Etsy Has the Colors of Spring - Part 2!

The Pantone Color Report for Spring shows us some wonderful color combinations to add to our wardrobes!

Last week, I looked at the first half of the report and found some lovely items on Etsy in those vibrant hues.






This week, I am looking at the more sedate colors in the second half of the Pantone report.

I looked on Etsy to find examples of the sophisticated shades of green, lavender and slate gray. I hope you like them as much as I do and visit the Etsy artisan's shops shown here!




Dark Citron - Tiny Olivine Green Crystal Earrings http://www.shysiren.etsy.com/
Lavender - Eggplant and Lavender Wedding Garter http://www.peterenedesign.etsy.com/
Vibrant Green - Afrenzt Pinbacks Green http://www.inafrenzy.etsy.com/
Slate Gray - Montmartre Painter's Bubble Dress http://www.tortillagirl.etsy.com/
Rose Dust - Bauble Earrings http://www.leavesofglass.etsy.com/

Just Doing My Job, Ma'am!

A sweet Etsy seller named GladRaggz decided to feature one of my pillow covers today after we "met" in the Etsy forums! Visit her blog, http://www.carpetbaggercreations.blogspot.com/ !

Etsy Has the Colors of Spring!

The Pantone Color Report for Spring 2009 shows us a great collection of colors that will be popular this spring! I love the Palace Blue, Super Lemon and the Lucite Green!

All of these colors have a subdued, sophisticated feel, without being dull or drab!






I searched Etsy for some items to represent the colors from the Pantone report and I found some beautiful things and some new favorite artisans!

I concentrated on the first five colors this time. Next week, I will be looking for some interesting things in the colors of the second half of the report. Visit these Etsy shops for some new spring color!




Fuschia Red - Petticoat Skirt with Lace - http://www.malam.etsy.com/
Salmon Rose - Sorbet - http://www.farafield.etsy.com/
Palace Blue - Cotton Tank Top - http://www.cottonfields.etsy.com/
Lucite Green - Lifeguard Necklace - http://www.potatoface.etsy.com/
Super Lemon - One Shoulder Bikini - http://www.harajuku.etsy.com/

Lavender Love!

I made these little sachets for a friend's birthday. The French lavender in them smells so wonderful and I was really happy with how they turned out.

My friend has such a sweet, gentle spirit and I think these little birds are just her style!

It's Your Life; Do You Rent or Own?

I've learned that there are businesses that rent out accessories, and even more amazing, people who rent them! Designer handbags from Prada, Louis Vuitton or Gucci can be rented by the week. Are you kidding me?

I assume the renters are people who can't actually afford to purchase said bags.

I understand the allure of the NAME! When my daughters were in their early teens, it became apparent that certain clothing brands were essential to their well-being! Never mind that the items looked exactly like other less expensive versions. The extra cost was for the tiny sewn in tag with the NAME on it, even if the tag wasn't visible when wearing the clothing! Thank goodness, as they are maturing, they are getting some sense again and choosing their wardrobe based on what they love, color, style and fit, rather than the name.

I don't think I could stand myself if I became so enamored of a designer brand that I would pay to carry a handbag for a week! To each his own, of course, but it seems a little desperate to me.

I can't help but think there is a self-esteem issue in here somewhere.

I make bags, so maybe I'm biased. Also, I don't think I'm a good enough actress to walk around with a $10,000 handbag, pretending it is mine. I'd probably carry it in a big ziploc bag to keep from messing it up!

Say No to Cake!

Just Say NO!


I have been getting ready for my annual spring trip to the beach with my five best girlfriends! We have been taking this trip together for the past 12 years and I look forward to it all year long. Unfortunately, I don’t really start getting serious about my diet and workout program until just a few weeks prior to departure.

It’s always the same, living large (no pun intended) all winter and then frantic dieting and exercise from mid-February through the end of March when I know I will have to put a swimsuit on again.
I have had chicken and vegetables, fish and vegetables, and shrimp and vegetables every night for weeks, with a couple of salads thrown in here and there. I miss chocolate cake with all of my heart!


But, I am determined to stick it out and be ready to go, all for the joy of having four carefree days and nights with my gal pals, sunning, sleeping late and sipping wine and, oh yes, there will be cake!

Cake photo by scubadive6

Beach photo by nola.agent

CottonColors Is Featured!

Artist Karen Fields has featured CottonColors as her Favorite Etsy Shop of the Day! Visit here to see the feature as well as Karen's bright, colorful artwork!

More Blessed Than I Ever Thought Possible!

That is how I am feeling right now! I had been waiting for about a week for the results from a biopsy. I was pretty worried about it. It had taken several weeks to get in to have it done because of scheduling conflicts the doctor had, so the anxiety had plenty of time to build. The nurse called first thing yesterday morning with great news. No malignancies found!

Happy Day!

Well, that alone would make anyone feel blessed. But, what I have not been able to stop pondering for the past 24 hours is how long it took me to respond to all the family and friends who were waiting for the answer along with me. By phone calls, emails and text messages, I shared my good news with all these wonderful people who had hoped and prayed for a good result for me. Many had apparently marked the day on their calendars, or maybe have a better memory than I do. My daughter even had phone calls from her friends before 8 AM asking if I'd heard anything!

I am thankful for my health. But, I am amazingly grateful for the reminder this has given me that I have people who really care about me! I can't think of a greater blessing in life than that!

Morning Glory!

I am not a morning person. I love to sleep in. But, every now and then, I wake up extra early for no apparent reason and it makes me wish I could always wake up with the sunrise. That is definitely the most peaceful and reflective part of the day. When everyone else in the house is still sleeping and you have the whole day before you, there is so much to look forward to and so much to be thankful for.
I am resolved to try to get into the early morning habit. I need that time to myself. It helps me start my day with an entirely different attitude!
A lady I worked with for many years used to say "Morning Glory!" with a bright smile every day when I would arrive to work. I really want to start enjoying the glory of the morning!


Photo by Indy Kethdy

Some new things!

I finally had a whole day to sew as well as a break from the almost constant spring migraine/sinus headache I have been dealing with. Here are some of the things I have been working on!

The pleated design makes a cute clutch or a great full size handbag! I think I am going to have to hide my new bags from my teenaged daughters if I ever want to get them listed!

CottonColors in Exemplify Magazine!

My Etsy shop has been recommended in the Christian Women's magazine "Exemplify" in an article titled "Creating a Sanctuary With Personality". The article gives advice for decorating your home with beautiful, unique fabrics that inspire!

Striking a Balance Between Uptown and Downhome!

Photo by mulmatsherm

Operating an internet business has been an eye opener for me in lots of ways. I have "met" so many great people through my handmade business and they are from all over the world! I am trying to learn how to be myself when communicating in all of these online venues while still maintaining a professional demeanor.

Two things come into play here. I'm from the South, which brings its own issues in communication since we have a lot of "sayin's" down here that would probably be meaningless to non-Southerners. Also, I have a bit of a dry wit that doesn't necessarily translate well in the typed word, since there is no wry tone or sly grin to go along with the words.

I think people who love handmade things also like to see a little of the artisan behind the product, so I try to be as authentic as I can be, but without letting the "folksy" take over.

I once received a convo from someone on Etsy that said, "I live in Jackson, too" and proceeded to ask a question about an item. Since I was (over)excited to have someone locally that had found me on Etsy, I responded with something like "Howdy, neighbor!", which, of course, I would never actually say to someone in person, unless I woke up one day to find that the Clampetts had moved in next door. Needless to say, that buyer "took to the hills" (one of those Southern "sayin's") and was never heard from again!

I guess the lesson is to be yourself, but be your best, most polished-up self when dealing with your buyers and others online. You are the face of your business, so put your best one forward!

Thanks for visiting my blog. Ya'll come back now, hear?

A Green Spring - My Treasury!