Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year!

Giving Credit Where It's Due

I was fortunate to be chosen for a beautiful treasury that made it to the front page of Etsy.com today (third row, last on right). I made two sales so far from it and have received almost 20 hearts. Very exciting and unexpected.

I have been in a few treasuries that have made it to the fp and am always thankful and grateful for that. I find myself saying "I made the fp today" when, in reality I had nothing to do with it! The full credit goes to the creative and patient curators who take the time to search for items that make an artistic collective, have the talent to put it together and then, on top of that, have the fortitude to catch a treasury!

The curator of this wonderful treasury is justearrings. She has lovely earrings in her shop as if you couldn't guess (lol). She also has a bracelet shop that sells matching bracelets and a quilt shop that sells quilted and crocheted items. I highly recommend you check them all out! Very lovely stuff!

I just wanted to say thank you and to give credit where it is really due!

Valentines in the works!

I have started working on new valentine items. These pendants are double sided and have glass and sometimes vintage beads along with a charm on a 20 inch ball chain. This is one way I have started using my favorite vintage images. They'll be in my Mia Sophia shop after the first of the year. I also have some others I'm working on that are in antique brass and copper bezels. It's all in the working out phase right now, but it's coming along well!

I am discovering a new love. Vintage clip art. Isn't this kitty funny? I have no idea what to do with it all, but it is fun to look at! I think this kitty is too sweet!

Dale of Sea Dream Studios (www.seadreamstudio.etsy.com ) has wonderful collections and some lovely collage sheets. Piddix (http://www.piddix.etsy.com/) has a huge selection of them, too. I am afraid that will be where my supply money will be going this next year.

Happy New Year everyone!

My Two Little Corners

Living in a house with 3 very modern daughters, two dogs and one opinionated jock husband I have found the need to carve out my little corners for my own special christmas decorations. I find myself surrounded by newer and better gadgets, decorations, designs I have made it a point to make a place, albeit small, for my things.



I love collecting these fun glass ornaments. I have been lucky to find sets, and, if you look close you might see Peter Pan and Captain Hook, or Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, or, Alice with the Queen of Hearts, Cheshire Cat, and a palace heart guard.


A very few vintage finds on my husband's grandmothers tatted table cloth. At least his grandmother had good taste!

I have decided that when my daughters are grown and my husband has lost his will to fight me these things will be out all the time along with my massive china collection with cottage roses, vintage pictures and all things feminine and pink. But for now I will enjoy my two little corners and plan for more when the day comes!

Merry Christmas to you all!

Sharing my favorites!

Santa's getting ready and checking his list little boys and girls! It's almost here! I can't wait. The weather has turned cold, again, here, but with no hope for a white Christmas. We are traveling to my parents house and the kids are all excited. I've almost finished my shopping and tomorrow we are making cookies and candy, putting together puzzles and lighting a fire!

I hope you all have a very merry Christmas!

Happy Little Bluebirds!

I wanted to highlight today one of my favorite shops at Lollishops. The Polka Dot Pixie www.lollishops.com/thepolkadotpixie. She sculptures these beautiful figures out of clay and paper mache. My favorite are her bluebirds. This pair of lovebirds is especially enchanting! (http://www.lollishops.com/node/9417 ) I found these little guys just searching "blue birds". I can't imagine not smiling having these little guys around. I always was taught by my mother that bluebirds bring good luck and happiness to your home. With these in your house, you're sure to have the happiness!

This artist is so talented! Her shop is usually completely sold out, and, from the look of this newest addition, you can see why. When you visit her shop check out the wonderful snowmen and simply enchanting Santas she has created (if you don't see any check out her sold section). Oh to have a room full of them would be wonderful!

Take at look at The Polka Dot Pixie at Lollishops www.lollishops.com/thepolkadotpixie and snatch up one of these little blue birds if you can!

A Christmas Snow!

I wanted to share an early Christmas Present our family received the day before last. SNOW! Silly? Maybe, but here in Houston, this is a rare gift! We were thrilled! My fake snowman had real snow on his hat! Yay! I'm hoping to have more pictures of the snow posted in my flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/25757710@N02/ later today (snow on my palm trees, my blooming roses and angels trumpet and on my pool floats that were still out!) ~Merry Christmas~

Featured in Lolli Lovelies!

Karly, from http://www.kzmface.blogspot.com/ the Chic and Green Blog Spot and kzm facial care boutique on lollishops and Etsy has started a feature called Lolli Lovelies. She has been so sweet to feature my lollishop amie-blooms on her blog.

Go check it out!

Devil Cookies

Oh these cookies are the devil! They are the lightest shortbread cookies you have ever tasted! They must have butter, flour and a little sugar and that is all because they melt in your mouth. Then, to add insult to injury they are covered with the thin layer of delectable white icing and drizzled with more blue icing. I could do without the sprinkles (truth be told I hate sprinkles) but these cookies are so good I don't even mind the sprinkles! YUM! They are better than cupcakes and I ate five, yes 5, yesterday!!! Ooooh they are the devil!

And, they come from the walmart bakery! Who would have guessed?!? These were given to me as leftovers at a kids party at our church, I wouldn't have bought them myself, but now....how can I keep away! Darn!Absolutely delicious!

Don't believe me? try them and you'll be saying the same! The devil!

Newest Design . . . Hair Pins!!

These are my newest design. Petite Rose Hair Pins. I am really pleased with how they have turned out. I made them in white, periwinkle, pink, and raspberry pink. I spent this week sitting in a chair by the fireplace (when it has been cold) sewing. I made several sets and have posted them in my http://www.lollishops.com/amie-blooms as well as http://www.friendlybanter.etsy.com/ shops.

I ordered and received my new felt order that contains all my spring colors. It is so hard to wait and not get started, but I'm making myself wait! First things first I suppose. Christmas, then spring!

This is a screen shot of my new shop in Lollishops! You can find me at www.lollishops.com/amie-blooms . I was able to upload last night and it was easy and amazing. I think this will be a fun new venue! Hopefully successful, too! Come by for a visit. The site is new and still buggy but there are some amazing and fun things to find!

Time for Christmas!

How I spend my thanksgiving, originally uploaded by Mia Sophia.

After stuffing ourselves we usually go out to shop at Garden Ridge Pottery. I think this is a Texas thing, but this year they had the most amazing selection of ornaments. I wish I had a mansion so I could have a tree for each color!

Here is the first round of brooches based on the pink peony. I did deviate a little on color choices because I love all the colors. Although I was going for pink, I must admit my favorite was the dark burgundy brooch. Although, the chartreuse was a close second.

I'm very happy with my final brooches. Maybe someday I'll share with you those that didn't turn out quite so good. The experiments gone awry as it were... hmmm maybe not. That would be TOO embarrassing.

I hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving....now off to bed to prepare for Lollishops opening tomorrow! Yay. look for me there as www.lollishops.com/amie-blooms. (try again later if it doesn't work. I may not be fully operational yet).

My newest inspiration. The pink peony. Could a flower be more lovely? I am working on a pattern to emulate this gorgeous creation. So far, they all fall flat, but I'm tweaking and testing. It will be a Lollishops Exclusive! Back to work now.

This is my banner for my new lollishops. I will be starting my shop on November 28. I believe that is the original start up date. I am worried I may be spreading myself thin with it being right before the holidays and already having two etsy shops. My MiaSophia shop is starting to get busier and Friendlybanter has always been consistently busy (one to two sales a week) for the past month or so. So wish me luck, we'll see how it goes.

beautiful sunrise

Sometimes you just have to stop and take a look. This beautiful sunrise greeted me yesterday when I was taking out the trash. Lovely!

HURRICANE IKE! LOOK OUT!!!

It is day 6, yes, S-I-X without power. Hurricane Ike knocked down power poles all around our neighborhood and NO ONE is working on them! We aren't supposed to get power back until sometime next week! I have some amazing before and after pictures I want to post, but, no go on a dial up connection and a generator powering a secondary laptop. Ok, that is it for my whining.

We came through the hurricane fine with minimal damage and we are all healthy (which is surprising with the food situation) but we could have it much worse. So, no complaints, just thanks (and a prayer that the nice weather continues).


update::: we were without power for a total of 12 days. Now that it is back on, things are back to normal for us, but not for so many other people...we were truly blessed. Now it's time to find ways to help others; something I should have been doing instead of whining....we all have our moments though.

Take a look at my flickr for the before/after pics of my street! http://www.flickr.com/photos/25757710@N02/

Latest Project

These commemorative ribbons were a custom order from my Etsy shop. Kelly from Klryder is going to be involved in one of the relay for life races in the DFW area and asked me to make these for her. Good Luck Kelly and I hope the race is a huge success!

Update on Studio Construction

Here is the latest. The electrical is done and the walls have been primed. This weekend comes texture and paint and then I move in with my temporary furniture. Because this is our garage, we have to do a little juggling to get it all arranged. So, my lame worktable on sawhorses has to come in here until we can get my big workbench and shelves made. The a/c and lighting is a HUGE improvement which I am excited to have, anything else is ~gravy~!

Coupons Codes for My Etsy Shops

Each week I will be offering different discounts, free with purchase, free shipping for my customers. Be sure to check back as I will change these every week.



MiaSophia: I am currently offering Free Shipping in my shop. No need for a coupon code. Just find what you like and I'll send it to you for NO Shipping charges.

FriendlyBanter:

I'm Currently destashing my studio so I'm not running any specials at this time. I do, however, have great deals on my destash...check it out~

Thanks for checking these out. I hope you find something you love in my shops! If you have any questions please contact me through one of my shops (contact button) and I'll get back with you asap!

Under Construction...

This is my new studio space in our garage that is under construction. This was an anniversary present from my husband who is a big do-it-yourself-er. Since we live in Houston, it is impossible to work on my stained glass in the summer without air conditioning. He went one step further and, instead of just installing an air conditioner, he is making me a custom studio! Wow. He is even giving up some of his "man space" for it. Wow, best gift ever! Stay tuned for updates! I am itching to get my glass and cutters out!

Here is my newest creation!

Here it is and I am so Thrilled with the way it turned out. It is going to be my newest line on Lollishops.com! Yay, again!

I am so excited! I finally got my shipment of wonderful felt pieces. I finally found a superb supplier and can't wait to get started. So many ideas, so little time! Now Im off to buy DMC thread with their handy matching chart!

YAY!

This is my latest piece of which I am very proud. This was from a pattern book, Aanaraku Eclectic VII. Lots of small pieces but well worth it! I love the way the light makes the reds look different and how the sky changes with the sky outside. It is a pretty large piece measuring 48 by 60, approximately, so I it isn't something I'll be offering in my etsy shop any time soon. I would not even know how to go about shipping it. But it was a gift for my daughter, anyway.

I know nowadays it's hip to have or want to have a scooter. But, just so you know, I have wanted one of these things for about 8 years. When the only place you could get one was eBay and shipped from Vietnam! Now they are everywhere and I turn green with envy every time I see one. Granted, Houston isn't the best place to be zipping around on one of these but with more smart cars, smaller cars and less and less monster SUVs on the road, it's getting better. One day, if you see me on one of these, honk and wave!

My Workspace

This is the window in my office...where I put everything together. I have a place in the garage to cut and grind the glass, but since it's so hot outside, I come inside for the rest. I sold two of my favorite pieces last week and now I'm missing them. Oh well, I can make more now. Yeah!

My Favorite Place in the World

This is a picture of the Medina River which runs by my parents new house. When my kids were small we would visit this place every summer. Sitting on the bank (rocks) of this river or floating in a tube is the most peaceful place in the world.

God is Good....two days in a row I have made the front page. Very exciting. Just when I'm getting a little discouraged because my sales have screeched to a halt....I get a little encouragement......:-) God is Good.

I am so honored to be included in this wonderful treasury. It was featured on the front page of Etsy today (July 7) . It was curated by http://pianobenchdesigns.etsy.com/

Thank you.

Beautiful Raspberry Rose Felted Brooch

This is a very pretty brooch by a close artist friend of mine (lol, me actually). It is felted wool with a pin back. Just something that I tried. You can see other things I do with yarn, just click on the picture. It'll take you to my shop Friendly Banter. I had to have an alternative outlet because my glass studio is in my garage and I can't work out there in the heat. I go crazy not doing anything so I picked up my crochet hooks again. But, as it turns out, I can't stay away from glass for long. Much to my family's dismay, who now have to share their kitchen with my soldering station! I can't figure out how to cut and grind the glass inside...too messy...but we'll see what I can come up with.

This is my first post in my blog. I really don't know what I'm doing (as you can tell by this GIANT picture) so I'm learning as I go with a little help from my teenage daughter. Be patient and watch my skills develop!