Leather Pics

I finally got a chance to snap a pic of the little leather handbag I stitched up last week. I need to work on handle placement and I will use nicer zippers once I iron out all the kinks. This was just zipper on a roll that we use at the upholstery shop.

Let me know what you think! Leave a a comment here (I think you can do that...I'm such a dummy with this stuff) or feel free to check out my new FB Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Painted-Daisy/305188933127?ref=mf

All new fans receive 25% off any item in my Etsy shop. Just type "new FB Fan" in the message to seller at checkout and I will refund your $ after payment is verified. Thanks!

Saturday...ugh, still have a cold

My cold is still plaguing me, so no skiing this afternoon with the kiddos (boooohoooo). However, I have gotten a lot of work done in the last 24 hours and am starting to feel caught up with store orders. No mail on Monday for President's Day, but I'll be mailing some big boxes on Tuesday. Hmmmm, maybe UPS works on Prez Day? I'll have to call and find out. I would prefer to mail on Monday...we'll see :-)

Anyway, I have to really kick the sewing into high gear. Final big remodel project for our 1880's hom will begin in late March or early April...all this is on our 2nd floor. My sewing studio and general cutting area and dumping ground for sewing stuff is on the second floor, as is my photo taking area. I have a feeling I will be living in serious chaos for a month or so! Plus trying to get ready for the big Moose Fest show and the big Syttende Mai show. (I'm assuming I'll get into Moose Fest with my friend Jess...fingers are crossed!)

Time to get back to work!

New things to come

I've been sewing like crazy the past few weeks...actually I think that's going to be a regular thing (YEAH!). I'm continuing to plug away at orders from the stores who graciously offer my products as well as fill special orders and I'm desparately trying to build up my inventory for spring. I absolutely HAVE to start on spring/summer wear for girls next week.

On top of all that, I finally launched a Facebook Fan Page for The Painted Daisy (Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Painted-Daisy/305188933127?ref=mf I hope it works!) And I'm trying to add a lot of older inventory to my Etsy site so I can do weekly sales!

Pssst.... If you fan my FB page I'm offering 25% off any item in my Etsy store!!!

WOOT! I also (finally) got around to prototyping a leather bag with a zip top. I collect a lot of leather hide scraps from the upholstery shop and I'm pretty happy with the first try. I didn't make a pattern or anything, just free handed it. I'll get a pic posted soon. Need to tweak the zipper and handle attachments, but not too bad for a first shot!

Sewing machine is calling my name...Later peeps!

Quilt Pictures I promised to post!

Here are a few of the beautiful quilts that my mom has given my family over the years. Some are handquilted, but most are not machine quilted by a lovely women in Missouri!

This one was made for my son Ian after he was born.

This was the one made for Sofia after she was born.

This is Ian's newest quilt...Very cool fish pattern!

This quilt graces Sofia's bed. It came with a matching throw pillow. Thanks Granny!!!

The last one shown is the wonderfully snuggly, warm quilt that Mom gave us for Christmas. This photo does NOT do it justice. It is a combo of cottons and chenille in a dark red/raspberry color and the back is a dark forest green FLANNEL. The kids argue about who's turn it is to snuggle under Granny's quilt!

Crazy January!

I can't believe its been almost a month since I last posted! January has flown by... I've been busy replenishing inventory on my website and in the stores that are kind enough to carry my products!

A new store is carrying The Painted Daisy too! Diakonos Designs in lovely historic Stoughton, Wisconsin has my Mix Up Sweaters and arm warmers on display. I provided a selection of sizes and colors to complement Valentine's Day!

My friend Tam and I are already thinking ahead to our spring Open House Show. It's going to be at my house this time...and we are planning a big show for Syttende Mai weekend! There will be a huge crowd in town for the annual Norwegian extravaganza, so we are hoping to take advantage of the timing and advertise the heck out it!

I'm also investigating a few other spring show options, but probably on one or two. I want to be fully prepared for summer craziness! Might be swinging by the windy city again this summer, if I get accepted into a show there, otherwise there is a myriad of other shows around WI I can consider.

Lots of fun spring/summer products are in the works. I'm wrapping up the sweater sewing for this season, and moving on to lovely skirts, some peasant tops and of course, a lovely line of vintage mix clothing for little girls. I hope to have a defined line of items this season, instead of so many willy nilly things. Trying to focus (which is not easy for me!).

Oh, I've added a bunch of quilted purses to my website lately. My mom has been busy busy! Plus, she gave me the most beautiful quilt for Christmas (it's gracing the living room sofa!). I snapped some pics of a few of the quilts that are in use in my house and will post them soon.

Back to the sweatshop!

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!!