Dreaming of Financial Freedom...

Ever since I can remember, I have dreamed of financial freedom.  I have dreamed that I could not work and have residual income.  Residual income.  The American dream.  It's a far cry from the American dream of the past.  Where one worked a job from 9-5 and made a decent wage to support one's family.  With the invention of computers and technology wow.  How far we've come.

Here's where reality sets in.  I do love my day job.  I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE what I do.  I love it and can't express that enough. I love the company I work for.  The people are amazing.  Fun.  Funny.  Open. 

But that doesn't mean that I still don't have a dream in my mind.  A person can dream right?  Oh yeah.  We sure can.  But that does not mean that one just quits their job to follow a dream.  We have families to support.  We have others that count on us at reputable companies.

So what is this post about?  It's about reality.  The reality is that we can dream.  We can have those dreams and we can follow them to an extent.  But economic realities and other realities need to set us all back to Earth.  Is it possible to make a residual income enough to support our families?  Sure.  It's possible.  But let's face it - a small portion of the population actually succeeds.  And is it really residual income?  Hmmmm... more than likely not.  It may be residual at first, but then... at some point.... one must work hard, harder in most cases, to ensure that the income keeps coming!  Self employment is a dream for many - most probably - but it's possible to have an EXTRA income that comes in addition to the day job. 

That's a practical dream.  Additional income.  Nice. 

I'm by nature an entrepreneur.  I've ALWAYS had an extra income going.  For as long as I can remember I've always sold on eBay or started a line of crafts or something. 

So what I am saying is that there is always a possibility to support your family with an extra income.  But unless you have a huge savings (8-12 months worth of expenses) it's not practical to just give up your steady eddie income.  Reality is there and I'm the most optimistic person that you will meet.  But also very realistic.  The day job pays my bills.  Ensures that there is food on the table.  Ensures that we have reliable vehicles.  The additional income ensures that we have clothing.  And the extras that we may want in life (you know, like bikes, Christmas Presents, etc).  Use that money wisely and ye shall go far!

Love what you do during the day.  Dream at night.  Work hard to achieve your dreams.  Work harder to make your love a reality and stay grounded.  Hard work and dedication is what will take you far.

I give KUDOS to those that have made a living being able to stay at home and support their families!  You are amazing men and women and I give EXTRA props to those women who have done it.  I know what it's like to work 2-3 jobs at once to give myself and my family a better life.  I do it daily on top of being a wife and mother.  Whew.  That's a hard job, but the strength and perserverence of the women in this world make it all possible....

Love you all.  Make sure you stay focused.  Grounded.  And real. 

Peace out for now lovies!

SediluGreen EcoStuffers - Web Store now live!

Let me tell you something first and foremost.  Opening an online store is harrowing.  Tiring.  Frustrating.  And alllll those four letter words our mothers warned us not to say or she'd wash our mouths out with soap.  But, in the end, it's sooooo worth it and I'm actually enjoying this now!

 www.sedilugreen.com

So here's a brief overview of the journey... 

Got the domain like 10 months ago. Score! Didn't do anything with it because I had no idea what I wanted to do.  Booger. 

So then I did something with it and got the shopping cart and some sort of a web design that will eventually change once EcoStuffers start catching on, which they are QUICKLY doing so!

Signed up for the merchant account and got it rolling, and then it wouldn't sync.  Double Booger!  It was like that for about a month and I had NO idea that it was not accepting the credit cards.  Triple Booger.  Luckily a kind soul told me that she wanted to purchase but it wasn't letting her.  Bless her lovely little heart!

Finally - here we are - working and Functional!  So I got everything ironed out and we're up for business!  Now, keep in mind that we have DOZENS upon DOZENS of designs but they're not all listed.  It's taking some time, but I am working my little fingers to the bones getting this site done.  It's actually pretty exciting!!

So go check it out!  Favorite it.  Keep checking it out.  Then check it out again.  More designs to come!

www.sedilugreen.com

Oh, and check us out at the following websites where our items are featured (and rest assured MORE to come in the future.  Yeah, it's pretty cool). 

Go Green Etc

SediluGreen on Etsy

Coming soon!!  

Lunchboxes.com

Share my joy!  Love ya! 

Hiatus - since January?! EcoStuffers going strong though!

Hello my dear dear friends.  I've been gone too long.  Why?  Well, apparently the housing market in my area is not too shabby because I've been selling houses left and right.  I have had some down time this week which is nice though.  However, my longing to work from home completely full time is still there - burning bright!  I just haven't had a chance to really COMPLETE ANYTHING except work.  

So, let's take a peek at what has been put on the back burner, shall we?

Blogging

Marketing

Photos of new products rolled out

Housecleaning (I'll spare you the photos of my beautiful used to be beautiful wood floors.  Let's not TALK about the carpet... k?)

Dishes

Child punishment

So, in other words, I have a house with wrecked floors, a business that has not been marketed properly and unruly kids.  *sigh*  But that's about to change by golly! (if it kills me). 

Hiring a cleaning lady to do my floors every other week.  OMG!  Is this HEAVEN?  No, I'm just at the Pearly Gates right now... Heaven is when she comes every other Monday to sweep and mop my floors.  

I'm giddy.  

So, I'm off to save the Earth!  No, not just with my baggies - but with some tips for you to save cashola and much more!  

See you later!  I promise I won't be gone this long again... Can you believe it's been TWO months?  Yah.  Me either.

New products! I just love creating!

If life were a cartoon, I'd probably have stars in my eyes all day - with those eyes being right above the bags underneath them.  *yawn* 

BUT - I have completed about 30 new designs - not all posted on etsy just yet, but here's a preview of some!  I'm pretty excited about my new method of taking photos too... I love the carrots! 

Are you in love like me?  Yeah.  I thought so...  It's hard to resist their cuteness! 

Ok.  I'm off to bed before it gets to be 1 am and here I am... typing away... again. 

Dinnetta

Day in the life of an overworked perfectionist.

Create.  Sleep.  Work at full time job.  Create.  Oh yeah, fit time in with family.  Create.  Eat (too much lately apparently).  Gain 7 pounds (how? I'm blaming chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream at midnight...).  Stay up until 1:20 am.  Get up at 6:30.  Get boys ready for school.  Create.  Drink Spark.  Go to day job to make my good full time income.  Think about creating.  Eat.  All day... Take photos of new products. Gripe out working during the day but learn to love it.  I think that it's common to gripe about a job in one breath and then say "oh yeah.  This is what we DO!  Career.  Career is good...

Repeat. 

That's my life.  Albeit a busy one, I have to realize that I am only ONE person.  I need help!  I need to hire someone to do my marketing for me.  I need to get a website... functioning.  I need to go grocery shopping - all at ONCE... not this 456 time each week bullcrap that I've been doing since I started this "exciting opportunistic job" that I took last year. And it IS a great opportunity.  Don't get me wrong.  But the hours.  Whew the hours.  We take for granted 2 days off a week to actually get things done around the house.  Can't tell you the last time I clean the spare bathroom toilet.  Ew. I know.  I think that the only thing that has really pushed me to do something with my business and start creating and sewing, and really getting this thing to take off - however - the career puts a damper on things.  The hours are just long.  Long hours at a day job career can burn a person out.  6 days a week?  Shew.  I barely have time to have a family life... But it's the price we must pay to stay living a good lifestyle!

So, the admission of "I need help" is the first step in my relinquishment of control.  *gulp*  Control.  Something that I need.  Something that I am used to. Something that I need to give up if I'm to GO ANYWHERE with my business.  I'm one person.  I can't do it all (can I?).  *shaking head*  No no no. I can't (can I?).  GRRR!  Yes.  I have arguments with myself.  Fault?  Perhaps.  Perhaps it's just a part of my charm.  *bling* 

So here's where I am and what I have done in the past 2 weeks. 

1.  I have contacted several online stores that are interested in my products!  YAY!  Downside?  I wasn't prepared.  *sigh*  I didn't have a line sheet.  I didn't have a brochure.  I didn't have products.  I didn't have PACKAGING for my products (pretty stinkin' important if you ask me).

2.  Got my packaging figured out (yay!).  Could have used help on this, but hey... control freak/perfectionist alert. 

3.  Got my brochure finalized.  Could have hired someone to do this, and probably still will have someone revamp it.... but it works. 

4.  Created a total of 30 new designs.  I know!  AWESOME!

5.  Spent WAYYY too many hours on the computer.  Got a few backaches.  Cussed a lot.

6.  Had 15 conversations with my boys on how NOT to pee all over the sides/back/front/seat of the toilet.  Yeah.  15 is a CONSERVATIVE number... Make no mistake... it will happen again...

So all in all it was a productive two weeks.  Even the cussing was productive.  Really cleansed the soul.  So I'm overworked.  My wise words of today (even though I gave some already) would be to GET HELP and relinquish the control button... it's ok.  Hand it over...

Nite nite.  Gotta post some EARTH FRIENDLY stuff now!  My fave!!

Oh so tired!

I have been working my tail off lately.  So sleepy most of the time.  The only thing that has really been helping me through this is Advocare's Spark.  That stuff is fantastic and it's been one of the sole reasons that I've been able to stay up and work my fingers to the bone.  Oh the life of a wannabe work at home mom....

So, I have been doing my research and and contacting several websites that would benefit from my products.  And, wonderfully, I have some bites!  So I have been putting my creative juices to the test and came up with my own brochures, order form, signed up for an efax number today (with http://www.myfax.com/ - AWESOME PRODUCT!), and got my line sheet together.  It's been  a busy week.  That's for sure! I also went to office depot to put my information into in a nice little presentation folder that holds everything.  I'm sure that the presentation folder is overkill, but hey - better to be as professional as possible and maybe overdo it a little bit rather than be "underwhelming".  One thing that I've learned in this adventure is that it's adventageous to stand out from the crowd.  (Wise words of the day... - STAND OUT!).

I purchased the line sheet from http://www.handmademarketer.com/shop.  Good stuff.  Great content and Justine is seriously a sweetypoof.  Really helpful.  Knowledgable. Inspirational.  Hey, if she can do this business thing, so can I.  So can you!  Just gotta put your mind to it.  Mompreneurs, unite! 

So if you need a line sheet or some advice on etsy, etc.  Head over to her blog and check it out.  I'm REALLY glad that I did! 

So, now off to tap out some more blog posts, post some photos of new products and I'm going to bed tonight WAYYYY before my typical bedtime of 2 am.  *yawn*  THANK MY LUCKY STARS....

I was sort of missing cuddling with my amazing hubby!! 

Something new up my sleeve....

I've been thinking of what I can do to take my bags to the next level.  I already have a pretty good process in production.  Everything is very well made and the attention to detail is impeccable.  I think that the designs are trendy and up to date (WHAT DO YOU THINK?  Suggestions and comments WELCOME!) and I have something for pretty much everyone. 

But is what I make enough??  In my opinion, NO.  I always need to be thinking of the next best thing, so I have come up with an even better design.  Now, to get it into play... It will take a couple of weeks, but... I think that I can come up with something that will be innovative and shocking!  Ok ok ok, so maybe not SHOCKING, but... pretty damn neat! 

I'm sending some samples out to some websites within the next couple of weeks as well. Busy busy!  On the road to getting SediluGreen mainstream!  Lots to learn.  Lots to overcome.  Lots to do.  But -

WELL FRIGGEN WORTH IT!  Every agonizing moment... HA! 

Enjoy and stay tuned!  I'll be hopefully getting the blog up to a point where I'm posting Tutorials and such so it's going to be a process, but... Hey.  Again - worth it! 

What am I doing up at 12:24 am you may ask?  (or not, but hey... segway!  LOL). 

I'll post about it in a bit.  Pretty darn amazing product I found!  Works like a charm and it's legal.  LOL!! 

Toodles....

Dinnetta

Much more listed! After Christmas!

I've been working hard this week... Got some orders out.  Which was exciting.  Got Christmas out of the way - that was the most exciting of all.  It's amazing how Christmas was so exciting as a child and how stressful it can be as an adult... I continue to think that "this year is going to be different.  I'm NOT going to let it give me acid reflux.  I refuse!" and yet... it happens.  Oh well.  Life goes on!  Maybe next year!  HA!

So!  With that said, I've been working hard to get new designs created and listed and with much success!  I sewed and sewed today (on my ONLY day off from my day job *sigh*) and got quite much accomplished.  Check out some of the new things I listed in my shop!   Something for everyone!  As always, I have them listed in groups of 3, then each size separately. 

REMEMBER -  you can get matching napkins as well!

New Designs are done and ready to roll!!

It's been a long time coming... but I finally got my new products ready to roll out.  Not all of them of course, but I have been working my fingers to the bone (ok, not really but dang it sounded good).  Between going to work 8 zillion hours a week and doing this stuff... I'm plum wore OUT.  It's tough working outside the home and trying to start a home business but in the end... it's going to be worth it.  (I hope).  I read on the "Quit your day job" series on etsy today on a very talented young lady who runs http://www.etsy.com/shop/lulubugjewelry and she said, "There’s an old joke about how you only have to work half days when you’re self-employed, and you even get to choose which 12 hours you work".  I couldn't have said it better and I'm not even in that position yet!

So here are a couple of sneak peeks.  I took pictures today before work and then edited them throughout the day... To get them just right (which didn't really happen, but hey... I tried). I have off of work tomorrow and I have a lot of shipping to do but hopefully I'll be able to list everything.  I may get these done tonight, but hey... it's all in the air...

Check it out!  I added NAPKINS!!  OMG!  I'm stoked about that for some reason.  I mean like totally friggen excited....

Check it out!  I'll have napkins to coordinate ALL (well, most at least!) of the EcoStuffers!! 

Enjoy!

NAPKINS! Notice the BOY designs too!!

Some NEW EcoStuffers (just some, not all)!

Hope you like 'em!  Now get to shoppin!

See ya!

Dinnetta

They have arrived!!

FINALLY.  The labels have arrived.  Again.  Finally finally finally!  Now I can get cracking on finishing up some new designs and adding my MUCH anticipated REUSABLE NAPKINS!  Seriously.  I'm stoked about these.  I have so many of them sitting on my recently neglected sewing table just waiting to be used.  But alas, I was crazy and didn't order them in time. 

OH, but what I did do today, after drinking an ADVOCARE SPARK (seriously I'll be posting about this company shortly.  It's stinkin' amazing... and the products are just as fabulous! I don't put things into my body often, but this stuff is right on the mark... AWESOME) I realized that I needed to put my product NAME on there and not just the company name.  Yeah... duh, right?  I have a few of those duh moments a day... Don't we all??  Please just smile and nod even if you don't... k? 

Anyway... so now I have my "old" design with just SediluGreen on them, and the new ones coming.  I'm pretty excited! 

I'll be submitting my products to a huge product retailer online and HOPE and PRAY that they get picked up.  They should because I spend a lot of time and put a lot of attention to detail in my products.  Everything that I make gets the same attention to detail because I need to to be perfect or as near to perfect as I can get them! 

Pretty exciting stuff going on around this place! 

If you know of any friends to follow - please pass on!  I'll be adding more "usable" content to my blog one of these days.  hehe  I just need to get on the up and coming list.  LOL

So be on the lookout for some new designs!  YAY!! 

See ya!

Dinnetta (SediluGreen)

Labels! Come on!

During this whole process of the start-up, I've learned a few things.  Quite a few things!  And being prepared and keeping GOOD accurate records (accurate is a good key!) of what you have in stock is so important.  I ran out of labels for my baggies and dang it if I am at a standstill.  I have a BILLION of the baggies AND reusable MATCHING napkins (oh yeah, they're sweet!!) just ready for labels and guess what?  I don't have any stinkin labels.  I thought they'd be here Monday.  Nothing in the mail.  I thought maybe, just maybe they'd be here Tuesday.  Ummm nope.  It's Wednesday and nothing.  So... I'm at a standstill.


So in my adventure I'll of course keep sharing my mistakes with you so that in case you're in the same position, (starting a start-up business!) you can avoid these mistakes.  I'm all about rescuing - I'm a rescuer by nature.  People.  Things.  Animals. Planets.  I rescue.  It's what I do!


So, make sure that you're ALWAYS in stock of materials for your craft business.  It's crucial.  Otherwise, you're going to be disappointed when you run out of things and can't move forward!


So now my new products will have to just wait to show their lovely faces... *sigh*  But it builds excitement, eh?!!  :)


Until next time.... Toodles!


Dinnetta

The Madness Begins! (And the excitement builds!)

It's pretty exciting this whole "design" stuff.  I've always enjoyed it but never had a passion for it.  In the past couple of years I really really really have developed this passion for fabric.  I like the smell of it.  The feel of it.  The look of it just lying there on shelves in my "sweat shop" (storage space in the garage)...  I just love it! 

I was just online on the destash group and picked up probably 40 yards of more fabric.  Am I nuts?!!  Yep.  Completely and fully and utterly crazy - FOR FABRIC!  I had to take a couple of months "off" of the fabric group where the girls are Amazing and the fabric flows freely, because I was buying so much.  My husband was beginning to think I was losing my mind.  And quite frankly, I probably was.  But... the good thing?  I have a GOOD stash to do MORE and MORE designs of the EcoBags!  I have a LOT in store and the excitement builds every day...

I actually stayed up until past midnight last night sewing, cutting, and creating.  Something that I hadn't done in a long time because of this job.  But you know what?  I'm just swallowing it and doing it.  Designs shall come forth!

So, the update for today?  More fabric is coming!!!   It's one the way.  Not via pony express.  Not carrier pigeon.  But USPS box.  Oh yeah deary poohs.  USPS delivers!

Now, to go pay these invoices.... *gulp* 

Toodles!!!

Dinnetta

PS - thanks for reading... my thoughts can be scattered sometimes but what artist isn't a bit loco en la cabeza??  'Eh?

Quitting My Day Job? Am I Crazy?

After thinking about it long and hard, I've decided that I think it's time to try to spend some more time with my family and build a business out of what I love.  But that means quitting my day job.  That means reducing our income by well... my income!  *gulp*  It's really scary, but you know what?  If you don't TRY, then how will you ever KNOW if you'll be successful?  I can sew my heart out.  I can create things that are SUPER cute.  I can do this... right?  *double gulp* 

I was going to try to prepare in advance and save up some money, but then it got to a point in my job where I am working 60 hours a week.  Which I'm SURE that I'll be doing that when I stop working and start creating full time, but I won't have set hours to do the work at.  I won't be working 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 6 on Sunday with ONE freakin' day off a week.  And I won't be stuck staying late if I have someone come into the model home.  It's risky, but what in life isn't risky?

I talked to a guy today who owns a gas station in a really bad part of town.  He owns a home where I work.  Well, he's 28 and has had a heart attack, been shot, almost got shot while at work the other day, been in a really really really bad motorcyle accident and still smiles every time I see him.  I asked him today if he smiles so he wouldn't cry.  He laughed (of course) and said "sweety.  I live my day to the fullest each and every day.  Why?  Because I love God and my family and of all else - myself.  I do what makes me happy every day... Everyone should."  *sniffle*  He's SO right!  So...

That's it.  By the first of the year, I'll be full time selling my wares!  EEEE!  Follow me on the journey!  All while blogging and giving stuff away.  Oh the fun it will be!!

EEEEE!!

Toodles!

SediluGreen

New Fabrics - Coming soon!

I am one that loves surprises.  And suspense.  I love suspenseful movies that make me jump out of my skin.  I love mystery novels so much that I can't wait to get to the end (when I have time to actually sit down and ENJOY reading of course!)  I love to work on projects just to see how they'll turn out... I love suspense. 

So, my friends, I'm just going to say - there are new fabrics coming.  OMG!  Yes.  I said it.  New fabrics.  For who though?  Kids?  Moms?  Dads?  Teens?  TWEENS?!!  I can't stand it! 

I'll reveal some new designs in like - well - I can't tell you!  I'm horrible I know..

So as a sneak peek, I'll give you 2... But only TWO!  (I'm totally excited)...

What do you think??  I, personally, am completely excited.  These are going to be AWESOME!  EEE!

Toodles.

SediluGreen

What IS an EcoStuffer?

What's an EcoStuffer from SediluGreen, you might ask?


Well, let me tell you what it is!  It's a super cool, super environmentally safe, super health conscious part of your life.  It's pretty much a necessity to have SediluGreen EcoStuffers in today's society! 

Made from 100% cotton, Lead, BPA, and Phthalate free materials, this little Stuffer is going to blow you away!  Not only are they safe for FOOD storage (I've found out that some bags out there that are handmade are NOT safe!  And are NOT using FDA approved materials to be next to food!  EEEK!), but they're super fun and stylish and well made!!  With a hidden inside seam and no threads showing on your beautiful exterior (meaning no sewn in velcro and no uneven stitches!) and a stout helping of velcro across the top, your "Stuffings" are going to be safe and sound... OH, and only the best designer fabrics!! Rest assured that your EcoStuffer is going to last you a LONG time and be the talk of the town - saving both money AND the environment in one swoop!  Woah.  Who can ask for more??


Made by a perfectionist at heart, each and every bag that goes out of the studio is tested, looked over, tested again and any loose threads are snipped.  The bag is then carefully packaged and shipped to your destination, wherever that may be - the USA, UK, Canada, Guam, Bangladesh - wherever you are.  International shipping is obviously here to stay! 


Style abound is all we can say about these bags.  Quality galore is what others have said.  And this is only the beginning.  Share in the excitement as we grow the brand and grow the style. 


Have suggestions on some styles?  Feel free to contact me and let me know!  I LOVE new and fresh ideas!

New Beginnings!

It's been a long time coming.  Countless hours of sewing.  Many sleepless nights.  Too many hours researching where to sell my items, but finally - it's arrived!  I have "info-d" myself out and I'm ready to start this thing. 

Let me tell you a bit about Sedilu and where we started.  (I'll try not to get this too lengthy... I can be a wordy woman!").  It all started in 1977 when I was born... HAHA!  Just teasing.  I won't go back quite that far.

I've always had a passion for creating, although I was never one to think I was creative.  I love love love to write, spell, type... you name it.  So the creativity was there.  I just didn't know how to get it out there to the world.  Then I discovered the world of sewing and from there it's history. 

I began by making customized baby blankets and pee pee tents for people and needed a name because I wanted to sell my creations online.  I didn't want something run of the mill, and I NEED to be different.  So we combined 3 of our names to come up with SEDILU.  SE for Sean (my adorable husband), DI for Dinnetta (ME!) and LU for Lucian (me equally adorable son).  But the blankets just weren't everything that I wanted to do.  And my passion for saving things (including animals, people, whatever) turned into a passion for the Earth.  So to do our part, I researched (another one of my passions - researching!) and found that there are many items that one can sew to save the earth by reducing the amount of non-biodegradable products found in many landfills today.  Woah!  Not only can I recycle to do my part, but I can help OTHERS save the Earth too?  Excellent!  Hence, SediluGreen was born! (There are quite a many births in my life for some reason... just not all of them are children!).

I worked countless hours perfecting my products. There are quite a few "trial and errors" floating around somewhere, but finally I perfected my items.  Finally found the best way to have an aesthetically pleasing product that was both durable and functional.  My EcoStuffers (TM patent pending!!) are the best in my book (and hopefully yours too!).  With an enclosed interior seam, no "sew" thread marks on the outside, fashionable prints and extra care taken to detail, by golly I've done it!  I've made the snack bag FUN. FASHIONABLE. DURABLE. And stinkin' fun to use for EVERYONE!  Yes.  There's something for everyone in my shop. 

The EcoStuffers come in 3 different sizes.  Sammich Size (7x6.75) , Snacker Size (7x5.75) and Picker Size (7x3.75).  Although the names may change... I'm still perfecting that portion of it!

Check out some of the designs! 

I'm on http://www.etsy.com/ right now and a FABULOUS site called http://www.gogreenetc.com/ but have BIG expansion plans.  Both in local shops and online shops.  I strive to be featured on blogs, giveaways, and maybe even TV one day (big plans I tell ya!). 

So please, help out the Earth and do it stylishly!  More products will be perfected in the near future like shopping bags, and other items that I just can't spill all the beans before they're grown! 

Share my excitement!  I'll be updating this blog frequently and eventually I'll have giveaways once I have readers!  I'll also be posting earth friendly ideas to help the planet survive for our children and our children's children and beyond. 

Love the Earth!  Love yourself.  Love Sedilu.  :)