HankOrange: How’d you get that name?

Hank + Orange.

Two things I love.  My son and my favorite color.

But HankOrange is much more than a kid and a color. 

HankOrange was established in 2010 during a time when I needed something for ‘me’.  My little man, ‘Hank,’ was a few months past his one-year birthday.   My husband was gone on a 12-month deployment to Iraq.  I had wanted an embroidery machine, so, as a little ‘deployment’ gift to myself, I purchased one.  My machine isn’t super fancy or high tech, but it does what I need it to do {most of the time, anyway!}. 

Sewing and designing with my embroidery machine became a creative outlet for me.  I created custom items for friends and family.  I realized I enjoyed the process- and the sense of accomplishment-  so I decided to open up an Etsy shop {why not, right?!}.

What started as a little hobby has turned into a business that can travel with me wherever I go.  As I mentioned before, I’m a military spouse.  And being part of the military community means moving, and often.

My grandma recently told me, prior to our last move, “as long as you have your sewing machine to hide behind, you will be just fine.”  Her words ring true.  One thing that remains a constant for me, is my sewing machine {and my running shoes, but that’s another post!}.   Although, at times, I probably ‘hide’ behind my machine a bit too much. 

I love to sew.  I love to create. Having an indie business has its up and downs, just like life.  Nothing is perfect.

Sure, there are plenty of times when I get frustrated.  Frustrated that a project is taking too long, or not going the way I had imagined it would, frustrated my machine just ate another project {and it is quite possible I’ve punched my machine before!}.

But when someone shares that what I created is ‘better than they’d imagined,’ or ‘perfect’ for the recipient, the sense of accomplishment is overwhelming and is the reason I do what I do.   It is the reason I love to sew and to create!  The fulfillment and the process of it all is what keeps me motivated, what keeps HankOrange going. 

The frustrations are overshadowed and forgotten when a customer is beyond happy. 

HankOrange is much more than a kid and a color.

HankOrange is a story.  HankOrange is a brand.

Please share in the HankOrange story! 

HankOrange + Monograms

A little monogram action!

After moving across the country roughly a month ago, I’m feeling {mostly} settled into my new space and I’ve been working on some new designs for HankOrange. 

I’ve been wanting to try more with monograms {maybe the southern influence?!}.   A good friend of mine recently had a baby girl so I tried out a new monogram idea using her sweet little girl’s name {initials}.  

Right now, I’m loving the look of chevron print.  I used a simple chevron fabric and a basic circle shape then embroidered the monogram on top.  I really like how it turned out!  I like the combo of the aqua chevron and the bright pink embroidery!

I didn’t want the ‘girls’ to have all the fun!  I wanted to create a ‘boy’ design too.  Since my little man does everything he can to avoid wearing anything I create, I created a custom shirt for a friend - whose little guy sports his HankOrange shirts proudly!   Keeping the same circle idea, I used a navy chevron fabric and a slightly differently twist on the monogram.  I’m a fan!

HankOrange monogram line - What do you think?  

Orange Undies

I posed a question on the HankOrange facebook page a while back: “If HankOrange were a pair of underwear, what would they look like?”

I think, If HankOrange were, HankOrange might look something like this:

Bright {ORANGE!}, fun, functional, and a little sassy! 

This fabulous pair of panties is actually a print that was designed and created by my super talented friend Dora {check out her site here}.   Ever since I’d discovered her artwork, I’d wanted a pair {or several!} to put in my HankOrange space.  I would joke with her that I needed to ‘go underwear shopping’ at her studio!

And, lucky me, I did get to go underwear shopping before I moved from California.
 

I love them!  LOVE them!
  

My orange ‘Hank’ undies are framed and proudly hung over my desk in my office.    

I smile whenever I look up and see the framed undies!   Seriously, how can you not smile when you see them? 

But the reason I smile goes beyond the fun and uniqueness of the artwork. 

The print from Dora brings inspiration and motivation.  The print dares me, in a way, to be bold.  To be creative.  To have fun.  And, the print reminds me to have fun and not take life too seriously! 

Thanks for the fabulous artwork Dora! 

You continue to make me smile daily!

Be sure to check out Dora's Site!

Here we go again...

Denial is no longer working.  Reality is hitting.  

 

The time has come, once again.  

Laughter and fun with friends has turned into hugs and shared tears.  

Once again, I have to say my least favorite thing, ‘goodbye.’   

I have to say ‘goodbye’ to the place I’ve called home for two years.  A place I’d be happy to never leave.  I’m saying ‘goodbye’ to a favorite restaurant and to beautiful scenery and to places and faces that I’ve come to know over the past two years. 

But the hardest ‘goodbyes’ are those shared with friends and family.  I’ve been blessed to live close to my Grandma and to create priceless memories with her.   

I’ve been blessed to have met some amazing people who have become close friends, best friends.  

 

I’ve done a great job at denying that the end was approaching, and that the inevitable move really wasn’t coming.  Denial worked quite well, actually.  Well, that is, until now.  

Until I realized I couldn’t attend various events with friends because I’d no longer be living here.

Until my flight was booked and the countdown until I have to leave has begun. 

Until I had fish tacos Wednesday night at my favorite diner and realized it was my final Wednesday. 

Until I went to my final spin class taught by my favorite instructor and started to tear up in the middle of my favorite song.

Until I realized I could no longer say ‘I’ll see you next time’ because ‘next time’ has turned into ‘the last time.’   

Until my entire life was packed into boxes and the moving truck showed up at our house. 

Until I drove home from Grandma’s and realized that I wouldn’t be driving that way again. That my home would no longer be an hour from Grandma’s.  

Until I started thinking about all the great memories I’ve created over the past two years and how two years has gone by fast.  Way too fast.  

Until I stopped living in denial and faced reality.  

The reality that the time has come.  The day I’ve dreaded for months.   

I say it dragging my feet, trying to put it off as long as possible.  

I say it with eyes filled with tears.

Goodbye, Monterey.  

You will be missed.  Greatly missed.  

Thanks for all the great memories.  

We will meet again. Hopefully, very soon!

This ‘goodbye’ might be the hardest yet.

Minnie Mouse Birthday!

At HankOrange, we aim to please!

When customers ask me to create something specific, it is an honor and I work hard to create the perfect item. Recently, Karina {who is a woman of many talents} asked me to make a dress for her daughter’s third birthday party.  Her little girl was having a Minnie Mouse themed party {so fun!} and wanted a ‘pillowcase’ dress for her to wear.

After the party, Karina {who also happens to be an amazing professional photographer; check out her website}, was nice enough to share some photos of her adorable little girl wearing her HankOrange

dress.  She was also kind enough to write a little review for me {and make me blush a bit with her complimentary words!}

Here is what Karina had to say:

“My daughter had a Minnie Mouse Birthday party and I went a-hunting on pinterest for some ideas for her party.  I found a dress that I liked and e-mailed the picture to Amy at HankOrange.  She (of course), found an even MORE fabulous fabric and added her own adorable touches to make it a one of a kind piece that we will treasure forever.  There was a black and white fabric along the bottom that gave it detail and definition.  She also added a Minnie Mouse silhouette with her own
little pink ribbon that my daughter could tie (and untie!  Let’s be honest – she’s 3!)  I also loved that all of the ribbons were sewn in so they can’t be lost!  Knowing me, we would have NEVER found them again.
The dress perfectly matched our cake, our Minnie Mouse Tea Party set, and the Minnie Mouse headband that I had purchased weeks before for her to wear.  I couldn’t have planned it better!

Thank you Amy for always creating such great pieces and for saving me again and again for searching FOREVER for the perfect outfit for my little toddler’s special days!”

Thank YOU Karina, for the kind words!

I’m thinking about making girls' dresses to add to the HankOrange collection.  What do you think? I’m thinking if all little girls look this adorable; every girl should have one {she makes HankOrange look good!}!

Robot Valentine ‘Envelope’ Tutorial

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Supplies Needed:

Felt - Red, Black, Gray, White {or whatever colors you want}

Scissors

Ruler

Thread

Ready to begin!
 

To start, cut a piece of felt for the ‘envelope,’ roughly 10” x 18”  {finished size will be about 10” x 7.5”}

Creating the ‘eyes’ for the robot:  Cut two large {black} and two small {white} circles out of felt.  As a template, I used two different sized spools of thread.  Then cut two small hearts {red felt} for the center of the eye.

* Optional: Adding a name.  I wanted to customize the envelope so I used my embroidery machine to add his name.  You could also cut out felt letters to spell the name, or cut one letter for the first initial.  

Creating the ‘ears’ for the robot:  I cut out Frankenstein-ish bolts for the ‘ears.’  I cut one piece {black felt} then laid it on top of a piece of gray felt, then, to make sure it would be the right size, cut around the black felt leaving the desired space. 

Sewing:  I first folded the large felt rectangle into the shape I wanted the ‘envelope’ to be.  I marked where I wanted the eyes and name to go, then I unfolded the ‘envelope’ so I could I then pin and sew on the eyes and the name. 

Once those were sewn on, I re-folded the ‘envelope’ and marked where the ‘ears’ needed to go.   I sewed them onto one layer of felt.  Next, I folded the ‘envelope’ around the ‘ears’ {so the ‘ear’ is in between the two layers of the felt when finished}.  I then sewed the ‘envelope’ and folded down the top ‘flap.’

And, Done!
Wasn't that easy?!

Your robot is ready to be stuffed with goodies and love notes for the little man {or lady} in your life! 

Robot Valentine Envelope
Now it is time to think of all the fun things you can put into the envelope for the little 'robot' in your life!   What will you put in your robot?  

Robot Valentine Envelope

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With Valentines coming up, I wanted to make something ‘boyish’ for the little man. Initially I wanted make an ‘envelope’ {similar to something I’d seen at Pottery Barn Kids} that I could stuff with notes and goodies each of the 13 days leading up to Valentine’s Day.
   
My little man is into Robots right now.  He wanted a robot themed birthday party, he talks like a robot at times, and he dances {well, tries to} like a robot!  So, I went with the ‘robot’ theme.

Once I finally figured out what I wanted Mr. Robot to look like, it didn’t take too long to create.  I used felt and supplies I already had on hand.  If I had sat down and actually finished this in one sitting {uninterrupted time, what’s that?!}, it would have taken less than an hour to make.

Here is what I came up with.
I think this could be super cute as a ‘girly’ robot too.  But, since I have a boy, had to stick with keeping this as ‘manly’ as possible.

When I showed this to Little man he responded with,  ‘He needs feet.’ 

Hmm, maybe.  I think he might need a nose.

What do you think?

Envelope filled with a letter and popcorn for a 'date night'

Next year I think I will write daily ‘love letter’ {maybe I’ll call it a ‘robot-gram’ or something more ‘boy’ than ‘love letter’} or include a special treat and have it waiting for him when he wakes up each morning.

Tutorial coming tomorrow!