Summertime Business

Has it been a month already?

I've been so busy growing my Etsy Shop that I've managed to neglect my blog. Sorry. 

A lot has happened since I posted last. I've added a ton of new products- including laptop cases, makeup bags, tablet sleeves and more! I'm so incredibly grateful for all the success I've had, and I'm glad to be moving in the right direction to make this sustainable!

I've completed my first bulk order, and I have another one on the books. (Happy Dance)

Thank you so much for all of your support. Look out for a new tutorial soon!

Funemployed

Going into my Senior year of college I was determined to graduate with a job. To me, there was no other option and no way I was going to be "that girl."

My mind overlooked the fact that over 83% of the class of 2014 graduated jobless. It's the nature of the game. 

I don't think of myself as unemployed, I think of myself as funemployed and enjoying what's possibly one of my last summers for the foreseeable future. I decided that in the meantime while I continue to look for a big girl job, I'm putting all of my effort into my Etsy Shop to make all the money I can. 

With that being said, I'm happy to introduce embroidered and monogrammed Boat Totes to my shop (CLICK HERE) in lots of different colors! They're gigantic, feature and outside pocket and full zipper, and can be fully customized!

I've also added additional fabric options to my koozies, which you can check out below! 

I'd like to think that if there's any time in my life to throw myself into a new adventure, it's right now. As my business continues to grow, I can't wait to see where it takes me. 

As always, you can find me at the following: 

Twitter: @_madebymeag

Instagram: @madebymeag

New Products Coming soon!

Edit: The Koozies are officially listed HERE!!!!!!!

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I graduate from college in 9 days (AHHHH WHAT!?) and with that comes a lot of free time I've never had before!

As I haven't nailed down a full-time job yet, I've decided to throw myself full-time into my business, and with that comes some new products! Check out my shop in the coming weeks for lots of new products and re-stocking of my most popular items! With that being said, I'll be introducing Insulated Can/Bottle Koozies as well as custom-build options for shirts/bows instead of just pre-made items. I'm really excited for this next step in my business, and I can't wait to see where it takes me!

I've had a few people ask me for a tutorial on how to make the koozies (sans embroidery, of course), so look out for that very soon! I'll update this post at the top when they are available to purchase in my shop! They will be available with the sea turtle, anchor, monogram only (multiple fonts), Greek Letters, and full names/words as well. I'm also going to offer Big/Little w/ Monogram or Letters packages! 

I love feeling content. 

Recent Projects

I've been doing a few different things in terms of sewing, lately. One of my favorite projects I've done recently is a set of shirts for a Gamma Phi Beta Big/Little Reveal here on campus. I made a shirt for their newest addition, as well as her Big, GBig and GAunt. It was a really fun project where I got to do some improvisation, so I'm really happy with the result!

I know that Delaware is this mysterious state no one seems to know about unless they're familiar with incorporation law or tax-free shopping, but that's the state of Delaware on the shirt if you haven't figured it out. 

I also made a set of monogrammed pocket tees for the same reveal, which are classic and classy. 

Big/Little Week is in full swing for my sorority, with Activation of our new members happening in a week and a half, so I'll be in all-out sewing mode this coming weekend. As I move forward I've been able to refine my products and up my quality, so I can't ask for much more.

There will be many more pictures and items for my next post, and maybe even a tutorial. It's been too long since I wrote one, so I'm thinking a pocket-tee tutorial will be coming your way!

If you haven't already, visit me on Etsy (www.etsy.com/shop/madebymeagana) and shoot me a message if you're interested in a custom order. I promise my shop doesn't normally look that empty but everyone bought me out, so that's a good thing!

Twitter: @_madebymeag
Instagram: @madebymeag  

Until next time.

Graduation Cap!

Update: I've seen sooooooooo many different recreations of my graduation cap at other schools! I almost wish I hadn't posted a picture so I could have kept it all for myself, but I'm glad I could serve as some inspiration. In my mind, I always did it first. :)

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Let's just say I'm absolutely obsessed with my graduation cap! University of Delaware's graduation is just 6 weeks away, but I had an entire day of free time so I decided to do some decorating. Needless to say I'm in love. I freehanded it completely from my own imagination.

The process was pretty simple. My cap was really wrinkly on top and it almost seemed like there was too much fabric for it to lay flat. I went underneath my cap and hot glued the fabric a little tighter so I had a smooth surface! Everything else was just done by some hand drawing with a white colored pencil, acrylic paints and a steady hand! It takes a lot of layers of acrylic paint to show up vibrantly on the cap, so make sure you take that into consideration!

I can't believe graduation is so soon. Gahhhhhh.

Back in Business!

Before you know it, you're 22 years old and still trying to figure out what to do with your life.

Lots has gone on since I posted last, school got really difficult, I turned 22, and I had a table selling products at my sorority's clothing sale yesterday! I'm so thankful for all the support I've received with the products I've made- yesterday was a fabulous success.

Also an update on my Etsy Shop... Seriously people are amazing. I've gotten some really great feedback and I'm almost completely sold out of all the items I posted originally! (This makes my heart happy) I've since added some more products left over from my sale yesterday.

In an entirely unrelated food-note, I made the most delicious baked breaded cauliflower yesterday and I'm still dreaming about it. Maybe I'll post a recipe soon!

As always, the link to my shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/madebymeagana. If you're ever interested in a custom order, I can be contacted via Etsy! 

Until next time... 

Sometimes I Cook- DIY Chipotle-Inspired Burrito Bowl

It's my personal belief that Chipotle is God's greatest gift to mankind.

That may be putting it a little seriously but honestly, it's my favorite food. There's almost nothing better than getting a burrito bowl after a long day. The food is filling, healthy (relatively) and I don't feel like I need to go to the gym for hours after I eat it.

With all that being said, I don't like to spend a lot of money and after seeing many a pinterest tutorial on Chipotle copycats, I thought I'd try it myself. The issue I really find with a lot of the Pinterest tutorials is that I don't have all of the necessary ingredients, or I have a variant of something. Because of that, I altered all of the recipes I found to fit my college-sized pantry. I winged it, I'm not ashamed to admit that, but I'll try to give as best of a description as I can! I also made everything in much larger quantities so I would have left overs for later in the week.

A couple of things before I start. First: Somewhere in the reaches of the internet I found an article about how you can successfully freeze cilantro. Well I'm here to tell you that's just not true and if I were to change one thing about this whole process, I would use fresh cilantro, not cilantro that was fresh which I later froze. It turned to the consistency of cooked spinach (which I hate) and I had a lot of trouble cutting it. Second: This won't taste exactly like Chipotle. Nothing will. I think they put magic in their food. Also I used pre-cooked steak and leftover fajita veggies so that could be part of it. Third: Generally, I would have chosen chicken and cooked it myself but I had steak pre-cooked so I threw it in there. 

Also, do NOT under any circumstances touch your eyes after handling the jalapeños and wash your hands even when you think you're good. Because you will touch your eyes, and they will burn. I'm speaking from my experience just one hour ago.

For fully-pinterestable images of the components, check out the BOTTOM of this post! 

How I usually like my Burrito Bowl: Brown Rice, Chicken, Fajita Vegetables, Mild Salsa, Corn Salsa, Cheese. No, I don't like beans so I can't really help you with that, but I'm sure there are TONS of copycat recipes out there to mimic the black or pinto beans!  

Brown "Cilantro-Lime" Rice: (~3 servings)

• 1 cup brown rice (I used Uncle Bens Instant rice, and I'm SURE there are better ways) 
• 3 tablespoons lime juice 
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro 
• salt
• pepper

Cook Rice according to package. After cooking, stir in chopped cilantro and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Mild Salsa (Pico de Gallo) (~3 servings) 

• 2 Medium sized tomatos, chopped
• 1/2 large sweet onion, chopped
• 1 medium jalapeño pepper, de-seeded and chopped FINELY
• 1/2 Cup Chopped Cilantro 
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• salt 

Dice tomatos, onions and jalapeños. Chop cilantro and stir with diced ingredients. Top with lime juice. Season to taste

Corn Salsa (~4 servings) 

• 1 package sweet white corn, frozen (You can use fresh or off the cob, this is just what I had) 
• 1/2 large sweet onion, chopped (If you want to be authentic, use a red onion, I just, again, didn't have one) 
• 1 medium jalapeño, chopped 
• 2 tablespoons lime juice 
• 1 clove garlic (I used minced) 
• salt 
• pepper

Cook corn according to direction, stir in diced onions, jalapeños and garlic. Top with lime juice and season to taste.