Hailey Lane Designs: Springtime Totes

It's Springtime at Hailey Lane Designs

You can find us on Facebook here:

Hailey Lane Designs Facebook Page

We are excited to announce that our Paris themed totes and University of Tennessee Totes will also be at T.F. Rice and Co. in Paris, Tn.  The store is opening on Good Friday, March 30th.

Check out her facebook page:

T. F. Rice and Co.

 Our Etsy Shop:

 Hailey Lane Designs Etsy Shop

We also carry many other university fabrics, drop us an email 

and we can check our stock for available schools.

Custom orders are always welcome.  

We specialize in totes, purses, message bags, diaper bags, Bucilla Christmas Stockings, felt and cloth baby shoes and custom children's clothes.

Resisting the urge of the Dollar Section Black Hole

 Dollar Spot Toy RANT:

Raise your had with me, who can't resist the urge to buy something from the Dollar Section at our favorite store?  Yep that is what I thought.  Tell me what really happens after the first day of the kids playing with those toys?  Mine get lost under the car seat or thrown in the closet or broken in the first 10 minutes.  Do we really need to buy that crap for our kids.  I was talking to my daughter the other day because she was fretting over a $2 Micheal's Crafts Store toy that broke 1 hour after we (I) bought it.  She just had to have it and you know how they can turn on those big eyes and look up at you with such a sad little face.  I told her that was it, NO MORE JUNK TOYS. 

That remind me of one of my favorite Children's books:

Too Many Toys by David Shannon

  Mad at myself for being so wasteful , I am taking a stand.  I mean don't get me wrong, I LOVE those dollar sections (they are like crack to me), they are always so pretty and have such cute treats in them, they rotate out the old and bring in the new so quickly and the seasonal items,oh how lovely and cheap they are.  

And then my brain starts playing tricks on me, the kids were good today, right? (somehow I forgot about the fight about getting dressed for school that morning) and don't they deserve a little something????? And it is JUST one little bitty dollar + tax.  The fact is, my kids act worse after I have given them an impulse toy/treat than something they have EARNED.  I think they get so use to getting a little something every time we walk in a store that they will act shocked when I say no.  I remember there was one Saturday I was out shopping with my daughter and literally every store we went in she found a little something she wanted.  I finally looked at her and said this has to stop, just because we are running 5 earns to 5 different store doesn't mean you get 5 toy.

As I was cleaning out both of their rooms yet again this past weekend, it made me sick how many junk toys they had in their rooms.  All I kept thinking was what if I had just put a dollar in a jar for every dollar junk toy they have ask for over the years.   They would have enough money for a really nice toy not a closet floor of little pieces of junk.

All those little happy meal, dollar store, Target dollar spot impulse toys are being donated to the Treasure box in my son's 1st grade classroom next week.  So when you see me hauling my enormous recycle bag of junk toys up to school next week, say a prayer of strength for me.  A prayer to resist the urge of the Dollar Spot Section.  Did you ever think about how many $1 we have spent on those (lets make the kids happy impulse buys).  And my kids gave up every single junk toy this past weekend with not even a blink of an eye, so they really didn't need them to begin with.  Those were the easiest toys to clean out and the first to go.

Well I had to admit to myself standing in the entrance of my favorite Target store last week.; that Target has made hundreds of dollars off me from that cute "cheap" little section up front.  It is just so temping isn't it?  Well the Cullen family has sworn off $1 junk toys; so goodbye Target dollar spots and Michael's $1 toys (that have now moved up to $2-$3 each, sneaky little people) and Dollar Tree, while I love many things about you, you TOO have certainly made a pretty penny from me with all your cheap toys that break before we even get home, and then I was too embarrassed to return or exchange the piece of crap because it was only a dollar.  WELL, I got your number!  NO more crappy cheap foreign made junk toys for the Cullen Kids!

I had to return something yesterday to my favorite Target and with blinders on I walked right past the tempting Dollar Spot section at Target.   I actually laughed and thought too bad I can't bring my enormous recycle bag in here and ask for a refund for all the junk toys.  I'd have enough for a nice lunch or two at Swanky's Tacos.

Who is with me?  Take a stand and lay off the dollar section for awhile and see just how much you save.  Use the jar trick for every toy you decide not to buy put a dollar in a jar and I think you will be surprised how much you will have saved.

My Etsy Shop is now open

Happy Fall everyone, I am hoping to restart my blog this month.

We started sewing & selling again, it has been way too long but the kids are a little older and I finally have an extra 5 minutes in my day to be creative again.  We re-launched our Etsy Shop earlier this month with some gorgeous Bucilla Christmas Stocking my very talented mom has made.  She is beyond skilled with making these detailed stockings, I checked out our competition and their work pales in comparison.

Just listed tonight are my handmade totes, all of them are one of a kind, I don't use any patterns just think up my design in my head and start cutting and sewing.  I am taking custom orders too so please contact me through Etsy.

Hailey Lane Designs Etsy Shop

*Bucilla Christmas Stocking*

We have many of the Bucilla Christmas Stocking Kits and she can get them completed in about a 4 days.  If you are looking for something in particular please contact us.  We have many stockings with the tradition Santa, we have the Sugar Plum Fairy and many more.

Thank you!~

Custom Diaper Bag for Baby C

(Click on any picture to make larger)

 My sweet neighbor just had the most beautiful little baby boy.  (I told her it was ok to say boys are beautiful when they're babies.  Oh, he is the sweetest thing and so super soft and lovely.  I just love getting my baby fix!!

 I am not the "buy something at the store" kind of girl.  I love giving a gift that came from the heart.  We were talking a month ago at the end of our driveway, about what she needed or wanted and I mention making her a diaper bag and her face lite up. 

 

 I ask her what colors she liked, the style of the tote & what size she was thinking (she told me her husband packs a diaper bag like they are going on a year long excursion)  No blue, because she had tons of blue stuff for him.  Greens and browns are what she wanted more than anything.  My "GO TO" style is the message bag, you really can't go wrong with that style.

 

The top stitching is what really sets the details off in this bag.  Never ever skip the details~

I really, really like mixing and matching patterns and colors in my bags. 

 

Her specially request was a small zip bag, that she could put all her non-mommy stuff in.  Checkbook, wallet, lipstick.... you get the picture.  I must say I am finally NOT scared of zippers anymore.  I do, however, have to watch the zipper video on youtube every time I do one just to un-confuse myself.  Why can't my brain wrap itself around how to put in a zipper.  Maybe one day.....

When I brought her the diaper tote yesterday, she was thrilled and speechless but did say "I didn't know you could sew that good" and "wow this is like something you would buy in a store."   Then proceeded to  dump all her stuff out of her purse and immediately packed her new diaper bag.  That, that right there is what makes it worth sewing!

FYI: 

 I am sewing again and if you are interested in purchasing a custom tote from me please send me a message.

~START SEWING~

Custom Gymnastics Bag for my niece

My sweet niece ask me to make her a gymnastics bag a few months back last December.   After loosing the zipper I needed, crying (just a little) because I don't use patterns and forgetting to tell the lady that did the embroidery what shade of green to use for her name on the bag ; what matters the most is she loves it!

I will say I hate rounded corners, rounded ends, rounded anything.  I really should stick with right angles, they like me, I like them, we all get along.

My niece is a spunky, adorable 10 year old, who is NOT afraid of COLOR and BOLD patterns.  We meet at our local fabric store and she picked out the two fabrics for this bag.  I really do like how it turned out!  BUT I will never make another one, unless someones is willing to pay me $500 for it, then I would consider making another one........but only then.  My anti-pattern mind set gets me in trouble sometimes. ;-)

This is what I made her last year for her birthday: 

Custom HP Notebook Case

Kroger Deals: January 2012, Week 3 cont.

I continued the deals I have been doing this week with the addition of Barilla pasta since my coupons came in from Ebay..

This morning I ran in my favorite Kroger and walked out with:

8 Tennessee pride sausage gravy packs
6 Wolfgang Puck Iced Organic Coffee
8 Barilla Whole Wheat Pasta boxes
8  Men's Speed Stick

Paid .95 (this was the tax)

 This afternoon i went to another Kroger:
8 Tennessee pride sausage gravy packs
8 Barilla Whole Wheat Pasta boxes
8 Men's Speed Stick

Paid: .48 (this was the tax)

Total OOP for this week was $91.98 so just under my hundred dollar budget.
This total included:
4 12pks coke products
4 boxes of Ritz Crackers
4 Planter peanuts large canisters (With these 12 items listed above, I received a $10 GC from CVS) $20.00
5 Double packs lysol spray/wipes (received a $6RR). $20.00
Dollar General Christmas Clearance (15) .30c items 70% off
Dollar Tree : $7.00
Big Lots: 15.00
32  Tennessee pride sausage gravy packs
20 Men's Speed Stick Deodorants 
16 Barilla Whole Wheat Pasta boxes
17 Wolfgang Pucks Organic iced Coffees
8 Stay Free products
2 Finish Dish detergents
One trip to Kroger & Easy way Product for weeks essentials: Milk, bread, Fruits and Vegs, OJ, Hamburger Meat: approx. $20.00
Forgot to add:  Charming Charlies $14 and Bath and Body Works: $12

Total savings for this week: $254.42



  

Target Semi-Annual Toy Sale: January 2012

Be still my heart!  I love this sale so much.

I know most people think I am crazy for buying toys literally right after Christmas but you have no idea how much you can save until you have experienced this sale.  Target starts with 30% sometime the end of December and then it drops to 50% off and in about a week it goes to the coveted 70% off (it use to be 75%)  This past Thursday was the DAY!!

Each year it really varies if there will be lots of girl toys or lots of boy toys.  This year was the boys year, lots and lots of boy toys. 

Here are the highlights of what I bought:

 LEGO Space Center set:  Reg price $69.99,  Target Clearance Price: $34.99

 Love that I found this set, my little peep got the Space Shuttle for Christmas.


LEGO Cars Spy Jet Escape 8638: Reg price: $49.99, Target Price: $24.99

LEGO Star Wars Hoth Wampa Set (8089)

Regular Price: $39.99, Target Price: $19.99

 Blip Squinkies Cars 2 Globie Dispenser

Regular price: $20.00, Target Price: $5.98 (I have four packs of Squinkies to go with it.)

The LEGOS were only 50% off but I was so happy there were still some in the toy clearance.  My littlest peep will be six in February and he is completely into LEGOS.  And if you are a parent of a LEGO Kid you know just how expensive those sets are.

I got many other great toys too.  My kids Christmas and Birthdays are almost done and it is just January.  Nieces and nephews birthdays & Christmas D.O.N.E.  Gift closet restocked!

In all I spend around $250.00 (I had saved up more than half to pay with cash)

I SAVED around 450.00!

Kroger Deals: January 2012, Week 3

 Not everything is pictured

15 Tennessee Pride Sausage Gravy 10/10
Used .55 coupon on any Tennessee Pride product (no size restriction) that doubles and adjusted too $1.00= FREE

11 Wolfgang Puck Cold Brewed Iced Coffee 10/10 used $1.00 on one IP coupons = FREE

8 Speed Stick .88 each - 50c coupon (no size restriction) dble & adjusted = FREE

6 Stay Free $2.49 each - B1G1 coupon - (3) $1.00 off any Stay Free product= $4.47 or  .75 each

 Before coupons total: $47.98
After Coupons oop: $4.47 plus tax for 40 items

Almost forgot!! Here is my beautiful Amaryllis flower from the Target After-Christmas Clearance. 

Just 2 weeks ago, it looked like this:

You can find my original post about this beautiful flower: HERE

My "Terrific Kids" are honored at school

Our elementary school has a Terrific Kid Program that honors one child out of each class ever six week.  The teacher from each class picks one child she or he feels has shown the best character over the past weeks.  One student that goes above and beyond to show compassion, care and politeness to others.  My two beautiful kids were awarded this honor last week and there was a special program held for all the kids that received the award this past Friday.  

This program is sponsored by the East Memphis Kiwanis Club.  A wonderful organization that devotes themselves to volunteering in the Midsouth.  Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.  

Here is Kiwanis International Website Link: Click Here

 Some pictures from the program:

 When Sara was walking across the stage to receive her award Joshua jumped up and hugged her.  You should have heard all the "awes" from the parents in the audience.

To celebrate after school we went to our locally owned cupcake shop:

Muddy's Bake Shop

 And then to the Children's Museum Of Memphis:  

CMOM

A great day for the Cullen Family.

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