Fabulous Flickr Fabric Finds

Before I get to the fabric post, did anyone see the shocking American Idol results show last night? I was floored when Micheal Johns was voted off. Not only that, but Ryan was downright "unforgiving" in the way that he announced it. Not a great way to end the Idol Gives Back week imho. :o(

Ok, on to the fabric!! So I thought it would be fun today to highlight some really cool Flickr groups, including fabric manufacturers and fabric designers. Amazing things you crafty gals make with my fave fabrics! ;o)

Free Spirit Fabric(and Rowan)

Michael Miller Fanatics

Joel Dewberry Fabric

Freshcut and fabulous!(Heather Bailey)

Chocolate Lollipop(Anna Maria Horner)

Bohemian Beauties(Anna Maria Horner)

Ginger Blossom(Sandi Henderson)

Tina Givens Fabric

Denyse Schmidt Quilts

Sis Boom Sightings

Amy Butler Sew Inspiring Contest

Amy Butler Fans

Sugar & Spice are turning 2 this weekend(Two already? Wow!!) and while we're going to wait and have an "official" princess party when Memaw & Papaw come to visit in 2 weeks, we'll probably do something, like go to the zoo, since the weather is beautiful!! Hope everyone has a lovely wekend as well. :O)

Fabulous Fabric Finds Pt. 3

Today I wanted to highlight more wonderful fabric designers; some old faves and one soon-to-be new fave!



The first is another blogger and allaround crafty gal, Jennifer Paganelli. If you're unsure of the name than you'll probably recognize her fabric collections; Mod Girls, Girlfriends and Sis Boom Basics. Jennifer's newest offbeat and eclectic collection called Bell Bottom is inspired by the 70's. Lots of fun colors don't you think?



You can see alot more pics of this new collection on Jennifer's blog.



So remember that wonderful collection called Summer in the City by Urban Chiks that was so popular last year? Well, those vintage/modern gals have done it again! I love there latest line called Swell. It has all the perfect spring/summer colors and looks so wonderfully vintage. Anyone know when this was introduced? This collection happens to be inspired by the 40's. Hmmm, I'm seeing a trend here. :oP




I couldn't find any information on these "swell" chicks; no official site other than the page on Moda Fabrics, no blog...nothin! Anyone have the lowdown?



And last but not least is a new designer who will no doubt do quite well. Lila Tueller is a painter/crafter and now fabric designer who has her debut line Woodland Bloom coming out in May with Moda. Here's a sneak peek:



Visit Lila at her blog and let her know what you think.

Have a fun fabric-filled weekend! :o)

Fabulous Fabric Friday pt. 2

Today I'm highlighting some very popular fabric designers who have inspired so many crafters, new and established! The first is probably the most famous and is why my own fabric obsession began.



I adore Amy Butler fabrics and patterns. And her website's fabulous too don't you think? I wish she had a blog. I still want to have a Little Daisy's flower nap pillow made for Sugar & Spice. I found the pattern online today so I'll probably order it and then see if I can find someone to make it for me. Any volunteers? :o)



Anyhoo, here's a sneak peek of Amy's new Spring 08 collection called Midwest Modern:



The collection will be out this April. To see the rest of the colorways click here!

The next designer became an instant favorite with his first 3 collections in 2007.



Surprisingly I don't have anything made with Joel Dewberry fabric! I really will have to rectify that. :oP His newest collection called Ginseng will be out this May. It looks beautiful! Here's a sneak peek:



To see the rest of the colorways in this collection click here! Once again he has a beautiful website but alas no blog.

Lastly, I wanted to share a fabric designer who is new to me but probably not to most of you sew crafty ladies. ;o) Her name is Tina Givens. She has a blog too. I had seen her chandelier fabric here and there but when I found her blog and saw this fabric colorway...



...I fell in LOVE! I can't wait for her new collection called Chloe's Imagination to come out this spring. It is soooo my style! Check out the other colorways in this collection on Tina's blog.

Stay tuned for more "fabric love"...next Friday! :o)

Fabulous Fabric Friday

Today I wanted to highlight some exciting new and upcoming fabric collections for 2008.

First off, my absolute favourite fabric collection out right now is Ginger Blossom by Sandi Henderson.



If you haven't seen her debut collection or heard of Portabellopixie then you need to surf on over and read her blog. You'll be treated to beautiful and inspiring pictures, children's clothing designs, patterns, tutorials and of course her spring-inspired fabric!



I've already snagged a headband for myself that I saw when I was perusing pics in her Flickr group. It's made by Island Girl Bags on ETSY. Want one too? She has a few left, just click here.

Alas, no fabric yet for me. :o( If my local quilt shop doesn't order any than I'll need to shop online asap. I hear it's selling out fast! Congrats Sandi and Happy Birthday too! :o)



Next up is Anna Maria Horner, a multi-faceted designer who has appeared on The Martha Stewart Show and already created two amazing fabric collections so far; Bohemian and Chocolate Lollipop.



Anna's newest fabric collection, Drawing Room, promises to be something quite different from her first two collections yet still has her distinctive design aesthetic. I can see this fabric used in a lot of home decor projects. To see a full preview of the fabrics and colorways in this upcoming collection click here! Anna's blog is another feast for the eyes isn't it?

I just discovered the designer Melissa Averinos and her blog Yummy Goods this week. I'm really loving her blog but even better just a couple of days ago she posted a preview of her debut fabric collection Sugar Snap!



I adore the colors and the interesting designs. I expect her collection will do very well. :o)

What do you think of these collections? Are there any new or upcoming collections you're really excited about?

Stay tuned for Fabulous Fabric Friday pt 2...next Friday of course. ;o)
*So many fabrics so little time*

Fabulous Finds Friday

Today is all about fabulous eBay boutique finds! :o)





I don't know if anyone has seen the new designer launch on eBay called Indelible but it began yesterday and consists of some of the most talented children's boutique designers on eBay. The idea behind Indelible(great name huh?) is boutique designs inspired by the newest fabric "guru" Joel Dewberry. Most of the clothing & some of the accessories have been made with his amazing & indelible fabric collections including Aviary, Manzanita & Chestnut Hill but there are also accessories inspired by and m2m as well.
So I thought I would highlight some of my favorite indelible designs. Enjoy! :o)


I love everything in this collaborative collection by nzbug, that*funky*boutique and lollipopjewels.




I think this set by willarie is wonderful! It's unique & sophisticated.





I just adore this beautiful tote purse by pinklemonadeboutique.





To find all of the incredible creations in this launch just search, what else, indelible boutique"! :o)





Another fantastic fabric launch that started earlier this week on eBay is The Chocolate Lollipop Launch by the boutique group TheChicks. These designs were inspired by the ultra-hip fabric designer Anna Maria Horner and her Chocolate Lollipop fabric line. Here are some of my faves. :o)


If I could get these birthday oalls by *mimisgirls* for my twins party next year I would snap them up in a heartbeat! So original!




I love this hip euro mix & match set by flowers*and*butterflies.





And yes, another great bag. Just call me bag-a-holic! teehee. This one is by boutiquenutmegdesigns.








Another recent launch on eBay is by a brand new boutique group called Anthology Inc. The group may be new but the designers are not. They are some of the best on eBay. Here's one of my fave designs by sweetfeetboutique to give you an idea of what this group has to offer.





To search for all of the amazing designs in this group just use the search term anthologyinc.

Happy eBaying! :o)

Fabulous Friday

Usually this would be Fabulous Finds Friday but we're leaving this evening to visit family for the weekend and there's lots to be done before we leave so this is really a catchup post from this past week. :o)

I didn't participate in the BoutiqueCafe FFF this week as I haven't had the chance to take a pic in one of the only 2 hats that I own, plus I would be embarrassed to show those off anyway. I did just buy this fabulous sunhat from taradome on eBay:



I can't wait to receive it! Check out the bird fabric she used. It's from Moda's Summer in the City by UrbanChiks. Tara makes gorgeous things doesn't she?
I've definitely noticed an attraction to cool bird things lately. I think I'll blog about all the bird finds I've fallen in love with next week. You can also see some of them in my ETSY Faves.

So I've been trying to finish this bracelet design I started last week but something always seems to get in the way. I bought some Freshcut fabric(finally) last week from a quilt store that's right across from our neighborhood. It was my first time visiting and loved it. Super sweet ladies! Can't wait to go back and get more fabric. Anyhoo, I also bought a fabric button kit and began this design:



Some of the other things I'm planning on adding are freshwater pearls and possibly Bali daisy spacers on the flowers. Oh and you can't see them in the pic, but on the other side of the lucite flowers are round crystal-cut rose quartz gemstones. Hopefully I'll get this bracelet finished up and photographed properly next week so I can list it.
Let me know your opinions on this design and if you think it shouldn't have anything else added, what should be added, etc. That blue crystal btw is just a placeholder for another crystal in the correct color scheme, I had just misplaced it at the time of the pic. hehe. :oP

If anyone was wondering about the Wordless Wednesday pic this week, that is a pic of my twin girls all time favorite place to be....under my desk! Especially when I'm working. For some reason it is the "Holy Grail" of places to get to in the room. They get so excited when they overcome my leg blocking moves and make it under "there". What the fascination is I'm not sure. Then of course they have to get to all those wire goodies hanging from above! LOL!

Well that's it for me. I have lots to do while the girls nap. Have a fairy lovely weekend. :o)

Back to School & Bon Appetit

Today has been kind of crazy with two eBay group launches beginning and the eBay groups community forums being completely overhauled...and not in a good way I might add. :o(
A lot of boutique groups are trying to decide whether or not to move. One has already made the jump. I don't like the new forums myself, but honestly I'm wondering if we shouldn't just give it a chance. If we all up and move some will go to MSN, some to Yahoo, etc, etc. We'll be scattered all across the net! Anyhoo, I'm anxiously waiting to see what happens. *sigh*

Ok back to the group launches which is so much more fun, right?
The first is a Back to School Guest Launch with the group Boutique BellaLuna. I've listed my 1st auction which is a primary color ABC-themed bracelet that matches nicely with all those Michael Miller Dick & Jane clothes & accessories. That fabric line is just toooo darn cute! I have another matching bracelet I'm planning to list that will actually use the Dick & Jane fabric. Yippeee! Plus I'll be listing a few other goodies so keep checking these auctions.



The 2nd is TheOasis Boutique Bon Appetit guest launch! I bet you can guess what the theme is for this one. :oP Again I have a few things I'm planning to list. My Saturday sneak peek was one of them. *wink* Today I listed a watermelon bracelet. For me summer and watermelons just go hand in hand....especially in July! :o)



Don't forget, I have some fabulous earrings that will be ending tomorrow! *hint, hint*

Fabulous Finds Friday

Ok I'm finally getting back to my fabric finds. :o) We had family here last weekend(Friday through Monday actually) and after that I was busy getting some designs done to list on ETSY and eBay. The rain has made photographing things very tough. I'm sure you've heard about all the rain in Texas! Ugh!
Anyhoo, on to the "fabulous finds"! I was really excited to receive my 2 tote bags I purchased from eBay recently. Along with my new found fabric fetish, I have been nurturing a longtime bag obsession. I looooove bags/totes/etc and now of course I'm searching for any covered in gorgeous fabrics, especially if they're by my fave fabric designers(that list seems to be growing at a rapid pace).
So on one of my recent searches for totes on eBay this Happy Hobo by Kristin of Spirited*Style really caught my eye.



I like all of her Happy Hobo's but this one I just had to have! Alas, I was outbid....but, lucky for me she sent a 2nd chance offer. Whoohoo! I received my Happy Hobo(you'll definitely remember the name won't you!) on Wednesday and used it the very next day to go shopping at Micheal's...with the matching zipper clutch, id holder and key fob from ETSY of course. :o) The Happy Hobo(overused yet?) is a great size, not too big and not too small. I love the added touch of the zipper dangles. I really want to order one of her custom Hobo's and have it done with the Freshcut fabric. Ooooh I can just picture it now! But, that will have to wait until I have more "me money" to spend. *sigh*

So I just received the 2nd tote in the mail today and I have to say I was floored when I opened the box. This one is from Mary of sweetpea-totes.



I know, I know, I should have read the dimensions on the auction but for some reason in my minds eye I just pictured it smaller. It is sooo nice and large and simply gorgeous! I can't wait to use it. I have my eye on another bag of hers listed right now but just can't get it. I wish it was closer to Christmas. Any of my family & friends that are shopping early for me and are possibly(doubtfully) reading my blog, here's the link!(just click on the pic) *wink*




Awwww! Don't they look so sweet together? I think I'm "in love"! :o)




Another unique fabric find on eBay was this necklace & pony-o set by Michele of michelesjewelry or MJD Boutique.
I think this is pretty unique myself. Atleast I haven't seen anything like this before. Yes this set was made for a child but I bought it for myself. :o) When I received the set I just added an extender chain to the necklace, easy-peasy! The neat thing is that when my girls get a little older they can wear it as intended. I'm already planning on getting a matching/coordinating set so they can wear them together. I tried it on one of the girls and it does look so darn cute. They just like to pull at & eat anything I put on them like jewelry, hats, etc. Keeping bows on them is a chore, let me tell ya!
So anyhoo, I love how Michele wire-wrapped the ends of the cords and made the clasp herself. I had already purchased some hot pink faux suede cord and some polymer clay bottle cap pendants by Mei of bycreations, or B&Y Creations, to make necklaces for my nieces for their birthdays but was going to use the normal crimp ends. After seeing this I decided to do the same technique and they turned out great. Thanks Michele. :o) The girls really loved them too! I also gave them some girly-girl Webkinz. Here's some fun pics:






I've listed a few things on eBay so please take a look at the links to your right. I'll be posting a sneak peek of one of my new bracelets that I'll be listing soon for an upcoming eBay design launch so stay tuned! Have a great weekend!

Fabulous Finds Continued...

Ahhh! The twins have gone to sleep, my ds is playing in Webkinz World and I finally have a quiet moment to continue my blogging. :o)
So today I opened the mailbox to find a plethora of packages. Sweet, my ETSY goodies have arrived! When I started opening everything up I realized I needed to take some quick pics to show the wonderful packaging and "extras" that were sent. It's been raining all day and the lighting is terrible in my house so you'll have to excuse the poor quality but at least you can see my "booty" :o)


The package from LaneDesigns, that has the envelope and zippered pouch wrapped in yellow ribbon, was such a surprise! There were extra free gifts including matching Michael Miller Carnival Bloom fabric keychain and card holder! Amazing! Is she psychic? I was seriously debating getting both of these items. I was tickled pink to say the least and the handwritten note on pretty stationary was a sweet touch as well. I'm even keeping the lovely ribbons she tied everything with. Here's a pic of what she sent!


In the twine-wrapped tissue paper was this lovely French country style apron repurposed from tea towels from FreemanHouse. Looks great on and also hanging in my kitchen! She included a nice handwritten note too. She also makes herbal wraps that I'm coveting at the moment.



The adorable fabric/felt flower pins are from AndreaBaker. Sooo cute! I got these to pin on my girls clothing, hats, bowbands, etc but I may use them on my purses, hats & scarves as well. teehee. :o) I'm hoping she'll make more of these. She also makes totes, id cards and aprons.



As you can see I also received my fantabulous new car litter bag from AllysonHill! Love it! Can't wait to use it. She also included free a sweet fabric button(how did she know about my new fabric fetish?) and a little notepad with a vintage art nouveau-style picture plus her website URL. Smart girl! I love her biz card too. I think it's my favorite that I've seen from any seller. :o)

Lastly I recieved another headband made with Amy Butler fabric. This one was a quick purchase/ship from eBay so that I can wear it for the 4th of July bash at the lake this weekend. Please don't rain! *doing a little anti-rain dance*

There's one more goody on the way from an ETSY seller, a pocket mirror, and a number of customs purchased/won from eBay which I'm really excited to blog about but I see that it is quite late once again and I really do need some sleep! So more fabulous finds tomorrow I promise. Stay tuned....

My 1st "official" Blog Post

Ok so it's not really my 1st post, just my 1st on Blogger. :o)
Ahem! So for my "1st" post I thought I would share some of the wonderful purchases I've made lately on the newly discovered ETSY. Yes, I did say that I just discovered ETSY. I know, I know, where the heck have I been, right?? Not on ETSY apparently and I have to say if I stay there too long I'll buy way too much. I happened to have some extra money this month to splurge for myself soooo I did just that! Ok so here goes.....
Some of my 1st searches were for Amy Butler & Heather Bailey fabric items and boy did I hit the Jackpot! Have I mentioned that I've recently become a fabric fanatic? Oh, no I guess not! teehee. Well, my favorites are pretty much anything from Amy Butler and the Freshcut line from Heather Bailey( that's her only line so far). So I'm attracted to anything made with these fabrics. I mean ANYTHING! Things I don't need anything, "they're so pretty" anything. For instance; pin cushions! Um, I don't even own a sewing machine? Not that I don't want to...ok that's another story....soooo let's get to the show & tell. :o)
My very first purchase was a headband from ModernCharm. I'm wearing it now as I type. I have no earthly idea what I did before these headbands but I can't live without them now and have ordered more from other sellers as well on both eBay and ETSY. You HAVE to get one if you haven't already!



I found the seller MamadamaDesigns who makes all sorts of fabric goodies. I got a checkbook cover, ipod case & flashdrive holder keychain in Lime Lotus. I also love my Starbucks cappucino, frappucino and latte's so I just HAD to have this cup cuddler in Blue Lotus. (Can't be too matchy-matchy, right?)

Next up a stop at AllysonHill. She's also on my blog list. She makes the coolest car litter bags in my favorite prints, of course. I got one in Freshcut - Cabbage Rose. It will look so stylin in my minivan and hopefully will keep the "litter" down to a minimum. With 3 kiddos that's pretty hard to do!



That's enough for today. I started this blog much too late and now I'm pooped! so I'll get some shut-eye and continue tomorrow with more goodies from both ETSY and eBay. :o)