The Midwest looks pretty good!

Wow! have you seen the new fabric line Midwest Modern from Amy Butler? Gorgeous! although I'm not surprised coming from her, but she never ceases to surprise me with each line! Each one so different, lovely and inspiring and just as beautiful as the last.



Here's a peek at the fabrics coming soon - April 2008!

you can see all the fabrics by clicking here. So do you have any standout favorites! I certainly do and I already know what I'd LOVE to make with them! Happy drooling! ;)

Sew Inspiring!!!!

I am a HUGE fan of Amy Butler! I love her fabrics, designs, patterns, books, etc. Is there anything this woman can't do? Truly talented and so inspiring for so many women out there. I just stumbled upon this contest today and I just have to share it with all of you!

Craft Magazine and a few other sponsors JUST started this contest! Use one of Amy's patterns, her fabric, or just make something that was inspired by her very distinct style. Upload your photos into their flickr group and Amy HERSELF will be picking the top winner and the runners up! Sounds like the sky is the limit here! You can check out all the details about it here and the update on the contest here. Good luck and keep me posted if you enter your design!!!! I want to cheer you on!

and don't forget to check out my post below about a contest for the kiddos!

Swappin' goodies!

Woohoo! another fun mail day! Erin contacted me about creating a funky apron for her to wear at an upcoming indie craft show. She had a few ideas about what she wanted but also left a few details up to me - which I LOVE! She wanted fashionable, yet functional and the more funky it was the better! Here's what I came up with! I almost wanted to keep it for myself! *snicker* I sent it off without her seeing it first and crossed my fingers that she would like it! and well............if you want to know what she thought when she got it take a look HERE


We also decided on a "swap" of merchandise - I've loved her wrap bracelets from afar for awhile so I was excited to swap for one of those! My jewerly arrived today and I absolutely love it! She hung an "M" charm from the bracelet and I love all the colors and shapes of the beads. She also included an EXTRA surprise and I couldn't have been more pleased and giddy when I opened the cute tin and found a pair of earrings inside! Yes the earrings are cute and right up my alley but I love them even more because they are my favorite color!!!! THANK YOU so much Erin! Both pieces couldn't have been more perfect!

Here's the Skinny....

Skinny Scarves that is! Debuting today are my new accessories for Fall! Want to add some color or something different to your everday wear? A Skinny scarf is the answer! Casual yet stylish ~ colorful but not flashy ~ comfy?.....oh yes. It can be worn so many different ways. Wrap it, twist it, drape it, or layer it with your jacket! Made with the rich colors from the Manzanita line by Joel Dewberry and one of 4 new items I designed for the "Indelible" Launch. Yes the launch is today! I've added a fun detail to the scarf as well so be sure to check out the auction to see what that is!



Also newly listed today for the launch is 2 pairs of Mosaic jeans ~ One for WOMEN and one for GIRLS. Now's a perfect time to snatch up a matching pair for Mom and daughter! A beautiful mix of Pinks, Browns and Greens with fabrics from Joel Dewberry, Amy Butler, Moda and more! Perfect for the upcoming fall season. I even added a bit of leopard print to really set them apart!



And last but not least I teamed up with my littlest sister to create a matching purse! She has had fun making some for herself so I enlisted her to be my seamstress. The purse has been created in a "Mosaic Stripwork" style. What else would you expect from me? LOL!!! Alittle bling, a bold pattern on the back and loads of style and fun! This purse is a OOAK ~ One of a Kind so don't miss it!

I also had the opportunity to work with Erin of the_vintage_pearl on some matching jewerly for this launch. She created 2 beautiful pieces to match the manzanita fabrics and the aviary fabrics. Check out her items as well!

GIVEAWAY........while the bloggers away.........

So I heading to NATURE for the week! *sigh* I can smell the fresh air and taste the smores already! I'll be helping out as a leader at a youth girls camp. No sleep, pranks, hiking, canoeing, chatting about boys - what could be better! LOL! I am excited to go but have million things to get done! And while I'm away I thought it would be fun to let all of you PLAY!

I'm doing a giveaway and moving out some inventory to make space for more projects. teeheehee. A couple of tops that I couldn't sell so hopefully I can give them away! If they are the right size for you for someone in your family then snatch at the chance to get one for free!


Heading to disneyland? I have a size 4 Minnie Halter top ready to see the Magical Kingdom with you! and I also have something for the women! A size XL dark blue Mosaic top designed with Amy Butler's Lotus fabric. Great for now and great for fall as well!

I have a chance to win one of these great tops just post a comment! I'd love to hear how you play with the "mouse" is away! I'll share one of my things first. Usually when my husband is gone, I for some reason, get in the re-decorating mode! LET'S go shopping!!! I like to find something new or fun, rearrange furniture, etc. Not sure why but the urge usually strikes me everytime. Another way I "play" is there isn't alot of cooking going on when my hubby is gone. I like to take the kids out for dinner or we'll hit grandmas too on occasion. YOUR TURN! how do you play?

The 2 LUCKY winners will be posted first part of next week when I return! Until then, happy posting!

And a last little gentle reminder that my girls chocolate lollipop mosaic outfit and matching Tank top auction will end early Thursday evening! Don't miss it!

Girls Getaway - Boutiquecafe.com

Boy howdy! The first annual Boutiquecafe.com Girls Getaway was better than I thought it would be! I knew it would be fun and a great experience but actually being there to experience and revel in the moments was unbelievable! Lots of squeals and grins from ear to ear as designers met for the first time. Amazing instant connections being formed and new relationships.

The weekend was full of event after event and there was always a camera flashing somewhere. Sort of felt like the Red carpet all weekend long! Daria, Amelia and Eva are simply the sweetest most endearing ladies and I truly appreciate all they did to help pull this weekend off.

There was lots of getting to know you over food and shopping, laughing my guts out at 2:30AM in the morning as girls got silly "girl talk." Patty is one of the funniest people and so animated! she needs to be on T.V. where people can see her! She is little firecracker of a gal all packed into the cutest little body. And little she is! I seemed to tower over her but that really didn't seem to matter as far as friendships go.

The Saturday morning conference was great for networking, getting inspired and catching great phrases and info from the speakers. Carrie of puddlejumpershoes.com filled the room with a feeling of gratitude grab the present while you can - don't wait! Then Charlene May of Greggygirl.com inspired us all to achieve whatever greatness we wanted in our lives! Go out and get it! and of course let's not forget our own Amelia who spoke on "what I think HOT is all about." Not only what you wear and how you look she also brought in an emotional side to it. It was great to go shopping with her and get an honest opinion or two about worked and what didn't. I even bought a few really fun pieces for my wardrobe that I normally wouldn't have but was thinking a bit out of the box after hearing her speak that morning.

There's just oodles and oodles of stories that could be told from this weekend. Most I think will be kept secret. Hey! what happens in SLC at the girls getaway stays in SLC (wink, wink). Just don't miss it next year! Here's a few more pictures of the wonderful gals I had the pleasure of meeting.

Amie, Me, Chelsea, Dayna and Ticia (aka Cameron Diaz)

Me and Sandi

and the "gazza girls" (tee hee hee)

and the displays and giveaways - not to mention all the great "swag" we got was AMAZING!!! Thanks to Fiji water, Shade clothing, the Designhergals.com, Amy Butler and more!
Definately worth it to be there and I can't wait to see you all and MORE next year! the planning has already begun! See ya'll in Texas in 2008!!!!

Sneak Peek!

Whew!!! I got this outfit done in time to travel with me to Salt Lake this Weekend and personally deliver it to the photographer and maybe even give her cute little model a squeeze too! Just alittle sneak peek of an outfit coming up very soon! I just love Amy Butler's New Lotus Line! I used a couple of her fabrics to create this outfit.

Smile!..............It's Lotus!

They have arrived! More Shaggy Mosiac Jeans for WOMEN this Spring and Summer. The designers of Boutique POP! asked me to join them for their "SMILE" launch. The idea was to pull from something that makes you smile. These fabrics by Amy Butler definately makes me smile and what precious pictures and smiles the 2 exchanged during this photo shoot! *sigh* Makes me melt!

Susan from dandelionsanddaisies.com did my photography work. She is amazing and a great friend as well.

Bag lady

I have recently come to love and search for fun purses, totes and bags! and I love a bargain! I certainly don't need a bunch but with spring around the corner I am itching to punch up my accessories and add some color to my world! A friend, (thank you Morgan) brought my attention to some FABULOUS bags on Target.com with an even better price! This one I HAD to snatch up! The green is one of my favorite colors this past year and it's paired up with some of Amy Butler's fabric from her Belle line.


THEN, while searching around I found a few more fabrics I recognized as well! How about alittle Denyse Schmidt with this Gray number?
















and then 1 more appearance in Blue from Amy Butler's Sun Glow Collection. Pretty fun huh?