{Dallas Flea, Sneak Peek}

Just a little peek at what I'm working on for the Dallas Flea! If you see something interesting come out to the flea and see it in person!!

Hope you are all having a super wonderful week!

{Wednesday...9+ Months}

Hi! It's Wednesday! Not that that means anything, but the week is more than half way over, so there's that,... :)

Last week I took Cash to the park because we've been having this AWESOME weather here in Dallas. We tested out the swing and he wasn't a fan on that first try. I took him back this week and he LOVED it! I guess he was just having a bad day last week. He hung out in that swing for like half an hour and giggled and smiled and admired all the other kids playing. It was so sweet and these are quite possibly the cutest pictures I have gotten of him! I will mark this a nine month post,.. even though he was nine months like two weeks ago. What's new??

NINE months:

22 pounds

30 inches

crawling, climbing, pulling, scooting, about to be walking

teething,... still

but no teeth

loves keys, balls of yarn & the swings

wearing 12 month clothing

playing with his fav toy "Elefun ball popper" EVERYDAY, and at like 6 am.

Clapping when I say "YAY"

waving backwards when I say "BYE BYE"

raising his arms when I tell him he's "SO BIG"

The sweetest little 9 month old I know. I'm pretty lucky.

In addition to chasing my baby around, I'm currently preparing for Paper Box Quilt Co.'s debut at The Dallas Flea!!! That's right! I will be setting up a booth and selling my items in PERSON! I'm a little nervous about being ready in time, but also super excited at the same time. I am planning to have quilts, pillow covers, mini quilts/table toppers, crochet dish cloths, wall decor, bunting, pot holders, clothespins, some small paper items,.... I think that's it,... for now,... SO, if you're in the area and want to stop in to see me, mark your calendar!! April 21 in the South Side building downtown. I will be among a TON of awesome vendors so you will have PLENTY to look at, shop & admire. Are there any local readers out there??? Any already planning to attend the Flea?? I would love to meet you!

Photo courtesy of Craigslist

The final thing on my Wednesday agenda is this cute little hutch! I found this on Craigslist for $30 and I plan on using it in my booth set-up at the Flea. I thought it was a bargain! Gotta love Craigslist.

What draws you to a booth at a flea market/craft show?? Does the set-up matter?? Would you pass up a booth that didn't have a pretty/unique set-up no matter what they were selling?? Just curious. I think I am more attracted to pretty booths. Is that bad? I might pass up the most beautiful handmade goods because I couldn't see past the card table they were sitting on. It's the same on Etsy. If the picture is bad quality or effortless I almost always skip it. Does that make me an Etsy/Flea market snob?? I think it might. I'm a little ashamed. BUT at the same time, I like it when people make an effort to draw me in. Make me want to step into your booth. Right?? Oh man,... I've just made myself even MORE nervous. Crap. Gotta go. I have to plan out how to make you want to step into my booth.

{Fabric Stash}

Hey there! Did everyone have a wonderful Valentine's Day yesterday?? Mine was beautiful! I have always loved Valentine's day,... could have something to do with the fact that it's also my BIRTHDAY!!!! I turned 23,......... errrr 32 yesterday. Monday I received a flower delivery from the Mr., yesterday we had a quick take out dinner at home (I don't know about you but going out for dinner ON Valentine's day is always a huge ordeal, I try to avoid it) and watched some super silly Tuesday night television. (does anyone else think NEW GIRL is freaking hilarious?!?!) Today I received a generous gift card from the Mr. for Quilt Asylum and Saturday evening we are going on a dinner/movie date (thank you Grammy for your babysitting services). What a cool Valentine's WEEK!! Thanks husband! What are all of you up to?? Do you hate V-Day? You either love it or hate it really. Whether you're married, single, dating,.. I hope that you spent the day surrounded by love.

I have been doing quite a bit of stash building since I last photographed my fabric storage and I always forget to take pictures when I get home with my haul. SO I spent a while last week taking pictures of my "new" fabrics. Some are for very specific projects, but the majority, like the stack pictured above, are just because they are too pretty to pass up.

On my last trip to Quilt Asylum I had the lady there cut me a 5" strip of all the Secret Garden prints by Sandi Henderson. I guess Michael Miller isn't on the pre-cut boat, so the ladies at QA were willing to assist me in making my own "jelly roll". Now I can use it on a "jelly roll friendly" quilt without buying wayyyyy too much fabric. Very sweet (and patient) of them! I also snagged up some yardage for backing/binding when Fat Quarter Shop was having 40% off all Secret Garden!! SCORE! In that first little picture are some additional SH prints I have collected,... for no reason at all! (I believe they are all from the Meadowsweet collection)

Is anyone else drooling over Loulouthi?? I know I know.... it's been out a while, but it sure is pretty!! SO I got a few prints. :)

Random Tula Pink prints. TP is always beautiful.

Same goes for Amy Butler!!

The picture above, on the right has two pieces of Amy Butler fabric that I bought at MARSHALL'S!! I bought a twin size AB duvet for $10!!! and ended up with these two huge pieces of fabric! that was a pretty exciting day.

Joel Dewberry Aviary 2 for Laila's big girl room.

Fabrics for the boy,... oh that boy. :) He definitely needs another "manly" quilt around the house. He's always playing on pink quilts with flowers and ruffles. We are going to work on that!

Chevron fabric, uh because chevrons are FABULOUS!

These are random stacks of DS for Joann, Joann bargain pieces and sale pieces from my LQS. Sometimes I find the greatest fabrics at Joann hidden in with the not so great fabrics. ;) I love when that happens. And all the Joann coupons!! I never pay full price for anything at that place!

Above is some yardage I bought at another quilt shop out here called Happiness Is,... Quilting! They were having their anniversary sale the few days after Thanksgiving and were doing a buy 3 get 2 free on EVERYTHING in the store! I stocked up! I got a TON of fabric! I needed to make sure I had backing fabric for the fat quarter bundles I've been hoarding, Bliss & Ruby are a couple. Here's what happens to me a lot,... I buy a fabric bundle/charm packs/layer cake,... etc. and it sits and sits and sits until I have the PERFECT project for it. THEN by the time I'm ready to use it, I can't find the yardage for backing, sashing, borders, binding etc. and then that leaves me with unfinished quilt tops. Boo. So, this time, I'm ready for it! I rarely buy yardage without a project in the works, but it hasn't really worked in my favor that way. Don't you just LOVE that aqua scalloped fabric from Ruby?!?!

Chevrons,... which I already showed you and Sweet Nothings by Riley Blake. Love the colors in that line!

I also got a bundle of Little Apples from a friend for Christmas that I apparently forgot to take a picture of. I guess I should stop hoarding fabric and start using it! It's a little weird, but I HATE when I use up any one fabric! Then I feel like I need to replace it. Whaaaat?? Can't let go?? weirdo! Does anyone else get sad when they use their last little bit of a fabric? I guess I just like to know that it's there for me to use, otherwise, I will have the perfect place for it in a project and it will be GONE! Yes, I have a problem!

I want to see your stash!! Leave a link in the comments with your blog and more specifically, your stash post if you have one. Maybe there will be a giveaway in the form of a small fabric destash if you link it up!

{New Etsy Goodies}

{Holiday Ruffle Pillow Cover}

{Carnival Pillow Cover}

{Gypsy Wild Thing Quilt}

So there you have it,.... get em while they're hot! ;)

See you soon!

{Get Your Shop On}

Blue Ruffle Pillow Cover

New pillow styles in the SHOP!

Girly Ruffle Pillow Cover

Light Blue Sparkle Clothespins

Along with some new sparkly colors for clothespins.

Light Pink

Dottie Bunting

And of course some more bunting!

Red, White & Blue Bunting (SO original! Anyone have another name suggestion?)

That is all for now! I am headed out with my little guy to search for some good holiday fabric deals! What do you have planned for the weekend???

{More new Etsy items}

I listed a couple of the buntings today! Strawberry Picnic and Sweetheart. These are the large sizes and measure approx. 7.5 feet end to end.

"Sweetheart"

When I realized I was using clothespins all the time for hanging quilts, pillow covers, fabric, bunting,... etc. for photo shoots, I decided they should be prettier. SO,... naturally I added GLITTER! Glitter makes everything awesome! These are also in the shop. They will come in gold, silver, light pink, light blue and turquoise.

This is SO fun! I have been a busy little bee the last couple days getting everything set up at Paper Box Quilt Co. and seeing that sparkle and ribbon is making me smile! GO! Tell all your friends!! I have a small milestone coming up here on my blog, so if you spread the word,... there might be a giveaway in the near future!! (especially since I missed my two year blogiversary,... even more reason for maybe a DOUBLE giveaway. It's been a while!)

{Etsy Grand Re-Opening & A NEW Name!!}

I am super excited to announce the GRAND re-opening of my Etsy shop!!!! I decided to make a few changes over there,... first, I am no longer designing/selling jewelry. I have so much more fun with FABRIC! :) So I'll be selling my quilts, some pillow covers, bunting, little odds & ends and there WILL be a paper box here and there, after all that is where this all started, is it not? Second,... I have changed the name of my shop! What was previously Bella Gioielli (Italian for Beautiful Jewels) is now Paper Box Quilt Co. I realize that quilts have nothing to do with paper or boxes, but I'm sticking with it!

So, here you have it! My first 5 items at Paper Box Quilt Co.

(let me know what you think) (only if it's nice...) ;)

First up is "It's A Hoot" quilt.

This quilt was made in my (smoke free/pet friendly) studio by MOI!! Fabric is "It's A Hoot" by Momo for Moda Fabrics. It is so bright and cheery consisting of little birds, polka dots, pretty damask and funky florals in a mix of pink, aqua, red, yellow, green & lavender(ish/grey). Pretty perfect for a little girls room or to snuggle under on the couch.

Pattern is "Piece of Cake" by Thimble Blossoms. Finished squares measure approx. 7.5" and all feature a strip of a contrasting Hoot fabric & are framed by the super cute EGG shaped pink polka dots. Backing is matching pink "damask". It is all over machine quilted in a free motion meandering pattern with 100% polyester ivory thread.

Measures 63" x 71"

All fabrics used on "It's A Hoot" are 100% cotton, batting inside is also 100% cotton. Your quilt will come pre-washed, all crinkly and beautiful. To wash: machine wash on cold with color safe detergent, tumble dry on low. (I use Tide w color safe bleach/downey fabric softener combo).

"It's A Hoot" is ready to ship and ready to be loved for a very long time!

Next is "Baby Boy" Pillow Cover

Baby Boy throw pillow cover is made from the fabric line, Soliel by Annette Tatum for Westminster Fabrics. This sweet fabric mixes aqua, yellow, grey and orange with stripe, star, floral and puppy dog prints The patchwork front has been machine quilted in a straight line, grid pattern with 100% polyester blue & orange thread & backed with a coordinating pale blue solid fabric.

Pillow cover measures 18"x 18" and will fit nicely on a 18" pillow form. (pillow form is not included, but can be purchased at your local craft or hobby store).

All fabrics used on "Baby Boy" pillow cover" are 100% cotton, batting inside is also 100% cotton. Pillow covers will not come pre-washed. To wash: machine wash on cold with color safe detergent, hang or lay flat to dry. (I use Tide w color safe bleach/downey fabric softener combo).

"Baby Boy" is ready to ship and ready for your baby boy nursery!

And of course,... "Baby Girl" Pillow Cover

Baby Girl throw pillow cover is made from the fabric line, Soliel by Annette Tatum for Westminster Fabrics. This sweet fabric mixes pink, yellow, grey and orange with stripe, star, floral and puppy dog prints The patchwork front has been machine quilted in a straight line pattern with 100% polyester pink & orange thread & backed with a coordinating pale pink solid and pale pink check print.

Pillow cover measures 17"x 17" and will fit nicely on a 16" pillow form (shown). (pillow form is not included, but can be purchased at your local craft or hobby store).

All fabrics used on "Baby Girl" pillow cover are 100% cotton, batting inside is also 100% cotton. Pillow covers will not come pre-washed. To wash: machine wash on cold with color safe detergent, hang or lay flat to dry. (I use Tide w color safe bleach/downey fabric softener combo).

"Baby Girl" is ready to ship and ready for your baby girl nursery!

Finally I have the first two of a series of "Deconstructed NEST" Pillow Covers

Deconstructed NEST #1 is made from the fabric line, Nest by Tula Pink for Moda Fabrics. This funky fabric mixes pink, aqua, yellow, green and brown with bird, feather, egg and floral prints. The "braided" front has been machine quilted in a free motion meandering pattern with 100% polyester ivory thread & backed with a cheery pink print from the Nest line.

About 2 years ago I constructed this Nest braid as a quilt top,... it ended up terribly crooked. The top was perfect and the bottom swayed (to say the least) to the side. My BIG mistake is your fortune. I was able to cut apart the wonky quilt top and make several pillow covers out of it. (don't worry, none of the pillows ended up WONKY!) ;) This is the first in the "Deconstructed NEST" pillow collection. Stay tuned for more!

Pillow cover measures 20"x 20" and will fit perfectly on a 20" pillow form. (pillow form is not included, but can be purchased at your local craft or hobby store).

All fabrics used on "Deconstructed NEST #1" are 100% cotton, batting inside is also 100% cotton. Pillow covers will not come pre-washed. To wash: machine wash on cold with color safe detergent, hang or lay flat to dry. (I use Tide w color safe bleach/downey fabric softener combo).

"Deconstructed NEST #1" is ready to ship and ready to adorn a couch near you!

(#2,... same basic description, but it has been straight line quilted instead of stippled)

Remember THIS disaster??? Yeah,... now we have PILLOWS! :)

And there you have it! I will be posting new items regularly so keep checkin in!! Share it with ALL your friends! Thanks for all your support!

XOXO