Monday, November 22, 2010

Sleeping Giant

We are in Connecticut! It has been a long few months, with Mark living here and the kids and I staying back to sell the house. We did it. In 16 days we had our offer, and after some negotiating, we finalized the offer and we closed last week. It was a tough week for our family, leaving everything we knew. Girl Scouts, Karate, classmates, the creature comforts. My friends. I had a wonderful week laughing and crying with my best friends- but I know we will not lose each other just because of a move. There's Facebook. ;)

We're staying temporarily in the apartment that Mark has lived in since August. Our house will be ready to move into on December 1. For the kids, this is like a luxury hotel. For me, yes, a luxury hotel, but with five people and no personal space. So we've been heading to the playground A LOT. Sanity.

It's a beautiful area. We drive by this monster daily: it is Mount Carmel, but it is called The Sleeping Giant- you can see why. Adam wants this big guy to wake up and start walking around like The Thing. The mountain range is supposed to look like a giant sleeping on his back. We're planning to climb the "chin" in the Spring, where there is a tower.


So we're still in transition. We'll be in our house for Christmas, but I'd like to spend that time getting acquainted with the area and making sure my kids have a good transition to their new school. I'll open just after Christmas, or before January 1.

Thanks to my regular customers who have been stopping by Etsy to buy some ready- to-ship items. It's been nice to see you!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Moving along...

Our autumn is getting more exciting, and the pace is picking up for our move. We are packing the house up for a November closing, just before Adam's birthday, and just before Thanksgiving. We're looking forward to moving into the next house and a new school for the kids on December 1.

I've decided to keep the website closed during the move, and until after the holidays. It has been a nice break, but I love making bows and will be back into the fury and fun once we're all settled in. I'll still have a few things listed on Etsy, because I have a limited supply of ribbon and clips in a tiny little box that I'm keeping off of the moving truck. I have to feed that obsession, of course!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Fall Clips!

I've listed several new clips for fall on Etsy. These are made with super-soft, luxurious wool-blend felt. So sweet!





Sunday, August 22, 2010

Another summer is winding down...

It's almost back-to-school time here! Next Wednesday I'll have a first-grader and two fourth-graders. How time flies.

I am extending my bowmaking hiatus until mid-September, at least. We have some big changes coming in our lives starting next week that will have things a little mixed up in our household for some months. I want to be sure to have all of my current chaos in order before I reopen.

I'll still be listing ready to ship items on Etsy from time to time, though. I've had requests for Halloween and Christmas bows so I'll post on Facebook when I have something to offer. Be sure to become a fan over there to get the latest news.

Enjoy the beginnings of fall...the season is definitely a changing one for my family for sure- all good things.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Pinwheels...

I love pinwheels in the summer- I remember getting the foil ones when I was young. I made fabric pinwheels last year, and decided to try them with wool felt- they came out so pretty! They are listed in a rainbow of colors on Etsy.


My favorite? It's almost a toss-up between the red/pink and the lime green. But the green wins!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Heat Wave

The news reports that this day has been the hottest in eight years! I'm not sure what the recorded temp will be for our town, but it was in the high 90's with a heat index of 105 degrees...completely UNCOMFORTABLE! We stayed inside and relaxed all day, needless to say.

These basic clips are perfect for hot days, and they are great for any age. I tuck some into the back of my own hair sometimes when I wear it up- it holds up the loose ends. They are very cute for infants on up.



Friday, July 2, 2010

Early Bird

I was up with the birds this morning. 5:00 is a wee bit early for me. I really do love the sound of birds chirping back and forth, but not that early in the morning. So with a cup of coffee in hand and a very quiet house (no complaints there!) I decided to make something new. Here is what came about. I love this...love, love, love it. Brown and turquoise always look so pretty together, and with a touch of cream it will be so pretty in the fall. I've put it on Etsy, and will customize it to be attached to the brown stretchy headband, or a regular brown headband, or even a french barrette.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

I felt like it...

Some days I can't get enough of my ribbon. Other days it's my fabric. Today I felt like...well, felt. The flowers are attached to soft and stretchy headbands. So comfortable! I've listed these (and several more styles) in my Etsy shop.








Monday, June 28, 2010

Thomas goes to school!

I love this Thomas outfit by Danielle of 2the9s*boutique! Thomas is all ready to go back to school! The bows are made with bright primary colors- they are a great match for the Thomas outfit, or mix and match them with her other back-to-school outfits. The little Thomas clip is the perfect finishing touch!








Saturday, June 26, 2010

Be a Good Apple!

Here's another bow set for DillyDally's Back-to-School Blues launch. Denim ribbon with gingham, dots, flowers, and an apple clip. Click on the photo to see them, and be sure to go see the Good Apple set by LaNae of Tattered Tulips!




Friday, June 25, 2010

The Blues...

DillyDally's Back-to-School launch started yesterday, with plenty of great listings- my designer friends always amaze me! Click the adorable logo below to see everything.



For this launch, designers used denim in their creations- as soon as I saw the beautiful template, I knew I wanted to make some accessories that could be worn with anything-denim, as well as school uniforms. The first set is a large ribbon flower that can be worn with the headband. I used denim ribbon, and denim fabric in two shades.


And for the second set, I found these cute denim flower appliques, so I decided to make a set of bows with a matching clip.



I also have some collaborations that I'll post separately. This is a fun launch- be sure to check it out on eBay!




Saturday, June 19, 2010

Singed Turquoise

It's a relaxing Saturday night. We grilled steak and vegetable kabobs and plan to do nothing productive tonight. Mark is watching the U.S. Open and the kids are watching Alice in Wonderland. I'm not one to sit still long enough for much television. So I dug through my fabric bins and found this turquoise, black and lace combination. Here's what came about- I'm in love with this!

I've listed it on Etsy. I can picture it with that perfect black dress- and don't be shy, moms...it fits any age.


Friday, June 18, 2010

Argh, Matey!

Here's a set of pirate bows to match the fun outfits by twolittle*angels. Ready to ship, listed on eBay!




Hot! And Pink!

The kids got out of school this past Monday and summer vacation is in full swing already. We took a spontaneous trip up to Waterville, Maine for two nights and got back yesterday. Today is our first day to sit around and do nothing, which I will enjoy. Two of the kids came home with strep throat, so lounging around all day will be our priority.

It's going to start getting hot today, finally! Speaking of hot...check out this pretty treasury that includes one of my hot pink ribbon flowers on Etsy. I love the pink and green combination that LoveandSpunk put together.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Ding, ding, ding!

Or should I say bling-bling?

Step forward, my glitter clip winners! Michelle Dalby and Shelley Wells!

Woot! Thanks for playing!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Glitter, and a giveaway!

I mentioned getting this pretty glitter ribbon weeks ago, but it sat on a shelf shining and staring at me until today. I went back and forth with myself wondering what type of clip to make with it, and decided on a very basic clip. The ribbon is stunning by itself, without any extra loops or adornments, so I kept them simple- but they are stunning in person.


Find them on Etsy or on my website for $4.99 for a set of four, either in the sets shown or a pick-your-color set.

Now, for a giveaway! I'm giving away a set of four clips (your choice!) to TWO LUCKY FANS!

Here's how to enter:

1. Post a link to the Ladybug Bowtique Facebook Fan page on your own FB profile. Here's the link.
2. Go to the fan page and post a comment under "It's time for a giveaway!" and tell me that you've shared a link for Ladybug Bowtique on your wall.

Easy? Thanks for helping to spread the link love! I'll announce two winners on my blog tomorrow at 1pm EST.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

More on Etsy!

There are over 100 wool felt flower color combinations to choose from now!


Saturday, June 5, 2010

Blooming Dahlia

My friend and I were meandering through our local fabric store the other day (one of my favorite things to do!) and this huge silk dahlia caught my eye. It's a whopping 6 inches across- just gorgeous! Wear it clipped to the headband, or by itself.


Friday, June 4, 2010

The heat is on...

I love this set of hair clips for summer, when the hair wants to misbehave, frizz, stand out, fall flat, and all of those things. They are for any classy lady, young or younger, who wants a splash of color. Just tuck one or both in and go...easy and carefree...dainty, but bold.


Sunday, May 30, 2010

In love with an ogre...

This week, find a very fun collaboration on eBay featuring my favorite ogre, Shrek! My fellow DillyDally designers and I had so much fun with this one. You'll find a brother and sister set, a boy and girl Shrek necklace, and of course the set of bows with matching clip. See them all here!







Tuesday, May 11, 2010

I want some Strawberry Shortcake!

I just listed a set of ready-to-ship bows for a fun collaboration with Missy*Lulu and Beadiful*Kids*Boutique. See the listings here!


Saturday, May 8, 2010

Sparkle and Shimmer

I've resisted this beautiful sparkle ribbon for months and months. But finally I broke down and ordered it in a few colors. It is BEAUTIFUL! The sun hits it and it just shimmers and shines! So I've ordered it in every color available and will soon have headbands, bitty bows and basic clips available in all of the colors. I can picture these bows and headbands being worn during the holidays, especially. Find them in my Etsy shop now- and when I get the full spectrum of colors in, they will be a regular item on my website.







Thursday, April 22, 2010

Happy Days!

Today is Earth Day and Girl Scout Leaders Day. Julia went off with a friend for the afternoon, and Adam is busy with all-things-Lego, so Sara and I took off to the local garden store to find supplies to build a mini Terrarium. We wanted to create our own little ecosystem in a jar.

We followed this wonderful tutorial. Easy Peasy!
Here she is with the finished product...she felt it needed a decoration. We looked around for a fairy or mushroom, and came home with a frog. It was cute, but too big to fit. She found this white bengal tiger and we knew it was the perfect finishing touch.

Happy Earth Day!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Oh what a night...

The Father-Daughter dance was last night. What a fun time for the girls! Here are Julia and Sara, all ready to go. They loved their dresses!

It was raining out, so I was worried about indoor pictures, but I love how these came out.
Here are the girls with Mark. He has lost 50 pounds- he's looking good!

We had some of their friends over to take some pictures- the dads all looking so handsome in their shirts and ties that coordinated with the girls dresses.

Here they are being so silly! This might be my favorite picture!

I would have loved to see the school gym full of pretty girls, but moms get to stay home with the boys. My son had his friend over and they ruled the WII for the night!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

A Seuss-ish Steal

Call me strange, but I had a dream about Cat in the Hat bows last night. Seuss/Cat bows have always been a great seller for me- it seems I make them quite often. This morning I made up this pair to list on Etsy. Want them? They are offered at great discount from what I typically charge on the website. Just for fun!



Sunday, April 11, 2010

Pretty Plum...

I love the rich hues of these two felt colors- they look so nice together. This is a bigger rose that sits up on top of the headband like it is blooming. It's a one-of-a-kind, listed on Etsy.


Saturday, April 10, 2010

Do it up!

I got such a kick out of this picture that someone took after her daughter and friend each received a Ladybug Bowtique bow bouquet for Easter. May as well go all out, right?


Thanks, Patty! I'm glad you had such a fun Easter!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Oh, so sweet!

I sent some felt flower clips off to Melissa of Contemporary Captures and couldn't be more pleased with the pictures I got in return! Little miss Gracie is so beautiful--watch out for those golden eyes- they are mesmerizing! I loved all of the pictures but here are some of my favorites. Thank you, Melissa!








Thursday, April 8, 2010

Little Mermaids...

It's Father-Daughter Dance time again! The dance is next Friday night. Julia and Sara scored some beautiful "mermaid" dresses, as they call them. The dresses have a sheer overlay, and the fabrics are beautiful blues and greens. Last year they got all dolled up...has it really been a whole year?

So of course I am charged with the hair accessories. I took the dresses with me to the fabric store and picked up shiny satin fabric that was a fairly decent match. With a few stitches, some felt, and some beads, they came together quite nicely!


Sara's dress on the left is aqua and lime green. She wants just one flower pulled to the side of a head full of curls.

Julia's dress is an emerald green and turquoise. It is lovely on her. She has longer hair, so she wants her 'usual' do- tossed up with some whispies coming down on each side, with the flowers tucked in at the top. She decided she needed two flowers for this look.

Of course I'll be sharing pictures next weekend. We still need shoes, so I'll be on the hunt for those. I'm all for practical shoes- the girls know they have to choose shoes that they can wear all summer. Adam decided we should go to the Olive Garden that night. So I have a date with a very handsome boy while Mark and the girls are off to the dance. Luckiness all around.