Plumtickled

Time to fire it up

I can't believe my self imposed "Maternity Leave" will be up Monday. How did it go by so quickly?

During my time away I got to thinkin' about where I want/need to go with this here "job" I've made for myself. To be honest, sometimes the stress level gets higher than I ever thought it would get and I feel pushed into a corner with no way out. Every feel that way?

Truthfully, I love doing what I do.... selling fabric, making dresses and interacting with fellow Etsy lovers........ it's the life for me. It's just that ....... in order to stay on top in the fabric world I have to go into soooo much debt. It's a bit harder now that it seems that there are so many other sellers of fabric on Etsy now. Last year there were just a few of us and now...... well, there are tons. I'm glad in a way as it gives us all so many more choices of designers and such.

What am I getting at? Well, I've made the decision to not sell fabric any longer. I've been wanting to spend more time on my regular ole "Plumticked"Etsy shop. I've been invited to several wonderful little online shops and just haven't had enough time to designate to joining them and getting my things out there. I've also wanted to take my time making OOAK items and adding embroidery to little dresses and more. So, that's what I'm gonna do!

I've also changed my Plumtickled shop a bit! New and improved thanks to Studio71on Etsy. Let me recommend this talented Etsian to anyone who needs a new banner, business cards, sticker designs or anything really having to do with graphics! She's fantastic and in fact, is the best I've ever worked with. I gave her an idea and POoooF...... it was ready! Here'sa preview of my new look:

 

I love it and can't wait to get it going!

Ill be working on my fabric shop this next week......... adjusting prices and adding some fabrics that have been needing to be listed.  All remaining fabrics will be marked down 30%-50%.......... I'll announce the starting date next week so be sure to check back and also....... spread the word.  All of my fabrics are top quality designer fabrics so you can be sure you're buying the very best!

*The sale will only be about a week long*

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I'd also like to thank each and everyone of you who has dropped by to say hi to Avonlea.  She's the sweetest little baby ever........ she makes those little newborn squeaky noises and nuzzles your neck......... sigh.  I've ordered some pink tulle and will be making her, her very own tiny tutu for her birth announcement picture.  My tutu tutorial has been quite popular and I'm just thrilled that it's been featured on so many blogs this past year!  I've also received so many wonderful photo's of the finished tutu's worn by the cutest little girls ever!  I really should set up a flckr thingy for them!  Wouldn't that be the most fun to look at?

It's all good in my Hood!

I've just noticed how long I've been away!  Woops...... so much for getting back into the swing of things!

Around our home, it's relaxing.  Amelia has taken to her Legos and chalkboard.  It's amazing what a three year old knows!

Darren is wrapping up a $500,000.00 remodel of a condo on Amelia Island for a couple that live part of the year in England and the other in the States.   Poor things..... they must suffer!  (Oh, he was just Superintendant of the job......... not the owner of the business....... if he were,  I'd be booking the first opening after Avonlea is born for my much needed tummy tuck!).

My boys are wrapping up another school year and will leave me here and there this summer to spend time with their Dad.  He's the Fire Chief in Cairo Georiga since last Fall.  Let's just say they have lots and lots of plans for the summer!  I guess it's just a tad more exciting that hanging out with their "getting fatter by the second preggo Mom"!

I've been working on new designs as well.  Still waiting on the hopefully good news that I can share with you.  Keep those fingers crossed!

New dresses for stylish girls!  And lots of great orders for my good ole Amelia Halters........... for girls and grown ups too!

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Oh and some business.....

I've just ordered some wonderful new fabric for my Plumtickled Fabrics shop!  I can't wait to get it in and to share it with you all!  Firstly, I ordered Joel Dewberry's new line....... it's fabulous!  Also, Amy Butlers new Midwest Modern and a great new line from Anna Maria Horner called "Drawing Room"........ I'm totally stoked about this line.  Here's a taste:

I have this particular print coming in green, blue, rose and the above color of Ivory!  I'm so excited to see something so colorful and modern, with birds to boot!

This is a blurry for some reason sneak at the Joel Dewberry coming our way soon!

Anyhoo......... I'm wanting to clear out my older inventory to make room for the new stuff and am again offering a 15% discount to all orders placed between today the 29th and Sunday May 4th!  This includes all patterns and sale fabrics too!

** YOU MUST CONVO OR EMAIL ME FIRST TO GET THE DISCOUNT! **

I'd like to see lots of it go, go, go!  To help it along....... how about a giveaway?  I'll give away 8 fat quarters to one lucky person who gets in on this sale.  When you convo or email or even leave a comment ASKING FOR A LISTING, I'll enter your name into a drawing for 8 fat quarters of YOUR CHOOSING! 

If'n you advertise on your blog....... your name goes in twice!

So....... shop and blog away and pick out those 8 free fat quarters!  That's two free yards of high quality fabric to add to your stash!  WOooo HOoooo!

I hope to hear from ya'll! 

1,000

This morning when I woke........ I was happy to see that I've now had 1,000 orders in my Plumtickled Fabrics Etsy shop! 

To celebrate....... I'm offering a 15% discount on any order if sent through a convo!  Just send a convo with the fabric or patterns that you would like to order and I'll set up a reserved listing just for you! 

{Be sure to let me know that you saw this on my blog and want to take part in the offer!}

Thanks for making this so much fun!

Judi

Japanese Fabric is here!

Just a quick note to say that I've received three bolts of the Japanese fabric that I ordered 10 bazillion years ago.  It's already listed in my Etsy shop........ please stop by and take a look.

Also........ just wanted to mention that I will also be having a "Moving out & Moving In Sale" sometime next week.  I have so much inventory that needs to go ....... including patterns, books, notions, gifts and more.  (See above for example of gifts).  I may also be having a "fabric de-stashing" sale as well.  I'll announce a date the closer it gets. 

Thanks so much guys!  Etsy shop

SALE!

Just stopping in to announce a big ole sale that's happening at Plumtickled Fabrics Etsy Shop! 

I just went and reduced the prices on tons of fabrics.  From $8.50 per yard to $6.50 per yard on most fabrics! 

Patterns have been reduced too!

Christmas fabrics are reduced to almost half price at $4.50 per yard!  All Alexander Henry cute designs too!

Head on over and take a peek!  If I can help ya'll with anything.... just let me know!

{I've got soo many things going on right now....... so many changes and some news to share!  I'll be back with regular postings very shortly, hang on tight!}

Giveaway time!

Just a quick entry to tell you guys of a little giveaway I'm doing on my Plumtickled Fabrics Blog that starts today!  Go and check it out........ leave a comment and you'll be entered into a drawing for a fabulous prize!  Mention it on your blog and get a triple chance to win! 

Click here to go and read all about it!  Thanks so much you guys! 

Announcing......

The Plumtickled Fabric's Blog!

I've gone and made a new blog just for Plumtickled Fabrics!  It's going to be around to give everyone a heads up on what's new, what's coming, tutorials, Sales/specials and cool things I've found around the internet!

It looks as though all of those changes I told you about aren't going to happen.  I've decided to stick it out at the shop and work it like it's Friday night at the Truck Stop!  You know what I'm talkin' bout!

I've changed the entire shop to show more of my style and ordered more cool fabrics that I know you'll love!  The web-site will be up and running very soon so I'll have it and Etsy to work on.  Many, many other ideas are flying around in my head that I hope will be successful and will send me to Hawaii with my Man one of these days!!

Go take a look and see what you think!  I'll be back here later with a regular post!

Thanks guys!

Black & Blue Friday

I have a confession.  Today was the first time I've ever been shopping on Black Friday.

Hello, hello.  Is this thing on?

I hope this minor dip in my life experience, doesn't send all of my home girls into fits of rage and punching walls.   I felt as though it was time to come clean and confess.  You must forgive me for my foolishness and crazy madness in thinking it was overrated or chaotic.

My sister Debi and I got a high from the thrilling excitement!  To describe my first Black Friday......... I'll have to say this:

It was like taking a pain pill for your whacked off thumb tip, while sipping Wal-Mart brand Strawberry Crystal Light while eating a chocolate Nip while watching an episode of Magnum P.I that you've never seen. (as if), while being skinny and having a great hair day.  Oh, and sewing with infinite bobbin thread.  (No zits either.)

Do you understand my completeness now?  Black Friday completed me. 

{I should tell ya'll that I'm sick.  I'm sick!  I have a cold, a sore throat and have lost my voice......... to most of ya'll it's like.... um, so the heck what?  Ya'll, I haven't had a cold in probably more than five years.  No sinus, kidney or eye infection, no flu, no sore throat, no ear infection, no nuttin' honey.  I'm a healthy old cow and consider myself to be extremely lucky in the germ area of living.  But today I am sick and it so didn't stop me from kicking major retail booty!}

Let me tell ya'll......... I woke up at 3:56 am....... to which I was supposed to be meeting my "shopping slut" sister Debi in four minutes at my shop.  Um, I got there at 4:15 to be exact.  (Thank Goodness for turbo heating curling irons & eyeliner!).  And we were off....... to the Wal-Marts in St. Mary's, so we could stand in line for certain gifts for certain chillin's of ours.  I stood in line for 43 minutes and scored for my boy Kavin Tyler!  He's going to be a  happy dude come Christmas morn!  I also managed to get many special gifts for my baby girl as well.  Lot's of princess stuff, Littlest Pet Shop stuff and a new portable DVD player for the car.  Then, off to breakfast at the Chik-Fil-A........ for a power meeting of the minds with updating of the lists and a fresh game plan. 

{To Meredith, my Kindred Spirit........ you must have bought'n all of the Christmas Story wrapping paper in all the Wal-Marts in the Nation as I couldn't find any but, my sister Debi found a box of Christmas Cards with different scenes from the movie!  If you want me to, I can go back and get you box in case you can't find any!  Give me a sign and I'll hook you up!}

K-Mart it was....... with me driving a broke ass shopping buggy, we headed to the toy section for more little girl goodies!  I've gots to tells ya........ it's soooo much easier shopping for a girl that for boys.  Man, it was a breeze and so much fun! 

I also scored a "future Granddmother's Hope Chest Gift" for a certain very special sister of mine, who just happens to live tooooo far away from me and I miss horribly!  I love you Jerri Lynn! 

Then, all Hell hits in the Mens Department.  I started my "you-know-the-Heck-what" right then and there.  Whhyyyyy?  Ugh.

The end.

(I'll be back tomorrow with Shop news ........ I'm so excited!)

Our first class

Last night we held our very first quilting/sewing/piecing class at our shop.  It was sooooo much fun...... lots of laughs and "poking at's".  My sister Jerri Lynn is the one wearing the pink sweater on the left.......... she was the teacher.  She began each student by teaching them how to use the rotary cutter, how to cut and sub-cut and then sent them on their way cutting out their blocks. 

I was amazed at how many different color choices we all had.  Michela in the picture above is my nephews wife and she picked out purple and orange.  Yup, that's right ....... purple and orange.  It is the prettiest combination......... you'd be surprised!

She and Kimmi chose the quilt called "Becky's Blocks".  Really cute....... reminds me of Turning Twenty or Yellow Brick Road.

Check out the speed and accuracy that Kimmi conquered with the rotary cutter!  Don't forget to close that blade...... MEOW, BLINK, BLINK!  (At the classes Jerri goes to.... if the instructor finds you not closing your rotary blade, she blows a whistle and you get in trouble.  Well, we forgot a whistle so I used the cat.  Whever I heard of someone forgetting....... the cat got shoved near them and it would meow and blink.  I'll take a picture of it soon.  Shoot, I guess we should name it........ any suggestions?)

These are Kimmi's very first blocks ever!  We were so proud......... in fact, this  was the very first time she's ever used her sewing machine.   Debi unpacked it and I showed her how to thread it.  So funny watching a newbie at the machine........ she was so nervous about pushing the pedal....... she said she was afraid that she'd got Nascar fast!

This is Joyce..... so sweet.  She chose a totally different quilt and used the Sock Monkey designs for it!  TOO CUTE!  Here is a shot of her squares:

What'd I tell ya?  Loved it!

Our Mom sat in the background "quietly" working on some yo-yo's for an upcoming class...... wink, wink, nudge, nudge.  I've made many a yo yo, but have never done a thing with them.  Wouldn't a yo yo class be fun to take?  So much easier than one would imagine.

See the smiles?  We were very pleased with our first victims students/friends and look forward to the times ahead. 

Our next class........... the bag.  This one was made from vintage pillowcases that I've used  for a diaper bag for forever.  It's a Simplicity pattern........ I think 4668.  Hard to find now that I think they aren't printing them any longer.  Check on Ebay if you are wanting to make one for yourself........ our stop by Plumtickled Fabrics and sign up!

Have a great day ya'll.  Tomorrow I'll be back with something quite controversial!  Ooohhh....... the looks I'm gonna get!

And the curtain rose..

Opening day, what a day it was!  I'm sooooo, sooooo totally glad it's over and now life can begin to take on a more normal routine, I hope. 

I took these pictures sometime during the day......  It's completely killing me as to how badly the drips and drops of stray paint has shown up in them..... I apologize.  I'm pretty darn sure I'll be scraping and spraying them down with "oops" tomorrow and the next days.  I don't think they are as noticeable as they are in the pictures so please...... please overlook them.

Obviously the shots above are of the outside.  The owners were very "on the spot" and did their best to get the door and the awning painted before we opened....... as well as the grass mowed.  I found that very nice.

This is the view when you first walk into the shop.  I think we were busy pricing some of the fabric at this time as there seems to be some missing.  I brought my star from home that my husband made for me to fill up space since we didn't get our order in on time..... I'll explain that in another post....... my nerves won't allow it as of yet.  The apron that is on the dress form is the one I made months ago....... I took home everything I needed to make the sample of the "Flouncy Little Apron"...... except for the neck strap so I had to improvise.

This shot is next to the shelf from the photo above. 

Okay....... here comes the cruddy paint........ sorry!  This is the view from in front of the vanity.  We haven't arranged the cabinet at the time of the picture....... explains the unfinished look.

You know.

This is our cutting table, office wall and some of our patterns that we have hanging on some red peg board.  And the big ole Coke on the counter........ icy cold!

Good grief........ who painted?  It's crazy the things you notice........ can you tell it's bugging the doody doo out of me?  Side note:  See that cat on the left?  My crazy Mom bought that thing for the shop........ it has a motion sensor and moves, blinks, purrs and meows when someone goes near it.  It managed to make about 15 women lose bladder control.  Debi and I took turns thinking up ways to dispose of it all day long.  Meow, blink, blink!

And the princess enjoying her castle.  Must be nice!

All in all.... we're happy.  We know we have so much more to do to make it polished but with a little time, creativity and alot of patience......... it's gonna be great!  Thanks so much to everyone out there who has shown so much support!  You're truly friends to me and wish so much to thank you in person!  You all know who you are ..... Meredith, Lotta, Rhiannon and you've given me so much confidence!  Truly!