Sparkle & Lace Trends

I just finished a taped interview with the fabulous Tiffany Windsor (who, by the way, is the 2010 recipient of Plaid's New Horizons award!) talking about the trends featured this month at iLoveToCreate.com . I have two quick interviews per month that air on her call-in talk radio show, Inspired At Home. You can listen to our conversation about the trend in sparkly things on February 7, and on February 21, we are talking about the oh-so-chic lace trend. You'll be so inspired!

Last week after returning from the CHA show I was busy playing 'catch-up' in my cube, emptying bags of literature from the show and going through my numerous unanswered emails. Our company often has guests visit us to discuss business dealings and to tour our facilities. On this particular day there were two guests from India who were spending the day at iLoveToCreate. One of our VPs came into my cube and told me that one of the women would like to meet me. Apparently, she reads my blog. Well, of course, I was probably more excited to meet her than she was to meet me! SOMEONE READS MY BLOG?! Really?! I mean, I know there are people who read what I write, but I don't usually get to meet them in person. I headed toward the conference room and was introduced to a beautiful woman who was actually excited to meet me! She encouraged me to be a more frequent blogger because she didn't like checking in on me only to find I had not updated my blog. We laughed about this. I feel the same way when I check in with my favorite bloggers. I feel like I am missing out on their lives when they fail to blog for a while. So, I am trying to be a better, more faithful blogger for those of you who actually read this blog and return to it for more.

More blog humor.............

P.S. I Made This with Tulip Fabric Spray Paint

DIYer Erica Domesek of P.S. I Made This is featured today in Who What Wear's daily email. She used our Tulip Fabric Sprays to make her version of the way cool Proenza Schouler spring collection. See, you really can have wear this look without paying the designer pricetag. Make it yourself!

CHA 2010 Favorite Things

Last Friday through Sunday, I was in Anaheim, CA, for the CHA Consumer and Trade shows. We have a big booth there to show off all of our products and to showcase all the fabulous things you can do with our products. The dyed velvet dress (above) is an example. It is so beautiful! And you can make this with our dyes! Wow!

I only had less than a day to walk the entire CHA Trade show (let me tell you, it can't be done and done well). So, I tried to walk fast, grab brochures, say hi to old friends and take pictures of all the cool things I saw. I tend to notice how things are displayed - I love interesting ways to display things - as much as I notice what is on display. Anyway, in no apparent order and with little or no explanation, here are some favorite things I saw at the show.........

Love this coat - it is so on-trend with it's patchwork construction and fabulous rosettes!

Love these paper rosettes.

Great way to display.

Lots of chandeliers at this show.

Me with Susan Lenart-Kazmer, a mixed media and found object artist. I am a big fan of her work.

Pressed velvet petals to make vintage floral embellishments.

Love how these bracelets are stacked. I think I am going to make a bracelet holder like this one for my many bangles.

This table (below) was in the Vintaj booth. I LOVED it!

My friend and co-worker at iLoveToCreate, the Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo. She is always such a vivacious person to have in our booth. Everyone loves her!

A zillion butterflies dangling from the ceiling.

Loved this batik look that was being demonstrated.

My sweet friend, and former boss, Chris Wallace of Walnut Hollow.

National Dress Up Your Pet Day Contest

If your pet is just as stylish as you are, than this contest is for you! In honor of National Dress Up Your Pet Day (Jan. 15, 2010) iLovetoCreate.com and Craftplace challenge you to create stylish handmade attire for your favorite pet. Go here for complete rules. Want to know the best part (for me) about this contest??? My Boston Terrier, Gabby aka Punk Princess, is in the video and on the website. She is just one of many animals who got all dressed up to promote this contest. Lucky for you, she can't participate because she is part of the iLovetoCreate team.

Here's what Gabby looks like when she's not participating in such a haute fashion shoot.

Fashion Graffiti

Check out the hip and cool collage/mixed media artist, Traci Bautista, as she introduces our new Tulip Fashion Graffiti line. It's all about creating fashion style with fabulous colors, stencils, and easy techniques. Bring out your inner urbanista!

Words of Wisdom

Each day I try to read something inspiring to encourage me throughout my day. I really do try to view my life's glass as half full - or even REALLY FULL when I am having an especially great day. Today is a day that I am struggling. I feel like there are some things that aren't fair that continue to take place and I want these loose ends tied up and done! But in life loose ends often stay loose and one must decide to be angry and frustrated or to seek inspiration and feel better. I did the latter. I was reading a daily devotional that is emailed to me and there was a story about an elderly lady who met life's challenges with great grace and joy. When asked how she did this, she confidently responded with these words:

"Be today who you want to be tomorrow."

After I stared for a moment at this profound sentence, I decided that I don't want to stay mad or wallow in disappointment or spend another minute dwelling on something (or someone) I cannot change. But I can change my attitude. I can choose to be today who I want to be tomorrow. I bet I will have a lot more tomorrows if I can do this. Stress has a way of limiting your tomorrows. Anyway, I just thought I would share this to encourage others as I have been encouraged. Here is a picture that helps me feel at peace.