<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Brenderella Designs]]></title><description><![CDATA[Crafted with Love: Custom Vinyl Creations & Unique Treasures for the Sassy Parent]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:03:33 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[The Birth of Brenderella: Giving My Craft a Home (And My Mouth a Blog)]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’ve been here for a minute, you know the vibe. CraftinAssBlkGrl is where I share the realness—the failed engraves, the late-night Cricut marathons, the "I’d rather be left alone with a Symphony bar" moments, and the truth about being an empathetic human in a chaotic world. ​But as I’ve been growing this "hustle," I realized something: the personality and the product needed their own rooms in the house. ​Why the Split? ​I love being the "Crafting Ass Black Girl." It’s me. It’s my voice....]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/the-birth-of-brenderella-giving-my-craft-a-home-and-my-mouth-a-blog</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c27</guid><pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:21:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_c7e8a516031c447d85c2667f82f36db9~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mom's Sh*t List (And Yes, I Lost Mine While Making It) ]]></title><description><![CDATA[So… I made a sign. Well, tried  to make a sign. It says "Mom's Sh*t List." You know, the house rules. The things every mom thinks but doesn't always say out loud. "Don't make me turn this car around." "I'm not a vending machine." "Ask your father." That energy. I was feeling inspired. On a whim, I sat down to design it — maybe an hour total to design, cut, and weed. Everything was flowing. I was in my zone. This was gonna be fire. Then… reality hit. The Scene: Oscar (our dog, for the newbies)...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/mom-s-sh-t-list-and-yes-i-lost-mine-while-making-it</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c1a</guid><pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:47:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_a081565347ec49af90e557f9be76db3b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Balancing Act: Navigating Career, Family, and Creativity in a Chaotic Life]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hey family! It's been a minute since I sat down to just… talk. Like, really talk about where I'm at. If you've been around, you know Craftin Ass Blk Grl isn't just a shop — it's a declaration. A reminder that I'm more than a label. More than "mom," more than "wife," more than "employee." I'm all of those things, and I'm also this creative force that refuses to be dimmed. But let me keep it real with you: some days, the juggle feels impossible. The Current Season Right now, my life looks like:...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/balancingact</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c2b</guid><pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:51:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_9bba89ff95144a008f43aae83dd8f542~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Real Talk: The Hiatus, The Hustle, and The New Journey ✨]]></title><description><![CDATA[​What’s up, my creative tribe! Listen, I know the site has been looking a little like a ghost town lately. I’m not even going to hit you with the "I’ve been busy" cliché—even though, chile , your girl has been BUSY. ​If you know me, you know I don’t just "do" crafts; I live a lifestyle that’s 100% DIY and 100% heart. But lately, life decided to throw a few extra projects on my plate that didn't involve a silhouette or a weeding tool. ​The Ultimate Tag-Team: The Sublimation Hustle  ​First...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/real-talk-the-hiatus-the-hustle-and-the-new-journey</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c1e</guid><pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:14:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_ae8113b424274d83818b09f6e1d22fae~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[10 Years, Two Sick Kids, and a Whole Lot of Grace]]></title><description><![CDATA[​If I told you this week was a "vibe," I’d be lying. To be real with y’all, this week was a complete clusterfuck. ​It started with a sick toddler and a Monday that was a certified dumpster fire before 9:05 AM. You know those mornings where you’re moving so fast you’re actually standing still? Yeah. I forgot an IEP meeting (we made it, but the "fashionably late" card was played hard), and by Thursday, I was clocking into work 30 minutes late. By Friday? The oldest boy caught whatever the...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/10aye</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c3d</guid><pubDate>Sun, 08 Feb 2026 23:33:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_ef778c3574a74fdd86f67a03030eca86~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Keeping it Real: Grief, Growth, and a Whole Lot of Glitter]]></title><description><![CDATA[​Hey family! I’m going to be honest—I’ve been away from the blog for a minute. I’d love to say I was just "busy," but the truth is a bit more layered than that. ​The Heavy Stuff: Grief Isn't a Straight Line ​This year marks 10 years since my mom passed away. You’d think a decade would make it "easier," but grief isn't linear. It’s a messy, looping circle. Lately, I’ve been caught in that weird tug-of-war: trying my hardest to stay present for my family while simultaneously wanting to just...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/keeping-it-real-grief-growth-and-a-whole-lot-of-glitter</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c3e</guid><pubDate>Sun, 01 Feb 2026 03:55:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_ce9630a720fe460ab989857a7b5a64c8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reflections in Neon: Finding Peace on MLK Day]]></title><description><![CDATA[​Today is MLK Day, and honestly, the weight of it hits differently this year. ​As a Black woman, today is always a mix of deep pride and an even deeper exhaustion. We celebrate the dream, but we also feel the sharp edges of the reality that hasn't quite caught up yet. It feels like we are constantly navigating a world-changing event, a new headline, or another mountain to climb. ​At every turn, there is something trying to steal our peace. And as a mom, I’m doing the ultimate balancing act:...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/reflections-in-neon-finding-peace-on-mlk-day</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c28</guid><pubDate>Mon, 19 Jan 2026 17:23:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_88edb9c9dfd74b19bc7b06a48195ea68~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Soft Life? I Have Three Kids. I’ll Settle for a "Quiet Minute." ​]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you see me on social media looking like I’ve got it all together, just know there is a 99% chance there’s a pile of laundry and a stray nugget just out of frame. ​I love the "Soft Life" aesthetic—the silk robes, the slow mornings, the peace. But I’m a Craftin’ Ass Blk Grl with a business to run and a household that is anything but quiet. My life isn't "soft"; it’s high-energy, high-functioning, and high-key loud. ​The "Peace" is a Group Effort ​Trying to find "ease" as a Black woman...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/soft-life-i-have-three-kids-i-ll-settle-for-a-quiet-minute</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c1c</guid><pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 03:10:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_83403c2f050d4a3d89c98e39e7a614b6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Highs, Lows, and Superhero Bows: A Week of Crafting &#38; Connection ✨]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hey y’all! If you’ve been hanging around here for a while, you know my golden rule: Stop saving your "good" materials for a special occasion. Use the pretty leather. Cut into the glitter sheets. Life is the special occasion! ​Well, I took my own advice this week while working with some gorgeous faux leather on my Cricut. And while things didn’t go exactly according to plan, the results were even better than a "perfect" project. ​The Perfect Date: Crafting with my Daughter ​I started the week...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/highs-lows-and-superhero-bows-a-week-of-crafting-connection</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c3b</guid><pubDate>Sun, 11 Jan 2026 20:32:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_17bdbb23091a42168a3558caaca1793f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[​✨ 2026: More Color, More Texture, More Us.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Happy New Year, Fam!  ​Listen, we made it to 2026. Take a real second to just... breathe. Whether 2025 was a year of "final boss" energy or a year where you felt like you were just trying to keep your head above water, you’re here. The mats are sticky, the blades are sharp, and the vibes? F*cking immaculate! ​Being an '89 baby, I’ve realized that I’m officially in my "protecting my peace and my blade depth" era. We’re 36 now, y'all—we’re too old to be stressed out by buggy software or...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/2026-more-color-more-texture-more-us</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c26</guid><pubDate>Sun, 04 Jan 2026 18:47:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_88ff07c2e13945928f7b36c6e92041e5~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[OURstory HER Edition]]></title><description><![CDATA[✨ The Wait is Over: Pre-Order the 2026 "OurStory" Tiny Desk Calendar! ✨ I am thrilled to finally share my latest creation with you all. The 2026 OurStory Desk Calendar: Her Edition is now officially available for Pre-Order at craftinassblkgrl.com ! This calendar is more than just a way to track the days—it’s a celebration of us. I created the "OurStory" edition to ensure that every time you glance at your desk, you see a reflection of Black joy, history, and community. Why This is a Pre-Order...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/ourstory-her-edition</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c19</guid><pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:46:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_28765f3b409c4f14a78053d54de79528~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Best Tool in My Craft Room Isn’t My Cricut—It’s My Husband]]></title><description><![CDATA[We’ve all seen the memes, right? The ones about hiding the Michael's bags in the trunk of the car or whispering to the delivery driver to "leave the vinyl behind the bushes" so our partners don't see the hobby spending. ​For a long time, I felt like I had to justify my crafting. As a full-time employee, a wife, and a mom, I felt like every minute (and every dollar) spent on my Cricut Maker 4 was "taking away" from my responsibilities. ​But lately, my journey of finding me again has taken a...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/the-best-tool-in-my-craft-room-isn-t-my-cricut-it-s-my-husband</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c39</guid><pubDate>Sat, 27 Dec 2025 01:57:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_ecf51a2bfa944c2988d4de17071f72b8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Christmas Slay-cation: Tacos, True Crime, and the Joy of Doing Absolutely Nothing]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let’s be for real : December usually feels like one long sprint toward a finish line that keeps moving. Between the deadlines, the shopping, and the "holiday cheer" (which usually just feels like a lot of traffic), by the time the 25th rolls around, I’m usually spent. ​But this year? The vibe is officially Protected Energy.  I’m staying home. I’m ignoring the clock. And the only thing on my "to-do" list is existing. There is a specific kind of soul-relief that comes with knowing you have zero...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/the-christmas-slay-cation-tacos-true-crime-and-the-joy-of-doing-absolutely-nothing</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c2a</guid><pubDate>Wed, 24 Dec 2025 02:45:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_1ecb20d9697b46efb1e0e8b8413e41d3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[​ Confession Time: My Crafting Is Not Funding My Life (And That's Okay!)]]></title><description><![CDATA[​Hey Sis, ​I want to talk straight with you today, because if you follow me, you know that transparency is what I promised. Sometimes, when you see beautiful projects, colorful fabric hauls, or a seemingly endless stream of creative energy online, it's easy to assume things. It's easy to think, "Wow, she must be selling so much!" or "I wish my hobby could pay my bills like hers." ​Let me set the record straight: My crafting, right now, is not funding my life in any way. ​‍♀️ This Is Not a...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/fundingmylife</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c23</guid><pubDate>Sun, 14 Dec 2025 02:17:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_8094d510200442889048057c6852058a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_384,h_434,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ The Debut Disaster: My Santa Cam is Ready to Bowl! ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hey Crafty Fam! Y'all know I was absolutely GEEKED to launch my first-ever holiday product: the Santa Cam Ornament! I spent hours perfecting the design, weeding that vinyl, and making sure the final product was black, sleek, and giving maximum "Mommy said Santa is always watching" energy. It was my baby, my debut product, and I was ready for the internet to bow down to my crafting prowess! ​I posted the finished product, ready for the praise, the hearts, and the inevitable rush of orders. I...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/the-debut-disaster-my-santa-cam-is-ready-to-bowl</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c35</guid><pubDate>Sun, 07 Dec 2025 21:47:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_18adee1bb66741a3817ca89ee8dcb687~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[​Part 2: Navigating These Holidays When Your Heart Ain't Right: It's Okay, For Real]]></title><description><![CDATA[ Y’all. Thanksgiving 2025 Reflection: It's Okay Not To Be Okay, Sis. ✨ Y'all. Whew. Let’s talk about this Thanksgiving 2025 reflection, because it was a whole mood, a whole journey, and honestly, a whole vibe shift. We stayed at home. As usual. This is our new norm, and real talk? I'm ok with it. We cooked exactly what we wanted, how we wanted—no compromises, no performing. Pajamas all day. Only had the company we invited. Simple. Peaceful. The Ride Home Sucker Punch  But listen. Riding...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/part-2-navigating-these-holidays-when-your-heart-ain-t-right-it-s-okay-for-real</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c1b</guid><pubDate>Fri, 28 Nov 2025 01:07:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_857a70b1998d48dea9791e7db8247ba8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[​Navigating These Holidays When Your Heart Ain't Right: It's Okay, For Real.]]></title><description><![CDATA[​Honey, let's be honest. The holidays? They're supposed to be all sparkle, joy, and "fa-la-la-la-la." But if you're like me, sometimes they just hit different. Sometimes, they hit hard. They can be a loud reminder of who's missing, what's changed, and the ache in your soul. And if that's where you're at right now, let me tell you straight: it is absolutely, 100% okay not to be okay. For real. ​Grief, chile, that thing is a whole journey. It's heavy, it comes at you in waves you never see...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/navigating-these-holidays-when-your-heart-ain-t-right-it-s-okay-for-real</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c2e</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Nov 2025 03:49:44 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[​ The Unspoken Power of Our Hands: How Making Becomes Self-Definition]]></title><description><![CDATA[Yo, check the mic, one two.  When you finally finish that quilt, that dress you tailored, or that painting you’ve been zoning in on, what did you really whip up? Just another finished project? Nah, fam. You birthed a moment of radical self-possession. That’s the real. See, for us—Black women—making stuff isn't just some cute hobby you pick up on the weekend. It’s legacy. It's a necessary act of taking back what’s ours. It's a quiet, deep-seated resistance against a world that always wants...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/the-unspoken-power-of-our-hands-how-making-becomes-self-definition</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c33</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Nov 2025 03:16:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_2172911044dd43c2ab3215e43c935bf0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[We live baby!!!]]></title><description><![CDATA[I did it! We live baby! The shop has officially moved from the Etsy Platform to my site. A few of my favorite products are ready for purchasing. Ill be adding through the week. As well as a gallery page. I do alot of custom requests! Reach out if you have a project in mind. We can chat! Remember sis, seasonal depression is real. Open the blinds early. Drink your water. Watch your favorite movies. Burn your favorite scents. Take care of you! I'm beyond grateful for the support. The views,...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/we-live-baby</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c24</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:54:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_168468c5545a43139cb34eed2413baa2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Kindness is Free]]></title><description><![CDATA[Tuesdays are by far the longest day of the week for us. Sometimes an early morning, night activities, after school activities, team meeting day, and whatever else. Basically our day is accounted for up until Wednesday after school and work. Went to dance after I got off to be there when Ana switches classes. We chat between classes while she changes shoes. Today was different. We chatted, she ran to hip hop and put her tumbling shoes in her bag. The mom next to me, goes "wow that was a great...]]></description><link>https://www.brenderelladesigns.com/post/kindness-is-free</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d31fcad0235c0e746c9c3c</guid><pubDate>Wed, 12 Nov 2025 04:10:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28d3ea_396be52726544bfaa5727bcefbd574db~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_647,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>bldixon8907</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>