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*

Inspiration all the way from France!

It is such a wonderful compliment when my customers take the time out of their busy day to share with me what they have created using my buttons and embellishments. Since I spend all of my time creating these little goodies, my time to create with them has been pretty limited.

So..... Today I thought it would be fun to share some amazing scrapbooking art from Emeline! I love her beautiful, eclectic style and how she incorporates my embellishments in to her work so effortlessly. As you look at her work you will see tiny little surprises and fun details that are so unique and make her scrapbooking truly *art* in my eyes.

So...sit back and enjoy the beautiful artwork of the very talented, Emeline.

Emeline used one of the pretty buttons from the March Buttons Of The Month as an accent piece in her "Happy Easter Card." Just look at all of the details, the eggs nestled in a bed of pink grass and the green trim around the scalloped paper. Just lovely.....

Those eggs are just too sweet!
I love how Emeline layered all the pieces beneath the button!

Curly ribbon.....so lovely and the die cut egg is delish!

Isn't this layout sweet! Perfectly titled, "Life Is Sweet," I love how Emeline put her beautiful pen work to use to create her title.

I created this Strawberry embellishment *just* for Emeline and she couldn't have put it to use any better than she did here! So pretty :)

Love the lace and pen work!

I just love how Emeline used our cupcake embellishment to create a beautiful tag for her vintage cupboard.

I carried these cupcakes in my shop a few months back. I think I'll be adding more soon!


Another beautiful scrapbooking layout ! I love how well our buttons work with Prima's flowers and Emeline shows just that with this layout. I created the adorable pineapple embellishments as a custom order for Emeline. I love how they are peeking out from behind a layer of paper. She also used the Jaune Noir buttons to center her flowers. Emeline captured this photo while in Capri, Italy. Ah....I've been there and seeing this photo brings up so many memories of the day I spent there. Capri is such a lovely place.


Well, I hope this post leaves you feeling inspired. I know I am!

Have a lovely day!

Tessa Ann*

Available TODAY only while supplies last!

The button factory has been in full swing since bright and early this morning! Today I have a special set to share that will be available ONLY today in the shop as a limited edition set.


This set is filled with fabulousness............draped in cranberry red, robin's egg blue and pearls...this is set is truly a stunner!

Here are some matching felties I created that are available special request only. Email me at tessaannwatte@gmail.com if you would like some of these felties to match!

*Cupcake Feltie 2.5"x3" in diameter, this fun little cupcake has handstitched pearls as sprinkles! Perfect for adorning scrapbook pages, cards, mixed media projects, children's clothing, hair bows, gift bags and MORE!

A beautiful felt flower, handstitched and adorned with tulle, felt and a pearl stitched to the center of the heart. Other than embellishing your scrapbook pages and projects with this felt flower, would this be divine on as a brooch?

Isn't this bird the sweetest?

Well, I am off to Michaels for a quick supply run and then back to work making buttons and felties! I hope you all have a wonderful day!

April Buttons Of The Month "Timeless Treasures"

I am so thrilled to share these pretties with you all! These by far are my favorite from the Buttons Of The Month we've done so far. Inspired by Tiffany's blue, Jadeite green, pearls and silver distressing...these buttons are so eloquent and beg to be put to use! I could see these stitched to a lovely sweater, a little girl's dress pocket, a hair bow, a lovely scarf, a scrapbook page or a handmade doll. I will be posting my handmade creations in the next few days using these buttons!

For those of you whose subscription is ending this month and you would still like to receive your buttons of the Month, you will receive a renewal reminder in your April buttons with the instructions, or *simply* email me at tessaannwatte@gmail.com. We are still currently SOLD OUT of our subscriptions, but we have a waiting list in place. Email me if you would like to be included. It is filling up pretty quickly!

April Buttons Of The Month

{Timeless Treasures}

Well back to finishing up all the sets to mail out next week! Enjoy your night :)

-Tessa Ann

Wishing everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Here is a special set of buttons to celebrate today :)

A few sets of these will be available in the shop today!

Okay....back to work! I have a pile of buttons and birds on my desk ready to be packaged up! I hope everyone has a wonderful day :D

*Tessa Ann*

Lots of new goodies to share!

Hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine was busy per usual, but on Saturday we enjoyed spending the day with my parents playing Wii and singining a bit of karaoke....yeah, we are a bunch of adult children..lol.

I had some fun colorful things to share, so I thought I'd give a little update!

I was interviewed this week at A Bit Of Color and The BeeHive. It was so cool to be asked and I really did enjoy answering there questions. They had such nice things to say about my shop and I felt so proud..hehe :)

Here are the links to their sites if you want to read my interviews:

• The BeeHive Store
  
• A Bit Of Color

You may have also noticed a super cute blinking ad for Modish Princess to the right of this post. For the last few months I have been working with the creative director at Modish Princess to create buttons and appliques for her children's clothing line. Shana, the creative genius behind Modish Princess has also opened a shop on Etsy in addition to her website! Look for Modish Princess in the very near future as a feature.

In closing, here are some custom orders as well as NEW buttons that I created to add to the shop!

I completed this very spring-like custom order for a wonderful customer of mine. I've been working with her since I started Etsy creating her custom pieces. Here is a sneak peek of that order! Enjoy............

New to the shop, a new collection I call, "Retro Brights" There is a matching felt Euro Bird to match! Gotta love a good collection :)

These buttons are new to my shop also. Shabby-chic and perfectly feminine decked out in pearls and a light white washing.

I was inspired last week to try making some vintage-antique looking buttons. Here is what I came up with!

New in the shop :)

Well, I am off to get ready to have dinner with my family! I hope all is well with everyone :)

Tessa Ann

Whew!

Thank you for all who subscribed for our Buttons Of The Month Club. Your MARCH buttons have shipped out this week! ! We are now SOLD OUT of subscriptions for the Buttons Of The Month Club. If you wanted to sign up, but missed this time, please leave your email address here or contact me at mine (tessaannwatte@gmail.com) and I'll add you to our waiting list.

What a whirl-wind the last month has been for me. My once slow, lax pace in the morning sipping coffee browsing favorite online sites, slowly rolling into the shower and getting ready for the day has turned into jumping straight out of bed, wiping the sleep from my eyes as I pour through my inbox trying to coherently answer any questions and print out orders that came in during the night. It's a new pace...one that has taken some getting used to, but I am living my dream :)

And......If you know me, you know I like things very neat and tidy. Well, with this new found pace in life taking time out to completely tidy my studio each day has taken a back seat totally. This is what my desk looks like each day.Piles of handcut felt pieces ready to stitch, little colorful balls of clay ready to be made into beautiful buttons, coffee, stacks of pens, papers, packaging and reserve stock. I am really enjoying all the wonderful space my new desk provides though!

This last Saturday was such a pretty day outside and I had a ton of buttons and felties to make. Steve suggested we bring the kitchen table out on the back deck and sit and work outside! Genius! I even put him to work cutting out some felties and buttons :) We lasted out there for a few hours before the clouds covered us. It was really refreshing until it got sooo cold we had to move it all back indoors :)


Well, I better get back to work. I will post next with the winner of the March Buttons Of The Month. If you have not left a comment to be entered, please do below!


Have a wonderful day :)
Tessa Ann

Welcome Cindy Tobey, our March Guest Designer! And...win a set of your own March Buttons!

Good Monday Morning, Friends!

March is here! The MARCH Buttons of the Month kit is available here and in my shop. To all of my subscribers, your March buttons are all shipping this week!

Would you or someone you know love to win a set of our March Buttons Of The Month? Come out of lurkedom and leave a comment or story and a winner will be chosen March 15th. Tell your friends!


Without further ado, let me introduce you to our March Guest Designer........ Cindy Tobey!

Cindy's colorful, intricate style has amazed me since I first discovered her work years ago at Scrapbook.com. I was not surprised when she was inducted into Creating Keepsakes' Hall Of Fame Contest last year. You can see her lovely art gracing the pages of Memory Makers, Scrapbook Trends, BH&G Scrapbooks Etc, Paper Crafts and more! She has designed beautiful work for Fancy Pants, Prima, We R Memory Keepers and Trace Industries, as well as her involvement as a "Dream Team" member for Creating Keepsakes Magazine. Yes, she is very talented and I am thrilled to share her with you ALL here!

Cindy was sent the March Buttons Of The Month, as well as my newest Bird design that compliments the BTOM, "Garden Whimsy." I love the layout and card she created using the March "Garden Whimsy" collection. Isn't this sweet, isn't she lovely? Beautiful work, Cindy....thank you!

I love how Cindy used the pink and black flower button as the center of the "O" in her card's title, "LOVE" and "YOU". Combine that with the fun apple green flower, the machine stitching and fun chunky chipboard alphas and VIOLA you get perfection in my book............... (oh, wow that was a run on sentence if I've ever seen one myself...lol!)

Today she shares with US her creative thoughts and processes in the interview below!

1.) Tell us a little about YOU and how you are involved in the scrapbooking industry........
I have been all about making art ever since elementary school. I went to college for Graphic Design and worked in that field until I had my daughter, and decided to be a stay-at-home-mom. I enjoy many forms of art: painting, drawing, photography, quilting, knitting, and of course scrapbooking. I've been on various manufacturer design teams since 2006. Right now I'm on the Fancy Pants Designs team and the Creating Keepsakes 2009 Dream Team.

2.) What led you to scrapbooking? Do you remember that *first* time you sat down to create a page?
I went to a Creative Memories party with a friend about 13 years ago. That was the first time I created a scrapbook page. I was hooked and I haven't looked back 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?
Upbeat music or a sitcom playing in the background. A story, and or photo that I just can't wait to get onto paper. Inspiring scrapbook products.

4.) I feel most creative when........
The sun is shining and I'm well rested...or (since the former rarely happens) when I have a steaming cup of coffee.

5.) How do you decide what you are going to journal about... and what is your favorite way to document journaling?
Sometimes my journaling drives the layout, it's my starting point. I have a story that I need to tell and I add photos to support it. Other times I start with the photos and I'll look at them and think about the story behind them or how they make me feel when I look at them. I usually type up my journaling and add it to my layout. Once in a while I handwrite my journaling, but most times I just use the computer. It is much quicker for me and I love how clean a font looks as well as how much easier it is to read. I do try to include a bit of my handwriting on most layouts by adding the date by hand.

6.) Share with us your most favorite layout and why this layout is your most favorite.....
Wow. Tough one. Its too hard to pick a "most" favorite, but I'll share one of my favorites. I love "Limbo" (published in Creating Keepsakes, August 2008) because it captures my son in an everyday type summer moment. He's playing and laughing in the backyard...just having fun! I love using bright colors and I had fun with the felt tree branch and leaves on this layout. When I look at it I think of warm sunshine and happy giggles. It makes me smile.

I have to agree that is one heck of a layout! That tree is FABULOUS.

Have a wonderful afternoon!

Be sure to say hi if yotu would like to win a set of your own March buttons!

Ciao Friends!

*tessa ann*