Giveaway from Belle Sew Cute! *CLOSED*

I’m so excited introduce to you my friend Jennifer and her business Belle Sew Cute! I’ll give you the short story on how to enter our giveaway for a $25 credit at her etsy store (just in time for Christmas shopping!) and then tell you a little more about Jennifer.

To enter the giveaway:

-Comment on this post with what you might pick from BelleSewCute’s etsy store: hooded towel, book pillow, or dress.

-Go “like” Belle Sew Cute on Facebook and comment that A Musing Maralee sent you (this needs to be on her share of my post or I need to be tagged so I can see it).

I love using these giveaways to introduce you to people and businesses that are a pleasure to work with. Jennifer is such a great example of that. She is just one of the most cheerful people I know and I feel like that comes across even in the work she does. If you want to know what kind of person Jennifer is, just recently she gave me a bunch of handmade dresses to give to foster families for their little girls. She didn’t ask to see their reactions, she didn’t attach a business card, she didn’t ask for any kind of update on how that process went. So many times I tell people that whatever it is you’re good at or are passionate about, you can use that to benefit foster kids. Jennifer’s act of kindness was such a perfect example of how she used her gifts for foster kids without asking for anything in return. (And she definitely didn’t know I was going to tell this story about her.)

I could probably write 1000 more wonderful things about her, but then we wouldn’t get around to letting her describe her business! Here is Jennifer in her own words:

When did you start sewing?
Besides Home Ec Class in Junior High, I started sewing about 10 years ago. I loved making quilts for my nieces and nephews and a family tree one for my grandparents. I didn’t do a lot of sewing before I ended up putting it all away after we had Oswald (6 years ago already). I didn’t have enough time, energy, or room to have my sewing stuff out. So I got rid of most of my supplies besides my sewing machine that my husband and his mom bought for my birthday not long before I packed it all up. A little over a year ago, I started having pain from crocheting but I kind of need a creative outlet so I decided to get my machine out since we have more room, even though I don’t necessarily have more time . I started with chalk board rolls, crayon rolls (practical side of me), and quickly moved onto fun stuffed animals. Maybe 6 or 7 months ago, I made my first garment (a little girl’s dress) and absolutely loved that. A few months ago, I expanded and purchased an embroidery machine so I can customize projects!

When did you decide to turn your hobby into a business?

I decided to turn this into a business when people really responded when I would post pictures on Facebook and would ask if I would make them the items. I started to get serious about a “real” business maybe 6 months ago after doing a booth at the local Farmer’s Market and having awesome feedback and orders for some gorgeous flower girl dresses (I must say I was completely SHOCKED and SO excited!). Since then, I have made several special occasion dresses and many many other dresses.

As a mom of two young kids, how do you find the time to create?

How do I find time to create….?? I stay up WAY TOO LATE at night! I usually don’t even start sewing until 9:30 or 10pm! I won’t say what time I usually go to bed!

Where do you get your inspiration? 
Too many Facebook sewing groups..
Really though, the excitement on people’s faces when they get the finished items. My kids are so fun to make stuffed animals and they just get so crazy excited! I love when people say, “YOU made that?” I often think the same thing after a lot of the dresses that I have made. I love the feeling of accomplishment. Taking a piece (or many pieces) of fabric and transforming it into something completely different is so fun. Especially fun when I second guess my decisions in the middle of a project and have to force myself to finish. Then have to almost hold my breathe to turn the garment or animal right side out to see the final product! Usually they have been great outcomes but a few pretty big fails I absolutely LOVE being a Stay-at-Home Mom but I really need the quiet, down time just creating and being lost in a project.

Do you do custom orders?
YES! Pretty much any item that I have posted can be customized to whatever someone wants or I also take requests for products that I have not ever made. I will try most requests at least once! I have an embroidery machine that connects to a computer so designs options are almost endless. I have done custom orders for towels, Book pocket pillows, newborn photo prop items, dresses (special occasion and everyday wear), and more!

So enter our Giveaway to get your own special product from Belle Sew Cute!

-Comment on this post with what you might pick from BelleSewCute’s etsy store: hooded towel, book pillow, or dress.

-Go “like” Belle Sew Cute on Facebook and comment that A Musing Maralee sent you (this needs to be on her share of my post or I need to be tagged so I can see it).

These are two different ways to enter, so you can get a total of two entries into our drawing. I will draw the winner on Friday at noon (CST). I will connect you with Jennifer so you can work out your prize.

Get commenting!

*The giveaway is now closed. Congrats to our winner, Tiffany!*