Post Holiday Update

Hope everyone out there had a fun and relaxing holiday weekend. I have one more small family get together today and then I can thrust myself back into my crafty routine.

In between all the hustle and bustle last week I did have some down time and found the opportunity to mock up some Sweater Pillows! The latest in my obsession to use every little scrap of fabric from my Mix Up Sweaters. I have several done and will get them posted on my website (www.thepainteddaisy.etsy.com) at the end of the week. I am waiting breathlessly for my newest toy to arrive.....Photography Lights!!!

My children gave me a tripod for Christmas and my grandpa gave me the lights. I can't wait to put it all together and hopefully improve the photos I take of my wonderful creations. I've been reading up on eHow and Etsy how to take better photos and am all set to give it a try. Because, let's face it, 80% of the photos on my site right now suck. Despite my previous efforts, the lighting and wall color in my home have not lent themselves to good photo backdrops. I have an area in my upstairs that will soon be converted into my mini studio. Keep your fingers crossed that my photos improve!!

Kids are pleased with their Santa loot. Sofia got all the sporting equipment on her list and Ian is in heaven with his monster Nerf Vulcan and military history documentaries. Both are excited to hit the trails on their new Cross Country Skiis. Now the whole family is outfitted and no more trips to Madison to rent skiis for the kids when we want to take a little trek into the woods.

Quinn (the new dog) LOVED Christmas morning. All the smells! All the crinkly paper! All the candy hiding amongst the crinkly paper on the ground! All the rawhide bones in his stocking! He was super annoying and super cute. Kodiak chilled with her rawhide chips and kept watch over everything. I have cute photos to post when I finally get around to downloading the camara.

Happy Tuesday!

Here's a pic of the new pooch, Quinn. He was quite comfy on the 2 person chair at Granny & Grandpa's! Can you tell Sofia is in love with him already?

As the last weekend before Christmas comes to a close I am happy to say all the cookies are made, presents purchased and only a few handmade items left to finish up. I have a large order from one of the stores that is kind enough to grace their racks with Painted Daisy merchandise and two other stores waiting patiently for me to ship some custom wool bags.

New items are continually in the works...but I can't share just yet because some of them are going to be gifts before they hit the public site here and Etsy!

Cheers to all!!

Oh Hey! I almost forgot. Our family has grown by one recently!!! Please join me in welcoming Quinn. He's a middle-aged (somewhere between 3-5 yrs) Black Lab. Kodiak needed a companion and oooh la la, she's a cougar now, shacking up with a man less than half her mature 12 years! No, really, this was an impulse decision. We found out in passing that there was a super nice, older lab at a local county Human Society shelter. My heart went out to this poor baby that had been there for months and needed a nice family to give him a home. Seems no one wanted to take a chance on an 80 lb male that had a penchant for running and was stronger than an ox, ha ha ha.

Quinn's a lover and great family dog. I think he's going to be a good hunter too...he's got a great nose. So great that he's been caught stealing a little snack from the counter in the past week since he joined the household.

Kodi has adjusted to her new roomie and seems to take it in stride, like everything else, she is an easygoing old lady. One nice perk we didn't know would come from this addition...Kodi has stopped wandering down the block everytime we take her outside. She seems happy to circle the yard with Quinn and come back in with him when called.

I'll add a picture next time!

Whew! Shows are over :-)

Well, I have learned many lessons in the past few months. First, 5 shows in 6 weeks (when you aren't already prepared) is TOO MUCH! Second, never under-estimate how fast your business might grow! Third, plan your work a bit more and stay ahead of the game!!

That last item is my New Year's Resolution. I have a plan in place to help me stay ahead of the curve (I hope) for 2010. I feel blessed that so many wonderful people have been purchasing my handmade goodies and new items are continually in the works. I really want to revisit the wool peacoats for little girls, I have a great idea for a coordinating line of girl's clothing for spring with vintage and new textiles, vintage inspired dresses for women and several new bags I want to prototype this winter. We'll see what makes the cut!

Here's a peek at my newest item...Upcycled sweaters made from two (or more) previous sweaters. I even went crazy with the leftover scraps and have been making bunches of sweater flowers. I'm crazy about the sweater flowers...they ROCK!

The sweater in this pic was made from two ultra soft cashmere sweaters. I made a sweater flower to match this sweater (sold together) because it (the sweater) was just screaming for a flower to decorate its lapel!

Here's more of the lovely sweater flowers that are for sale on my etsy site:

Happy Holidays to all!

New Skirts!!!

Finally...I have all my stuff packed for DIY...everything at Tamara's for her Holiday open house and all that is left to do is pack my overnight bag. Whew!!! I even found time to vacuum my car today :-)

The new skirts will be previewed on Saturday at both DIY in Chicago and at Tamara's here in Stoughton. I love the style and have sold a few to friends already! Denim skirt, cut on the bias so its a nice a-line shape, soft padded elastic waist (by request from Tam :p...but it works!) and fun print fabric at the hemline to add pizazz. Here's a few of the little girl's skirts and a sample of hemline fabrics from the women's skirts. I would have taken more pix but it started to rain!

More Shops, More info, More FUN!

As mentioned this morning, I am a loser when it comes to updating this blog thing! I'm trying to get better and have worked out kinks in sharing files between my PC and laptop to make photo upload easier!

Big news since my last substantial post. I am now in not 2, not 3, but 5 stores. Exciting, but stressful with all the upcoming shows. I'll get a list on here later tonight or tomorrow. For now, check out this great hat that my friend Jess made for Sofia. Her webstore address is: www.littledande.etsy.com awesome hats, snugbugs (which are great, snuggly buntings for babies), scarves, jewelry, baskets and magnetic pretty clips.

Peace-Out!

I am a blog loser!!! LOL, no time to post much lately with all the crazy sewing. I promise to get some fly photos of my newest designs (and those of my fellow artists) up here soon!

Jack 'N Jill welcomes The Painted Daisy

WOOHOO!

I am working like crazy to prepare for the upcoming shows, fill my Etsy orders, complete custom orders (including the ones I've promised to do for my darling little sis...yes I PROMISE to get them done in a reasonable time frame!)

Big news since I posted last...The Painted Daisy products are going to be added to the shelves of a great new specialty shop in Helena, Montana. Jack 'N Jill is quietly open for business and will have a big splash grand opening the weekend of October 24/25. So, if you're in Montana anytime soon...stop in a check out Jack 'N Jill.

Pretty cool, getting my products in two stores in a two week period!!

That's it for now...I'll be back with better stuff soon :-)

follow up to Lexington road trip

I know its been a long time since I made a post. I'm still trying to figure out how to keep up with all this computer time when I'd rather be sewing!

I made a roadtrip to Lexington, Kentucky for my second trunk show, hosted by my baby sis. I took product from 4 other etsiers. It was a VERY FULL minivan barreling down the interstate!

Everyone had sales (yah!) and overall show was great. Biggest news was my appointment with a great store. I am officially selling product in a store! Street Scene on Regency in Lexington, KY is proudly selling my Frances Skirts for Women. They have 18 on the racks for now and hopefully they will fly out the door so I can send more :-)

I also had a nice surprise a few weeks ago. My alternate status for the DIY Trunk Show hosted by the Chicago Craft Mafia changed to active! I will be at the Pulaski Park Auditorium on W. Blackhawk in Chicago, IL on Nov 21st. This was very exciting news and I can't wait to sell my ware in the Windy City. My cousin and his wonderful wife are hosting me the night before and assisting me in finding the place (which is always a challenge for me in Chicago) and set up.

As for other shows...I will also be at St. Ann Catholic Church (Stoughton, WI) for their fall arts/craft show on Oct 17/18 and a Holiday Open House in Stoughton also on Nov 21st. I will be there in spirit with my products since my body will be in Chicago!

Happy Fall...or is it winter...I just read on the week forecast that rain mixed with snow is coming our way...already?

Labor Day weekend

Fun Fun weekend at the cabin! Got back late tonight but had a great time hiking, fishing, canoeing and exploring with the kids and friends. Now back to reality...painting the house! Will this project never end?

Anyway, I spent the drive to and from our destination designing a great wrislet style bag!!! Can't wait to sew up the prototype tomorrow (after I get done painting). Hope its great! Also working on the little girl jackets I want to debut for fall. Looking good so far :-)

Welcome to my Blog!

Welcome to The Painted Daisy! This is the first blog I've ever started. I am a seller on Etsy. Check out my store at www.thepainteddaisy.etsy.com