New Spring Fabrics!

Hello out there...ere....ere....So, it's the dead of winter and yet I am BUSY thinking about Spring! What will the latest and greatest fabrics be?? What will be the fresh color combinations?? I, of course, LOVE pink and green so I will be featuring A LOT of those two colors! Black, white and brown are always favorites - every season. So, I am looking at a swirl print black and white, a zebra print and some floral. Just picked out some kicking madras prints - what's summer without madras?? Looking into some great damask also - a little chocolate and brown and maybe a little lime green and brown. I will be sure to load the pics as soon as I get them! See ya soon!

Quote of the Week!

So the other day there was a fire incident at our neighbor's house. No major damage or injuries! There were 2 fire trucks and several ambulances and police vehicles. That night our water was very cloudy/dirty from the main tap for the hose and our kids couldn't take a bath. Now the quote is coming! A few days later, we were at my husband's office 30 miles from home. My 3 year old son heard a siren pass by on the street and said.......

"Mommy, I guess we won't be able to take a bath tonight! The water will be too dirty!"

ahhhhh....from the mouth's of babes!

Merry Christmas!!

Wishing you and yours a very merry, happy and joyous Christmas and New Year!!

Men - Pop the Question with a HANDBAG??

Yeah, I thought it was a little crazy myself until I read this! It really is a GREAT and UNIQUE idea -

"Pop the question with a handbag! Why not hide your extra-special engagement ring inside an extra-special purse? Wrap the purse as a gift, then hang a bell inside the purse to make sure she opens it right away. Then, ta-da! Opening the purse is sure to surprise your bride-to-be. And, as special bonus and reminder of a thoughtfully planned out engagement night, your fiancee will be able to use the purse for years to come."

Quote/Information from - http://www.handbags.com/

Take a look at http://www.simplesweetcakes.com/ - the French Kiss Clutch (name says it all) or the Sugar Pie Clutch may just do the trick!!! Happy Holidays lovebirds!

Squidoo

You have to check out Squidoo!! It is SOOOOO easy to set up and too cool for school! I just set mine up tonight and I already have a TON of stuff on it in only a half and hour! More time will be devoted after the New Year! You can check out what I have so far - http://www.squidoo.com/simplesweetcakeshandbags. sweet........

Quote of the Week!

Stress at this time of year can really get us down, make us sick and just plain unhappy!!

Here are some sage words of advice"

"Stress is basically a disconnection from the earth, a forgetting of the breath. Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency. Nothing is that important. Just lie down."

~Natalie Goldberg

More Custom Orders..... Love it!!!

So, here they are. Tell me what you think! Which one do YOU prefer?? Have any ideas or comments?? I'd LOVE to hear them!!

Networking Swanky Moms - Share your Promotions!!

So, I sell on Etsy - have been loving it! I joined a fabulous group called Designing Swanky Moms. I have learned some Etsy selling info and have met a lot of wonderful moms doing the same as me - starting a business! I decided to start my own little group called Designing Swanky Moms - Share your Promotions! We can swap ideas on how to grow our business to become more successful and profitable. Check it out - http://swankymoms.ning.com/group/networkingswankymomsshareyourpromotions Maybe you can add some ideas, join the group, learn a few things and find out more about Etsy!! Come on over!!

Madras Fabrics!!

So....gearing up for spring/summer before winter is even here!!! I found the most delicious madras fabrics - true patchwork madras - totally fab!! Here is there website - http://store.fabrics-textiles.com/. The name is Atlantis Fabrics. I ordered some fabric to check it out and was totally pleased with what I received! I will be back for MORE!!!! Ihave already picked out what I want. I'll be making a skirt for myself, a dress for my daughter and some pants for my son!! Can't wait. Oh.... also, I will be adding bags, clutches and totes in this yummy fabric. Yeah spring....oh wait....it's winter!!!

Quote of the Week!

As we rush through the holiday season let us not forget these wise words:

"Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness
To an opponent, tolerance
To a friend, your heart
To a customer, service
To all, charity
To every child, a good example
To yourself, respect"

~Oren Arnold

Just finished 2 fab Custom Orders!

Here they are gals - I am soooo psyched about how they turned out!!! The taffeta is so scrumptious and the houndstooth is sooo Jackie O! Love it!

Quote of the Week!

Duh! I totally forgot to post it yesterday!! So, I am sitting down having my nightly glass of vino - which this week is - Pinot Noir: Vin de Pays de l'Ile de Beaute - Francois Labet -yummy - so GOOD!! Anyway, I am winding down before settling in to a night of sewing and I decided to watch Scrubs. The BEST quote I have heard so far in a whole week!

"I don't belive in the moon. i think it's the backside of the sun."

-Janitor from Scrubs

Something to think about. Hmm.......

Christmas - Here it Comes!!

So, I am quickly realizing that there are only 21 days left until the BIG DAY!! I have soooo many people to shop for!! Tomorrow is my big Etsy Shopping day. I plan on buying as many handmade items that I can. Trying to keep it in the US and support my fellow crafters/artisans. I know that I am going to buy a certain man in my life a cool cribbage board. Haven't played before but he likes it and I like to learn something new! I am pretty sure that it was made from a vintage cuban cigar box so that alone is totally cool!

SALE SALE SALE

I am about to launch a HUGE SALE in my Etsy shop!!!! Great totes from preppy to vintage for your choosing! Start looking tonight for some fabulous deals!!! Christmas is only 22 days away!!!!

If you are looking for a mother-in-law, sister-in-law, teacher, babysitter, niece, daughter, mother, aunt, cousin, friend or YOURSELF, I have the gift for you.

Use these handbags to load with other small gifts, such as, notecards, fancy pens, lavender sachets, cologne, jewelery, crayons, coloring books, stickers, bottle of wine, napkins, tea towels.....you get my drift!!

These bags go ANYWHERE!!

Quote of the Day!

I am now going to make Wednesday - Quote of the Day day (if that makes sense)! Today's quote -

"I never eat December snowflakes.
I wait 'til January."

Lucy
- of Charlie Brown

Where is the logic? This is totally fab and it needs to be on a t-shirt!!

Tutorial Ideas

I am working on my first tutorial!! I first have to figure out what I am going to do it on - I was thinking something simple like a handbag keychain. I deciding this week! Be on the lookout!!

Cyber Monday SALE!!!

Check out my NEW ITEMS on sale at -

http://www.simplesweetcakes.com/ AND http://www.simplesweetcakes.etsy.com/

EVERYTHING is on sale - 15% OFF until Wednesday, November 28, 2007!

Promotion and Marketing Your New Business

OK - so we all know that promotion and marketing are KEY to your business. I was psyche to find some info to inspire me tonight - this is a great blog with tons of info! http://etsyforeveryone.blogspot.com/2007/10/promotions-marketing.html Check it out! I also found out about GIMP from this blog. It's a free image software similar to photoshop (which I was going to pay for). It's fab - check it out!

Craft-Boom Blog

I found a new great blog! It's an extension of another GREAT bolg - uhandblog. I love reading all of the advice that Lisa offers. SHe has wonderful wisdom in making handbags and marketing. I really learn new things everyday! This was a great find! Check it out! :>

Just Joined Designing Swanky Moms at Etsy!!

I am so excited to be a part of this groups of talented mommies! Can't wait to find out some GREAT information!!

Nautre's View

So, I was taking some handbag shots and decided to take a few nature shots too! This one is my fave because it almost looks like the trees in the background are painted - too cool. It's hard to belive that it's my back yard view! :>

Sooo Tired!

Sooo tired!! But so pschyed that I am going to 2 boutiques tomorrow with my wares thanks to my friend Kim!!!! We'll see how it goes. I am trying to prepare for my craft fairs, balance my babes and be a good wife - soooooo hard!!! Entreprenuring is hard stuff!!!!

Love ya,

Mackenzie

My Favorite Purse Picture!

I am so happy with myself for taking this picture! I LOVE to take pictures - I just wish I had more training - so I self teach or experiment I guess. I took this one in my backyard laying down on the grass. My kids were asleep so noone was around to jump on me!! I also used the color accent button on my camera - it gives the purses a cool color. I love it!!

I started a blog!

As I sit in front of my computer - I realize that I have to get up and finish my brown dot crayon bag. I seem to ALWAYS get sucked into this computer and spend HOURS researching.....UGH!