a new start...

been away for a while, obviously. 

lots have been happening at the Comer house the last several months. but before I recap for all of you, let me explain what I mean by ... a new start. 

when I decided to start this blog in February, I thought it would be a good way to "catalog" my journey while starting my new business, but it felt more like pitching a new idea every week. and not even good ideas. so we-I am starting over. the goal: 3 posts a week. (probably all in one day, but what can you do) #1 will feature what has happened since the last post. #2 will focus on what is currently happening and what I have planned. And #3 will be personal- to remind me and all of you that I am a person not an advertisement. I have friends and family that want a break down of what we are doing, and not just work. 

what has been going on since April????

at the end of March, trav & i put an offer on our first house. after many many negotiations, appraisals, and fanny may repairs, we finally closed on our very own wonderfully ugly foreclosure!

since then... all I can say is "major rehab".

before renovations

 after demo

after appliances

 needless to say... we just got started. 

mid-august we finally got to move in. now we are still eating off paper plates, storing our clothes in garbage bags, and washing pots & pans in the "basement"- but we are loving every minute of it. our own home and its a beautiful thing!

we haven't had much time to work on the house since we moved in. trav spent 2 weeks straight fixing up our rental so we could hand that back over to the owners and the nights I wasnt working on it with him, I have been preparing for my very first "craft sale"!!!

last weekend I was part of The Strawberry Patch's Fall Barn Sale in Hartsville, Tn.

It WAS a BLAST!!!

definitely the best way to start in the craft fair circuit. I got to practice talking to customers, and promoting myself- not something I am good at doing. 

I also made some great friends.

Trish & Sara of Take Flight Crafties 

these girls gave me great advice and welcomed me with open arms!

they make the most incredible jewelry out of spoons and forks. the pieces are amazing and these girls are so passionate about creating something unique and one-of-a-kind pieces.

I hope we can work side by side again soon. 

craft fair: noun a fair at which objects made by craftsmen are offered for sale. 

call me a craftsman. 

i enjoyed the hell out of it.

working that show and talking to people- even the ones that had no interest in my booth; the husbands that just could not wait to get out of there, but loved their wives to much to sit at home in front of a game. 

i loved the smile on kids faces as they put my dolls in a death grip. and the humor on parents faces when they realized I sale zombies with bullet holes. 

saturday night as I sat across from my wonderful husband, at our favorite Chinese restaurant, I realized- maybe craft fairs are for me. 

to spend days creating something for others to love, laugh at, and even occasionally be disgusted was like a dream. 

its like a play. one in which I am the cast and crew.  

I guess we only can wait and see what the future holds. mine currently holds andother sale at the end of the week, a nephew weeks from entering the world, a opera to design and my 2nd wedding anniversery.

until next time, ladies and gents. 

Boy, Oh Boy, here we go!

That's right everyone, Ella Dee Clothing fans boy stuff is here.

(for the time being , slowly and by custom order only)
At the recent request of a friend, we have added limited amounts of little boys clothes.
We are starting simple with baby onesies and diaper covers.
Keep watching for more!



Just in time for Spring/ Summer time pictures!

Onesies perfect your little man.

**Available with or without bow tie.

Prices: $20.00 with bow tie

            $15.00 without bowtie

Button Diaper Covers!

Available in a varity of colors and sizes.

Prices: $10.00

Fleamarket Celebration

Like any true Southern Gentleman, Corbin Jay arrived early. In fact, this cute red headed baby boy arrived the same weekend as his carefully planned baby shower, multi pass and all. So in lieu of proceeding  with the shower, we decided to reschedule the baby shower until a later date. Showers after a baby is born are so much more fun- you get play the pass the baby game!

As you know, I love throwing parties and showers. So of course when my cousin announced she was expecting, my mother and I jumped at the chanced to play hostess- minus the creepy baby games (oh you know the ones). We decided against a traditional theme, and planned a flea-marketish/ tea shower. And why not, Corbin is here, its not like we had to announce "it's a boy". 

Mom tackled the food; serving yummy finger foods out of carefully mismatched china and I handled decorations, DUH!

As far as baby showers go, all you really need are invites, food, and a few simple decorations to coordinate with your theme or color selections. Since we chose to skip the theme, a hand-crafted banner, a few flowers, and a Diaper Cake.

DECORATIONS-something used for decorating;  adornment; embellishment

  In, February, to prepare for the original shower date, I set myself to the task of making shower decorations. The dreaded diaper cake (insert scream!!), you either love it or hate it. With something that has so many possibilities, you probably like me, feel both ways. I was determined to create one with simplistic lines and clean curves- to make it as cake-like as possible. 

Instead of rolling each diaper separately, I wrapped them around each other in hopes of having a fondant feel. Then using ribbons of different widths and colors, I covered the rubber bands holding each diaper. Finally adding some simple foam animals I found at a local craft store finished the cake. Simple really, just takes a couple hours and some patience. 

Next the banner. Although cutting out letters and hanging crepe paper is perfectly fine and super easy- it only last a day or two. 

And that's just not my way! Instead I made something that not only can be used again and again, but new mom's can't live without.

BIBS!

With a few yards of material, a bib pattern, and a little time, I made 30 bibs! 

Yes 30! What can i say once you get in the zone, it's hard to stop. As you can imagine 30 bibs will stretch a long way (LITERALLY). Using some simple grass string and tiny clothes pins (left over from my wedding),

 VUALA!

The Perfect Baby Shower Banner!

 (some shower pictures!)

I have to say I loved every minute of the shower. But for those who of you who don't consider themselves creative people or don't have the time to create a one of a kind and truly memorable shower, never fear help is here! There are people like me every where, people who not only love creating these parties but do it for a living. Call a party planner or better yet ME!

Alright people, here's is this weeks sales pitch!

Shower in a Box.
No, not soap and shampoo kind of shower. I'm talking the 3 B's; baby, bridal, and bachelorette! If you want a custom shower, but don't have the time or energy to design a creative, custom, and exclusively "yours" shower, that's where I come in.
Each box will include:
invites, decorations, and guest favors. with added options like: an honoree gift, thank you notes, food decorations,and wearable decor for the whole party!
all boxes are put together and exclusivly designed for you. Prices vary based on box requests.

Custom Orders

Last week was a week of gifts.
Between planning and attending baby showers and a few belated birthday gifts, one thing is for certain- Everyone loves a handmade one of a kind gift.

The only thing I love as much as attending a well themed party, is planning one! Naturally that means whenever possible I give themed gifts whether it's for a birthday, shower, or even a housewarming present.

Last spring I started the tradition of making "softies" specifically for the baby showers I attended.

If you, like me, are the kind of person who rarely gives something that was registered for, why not try a gift that is far from ordinary. There's nothing like receiving something fun and a little unexpected in a pretty box- wouldn't you say?
Now you too can be the coolest auntie and perfect party hostess with ellaFRANKENdee's custom orders. Work with me to create something straight from your imagination or pull right from your child's favorite story book!
**copyright images cannot be duplicated. whatever is created, made, and/or designed must only be inspires by the trademarked character.

But wait there's more!!!
Now Available
(by custom orders only...for now)


FRANKENPillows & Pillowcovers

This wizardly pillow friend is perfect for your child, living room, or sister's dorm! Pillows are a standard square pillow, measuring 16x16 inches in size and are constructed from premium 100% cotton and fleece. Each is hand stitched and painted with matching details.
**also currently available in frankenstein, dracula, and robot.
Pillow covers are (like slip covers) made to fit most standard throw pillows, 16x16, and are as easily changed as your obsession changes.


For all custom orders please visit our Etsy @ ellaFRANKENdee
and follow us on facebook @ Ella Dee & Stuff on facebook

franken dolls

Here is something new and exciting for all of you. Our first featured item has arrived!

 FRANKEN DOLLS!

They are weird. They are cuddly. They are colorful. And they are really excited to go home with you.

 

 (here are some of the dolls soon to be on sale @ ellaFRANKENdee )

Inspired by voodoo dolls, these dolls are unique in more ways than one. Each doll is made one at a time, so no two dolls are alike. The fabric used in their faces and arms have been hand dyed using black tea; look closely and you will see a swirl of color that cannot be reproduced. Black stitching is hand applied along seams and mouth, and gives a sweet but spooky look.

All dolls are 100% handmade by me in a smoke free home.

Every doll has a hand painted face, button eyes, and fleece hair. With a 100% cotton body, they are filled with premium polyester fiberfill. Spot clean only; if machine washing cannot be avoided, wash separately and tumble low. 

Ordering dolls are easy! Just click the link above and pick yourself out on you like. *Dolls contain small parts (buttons). If you are intending on purchasing for an infant please message me via etsy to order one without hand stitching and buttons.

Remember every week I will be posting about our featured item, and what I'm working on for next week!

let the creativity explode...

True art is characterized by an irresistible urge in the creative artist.
-albert einstein

Art can be characterized in too many ways to explain. And everyone looks art in different ways. Some consider classical painting true art; others photography or fashion. I consider true art the feeling you get when you create something incredibly unique and release it into the world.
(exit soapbox)

What I create, in a way, is my ART.

ellaFRANKENdee is my heartfelt art. And I release it into the world for you.

The newest addition to Ella Dee is finally here.

This extension of Ella Dee will feature handmade toys with an odd twist. Each week I will be blogging about the featured item and what I've been working on that week.
 Later day we will be opening our Etsy and every week we will be adding new and exciting items to our store.

I'm new, have mercy

Welcome Everyone.

If you are following this, you probably fall into one of two groups.

group #1

my friends and family who are curious and/or supportive

group #2

blog addicts- who happened upon me by accident

Either way, welcome. And be nice. I am neither a blogger or a journal keeper- thus not a writer or speller.

Lets start with an introduction. I'm Angela, owner, designer, whatever of Ella Dee. Being the kind of person who can't stand to be bored, I have lots of ideas and never ending projects. But with the encouragement of a beyond amazing husband and extremely wonderful support system, I have settled on one and officially (business license and all) opened a children's clothing and toys business. After a few set backs last year, I am taking Ella Dee in a "less commercial" direction. 

Soon I will be selling on two different Etsy shops, and my creations will be available for all of you. 

ella dee clothing

and

ellaFRANKENdee

Ella Dee Clothing will feature a collection of girls clothing in bold colors and wearable/washable fabrics. Perfect for girls and moms! This shop will be limited, mostly pieces I have made over the last year, but it will also be open for custom orders and select handmade baby things. However, ellaFrankendee is were most of my focus will be. This new addition to Ella Dee is an exciting collection of soft toys for boys and girls. It will be no ordinary collection however, this new branch of business caters to the real design side of my brain. Its not commercial or normal, but it will be completely Angela.

Until then- feel free to follow my adventures on here.