A Birthday Custom...

I realize I have been so busy, I have seriously been neglecting my blog! This is my attempt to get back in the habit of showing you what I have been working on in an effort to complete my super long custom list.

This is for a wonderful repeat customer. She is so sweet and I hope her little man loves his birthday outfit! :) Thanks Heather!

So here it is:


The whole shebang- (by the way, if you click on the pictures they should open larger.)


My attempt at an artistic photograph of the super cute party hat she asked me to do. This was so much fun! I love doing this!


And a better photograph of the whole hat.

Thanks for looking! Stay tuned for some more pics as I complete my customs, Im going to make an attempt to get more pictures up! :)

Thanks!
Lindsay

If you have a custom with me, please read...

I just wanted to let everyone know who has a custom with me, that I *am* behind right now on everything. I took on more than I could chew in a 4 week period, and so right now, I have a lot of customs that are far past that turn around date. I have been in contact with all my customers, so this Im sure is no surprise to you. But since, its easier to make a public announcement, than to email all of you at once, I am posting this to my blog.

I bit off more than I could chew after my ectopic, than my son started kindergarten (and my dd preschool) and I thought my life would get easier when he started kinder, but instead it got a little busier.

I am working through ALL of my customs in the most timely manner I can with still a small (4-5 hrs a night) amount of sleep and time for my children/family. Please know that I am working as fast as humanly possible to get your orders out to each and every one of you.

Once I am finished with my list, I will be spending the majority of my time doing instock, and starting to pull names from my waiting list which is getting quite long. I dont think I will take email customs any longer, its super hard for me to say no, but now I got myself behind, so Im sure you'll understand. :) I will occasionally do hyenacart customs just to be fair, but really it will be VERY minimal, as I will be focusing on my waiting list and instock. I have some very exciting things in store, that hopefully happen by the end of the year, but first I must get through this loonggg list. :)

Anyways, if you have a custom with me, I want to extend my apologies to you. I know I have made a few promises on due dates that I have not kept.
Lastly, my serger I guess has been taken quite a beating lately, as it has totally wonked out on me AGAIN! I will be going to a friends house everynight (and during the day when she is there) to serge until my serger is out of the shop. I will be taking it in tomorrow. I dont expect to slow down from this matter.

Thanks for your patience in this matter. I am so happy that my customers have been so understanding, and its completely flattering to me to be overwhelmed with work, however next time I think Ill be taking things a tiny bit slower! LOL

Thanks!
Lindsay

Introducing Summer....

I am very excited to introduce my new email assistant, Summer. :) Not only is she a dear friend, but I have decided to hire her to help me with emails that are more general- ie. asking about stockings, customs, the wait list and maybe more as we move along. We will be working very one on one, and my ultimate goal for you and my business is to "keep it personal". My customers are not a number or just an order to me at all, and while I do remain professional, I like to get to know my customers, let my guard down a little, and laugh and have fun with them. This bond between Rainbow Waters and my customers will not be broken by adding an email assistant at all. Summer is a very warm and energetic person, and I know you are going to be thrilled to hear from her as well. :)

Thank you Summer!!!!

A little message from Summer-

"I feel so honored to be a very small part of Rainbow Waters. I look forward to getting to know some of you and I will do my best to be of the best assistance to you! "

More Email Posts. LOL

I just am writing a quick post to let everyone know who has emailed me this week that I am not ignoring any emails. However my son has been in camp this week, and so I have been busy dropping him off/picking him up and spending time with my daughter in between. By the time I get home, its dinnertime, and than I need to sew. I will be spending sometime tomorrow getting to emails. Please bare with me, the summer is a busy time for me. I will try to get to emails in a more timely manner hence why I am considering hiring someone to answer some simple emails. ;)

Thanks Ladies!

Email Assistant???

As Im sure you have noticed, I have been a little slower answering emails in the last couple months. It seems since I started 3 yrs ago, Rainbow Waters has slowly grown over time, and its just amazing to me! I love it! I want to make sure I am being as efficient as possible in getting your questions answered, items sewed & shipped in a timely manner, etc.

Im not sure exactly how this would work, but I have been looking into getting a friend (who is part of this lovely cloth diapering community, a lot of you probably know her. ;)) to answer some general emails for me, so that I can focus most of my time on getting the product in your hands as quick as possible. Basically, she would answer any general inquiries about my products & their interest in a custom slot. I would let her know where I am on a daily basis, whether or not I am open to taking email customs at that time, and if not, she would direct you to my waiting list and help you add yourself to the list if you needed some assistance. She may help with other webwork as well, like adding pictures to my gallery, and some other randomn things.

One of the most important things to me in my business is "keeping it personal". I strive for professionalism but at the same time, I want my business to be a personal experience for both the customer and myself. I like to get to know my customers as I sew for their children, a lot of the time it helps me visualize the item on them, and get the sizing and design fit to each families personal style. I dont think this would in anyway impair that bond I have with my customers, however I would love to hear your input. Any current orders would be directly sent to me, and any general inquiries would be sent to my "e-mail assistant" at a Rainbow Waters e-mail address. Ultimately, your email will be forwarded to me in the end and as we create your order, I will be your main lady. :) This is just to help me in a small way work mostly on sewing, and getting the product into your hands a little faster. However, if my customers feel this would take away from the personal bond, please let me know. Your opinion matters most.

I have a poll up on the right side of the page. Please let me know how you feel!

Lindsay

Wow!! Long time, no post. :)

I know I said that last post, however I have been super busy with life, sewing, etc. :)

I have a ton of news to share with everyone, but lets start with some pics. These are all customs I have finished and completed over the past few weeks, I dont have pictures of all of the items I have finished, however here is some of it. ;)


Dream Bicycle Shirred Tank/Cover Set
Swing Dress/Cover Set-

A pretty blue LWI dyejob in the pot. :) This is my new favorite blue!

Surrender Kimono Playdress/Wool Ruffle Pants Set

Retro Swirls Regular Playdress-

Chickadee Small Wool Cover-

VW Shorts

Drooping Daisy Wool Cover-

Love Bird Wool Cover-


Ok, now for some news....

First of all, if you are here, you already have seen that my website had a makeover. We are still in the process of perfecting a few small details, but overall the site is done. Andrea of Wanted Webdesign has been doing my design, and she has just been amazing to work with. :) I think I have been super picky as I wanted everything just right, and she has done amazing and done more than I could ask for. So, please check out her site if you are ever in any need of webwork. And than, check out the site, look through it. I hope its more user friendly for you. ;)

Secondly, I got a new camera. I am so so super excited about this. I purchased a Nikon D60, and while my pictures before were nice, I hope this makes for a clearer picture of my products. I am just thrilled. Some of the pictures above were taken with my new camera and Im sure you can tell which ones. Sooo excited.

Third, as you can see on my website, I am hoping to open a retail store/integrated cart on my site. I think it will happen sometime by the end of the month, but we shall see how it goes. I have a lot of products in mind for this cart system, but I think I will keep that a surprise until we get closer to having the website up. I think you will enjoy whats in store. Most of my one of a kind, appliqued products will probably remain on hyenacart, and I will not be selling my custom slots anywhere but on hyenacart, by email, or my waiting list. But I do hope this helps some customers get their hands on some of my products quicker in a timely manner.

Fourth, as some of you know, I just endured an ectopic pregnancy about 3 weeks ago, so I have been moving a little slower than normal. I am finally feeling a lot better in the last week so my speed is starting to pick up to normal, so hopefully I will get caught up as quick as possible. As soon as I finish my current custom list, I will be focusing my sole energy on my waiting list to get through it as its getting quite long. Im not sure how long it will take me to get through my current custom list, but I will keep everyone updated on that.

And lastly, I am so excited to announce I have joined the iCrave congo. There are some amazing artisans over there, and I am very excited to have joined in with them. So, check us out over there as well. The next stocking on August 22nd features the Heather Ross Mendocino fabric. Come on over!

I do hope to keep you all updated a lot more often, so check in from time to time. :)

I think that is all, so I will close tonight, head to bed (its 1am) and see you all in the morning.

Lindsay

Update on Customs

Hey Everyone! Sorry I have been neglecting my blog lately. Life has definitely got in the way in the last few weeks, not of my sewing, but of my blogging. ;) I am going to have to take some massive picture tomorrow for everyone. :)

Here is a written progress report on everyones custom:

Leah- Both covers complete, will do shirred tank early this week.
Teresa- Cover, and green tee complete, will do pink one this weekend.
Mandy- Complete- Will Ship Monday
Lindsay- Complete Will Ship Monday
Lindsey C.- Cut, Ready to be sewn tonight.
Pamela- Dyed, Will be appliqued tomorrow
Tori- Dyed, Will be appliqued tomorrow-mon/tues
Kristen- Dyed, will be appliqued mon-wed.
Shannon- Wool items are appliqued and will be sewn tonight.
Renee- Sky blue pants done tonight, all wool dyed.
Andrea- Cut, ready to be sewn
Susan- Awaiting decisions.
Elizabeth- items waiting to be dyed- probably tonight/tomorrow
Leslie- items waiting to be dyed- probably tonight/tomorrow
Samantha- items waiting to be dyed- probably tonight/tomorrow
Valerie- Will begin sometime this week.
Amie- items waiting to be dyed- probably tonight/tomorrow
Kristen- Wardrobe- items waiting to be dyed- probably tonight/tomorrow

If you are not on my list and are waiting on my custom, your items are most likely complete, on their way, or will be shipped this weekend. :)

Thanks!

Heleanna's Custom ;)

Ok, I have a ton of pics to get up for everyone, however I will do that later. Here is Heleanna's custom. Enjoy! :)

Im baaack! :)

Hey Everyone! :)

I am back! We had a great vacation and a short break after we returned, and now are back in the swing of things. :) I will post some progress pics sometime today. :) I am long overdue for some progress pics. ;)

Thanks so much!
Lindsay

Stocking this week..

I will be stocking some items throughout the week. I think I will do some items as a 1 day preview (Im sorry I cant do a long preview this time, as I will be out of town on the 13th, so it has to be a quickie ;)) and than some items will just be listed as I sew them.


The first batch of items will be "back to basics" wool items. So solid colored shorts, pants, covers (some with coordinating waistbands/cuffs). Than I will also do some LWI items, and than of course some embroidered and appliqued items. Im not sure if I will have any sets this round, maybe a couple. ;) Thanks Ladies! ;)

Progress Report *Update 6/9*

Update 6/9 6:28pm-

I have been working all day today and have completed a lot including dyeing/sewing some wool items for the shop, I will probably list them tonight/tomorrow. I will update the list as I complete your items, I will be working through the night up until about midnight. LOL Busy Busy! ;)

_________________________________________________________

Ok, Here is a current progress report of where I am in my customs, I will give everyone a brief idea of where I am, and an approx shipping date. If you arent on this list, than I probably already shipped your custom, if you have questions though, please email me. :)

Alicia- Custom Complete, Ship ETA- 6/12
Annie- Yours Complete, Sisters and your Ship ETA- 6/12
Tracy- Complete, Ship ETA- 6/12
Virginia- Complete, I have sent you pics, since I need to send your via post office, I havent gotten there yet, I will go to the post office by the 12th.
Allie- Complete, Ship ETA- 6/12
Heleanna- Working on your items, they *should* ship by the 12th, I will email you if I have any delays.
Shayla- I have completed your overnight covers and shipped them. The other items will be completed upon my arrival back in town, as we discussed.
Allison- Wool is dyed, and I will be working on yours this week. I am hoping to get them shipped by the 12th, but will update you with any delays.
Charlene- Your wool is also dyed, items cut. I am working on them now, I hope to get them shipped by the 12th, but will update you with delays.
Teresa- Your embroidered tee is complete, working on the birthday tee, and your cover is also in the works. I will ship by the 12th.
Becky- I am also working on your items now, my plan is to ship by the 12th, but will email you if I have delays.
Annie H.- Shorts already shipped, Tee Complete, ETA for Tee Ship- 6/12
Marybel- Working on your tees. I will try to finish by the 12th, however they may be delayed until after I return, as we disccused.
Leah- Your items will be shipped by the 12th
Jenny- Your items should be shipped by the 12th. Wool in dyeing process sometime tomorrow.
Michele- Complete, Ship ETA- 6/12
Lindsay- Your items may be completed when I return, and shipped around the 21st.

Ok, phew, lol. For some reason typing this out seems like a lot, but a lot of the work is almost done. My ULTIMATE goal is to have everything shipped by the 12th, but since I have a lot to do from now until Thursday, some of these items may be slightly delayed until I return. If you are one of those people, I will be sending you an email in the next few days. :) I will also be putting up some items I have completed as sewing customs, and a couple more I will be doing this week. The stocking will probably be Tues/Wednesday. But, for now, I am off to sew for another 3 more hours on customs. :)
Thanks ladies!

Long time, No Bloggie....

Hey ladies!!! I know it seems like years since I have posted to my blog, sorry about that. I have been SUPER busy. My family, my parents, and my sister will be going to Buffalo, NY for 5 days for my grandmothers 90th birthday! :) I will be gone from JUne 13-18th. I will be stocking my store (gotta eat on vacation! haha) one last time before I leave, I may not have time to do a long preview, and some items may be listed randomnly as I finish them. :) I will also be working late nights to attempt to finish my custom list before I go. These are some things I need to work on before the trip though:

*Packing
*Attempting to finish my custom list
*Doing one stocking this week.
*Cleaning my house so it spotless before we leave (we will be moving in the next couple months so our landlord will be showing the home while we are gone)
*Sewing my own children a couple outfits before we leave.

I only have 4 days to complete this, and I know we will also end up with one playdate during that time, and Braedon has school Monday and Wednesday, so I have a feeling not everything is going to get done. I have to meet with my mother here in about an hour to discuss last minute trip details, get some dinner, and pick the kids up some new fun things to take on the plane to keep them busy, than when I get home, I have a lot of work to do. I will try to stay on top of emails this week, but I REALLY am going to be busy probably sewing & cleaning ALL day, lol, so please be patient with me. I also will be bringing my laptop on the trip, so I plan to answer emails once a day in the evening. Sometime tonight, I will send ALL my custom ladies emails to let them know if their items will be completed before the trip, and if not when they will be completed. My initial idea was to have everything done off of my custom list before I leave but my family has been sick, so I didnt get as much done as Id liked last week.

Anyways, this is a LONG blog entry, so I am going to end it here, I will also post later tonight a detailed list of all my custom mamas and where I am in your custom, and when I plan to ship. :)

Thanks!
Lindsay

PS I will attempt to get some show off pics up for you this next week of everything I have been working on the past week or 2, but Im not sure if thatll happen, maybe I can put the pics on my laptop and do that in the evenings at the hotel once things will have settled down. :)

A few more customs....

Hey Ladies!! :) Here are some customs Ive done lately!! :)

Melissa's Pink Shorts-

Melissa's Tan/Red Medium Cover-

Melissa's Black Shorts-

And this was not a custom, I dyed this over some scrap wool I had that was seafoam in color, and I have to say this is my new favortite dyejob, the blue and brown just compliment each other so well and look gorgeous!!!

Alyce's Appliqued Tee-

Casandra's Wool Shorts

Casandra's Brown Wool Shorts

Surprise Me Custom-

Melissa's Small Wool Cover-
And thats all folks, Ill have some more pics tonight. :) Thanks!!!!

A wardrobe custom....

hey ladies! ok first of all my keyboard is acting out today and whenever i try to click shift to capatalize a letter, it erases the last thing i wrote, so excuse no caps today, will have to pick up a new keyboard tonight.

i think this could possibly be the most fun custom ive done. i got to design a whole wardrobe for a little girl. *smiles* the wardrobe includes:

-2 pants sets
-2 shorts sets
-2 cover sets

i will be offering a complete wardrobe custom sometime in the near future, sometime in the coming months i believe, need to work out some details first. now for the pics.


a collage of the sets together-




heather ross dandelions set- appliqued pants, swing top (needs snaps), matching appliqued tee.

janes paradise set- appliqued frilly edged shorts, peasant top/dress-

razzle dazzle set- shirred halter tank dress/top, appliqued matching cover

peachy dress set- playdress tunic/dress length, appliqued cover-

camo flowers set- appliqued wool pants, long sleeved tee

heather ross goldfish set- swing top/dress, appliqued wool shorties

thanks ladies. and i hope the owner of all this stuff loves it all. :)

Long Time, No Post...

Hey Ladies, sorry its been nearly a week since Ive written. :) Just been busy busy busy!!! :) I just wanted to say Hi. If you are awaiting an email from me, Ill get to it by tonight. For some reason, I am SUPER tired today, I cant shake out of it, Ive tried coffee, lying on the couch with the kids to rest, slapping myself, hahaha, but none the less, Im still exhausted and not able to shake it, so if Im slow with emails, Ill get to them tonight. :)

I had a very very hard day yesterday though so that could be it. ;) I arrived to drop my son off at school and they werent letting anyone in as they were on lock-down b/c there was an armed robbery in the area. So I came home and went to the neighboors, we let the kids play while we watched the news, and locked all the doors. I finally come upstairs to pack my kids lunch, to go to a friends for a playdate, everything went fine there, but on the way home my tire shredded massively. I was on a very busy freeway going 75MPH, and in the very left lane, waah! I had to get over to the right, finally I was able to, only to sit on the side of the road for 45 mins waiting for a tow truck, I was SO close to the cars whirring by it was nuts. Anyways, I get home to a ton of emails, and I just wasnt able to email many people last night, just had too hard of a day to think straight, not to mention all the minor issues I had throughout the day. So, anyways, enough rambling. Point is, now Im tired, and Ill get to my emails tonight. :)

Here are a few pics of some customs I completed a week ago or so, these should be in the customers hands soon, if not already. :)

Suprise Me Custom-


Becky's Size Small Covers-

Another View-

Becky's XS Shorts. :)-

Thanks Ladies. Ill have some more pics sometime tomorrow. ;)

More Progress Pics!

Hey Ladies! Just a couple more progress pics here. ;)

Heathers Peace, Love Set- :)

Back of the VW Bus on other side of leg.

Heathers Snail Set- (Click on this one bigger, the embroidery is so cute.)

Kimberly's Blue/Brown LWI Pants- Im super happy with how these came out. I think the colors on this came out so nicely, the pic doesnt do this wonders. :)

Surprise Me Custom, Mission Robot-

Thats all for now, some more tomorrow. :) Im working like a maniac here! Thanks Ladies, I love my job!!! So much fun making stuff for your little ones. ;)

Peace,

Lindsay

Progress Pics Galore! ;)

Here are some progress pics of my customs. :)


Leahs Tree of Life Colorway (to match her camo) Cover-

Lindsy's Black VW Bus Embroidered Pants- (yay for getting my embroidery machine & foot back)

Kira's Dragon Pants, Front View-

Kira's Dragon Pants, Side View-

Kira's Green Pants w/LWI pocket & waistband

Alyce's Peace on Earth Set-

Alyce's Bacon & Eggs Set-

Alyce's Rock Star/Drums Set-

Leah's Shorts with Brown Tow Truck (like mater)-

Leah's Grey Shorts with Helicopter on Pocket-

And that is all right now. The rest of my last custom list is nearly done, I just have a few tees to do. :) I will show them in the next few days.

I also have been working on some instock items, I will be stocking next wednesday/thursday, I believe so look out for that. ;)

Thanks Ladies! ;)