Funky Junk's 1000 Follower Giveaway Party - See What I'm Giving!

Welcome to those of you coming over from the Follower's Party at Funky Junk Interiors!

If it's your first time here, please kick off your shoes and stay a while. Scan the categories on the sidebar to see what's here that might interest you. Whether you're new here or returning, I'm pleased as punch to have you.

If you know Donna at Funky Junk, you already know that her blog is growing by leaps and bounds, and you're probably already following her every move. I know I am. If you don't know Donna, then she's a friend you're gonna wanna make. She's a true DIY gal's gal.

Donna started her blog to talk about a home renovation that she was gifted by a local church. Little did she know that her style of detailing her projects would cause her to develop a following of folks hungry for more how-to help. This demand prompted Donna to start another blog detailing her activities in the shop and in her home. You HAVE to see her home! Talk about turning trash into treasure
- she is the QUEEN!
Read a bit of her blog to see what she's all about, and be sure to read about her new Workshop Series.

I am an interior designer by trade, but have recently chosen to take a step back from that part of my career to focus on building a business centered on work solutions for the DIY gal. While working in my design business, and particularly in my drapery business, I discovered that it was hard to find some of the working tools that would make my life a bit easier. So, I decided since I was a creative gal and knew how to sew, I could certainly figure out something to make that would put everything I needed during my work day right on my body. This is how my women's work aprons were born.

I made several styles of aprons with many kinds of pockets, loops, accessories, etc, trying to create the right design. I wanted these to be perfect since I knew I wanted to market them to other women in my position. I've finally got it.

I've got my Etsy apron store open for reatil business now. Please take a few minutes and see what's there.

I'm giving you a great prize in honor of Donna's 1000 Follower Giveaway.

I'm offering you a choice of the following items in this giveaway. You'll need to go over to Funky Junk and leave a comment on her post starting Friday at 10:00 pm Pacific time. You do not have to be a follower to enter, but you do have to leave a comment.

NOTE: The winner will  be chosen from comments left over there - NOT here, but I certainly welcome your comments here.

(Click on Pictures to enlarge so you can see details.)
First up is the Workroom Apron. The pockets hold many items, and the loops hold your pliers, chalk markers, tape measure, hammer, etc. For those of you like me who need even more pockets than the apron allows, we have accessory pockets that slide on the waistband.
(Note: The accessory pockets are not a part of the giveaway - only the apron.
For more of the details on this apron, read the post following this one, or go see the description on Etsy.

Here are your fabric options for the Workroom Apron:

(Selected specifically for this giveaway.) The second is denimn and burlap in case you can't tell.

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Next up is our very popular Farmer's Market Apron. This apron is perfect for the flea market or tag sale gal or the serious shopper that doesn't want to be bothered with a purse. There is a zippered pocket for safely storing valuables, and a small pocket for your business cards when you need them at the ready. This is a really cute fitting apron. Looks like a skirt when it's on.

Here are your fabric options for the Farmer's Market Apron:

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For those of you who need a full body apron, we have The Everyday Crafter. This apron has 3 large pockets, lined, and an adjustable neck line. This apron also has a name badge that is embellished with the cutest buttons I can find.

These are the fabric options for The Everyday Crafter Apron:

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And finally, if you already have your own craft apron and you just really don't need another - which I can't imagine! - then I'm offering one for the little gal in your life. This is our wildly popular Kid's Craft Apron. It has several pockets to stash all of their goodies, a few slots for markers, and a removable wash cloth for them to clean up their messy spills.

And here are the fabric choices for the Kid's Craft Apron:

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Now to clarify:

1. You have a choice of 4 different aprons.

2. You have specific fabric selections for each apron style.

3. You must go to Funky Junk and leave a comment on her post to be eligible to enter. You do NOT have to have a blog, but you must leave her a way to get in touch with you should you win.

4. You MUST let her know in your comment which apron style you would like to have, and which fabric combination for that style you prefer. If you choose The Everyday Crafter or the Kid's Craft Apron, let her know the name you'd like to be put on the apron.

5. Winners of her contest will be announced on January 30th.

I'd really appreciate it if you'd help me spread the word about my work aprons. I'm fairly new to blogland and could use the word of mouth. You can see most of my aprons here as well as all of the current fabric combinations available. All aprons are made sturdy for continuous use. If you just have to have one now, go ahead and buy one for yourself, and if you happen to win the giveaway, I'll refund your money. How's that for a good deal?

If you like them and share my passion about being able to work smarter, pick up my new button to post to your blog. I'll thank you fo-ev-va!

Now run back over and check out all the projects the folks are posting over at Funky Junk's weekly Saturday Night Special.

The Ultimate Women's Work Apron

We're in the full swing of moving right now, but I wanted to take the time to respond to several emails I've received this week. I've gotten many requests to talk about the Women's Work Aprons I make since a couple of people have talked about them recently.

I posted on this before, but will give you a little more detail here. I'll have a full post on these in February when our apron store is in full operable order. This one is our most popular pattern, but when the store opens, you will find many others, full body and waist style.

(These patterns are patent pending, and MakeMineBeautiful is a legally registered trademark)

These aprons truly are the Ultimate Women's Work Apron. Who wouldn't want to look cute while they work. And is always my motto, they are pretty & practical fun things to have. They're almost a must for the woman business professional.

We've made a few changes in the manufacturing process so that we can offer these great work aprons for a reduced price of $42.

These are sturdy work aprons, designed to last. Made from Home Dec weight fabrics.

There is a snap-on/removable washable cloth.

The center is scooped at the bottom so that the apron does not shift while you work, sit, or climb.

The waistband is adjustable and snaps together for better stability.

There are 4 pockets, 2 large, 2 small.

There is a scissor loop, 3 loops on the opposite side to hold smaller things. (I use mine for tweezers and chalk markers.)

There is a double loop at the bottom to hold a small hammer and a tape measure.

*The picture shows an external loop on the side where the cloth is. I've removed that because the focus testers said it interferes with the scissors.

The pockets and the apron base are all lined for stability.

The waistband is slightly scooped at the top so that it fits a woman's hips better.

These are so comfortable that, even with the pockets filled, you forget you're wearing them.

Comes to you with a professional grade fabric protector applied so that your apron is cleanable without having to wash.

Go ahead and grab one for yourself! You'll want to be ready for all of those new How-To series starting all across blogland this year, including mine, and you'll be geared to start sewing, building, crafting, and painting with one of these on your waist.

The following patterns are currently available:

The one above that says Pattern #4, and these:

You can currently find them for purchase here:

The Ultimate Women's Work Apron

You'll love this one! There is no other apron like this on the market!

See Kathy at Creative Expressions decked out in hers and read her review. 

..........................Back to my packing now.

Remember to keep sending me your questions and suggestions about what you would like to learn in my new Home Decor Series.

I'm a Designer and I'm a Seamstress. So What Does That Mean for You?

WARNING: This is a very long post, but there is a purpose to it. Read On.

I am a designer. I design. I decorate. I build. I paint. I create. I sew.  And I teach others to sew.

I do design work because I enjoy being able to bring a client's home to life and give it a personality

that it might not otherwise have had. I thrive on being able to bring a client's vision to fruition.

I decorate because I love to see beautiful art, accessories, furnishings, and paint make such a statement that it somehow moves me.

I build things because I just can't help myself. The more I make, the more I learn, so I keep going. I own most every tool known to man woman.

I paint things because it provides a transformation that gives you the biggest bang for your decorating buck.

And it makes me giddy to see that happen.

I create things because I collect so many trinkets I have no choice but to start making things with all of it.

And, I sew. I sew because it is my favorite thing to do. I sew because I get excited when I see the magic that takes shape from a piece of fabric. I sew because I can turn a bolt of fabric into a wonderful slipcover that can makeover an old sofa in an instant. And because I can make pillows with luscious trims and fabrics that look like you found them in a French Bed & Breakfast. I love to sew.

So where I am going with this?

Well, you've seen the whimsical, the philosophical, the nuturing, the fun side of me, and the side that can't shut up. Now I'm going to show you the serious side of me. The side that is all business. The side of me that makes a living. The side that only my clients see.

I want to share some of my design work with you. Some of my client's homes. And  some of what that seamstress side of me can do too.

And then, when you're done looking through the pictures, read about why I am writing this post, and how it can benefit you. I'm starting something new in February and I'd like for you to help me make it successful. I'll give you a hint. Would you like to learn sewing tips from a professional seamstress? Someone that can walk you through your project without headaches? Would you like to be able to ask a professional designer questions without having to bring them to your house? Do you need general advice on your home, or thorough advice on a project?

Then keep reading..................I can help.

Whew, that was a lot of picture editing!

Ok, here's the deal:

I love to teach people how to do things, and I want to start to teach you if you'd like to learn.

Starting in February, you'll see BRAND NEW features on my blog, customized for you, and by you.

I want to know what you want to know.

I want to teach you what you want to learn. It's that simple.

So what I'd like for you to do is tell me what that is. Do you need sewing tips?

Would you like to know how to make a corded pillow? With a zipper? Or a duvet? Or a slipcover? Maybe a bedskirt?

Would you like to know why you machine is giving you fits? What's causing that thread nesting? Why are you getting runs in your fabric when you sew? What size needle do you use for what type of fabric?

What is that sound your machine is making? How do you know when to oil it?

What is the difference in one paint vs another? How do you choose the right countertops for your kitchen.

I could keep asking you the questions, but I'd rather you tell me what you'd like for me to talk about, explain, show you, teach you, etc.

I want to help. Please help me by spreading the word.

I'm starting a Home Decor Help Series.

Starting in February:

The first Monday of every month will cover MACHINE MAINTENANCE

This is where I'll cover your machine troubleshooting questions.

The first Tuesday of every month will be TIPS ON TUESDAYS

This is where I'll give you the secret to tips and tricks in the workroom that can help you save time.

Feel free to submit your own tip for me to feature.

The second Wednesday of every month will be WEDNESDAY IN THE WORKROOM.

This is where I'll cover whatever I'm working on at the time. This is also where you'll learn to make wonderful creations for your own home and be able to add that extra bling without fear.

The second and fourth Friday of the month will be DESIGNER FRIDAY.

This is where I'll answer the questions you've submitted to me via email about your decorating and design dilemas or curiousities.

Your very own design forum, right here inside this blog.

So what do you think? Are you ready to get on board with me?

Start your questions right here in the comments thread.

I'll be gone until January 15th, and I'll leave this as the first post you see until then.

I want to give enough time for you to post your questions.

Please pass the word. IT'S FREE.

When I return, you'll see the new links to submit your questions in the header. I'm creating a navigation bar just for this so that you won't have to go back and find this post. And, I'll remind you a few days before each feature incase you've come up with a new question.

DISCLAIMER: (so to speak). I do not sew clothing, so I will not be covering that. If you have questions about quilting, well, I'm not a quilter. This is solely a home decor series.