Life is a BEACH

Designer Y was on a search for Beachy items from designers on Etsy to thrill the senses and here's what she came up with...What do you think?

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade designery.etsy.com

Product Review: SouthernTraditions Boutique

Designer Y is pleased to present the first in a series of stories featuring product reviews in the handmade and boutique communities.

This first review is for a wonderful product being made by Torri Hutchinson, of Southern Traditions Boutique. Not only is it super cute, it's practical and GREEN too! I love things like this and can't wait to tell you all about it!. Torri has been making reusable sandwich size bags and they're a big hit! The outside is made of a very fun stripe fabric (available in different prints), with a velcro closure at the top. Inside, is a wonderful nylon moisture-resistant lining. These bags can be used over and over. They can be wiped clean with an anti-bacterial wipe, or turned inside out and washed in the washing machine.



The sandwich size bag was roomy enough for two giant sized cookies we got at the bakery, and could easily fit a hearty sandwich inside with no problem. My son got the biggest kick out of this product and he said, "This will stop all the bags from going to the landfills, Mom". SMART BOY!! Just think of how much money you will save over the course of a year by re-using bags, instead of buying them at the store! In this crazy economy, who couldn't afford to save some moolah?

They are selling for $7.00 each in her etsy shop. While you're there, be sure to take a look at her reusable cloth napkins which are perfect for slipping into your child's lunchbox in the morning. I have been a big fan of cloth for quite a while (I have used cloth napkins at home, cloth mama pads and nursing pads too) and this just takes it to an even more useful and practical level. Great thinking Torri, keep up the good work!

Torilynn123 on Etsy



Southern Traditions Boutique Blog

Let's Get To Know...

Vendemia launch group has picked up some of the most talented designers in boutique, and when their term is searched, you can be sure you will find quality and upscale boutique items for boys, girls and babies. It's always such a treat to search their listings on ebay.

They're wrapping up a darling launch called
"The Birds and The Bees"






As part of this launch, we're featuring one of Vendemia's fab designers,
Melissa of Gumdrop*Shop!

She's offering a darling snail feliz custom available up to size 6








We're impressed with her work!

We love the dots, bright colors and the way she interpreted the launch theme most of all!

WTG Melissa!

If you'd like to see more about Melissa and her listings on both Ebay and Etsy,
follow the links below:


Gumdrop*Shop Me Page


Gumdrop*Shop on Ebay


Gumdrop Shop's Blog


GumdropShopBoutique on Etsy

Would you like to be featured on the Designing Minds Blog?
Email us! DesignerY@live.com
We offer product reviews, custom boutique features
and handmade theme showcases,
not to mention some of the most affordable advertising around as well!

Take me to your leader

Aliens, Space Ships and Astronauts are all prominent in boys boutique right now. There's something way cool about one-eyed goofy looking monsters from outerspace, retro style U.F.O.'s and spacemen that capture the imagination
and hearts of little boys. Here's a sampling of a few discoveries from designers on Ebay that have the look everyone wants.

This salute to the Space Shuttle and Nasa is being offered by my*hannahs*bananas, member of NSTYLE Boutique
(love this little guy's hair too! What a cutie!)


Space Shuttle Style

Here's a super cool google eyed alien cover up set for your little man,
from alptreasures. It's created from a towel which makes it awesome for wearing to the beach or pool


Spacey Cover up set

Talk about adorable! Designer Y is loving this one from AbbeyRoad member,
ampledesignsboutiquexoxo. It's a two piece boys set with a three eyed martian staring back at you! Crazy Cute!!


UFO Martian Set

Y is being random...

Y is being random and totally non-boutique in this post but
we always say "designing minds want to know..." on this blog
and I WANT to know...where the heck is that missing AirFrance plane??

Designer Y can't believe they haven't found it yet!

Can you imagine what those poor people went through in their last minutes?

How tragic for the families to not even have any word or definitive answers
on their loved ones!

Y is having a moment of silence for all involved.

So Sad.

Mermaid Girl!

boutique-jolie-b has this one listed on ebay
Click the picture to see the awesome details...


Cool shoes too!

Time is running out!

Hurry ladies!
This one ends TODAY!!



from gigglez-n-grinz, sugar cube member.
It's part of a collaboration, take a look at all of the
items by all the talented inovlved designers!

Haute Couture for Kids 3rd Annual RUNWAY Launch!

Awesome launch on ebay happening now! HC Boutique
(a.k.a. Haute Couture for Kids)
is hosting a super launch
~really cool stuff!




Some familiar faces and some new and very talented
designers are being showcased
(such as...royburduck)


Look at all the time consuming ruffles in the back
, and the awesome applique!


This one caught Designer Y's eye from bklyndoll





Click on the pictures to see these 2 auctions
OR click the banner to see all in this launch.
Nice job ladies!

Designer Y is going bananas for this hat!!

OMG, is this not the CUTEST thing you've ever seen???
It's a sock monkey crochet hat from Jettscreations
Click on the pic to take a look...



Sock Monkey Hat

Lots N Lotsa Lace

Vintage Heirloom Fairy from Cokaloka

something is missing

in the title image. What did i forget to add to that?
Be the first to comment on what's missing and WIN
queen for the day status at your own home!!

I just got the news

The WDAS wearable and decorative art society
has closed. It was deactivated by Ebay.
Yes we had us some good times in that group,
and some bad.
I remember the time we all did Jello shots, and then we played truth or dare and
one of us had to kiss the other..two grown ass women kissing...do tell!!!
.LOL Oh my gosh, those were the days. We were young and reckless, we didnt care. Ebay was fun, profitable, and competitive. It looked like the fun would never end. We dared to live on the edge, and we ran with scissors

I knew , knowing as I do that nothing lasts forever. It is today with tug at my heart I say goodbye to the WDAS. So long old friend.

who is designer Y and

and why does she have one little eye??

Took an hour today

To continue cleaning up the sidebar, the shop by group section.
I left off on Giggles
This is a group that 's got lot's goin on
the honorable mentions
Love this Pippi Longstocking ensemble
The adorable little painted shoes from 3pinkribbons
and don't miss
childrenscraftsworld

Giggles Galore designs Boutique
have boutique items galore!
Gingergrove
needs to get into the Groove
Glamsquad
are glammin' up all over the place

the glamsquad's

XOXOTOVA does the cutest clippies
Okay My hour I was devoting to this is over
I don't get much done LOL
so I am going to delete one more group from my list today

Designer Y Spies With Her Little Eye...Something TOILE!

Toile:

Toile, which is short for Toile du Juoy, is a pattern used in home décor. The repeated pattern is traditionally set on fabric with a white or cream background, and printed most often in navy, red and black. The pattern is traditionally a one-color pastoral scene that tells a story. Due to toile’s recent rise in popularity, it has found a place not only on the traditional fabric, but also on wallpaper and clothing.

Toile, which is a French word, translates literally to 'cloth'. Its origins can be traced to Jouy-en-Josas, France, where the first commercial plant to mass produce it started production in 1760. Despite its very proper reputation, toile had a decidedly illicit beginning.

Christopher-Philippe Oberkampf, who had previously been producing toile using an expensive, laborious process, uncovered secret etching techniques in England. This technique used copper plated rollers, which would make producing toile much easier. He spirited the secrets out of the country and went on to receive the Legion of Honor distinction by Napoleon himself for his efforts. The French obviously took their toile very seriously.

Toile aficionados love the pattern for its formality, its regal tone and its ability to dress anything up. While some find toile’s patterns overbearing, stuffy and old-fashioned, most find toile charming for its old-world sensibilities. Toile fabric was typically used on nearly every surface in the room, including the upholstery curtains, walls, bedding and lamps, but now it is used more often on a smaller, more focused scale on lamps,dog beds and baby linens, for example. Teapots, and housewares are popping up in toile decorated china and enamel. Clothing lines and accessories using toile in a variety of colors and patterns are becoming more popular as well.

Traditionally, toile depicts French provincial scenes, seasons, forest scenes, stories depicting Roman gods and sea adventures. Originally, toile was meant to tell a story, but now the patterns can include anything from florals to circus scenes and animals. Yellows, greens and pinks have replaced the traditional white and cream backgrounds, making toile a decidedly more funky and eclectic option in home décor.

These are some favorite toile creations of Designer Y, as found on Etsy recently.

Etsy Buy Handmade designery

More indecision from the CPSC

Designer Y is checking in with some news from the CPSC...

Tracking Labels

In a ballot vote on May 13, the Consumer Product Safety Commission was deadlocked on the decision of whether to grant a request for a stay of enforcement of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act's tracking label enforcement. Chairman Nancy Nord voted to grant the stay request, which was filed by the National Association of Manufacturers. In her statement, Nord said "It is not clear that the application of the tracking label provisions across the board to all companies will improve recall effectiveness to such an extent as to justify the potential significant disruption and adverse impact on manufacturers, especially smaller companies." Further, she stated that longer lead times are necessary to allow compliance and education.

On the other hand, in his vote to deny the stay, commissioner Thomas Moore stated that the tracking label requirement is not a one-size-fits-all law since it does not specify where or how the labels are applied. (Though he said that might be helpful and necessary in the future and any further mandates in this area would give manufacturers time to comply.) He maintained the labels are necessary for making accurate recalls and that many vendors already use labels that meet the requirements or are easily adaptable.

Read their full statements at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/ballot/ballot09/tracklabelstay.pdf#undefined.

Have you shopped with

Lately??
If not time to start

So here is a question for ya

As I go thru the group links
I notice many groups with one member listing.
Is it worth it to use the initials of a defunct group?
or is it just habit?

here today Gone tomorrow

7&co

alive and kickin' with 14 listings
Adagio Bleu Studios
Still crazy after all these years
Addicted to Beauty Boutique
mySisterSam seems to be the only one left addicted to beautythe rest of them have kicked their addiction, and apparently moved on
All things Boutique
Is still all things Boutique and more. Three pages of boutique items for sale.
Active!
Anthology Inc
A collection of literary pieces, such as poems, short stories, or plays OR
one of the busiest groups on ebay. STILL ALIVE
Beau Monde Boutique
Barely alive
Bella Designers Boutique
unless you are buying a leather purse or wood floor......
Bijou & co
Going STRONG!!!
Blossom Leigh Boutique
60 listings put them in the Active category
Bella Luna
Has left the building
Boutique Bellas
very sparse listings.lots of bows.keyword search brings up other products.
Bon Ami
French for something...Maybe active group
Boutique Mini Mall
still going STRONG who da thunk it.
Boutique Eden
seems to be DOA
Boutique Flourish
31 items listed makes this group actively seeking buyers
Boutique Icing
No icing on this cake....
Boutique mommies
These mommies got it goin' on
Boutique Rascals
the rascals are scampering all over ebay boutique
Boutique Wild Child
Ebay has not tamed this wild child still active
Boutique xoxo
XoXo.....KO'd
Bows Babes
have 22 listings all from the same seller....
Bow Fairies
listing, listing, listing
Bow Betties
Clips, barrettes, and bows OH MY!
Charm St
?
coochie coochie coo
Gesundheit!!
Couture Moms for Couture tots
one Couture mom...41 auctions...
Creative Designs By Creative Minds
CDCM down for the count
Cremedela Creme Bows
could just be the cremedela creme of bows this seller
is the sole active participant in a few groups
Designed to Match
is mismatched they are....... going going gone
Divine Creations By Christian designers
another lone bowmaker keeping these boutique initials active
DollyLane
Is closed...take the detour
Elan Boutique
Active with 39 listings
FaeryHill
No matter how you spell faery, they did not fair well this time
For the Love of Gymboree
Hot Hot Hot
Funky feet boutique
these feet may have been a little too funky, they are all gone
Gallerybay
Listing and active

Do you have a new group you want listed on the side.
..Leave a comment with name and search word

The Circus Is In Town!

OMIGOSH, have you ever seen anything cuter?

KUDOS in a big way to the creators of these pieces...
Vendemia launch group ladies:
glass*slipper*boutique and PBJ*Boutique
(and the sample set even has FREE SHIPPING!)

Just WAY too cute!
Y likes it under the bigtop!!

Nice work ladies!

Click to search Vendemia

What's on Mom's Wish List?

Mother's Day will be here next weekend! What's on your wish list?
Designer Y has found some special trinkets sure to put a smile on mom's face,
and they're all buy it now items on ebay!

A custom fringe keepsake bracelet by LillyEllen.
Darling with pictures and little keep sake wording,
Y would love to open this as my Mother's day gift!


Click to View

or perhaps this one of a kind April Cornell rag quilt purse is
more your style? What beautiful fabrics, and it seems nice
and roomy for lots of mom stuff!
(from Dede-Peppersattic)


Click to View

Maybe you're really a betty crocker type at heart,
or you just LOVE the look of aprons, this is just a really
sweet choice from SewvintageMemories



Click to View

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Designing Minds who are
moms or Grandmas!

This Blog gets Crazy

Well it took about a year for some new nastiness to reach the blog.
Let the boycotts begin, I always say. Or should I say here we go again.

Here is the deal. This blog has been without moderation since I brought it back,
We have had at least a year free of this bullshit drama. But it rears it's ugly head once again. To those of you who may be at the center of this, I apologize I didn't know this was going on. I got a phone call and an email. Designer X (me) is usually in Lala land. Designer Y has been hard at work looking for cute things to showcase and blog about. I am turning the moderation back on, will read the comments before they are published until people can behave. Contrary to what you have called it, it is not a gossip ring and to those of you who don't want to be featured on here. That's fine. It gives us the motivation to look for others to showcase.

One last thing, when this Drama gets brought out on this blog, it has to have been discussed in private in other places. It never starts here, it just ends up here. Lucky us!(sarcasm) The sad thing is that these attacks typically come from within the groups or from "Friends" We didn't start it You did.

Speaking of Cute

This one just came in from TieDyeDiva! It's a pdf
downloadable pattern for a breezy and beautiful tank dress!




Click on the picture to visit the etsy shop now.

Vintage Hanky Dress....Sweet!

How sweet is this dress and scarf made from vintage hankies?
Y LOVES IT!!



Click the picture to snap up this one of a kind Mama Patrice
dress at a fantastic price! So Summery!