Happy Holidays!

December 15, 2014

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Thank you all so much for your support this year! It has been truly a successful year for Susan Stange Design, (formerly Chevron and Lace). Because of you, I’ve made it to 100 sales since I began in 2012! Here are some stats from the past year.

From the year 2014:

  • 10,789 Views
    • Shop views – 1,838
    • Listing views – 8 ,951
  • 768 favorites
    • Shop favorites – 60
    • Listing Favorites – 708
  • 55 Orders
  • Favorite Listing – Gray Car Seat Protector
  • Most viewed item – Gray Car Seat Protector (1,466)

Here's to another year of sales and growth! Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement throughout my time as a business owner. It gets pretty stressful at times, but the joy I get from creating something special for someone near or far is pretty indescribable. You guys are the best! Thanks so much!

P.S. I'm featured in Ashley Suzanne's Holiday Gift Guide! Check it out!

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Life Lately From my iPhone – December 2014

December 9, 2014

This is how we’ve felt at our house most days this month.

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Today was really great, though! Chelsea even let me sew for a while and I was able to finish this.

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And she has been getting into the Christmas spirit. She loves the toy Nativity we have and likes to share with Alexa, too!

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We are in the middle of a lot of change right now. Chelsea is moving back into her old room upstairs with Alexa because we’ve learned that she sleeps better and goes down easier when she can be closer to us and share a room with her favorite sister. Of course, that means that little sis sometimes has to sleep on the couch if big sis has already fallen asleep at naptime.

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We LOVE the bike trailer we got from Edith and Mark Castro at Omega bikes! I even took it to Hobby Lobby the other day for some Christmas decorations!

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I decided to make Chelsea her own felt tree since she always wanted to play with my felt Advent Calendar. It was fun, but didn’t stop her from ripping one of the numbered pockets. Oh well.

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We also tried playing “Pin the Hat on the Snowman.” She thought it was fun to put his hat on upside-down, but wasn’t too fond of the blind-fold. She chose to cover her own eyes instead.

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Have you written your letter to Santa yet?

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After an eventful two baby blessings for family this weekend in Utah Valley, this little gal crashed on my lap!

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Being a Mom is tough. Like, really hard. There are some days where I can’t help but feel completely alone, like no one understands, and “why in the heck did He send her to a lousy mom like me?” Those days… They’re not my favorite.

But then I look through the past month’s photos on my iPhone, with all of the cute, smiling faces, and I realize that if they’re both smiling, I must be doing something right.

Photo Nov 24, 9 17 05 AM ^^ Well… smiling or making a double chin ^^

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Over-Sized Long Sleeve Color Bloc Tee

December 3, 2014
I’m not one to give lengthy excuses when it comes to blog posting (because really? who wants to hear them), but I will say that the past week has been B-U-S-Y! I pulled an all-nighter last week Tuesday night to get a bunch of sewing done. Followed that up with family on Wednesday, plus a 5K Turkey Trot on Thursday morning, a bunch of food that night, and various activities (including getting some great deals on Cyber Monday!) I’ve been trying really hard to add new items to my shop and get my name out there, so it has been cray cray.
I did make time for myself on Saturday to make a long sleeve color bloc tee! What do you think?
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shirt – me // necklace – H&M similar // pants – American Eagle // boots – Amazon
So I’m thinking maybe some black shirts with gray color blocs, dark green shirts with black color blocs (or leather?), gray shirts with maroon color blocs… the choices really are endless. This is for sure my favorite shirt. So light and airy, casual and comfortable, but with a pop of color to give it a little somethin’ somethin’.
So how about a tutorial? Sorry. Not tonight, but this shirt was so easy to make, I’ll for sure make another one and add a tutorial for you. How’s that?
Keep it real, friends. Happy Holidays and hope your Thanksgiving was pretty fantastic! I’ll update you on how mine went next time. Night!   
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Black Friday – 2014

November 28, 2014
Happy Thanksgiving yesterday and happy Black Friday today! This week has been absolutely CRAZY trying to get everything sewn and ready for this weekend. I ended up pulling an all-nighter (which I am still recovering from) in order to accomplish my goals!
Anyway, I’m really excited about what’s available in my shop now! Here’s a preview.
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And that’s not all! You see on the left side of the photo where it says “Request Custom Order?” I love trying new things and if you have an idea, I would be more than happy to give it a shot!
Now, for the Black Friday sale. Enter BLACKFRIDAY2014 at checkout and receive 20% off of ANYTHING in my shop. This sale will be active through Monday, so you have a little time.
Also, I was featured by Steph and Harmony from The Salt Project today! I met Steph on Wednesday when she came to pick up her tunic and she and her daughters are ADORABLE (didn’t get to meet the boys). Ellis is just about the smiliest baby I’ve ever seen (apart from Alexa ;)
So make sure you stop by Steph and Harmony after you take a look at what I have to offer in my shop, Susan Stange Design! Happy Black Friday shopping!
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Forgotten pictures and Black Friday!

November 26, 2014
I was looking through my photos and found some gems from adventures we’ve had that I never mentioned! So, I want to share them today as well as announce the sales happening this Black Friday, Shop Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday!
First, fun with the tripod!
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Next, Fox PJ’s!
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Then, our trip to my parent’s house in Idaho! My cousin returned home from her LDS mission and was giving her homecoming report so we went to support and welcome her home! Of course we also wanted to see Grandma and Grandpa, too!
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IMG_8216 edit01 ^^This adorable shirt is available in my Etsy shop!^^  
And last week, I got a group of women and their children together at my house and we all made Joy crafts to prep for Christmas! All the mamas had fun chatting, and all the kiddos had fun tearing my house apart! ;) Thanks for helping clean up afterwards, Moms!
IMG_8698 edit01 ^^Love these lovely lovely ladies!^^
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I think that will do for a catch up! Now, it’s time for the BLACK FRIDAY SALE INFO!
Here’s what’s currently in my shop:
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And even more! Plus, I take custom orders, so if you have an idea for something you want made, fire it at me!
Stop by and enter BLACKFRIDAY2014 to receive 20% off ANYTHING. Starting Friday morning and ending Monday night! Share this photo on facebook, instagram, pinterest, or any of your other social media sites, and I’ll be really grateful!
See you next time!
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Alexa – 4 Months

November 23, 2014

Time is passing much, much too quickly, little one. You’re learning how to roll over and grab the toys you want to suck on. You love toys that make noise, and you’ve outgrown most of your 0-3 month clothes. Your ears are even changing, poking out to become more like your sister’s and Daddy’s!

So many things are changing, but one thing that hasn’t changed is your sweet smile and happy spirit. Strangers love getting smiles from you and your laugh is like opening a present on Christmas morning to reveal what you’ve always wanted! I still feel that, when you look in my eyes, you see only the good. You make me feel hopeful that I can become better, and humbled to be your mother. I’m so glad that you’re mine!

^^Disclaimer: Alexa has rolled over since the compilation of this post two days ago^^

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IMG_8668 edit01 ^^Her favorite toys^^

By the way, love those month stickers? Buy yours from Alexa Z. Design on Etsy! Available in more colors for boys and girls.

More months:
 
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8


Susan is a birth photographer/videographer serving Mesa, Arizona and surrounding cities including Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Tempe. Considering a photographer for your birth? Contact Susan for EDD availability.
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Groopdealz gLO party + Shop Re-Brand

November 18, 2014

This weekend, I got all dressed up, picked up two of my favorite girl-friends, and drove down to Salt Lake for a girl’s night out at the Groopdealz GLO party! I didn’t know what to expect since the last time I had gone to a party like this was… at least four years ago (yikes!) Luckily, whatever expectations I had were not disappointed!

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We had such a great time dancing the night away and crossing our fingers that we would win the iPhone 6, the Macbook air, or one of the other prizes (no dice). They had really good food, too, but we didn’t partake in any of that. They even had a couple of arial contortionists!

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I’m so glad that I have friends who appreciate me for my high energy level and will laugh with me!

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It was a girl’s night out that I’m sure none of us will forget! Thanks for the memories, ladies!

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P.S. I’ve re-branded my Etsy shop! With the ever-changing trends, I needed to change to something a little more… timeless. This decision has been brewing in my mind for the last few months and I felt that, with the holidays and new exposure I’m hoping to receive from participating in various gift-guides, giveaways, etc. now is the best time. Be sure to stop by my shop before you go and see!

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Little Miss Pinny – Guest Post

November 17, 2014
I am so excited to introduce you to Melissa today! Not only is she my cousin, but she is also a talented seamstress and the cutest nerd around! For all you geeky gals out there? Little Miss Pinny is your woman!
I am the woman who sews geekery with all my might! I am the creative mastermind who sews your child’s next cosplay costume! I am Darkwing Duck! Er, I mean…I am Melissa from Little Miss Pinny!
All right, all silliness aside, hello everyone! I am so excited to be writing a guest post for Susan’s blog! She is so sweet to invite me to do this. As the aliens from Toy Story would say, “I am eternally grateful!” ;) So today I am going to be telling you all a little bit about myself and my new blog and shop!
As stated above, my name is Melissa. I’m a wife and stay-at-home mom to a fabulous husband (we’ll call him B) and the cutest kiddos in the world! K is 2 ½ years old and N will be one year next month (gosh how time flies!!).
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I also have my own Etsy store called Little Miss Pinny. I sew pinafores (that’s where the “pinny” comes from- short for pinafore) that are inspired by all sorts of geekery! My store is very small right now since I just started, but I have sooooo many ideas and can’t wait to share!
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The idea and inspiration for my shop has kind of been something that has come gradually and suddenly at the same time. I’m a geek/nerd. I love Doctor Who, My Little Pony, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Star Wars, Disney, Harry Potter, Miyazaki films, etc. So, naturally, I love attending conventions (like Salt Lake Comic Con), and if you’re a seamstress, and you’re going to a con, then you have to cosplay, right? So once a year, I sew or put together costumes for me and my family. This last August, we went as characters from Doctor Who.
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They were so fun to put together and make, but A LOT of work too! Having two costumes to make is busy, having three is busier, and having four just feels nuts! I pretty much decided after putting these costumes together that we will be doing more low-key costumes next year. But I was unsure of how I would do that and what I would make.
Some time later, I found a lovely little shop online called Darling Army. She sells cosplay pinafores and aprons for women and does an amazing job! I totally love all of her items! In the past, I had often thought about the possibility of someday opening up a store of my own, and when I saw hers, I thought, “That’s what I want to do!”
Then it hit me. Why not make my own nerdy pinafores, but make them for little girls? It was perfect! I would have an Etsy store like I wanted, it would be full of geekery like I wanted, and it would be something not over the top for next con season’s costumes like I wanted!
So I quickly set to work brainstorming ideas and making up sketches. My first idea was to make Mario and Luigi from Super Mario Bros.
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It was so much fun to take those pictures and then to list them online! It was even more fun when I made my first sale on a Luigi pinafore!
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My sister-in-law asked me to specially make a Pikachu pinny for her little girl. I was so excited because I had wanted to make one anyway!
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Taking care of a family and managing a blog and Etsy shop is a lot of work, but I’ve found that I’m the type of person who needs to constantly be using my creativity to thrive. Sewing and nerdom are my outlets, and I love that I get to put the two together!
In addition to Mario and Luigi, Melissa also offers Twilight Sparkle Pinafores (available in store a day or two before Thanksgiving), and Frozen Pinafores. She also accepts Commissions. Contact Melissa via her Etsy shop for questions and commissions.
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