VALENTINE'S DAY 

February 14 is Coming

Valentine's Day is this week and we have a few nice things you could get for your someone special.  A unique hand-made card, a candle, Simply a Bags (that can be used for whatever you need), or a gift certificate to purchase something or get alterations done.

Stop in and see us and hope you all have a great VALENTINE'S DAY !!!

OLD PROJECTS 

If you're like me, you definitely have some old projects that need to be done. We've just spent so much time with Christmas and New Year's events, parties and visitors and now we have a little down time to ourselves and what 'to do' ?

I've decided that this winter I need to catch up on some scrap-booking. I've let it all fall by the wayside and now I have lots of picture piles to put in books. And what better to do on a cold day in January...but sit in your warm and cozy home and put some pretty pages together.

I've organized the pictures according to events and I'm just going to get started with the most recent. I've saved all the beautiful Christmas Card pictures that my family and friends sent this past month and they are first. I then realized that I have Christmas Card pictures in stacks for 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010 too. So I bought a book and I'm going to get them all in one big CHRISTMAS'S PAST... so this will be my first project for 2015.

Happy January 2015 Everyone !!!

Gift Certificates for that person you just don't know what to get ...

The Christmas Season is upon us ... have you started your shopping ?

If you need ideas for that really "difficult person to buy for", we have Gift Certificates for you to give in any amount you like with absolutely NO EXPIRATION DATE.

You just never know when you'll need alterations or to buy a gift for someone. This is why I never put an expiration date on our gift certificates. Nothing worse than finally needing something altered and then looking down at the bottom and seeing the gift certificate has JUST EXPIRED.

Well at BALLARD BUNTING you won't have that problem.

So stop in and see us and pick up as many Gift Certificates as you like.

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

Prom Season

Yes it's upon us once again and there are so many gorgeous gowns out there to choose from. Just know that once you find that special gown and you need it to fit 'just right' you can give us a call for an appointment and we will make you look your best in it.

We know that Prom is such an important time in your life that we really want to help make it the best ever.

We hope to see you soon at Ballard Bunting Boutique !!!

T-Shirt Quilts

So how many tee shirts do you have in your closet, drawers, or hanging in your closet ??? Do you wear them all or do you just store them for 'someday' when you might wear them ?  How about making a quilt out of them...here at Ballard Bunting we can do that for you. It makes a great keepsake as well as a very cozy blanket.

Some of the customers have made themed T- shirt quilts. Such as all their school shirts, maybe some were all sports related, another girl chose to make one with all the t-shirts she had bought as she traveled to different places, and then one was places that the person had worked. If you don't have a lot of shirts, you can also alternate them with a block of colored fabric to fill in.

Anyway you can stop in with your shirts and we can go over a plan and what would work best for you special quilt.

Fabric Stash

Fabrics, fabrics and more fabrics...

What to do with it all ? I guess you just have to dig in and get started. Each of us stores our fabrics in a different way. Some by color, some in bins, some folded, some on bolts like in the fabric store, some just piled on shelves and some just all mixed in together.

Different ways work for different people, but whatever your way, it's got to be so you can find what you need in a reasonable amount of time. Or you end up going out and buying more for a project because you can't find what you KNOW you have SOMEWHERE !

So just get started and Happy 2014 !!!

Breast Cancer Awareness

     As almost everyone knows from pink decorations, to pink streaks in hair, it's Breast Cancer Awareness month! So, Ballard Bunting Boutique decided to help and get the word out about it! We have made special Breast Cancer decorated Andrea Purses, Simply-A-Bags, and more! The whole month of October, if you come in to Ballard Bunting Boutique wearing pink, we will donate 20% of your purchase to the Susan G. Komen Foundation! It's that simple! Just wear something with pink on it. A purse, socks, a headband, a shirt, or whatever in your closet is pink! Have an amazing pink October and come down to Ballard Bunting Boutique!
-A
President of Social Media

Networking Meeting

This morning, at an un-mentionable hour to wake up in the summer,  my grandmother and I went to a Networking Meeting for businesses in our area. We were the first people at the adorable meeting place, Birdie's Cafe on Main Street, in our growing town of Westminster. We both got steaming cups of delicious, rich coffee. It really wakes you up! Eventually, about 30 people poured in the unique cafe, and it got very busy. All over, you could see smiles and bunches of happy people - and tons of tasty coffee drinks. When everyone settled down, we started the 1-2 minute speeches about our businesses. You say a little bit about your business, and what you want for it. Some people said they wanted more customers, or more people helping out in the community. A very kind lady brought in an amazing Raven's quilt to raffle off. Being a Raven's fan, and an even bigger fan of comfortable, warm blankets for Fall/Winter, I had to enter! The tickets were $2 each, or 3 for $5. (I went for the three for five deal!) Can't wait to see who gets it! You can read more about it on our Face Book page. I thought it was great that all of us got together and shared about our businesses to promote ourselves. I really think it's a good idea for new or small businesses to really "get out there". At the end of the meeting, we all got together for a big group shot. You can look for us in the Carroll County Times! Sometime soon!
-A

I'm Back!

After almost a year, I, the President of Social Media for Ballard Bunting Boutique, am back! Shocking, right? Even though it's been an odd year, and I'll be back in school, I'll be blogging again. I'll try to post new things at least once every two weeks (probably Wednesdays or Thursdays). Since the last post, we've expanded a little! Not much you can see in our shop,  but we now have a storage room for all of our fabrics, ribbons, and more! It's pretty hard to think we had all that stuff in one tiny room though! Everyday, the boutique is getting bigger! This past year has been great for us! (All thanks to our customers!) Ballard Bunting Boutique has also introduced some new products! We have welcomed hand-made cards for all occasions by Pee Wee's Designs! You can see a sample of the unique cards on our Face Book page: Ballard Bunting Boutique. In late September, we will be participating again in the Midnight Madness on Main Street, here in Westminster, MD. We also invite you to com down and see our shop, and like our Face Book page mentioned previously. If you would like to take a look at our products without coming in, you can go to our website: BallardBunting.com. Thank-you to all our customers- we really couldn't do it without you all!
-Andrea
President of Social Media

New Member of the BBB

Now that I have officially joined the business, my grandmother, Julie Ballard, has placed me in the perfect position for me, Vice President of Social Media! My first project is to make our facebook page. (Like us on facebook)

-Andrea

Slip Covers Can Change a Room

So many people are calling about slip covers. For a long time I referred them to other sources and then got to thinking.....hmmmmmm.....why can't I do them ? Couldn't think of one single reason I couldn't and so began the making of many slip covers at Ballard Bunting Boutique.

I started with just doing some small chair cushions, but realized the need is out there, so I felt I had to expand my creativity and tackle this new area of home decor. Many people don't want to buy new furniture because what they have is either comfy, fits their space, or it's just too expensive to replace existing pieces.

So now redo the whole room with new slip covers, some co-ordinating colorful pillows and finish it off with a great window treatment to keep the flow moving around the room. Using colors more than once in the room makes it all look so much more put together.

Happy New Year 2011

It's the new year and time to clean out the old and bring in the new. It can mean something as simple as cleaning your closet or something a little bigger like reorganizing a room. Either one can be a daunting task unless you do a little at a time.

When beginning to clean, make a plan and do one section at a time. For instance, with your closet, you could start by just clearing the top shelf. Put things into piles 1. give away 2. keep 3. maybe and then put back neatly what you definitely want to keep. Next go to the bottom and do the same. The bigger task usually being what's hanging. Things that are in the 'maybe' pile can be put in a bag and stored. If you go hunting for something in that bag, it may end up in the 'keep' pile but if you don't open that bag for 30 days, it should go to Goodwill, Purple Heart, etc.

My bet is once you start with your closet, you'll soon move on to other areas of your home. It's a good feeling and in the process you help others by donating your still very usable items.

"Start with something you love"

Finding it difficult to start your room design? Start with something you love.

It can be as simple as a piece of art or furniture. Use the color palette and design to help you with the rest of the room.

If you are designing a childs room and choose whimsical art, make sure you are consistant with the style of your furniture and bedding. But don't play it too safe, have fun.

Mix different patterns and colors to add dimension to the space. Stripes and plaids work great with animal designs. Just make sure you select different size patterns. For example: If you use a small plaid, pick a print with a larger design.

Weddings, Weddings and more Weddings...

This is the season for weddings and we are getting our fair share this summer. I am proud to say that we have been fortunate to either be found online at our website, ballardbunting.com, or have been referred by previous brides that were pleased with our service.

Every bride is special to us and we are not limited to just altering the gowns worn on your big day. We can also help with ideas and tips on how to make it a beautiful day.

I often find myself chatting with brides about what they still have left to do and if I can, I point them in the right direction to finish last minute details. There's always something that needs to be done.

Of course, my favorite advise is to make a list and be organized. And don't be afraid to ask others for help. Keep track of who is doing what and follow up with them.

Weddings are all about the bride and helping her in any way we can to make her day the best that it can be.

Facebook, twitter, blogspot....

My son told me I needed a website, my daughter told me to make a facebook page, my granddaughter told me to tweet and now everyone tells me I should blog! My question is what to blog about? I asked my daughter and she said, "blog about whatever you want. It is supposed to be fun. You've been around a long time and know a lot of stuff- talk about it."

Is that a compliment or does she think I am old?