Time to re-invent yourself!

How to be successful in your Craft Business!

How will you be successful with any business you own and operate.. you always have to stay ahead of the curve.  Just because you do one thing and it is successful, doesn't mean that is always going to be a successful venture. You always have to be on top of what is trending, what is happening with the economy and try to figure out what you can do to be a success in business and you will be most importantly HAPPY doing it.

If you are not getting sales in your shop, take a close look at your shop.  Is it because of your listings, photographs or tags or is it because the things you are selling are just not what your target market is interested in buying. 

Most importantly, you must have be happy with what you are doing.  If you have something in your shop that you are making and selling 100's of, are you really happy make that one item over and over.  I wouldn't be...

You don't have to have 100 + listings either. If you make a good-quality product and have 10 of them, then they will sell! 

Most importantly you must love it and it must be your passion!

Upcycle! Keep it and Renew it!

Just finished working on this slipcover for a friend of mine.  I added an additional design element to the bottom that I had not done before.  It is simply a Boxing Band 8" high x width of the piece around the bottom sides and back.  It is a great way to pull the slip cover together in the end when things are not so perfect above.  Covers up all the imperfections.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Now to start with the Wing Chair.. pictures to follow!

 

 

 

 

It's time to give back... GIVEAWAY Michelle Handbag

The Michelle Handbag is one of my most requested items. It makes a great back for school, work or baby!  It has an adjustable strap, roomy inside with plenty of pockets.  The flap has a magnetic snap closure and the measurements are approximately 13" x 18" high.  Love this BAG!

I would love to give this bag to one of my deserving Fans.  To be fair about it, I will pick one person to receive this beautiful handbag as a gift.  To have your chance to be chosen, simply go to my Facebook Page and do two (2) things.  First become one of my facebook FAN and secondly, share this POST

If you cannot find the post, simply go to AggieRay's timeline on facebook to view it there!  Good Luck Everyone!

Fall Handbags... coming soon

New Fall Handbag Pattern!  Will be released soon.. thank you for all the positive feedback on my latest patterns.  My head is spinning with ideas!

 

 

Patterns are now available for download on Craftsy.  Enjoy!  Also be sure to check out my other designs at AggieRay on Etsy and fabric at Fabricplace

 

 

Michelle Handbag PDF Sewing Tutorial--Pattern--IT'S READY!

Only took me a few months to write this pattern in between my regular job and planning a wedding for my son!  I have had many requests for the pattern for this bag.  I have two sewing variations available for this bag...Bag 1 can be made with the gorgeous ribbon we have available to use with mny designs..my favorites are from designsa Amy Butler and Anna Maria Horner!  Bag 2 is made using an accent border available on many fabrics with your favorite designers. 

Bag 2 was made with Amy Butler's Soul Blossom Rayon Fabric-- Sari Blooms Raspberry and it is also available in Lime.

 

 



Bag 1 was made with Amy Butler's Alchemy Fabric--Queen Anns Butterflies Topaz.

I chose these two renaissance ribbons!  Love these by Designer Amy Butler.



I am in love with the new Alchemy Ribbon by Amy Butler Designs! So Beautiful

I cannot get enough of this beautiful ribbon. My mind is spinning with all the possibilities to use this ribbon.  I designed this latest handbag using the Alchemy Ribbon by Renaissance Ribbons. Amy Butler is not the only designer to have new ribbons out, check out the beautiful designs by Anna Maria Horner and Kaffe Fassett!

I will be releasing this sewing pattern within the next couple of weeks.  Probably in two different sizes. This bag is a beautiful bag that I don't want to give up. I am planning on keeping this one!

The fabric used for this bag was Alchemy Fabric called Queen Ann's Butterflies in Topaz by Amy Butler together with Belle Blue Corriander by Amy Butler!

Peonies -- easy to grow perennial -- How to Grow and Maintenance Tips

Peonies are so easy to grown and require little maintenance.  Simply plant in full sun and watch them take off.  There are two types of peonies found  in the home landscape, Paeonia spp. hybrids (garden peony) and Paeonia suffruticosa (tree peony).

The best time to plant them are in the early fall, with transplanting and dividing the bulbs done during that time also. Young bulbs take a few years to become a full bush.  Don't be disappointed the first few years after planting your bulbs, it will take a few years for them to become large bushes.  After they have developed, you can split the bulbs in the fall and plant in new locations.  The more splitting, the more blooms.  I bought these bulbs at Walmart 2 years ago for less than $5.00.  You don't have to spend a lot of money to have beautiful plants.  If they don't come up in one location, transplant them in fall to a new sunny location.  They do require full sun to partial sun.  After a few years, if you notice low blooms, divide and transplant your plants to a new location.  Make sure you support your Peonies prior to blooming. 

They are a heavy flower and if you have a lot of rain in the spring, you will find them resting on the ground.  I tied tulle around the stems prior to the blooming. String may cut into the stem. 

Deadhead the blooms after they begin to fade.  Cut the foliage to the ground in the fall to avoid winter damage.

 

 

New Release of Belle by Amy Butler

Just had to come up with a little something for the new Release!



Amy Butler -- Belle
 





in love with Moda Fabrics toooo!

New Becca Bag Pattern Available this week!

I have had many requests for more sewing patterns!  Your requests have been granted.  This week I will be releasing the Becca Bag Sewing pattern and the Shellie Bag Sewing pattern.  I have the Becca Bag pattern ready to list, just making sure of some final measurements and accuracy.  If any Sewers out there would like a free copy of this new release to give constructive feedback, I would be happy to send them out.  Post a comment in the "comment section below", please indicate your  time frame for sewing the project and I will select 5 sewers to send the pattern to. Thank you again for all your support and good luck!  In honor of the new re-release of Amy Butler's  Belle, I took a look back on my previous creations with this fabric...love this fabric so much!  Thank you Amy Butler.  The pattern will be available at AggieRay!  Enjoy everyone.

Belle Gothic Rose Turquoise available soon here FabricPlace

Joel Dewberry Home Dec Fabric--discontinued--one of my favorites!

Amy Butler Belle Pink Corriander--discontinue fabric--another favorite! 

Amy Butler Belle Gothic Rose Burgundy available soon
FabricPlace

Amy Butler Morning Glory --discontinued fabric

 

 Also being released this week is the Shellie Bag pattern. This pattern is still in the works and I hope to have it ready by the end of the week.  Check back often to see new patterns coming to my shop.  I am in a very creative mood this week! 

Comments welcome. Any pattern that you do not see and would like, please let me know and can see what I can whip up for you.  Thank you for stopping by and commenting!

Shellie Bag pattern available soon!

Amy Butler Soul Blossoms Fabric Sari Blooms Rayon in Raspberry

So exciting to receive an email from the Art Director at blend fabrics llc--------------------

You never know who is following you and looking at your work!  I was excited to be contacted by the Art Director at Blend Fabrics llc stating that she loved my Aggie Wristlet Clutch Pattern which can be found here and pillow collections here.  She indicated that Anna Griffin was attending the Spring 2013 Quilt Market show and needed items to put in her booth.

Of course, I said yes and was anticipating the arrival of this beautiful fabric Sardinia.  The package arrived with a beautiful array of fabrics.  I love working with beautiful fabrics which aspire you to create new beautiful pieces.

Each one of these patterns can be made in about an hour.  They make great gifts for all of your friends.  They will love them!

INSTANT DOWNLOAD of the PDF Sewing Pattern is available here at AggieRay

 The wristlets make great wedding party gifts, bridesmaids clutches, teacher gifts and more!

The pillow is made with 4 triangles of fabric (a fat quarter of each fabric) plus 1/2 yard of fabric for the piping and backing is all that is needed!

 

 

It was a thrill and honor to participate in the Spring 2013 Quilt Market.  Thank you Anna Griffin, Inc and  Blend Fabrics, LLC 

 

 



 

Beautiful Girls!

All the planning came together for the most beautiful day!  The weather was perfect, the dresses were beautiful and the girls just complemented all the accessories!  They were the icing on the cake.

The bridal bouquets were beautiful and stayed together through all the pictures and tossing high in the air!  The girls had so much fun.  They were extra special because I was able to create them myself.  I made these during the Blizzard in February!

Ruffle Wedding Cake

As promised, here are some pictures of the final result of all the work for the last 3 months.  Yes you can plan a wedding in 3 months, not 1 year, not 2 years... more time means more money you spend!  This wedding was absolutely beautiful and well planned.  It was described as a fairytale wedding when the guest walked into the hall!

1.5 Hour Handbag Sewing Project!

Yes you can make this bag in about an hour in a half.  If you cut out the pieces the day before you start sewing, lay them all out and sew the next day, the project will take about an hour.  Simple, fun and makes a great gift!  The sewing pattern can be purchased here:  AggieRay!

No time to sew, you can still purchase a completed handbag here:  AggieRay!  The fabric used for this handbag is Amy Butler Midwest Soul Blossoms Fuchsia Tree - Carmine Amy Butler Midwest Soul Blossoms Fuchsia Tree.  The fabric is available in my fabric shop on Etsy !Amy Butler Fabric with more fabric available for immediate shipping FabricPlace  This is a great bag to carry this Summer!

The Big Wedding Day!

Well it is almost here. One more week my son is getting married.  I have been working on various projects with my future daughter-in-law, to help save money for the wedding.  One of them is this beautiful cake stand.  I cannot wait to see the actual cake on top of it!  This was a great easy project, but it did take some time trying to find materials to work with to build the stand, nothing I couldn't find at my local Home Depot store and Michael's Craft Store!   More pictures from the wedding to follow!