Fabric For Sale!!!!!!

Being the fabric freak that I am, it pains me to part with any fabric that I have purchased. But alas, the time has come to whittle down my stash. What you see above is just some of the fabric I'll be selling off in the coming weeks and months. I have some listed at my etsy shop at http://www.azalealane.etsy.com, and some listed in on ebay (azalea*lane).

I just realized how goofy that picture looks since the bottom is so small, but I'm too lazy to take another picture that looks more normal.

On that same note, I just started a group on www.weloveetsy.com called Fabriholics Anonymous. This is a place for those who want to buy and sell fabric, those who just want to talk about their fabulous fabric purchases, or just hang out. I'm hoping lots of folks will join us. Here's the link: http://etsylove.ning.come/group/fabriholicsanonymous . Come join us!

I'm In a Treasury!

How cool is this! I just found out from a friend of mine that one of my bags on Etsy has been selected for this artist's treasury! Take a look!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=21885
I'm totally flattered and honored. I absolutely love Etsy and have bought several things from artists on that site. Everything I have received has been gorgeous and well-made.

I'm off to the post office

Late as usual. These packages have to go to Texas from Mississippi, so hopefully they'll get there in time. These are for the in-laws, most of whom won't appreciate the gesture, but my husband enjoys buying for them, so whatever. By the way, I'm totally loving that retro print in the foreground. I found it at Wal-Mart of all places.

In that vein, I am so proud of what he made for his mother, sister, and sister-in-law. This gorgeous piece is made using various woods such as red oak, white oak, and maple. He is so meticulous in his work. I know his mother will be so proud of it.

What holiday character are you?

For fun, I took this quiz and it looks like I'm Frosty! I definitely love winter weather, even though it virtually never snows here in Mississippi, but I'd rather have a cold day where I can curl up in front of the fire with some hot cocoa and a favorite book than any beach anywhere. What holiday character are you? Just click on Frosty to take the quiz yourself!

A little holiday pic

I began collection Christmas tree candles a few years ago, and I like to display them together. Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

For you organizational junkies out there....

I just came across the site http://www.seejanework.com , and I am IN LOVE! I am one of these folks who could spend hours in an office supply store looking at anything and everything that can help organize my life. Of course, looking at my desk you would never know it, but the desire is there. I just ordered myself a gift for under the tree (I have to do it, or it won't get done!), the Pepperpot Internet Journal. This is the coolest notebook! I have a stack of post-it notes, each with a website that I either shop from or pay my bills at. It looks tacky and messy, and this notebook will be the perfect way to corral all that information in one neat, cute little package.

The cost is only $8.95, and it's adorable to boot! I think I'll splurge and have it gift wrapped. When it comes in, I'll present it to my husband and tell him he just bought me something.

Something You Should Know About Beagles...

It's been awhile since I posted about my lovable little rascal Sparky, so I thought I would let you in on a little information I learned about beagles in general.

Yep, that is my favorite Shabby Chic pillow being consumed. He didn't get too far with it, but this little guy is FAST. If the remote is left anywhere out in the open, he waits until we leave the room, grabs it, runs to us to let us know he has it, then takes off running.

Buy Handmade this Year!

I signed the pledge!

As a designer, I know how hard I work on a new handbag design and the pride I get when I am finished with it. I love to see the looks on people's faces when they receive one of my bags and truly love it. I absolutely love to make special things for my family and friends and surprise them with it. My husband, an avid woodworker, made absolutely gorgeous wooden quilt block plaques for his mother and sister last year. It took a lot of time and effort on his part, but it meant more to them than if he had gone to the store and purchased a sweater or blouse.

I just love this paragraph from www.buyhandmade.org : "The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that canbe seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing."

So folks, make an effort this year to buy handmade. Go to www.etsy.com and let your fingers do the walking. You would be astounded at the talent and creativity that is on that site. If you yourself make things, you should consider opening a shop there and listing.

Nifty Christmas Gift!

I'm at the point in my life where Christmas is all about getting to see my family members I have not seen in awhile and enjoying their company, it's really not about the whole gift-giving hype. Most of my family gets annoyed at me because I can't or won't give them a list of what I want for Christmas. Well, like I tell my mother-in-law, you can put a cheap pair of earrings in a pretty box with a cute bow and I am happy! That being said, I try very hard to come up with unusual gifts for my family and friends.





One day I was browsing through a fabric catalog when I came across the "Dick and Jane" licensed prints. I mentioned to my mother that I thought those were just so cute. She then stated that she wished she had an original Dick and Jane book from when she was a child. She murmued that she would have to get her sister, who is an avid garage sale goer, to look for one. I immediately went home and searched good old Ebay, and found these two books. I'm pretty sure they would have been something she would have studied from based on the publishing dates. It is going to be so much fun to surprise her on Christmas morning! Does she need the books? No, of course not. But she wants the books, it was in my power to get them for her, and it will make her smile. Plus, it will let her know that I DO actually listen to her. That's the fun part of Christmas, making other people happy.