all things bean

D.I.Y. Fri(day): pennant banner

2011-11-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

As I was making a holiday version of these yesterday to "holiday-ize" (that is so not a word!) the all things bean booth, I thought what a great D.I.Y. this could be. I plan to make some to decorate our next baby's nursery & my sister made a bunch for her reception area - the perfect accessory for her ranch wedding.

These are SO easy to make, a great way to re-purpose clothing that is past it's prime & just use up some of those leftover pieces of fabric.

1. Measure out a length of ribbon - leave room on the ends depending on how you plan to attach. (I like 1" grosgrain - it holds up well).
2. Make a triangle pattern - I cut mine from cardstock.
3. Determine the order you want the fabrics to repeat in. I like laying them out along the ribbon to see if the patterns & colors play well together :)
4. Start tracing your triangles!
5. Cut out with pinking shears.
6. Using a fabric glue stick, glue your ribbon to the top (front) of your triangles. You shouldn't need pins but feel free to throw some in for extra hold.
7. Stitch along the top of the ribbon, 1/4" from the edge. Voila - pennant banner! (or whatever you want to call it). Instant decor for any occasion & lots of fun for new babies to look at.
*Play around with your triangle size - mine are pretty big so they stand out in the booth, but some little ones could be fun in smaller spaces.

Happy Friday bean friends!

Today's Tip for a greener New Year

2010-12-29T08:20:00.000-08:00

While the holidays are my favorite time of year (with Christmas Eve being my favorite day), inevitably, the following days & weeks leave me feeling almost as crazed as the preceding ones. Now, everything I've put on hold comes crashing back to the forefront, along with an irrepressible urge to de-clutter, re-organize, simplify & improve. I tend to rebel against New Year's resolutions, (which I forget as quickly as I make them) & try instead to slowly incorporate simple practices into my daily life over time. As we all try to regain a level of sanity & a rhythm to our daily lives, I'd like to pass along some little tidbits that I have found & intend to work on using myself.

http://healthychild.org/

Today's is simply a list taken from a book I received for Christmas called "Healthy Child Healthy World" by Christopher Gavigan.
While the idea of eating completely healthy & organic food is very appealing (& I believe increasingly necessary), it is challenging to do all at once. This list gives a quick snapshot of the fruits & veggies it would be most beneficial to buy organic versions of as well as those that are lowest in pesticides.

"Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce" pg. 69
The Dirty Dozen - buy these organic:
-peaches
-apples
-sweet bell peppers
-celery
-nectarines
-strawberries
-cherries
-lettuce
-grapes (imported)
-pears
-spinach
-potatoes

Lowest in Pesticides:
-onions
-avocadoes
-sweet corn (frozen)
-pineapples
-mangoes
-sweet peas (frozen
-asparagus
-kiwis
-bananas
-cabbage
-broccoli
-eggplant

*Source: Environmental Working Group, foodnews.org

Next time I head to the store, I may swap out my organic bananas & use the money I save for the organic apples & lettuce...

Limited Edition Holiday Items

2010-11-11T12:30:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist. When creativity strikes (along with the holiday spirit), it doesn't matter how many other things need to be done. We must drop everything, give in and see what we come up with.
Below are the results of such an event.

Introducing the limited edition snowman, available in the baby bean onesies & little bean tees. Signature cropped icon & hand stitched detail. Hat & arm are brown. Choose red or green body. Email info@allthingsbean.com to order. (These are not available on the website). Happy festive-ness :)

Upcoming Events

2010-11-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

Happy November! At the risk of sounding cliche, I can't believe how fast time is going...

First off, thank-you so much to everyone who attended the Photo Element/all things bean trunk show & photo shoot last Saturday. We had a great time, met some wonderful people & gave away a bunch of goodies, including bean apparel, photo shoots & jewelry from Stella & Dot. We love our bean friends & appreciate your support!

Now, on to to our upcoming events:

Yuma Yoga/all things bean Trunk Show & Cocktail Party
Nov. 20th 6:30 - 9:30
Yuma, AZ

Ladies - join us for a festive evening of prizes, cocktails & hors d'oeuvres! We will be raffling yoga classes & products, and infant & toddler all things bean clothing. Email me at info@allthings bean to RSVP & receive directions.

Two Patooties Holiday Trunk Show

Thursday, November 18 · 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: TBD
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=129419673778895

all things bean will have product available at the Two Patooties Holiday Trunk Show. Two Patooties and Lolas Mexican Arts & Crafts are hosting a Trunk Show Happy Hour! A great time to do some holiday shopping from your favorite local artisans.

Winter Market & Holiday Fair
Dec. 4, 2010 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Valdez Elementary (on 29th Ave between Speer and Zuni)
http://winter-market.com/

Please join all things bean & Jibberish body products at this family friendly event.
The Market & Fair features artisans, crafters, and providers of unique, boutique gifts and products from our neighborhood and the surrounding communities. Beyond the fabulous goodies to admire and buy, the Market & Fair also offers entertainment for the whole family: photos with Santa, sing-alongs featuring your favorite holiday tunes, craft-making stations and more!

News & Events

2010-09-16T06:54:00.000-07:00

Good morning bean friends!

I wanted to quickly update you on a few things in the bean world. As we roll into Fall & dare I say, (drum roll) "the holiday season", we have some upcoming events to invite you to. So, break out your jackets or your cocktail attire & join in the festivities! Please email info@allthingsbean.com to sign up for either of the trunk shows. These are RSVP events & providing your email is the only way you can win!

Yours in all things festive, fall & fun,
all things bean

Naturally Loved Grand Opening Party
Sept. 19, 2010 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Denver, CO
I've mentioned this store before & this weekend is the official party. Come see this great store on 29th St. in Stapleton & peruse their fantastic assortment of eco-friendly clothing, accessories, toys, diapering products, maternity wear & more. (Of course, there's a nice little display of the baby bean line too).
www.naturallylovedbaby.com

The French Nest Market
Sept. 18, 2010 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Ft. Collins, CO
This Sat. Two Patooties will be carrying an assortment of baby & little bean at their booth at the French Nest Market in Ft. Collins from 9-3.
www.thefrenchnestmarket.com

HUNI Highlands Farmer's Market
Sept. 25, 2010 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Denver, CO
Jibberish body products & all things bean will make their final Farmer's Market appearance today. Pick up a gift & enjoy the fall weather!
http://www.denverhighland.org/huni.html

Trunk Show & Photo Shoot
Nov. 6, 2010 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Denver, CO
all things bean is teaming up with Photo Element to give away 2 photo shoots & various products! Submit your email address to info@allthingsbean.com to enter to win. The grand prize winner will get clothing for their bean & a photo shoot to be done during the party. They will also be featured on the all things bean website. Other prizes include a photo shoot for your family (holiday cards anyone), and other product from the baby & little bean lines. Join us for the trunk show, wine & hors d'oeuvres & prizes at the Photo Element studio. More info to follow if you sign up! Winners must be present to win. Grand prize winner must have a child who wears from 0-3T.

Trunk Show & Holiday Party
Nov. 20, 2010 (time tbd)
Yuma, AZ
all things bean & yuma yoga are throwing a holiday party! Break out your holiday dress & join us for cocktails, a trunk show & chances to win baby & little bean products & yuma yoga classes. Email info@allthingsbean.com to receive details & RSVP.

Boys' little bean tees!

2010-09-02T11:57:00.000-07:00

After careful consideration, in depth market research & a multitude of samples...(ok, so I just did what I really wanted), the boys' little bean tee icons have been decided! And here they are:

Dino Tee: made from a re-purposed, distressed reverse twill & the new retro red dot fabric with the signature hand stitched detail.

Skull Tee: made from our best-selling boy fabric, the multi argyle with hand stitched detail.

Available online now: www.allthingsbean.com/littlebean

Our winners of their own little bean tees are Elizabeth & Cynthia. Please contact me at: info@allthingsbean.com to choose your size & icon.

Thanks for all your ideas both on the blog & facebook!

Designer's Pick - New Fall Fabrics

2010-08-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited about these fabrics, I couldn't wait until the product was done to show them to you! So, here they are - the new Fall fabrics for baby & little bean.

Now, my hands down favorite is the retro brown floral on the top left, but I'm betting money that the ivory exploded tile below it will be the new best-seller for girls. And I love the retro red dot for boys. (Look for that one in the little bean boys' tees, along with some cool distressed, re-purposed fabrics).

We also have the pink & brown filigree (which I think is a beautiful, classic girl pattern), the black & white geo (I have certain customers in mind for this one, and could be persuaded to make it in girl's as well), the turq oval (this one is super cool if you dare) and finally, the new jungle neutral (I love this & already bought into the fabric big time)! The only question is - which is your favorite?

Girls' little bean tees are here!

2010-08-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

School is starting, Fall is in the air (ok - maybe not just yet) & the long sleeve, little bean tees are here for girls! We have found the softest jersey & appliqued them with our most popular fabrics. There's a variation on the baby bean flower as well as a butterfly option. These come in sizes 12-18, 18-24, 2T & 3T. (Note - these make great big sister gifts)!

Now, the question is, what should we do for the boys? Post your ideas here & if we go forward with your suggestion, you'll receive a free tee for your little bean! (Remember, icons that are identifiable in silhouette & are relatively simple make the best appliques).

http://www.allthingsbean.c om/index2.php#/gallery1/2/

Hey Kermit - it's easy being green

2010-08-02T10:22:00.000-07:00

You may dig your heels in on this, but I promise - once you get started, you'll find yourself cringing when you have to throw away a can or buy an "unfriendly" product. (I've been known to carry trash home to recycle it & this is no easy task for us. We have to drive ours 10 miles to a center). I was bitten by the green bug in 2nd grade when I saw a show on PBS about the trash we bury seeping harmful chemicals into our water & killing wildlife. I promptly wrote an editorial to the local paper imploring people to do their part. The passion has grown since then & I've tried to reduce my footprint with things like collecting the office paper at my last job, to using cloth diapers & natural cleaning products in our home.

So, what does any of this have to do with all things bean? Well, I've found the most fun way of being environmental yet. The green bean line. In addition to the things we do as a company (see http://www.allthingsbean.com/index2.php#/info1/2/), now it's part of fashion! While on vacation last week in beautiful Silverton CO, I happened upon a wonderful antique store, Adelaide's. There I nabbed the latest piece for the Fall green bean line - a vintage floral feed sack, circa 1930. (Look for it soon on the website & on facebook when the season launches). This & other finds will be re-purposed in appliques.

Finally - my challenge to you. Choose one aspect of your life & modify it to be a little more green. Here are some quick ideas:

Switch out your disposable water bottles for a re-usable one. (I personally like the camelbaks with a flip spout & I tend to drink more water this way).
Wash clothes in cold water - unless you use cloth diapers & then, please, wash those in hot!
Keep the windows open & fans going all nite & then close up the house in the morning. You'll prolong the amount of time before you need to turn on the a/c.
Recycle! This is easy - most items can be mixed together now & it's free to drop things at many locations. Google recycling drop off in your area.
Try switching just a couple of your "normal" cleaning products to greener options - Seventh Generation, Method & Clorox Green Works are all pretty good options & they work.

Feel free to add your suggestions too. In the meantime, I'll be looking for a compost system for my deck & more vintage & re-purposed fabrics for the green bean line.

Take care!
all things bean

holy technology

2010-07-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

i know you can all feel me on this one. don't you have days where you feel like the technology that is supposedly saving us all this time while connecting us to countless resources, simply makes you want to tear your hair out? as my dear yuma yoga friend said, "It's time to take out the pen & paper."

i think i have spent a bulk of my "work" hours this week navigating the various websites connected to the business, checking/learning/editing/responding/fixing & generally babysitting them! i need a time out from my laptop, my desktop, my phone, my printer, my scanner. please. i think i'll just go down to the studio & sew.

a how-to from a little lady who loves her jeans

2010-06-25T18:40:00.000-07:00

hello ladies (& men if you like),

i must deviate from the expected bean topics to toss out this tidbit on jeans & how-to (or not to) shorten them!

i was at a favorite consignment store this week when i happened upon the most beautiful pair of 7 jeans, A pockets. (if i've lost you, bear with me)....in my size. at a good price. in great shape. i had to have them.

upon returning home i got right to work on hemming them (because i have to hem everything) and discovered that someone already had - but not the "right" way.

ouch.
now, if you look at your jeans, you'll notice that they are hemmed before any of the washing or distressing takes place. thus, the hems of your jeans get washed & worn a bit. when you cut this off to hem them, it destroys the character of the jean! what you end up with is a veeerrry clean edge & probably some uneven stitching in a thread color that is not quite right.

so, what you want to do is this:
put your new treasures on & turn up the material inside the leg, leaving the original hem where you would like it to fall, below the ankle. pin & take them off. then measure to make sure you have a consistent amount all the way around. now turn them inside out & stitch, just below the original stitch line. then tack that extra fabric to the seams (with a hand stitch on the inside).

voila! you have beautifully hemmed jeans & no one can see any stitching. the original hem is intact.

if this is all too much, simply take your jeans to a tailor & tell them to "keep the original hem". but please, please whatever you do, don't create the jean faux pas & cut them off clean!

thank-you.

(i would like to dedicate this blog to the ladies of tommy hilfiger - at least they were at the time. without their guidance, i might have created numerous crimes against beautiful jeans).

Highlands Street Fair

2010-06-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

Hello & welcome to the all things bean blog!
Thank-you to everyone who came out & supported us at the Highlands Street Fair. We had a wonderful time meeting each of you. Please visit our new website & email if there is anything we can do for you.

www.allthingsbean.com
info@allthingsbean.com

Sunetric Test

2010-03-15T15:48:00.000-07:00

Hello bean friends,
This blog is a test we're doing for a friend's company. It doesn't have anything to do with baby bean, although if you ever move to Hawaii & are in need of a solar company...this is it!

Sunetric is the Top Solar Company in Hawaii . They are the largest locally owned and operated full-service renewable energy firm and solar contractor in Hawaii. They specialize in residential and commercial photovoltaic (PV) system consultation, design, engineering, permitting, financing, installation, tax incentives, equipment supply, monitoring, and maintenance.

· If you are looking for the best solar contractor in Hawaii, you should check out Sunetric.

· The solution to our 50^th states energy crisis is building an economy based on renewable energy. Solar Hawaii is the answer.

· Hawaii Solar incentives are tremendous and you can find a lot of useful information on the DSIRE database. Check out http://www.dsireusa.org.

· SunRun in Hawaii is a great way to allow many homeowners to go solar.

· The best residential program available for solar financing in Hawaii is SunRun.