-the-mark-twain-prize/

Bah Humbug

A little something to help you show some holiday spirit (or lack there of).  Available in the shop now as single cards or in a set.

by Sarah on October 4, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Art, Design, Etsy, Holidays
Tagged , , , ,

Posted by Sarah on October 4, 2012

http://hitchcockcreative.wordpress.com/2012/10/04/bah-humbug/

Big News!

Ok, so it’s been a while.  But I think I actually have a good excuse for being MIA this time…

Mr. HitchcockCreative and I are expecting a baby!

And for those of you who are male or haven’t been pregnant, some woman (i.e. me) have a really horrible time during the first few months.  I don’t mean, oh I’m a little nauseous…I mean, 24 hour nausea, barely get out of bed, can’t eat a thing, caught 3 colds already, lost 10 pounds, longest 3 months of my LIFE, kind of 1st trimester. All things considered, Baby and I are both healthy and doing fine.  We’re just having a rough first go at cohabitating.

So, the fun part of the news…  We’re due in the spring.  No news on boy or girl yet, but I’m eager to find out in a few weeks.  I’m starting to show already, but I don’t mind the expanding waistline as much as I thought I might.

I have to say, the balance between taking care of myself and working has been really tough this summer.  I had to turn down lots of projects because I was so sick and exhausted.  But now that I’m feeling better (yeah for 2nd trimester!), I’m really looking forward to getting back in the swing of things.

Anyway, I hope to be back to more consistent blogging again soon!

by Sarah on September 27, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Personal

Posted by Sarah on September 27, 2012

http://hitchcockcreative.wordpress.com/2012/09/27/big-news/

Vintage Seafoam & Peach Collection

It might be scorching hot outside, but this peach and sea foam collection will have you feeling cool and crisp in no time.

by Sarah on August 11, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Etsy, Treasuries
Tagged , , , , , , ,

Posted by Sarah on August 11, 2012

http://hitchcockcreative.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/vintage-seafoam-peach-collection/

Lovely blue & cream wedding

They’re my friends, so I’m biased…but how stinking cute is this couple!?  Here are some photos from their beautiful wedding in Milwaukee.  I had the honor of designing her paper goods and I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out!  She and her husband had fun, inventive ideas that made the whole process inspiring to work on.

Be sure to check out the last photo.  I mean, how freaking adorable is that sea monster?!  It was the groom’s idea.  They’re both just awesome.

First 3 photos by Manning Photography ::  Last 2 photos by yours truly

by Sarah on July 31, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Design, Wedding
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Posted by Sarah on July 31, 2012

http://hitchcockcreative.wordpress.com/2012/07/31/lovely-blue-cream-wedding/

How your small business handles unexpected time off

If you run a small business or have thought starting one, then you’ve probably read a blog post somewhere about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.  People tell you that you get to set your own hours and don’t have to report to anyone but yourself.  But in reality your life revolves around your business so much more than when you have a 9-5 corporate job.

:: Hog Hill Road, East Haddam, CT ::

Last week we had a death in our family.  Coming at the tail end of my only week off this year, I scrabbled to figure out what to do with the cat, how we were going to travel the 400 miles home, then 400 more miles to the funeral, what do with the step kids who were staying with us at the time, where to find a black dress, etc, etc.  Oh right, and I have clients with weddings coming up so I have to finish their paper goods otherwise they’ll be left with no menu cards, escort cards, seating maps or programs for their big day.  So here I am, thinking to myself, do I skip my grandmothers funeral because I can’t let my clients down?  We’re not talking about being a few days late on a mailing…we’re saying leaving someone to find another designer within a week of their wedding to design, print and deliver everything.

So what do you do?  Having worked in the performing arts I’ve missed countless weddings, funerals, baptisms, birthday’s and family reunions due to our “the show must go on” mentality.  But where does it stop?  Do put so much of ourselves into our small business’s that we honestly consider skipping a close family  members funeral or wedding in order to keep a sale?  I love the personal nature of my business.  Getting to know my clients and help them with their wedding is so rewarding.  But am I missing my own life to make them happy?  Or do I just say, hey…this is a business and you’ve promised someone this work so your own life doesn’t matter anymore.

Lots to think about.  Perhaps I got a little too deep on that last paragraph.  :)  I’d like to hear from other small biz owners (especially wedding vendors!) on what you have done or would have done in these situations.

by Sarah on July 20, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Business, Personal
Tagged , , , , ,

Posted by Sarah on July 20, 2012

http://hitchcockcreative.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/how-your-small-business-handles-unexpected-time-off/

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