Hello! You are reading pearls of wisdom and rick-rackery by run-on sentence maker Sarah Neuburger who runs this online shop called The Small Object. The Small Object actually began oh-a-way-back-when in 2004 and is run by me, just the one lady train and is the place where I sell the stuff I make + design. I currently live in Atlanta, GA and am trying to get used to this new place.
Now, what you are reading is The Steno Pad which is the blog for The Small Object. The Steno Pad is essentially a great word for an otherwise very guttural word also known as a blog. You are welcome to use photos on your blog/website if you credit and link back to The Small Object and you don't have to ask first. Just credit me and we're good to go. I also try to answer all questions back at the original post. Read even more about this steno pad here. Below are links to various podcasts and answers to things you might now be thinking.
For all those happy couples out there, why not top your cake or cupcake tier with a glowing beam of two happy smiling faces! Yes! That's one happy piece of sweet goodness. The best part, they are a wonderful keepsake to keep for all the years thereafter.
Sharing is good. Here are a few things you can download and print out as often as you like until your heart's content and you never have to pay me a dime. Seriously, it's all free. Just scroll down on the link below to find the one you want.
These are the things you folks seemed to really get a kick out of making and doing. For all you folks who are just joining us, here's the best of what you missed in the step-by-step and holiday category (bottom of the list). Hop on board!
You can shop our products through this website by clicking on "products" at the top of this page (underneath the photo of the walnut hearts). Orders are accepted for both international and domestic purchases. If you prefer, you can also shop online through our Etsy shop! The choice is yours! Though, to see the complete collection, click here, because I don't have everything listed over at Etsy.
People can say very nice things about us and it makes me most happy. Sometimes, they even include us in their books. You can view the list of all the major mentions (click here), cause that makes me even happier. :) The list includes links to download Adobe pdf versions of the articles. You can also find most of the online mentions by searching for "press" (click here). I try to make it comprehensive but frankly, sometimes I miss a mention or two, or three or four. Who knows. I try.
In putting away stuff in my studio, I came across these small blocks. I forgot how much I loved them and how fun the process of foundation piecing actually really was to me. I need to do some more next time I’m dreaming up a project.
These were all made with the stellar patterns and directions from Amy’s awesome Mailorder #7 which has been reissued as a PDF! While I know my way around a machine, I had never done any paper piecing and its big time fun. I made some coasters from the directions and they are still used daily in this house. They are one of my most favorite sewing projects of all time, which is big business. From there I made this small quilt which I also love though regrettably it is a little sun faded on one side. That’s the way it goes. Right now, qorking on wedding toppers and a big shop update in the next day or two!
Totally off-subject, just took our happy selves to SunO for some dessert and it was so good. Not sure if these are only in Georgia, I think so, but if you’re near try it at least once. The shaved ice-cream is so fluffy, like I’ve never felt, it’s pretty ridiculous. We’re going back.
In trying to find some data on my hard drive, I can across these photos. Remember those books I made for my nephew a bit back? Well, in May, he showed me one he had been drawing in and I was beaming at the first page. He used stickers from The Small Object Labels & Stickers Book that I designed for Chronicle Books and they are brilliant to me. Such a smart fun way to use some of the stickers from that set. I love that everything was either good or bad. I’m sharing a ton of photos so here goes.
Nothing short of awesome. I ordered some to stock in my shop but I think I sold out at Renegade. But I do have some of the other items I designed for Chronicle coming to the shop with the next update so hang on tight. The update will also include a few of the brand new Today Is Super Journal that just came out from Chronicle–yay!! I’ll show more peeks of that soon, too! The new digs are feeling spot on and we’re digging in deep and so happy to report that the insanity of the last two months is gone. We are golden and I am thrilled. All good!!
This house and neighborhood feels a bit like we’re in the mountains. I love it. Still feels like we might be on vacation though. I was gifted a hanging light from Heliotrope and love it. More photos of the studio coming. And to anyone who might be moving around here, big shout out to Your Extra Hands who helped us unload our U-Haul. They were awesome, truly. Can’t say enough nice things about them.
While we’re unpacking and setting things about, I’m wondering if this house needs some WPA reproduction posters from the Library of Congress Zazzle shop, my favorites are below. I’m very curious as to the quality.
These last two months have been some of the hardest for me ever. I am absolutely convinced August will be Awesome and I am so glad to finally be in our new house. My studio is almost all unpacked and I am feverishly catching up on everything. I truly wish I didn’t have to sleep so it could all get done pronto. (The cats seem to be sleeping just fine, however.)
The week before we moved, my 2TB mega-giant-save-it-all hard drive crashed from a freak lightning strike to a transformer on my block. It seems our surge protectors weren’t enough for whatever went through the line so that along with our TV, Wii and DVD player are all shot, which is just so typical of the last two months. Seriously. And while the other stuff doesn’t affect me much, losing all the files on the hard drive has been hard to accept. As soon as we get through it, it will be downright comical all the stuff that went down in June and July. All to say, it’s going to take me a minute to compile the last round of toppers I made since the last update. But they’re coming! In the meantime, we’re here and Decatur is treating us awesome so far. We’re stoked and reaching for calm. Regular updates back in action!
This past month has been pretty intense. I think we have felt every emotion at such an intense level so many times over. It is definitely a bubbling up moment for us but with a calm to come, I am most certain. I can see it! Yet, in the midst of it all, we are also moving to Atlanta–or Decatur actually, in a few weeks. We already found a place so I am excited to explore a new place and while things will be moving along the same around here in the shop new stuff will be postponed until the beginning of August when we come back with new sea legs and a fresh new coat!! It will also mean posts will be few and far between for a minute. In the meantime, I am enjoying working and concentrating on the wedding toppers of the week. From last week and a half…
Wedding No. 177
Custom dress with bun, boutonniere and glittered double-tier base with Nashville skyline behind them.
Wedding No. 190
Custom dress with bun with button details and small floral button boutonniere
Wedding No. 197
Custom piece with standard customizations
Wedding No. 198
Custom piece with custom dress, bun, flower in hair, ukulele and boutonniere
Wedding No. 217
Custom piece with custom dress with ruffle detailing
Wedding No. 224
Custom piece with custom dress and tuxedo
Wedding No. 226
Custom Wedding Bells Topper with two pets, custom dress and boutonniere
Wedding No. 229
Custom piece with custom dress and shirt rolled up on groom on a square base
Wedding No. 232
Custom piece not for a wedding but for a Father’s Day gift, custom dress, handbag and baby with custom wooden heart inscription
Wedding No. 233
Custom piece with custom dress with linen details and wooden monogram
Wedding No. 230
Custom Wedding Bells Topper with custom dress, veil and wooden valentine
Wedding No. 234
Custom piece with standard customizations
Wedding No. 236
Custom piece with standard options
Wedding No. 237
Custom piece made for my friends who were finally able to get married in D.C.! (As of March 3rd, same sex couples were able to apply for marriage licenses in the District of Columbia.) They have four wonderful pets. :)
Wedding No. 236
Custom Wedding Bells piece with custom dress, baby bump!! and high bun with custom hairband.
Wedding No. 239
Custom piece with custom dress and wooden valentine
