BIG SHOP NEWS!

Good Morning!

A few months back, I said that there were going to be some big changes in my KPS Etsy shop... and I've finally put those changes in play.

I've decided, after over a year of contemplation, talking with my husband, watching the needs of my little family change, to close the Kutz. Paper. Scissors. Etsy Shop.

This was not an easy decision to make, which is probably why it's taken me so long to actually close it, but fortunately, I had a kick in the pants this spring due to my families health issues and now, a person/family in need.

Meet Sarah Amento and her beautiful family.

I've never met Sarah but I've been following her story for a while now.  A friend of ours is a good friend of hers and she's posted numerous messages about Sarah's battle with cancer, fundraisers to help Sarah and her family, etc on her Facebook Page.  The thought of her having to leave her family is so wrong, well, there's nothing else to say.  It's all wrong.

And while I can't do much to help this family, there's an upcoming fundraiser where they're hoping to raise enough money to send Sarah to Austria for a treatment they're hoping will extend her life up to 5 years. So, I donated my entire KPS inventory to the fundraiser.  I'm hoping they sell everything I gave them and that they use that money for whatever they want.  I wish I had more to donate.

You can read more on Sarah's story here:
http://www.fightlikesarah.com/

You can also visit her Facebook Page here:
https://m.facebook.com/fightingcancerwithsarah

So, you can see why closing the Kutz. Paper. Scissors Etsy Shop became less of a decision I had to make, and more of an action I had to do.  There's no better way to run out of inventory!

As for my KPS Blog - don't worry, it's still here and not going anywhere!  I love sharing ideas, recipes, family life and more with all of my readers.

I hope you have a great day, and please, if you have a moment, read Sarah's story.
Andrea

Operating System Completely Deleted

Good Morning...

I haven't been around in a while because my computer is busted.  Seriously busted.  I don't actually remember what's wrong with it, I think it's my operating systems been deleted or my main frame?  Or the central system?  Am I just making up stuff now - I have no clue?  And as bummed as I am that my computer is as broke as broke can be, I am so mad at myself that I didn't back up the last few years of pictures - I'll check my online photo accounts and hope for the best, but I am not great at uploading the photos from my comp to, well, anywhere.  You would've thought I learned my lesson 3 years ago when our desktop gave up and I almost lost all my Lil' A photos but nnoooo... I had to be lazy/impatient and have now lost Lil' A's first day of kinder photos, last day of preschool and more.  I'm getting mad at myself all over again...

I asked to borrow my parent's computer for a few days to get some work done, Christmas Cards ordered (BAM!  Done!), KPS Shop emails responded to and so much more...  I kinda felt like I did when I used to ask to borrow the car as a teenager.

I will be back.  I'm hoping to be back before Christmas because I have a ton of great DIY Holiday ideas/projects that I've been working on and really want to share.  You can always follow me on Instagram at KutzPaperScissors - I typically post photos of whatever I'm working on there because it's so easy!

Also, the last KPS Boutique is next Saturday - the Penelope Lane Holiday Boutique - you really don't want to miss it!  I've made a pledge to shop small business/handmade this holiday season - I don't think Target or Amazon will be affected too much with this, but I know that the business's I order from will be affected in a positive way!

 

Yes, did you notice I said LAST?  I've made some hard decisions about the future of KPS, but this isn't the post to talk about that...

 

Recap:

I'm still here and I'll be back super soon.

I'm a crazy person that never learns her lessons.  Back UP, BACK UP, BACK UP!!!

Visit me at the Penelope Lane Boutique - do some Christmas Shopping, say "Hey" to me and get a goodie if you mention the blog!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

Hope your weekend is great!

Andrea

New Products!!!

Hello!

Good Morning!

Today I wanted to show you some of my NEW goodies... I've been taking advantage of my 4 hours sans Lil' A every morning... I've been mapping out my time, making a list each day of what needs to happen work wise, dinner wise and cleaning wise, which has really been helpful.

I've been playing with some great new patterns...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are all in the Kutz.Paper.Scissors shop... I'll be adding more soon (I hope!) ...

 

I'll see you tomorrow!

Have a great day!

Andrea

 

(ps - did anyone else see the Big Block guys comment on Lil' A's Big Block Pencil Pouch?  Made my day and I cannot wait to pick up Lil' A from Kinder and tell him too!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming Up...

Hello!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I've been busy with KPS Products lately - I've had fabric come in for new Holiday runners, including Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas patterns, along with fun fabric for pillow covers to add to the shop.

I've also been working on iPad Covers, Fold-Over Clutches, Cloth Napkins, Camera Strap Covers and Pumpkin Pillows... I'm getting excited and gearing up for...

and

I'm so happy to be back at Penelope Lane - I love seeing Sarah and Nancy, visiting with the other vendors, seeing new products and shopping!

It's my first time at the CUW Boutique, which is at The Disneyland Hotel and it's a Luncheon/Boutique combination.  I was even more excited when I found out that the Redlands All American Youth Circus was going to be performing at the event.  You do need tickets for the Luncheon, but the Boutique is free and open to the public! 

So, if anyone has any custom orders/requests that they'd like to see or pick up at one of the boutiques, please email me and we can work something out! 

Hope to see you at one or BOTH of the boutiques!
Andrea

GIVE AWAY!!! Help me pick new patterns for the shop!

Good Morning!

I've been (slowly) figuring/gathering new supplies for Fall/Winter products in the Shop... but I need some help from you!  I found these super cute burlap prints the other day, but am having a hard time deciding which ones to use for runners... this is where you come in!

1.  Orange Damask
2.  Black Mustache
3.  Dark Brown Birds on Branch
4.  Black Herringbone

I love them all...

I think the orange damask would be awesome for fall and Halloween....

The mustaches are super playful and would be great any time (can you imagine them for a Carnival/Circus Themed Party?)...

The birds are super sweet for fall, winter or spring with a soft, shabby chic look...

The herringbone would be great all year long or for Halloween...

You have some tough decisions to help me make!  So here's what you'll need to do to enter the GIVE AWAY for a runner in your favorite pattern!

There's 2 ways to enter:

1.  Follow Kutz. Paper. Scissors on Facebook (click on the link on the right side of the blog to be taken straight there!) and leave a comment under the "give away" post with your favorite pattern.

2.  Become a "Follower" on the blog and leave a comment with your favorite pattern in this post! 

The 2 winners will be chosen at random on August 3rd!  Each winner will receive a 72" table runner in their favorite pattern! 

Thanks in advance for your help!  My indecisiveness really appreciates it!
Have a great day!
Andrea

NEW Products in the Shop!

Good Morning!

Sorry for the missing posts last week... it was a week of getting ready for a NEW school year AND Adam's first year of Elementary instead of Preschool... My awesome, giving and supportive parents took Adam and Aidan school shopping for new shoes (hello, who found Police Light-Up Shoes?  This mom!  They may be the ugliest shoes ever, but my Lil' LOVES them!) and a fun 1st Day of School outfit(s)... which made me realize that I'd better get to work on some NEW product's that I've been brainstorming for the past little while...

so...

I made some fun, NEW Chalkboard Signs for the Shop...

First Day of School Interview Chalkboard Sign

 

{1st Day of School Interview Chalkboard Sign}

 

 

 

First Day of School Chalkboard Photo Prop

 

{First Day of School Chalkboard Sign}

 

And some fun, pop culture Typography Pillow Covers...

 

{Happily Ever After Pillow Cover}

 

{"Holla!" Pillow Cover}

 

{Let's Make Out Baby Pillow Cover}

 

{Hustling Pillow Cover}

 

{Playa Pillow Cover}

 

I had so much fun making these pillow covers!  I had a custom request for the "Hustling" one and then just kept coming up with more and more pop cultures sayings that would be fun!  I have a ton more ready to be cut and ironed on more covers... just have to get more heat transfer!  I even made one for Lil' A - It  says "You're kill'n me smalls!", which is from the Sandlot movie and is one of my favorite quotes, one that I tell him often...

 

I've also been busy paper crafting and can hardly wait to share those this week, so stay tuned! 

 

Have a great weekend!

Andrea

KPS

 

 

Kutz. Paper. Scissors... Shop Update

Good Morning...

I hope all of the Mom's out there had a great Mother's Day!  Mine was filled with Adam snot and coughs - not exactly what we'd had planned for Mother's Day weekend, but my boy's still made it special and relaxing... Big A made steak, artichokes, cheddar dill mac salad and got a HUGE chocolate cake from Costco... all of my favorite stuff!  We also got up the dough boy pool... since it's been in the 90's-100's for the past few days, I think we got it up just in time!

I've been thinking a lot about the Kutz. Paper. Scissors Shop... I've been weighing the pros and con's, time situation, my families needs and my stress level.  I've been behind on orders since the beginning of the year, I've had mad customers and late orders - this is not the way I want to run my business, I don't feel proud of my business etiquette and every time that I receive a nasty email (warranted or not) it chips away at the joy that I used to feel with KPS.

I've been grumpy, tired, stressed, unorganized as stacks and stacks of laundry piled up, the house became dirtier and dirtier, we ate more cheap fast food dinners and I became a "Mean Mommy" every day, losing my patience with Lil' A and Big A, everyone that I care about.  I wasn't spending time with Adam, sure, we'd be in the same room but I'd distractedly listen/answer him and anytime that I had to stop working to make his lunch, wipe his bottom or unlock the door so he could go out would make me frustrated and I'd sigh with so much drama, it would be embarrassing for anyone else to hear.  I started to become resentful of my husband, that I was working late into the night while being responsible for running our home/life, which wasn't fair to him, he's never put any sort of expectations on me.  I'd be crying every day from stress/exhaustion and unhappiness... so one day, Big A said "Then stop."

Which was all I needed to hear.

I haven't stopped, my shop is still open for business, but I have decided to change a few things for now.  I am only putting in inventory that I have on hand, I am not taking any custom orders and I am only adding to the shop when I feel like I can.  I have also committed to shipping within 1-2 days and I am not taking my laptop on anymore vacations!  Last week my amazing Mom came over and helped me photograph all of my inventory, I then spent 3 days editing those said photos and I've been adding them into the shop daily.  I took stock of what I have and have been updating my inventory so I can avoid having to run around, find necessary fabric, cut and sew into the night.  It feels good to feel like I'm getting things under control again.  Really really good.  Big A and I will evaluate KPS again after Adam starts Kindergarten in the late summer - maybe I'll start taking custom orders again, maybe I'll stay the way I am or maybe I close down the shop... who knows.

I only get one chance to be a good Mommy and Wife - I have to chant this to myself daily when I get a request for a custom order.  I'm hoping to focus more on the blog, putting helpful info out there, tutorials, recipes, crafts, DIY - all of the things that I LOVE and want to share.

Here's some of the items that I just added to Kutz. Paper. Scissors...

NEW and ON SALE Burlap Table Runners...

Antique Typewriter Alphabet Burlap Runner

 

Zebra Animal Print Burlap Runner

 

Some NEW Chevron Pillow Covers...

 

Coral and White Chevron Pillow Cover

 

Khaki and Cream Chevron Pillow Cover

 

Denim and Cream Chevron Pillow Cover

 

 

And some NEW Pillow Covers in fun prints and colors...

 

 

 

Yellow Embrace Pillow Cover

 

Elephants in Green Pillow Cover

 

Ikat in Java and Silver Pillow Cover

 

There's a ton more, most of these covers I have in a variety of colors.  If you're interested, please check out Kutz. Paper. Scissors.

 

A lot of gut spilling went on here today... sorry if it wasn't what was expected or desired, but I felt like an explanation was required for the KPS changes.

 

Hope you have a great day!

Andrea



March of Dimes Donation Announcement!

Good Morning!  Thanks for coming by!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! 

We had a sick weekend here... Adam got sick last Wednesday and remained sick though the weekend.  He had this weird rash, which looked like little pin pricks all over and were horribly itchy so I took him in and he had a virus with a viral rash... which was super fun.  So, along with the normal fever, congestion, barking cough and general yuckiness, he had a horrible rash that covered his arms, legs and trunk and itched so bad that he would scratch till he bled.  Like I said... so. much. fun.

But, hey, at least he's on the mend, right!  Let's stay positive around here!  And there's nothing more positive then figuring out the final amount of the March of Dimes Donation from Kutz. Paper. Scissors!

If you missed my original post about our birth story and our support of March of Dimes, you can check it out here.

I'm so happy to announce that Kutz. Paper. Scissors will be donating is $78.10 to March of Dimes.  And after speaking with  my little family and looking at Adam's 1st year album, we decided that we should match that donation, so the total amount being donated is $156.20! 

Thank you for all your support, if you made a purchase in the shop or let a friend know about our Month of Giving Back, we appreciate it!

It's hard to believe that we've gone from this...

 

to this...

 

 

Have a great day! 
Andrea

Clutch Moment

Good Morning!

Thanks for visiting today!

Today I wanted to share some of the fun products that I've been sewing up for the Shop and for the upcoming Boutiques...

I fell in love over this clutch...

So, this was the first one that I made... I used a charcoal linen but it was pretty thin, so it moved around... a lot.  But I still love it!

I found this great yellow/gray zig zag pattern and knew that I had to have it!  So, it's the lining of the clutch, which has 2 pockets, one that fits cards and the other for keys or lipstick... whatever you consider an essential!

And since the charcoal came out so cute, I had to do it in other colors as well!

Like Mustard...

lined in gray and white chevron.

And rust... this is a color that doesn't get enough credit in my book!

I couldn't find a brown cotton zig zag or chevron, so I sent with a chocolate brown feather print that I ended up loving, so I went back and bought it in gray and in blue!

Pretty cute, huh?  These will be in the shop soon and they will definitely be at Scarlet Threads and Penelope Lane in March!

Have a great day!
Andrea

New Products!

Good Morning!

Thanks for taking the time to visit today!

Today I'm sharing some fun, new products that I've been working on!  I've shared them at the Penelope Lane Boutique and the Sew Funky Handmade Market - and I just cannot get enough of them! 

Here's the NEW Chevy Bags!

{Brown Chevron with Rust Accents}

 

Each bag is fully lined with coordinating fabric - there are 2 pockets inside, the corners are reinforced.  I LOVE these bags and have to constantly remind myself NOT to keep them for myself!

 

{Navy Chevron with Teal Blue Accents}

 

 

{Navy Blue with Currant Accents}

 

{Village Grey Blue with Teal Blue Accents}

 

{Yellow Chevron with Navy Accents}

 

{Navy Blue Chevron with Mustard Accents - at Sew Funky!}

 

I have a few other color combinations, I did a fun Grey Chevron with Mustard Accents, a Brown Chevron with Green Accents and more!  I love figuring out the different color combos for these!

 

And, if you're still wanting more Chevron, why not introduce it into your child's room or baby's nursery?  Chevy Bears!

 

{Girly Blue Chevy Bear with a NEW Typograph Sign - Family Routine}

 

{Black Chevy Bear with NEW Charcoal Grey Ikat Cover}

 

{Red Chevy Bear with the NEW Chalkboard Globe!}

 

I also have new table runners... they're waiting to be photographed, but they're so fun!  They're double sided so you can get more than one pattern/occasion from each runner!  I also ordered more fabric (can we say "ruffles!") to create more fun pillows and runners with!  Oh, and I'm working on a new pattern for floor pillows and Poufs (cross between a pillow/seat/ottoman), so stay tuned for more products!

 

Check out the shop for more products!

 

Have a great Wednesday!

Andrea