I got a nice surprise a few weeks ago when a friend noticed this little write up on Scrap Soup in the April issue of BaystateParent. Thought I’d share!
March 11th, 2012
Some Customer Appreciation
It’s been a VERY busy start to 2012! In what is normally the slowest time of the year for me, I seem to be the busiest! I love it and it’s really given me the opportunity to try new patterns and push my limits. I’ve also been working with some great photographers and making a good deal of photography props. I really enjoy seeing my hats in photos, whether they are professionally taken or a quick snap shot taken by a happy customer. There is something warm and fuzzy about it.
That being said, here are just a few of the photos that I’ve received from customers. If you have a pic of someone rocking some Scrap Soup please send it to Lauren@ScrapSoupOnline.com and I” load it to the Customer Appreciation album on the Scrap Soup facebook page. I might even feature your photo on the blog.
January 4th, 2012
Scrap Soup 2012: Stepping Out (of my comfort zone)
Back in October I was browsing my extensive vintage crochet pattern collection and came across a bonnet styled hat in a 1950s Spinnerin book. A light bulb went off and I had a bit of an “a-ha” moment. I’ve never really been one for frilly or fancy and that totally comes through in my crochet. I think up until that point, the girliest hat I’ve ever done had a crocheted flower on it. Cute, but not fancy. So, I challenged myself to put the Scrap Soup aesthetic to the test and step out of my crochet comfort zone.
I came up with this victorian bonnet. 
I was happy with how it came out and it was definitely different for me. It sold quickly, so I could see that there was clearly a home for this type of hat. So, having that to fuel the flames, I started to get a bit more creative with them and tried a different color palette. After making the second hat in this style I was pretty much hooked. There are so many ways to embellish it and make it one of a kind that it is almost as versatile as the simple classic beanie.
The third victorian bonnet that I made is definitely my favorite so far. The color theme, the lace, the pearls and the single silver jingle bell all make it a winner in my eyes.
So, all of this straying from the norm has taught me something important: that stepping outside of my comfort zone was rewarding in so many ways. And it goes without saying that I will be doing much more of it in 2012. This year, I promise to allow my work to be more inspired (and hopefully, inspiring!) than ever, to step out of that pesky comfort zone, and to think outside of the proverbial box.
Keep a watch on Scrap Soup, world! She’ll be wowing you all year!
Thanks for your support and for pushing me to do something different. May you all have a prosperous and inspiring new year!
~Lauren
November 14th, 2011
Congratulations to the Giveaway Winners!
The randomly selected winners of the Scrap Soup 500 Facebook Fan Giveaway are……..
Drum roll please!
Kellie Fox of Kellie Fox Photography (Star Button Beanie photoprop)
and
Lynn Carroll DiZazzo ($20 Scrap Soup credit)
Congratulations to the winners!
November 9th, 2011
500 Fan Giveaway: Professional Photographers
On November 2nd the Scrap Soup facebook page hit the 500 fan mark!
This giveaway is for all of the fans that are professional photographers (non-photog fans, see this post for a giveaway.) Want to win this sweet, super soft newborn star button beanie?
How to Enter
* Be sure to “like” the Scrap Soup Facebook page, then leave a comment on this blog post letting me know.
*Share the page on facebook for an extra entry! Leave an additional blog comment when you do!
Giveaway Rules/Details
*This giveaway is for professional photographer only. You can only enter ONE of the giveaways. No double dipping!
*The entry period for the giveaway will end on November 13th, 11:59 pm (EST). No entries after this time will be eligible.
*Winner will be selected by a random number generator (Random.org) on Monday November 14th and will be announced on the blog and on the facebook page.
November 9th, 2011
500 Fan Giveaway: Average Joes (non-photographers)
On November 2nd the Scrap Soup facebook page hit the 500 fan mark!
This giveaway is for all of you non-photographer fans (professional photog fans, see this post for a giveaway.) The prize? How about a $20 Scrap Soup gift certificate? This gift certificate can be used on any order so you can get exactly the kind of awesomeness that you want. Fabulous, right?
How to Enter
* Be sure to “like” the Scrap Soup Facebook page, then leave a comment on this blog post letting me know.
*Share the page on facebook for an extra entry! Leave an additional blog comment when you do!
Giveaway Rules/Details
*This giveaway is for NON-professional photographers only. You can only enter ONE of the giveaways. No double dipping!
*The entry period for the giveaway will end on November 13th, 11:59 pm (EST). No entries after this time will be eligible.
*Winner will be selected by a random number generator (Random.org) on Monday November 14th and will be announced on the blog and on the facebook page.
*Gift certificate details: $20 amount (USD) for use on any order. Must be used in it’s entirety, no cash back will be given.
November 9th, 2011
500 Facebook Fans? Time to Celebrate!
On November 2nd the Scrap Soup facebook page hit the 500 fan mark! I think that’s cause for celebration, don’t you?
Instead of confetti and fireworks, how about a giveaway? Yeah, I thought you’d be up for that. Here’s the plan: Scrap Soup will be doing two (yes, two!) giveaways on the blog for fans. One for professional photographers and one for you average Joes. You can only enter ONE of the two giveaways and of course, I will be checking to make sure no one double dips 
Stay tuned for blog posts outlining the rules and entry for each giveaway!
————————————————————————————-
Here they are! Enter today!
Professional Photographers Giveaway (Star button beanie)
“Everyone Else” Giveaway ($20 Scrap Soup credit!)
September 26th, 2011
StART on the Street 2011: Fall edition
On September 18th I participated in another StART on the Street show. Let me be the first to tell you that everything that the StART team touches is gold! The shows are well attended and run smoothly. There is always a great variety of artists and amazing things to buy and cherish. It’s not to be missed.
As a vendor at such a huge show, it can be a bit of an adventure to prepare. I’ve been making inventory all summer for this show. I barely put down the crochet hook. The week before StART, I even went as far as giving myself a severe eye strain (think an afternoon of double vision followed by achy swollen eyes that felt like sandpaper… pleasant, eh?) I still had sock monkey eyes to attach among many other crocheted appendages strewn about the work room. Thankfully, my mom stepped in to help with the close work of sewing and a bit comic relief. I had my dream inventory. I nearly went blind and may need a wrist replacement, but it was done. I was ready.
My sister, Tara, was my trusty rusty sidekick for the show. After set up and coffees we were ready to find homes for all the Scrap Soup goodies. Which wasn’t very hard for most of them! Sock monkeys went first as expected. Then the owls started to dwindle. I knew it was going to be a good day. We met some cool people and the hats surely felt the love.
It was such a great show and I look forward to the Spring 2012 StART on the Street. For now I’m working on inventory for 2 more upcoming shows. If you’re in the Central/Western Massachusetts area you should stop by the Blue Star Holiday Bazaar on November 5th and say hi and shop some of the great vendors that are lined up. Look for more on the Blue Star Holiday Bazaar in a future blog post!
June 29th, 2011
(The Prodigal Blogger Returns) What I Want Wednesday: Beach Day!!!
Well, I took a nice long crochet/blog/shop talk break after StART on the Street. It was much needed and now I think that my wrists have fully recovered from the crochet sweatshop that was my life for the last few weeks leading up to the StART show. I’m now back, hook in hand, and working on inventory for the Fall Edition of StART coming in September. You will undoubtedly be hearing more on this from me in the future. Let’s stick to the task at hand, shall we?
It’s Wednesday. It’s Summer. I’ve been spending long (albeit fun and heart-meltingly memorable) days with my toddler. There is only one thing that I really, really want lately. That one thing is… a beach day. Not just any beach day. The kind of beach day that lives in infamy. Close friends, warm sun, cool breezes and some smokin’ hot accessories.
The Bag: Must be large enough to carry sunscreen, bottle of water, wallet, keys and latest issue of Crochet Today (fine, fine! Bring Cosmo is you MUST.) This one from Bayanhippo’s shop on Etsy is perfect! You could even fit a change of clothes in there for some post sun shopping.
The Suit: This amazing red retro pin up inspired swimsuit is to die for. Made to order by The Red Dolly on Etsy, it is classic and edgy all rolled into one. What’s not to love?
The Shades: These vintage 1950′s red and white graphic sunglasses are calling my name. One of the many fantastic listings from Holdenism’s Etsy shop, they’d be the perfect compliment to my beach day fantasy.
The Sun Hat: Not only does a sun hat make you look oh-so-beach-blanket chic, but they give you great sun protection in addition to your sunscreen (SPF 30 ladies, no excuses!) I’m loving the floppy brim and retro cherries print on this one from Mademoiselle Mermaid. There are also some wide headbands in this shop that I’ve been eying. They’d be ideal if I was heading to the beach in a vintage convertible with Cary Grant…. sorry, where was I?….
May 23rd, 2011
StART on the Street Recap
Yes, yes, I know. I’ve once again neglected the blog for far too long. With all the prepping (oh, the endless prepping!) for StART on the Street I didn’t have time for much else, which you can quantitatively see by the heaps of laundry I’m working my way through today. But, back to my recap…
I knew going into this that StART on the Street was going to be bigger than any of the past shows I’ve been a part of. I must admit that I was a bit crazed and uncertain during the time leading up to the event. Saturday, the night before StART, I packed the culmination of months of work and planning into my husband’s SUV and had a restless night’s sleep.
Sunday’s weather was, naturally, not the warm sunny day that the forecast called for. It was overcast, windy, and downright chilly. I wasn’t exactly dressed for the temperature, but it was nothing a fleece and hot coffee couldn’t fix. We got to check in, where everything was organized to the point of clockwork. The StART team did a phenomenal job. The only snafu we had all day (to no one’s fault but my own, believe me there was self flogging involved) was that our canopy was missing the top. Yes, a vital piece to the canopy anatomy. Without it, you’re just surrounded by poles. My mother, who was my helper for the day, put on her mask and cape and saved the day with a quick trip to Target. Thanks Mom!
Crisis averted.
Despite the weather there was a great turn out. The other vendors had amazing creations and I met some really cool people. There is a new group of Scrap Soup clad noggins out in the world and I feel pretty good about that. I’m already signed up for the next StART on the Street show scheduled for September 18th. I can’t wait!
Craft Geekiness, Crochet, Events, Everyday Life | 
No Comments »