Dream Big

Happy New Year... or well almost :)
I am so excited to begin the New Year.  I can't wait to serve you this year.

My sweet brother gave me a gift card for Christmas.  I be-bopped over to my favorite craft store and picked up a new picture frame and some vinyl for my wall.  Best of all, he watched the kids while I shopped!

Dream big
Believe in yourself
Imagine the possibilities

Not only is it pretty....its inspiring.  I can't wait to see the possibilities be realized!

The fantastic red picture frame was a gift from my brother as well!  It does make my sewing room more Merry!

So on a sewing note...Check out the most precious little Valentines outfit that I made!
I'd love to make one for you!

  
 






Cupids, hearts, love and polka dots.  Oh yea, Ruffles too!  LOVE LOVE LOVE!

I am excited to sew some of these up! 

Thanks ya'll!
Amy @ Marguerite Belle Crafts

 






Success means we go to sleep at night knowing that our talents and abilities were used in a way that served others.
Marianne Williamson

Gnome, Gnome, Gnome, Merry Christmas!

I made this custom item for a customer who wanted something different for her daughter for a Christmas outfit.  I do love it!

 
I am going to finish out Christmas orders and then begin making Valentines sets in this style that are ready to ship.

What sizes would you like to see in a ready to ship auction??

I just can't wait!  It will be in a few weeks, but ideas are just swimming around in my head.

Much love, Merry Christmas!

Amy @ Marguerite Belle Crafts

All you need is Hope & a Plan

So I was listening to Dave Ramsey tonight...and a caller said that he had given her hope and a plan..and that is why she could be come debt free.
I think you can probably translate Hope and a Plan being the key ingredients to just about everything!

So here is my hope... that my customers will love my items, and think of ways to use them and give them as gifts! 
My plan is to make precious items keep my retail venues stocked (Frogs Flea Market & Hot Tots in West Monroe and also Olivia & Co Salon in Monroe), my facebook sales grow....and to be able to cross the finish line on a major goal in the next year or so.

Here is a precious outfit that I delivered to Frog's Flea Market last week.  I love a bow on top of a Christmas Tree.  I guess I need to make one for our tree at home.  Our old star topper is MIA...and I don't have anything on top now..
The skirt of this outfit is almost two yards of width! To be super duper full and perfect for twirling!

Thanks Ya'll!

Step 1. Keep Stepping

The first step in meeting your goal... is one step in front of another.  :)
Right!  That is what I am doing now...step 1, sharing my goodies with you!

So I'd like to show you a recent glamorization...just something that I worked on over the weekend..
pajamas I purchased wholesale...then glamorized for my children!

These specific pajamas are not available anymore....but find a pair of jammies (or anything else that you like...) and I'd love to add an initial, embroider/monogram your goodies!
I love it!
Yall have a fabulous day!

Amy @ Marguerite Belle Crafts

Goals! Lets do it!

Yall,
Sorry its been so long since I posted last.  I am going to do better...Or at least try!
I have some plans I'd like to share with you.  Let me know what you think.  Really and truly, it only works if a few fans like the 'plan' too!

I have a goal, a lofty one...one that is going to take every ounce of hard work I have in me..and its super duper important to me.  Its about a year out.  Maybe two.  I hope one..would be grand if its tomorrow, but lets be serious here :)

In order to reach the goal,here are a few things that we will be doing :)  (Who says you have to wait for New Years for a Resolution??)

1 - I will be sewing samples, hopefully one a week.. that sample will go online on Thursday.  I will have enough of the materials to quickly turn out 3 - 5 similar sets in the next week to 10 days.  They will be priced to move! These will not be ready to ship, as I want to offer the right sizes, but we will call these Quick Ship sales.

2 - Offering custom sewing! Have an idea of something you'd like for a specific occasion, lets see if I can make this happen for you!  See something I make, but want to bring your fabrics by, I'd love to help you!

3 - I take in local 'glamorizations'... buy a super cute shirt at a consignment shop, but need it monogrammed, hemmed, a ruffle added... I'll be happy to do this for you!  I am offering most of these services for $3-10 per item.

I am also going to offer things on Facebook that are not in the online store.  So check out Facebook for sample sales, great deals and Quick Ship Sales!

Thanks for supporting a Mom run business.  I enjoy each item I create and can't wait to serve you!

Amy@ Marguerite Belle Crafts

Take rest! Have a nap...with a custom nap mat cover.

The last few weeks, I have made a few of these... I love making nap mat covers.  They are soft, cuddly... and I love to think that sweet little boys and girls can rest and enjoy something I made!
The bottom of the cover is denim, so that it can withstand several years of being on the floor every afternoon.  The sleeping surface is cotton..breathable and washes well!  The blanket is minky on the inside (soft and cuddly) and cotton on top.  

This cover is for my Ellie!  It has a polyfil stuffed pillow and is totally washable.  Just slide the kindermat out and throw it in the washing machine.  Each mat includes the name being applique'd to the denim side of the pillow.

 The mat unfolded.  The blanket is stretched across.  The blanket is a few inches wider than the mat. 

The kindermat slides in the bottom and then the bottom is secured with three pieces of velcro.

 This is Ben's cover.  Robots! Love it!

 Ben's pillow is made of 2 inch foam.  Rather than a polyfil to save space in his classroom.  This option is available if you choose!

 Tate's cover.  I hope he is a super sleeper!

 2 inch foam was also used in Tate's pillow.  The foam can be pulled out so that the mat can be washed/dried.

I hope that these boys and girls enjoy the naps this school year...well Ellie has a while...but she can do tummy time on hers :)

If you'd like a custom nap mat, I'd love to make one for you!
The model displayed is $50.  Since there are so many options, lets chat over email.  You can email me at sales@margueritebellecrafts.com

Thanks! Yall have a great day!

Amy

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!

Its a Dad Life - I love this video.. they played it at church this morning before the services. 

My kiddies are so blessed to have a great dad.  And several great dads that live right around the corner, so they not only see their Dad as a great example, they have 4 or 5 great dads to see how they operate.  We are so blessed!

I hope everyone had a great Father's Day.  To celebrate Father's Day @ Marguerite Belle Crafts we have placed all tie shirts and onesies on sale!  They are half off today until midnight!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Father's Day.  I am off to see if I can fire up the stove and get the hubs some yummy dinner!

Yall have a great day!

Amy @ Marguerite Belle Crafts

Exciting Sunday!

Happy Sunday evening!!
I love Sundays..pretty much everything about them.  But today's Sunday was a little extra special.  I woke up to a sale on Tophatter!
Tophatter is a site where there are real time auctions.  So its just like being in an auction room...there is an auctioneer, a chat with the other people watching....and a live bidding war.  Each item is just on the block for a few minutes (as opposed to ebay where its there for a few days).  Anyway - a Applique and Monogram Bib Set sold!

I'll be working on getting this one in Monday's mail.  I am so excited.  I love when things work out - and a sale on Tophatter certainly did make a nice little sweet start :)

I also ordered labels for my items...I can't wait until they are here, and I can have my super cool custom labels on all of my products! Look out world!

Best of all, my sweet little boy comes home tomorrow night.  He has been at his grandmother's for the weekend and I miss him so.  :) 

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Enjoy the last few hours :)

Amy @ Marguerite Belle Crafts

Welcome to the newest Belle!

So... long time no post. And it would be that on 5/25, we welcomed our Belle :)
She was born 3.5 weeks early, but very very healthy.

So, here is a picture of my sweetie, with a Satin Flower Barrette from my shop.  She is just precious..but the flower is nice too :)  The portrait was taken by Southern Memories Photography - visit them @ www.mysouthernmemories.com.  Courtney is great to work with - and does a fabulous job!

I am just so excited to have my sweet girl in my arms..and now we have the full Happy Meal set.. a boy and a girl!

I hope yall have had a wonderful Saturday!

Love,

Amy @ Marguerite Belle Crafts

Reach part 2..

Well, the goal of not going into labor, didn't exactly happen.  However - they were able to stop labor and we left the hospital after spending one night...and the baby is still baking. 
We did get to see an ultra sound.  This is the second ultrasound in a row that her face was to my back and hands over her face.  She is just not interested in photos.  Too bad for her...one of my best friends is a photographer..Southern Memories Photography.  So our sweet baby girl will have to get over her dislike for photos :)

On the flip side...I did get plenty of stuff listed on Saturday - that was wonderful.

So in my rest time, I have been watching Parking Wars on Netflix.  I started with Season 1, and I am now into the beginning of Season 2.  I must say, I do love this show.  :)

Yall have a great night!

Amy

Reach

Today I am Reaching...and its ok.  My goals today are:
1 - To not go into labor! I am just shy of 36 weeks pregnant with a sweet little girl who is apparently anxious to join the world.  We are trying to keep her baking for at least another week and a half.  Maybe longer if we can get it.  But we will take what we can get.  Our family will be 4 two legged and 2 four legged folks before long.  I just can't wait...well I can..at least a week and a half!

2 - To get some more items listed on my website, I have a slew of inventory already sewn and I am ready to show the world (and me and my fam) that I am ready to try this.  One small step at a time.  But if we don't have goals, how will we ever know if we got where we wanted to go?  I can't really physically do a ton right now (no marathon sewing sprints of every idea that comes to mind...we are trying to rest and keep a baby baking).  This has given me time that I must sit, and be still.

So today, I leave you with a lyric...and a music video.  I went to Winter Jam with a friend of mine this year.  It was a moving experience.  If you ever get the opportunity - GO! Don't think twice, just go!  Peter Furler performed Reach  (link to the music video).

You know all of my fears
Theres nothing Your eyes cant see.
When I tried to give up,
Lord, you never gave up on me.
I give You all of my hopes and dreams,
I lay them down.
Of all the place Ive looked,
Youre the one truth I have found.

So thankful that even though I am reaching.. I am right in His hands, and He will never give up on me :)

See ya later! Amy

Pinky and the Brain

So I am a child of the 80's and I have brothers that are younger...so in the 90's there were cartoons after school for us.
We were big fans of Pinky and the Brain.  Every episode started off like this:
Pinky: "Gee, Brain, what do you want to do tonight?"
The Brain: "The same thing we do every night, Pinky—try to take over the world!"

Sometimes I think I am Pinky and the Brain (shhh its our secret)... Trying to figure out how to make a successful break into the handmade and boutique community.  Its hard.  But its so fun..  It makes my heart sing...

So anyway, I'd love to learn from Gussy Sews... She is celebrating 2 years of handmade self employment.  I can't wait to be half as successful as her one day!

http://www.gussysews.com/2012/05/celebrating-two-years-of-gussy-sews-ness/

Check out her blog!

Thanks much Belles & Boys!
Amy

Exciting!! Prepping for the Grand Opening!

Yall, This is so fun.  I am working on a new adventure.. a big goal.. something that I am so excited about. 
I have sewn for the public for a while, even had an Etsy shop - but I am ready to start my own boutique - Online!  So welcome to the first post from Marguerite Belle Crafts.  :)
I'll be sewing, working on collages and perhaps a few more artistic endeavors.  So stay tuned.  I can't wait to see where this road leads.

Today's thought.....

Energy and persistence conquer all things. - Benjamin Franklin