If you Asked.....

I recently read a post over on Casey's blog and I loved the idea so much that I decided to do my own.  Read hers here

If you asked me I would tell you that I crave sunshine, supportive, people, and happiness to make my days brighter.

If you asked me I would tell you that our weekend was terrible! I spent 7 hours in the emergency room Friday night, and Bella has the stomach flu today.  CRAPTASTIC!  

If you asked me I would tell you that I know that 2012 is going to be a great year for Underground Vintage.

If you asked me I would tell you that the older I get the more I learn about myself, and the more accepting of my flaws I become.

If you asked me I would tell you that as much as I don't want to care I can't help but worry about what others think. I don't like this.

If you asked me I would tell you that I NEED to get back on my bike!  

If you asked me I would tell you that I am not a very good patient.  I don't like being down and helpless.  I am way toooo independent.

If you asked me I would tell you that I miss my Grandpa everyday.  I feel his absence constantly and thinking about him makes my heart ache.

If you asked me I would tell you that my style favorites are red nail polish, boots, skinny jeans and lip gloss!

If you asked me I would tell you my favorite movies have horses in them.

If you asked me I would tell you that I am amazed daily by my sweet little girl.  When I look at her I am just mesmerized by her beauty and sweetness.  (she's pretty dang funny too)

If you asked me I would tell you that I leave for Nicaragua in 15 days!  I can't wait to wrap my arms around those beautiful children.  But I will miss my family terribly.

If you asked me I would tell you that the 3 things I am most thankful for are my family, friends, and creativity.  Without any of them I would be lost.

If you asked me I would tell you that I would leave the cornfields of Illinois in a heartbeat to live by the ocean.  (especially California)

If you asked me I would tell you that I am loving having my brother and his sweet wife home from the service.  I didn't realize how much I missed him.  Having a sister is pretty great too!

Do you think he will like his shirt?  

If you asked me I would tell you that in my mind {ice cream} can fix almost anything.

If you asked me I would tell you that I love blogging and I am still humbled that there is anyone out there that wants to read my stories.  Thank you sweet readers.

If you asked me I would tell you that I absolutely cannot watch scary movies!  I will have horrid nightmares.

If you asked me I would tell you that I have almost no tolerance for rude and disrespectful people......there is no need for that type of behavior....EVER! 

I hope you all had a good weekend!
xoxo

Great Goods

The thing I love the most about blogging and creating is networking and meeting some incredibly talented individuals.  I want to take a minute to show you some FAB-U-LOUS creations by some wonderful designers that are essentially helping us to develop our brand.

First and foremost I have to give a huge huge thank you to my logo designer Nick Beery of Beery Method.

You can read all about Nick's credentials HERE.  He is an amazingly talented individual who has such a gift of designing just the perfect image. Nick and I discussed some different options, I tossed around a few ideas with him and then let him just go with his instinct.  I don't know folks....pretty sure he nailed it!!!

Boom! FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC!

Once I had the logo nailed down I knew that I would need to incorporate it into all of the details of our shop.  This being said I knew I had to have a custom stamp so that I could hand make my tags.  Thank goodness for the talent on Esty!  I came across Meagan of BROWN PIGEON.  Not only did she make me a custom stamp but she hand carved it as well!  IT IS AWESOME!  It also came in the sweetest packaging and instructions on how to care for your stamp. again.....amazing quality and service!

It has recently came to my attention that when it comes to the high tech computer world I may be lacking in a few areas.  (especially ad/banner design)  I have wasted sooo sooo much time messing around and getting super irritated with my lack of skills in the design department that I found it most necessary to find the perfect person to create my Etsy shop banner.  I have a long list of blogs that I follow daily and one of them kept coming to mind when I was looking for someone to do my shop header.  Sweet Dana at WONDERFOREST  

created the perfect shop banner!  Please please please check out her blog and her Esty shop.  SUCH.CUTE.STUFF!

You can check out MY Etsy Here

and WONDERFOREST Here

I will be dedicating more posts to the talented folks that I have been meeting on my journey!  I hope you take the time to check out their incredible talent!

Darby xoxo

What I whipped up Wednesday

Hello Sweet Friends!

Wednesday was the first day Lauren and I were in the studio together and I was just so excited!  In case you missed out read about our BIG NEWS HERE!  I spent the day working on some new goodies for the little ones.  Stay tuned they will be in the ETSY shop soon!

Unlikely Friends

I will be talking more about Lauren soon!  She is sooo excited to be joining Underground Vintage and I couldn't be more excited to have her on the team!  I hope you all are having a GREAT week!

Love~

Darby xoxo

Mementos

I purchased a new wallet yesterday and upon swapping everything from one wallet to the other I came across this:

I have been carrying this around for at least 2 years.  Every time I change wallets I find it secretly stashed in a hidden compartment.  I read it over and over again and smile.


This little note came out of a fortune cookie a few years back when I was just starting Underground Vintage.  Its funny how these words typed on a tiny piece of paper hidden inside a cookie bring such inspiration to me.  What is is that keeps me hanging on to such things?   I also think it is perfectly normal and rational to believe fortune cookies.  Come on people....anyone else do this type on nonsense??? (I know I am NOT alone)


It's funny looking back that when I first read the note I was thinking about it monetarily.  I didn't realize that prosperous would have so many different dimensions for me.  The last 2 years have changed me in so many ways and the word prosperity does not hold monetary meaning for me anymore.  Using my creativity has brought me much more emotional and spiritual prosperity than anything else.  I am growing daily as an individual and have met some amazing people along the way.  


So I hope you too have those tiny mementos that keep you on track, inspire you, or just make you feel good.


Darby xoxo


P.S. I am doing a giveaway here today!  Check it out to enter!

I Have A Dream.....

I have a little confession.....I am a magazine junkie.

I can't help it, I just love them.

I stalk the magazine isle anywhere there is one.

My favorites are at the big bookstores like Barnes and Noble (you know what I'm talkin' about)

It is heavenly and I find absolutely no reason to wander off to look at books.

My Dad and Sheri got me a subscription to my most favorite magazine EVER:

As my friend Janie would say "It is the BERRIES"

So you can imagine my excitement today when I saw this beauty waiting for me in my mailbox!

I could hardly wait to get in the house and rip it open.

I was drooling ogling over some of these amazing spaces.

In case you have never laid eyes on this baby, it is a magazine dedicated to showcasing amazing work spaces of some of the worlds most talented women.

Most of their studios are drool worthy to say the least.

I feel a teensy bit silly saying this but I want to someday be in this magazine.  I have a long road to go and I know there are thousands of other woman with amazing work spaces that probably have the same dream.  But I Can't Care (again thank you Janie).  

I just finished writing a little blurb about myself, studio, and words of advice for other entrepreneurs for a feature I am doing on another blog.  My words of advice were to network, meet people, and don't be afraid to put yourself "out there".  I guess I better get busy and start harassing emailing these fine folks if I want to get in their magazine huh?

 So wish me luck, say a prayer, do a rain dance, rub the lucky rabbit's foot for me (I won't judge) I would appreciate it folks!

Follow YOUR dreams ALWAYS!

Darby xoxo

DIY Bulletin Board Tutorial

I have had this awesomely huge old picture frame laying around forever, and after I rearranged my studio I knew that I was going to turn that baby into one heck of a bulletin board.  

My Mom takes old frames and revamps them all of the time but this was my first attempt.....I'm pretty pumped with the outcome!


Supplies:
Old Frame
Plywood back
Foam board
Glue gun
Heavy duty staple gun
Burlap
Exacto knife

First start with a old frame and make sure you have a plywood back cut to fit inside the back

Cut pieces of foam board to the size of your plywood using an exacto knife

Once you have your foam board cut, glue it to the plywood back

Layout burlap and flip the plywood to foam covered side down

Pull burlap taught and staple every 2" all the way around.  When this step is finished, fit it into your frame and    secure with nails or screws.


Ta Da!  There you have it folks!  This was a HUGE frame and a bit hard to maneuver but I made it myself! (I am just a teensy bit happy with my handy work)

There are some exciting things in the works for UV!  I will keep you all posted on some features and new ventures that will be happening this year!  Thank you all for loving me and my dreams!


Darby xoxo

Contemplating Beauty a Guest Post

Friends I am so very excited to have sweet sweet Gina guest posting here today.  I read her words daily and always find myself moved and inspired by her words.  She is sweet as pie and has been a constant encouragement for me since we crossed paths in the blogging world.  Someday I hope to meet her in person.  Please visit her blog, show her some love, and tell your friends about her!


Hi I am Gina from over at Contemplating Beauty, and I am so happy to be here today! You will find me blogging about my day to days with God, family and my little apricot bichon-poo. I just opened a shop on Etsy with vintage finds, called The Vintage Violet.

2 Corinthians 12:9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

The number one thing I hear from fellow{and myself} woman/mothers/wives/friends is this: "I don't feel like enough." I think the most important thing to remember is that this sentence does not translate into: "I am not enough." "Feelings, nothing more than feelings....."  Do you remember that song from the 70's? Well that's ALL they are; they are all lies and they are not from our good Lord.  I'm saddened that we are plagued by these feelings constantly no matter what we're dealing with or what our life circumstances are.  I think of this so often, about how as women we are so hard on ourselves, and think we are either not good enough or not enough. Or that we don't do enough. Whether we are comparing ourselves to other women, or feeling inferior about our talents, or we can't keep up around the house, it's often a feeling that leaves us hollow and wishing we were more. Well, here's the deal{the real truth}: You are enough. You cook enough. You work enough. You clean enough. You play with your kids enough. You smile enough. You bake enough. You craft enough. You exercise enough. You exercise enough. Again---You exercise enough. You are creative enough. You care enough. You car pool enough. You attend children activities enough. You walk the dog enough. You eat healthy enough. You drink water enough. You organize enough. You do laundry enough. You read to your kids enough. You weed enough. Your car is clean enough. You read enough. You write enough. You paint enough. You listen enough. You share enough. You discipline enough. You care enough. You're beautiful. 

Wanna add to the list? PLEASE COMMENT, I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. 

Thank you Darby for allowing me to guest post today, I am humbled and really happy to share!

-- Easing into the new year slowly and tenderly... Gina 

 "I am not what I lack." JJ Heller 

 www.thevintagevioletshop.etsy.com

 www.contemplatingbeauty.blogspot.com 

www.walkwithyourteen.blogspot.com

Pinterest Moments of Truth

I'm sure you all have heard of Pinterest.  I as well as everyone else that has laid eyes on the website is ADDICTED!

I am compiling some photos that Inspire me and make me laugh!  Enjoy!

I LOVE THIS!

At least my sh** is organized.....but I'm sure Jerrod thinks this sometimes!

Love my fur babies!

Unfortunately I am NOT a runner

I am a notorious plant killer....I did not inherit a green thumb.

I NEVER make 2 trips....and am guaranteed to have 14 bags attached to me at all times!

Have a Great weekend!

Darby xoxo

Big Changes

Hello Sweet Friends!

In my heart I knew that 2012 was gonna be a great year, and let me tell ya folks that it is coming together nicely.  I know that Underground Vintage has been blessed beyond words at the support from friends, family, and the local community.  God is Good!  With that being said I have become more aware of the fact that I can't do it all. (It only took 2 years for me to figure this out) I may be a teensy bit hard headed!  I still work a full time job, work my business, am a mommy, wife, and girl scout leader.  I am worn out to say the least.  But I am unwavering in the fact that I am not going to slow down, give up my passion, or work any less.  I know where I want to be.  So.....................................................

I had one of those moments a few weeks ago....(you know the one where the light bulb turns on right over your head)  It was my ah ha moment where I had an idea.  Of course it involved another person so I had to throw my idea out to her and wait.

I am super excited to announce that my sweet sister in law Lauren will be joining Underground Vintage very soon!  

I am so excited for this change!  It is going to be great to have someone to talk ideas with, have another creative mind, and actually be a team!

Lauren will be taking over designs for headbands, hair barrettes, broaches, and adding new things of her choosing!  She is going to do great, and I hope you will all stop in the studio and meet her.

We are still working out all of the details but I can assure that we are gonna have fun, work hard, and bring some new stuff the table.

Look out world.....we will be unstoppable now!

Darby xoxo

Here are some goodies from yesterday:

New baby headbands that we will be offering

Jerrod got my super fantastic vintage curtain panels hung last night

New super huge work table for 2

Punk Projects Guest Post

I am soooo excited today to have Katie over at Punk Projects sharing an awesome tutorial!

If you haven't been over to her site you need to check it out ASAP!  She posts some GREAT projects and we are so lucky to have her sharing with us today!

Hey there! I'm Katie, You can find me over on my blog- Punk Projects - where I post lots and lots of craft tutorials, inspiration, etc. I'm so excited to be guest posting here on Underground Vintage! I made this cute ruffled coffee cozy tutorial for you guys, hope you like it!

                Supplies: 2 different fabrics, felt, sewing machine or needle and thread.

                         1. Download, print, and cut out the pattern for your cozy, here:

https://sites.google.com/site/punkprojectsblog/home/coffee-cozy/coffee_cozy.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1

Pin your pattern to a piece of felt and fabric. Cut out. You should have 1 felt cozy, and 1           fabric cozy cut out. Also cut a 6"x3" piece of fabric, this will be your ruffle.

       2. Take your 6" piece of fabric and sew a line down the middle- Do not back stitch!

3. Holding your fabric strip grab the front thread, and bunch up your fabric. this will give it the ruffled look.

           4. Pin your ruffle to your fabric cozy, and sew down the middle a couple of times.

5. Place your felt cozy ontop of your fabric, right sides together, and sew around the edges, leaving one side open.

                                   6. Flip it right side out through the opening you left.

                                         7. Fold your cozy in half (right sides together)

                                                      8. Stitch the two sides together.

9. Flip right side out! voila! Now just go to your favorite café and treat your self to a caramel macchiato (or your favorite coffee) and slide your coffee cozy onto your cup! : ) 

 Thanks so much for stopping in!  I hope you all enjoyed this super cute tutorial as much as I did!  I want to see pics if any of you sweet friends make some of these.  These would make super cute gifts for those coffee drinkers in your life.  Be sure to check out Punk Projects blog and show her some love!

Have a great week~

Darby xoxo