Wordless Wednesday - SMILE!

to see more Wordless Wednesday pictures click HERE and HERE

SPC - Elements wk 2 - Earth

Sunday afternoons are always good for walking with the family around here. This time I got my daughter in the on the Self Portrait Challenge for this month. She sure enjoyed snapping lots of shots with me as we strolled around the grain field and played outside that day.

UpTIGHT: Fashion forward Friday

It's time to show off your up-DO'S for summer! Amelia has issued her latest FFF challenge on show #64 podcast on Boutiquecafe.com. She wants to see your chic ponytails and fashionable "UP tight" hairdos PLUS your favorite hair accessory finds on ETSY!



Here's one of my "UP DO'S". I have a few ways I pull back my short hair. I like to leave it pretty free and "messy" sort of when I do though.

and of course, I had LOTS of fun searching around etsy for some great accessories. *sigh* Oh so many to choose from. A person can get lost in there if they are not careful. LOL!!! The first one that caught my eye was this pink "sprite whispers" little number by Mikiye. I could definately see that tucked into hair this summer. She also has a funky off-beat piece called "Miss Frisky" which I like too. RRRRrrrrr!

I use bobby pins all the time to pull my hair back so I naturally gravitated towards a few unique sets of Pins like this one from foundling. Not sure which I like better? The actual poppy pins or the artistic photos! The initial hairpins photos by DaisyChains popped off the page with their bright striking colors. SO cute for kids and back to school don't you think?

One thing that they all have in common besides being unique - which I love - is they all have been photographed well and that intices me - the buyer - even more! LOL!!! A little twist on creativity or a well taken photograph that evokes a mood makes me like the accessory even more. Kuddos to all the designers of these beautiful items!

Friday Freebies!

Friday is a great day anyway - the end of the week and the start of the weekend. Everyone seems to get in "party" mode, eating out, movies, etc. BUT to make Friday's even better a couple of sites I know have Friday giveaways!!!! SO - if you are itching for some free digital scrapbook images check out Digital Freebies every Friday. They do a weekly Freebie on Fridays!

OR if you are in the mood for FABRIC the Sew Mama Sew blog has Free Fabric Friday! They take all the comments posted over the weekend and draw for some fabulous free fabric the following Monday! Be sure to throw your hat in the ring to win some of that!

and one last reminder (yes I promise) that my BLOG SALE ends today at midnight! You last chance to snatch up a pair of Women's Shaggy Mosaic Jeans for only $135.00 - Check out the sale post for more details!

Do you know of any more Fun Friday giveaways???? post in the comments so we can all rush over to check them out!

Cover GIRL!

Well not me, but probably the closest I will ever come to being on the cover of anything! ;) The latest edition of Atlanta Baby and Kids Magazine is sporting the cute MADI modeling my Minnie Mosaic Outfit. There are nine ads in the magazine that feature other photos of Madi in the outfit as well. Thanks to Carrie - the photographer - and Lisa for sending me an extra copy! and thanks to you for indulging my little "cover girl" moment.

Wordless Wednesday - Impressions

For more Wordless Wednesday posts click HERE and HERE.

SPC - Elements - water

Where did June go? It came and went so quickly and I can't believe it's already July! The HOT summer weather has definately arrived which requires lots of water to keep cool. The theme for this months Self Portrait Challenge is to capture yourself in the elements - water, air, fire and earth. This is a shot of me kicking around in the pool and drinking up summertime.


don't forget about my 4 day sale! It Ends FRIDAY!


Also - I've spotted a RE-SELL! Snatch up my most popular woman's design combo - autumn belle. You can check out the auction here!

4 day SALE!!!! women's SHAGGY Mosaic JEANS!

I'm having a sale over the next 4 days! Grab a pair of Women's Shaggy Mosaic jeans or capris for only $135.00!!! that's a $15.00 savings! I have the following 3 design/fabric combinations avaiable! Don't limit yourself either - I can do full length jeans for fall and winter or capris NOW for summer!

Option 1: Belle

Option 2: Pink Lotus
Option 3: Red Lotus

Details: Email me at info at creativeoutletdesigns.com

Tell me which option you want and send me your paypal address as well. I will send you an invoice plus return shipping. The invoice needs to be paid within 5 days.

**YOU supply the jeans or capris to me - that way we know they are a perfect fit! they can be new or well worn! PLEASE send the jeans to me within 7 days of payment.**

Once I recieve your payment and your jeans please allow 2 weeks to create before shipping back to you!

That's it! Easy peasy for some super FAB jeans for you! ;) So act quickly - I'm only taking a limited amount of orders!

***SALE price ENDS Friday night***

My "Short" Story

"who wears short shorts?" da da DA da da. - I took on the FFF (Fashion Forward Friday) challenge from the BoutiqueCAFE show #62 podcast - To post pictures of your favorite shorts or capri and shoes. Sort of a what are you wearing this summer that flatters you? I'm a bit slow to get this challenge completed but better late than never! it's to fun NOT to participate! I took pictures of 2 of my favorites pairs of capris and fun shoes to match. The first is a pair I don't wear often but just love! can you tell why????

I didn't really get my shoes in the shot but you can see they are wedge sandal and make me VERY tall. Or should I say they make me extra TALL which is something I don't really need but I love to wear shoes with a bit of a heel to them.

The second pair is a dark chocolate brown pair with white stitching. I just love the POP the white stitching gives to them. The pockets really showcase the white stitching. I paired these up with some fun heeled shoes as well! Strappy for summer and feminine with that heel. Plus the brown capris can really be dressed up and or down so easily. I love versatility in my wardrobe.

There are lots of other ladies who took on the challenge and blogged their "short" stories as well! take a peek here for more links!

and we have a WINNER!

whew! what a week! Lots of sun, fun and dirt too! LOL!!! It was so nice to come home to lots of fun emails from you and be able to read all the fun things you do while the "mouse" is away! I can relate to alot of you! ;)

But I'm sure you don't really want to hear much about my week - so onto the winners! Thanks again for playing and helping me clear alittle space! The winner of the Minnie Mouse size 4 top is.................Stephanie M. - CONGRATULATIONS!

and the winner of the Women's Lotus Mosaic XL top is..................Kara!!!! CONGRATS!!!

Please email me asap at info at creativeoutletdesigns.com with your shipping address and I will get this mailed out to you!

thank you! thank you!

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!

SPC - Environment (week 2)

Normally I would post my new Self Portrait Challenge picture on Tuesday but I am heading out of town EARLY tomorrow morning and instead of missing out on posting it - I'll just post alittle early. Do ya mind? ;)

Here's my second picture for this months theme of "Environment" This is one of my favorite environments to be in. Swimming in a sea of fabrics, colors, patterns and creating something new and fun!

Do you ETSY?

Do you *heart*Etsy? Do you love to shop there? Do you sell there? I love browsing around all the talent and checking out the fun, unique goods. I recently bought a cute business card holder from Violets are Blue. And of course it was designed in my 2 favorite colors - black and white! LOL!!!

I've been contemplating opening a shop on etsy to sell my designs for sometime now. I'd love some feedback from buyers and sellers alike. Do you have a shop? post the link in the comments section and give me the dish on the good, bag and the ugly. *snicker* How's traffic? Do you sell what you would like to out of it each month? Give me the dish! I'd love to hear it and would appreciate it to!

Good enough to eat!

I teased earlier about another yummy design coming using the scrumptious fabrics from the Chocolate Lollipop fabric line. Have I used enough descriptive words yet? LOL! yes? good. As promised - here it is!

A beautiful collaboration and combination of fabrics, styles and designs between myself and Sandi of portabellopixie. We ended up both guesting with the ladies of the ebay boutique group Persnickety for a "Camden Market" launch.

Sandi created a beautiful dress with loads of details and finishing touches only Sandi can do! I created a fun "blouse" tank top with funky mismatched buttons and of course my signature Shaggy Mosaic jeans layered up with lots of different colors, patterns and shapes. The 2 outfits pair up well together and will be so versatile in her summer and fall wardrobe.

You can see more fun projects and designs using the chocolate lollipop fabrics in the Chocolate Lollipop flickr group! So if you are needing a fix for your sweet tooth without any guilt - go take a peek!

Playing with the ABC'S

I'm having waaaaay to much fun with this! Is that possible??? I have a love affair with letters anyway. *sigh* I love large LeTTers used in home decor - wood, metal, new or shabby. Have a special interest in puncuation marks too. My favorite? the "and" sign -& - . Strange I know! LOL!!! LOVE old type writer letter keys too. And I love to be able to play around with really fun and funky fonts or digital scrapbook alphabets. Not sure why - I just do. I will someday have a wall like this that she created and posted on her blog House on Hill Road. Of course the letter of choice will be different but you get the idea.

I naturally sprung on this site when I saw it posted on Amelias blog. You can type in any word and it creates it with all these GREAT photos of letters. AND you can even change the photo by clicking on the letter until you find one that "speaks to you". Like I said WAAAAAAY to much fun! Daria also caught onto how much fun this was and posted what her name looked like here! Anyone else want to join in the fun? I'd love to check it out on your blog as well!

Speaking of letters, I have dabbled a bit with painting letters and decorating them in the past. My son's bedroom wall showcases the words, "YEEHAW" all painted in coordinating western colors and designs. I also picked up a LARGE white lower case Q at a craft store about a month ago. It was on clearance and I couldn't pass it up for the price. Such a large canvas just staring at me, begging to be "dressed up"! Now what I am going to do with a Q you ask? Just take a look!

To the average eye and quick glance it's just a small "q" - as that is the way it was packaged. BUT - I saw it in a whole different light. Just a simple turn and flip and I have 4 different letters to choose from! "q", "p", "b" and "d". Now I've got LOTS of possibilities. Could be a used as a monogram letter for my last name, thought about using it as a "b" and placing it inside a great old funky large frame in one of my bathrooms. I love frames too but that's another story for another day! I have a few more ideas floating around as options for this "letter". Now just need to decide on one and get the project done! Here's a few lettering eye candy treats for you. Love this "SEW" lettering and this blog - Say it with letters.

Do you have any FUN letters at your house or letting projects going on? OH! and if anyone knows of a place or catalog that I can get a "&" - I would appreciate it!

SPC - Environment

I am jumping on the SPC or self portrait challenge wagon! LOL!! Since I am usually the one behind the camera and don't make an "appearance" at family functions or just daily activities when you look through the photos - *sigh*- I decided to take on this challenge to not only snap a few shots of myself but continue to stretch my skills and creativity. That and I don't want the only pictures of me at my funeral to be some random goofy or even blurry ones! LOL!! selfish I know.

This months theme or challenge is your Environment. What's around you? I thought it would be neat to capture what's right next door to me yet will soon be gone.

Now this picture makes it look like I live way out in the sticks or that I might be a country girl but believe me I am ALL CITY! My house happens to sit at the every edge of our street and subdivision and this field has been my neighbor to the North. And as you can see from this other picture I posted, the field is very close to our house. The first year is was full of Mint which was harvested and sold to Crest, the second year it was full of sugar beets and this year it holds grain. The mint was my favorite because of the aroma. Several people from the neighborhood would walk down and snip a leaf or two and then enjoy a cup of tea. Last year it was bought by a developer and rumor has it that this is the last year it will hold crops. Next year - houses.

I captured this picture last night as the sun was going down. Sort of a farewell of sorts and wanting to capture the serenity and quiet we have enjoyed these last 2 years.

Wordless Wednesday - Bubbles

for more Wordless Wednesday posts visit here and here.

A no calorie SWEET treat!

I've had the most fun creating this New Hostess Apron with the Chocolate Lollipop Line from Anna Maria Horner. The design just came together and the end result was like a perfect dessert! teeheehee. I uploaded a few pictures to my flickr account and also to a few flickr groups I belong to and the response has been overwhelming - THANK YOU!

The day I was really into editing the photos I was also making brownies for a local shelter lunch I was helping out with - so no help that my entire house smelled of chocolate! I left to run a few errands and could STILL smell the chocolate. I swear it had seeped into my fingertips and dreams of "chocolate lollipops" was just following me everywhere. I even at one point, wondered if I was walking around with some chocolate on my face! Delving into those fabrics is like a no calorie sweet treat. So delicious and yummy!

This apron is now up for auction on Ebay as part of the "Camden Market" themed launch I was asked to join with the ladies of the boutique Group Persnickety. Don't you just LOVE thier name! I can't say it without smiling. I started the apron at $9.99 with NO RESERVE!

So be sure to check out all the fun designs the entire group has up. I will also have 1 more design to launch with these ladies. Just waiting for the photos. ;)


And one more treat for all you apron divas - if you haven't checked out "The Apronista" blog it's a must! I recently "met" Deanna, one of the apronistas, on flickr - which lead to a series of events and emails and that is how I found her blog and a few other fun projects and groups she's involved in. She is so sweet and has featured me on the Apronista blog today! I'm thrilled and honored to be recognized by such an experienced Apron guru as I am just starting to discover my inner Apron Diva!