* We have been having some outrageous thunder and lightening storms here in Central Oregon for the last couple of weeks. While I long for the summer weather to make its presence, I really have enjoyed watching the lightening shows while I work from my studio window. Here is a pic I captured yesterday. I thought it was really cool how the blue skies where trying to break through those angry thunder clouds and provided just a wee-bit of sunshine in my window. So beautiful :)

*We enjoyed a nice visit this weekend with my family. My grandpa came to visit and oh, man...he is too cute. I adore that guy. My sis and her new beau came and stayed with us last night which was nice. I miss having her close :( But, she's loving the Salem area and if she's happy, I'm happy :D

*The button shop has been busy as usual with regular orders and custom orders. I've had such great customers who are so kind enough to share their creations with me when they use some buttons or other goodies I've created. I get a little giddy when I see them :) I guess it would be the feeling you would get as a "proud mom." hehe...my little tiny goodies that I made all from scratch in my tiny little studio..... are *truly* being enjoyed and inspiring crafters all over the world. That's pretty darn cool to me :) Who would have thought....buttons?

*I took some time out this week to design some new button collections. Sometimes regular orders keep me so busy creating that I don't carve out any time for NEW collections. New is always important. It's fun to break out my inspiration journal and review past ideas and put them to use. I had a customer request buttons to coordinate with some new scrapbooking paper lines she was working with and it was fun to use them as inspiration.

-"Bowl Full Of Cherries"

"Wonderful World"
-"Antique Rose"

-"Ebony & Ivory"

*Presentation to me is so very important when I send off an order to a customer. I want them to feel like they have received a little gift.....carefully prepared....JUST for them. I've tried many ways of packing my buttons and just recently have felt satisfied with my presentation.

*Thanks to a combination of awesome Etsy sellers, I have been able to find what I feel is a beautiful combination of colors and textures to present my buttons. I love to mix and match my papers, ribbons and trims in funky, fun color combos that match the buttons the customer ordered.

-I love mixing orange with anything. The pretty orange lace paper is vintage paper lace that I purchase from a lovely Etsy seller, Abohemianmarket.
-I'm really loving raspberry, turquoise and yellow together lately! Don't you just love those cute "Thank you for your order" stickers! Button of the month Subscribers.....I bought some special for your packages! :D I found these at www.bohtique.com

- And....my beloved Tiffany-blue and cranberry color combination. I love these colors SO much. So timeless.

-A Set of buttons all ready to ship, resting pretty in clear cello bags and adorned with my super cute logo thanks to Sugarelli....another really fantastic Etsy seller.

*Well, I better get back to work! These buttons have been flying out of my shop like hot cakes. (yay) Time to restock!

I hope everyone is well, and has a wonderful weekend!

:) Tessa Ann*

Color My World Happy- June Buttons of The Month PREVIEW

Hello! Alas, here is the June Buttons of the month! Whimsy rainbows, birds and trees in a prism of rainbow colors make this set of buttons so HAPPY and fun!

Subscribers- Your buttons are set to begin shipping tomorrow via USPS through Monday.






*****If you have not checked our Guest Designer for June, Pam Callaghan, read the post below and enjoy her beautiful scrapbooking page and card using buttons from the shop!

Welcome Pam Callaghan, our June Guest Designer!

For the month of June we have a very special guest designer!

Welcome, Pam Callaghan!
I have admired Pam's work since I discovered her scrapbooking several years ago. I got to know and appreciate Pam's work as a member of http://www.scrapbook.com/. Her amazing sense of design amazed me with each and every layout.

I sent Pam a set of my "Retro Blue Bird" and "Sweet Talk" buttons. Here is what she created!

Enjoy and BE inspired by what she has created for us! :)


I love how Pam used thread to create a bow in the center of one of the buttons! What a beautiful family and such sweet journaling.
I love how Pam used the Sweet Talk buttons on the scallops and as the "O" in "LOVE"! Very pretty :)

----------------------THE INTERVIEW---------------------------------

Here is what Pam had to say!
1.) Tell us a little about YOU and how you are involved in the scrapbooking industry?
-For me, it's all about having fun creating. Right now I am just creating for a couple companies and I am really enjoying it! I currently work with Anna Griffin and Marks Paper Company, two wonderful companies! I also do occasional QVC projects and some trade show work.

2.) What led you to scrapbooking? Do you remember that *first* time you sat down to create a page?
-My friend invited me to a scrapbook party shortly after my son was born. I did not want to go, but she called me to make sure I was coming. I really enjoyed myself! I bought my own supplies after that and I have been scrapping since!

3.) When you sit down to create, what are the essential items in your environment that you need to feel in the "mood" to be creative?
-When I scrapbook I like a soda or water and sometimes music. Occasionally I just like to scrapbook in my quiet scraproom. It all depends on the day!

4.) I feel most creative when........
-I feel most creative when my room is clean. I do clean up after each time I scrapbook, so that I not usually a problem. I also need to be relatively de-stressed to create a project.

5.) How do you decide what you are going to journal about... and what is your favorite way to document journaling?
-I like to journal in different ways. Mostly I do computer journaling because my handwriting is not the best. I like to make my journaling in different shapes or fit the amount of space there is left on my page.

6.) How are my buttons a good fit for your scrapbooking projects?
-It depends on the page. Sometimes I use a few, sometimes none. If I use them, it is usually about five or so.

7.)Share with us your most favorite layout and why this layout is your most favorite.....
-I love this page I did because it some of my favorite photo of my son and I. It also expresses how I feel about him. I like to shape my photos and I did it using one of my favorite shapes, a curve. I also made my journaling fit the curve which is something I like to do! I also like the bright colors and patterns of the paper.

Gmail disabled my email, so here is the new one.

In case you have not received a response to an email you've sent to me today, it is because google has disabled my gmail account.

Why? I have NO idea.

Just lovely. When it will return is all up to google. I am assuming it may have something to do with the rather large amount of spam I've been reporting. Either that or my account has been hacked.

Grrr...

So. I've created a temporary email in the mean time. Feel free to contact me here!

shoptessaann@yahoo.com and. please no spam..hehe :)

Custom Designs to share!

My little button factory has been busy, busy this month creating such a wide range of buttons and felt appliques for the shop, as well as some private custom orders.

I really enjoy custom work, creating those little one-of-a-kind pieces for scrapbooks, children's clothing and kit clubs. I find custom work to be so inspiring and I reach all sorts of new heights to my creative level when I am presented someone's vision.

I get requests like this one, "I would like buttons to go with my Key West photos, or buttons to go with my son's wedding with coral, kiwi and Callalillies"

It's these kinds of requests that push my creativity full force and I come up with things I never knew possible.

I thought it would be fun to share some of the custom designs I've created recently.

1.) Special set for a fun customer who has spent some time in the Florida Keys......



#2,#3.)
A special request for buttons to go with pictures from Fishing trips to No. Michigan.

Another No. Michigan embellishment....see the tiny boat and ors...very tiny ;)

#4.) More Florida Keys Deep Sea Fishing buttons......kinda like a little Nemo ;)

I've been working with a great designer at Paisley and Posies to create custom felt appliques for onesies and T's. She also creates the most fantastic Tutu's and beanies. Here are my favorites and even a few pics of them in action!

Perfectly divalicious!!!

Um, can we say ---->C U T E????????

This little Robot dude is being added to her shop next month and the photo of the little guy in it is just too darn adorable. I'll be sure to share it as soon as it's posted!

For the little rocker guy :) I had SO MUCH fun creating these felt appliques.

I also created this fun set of bird embellishments. My customer wanted something cute and colorful to add to the center of her Prima flowers.......

Here is a custom order for patriotic themed felt appliques and buttons in a distressed look.

I also did some button sets for Create My Keepsake's May Card Kit. Inspired by the colors of the papers and embellisments selected for the kit, I designed these buttons........

I hope everyone is having a great week. I am turning the BIG 30 tomorrow YIKES.........

Ciao!

Tessa Ann*

Happy Tuesday :)

Good morning friends!

I'm just ust sitting here listing to the coffee brew, patiently awaiting that 1st cup, and then I'll be heading up to the studio for a day full of button making.

I want to share with you a little something that made me smile :)

I came across this print by Studio Mela on Etsy yesterday. I don't know exactly why, but the quirky, yet sweet message totally caught my attention and put a smile on my face! Hopefully it will do the same for you all!

Where ever you are, what ever you are doing........I hope this post finds you feeling happy! If not, take 10 and think about all the things in life that you are happy about..........and get happy..lol!

Have a great Tuesday friends!!!

Tessa Ann*

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!

I just came home from having a brunch with my mom at The Blue Olive. Steve, Dad, Mom and I all sat around a big table and enjoyed several cups of coffee and a great brunch. It was simple and nice :) Love ya mom!


In lieu of Mother's Day, I thought I'd share some Mom layouts and projects I've created in the past for my Mom and about my mom :)

-A few years back, I altered this Cosmo Cricket cigar box adding hinges by 7-Gypsies and painting and distressing it. I added a transparency window and the title to my card/box. I used rub-ons to create her initials, "RLC" and the pink paper pulled out in an accordion fashion where I wrote the poem that went along with the title and my own little message :) She now displays this in her scrapbook room. I still love how it turned out :)

- I created this layout about how proud I was of my mom going from raising her girls to a banker and a darn good banker :)

- This layout was created a loooooong time a go for Right At Home Scrapbooking in Massachusetts. I went to town cutting up the paisley Junkitz paper and surrounded my mom's pic with all of the crazy doodles. Yes, this was when I was into doodling on EVERYTHING..lol. I still do, but it has toned down a lot. Still fun though?

- This layout's photo and title says it all. Inspired by mom's love of her dogs and taking them out for walks. Though, sadly shortly after this layout was created the sweet German Shepard in the photo, Miss Daisy.....passed away. So this was a perfect way to remember those walks always :)

Happy Mother's Day and Be sure to tell your mom you love and appreciate her!

XOXOX Tessa Ann*

Giveaway winner and some Etsy finds!

Thank you for all who shared a bit about your little princesses! I ended up printing out the answers, cutting into tiny strips of paper and having Steve pick one out. And....the winner was....................... Jaimielynndesigns

JaimieLynnDesigns said...
God has blessed me with two girls and my little one who will be turning 5 in two weeks would jut love to strut her stuff in such cute duds. Thanks for the chance!- Jaimie.

Congratulations!!!! You are our winner of the custom Modish Princess outfit! Shana from Modish Princess will be in touch with you about your special design!

__________________________________________

If you popped in here Thursday, you would have seen several different blog backgrounds...lol. I think I've bought and downloaded at least 6 backgrounds, but none really made me go...."yes, that's it!"

Well, I am not completely sure this is the "one" yet, but I do enjoy the colors and we'll see if it sticks :)

In my venture to find a new blog background I came across many sites that I thought would be fun to share with all of you if you were in need of freshening up your own blog!

• http://ismitten.blogspot.com/ is a colorful blog filled with many blog designs that are only $5.00 each. They are extremely easy to upload to blogger!



• http://www.giselejaquenod.com.ar/blog/blogger-templates/- If you love whimsy and birds you will love her designs. Again, colorful and very easy to upload.



• http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/- This blog not only has many FREE blogger backgrounds, but has a lot of instruction on how to actually change the font in your posts. As you bloggers know, we are limited to only 4-5 fonts...really boring fonts to use on our posts, so here you can upload some new ones to use! Again, easy peasy!
  
• http://www.simplyfabulousbloggertemplates.com/- Another FABULOUS site with FREE blogger backgrounds. There are many adorable ones there that I may just have to try out myself.
  

I've also been doing some shopping on Etsy for my packaging. My favorite part of packing my orders is gift wrapping each and every order. I love this part of my process. Choosing beautifully colored tissue paper, ribbon and trims....making the customer feel like they've received a little present!

Here are a few things I found on Etsy that I have really enjoyed spicing up my packages with:

• I purchased several sets of labels in "thank you for your order," and my address labels from The Bohtique They make my packages look adorable! I will be doing a post later about packaging....yes, I am a wee-bit obsessive about good packaging!


• I have also found a deep love for this "paper lace" by Brookerpie. I have 3 colors now and need MORE! She also makes super cute button rings that she included as a gift in my order and I really love wearing it!


• Sugarelli is a wonderful graphic designer. I sought her out to redesign my packaging toppers, the ad you see at the top here and shop banner. She's amazing. I just spouted off my idea in an email and VIOLA she came up with my vision. I am finally satisfied with my "brand."
  

Steve and I escaped again last Sunday afternoon to Brasada Ranch to take advantage of their VIP Champagne Suite Special. This is the same place I shared photos of at Christmas time. As a family, we rented a 3 suite cabin and enjoyed the holiday together!

This little one night get away was under $150.00 and felt like such a treat! The room was so dreamy and had the most luscious bathroom. I think I enjoyed the large garden tub at least 5 times during my stay...lol. The fridg. was stocked with champagne and refreshments, there were chocolates and biscotti. You know the funny part.........I totally brought my work with me and created buttons and felt appliques while enjoying the mountain views and a nice cold glass of champagne. My parents joined Steve and I that evening for a nice dinner at the, "Blue Olive." I had Swedish meatballs and Steve had the 3 cheese penne pasta....aka-Fancy Mac-N-Cheese..lol. All was delish and so relaxing.

Here are the shots I captured as we were arriving to the resort. This is a long drive that winds up to the top of the hill where the ranch is:

A view of our room. A luscious king bed that was SOOO comfortable, a wet bar, the seating before the HUGE fireplace....I worked there...lol :)

The fireplace. The chairs are seated perfectly in front of 4-5 large picture windows which perfectly frame the mountain views that surround this resort.

My favorite part.............the bathroom. Lovely to the "T" Little luxury soaps, bath robes, and a dreamy shower made this room the one I spent the most time in..lol.

Well, that's it for today! I need to get back to making buttons!

Happy Mother's Day, Mommas!!!!!!!

:) Tessa Ann

Welcome, Shana from Modish Princess, our May Featured designer! Enter to *WIN* an original Modish Princess outfit!

Attention all Mommas!

For the month of May, I would like to welcome Shana from Modish Princess as our featured designer. Since May is Mother's Day, I thought it would be fun to feature a designer who was inspired to start her company after having her own little girl.

Modish Princess brings a style of trendy, yet classic couture girls sun dresses, hair bows, shoes and more! I have been working with Shana to create custom buttons and felt appliques for her hair bows and apparel lines. They are so cute and I only wish I was 5 again so I could wear them..hehe!

Modish Princess has *generously* donated a custom outfit to one of my readers! This opportunity will allow you to chose a fabric you love in her collection to create a your one-of-a-kind outfit for YOUR princess!

To be considered for this GIVEAWAY, please leave a comment below and share a bit about the little princess in your life!
THE INTERVIEW:
*1.) How long have you been making children’s clothing and accessories?*
I started about 6 to 8 months ago, as just something I wanted to do for my little girl.

*2.) What inspires your designs?*
My daughter, she is my princess and she is a little bit sassy a little bit prissy and of course a little mode girl, hence the name of my company

*3.) Tell us a little bit about Modish Princess and your concept behind the boutique.*
Modish Princess is a total dream that became reality, I always wanted a little girl so when I got her it was all about her. And so when I started making bows for her I realized that I wanted this to be more then just making bows for her and I wanted it to be more then making it a business. I wanted it to be something that me and her can do together at a different level some day you know a "mother/daughter" thing.

*4.) How would you describe your style?*
I think that my style is very classic but trendy to go with the new styles from a newborn to a tween.

*5.) In 10 years from now you would like to see Modish Princess……..*
I would love for Modish Princess to be something big not just some place to come and buy accessories but also some place that mothers and daughters can come together and share a bond.

*6.) What makes Tessa Ann’s buttons a good match for your designs?*
Oh, from the first time I was browsing ETSY and saw Tessa's work I thought, ok this is so me..I just have to say... it is the "Classic Button" with the "Trendy Style". Tessa's work is an original. I see some impressions of her work out there but the difference is that she brings what I am looking for. I think I have more buttons then bows right now because I can not get enough.

*7.) Share with us your favorite pieces! (photos)*

*8.) Is there anything else you would like to say about Modish Princess?*
I love to create for my daughter and my goal is to help other moms make their thoughts or ideas a reality for their princess through Modish Princess.

Leave your comment by Friday at noon PST 5/8/09 and the winner will be announced on Saturday 5/9/09.

May Buttons Of The Month Reveal!

"Sweet Celebration"

May's Button Of The Month

Party in sweet style with sugared cupcakes and brightly wrapped gifts.

My May buttons are drenched in chocolate brown, raspberry pink, lime green and aqua .

Adorn your scrapbooking projects, cards, art, sewing projects, knitting projects, children's clothing, brooches or use as a fun magnet!

You get it...the possibilities for creativity are endless with these!

So........my dear subscribers I hope you enjoy these as much as you have the other sets!

These will be shipping out the 2nd week of May! Subscriptions are currently sold out, but we do have a waiting list in place. Leave a comment below with your email address if you would like to be added!

Have a beautiful day!

Tessa Ann*

We escaped........

Life has been crazy-wonderful busy... and the weeks have been just passing by too quickly.

Yesterday on a whim, I decided we needed to get away... It's been too long.

Even if that meant somewhere close. Just for the night. Somewhere quaint, cozy with a touch of rustic elegance and luxury.

Here I sit in our room at Sunriver Resort sipping on Pinot Noir, nibbling cheese and grapes... blogging...lol :)

(the resort at dusk)

(Our Room)

This is the "Owl's Nest" which is perfectly named, as you can see the breathtaking views of the cascades in the background. Tonight we will sit and enjoy a dinner and wine and listen to a local band!

Well, I better get off the computer and enjoy the beauty that surrounds me...and pour another glass of Pinot Noir.

Have a lovely weekend!! I'll be back Monday with the sneak peek of our May Buttons Of The Month, "Celebrate!"

--Tessa Ann*

Updates....

Well, the button factory is busy, busy already this morning.....60 sets of Buttons are baking in the oven to sweet perfection, as I type this update!

* Subscribers-- Your April Buttons Of The Month were all shipped out on Monday! You will be receiving your pretty packages soon!

* For the month of May we have a very special guest designer....MODISH PRINCESS! You may have noticed in my side bar, I have been working with a very talented children's clothing designer to create custom buttons and appliques for her lines. I will be showcasing her designs starting the 1st week of May and throughout the Month. Modish Princess will be hosting a giveaway here as well! Stop by the 2nd week of May to see what you could win for your little princess! Be sure to share with your friends. This is going to be an awesome giveaway!

Well, this is totally off topic.......a cute, but rather *pathetic* pic of Duffy..... He was shivering madly this morning after his bath. I did my best to dry him with my hair dryer..hehe....but the poor guy continued to shiver.

Yes. You see it. I broke out the heating pad and goosedown blanket. AND. his hoodie..

Alas...he was warm. I told you it was a cute/pathetic kind of photo ;)

Have a wonderful day!

:) ---Tessa Ann*