Valentine Tee Shirts and Onesies

Candice and I made these Adorable T-shirts and Onesies for my etsy store. They would be perfect for Valentine's Day, or any day for that matter. I made these for my Granddaughters last year to wear to school for their Valentine Party and they have worn them constantly since then. The little girls love them and they get so many complements every time they wear them. Candice also made some as Lounge sets last year, matching the PJ bottoms with the fabric on the hearts.

Check out my etsy store to see all the designs and sizes. Just Click on the Etsy link on the right hand side of my blog. If you don't see the size, color combination, etc. that you would like, just email me and we can do a custom order.

Be of Good Cheer!

There are just two days left to finish wrapping those last few presents, shop for those last few items on the list, checking the list to make sure everyone and everything is covered. As Christmas draws near, I always sigh in relief, as time runs out and I cross out some of the extras on my list that I know I will never get to; things that were not that important in the first place, and I begin to think about the real reason we celebrate the season.
Christmas Carols run through my mind, and I find myself singing to myself those ole familiar melodies. I love attending Church services the Sunday before Christmas, sitting back and listening to the Choir sing of the small babe in a manger, of a mother who holds her tiny infant, her first child, knowing he is destined to change the world. I think of the child Jesus, who was missing, of frantic parents who search for their Son, who upon finding Him are told, He must be about His Father's work. I think of the Savior in a garden, alone...... weighed down with the sorrows and sins of the world, sweating drops of blood under the pain. I think of the weight of my trials and sins that he carried for me and I feel a deep gratitude and love for His sacrifice for me, for those I love and for all mankind.
I often wish we could carry the "Spirit" of this wonderful season with us throughout the whole year. I would never want the rest of Christmas to last, indeed I am more than ready at the close of the yule tide to pack it all away until the next year, except for the spirit. That part of Christmas I would love to see remain forever, for that is the spirit of Love, of Giving, of Peace and good will toward men. May we all "be of good cheer", as we find ways to maintain the spirit of Christmas throughout the coming year. Let us each be a little kinder, a little more giving, a whole lot more like the wonderful Savior, for whom we celebrate CHRISTMAS! I wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with joy, love and kindness toward others! Please join me in finding ways to maintain the spirit of Christmas; do not pack it away with the tree and the decorations. Wouldn't that be a wonderful gift for the Man who gave ALL, for us!

Christmas ornaments - show and tell

I made some Christmas ornaments for my etsy shop this year, so I decided to makes some for my little granddaughters. I tried to pick something they are into or doing for the theme on each. These were a lot of fun, I hope they like them. Thought I would show and tell here, before I give them away. Reagan has been taking piano lessons this year and is really enjoying learning to play. I am so proud of her! She has the same "problem" I did when I was taking lessons as a little girl taking piano; she plays by ear, not learning the notes. Her father played by ear, also! I made a little pink piano ornament for Rey Rey!

Sid is into Hello Kitty and Abbey loves Strawberry Shortcake, so that is what I made them. I had grandpa put their names and the year on the back to make them even more special. Can't wait to give them to the girls!

Getting Ready for the Holidays

Busy, Busy, Busy is this time of year! I haven't had much time to get ready for the Holidays. This has always been my favorite time of year. When I was a child growing up, my mother always made the Christmas season special. My stepfather was Spanish, so we followed a lot of the traditions he did when he was a child. We always stayed up until midnight and then at the stroke of 12:00 we would open our presents. Even though my childhood was a difficult one, I have fond memories of the Christmas season (thanks to mom).
I keep thinking things will slow down in my etsy store. What was I thinking? Of course I am glad for the success, but I feel I am slipping a little preparation for the Holidays in here and there. This week I thought, finally, things are slowing down a bit, and then I got another large wholesale order from a new boutique owner I could add to the list. Of course I am excited, but WHEN AM I GOING TO GET READY FOR CHRISTMAS? LOL
I added some new charms to my store and thought I would debut a few of them here! (Be sure and visit my etsy store to view all my new designs, by clicking on the etsy link on the right)

Now on a sadder note, My Baby daughter lost the baby she was carrying, this last week. It has been a very difficult week for our family. It seems that from the Time my oldest was in a Plane crash, one trial after the other has hit our family. Candice is doing well, given the circumstances. She just lost a baby in March of this year. Both babies were carried for about four months, then when she went in to the doctors office, there was no heart beat. Because she was so far along, both times she had to deliver the baby. Seeing your babies hurt is one of the most difficult things we go though in this life. I am so thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for that is what carries us though these difficult times. I feel such a loss, my heart is heavy for the loss of yet another grandchild I will not hold in my arms, but I am thankful for the knowledge that some day I will be with them in a happier place and time.

Whole-Sailing Away!!!

A Little play on words! I feel like my eBusiness has caught a huge gust of wind in it's sails and is surging forward at fantastic speed! I am so excited to share a new opportunity that opened up for me, in my business.

First of all, I have to Proclaim the fantastic benefits of an etsy store! What a wonderful way to build a business, without all the expensive monthly costs of a brick and mortar store. Recently, I discovered another benefit of an etsy store, EXPOSURE! I have been contacted by several "Brick and Mortar" Boutiques, in different areas of the country, that were inquiring about wholesaling my charms to them. After some negotiations, I now have a wholesale business. It seems, "Brick and Mortar" businesses look for products on etsy. They can find original and creative product at a reasonable price for their stores.

This has turned out to be a fantastic opportunity for me! I am now wholesaling to a boutique in Utah, one in New Mexico and another here in Ariz. All of them found me and contacted me through my etsy store! What a fantastic benefit to the growth of my business. It has allowed me to grow at a fantastic rate and increase my sells.

Thank you, thank you, thank you e-Commerce (To view new designs, click on my etsy link on the right side of my blog)

Change of Direction!

Every once in a while, life circumstances force us or encourage us at the very least, to make course direction changes. I have undergone a major course change in the last few months. I have worked hard to build a business with my children's clothing designs on Ebay. Circumstances that took place forced me to re-evaluate my business and upon doing so I have made a major course change that has proved to be a fantastic redirection for me.
I Decided to leave Ebay, the hassles, the group drama, the high fees, etc. and to concentrate on building my Etsy business. I had only listed a few items in my etsy store in the past and had made a half hearted effort at success there. My main focus was my ebay business. I had sold a few things on etsy and considered it a little extra, on the side, that added volume in sales to my ebay profits. Boy, talk about misdirection! Once I decided to leave ebay and work diligently and consistently on my etsy store, business began to boom! I am finally making a REAL profit, not creating for exercise and everyone Else's benefit.
Not only did I change direction from ebay to etsy, but I focused on a completely new product, Soldered Charm. I find I enjoy creating them, never tire of producing them and don't even mind recreating the same ones over and over. (These were all the things I dislike while sewing custom children's clothing). Another benefit is I don't need a lot of supplies and my profit margin is FANTASTIC!
I have not posted in my blog for quite a while. I feel blogging started with the whole ebay experience and the problems I encountered with that whole experience left me sour and wanting to shy away from anything related to it. I have finally separated the ebay experience with my blog and am back to my happy, selfconfident, trusting and busy entrepreneur and I am loving every minute of it.
Here is a peak at some of my charms. They are listed in my etsy shop, so to view what I have been busy doing, just click on my etsy link to the right and it will take you to me store.

TheDivas Halloween Guest Launch Set #2

This is another set I designed for The PlayGround Divas Halloween Guest Launch. I fell in LOVE with this wonderful and whimsical Halloween fabric that is new this year. It is called Pumpkins gone Wild and is by Sandy Gervais for Moda. I couldn't wait to get home and start sewing! I really like this BabyDoll style! The Footless tights, I dressed up with Swarovski Crystal amber and orange flat backed crystals. It gives the set a SASSY flair!

**~ Feature with The Playground Divas ~**

I am doing a Guest Launch with the Group **~ The PlayGround Divas ~**. They have chosen a Halloween theme. I don't normally do themed sets, so it is fun to launch with other groups and stretch my creativeness. What a joy it was to wake up this morning and find that I have been featured in their group for my previewed set!
the Launch is on the 11th, so be sure and take a look at all the wonderful designers who have assembled for **~ The PlayGround Divas * Halloween Guest Launch ~**!



P.S. As an added bonus, this set is featured on Journal Modiste also!

Very Blessed!

Just a little update on the "Eloise in Paris" set. I sold two sets from one auction. This was one of my favorite sets, so I am so glad it did well. One of ladies wanted the model set, as she needed it right away, and the size was right. I think one of the main reasons this set did so well, Reagan took such cute pictures! Dosn't she look just like you would imagine Eloise?

JM Feature

Boutique Eccentricity is having it's very first launch, with the theme of Literary Treasures. A little known fact, if you all promise not to tell, is that my given name is Elouise, which I have hated. So after being nicknamed Louie in high school, have gone by Louie ever since. One thing that helped me tolerate my name was the adorable character Eloise, who lived on the top floor of the Plaza Hotel in NY. She is a mischievous little 6 year old, who is preoccupied with learning every one's business and executing clever pranks on the hotel guests. I have always enjoyed her fun loving spirit, feeling a little kinship with this sweet little character.

So guess who I chose to fashion my design after for the launch? Of course, it was Eloise. I picked the book, "Eloise in Paris"! Today I was surprised and overjoyed to be featured for my Eloise set in Journal Modiste!

Reagan Did a wonderful job of modeling and her cute faces that depict the character and charm of Eloise were so charming!!! I think this has turned out to be one of my favorites, from all the sets I have designed.

Business is booming!

I have been so thrilled, lately, with sales on my designs. I have sold six sets in the last few weeks. I will be busy, as four of them are customs and I will have to re-create them in a two to three week window. Thanks to all my wonderful customers, who have given me the best complement of all, they have purchased my new designs. I am going to be working on some new items for a Diva and Mom open house. I will be posting some previews in the near future of some of the items I will feature in the open house. For now, here are three of the new designs that have done so well.

Featured with a Friend in Journal Modiste!

I woke up this morning to a wonderful surprise!!! I have been featured in Journal Modiste (an online designer's magazine) for my Pink Lemonade set. To sweeten this feature even more, My dear friend, Gioncarla, is featured also. Could this be any nicer then to be recognized for ones work along side a good friend??? Be sure to check out Gioncarla"s Blog (link on the left) and her wonderful strawberry design.

Art Of The Craft Studios

Sweet Lemonade

I was invited to Guest Launch with a wonderful new and upcomming group of women for a Summer friends guest launch. I have loved getting to know the wonderfully tallented designers that were involved in this fun Launch.

The Theme was SUMMERTIME As I thought about my summer memories, a design formed in my mind with the thoughts of my wonderful summers as a Kid. I used to love to sit outside with a Icy cold glass of PINK LEMONADE. I would often hear a buzzing near by as a solitary bee would be searching the nearby flowers in his quest to find the source of the SUGARY SWEET LEMONADE smell. And what childhood memory of LEMONADE does not conjure up wonderful thoughts of lemonade stands and our first entrepreneural enterprises? So here is the completion of my imaginations!!!

Here it is Le Crque Set finally listed

I know I promised a preview, but I have already listed this set. I have been a very busy girl lately, with customs and a Wonderful Buying Trip to Cali with my daughters! I will post some pics of our trip, but for now, here is my Circus Set!

Tagged

I have been tagged by Jen http://barefootdivasdesigns.blogspot.com/



Here are the rules:

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.





K, about me



1. I love Jane Austin novels (a romantic at heart)

2. I went to a different high School each year.

3. I believe God has a sense of humor (he would have to, to put up with me and not zap me

more.

4. I scuba dive, love the ocean, but only warm waters LOL

5. My fav book of all time is Les Mis

6. I am a closet Party Poker player (play $$ only though) LOL

7. My passion: Designing Children's clothing





People I am tagging:



1. Sarah http://bellajobows.blogspot.com/



2. Candice http://www.candicecook.typepad.com/



3. Denise http://thefairypixel.blogspot.com/



4. Gioncarla http://artofthecraftstudios.blogspot.com/



5. Mary http://hoganfe.wordpress.com/



6. Kelly http://surfermomkelly.blogspot.com/



7. Andrea http://divasduds.blogspot.com/

New Fabrics and future PrimRose Launches

I wanted to share some new fabric I just bought for the PrimRoses "Circus, Circus" Launch. I love being part of the PrimRoses group on ebay, for it really stretches my creative mind. My own tastes run along the more simple, classic style (I am really into Demask prints right now), so to do a set around a Circus Theme is really challenging me to be sure.

I needed some fun and funky fabric to get my creative juices flowing so I began a long search for something I felt I could work to create a funky, mod design I would be willing to put the Bchic Designs Label on. I thought it would be fun to post the fabric here, first, and then post a sneak peak to show what I came up with, before I list in the Launch on Ebay.

Now keep in mind, this Fabric is coming all the way from Korea, so it may take a little while before I have something to post!

Up and Running! Whooopie

Ok, I am officially a BLOGGER! Thanks to Jen, from Barefoot divas for my wonderful blog design. I feel like I am part of the IN crowd now (everyone who is anyone blogs LOL). I am going to be leaning and learning from my DD who is a seasoned blogger and hopefully she will give me lots of hints and helps along the way. For a long time family and friends have asked where can I see some of your designs. Now I have a spot where I can share. I am excited!!!

Also, thanks to Jen, you can now view all of my current listings on Ebay, so please, take a look at my current Bchic Designs!!!

I wanted to share my new Bchic Design Hang-tags (thanks again to Jen from Barefoot Divas, don't know what I would do without her!) so here is a pic. Aren't they wonderful, and is Abbey just the cutest little model you have ever seen? (I know, I am just a little partial)