Fay--The Aftermath

Well--one down! You might have heard about the widespread flood all over Florida. This is the worst that I remember. Not even past hurricanes caused such massive flooding. The storm actually came late since it was predicted to arrive at midnight but actually the relentless rain actually started at about 6:00 am.

This was about lunchtime. That bird is probably Sam. He's a permanent fixture in our backyard. He was so cool-- oblivious to the pouring rain and 60 mph wind! At this point I was getting worried as the water level kept getting higher.

By mid afternoon the strip of grass had all been covered with water and the lake and the small creek had merged. I was thinking we were certainly going to get flooded. We have a strip of grass before the backroom (where our three bunnies stay)but it didn't take long to get the water this high.

The day after. What a mess! At least we didn't get flooded.

Outside around the neighborhood. I was thinking well it wasn't so bad the water will receed soon. Well I spoke too soon because when I tried to get out to the main street the water was knee high!

Hurricane 2008

Here we go again! Living in gorgeous Florida is synonymous with tropical storms and hurricanes. We are not in the direct path of Fay but we will experience wind gusts of about 50 mph arriving midnight. I went through Andrew in 1992 and two back to back hurricanes (within 20 days each other) Frances and Jeanne in 2004. I am proud to say I am as prepared as I can ever be. Unfortunately for some they do it when a storm is approaching. I should have known better than to go to the grocery last night. On top of back to school shopping people were doing hurricane shopping and I was in line for half an hour at the check out counter!

I have been doing laundry because power failure is expected. In between loads I was trying to finish orders so hopefully they can go out on Wednesday.

My daughter is supposed to start school tomorrow. She had everything ready--uniforms pressed, new backpack filled with tons of pens and fancy binders--oh well she got an extra day of summer vacation!

Website Disaster!!!

It is 11:00 Pm EST and I just made a big mess of my website! I just want to shrivel and die. I had a new template installed and everything was fine and dandy a few minutes ago and I was trying to put in the Paypal logo and my biggest nightmare just came true. When I do some changes or additions (I haven't for a long time) I usually leave two similar windows open. If I made a mistake I would just go to the first window, update it and it would revert back to the original. This time though my brain wasn't functioning properly and I got confused. I have been working with my web designer most of the day and I guess it got to a point that my brain got fried. I just emailed her and hopefully will get back with me soon. I feel so embarrassed as she had been so helpful and patient with me today. I surely will have a restless night!

Tadpoles!! Day 1

I was pulling out weeds yesterday morning when I noticed some black wiggly things in our water fountain. Upon closer inspection I realized they were tadpoles and lots of them! I didn't notice any eggs in there (they look like tapioca suspended in sticky white froth). My daughter freaked out though--can you imagine how many frogs will there be? It is a treat to me though. We used to have a couple of doves lay eggs in the Spring. They loved one of our orchids pots hanging up front. One time they never came back but the eggs hatched. We had to call animal control so they can remove the poor chicks in there.

Anyway back to the tadpoles. In 4th grade we had a large aquarium where we had to observe how the eggs evolve into tadpoles and then to frogs. It was so much fun watching them hatch, see the tadpoles slowly lose their tails to be replaced by legs. We had so much fun. My question is do I leave them alone or put something to feed them? Any feedback would be wonderful. I will keep you posted.

New Fabrics in the House!

Hello everyone it's been a long long time! I have been so caught up with a couple of large wholesale orders.Finally I can start using the new fabrics I got a couple of weeks ago.It was hard not to touch them but I had some stuff to finish.

Retro floral prints. I love the two large scale prints on the right.

Bold colors and amazing prints some with chandeliers on it.

Yummy florals and paisley!

My creative juices are just spinning nonstop. From my favorite designer, Amy Butler.

Until next time. Have fun!

We have a winner.....

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day. The winner is----Kaye Stone. Congratulations!

Mother and Daughter Handbag Set Featured in Mag!

It is finally here! Our Imelda and Reaganne Handbag Set was featured in Woman's World May 12 issue. I was contacted last March about either the Mother and Daughter Sets or the Michelle Fabric Headbands being featured on their magazine. I didn't know it would be on their Mother's Day Issue.

Since I am on Cloud 9 right now and Mother's Day is coming up I am giving away a matching Michelle headbands, a Deanna wristlet,Yvette Phone/gadget keeper , Maddy cosmetic bag or a Beth fabric belt of your choice. Just leave a comment here and I will draw a winner on Sunday, May 11. I will announce the winner here. Please claim your prize within 3 days.

Have a fabulous Mother's Day everyone! Debbie.

Price not Claimed--Another Itsy Bitsy Pouch Winner Announced!

Well Colleen it's your lucky day, you won an itsy bitsy pouch as our winner hasn't responded within the time allotted. Please claim your price within four days. I can't stay long ladies I just wanted to say hello. Have a productive week.

Itsy Bitsy Pouch Winner

Sorry about the delay ladies. It is such a beautiful day. We have an unexpected cold front at this time of year. Mid 50s. Yeah! So I went for a walk at about 9:00 and it felt so invigorating. I really have to make time as I am lucky enough to live where walking or biking is very conducive. I know I should do this everyday but sometimes I have to finish some orders before mail pickup. It is so convenient nowadays--just print your postage at home and schedule a pick up. No need to wait and save money and gas! My lady carrier, Carol is so sweet and I love chatting with her once in a while.

The lucky winner is---elliemae! Contact me within 4 days and tell me which one you want. Thank you to all . There will be another giveaway soon. Have a great day.

Meet Yvette--Cell Phone/Gadget Case

My 12-year old daughter had been asking for a pouch to put in her most precious possessions--camera,cell phone and iPod. Even during my craft shows last year people were asking. After numerous drafts and 5-6 sample pouches it is finally ready (well almost as I still have to put them on the site). I love pockets and this is a great add on as well as a decorative element. It can be hooked to a purse strap or through a belt loop.

One of the sample pouches. It was too small for the other gadgets. This one is sized for a Razr.

It was such a beautiful day I had time to catch up on my reading and took pictures.
Presenting----Yvette, named after my sister-in-laws's sister. I am still preparing the images and hopefully be ready on the site by this weekend.

Our Spring freebie is still on. You have till the 15th to leave a comment before the drawing. Check it out here.

Spring Freebie!! Design your own Itsy Bitsy Pouch

I might have signed off a few times last week. I thought the start of Spring is this week and I planned to give one cute as a button itsy bitsy pouch. Anyway we have a cold front today, in the low 50s and in South Florida that is COLD. Most often than not when there's a considerable drop in temperature I get the sniffles. I can't complain, it is beautiful outside and it makes me feel happy to be alive-- until Summer when only the brave would go out in the sun and get fried.

Okay ladies leave a comment until April 15th and I will draw one lucky winner to get one Design Your Own itsy bitsy pouch (Rachel).

You can choose from my fabric collection (I will be adding more) or any fabric you see in my website.

I am off to do more sewing. Have a fabulous day.

My New Bed!

I finally got my bed done. It looks so nice I can't stop staring at it!

After buying my new bed and sheets this rocking chair was sticking out like a sore thumb. It just didn't go with anything so I decided to paint it brown. It is a vintage Ethan Allen that I got from an estate sale a few years ago. Very comfortable and it is where I sit when I find time to read. During the day a lot of natural light comes through and I have a view of a small garden patch directly by the window and further back, the water fountain from the lagoon.

At long last I can show you my new bed. I bought the headboard and bed frame (eliminating the need for a dust ruffle) about a month ago from West Elm. I haven't treated myself lately and I have been sewing like there was no tomorrow. A week after this post I went ahead and bought it. A birthday present for myself, so to speak. I have put it at an angle because the room's configuration (is that the right word?) changed since the old closet was removed and a new walk in closet was put in right across the bed. The Chinese cabinet had to be moved to accommodate the closet door. I made all the pillows except the ones that came with the duvet including the one in the rocking chair. The vintage Oriental glass topped bedside table was from the antique store across the street. The inspiration for the capiz shell strands was from an old West Elm catalog. I decided to use the small window as another decorative element instead of hiding it behind a curtain as I originally planned. I made the silk dupioni curtains too.

I am loving the white and espresso color combo so much that I bought another duvet set.

And the winner is.......

After all the nail biting from everybody, the winner was announced today. Check it out here. So many talented ladies and all entries are winners in my book. I consoled myself by saying---well I a really need an embroidery machine not a quilting machine and I have all those books (for the runners up) anyway!

Amy Butler Sew Inspiring Contest Entry

This is my entry to the Amy Butler inspired bag. The winner will be chosen the week of March 10. Grand price is a 2,000.00 sewing machine! I was able to finish it (took be about 1 1/2-2 hours) just in time for the February 29th deadline.

For the little princess who likes all the frills the Riyanna Cutie Pie Handbag is a perfect fit! This is one of my favorite prints--perfect for a flower girl! I used sunburst roses for the main print paired with coordinating stripes. Accented with the sweetest double ruffle in pink dotty beans and scalloped edged Swiss embroidery that echo the main print.

Preppy white ribbon closure.

Twirly girly girl ruffles. The double ruffles remind of the fancy smocked/heirloom dresses I used to make for my darling daughter.

I used pink dotty beans for the lining and blue exotic birds fabric for the pocket. This Cutie Pie Handbag has two pockets for her treasures and a pencil slot.

It's my birthday--it's my birthday!!! Itsy Bitsy Pouch Giveaway

Actually it WAS my birthday on the 24th but I haven't had a chance to post something here. I just turned -tyfive (I am not telling) but my friends say I look younger. As a young kid I used to be teased about missing some screws up there because I was born close to the 29th ( February being an incomplete month). As usual I'm running into myself these days trying to finish up orders and being a single mom. That said, I am giving away one itsy bitsy coin pouch. If you happen to drop by just leave a comment by 12:00am EST March 2. I will announce the winner 2:00 pm that same day.

Center top-- First Love is not available it was ambushed yesterday. Take your pick. Top left--Abbey road, strawberries and cream. Top right--apples and pears oh my!, not a wink. Lower center--mocha temptation.

Starting from top left--candy blossoms, purple dreams (not available), green moca and ladybug vine. From top right--feathered friends, cocoa mint, Asian blooms (sorry not available) and strawberries and cream.

Have a fabulous day!

Fabrics from Fave Designers

I am so excited about a new line of fabrics coming in a few months by two of my favorite designers--Joel Dewberry and Amy Butler. Scrumptious prints as usual and I can't wait to get get my hands on them! My head is abuzz already planning what to make with them.

These are from Joel Dewberry's Ginseng Collection, who I recently learned is Donna Dewberry's son. She's the creator of the "One Stroke Painting". I took some classes locally but was cut short when I started my biz.

Jasmine Palette

Mulberry Palette

Spice Palette

These are from Amy Butler's Midwest Modern Line

Hmmm I have to make room for more fabrics!

More Fabric Closet Pics

When a friend of mine read my previous blog she called me and asked why am I showing just a little snippet of my fabric closet? She wanted to see the inside from all angles! So here goes:

Amazingly enough I have more space to spare at the bottom. I have kept this neat for two weeks now and I hope it stays that way.

STUDIO FRIDAY: THE HEART OF YOUR STUDIO!

I joined this group, Studio Friday a few months back but never got around to post anything. I have been lurking but not really participating.

The topic for this week is--"Where or what is the heart of your studio/creative space? Is it your desk or maybe a special piece of furniture, a window, a piece of art on the wall, your idea board, or one of your tools, a jar with ribbons on the shelf...? "

The timing of this topic is so perfect. I have been laboriously fixing my studio and this is going to be the year that I will finish decorating it!

This is a mini walk in closet where I put all my quilting cottons (decorator fabrics still to be tackled) and ribbons which I mostly use for my handbags. I had just organized it and I know where everything is. It is on this step that I sit, my studio being under the eaves and I can't really stand up straight even at 5'3" tall, and gaze and touch them lovingly planning my next creation. This is where my creative juices flow and I will have a floor cushion soon as it takes toll on my back to sit too long!

New Pillows

I finished painting my room and my daughter's last December. I would sew in the morning and finish up the orders that would go out that day then paint in the afternoon with my brother's help. I was practically running into myself but I feel so good when I look at my handiwork.We had my other brother and her family from Arizona over the Holidays and it was so much fun showing them all my "new stuff". I managed to make some pillows using my favorite fabrics. I wish I can squeeze in more time to make more sets. I can only show portions of my room right now as some are not yet done--I am organizing everything and what you don't see is in chaos but I am getting there. To me that small window is an eyesore. I had a huge painting covering it before. I was thinking either get a Chinese carved window frame or put curtains to simulate a larger window matching the one right by the bed. It needs to be covered since light comes through and hits my tv.

Since the old closet had been taken out I have more space (left of the screen) where I do my workouts! Love the way my bed looks positioned at an angle.

I've always had white pillowcases but this time I want color and pattern. I did a patchwork on the breakfast pillow then quilted it. If only I can get enough sleep!

One of my precious possessions, a 1940s Hollywood Regency Chinese Wedding Cabinet that I use as an entertainment center/storage.

The headboard has to go--I've had this for years and years as I was into Victorian and shabby chic a few years ago. Now I want eclectic modern. I like to mix contemporary with Oriental/exotic pieces. I have been checking out West Elm.

This is my favorite which has an Oriental motif. It would go so well with my Chinese cabinet.

The same headboard in a different room setting.

Low wood headboard. Love the lamp.

Octagon Headboard. They don't have this color in Full anymore. I would have liked this one too and the price is sooo right.

High wood headboard. That's a nice pleated comforter, don't you think?

This is it for now.