A Study in White

It’s been a while, but with school back in session and my days back to being my own, I’m ready to indulge in inspiration for freshening up my home and getting ready for the cool months ahead. I’ve been blog hopping and finding gorgeous images to share, so I thought I’d do just that today. While these images aren’t necessarily about French inspired fabrics and textures – they are textural eye candy and some wonderful ideas from other European sources.  ENJOY!

This lovely arrangement caught my eye on a blog called Lantliv i stan – which is a lovely Swedish blog.   I’m no expert on foreign languages, but I think when it comes to beauty we all speak the same language.  I’m in love with the white flatware! Where in the world can I get white flatware? Love the printed napkins too!  So happy to have found this blog, I hope you’ll enjoy it too!

Anna K, who writes this blog says “… as blog name implies, I will get the most from the "rural style" and it can mean anything from Danish white, retro, antique, Green Gates dots to a small dose Cath Kidston! Welcome! 

Awesome Anthropologie Giveaway from ShabbyFuFu!

Heads up everyone – My friend Janet Shaw Coon, owner of the fabulous ShabbyFuFu.com is participating in the Where Bloggers Create Party & having an Anthropologie Giveaway at the Shabbyfufu Studio http://networkedblogs.com/4Z9HT.

Go over and gaze at the gorgeous workspace Janet has created in her daughter’s room and enter the giveaway! And don’t forget to click on the Where Bloggers Create Party link she has there too!

Introducing “Flouncy Flouncy” Bags from Mama’s Pocketbook

FRONT SIDE OF FLOUNCY FLOUNCY IN
BLUE-GREEN AMY BUTLER FABRICS

I'm so excited to introduce my newest line of One of a Kind Bag Designs
Flouncy Flouncy!!
Featuring a OOAK Assortment of Amy Butler Blue & Green Print Fabrics

Perfect fun tote for everyday use. Roomy inside with two large fully lined pockets. Lightweight, but sturdy construction. Outer bag and inner lining are made of 7 oz. cotton and interfaced with fusible fleece for soft shaping. Tabs with magnetic closures secure your bag without making it impossible to carry a full load! The tabs also insure that the magnetic closures will not tear the lining of your bag with repeated use.

REVERSE SIDE OF FLOUNCY FLOUNCY
AMY BUTLER FABRICS

These ruffles are Lush! There are 10 different Amy Butler fabrics coordinated on this bag. Each ruffle fabric is doubled (no single layered flimsy ruffles here!) and triple stitched to the outer shell of the bag. You'll find 5 different prints on each side of the bag - there will not be a duplicate of this bag's exact arrangement.

It is truly one of a kind!

INTERIOR OF FLOUNCY FLOUNCY IN
BLUE-GREEN COORDINATING PREMIER PRINTS FABRICS

Finished dimensions: 13" wide x 11" tall x 4" bottom width.

Tote Price $64.00  - You can also purchase coordinating accessories!

The Winners of My Blog Giveaway!

I decided to include the comments from Facebook since I didn’t designate that all comments had to be on the blog itself. The purpose was to get new faces looking at my website and blog and to have some fun and that was definitely accomplished between all areas of the giveaway!  AND… since I ended up with a total of 21 combined comments, reposts, shares, or other promo methods, I am going to use Random.org to create two winners for my little giveaway.

I’ll post a list of the names of the entries in order of the time of each post, then I will have the Randomizer generate a random shuffle of the list and whoever ends up in the #1 spot will win a  Mama’s Pocketbook Custom Card Case handcrafted by me!

So here goes: this is the list as I entered it in the Randomizer…

Dawn-Hydrangea Home
gail
Christie Funkhouser
The Pink Rose Cottage
Kath'
Shabby Shan
lisa
Georgia
Eileen
Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama
Mary Patterson
LunaVesta
Ahuva
Andi-Brown Bee Studio
Broken China Treasures
Roxie
Margo Leah Edwards
Anna D'Angelo Attard
Andi-Brown Bee Studio (x2)
Linda Morgan Smith
Debbie Powers

AND HERE IS THE RANDOMIZER’S FIRST RESULT:

List Randomizer

There were 21 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. Andi-Brown Bee Studio
2. Mary Patterson
3. Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama
4. Andi-Brown Bee Studio (x2)
5. Anna D'Angelo Attard
6. Linda Morgan Smith
7. Christie Funkhouser
8. Eileen
9. Debbie Powers
10. Roxie
11. lisa
12. Kath'
13. Shabby Shan
14. Dawn-Hydrangea Home
15. The Pink Rose Cottage
16. Ahuva
17. Georgia
18. Margo Leah Edwards
19. LunaVesta
20. Broken China Treasures
21. gail

Timestamp: 2010-05-04 04:05:37 UTC

AND HERE IS THE SECOND RANDOMIZER LIST:

List Randomizer

There were 21 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. The Pink Rose Cottage
2. Anna D'Angelo Attard
3. Shabby Shan
4. Christie Funkhouser
5. Broken China Treasures
6. lisa
7. Eileen
8. Dawn-Hydrangea Home
9. Roxie
10. Linda Morgan Smith
11. Debbie Powers
12. gail
13. Mary Patterson
14. Andi-Brown Bee Studio (x2)
15. Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama
16. Margo Leah Edwards
17. LunaVesta
18. Ahuva
19. Andi-Brown Bee Studio
20. Kath'
21. Georgia

Timestamp: 2010-05-04 04:06:49 UTC

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF MY FUN GIVEAWAY!

ANDIE-BROWN BEE STUDIO   &  THE PINK ROSE COTTAGE

I will email each of you to find out what fabrics or colors you would like for your card case and get that right out to you! Thanks for participating, It was cool to see what your Purse Personalities are!

Great Tassel Giveaway at Hydrangea Home

You do not want to miss out on this amazing giveaway! My friend Dawn Mohrmann is the exquisite designer and owner of Hydrangea Home and she is having a fantastic giveaway of one of her gorgeous tassels! I have been lucky enough to see her work up close and personal and these tassels are breathtaking! They are large and expertly made. Be sure to visit her site and enter in every possible way!

Aren’t they to-die-for beautiful! Can you imagine winning one! Any one of these or even a custom designed one! WOW! Ok, I’m sharing, but really I hope I win! Which one is your favorite, because even if we don’t win, we can buy one from Dawn’s online boutique - Hydrangea Home!

A Crystal Winter Giveaway

I just discovered this amazing giveaway through Dawn Emondson’s gorgeous blog “The Feathered Nest”.  The Crystal Winter Giveaway is being held by Linda of “Robin's Egg Blues”.  I don’t mind sharing it one little bit, but I sure hope “I” am the winner. I was lucky to be the 100th comment poster! Have a look at the pretties she has for one lucky winner:

 

Thanksgiving Week Special

Thanksgiving Week starts today!

And I’m so thankful for all the wonderful customers and friends of Mama’s Pocketbook that I’ve decided to offer yet another special on my best selling purse organizers.  So… today, Monday, Nov. 23 through Monday Nov. 30th when you buy 4 of our Pouchee Purse Organizers, you will get a 5th one FREE!! Just list the color you would like for your 5th Pouchee in the comments section of the shopping cart. It’s just that easy!!

Now, you do have a choice  - if you don’t want the extra Pouchee or only need a couple of Pouchee’s for your shopping list right now ( but don’t forget Sisters, Sisters-in-law, Daughters, Teachers, Bus Drivers, Co-workers, Neighbors and Friends!!) you can take advantage of our Holiday Special – A FREE Mama’s Pocketbook Fabric Card Case with each Pouchee ordered between now and Dec. 15th.

Find more details these specials here: http://www.mamaspocketbook.com/gallery3.htm or click the images below.

It’s your choice whichever Special works for you!  Here’s hoping you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. I hope there’s lots of turkey and all the trimmings, family gatherings, hugs and laughter throughout your holiday.

Gobble-Gobble!

Great Holiday Gift Ideas from Mama’s Pocketbook

I love how well these organizers work together to keep my purse organized! So… I’m offering one of my very chic, very pretty fabric card cases for FREE with the purchase of each Pouchee Organizer purchased now through Dec. 15th!

I’ll coordinate the fabric on the card case to go with the Pouchee color you choose. Each of my card cases is a one of a kind due to the handcrafting and the selection of a hand made yo-yo and a vintage or unusual button or pin as a finishing detail.

These cases will hold up to 50 business cards, but are also great for use as a change purse, or to corral receipts and other bits of paper or other people’s cards you collect. Three of these card cases fit perfectly inside one of the compartments in the Pouchee Organizer. And you get ONE absolutely FREE. ($12 value!!)

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You’ll love these Pouchee Purse Organizers and so will all the women on your gift list! These make great gifts for Teachers, Bus Drivers, School Secretaries, Office Co-Workers, Sisters, Aunts, Nieces, Girlfriends, Neighbors and anyone else on your list who would love an organized purse!

Dreamy Bedrooms

I was inspired today by some beautiful bedrooms featured at HouseBeautiful.com, so I thought I’d share my favorites with you.  You can browse for your favorites at http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/beautiful-designer-bedrooms?click=pp

ENJOY!

 

 

Heavenly Rugs from Amy Butler

OH MY HEAVENS! As soon as I saw the email from Amy with these images of her new rugs I fainted! Then I came to and wrote her and told her I fainted! LOL! I LOVE RUGS! And these are the rugs of my dreams. They are straight from heaven if you ask me. I want them so much I can hardly stand it! I’m ready to redecorate starting with these fabulous rugs! This is my Christmas List, just rugs, that’s all I need!

Enjoy the eye candy – it’s delicious! Click on the big images to see Amy’s slide show of all the gorgeousness!

 

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New Favorite Blog Featuring European Country and Classic Design

Well now, it has been a while since I’ve posted here. What a crazy, busy summer it has been here at my house. Juggling 2 businesses, 2 kids, 3 dogs, 2 geckos, 1 fish and 1 husband is proving to be complete insanity! But what can I say… I love my level of insanity. So…do I have any followers still following? I hope so because I want to share about a great new (to me) blog that has amazing home decor eye candy – Check out Willow Decor at http://willowdecor.blogspot.com/ 

Oh so many pages of beauty! Check them all out… Especially the Tara Shaw section!  I could spend hours (ok, I HAVE spent hours) browsing all the gorgeous home interiors and exteriors and have found so much inspiration.

I hope you will enjoy it too! I have not “met” the owner of the site yet. But I didn’t want to forget to post so I thought I should while thinking about it! You know that ADHD thing!

Looking at these fine homes makes me want to get rid of 90% of my things and start over with only the most meaningful and beautiful items and build a serene and inviting home. I’ll keep working on that and these sites provide just the right inspiration! ENJOY!

New Fabrics For Amy Butler Purse Kits!

Our Amy Butler Pattern Purse Making Kits are back!

Choose from 85 great new 10 oz. cotton fabrics, both solids and fresh new prints. I will be adding some new Amy Butler fabrics very soon to expand the selection.

These kits have everything you need to make your own Amy Butler purse or bag (except thread) All the interfacing, fleece, zippers, buttons, or whatever your pattern choice calls for – it’s in the kit! You also have the choice of buying just a materials kit if you already own the pattern!  Happy Sewing!!

Amy Butler Sweet Life Bags – Special!!

SPECIAL EXTENDED TO JUNE 1st!!
Amy Butler "Sweet Life Bags"

All orders placed between
Thurs, May 21st and Mon, June 1st
will receive FREE SHIPPING*
and a Free Coordinating Amy Butler
Fabric Card Case and Tissue Holder Set!
*Free Shipping to U.S. Addresses only

International orders welcome – I will invoice shipping costs separately.

This is an example of my Amy Butler fabric Card Cases! You’ll get one that coordinated with your bag FREE plus a matching tissue cover with printed tissues!

Combine this set with free shipping and that’s over a $30 value FREE!

But only until June 1st!!!

Memorial Weekend Special

Memorial Day - Long Weekend Special!
 Amy Butler "Sweet Life Bags" All orders placed between
Thurs, May 21st and Mon, May 25th
will receive FREE SHIPPING*
and a Free Coordinating Amy Butler
Fabric Card Case and Tissue Holder Set!
*Free Shipping to U.S. Addresses only

 

  

 

This is an example of the Amy Butler Fabric Card Cases I make that coordinate with these bags. Each is OOAK and all are adorned with a contrasting yo-yo and a vintage button or pin. Order this weekend and receive a FREE Card Case and matching Tissue Holder with printed tissues! SWEET!!

Miranda – New Hobo Bag design!

 

Ah! This design came out just like I pictured it in my mind!

Gotta love when that happens! I’m so happy with my new Miranda bag design.  This one has complementary colors of peachy-pink on one side and french blue on the other with matching bouquets of cabbage roses, rose buds and lush foliage which

combine to create a grand garden on my modern version of the classic Hobo bag.

Not only is it gorgeous on the outside, it’s lined with a beautiful tone-on-tone rose printed linen and tricked out inside with pockets galore! Two pleated cell phone/camera pockets, lots of little channel pockets for your pens, lip gloss, or glasses, plus a large slip pocket on the other side. All pockets are lined of course… nothing is ever flimsy about my bags! Miranda sports a 14” drop padded shoulder strap and a tabbed magnetic closure.  Softly rounded corners, 13” tall and 15” wide. Perfect for your spring and summer outdoor activities!  I’m showing this one adorned with a beautiful peach painted silk flower pin to show how you can dress up your hobo. (not included, but available at additional cost).

Please join us for Pink Friday, May 8th, for our themed sale “Beautiful Blues” and don’t forget to visit the other participating shops at MakeMinePink.com for more Pink Friday specials. 

Technorati Tags: Pink Friday,Hobo Bag,Fabric Purse

Happy Monday – I’m in an Etsy Treasury!

How cool is this! (Bottom Center!) My Claire Wristlet / Clutch is included in today’s Treasury West called The Garden! Be still my heart!!

What a great way to start my week! Thank you so much to Chyrl of My Paper Garden or Handcrafted Cards Boutique by Chyr’s Origami!

This is my first time to be chosen for a Treasury (that I know of) and I have to say it’s pretty darn thrilling! I love these treasuries. I keep hoping there’ll be an opening one day for me to create one of my own.  Meanwhile, I’ll just bask in the warmth of having been included in this lovely one here! Mmmm, feels so nice!  And look at all the other pretties Chyrl picked! I love the whole theme!

French Blue and Co.

I found this website French Blue and Co. today and it really satisfies my textural cravings. I like the images and can see that at least some of the offerings do come from France, and while I didn't find any fabulous fabric items, the map covered train case was intriguing, but way out of my price range! I have about six of those train cases sitting around here, maybe I should get some maps and some modge podge? Good eye candy no matter what!http://www.frenchblueandco.com/main.php

Gorgeous French Toile Aprons from BiRDY!

INTRODUCING - BiRDY  by Jamie Ann Johnson!

I've just made a new friend and I'm so in love with her creative and beautiful designs! Just look at this gorgeous colorful and detailed French Toile Apron! It's perfect for my kitchen ... even though I love to cook, I don't cook as much as my husband does, but I still want this pretty apron hanging in my kitchen for ambiance! 

OH!, let me introduce the designer! She is Jamie Ann Johnson and you can see her array of great aprons at her BiRDY site  or visit her main website at http://www.jamieannjohnson.com/ to see her full menu of great products. 

I adore this French toile linen and Jamie Ann has created two apron styles with it! First up is Scarlett, a wrap style apron that fully covers and is made with Jamie Ann's signature "Fit and Flatter Design" that adjusts to fit from size 2 to 10 easily. And if you are in a different size range, she will take your customer order and create your apron specifically for you!

   

This is the Caroline, a demi version of Scarlett. These beauties are hand made, fully lined and richly appointed with crimson ribbon. 

Now If your tastes runs more to the traditional french toile look, you're in luck as Jamie Ann also makes both styles in a classic Toile with a twist! At first glance you might think this is your standard black and white toile, but look closer ... 

It's a stunning chocolate toile with french blue highlights! 

It reminds me of those sweetly custom tinted sepia prints from the early 1900's. Georgia is the full wrap apron and Eva is the demi or half apron. Wouldn't these make wonderful gifts?  I think so as they will work with most any kitchen decor! 

Please take a look at all the fabulous aprons and other accessories that Jamie Ann has to offer.  http://www.jamieannjohnson.com/birdy.html

GIVEAWAY ALERT... Jamie Ann is also having a giveaway on her new blog... get over there and leave a comment, it ends this weekend!  http://www.busybirdy.blogspot.com/

And leave me some comments too, you know how I love comments!!!

Paris Perfection

Ok, it may seem strange for an accessories designer to showcase another line ... but we are talking Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton with Madonna on a shoot in Paris! I absolutely adore Louis Vuitton and before I dove into designing my own line, from 1986 to 2006 I carried a traditional (now vintage!) LV Monogram 25 Speedy and of course I still have it - and it's in good condition! 

But I digress ... On to the video I wanted to share - and to be honest I was more smitten with Madonna's clothes in this shoot than with the jewelry or the bags. The fabric combinations are killer, and the style - divine - pure Paris. The kind of clothes I see and wish I had designed, just for the pleasure of creating such concoctions! Anyway ... enjoy!

Loving French Country Decor

Yep, I'm a Francophile! I've never been to France, but I'm just smitten with most everything French! I'm especially just nuts for French Country Decor ... it really speaks to my soul.

Have you ever seen the Pierre Deux catalog or website? I used to get it back when it was named French Country, and I am always so excited when a new copy comes in the mail.

I saw this gorgeous chair and ottoman on their newsletter and again the front page of their website and fell deeply in love. I don't know where my sudden infatuation with yellow/gold fabrics is coming from - maybe I'm just really craving Spring, but I do love this fabric!

I have a black armless chair and an ottoman that both desperately need to be slipcovered and I've been searching for fabrics for way too long for them. Seriously - right now the ottoman has a very sad country looking dusty pink slipcover that was on it when I snagged it at a garage sale. The ottoman itself has great bones and is perfect for the chair, which I also snagged at my friends furniture resale store for a song. I'm so sad that my friend had to close her shop recently. :(

So, I am inspired - I think this will be the new look for my living room chair and ottoman as soon as I locate similar fabric. Of course they do have this fabric available to purchase by the yard, but, um ... $80 a yard is not quite in my budget even if I sold 50 purses this month (which would be awesome!)  I did finally find the close up photos in the sales section (duh!) on the Pierre Deux website! I'm now on the hunt for similar fabric in my price range! Until my next yummy installment, enjoy the beauty and think Spring!!