Design Challenge for June...and the winner is

Would you believe it? My very first entry into an Etsy Kids Challenge and I won! I know that it is thanks to all my loyal blog readers & facebook fans, so I thank you all for your votes! Now I get to pick July's challenge theme!

Read more here:EtsyKids: Design Challenge for June...and the winner is

EtsyKids Challenge - anyone wanna cast a vote?

I participated in my first EtsyKids Challenge this month and now it is time for a vote! You may recognize my entry - BellaParis is my username and the entry is the Camo Critters Tee & Camo Shorts!

Sorry I've been absent from the blog for so long - things have really been crazy around here. More updates on that later, I hope! For now, cast your vote and I'll be back to blogging soon!

two, 2, TWO booths in ONE!

I'm almost too tired to even begin to write about today's adventures in craft fairs, but I thought I would at least get a post started so you can see what you missed today! Here's a rundown of my day:
4am - wake up. 5:30am - Leave for Calera. 6am - Arrive in Calera and set up tent #1. 6:30am - Leave for Ross Bridge. 7:15am - Arrive at Ross Bridge and set up tent #2! 12pm - Break down booth #2 1pm - Arrive back in Calera 3pm - Jason arrived at Calera to help break down tent and booth #1...then drive home. Arrived home and CRASHED at approximately 4pm!

That makes for a grand total of 12 hours non stop and 2 solid hours of driving! Wow....busy day!

I did take a brief nap which has at least allowed me to stay up until 11am, but I'm on my way to crashing again! Check back here tomorrow for more updates on today's craft fair adventures and a brief review of each fair!

Here, you can see my neighbors - immediately to my left Brenda Scott (BB's Bread) handing out her freshly made sourdough bread! yum! And, to her right, Heather Honeycutt-Hurt with Blue Eye Creations and her hand stamped flour sack towels! And, yes...I came home today with two personalized towels AND a loaf of bread! Sadly, the bread is already half eaten...Jason and I LOVE Mrs. BB's bread!

I ended up rearranging this table just a bit with the flip flops circling the bow tower and I think it looked better that way....but you get the general idea! The flip flops and bows were made by Joanna of Jo's Bows who also helps me sew. Also in this pic you can see my new banner that I'm super proud of! I'm working on a tutorial to show how to make these for yourself...OR if you are interested in having one made, please contact me regarding colors and fabrics. Banners will be approximately $6 per letter.

Here is a full view of my tent...I didn't realize until looking at these pics that it was a little lopsided! I'm sure no one else noticed either. Looks pretty good if I do say so myself. I'm excited about setting up on June 20th since I'll have my full inventory available!

Live music! Made for such a nice day...it was beautiful out and Ross Bridge is such a nice backdrop for any event and live music made it that much more enjoyable. I'm going to have to check and see what the artists name was...I can't remember off the top of my head.

Here are two of my cute little customers who were sweet enough (AND well behaved enough!) to let me take a picture of them wearing their new digs! It is always such an honor when a customer wants to let their child wear their outfit RIGHT THEN! Of course mom was concerned about the bows not matching, but when you're cute, you're cute, right? Matching bow or not! And yes, believe it or not they are twins! Double the cute-ness!

Fall 2009 Fabric Selections

Well, this compilation will probably turn into a jumbled mess on the screen, but I was having so many issues making a collage with them that I kind of gave up. I'll attempt that again when I don't have the threat of two shows in one day lurking over me, but for now this will have to do!

I just wanted to give everyone a sneak peek at what is to come for Fall 09. I took a poll to find out what moms of boys wanted to see more of in the way of fabrics this fall. The result was as I expected...more checks & plaids and more solid corduroys. So, I have oodles of ginghams to choose from, as well as some AWESOME embroidered corduroy and cord solids. I also added two beautiful brushed twill plaids. One, you may recognize from Fall 2008, but the pale blue one is new! I of course, had to bring back the Auburn & Alabama plaids as well! The Woodland Camo is our only whimsical print for boys this fall, but there are lots to come for Spring 2010! I think with the options given, the possiblities are endless!

My favorite for boys - embroidered kelly green corduroy!

Think about pairing this with the Auburn plaid!

This chocolate cord will look awesome with many of the girls prints as well as the boys!

You can never go wrong with basic pink or blue gingham!

This is the Woodland Camo - I have the perfect applique to match!

Bring on the holidays!

LOVE the Mod Blooms fabric by Patty Young....expect to see a return of the bloom print in a different colorway for Spring 2010!

I had to add something just a little bit "loud" and "funky" for the girls....a good way to get you out of the winter blues!

I expect this to be a customer favorite - Mother & Daughter Toile...pairs perfectly with the chocolate gingham or corduroy.

Customer love

I love getting these pictures in my email! Especially when this is the first thing I see in the morning...helps put a little smile on my face!



You may recognize this little face from our Spring 2009 photo shoot (plus those ruffled legs at the top of the blog belong to her!) Sarah Kate modeled for SDD back in January when we did our photoshoot. Then, her mom held a trunk show in her home and earned several free & half priced outfits! (like that little plug for hosting a show?! ha!) This was one of them and she looks so pretty in it! I especially like the color on her and that smile is to die for!



Thanks Rhonda, for sharing pictures of your precious daughter!