Ugh - the "Chin-gollies"

When we were little and got sick, my dad would say we had the "chin-gollies". Whatever those are. But they sure sound cute and innocent.

Not the "chin-gollies" that are in my body. Oh no. These are vicious little beasties, that like to hang on forEVER!!! I've been on my back for the past couple days, and off and on for the past week. Grr.... Moms just aren't supposed to get sick!! Hubby was so sweet, and stayed home yesterday to care for me and the kids, but today asked if I would be okay without him. He wanted out!!! =D Maybe I'll be more appreciated... for a day or two....

I did have a laugh this morning when I ventured downstairs for the first time in a while. Wow! I guess I really do make a difference in my home! LOL!! The first sight that greeted me was the dog nosing through little boy undies, lying scattered among several days worth of jammies. Not typical, let me tell you. At least it brought a smile to my face. The man did well keeping kids together in body (and he bought me popsicles and flowers - such a romantic!!), but there's just some things that need a momma's attention.

So, now that I've given you all probably "too much information" - on to the fun stuff!

I've been working on the open house invitations, and planning some really fun stuff! A little at a time, as much as my headache would allow - very little at a time. With my son's help, they are all stamped and ready to go!  I'm getting pretty excited - hope you are too! Here's a little of what's in store to help:

• Door prizes for everyone - draw a slip of paper with a prize: a discount (10,15,20% off), 1/2 off items, free bow, etc.
• Drawings for great prizes - Vera Bradley purses, cooler, Usborne book, Disney t-shirts, french board, bows (of course!!!), etc. How I plan to work it is, write down your name and phone number where I can reach you right away. When it's time for the drawing, the first person I draw gets the pick of the items. Second person gets pick of what's left, and so on, until it's all gone!
• I'll have a nice little spread of goodies to eat, of course! What's a get-together without food! And I love to eat, don't you!!

More information to come as it gets closer!

Come One Come All!

It's time! The Maple Syrup Festival is upon us! Hubby and I set up the tent this evening, which turned out to be quite an adventure (and just a little stressfull! Got to practice our marriage skills, though!) =O LOL!! The wind was just a bit breezy, which turns canopies into large kites! Thankfully, we had already planned on weighting it down, so were prepared.

Look for us in front of the post office. Traffic flow through town is a bit hairy- so just be prepared to walk a bit. But, it's so worth it - a friendly town, nice weather, great entertainment, bows, Haitian linens... =)

Each festival time, I have to decide what styles to focus on. It's gotten easier as I know what sells, but it's still easy for me to go overboard. I'm pretty pleased with myself for coming up with a variety of styles while trying to keep it simple. I think. After looking over my list, it seems like so many styles - but I finally decided I just couldn't leave any of these beauties out! So, here's what's on the "menu" for this year:

Cosmos - I'm hoping they'll be my "attention-grabbers"! I think it will work - they're just so darling! =)

Of course, one of my faves and one of my "signature" items - the mini korker! I sell them individually at the festival, so if you'd like to get just one, this is your chance.

Another of my "signature" items - and another favorite - the marabou puff.

One of my most popular bows - the Pinwheels - in small and large.

Gracie Bows - small and large

Medium basic bows

Pretty Petals clippies and Daisies

One item I make that you may not be aware of. It's not in the catalog yet, but I have been making them for a while now - French boards. These are great as bow holders, photo collages, messages, little papers your kids make and expect you to treasure. =) I really expanded my selection of these for the festival - loads of great new patterns!!

And of course, I can't forget my absolute, all-time favorite!! The Rufflie bow in regular and Mini!! =)

Sheer Rosettes

I also have a really cool collection of local school colors in several different styles - double pinwheels, spikey bows, cheer bows, pony-o's, korkers, etc. And headbands of course.

So, ready to come see all the lovely colors and styles? Come check me out (and my mom!!) We'll be in front of the post office tomorrow from 9-9 and Saturday from 9-8. Hope to see you there!!

Maple Syrup, Anyone??

I'm gearing up for the Maple Syrup Festival, here in our great little town of Wakarusa! I hope to see some of you! It shouldn't be too hard to find me - my hubby ordered a HUUUUGE bow for the top of my tent!! =O It's so sweet! We were joking around, trying to come up with some sign/eye catcher thing. He said what I really need is a giant bow for the top. Then of course, he looks online and finds one! So he was sweet enough to get one for me. It's like a gift bow - the biggest gift bow you've ever seen!! LOL!!! I think it'll be cute!

I've been going through my stash, and replenishing things. I decided to add Cosmo ribbon flowers to the selection this year, which I think will attract some attention - they're just so cute! So if you're a fan of Cosmos - come check them out!

There will be a drawing and specials, of course. So come on down to beautiful Wakarusa and have some fun! My mom is going to be there too, selling the Haitian linens!

Dates - Friday, April 16th, and Saturday, April 17th. I think it all starts up at 9 on Friday and 8 on Saturday, but I'm not positive right now, until 7 or 8 in the evenings. Guess I should ask about that, huh? =)

Princesses to the MAX!!

Does Disney know how to market or what? Wow! If only I could get kids so enthralled with my bows as well as they do with the "Princesses", "Pirates" and "Fairies"!!! LOL!! We recently took a trip to Disney World, and for the special event, I made a special bow for Diana. I was planning on her wearing it to the Princess character dinner mostly, but she loved it so much that it got worn every day we were there!

It's definitely an "over-the-top" kind of bow - not the typical, everyday bow! I was going for dramatic, and I think this accomplished that!! =D

I ordered the princess figures from an etsy seller. She does a fabulous job - so much detail and they're just so stinkin' cute! I glued them on pins, so they are removeable. That way she can use the bow for church, and the princesses on other bows, shirts, etc. Let me know if you'd like a princess - she also welcomes special requests.

Baby Sister

Anouncing the stork's delivery of a new member of my bow style family! The Brittney Boutique Bow now has a baby sister - the "Mini Brittney" boutique bow! Made in the same pattern, just narrower ribbons for a more petite bow. Isn't she darling?!? =)

The two bows above were made with little decorative centers, available in a wide variety of shapes and colors; can be put on any bow for an additional fee.

Just Can't Get Enough =}

Okay, insert sheepish grin here. I just can't get enough of the rufflies. Yes, I know I need help. Oh well, don't we all? =) Since the debut of the mini rufflie, everyone who's seen it has fallen in love with it. So I decided to take the plunge and expand the color selection. By just a few new colors....

Well, maybe it's more than just a few...

Okay, okay, so it's actually up to 18 colors now. That's now that many more than three, is it?? =)

Save the Date!

Yay! I finally set the date for my open house! I wanted it a little closer to summer, but not before kiddos are out of school (and all things crafty tends to be put on the back burner). So, mark your calenders for May 14 and 15! There will be totally awesome give-aways (we're talking Vera Bradley, ladies!!! And of course some lovely bows and other fun surprises)  - and lots of great deals!! Of course, I'll have a nice little spread of goodies - yummm!

Here's the dates and times broken down:

Friday, May 14 - 10:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the evening.

Saturday, May 15 - 10:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon.

Place - my home. Send me an e-mail for more information.

 Extra entries into the drawings will be given for those who: RSVP (e-mail at deannms3 (at) gmail (dot) com), bring a friend not on the guest list, and I don't know; I'm sure I'll come up with some other wacky way to enter by then. =)

p.s. to all you out-of-towners - send in an order between now and then, mention the open house, and I'll give you an entry too!  

So dig out your summer stuff, and get ready to have fun! =)