GOT PICS?



peach-multi beach coverlet 



As I prepare myself to participate in my first Fashion Week  it was suggested that I have a photo shoot to send PICS and a bio for the website. So, Saturday was my first photo shoot. It was planned at the last minute but I was VERY pleased with the results. My daughter, Aysia, and her friend Lexi were my models. They made my work look beautiful!

I didn't realize the work that goes into photo shoots, garments, accessories, make- up, poses, lighting, etc.  It was exhausting but worth it! I now have more of an appreciation for designers, models and everyone else involved in the process.  This was just a glimpse of my future. ( I'm claiming the success of my line. lol!)

Once I get the finished pics I'll add a few a day and notify you when my bio and PICS are posted on the Oklahoma Fashion Week website. My daughter had a few that the photographer gave her to upload to instagram.  She shared with with me so I will share it with you!  Keep me in your prayers. Enjoy & Smooches!



My Design Frenzy!

I have been on a knit and crochet frenzy for the last few weeks.  I eat, sleep and play thinking about yarn, design and texture.  I wake up and immediately begin drawing or creating the design that was in my dreams or vision.


Side view of dress



Turquoise Pineapple Racerback Dress
www.lovepetals.etsy.com

Yesterday, the garment that began as a skirt was transformed into a dress.  Once I begin creating with the yarn the garment takes on a life of its own.  Before I knew it, my vision for the design changed.  It took a while for it to come to life.  I would spend a day crocheting and then unravel the entire thing.  This went on for a couple of days until I was satisfied.

I think this year I will reincarnate my shop so that I will also sell patterns for my clothing.  I dont write the steps down as I go but I can go back and figure it out.  This will be a new endeavor for me and will take a little time to do this for each item, but I need to do it for me as well as for other crocheters who can make the item themselves.  What do I have to lose?

The weather is cold and windy which makes for a great atmosphere to cuddle up, put on a good movie and design.  So, the new year brings about new opportunities, and a chance to transform, or reinvent yourself to be what you want.  You are the only obstacle to your dreams.  So with that in mind . . .  I will continue on my design frenzy and continue on the road to making my wildest dreams come true!  Ill take you on the journey with me and please give me your opinion along the way.  Have a blessed day!

Happy New Year!

Today is the beginning of a new year! I am excited about the possibilities that await-. I am also preparing to present my line at the first Oklahoma Fashion Week in April.

This endeavor is a dream come true and will test my faith, skills and confidence'. This is something I've wanted for a long time-. I feel it will advance me to the next level in my career.  One thing I know for sure is it will force me to make my business a priority and invest the time and money necessary to make it what I've hoped and dreamed it will be.

I believe we all have desires that can and will manifest only when we submit it to prayer and put feet to our faith. I'm praying that those things you desire will manifest in your life and ask that you do the same for me. I will definitely keep you posted.

New designs and logo will be coming soon. stay tuned. Remember: Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams are realized there is life and joy! Proverbs 13:12.  Smooches.

Rasta for Christmas!

SPECIAL ORDER
www.lovepetals.etsy.com

Hey Guys, check out my latest design on Etsy.  It is a custom made dress for a customer.  I prayed and asked God to send the work and He did it "exceedingly, abundantly"!  It turned out better than I imagined!

Also, Christmas was great!  I spent time with my family.  We share laughs, jokes and even tears of joy!  Its a blessing to have family and share special times.  Things wont always be great but cherish every moment.  They are gone too soon and you cant get time back. 

All through the night I dreamed of new designs.  It was crazy!  I love what I do and cant wait to get started creating my newest vision.  Ill share it when its completed.

Well, gotta go, just wanted to drop you a few lines and share my latest design.  Happy Holidays!

Happy to be here!

I am soooo happy to finally be posting on my blog!  I forgot the password and have been struggling to log on with all of the changes to the site.  But, finally I am here and I am very happy!

I am also happy to be here after hearing about all of the tragedies that have been happening around the nation.  We take life for granted daily and we must realize that tomorrow isnt promised and every moment we have is a blessed gift from God.  Please take the time to tell your friends and family that you love them and treat eachother with respect and love. 

Great things have been happening at Lovepetals.  My orders have been soaring off the roof!  I have been overwhelmed but in a good way.  I am also incorporating knitting with my designs and I am very excited about that.  Learning to knit has been my New Years resolution for several years and finally I have learned.  Of course I am a beginner but prayerfully by this time next year I will be advanced and making wonderful and beautiful new designs.  Stay Tuned!

I just completed a beautiful gown for a customer and she seems very pleased.  I will post pics soon.  Thanks for hanging in there with me and waiting patiently for me to return.  I have found my way back to you and believe me I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE!  I will be posting again soon thanks again and God Bless You!

Exhausted but Happy!

     I am sooo exhausted that I can hardly see straight.  I have been up crocheting until 2am to complete an order.  I am not complaining by any means, just explaining.  I was sharing with a church member that when you ask the Lord for something be prepared for it.  He has a habit of giving it to you in large doses.  And I am thankful for it!!!
      I just put my Christmas Tree up on Friday.  I dont know why I didnt put anything up with yarn!!!  Last year I saw a Christmas Tree and garland displayed in Macy's that was filled only with lights and various colored yarn balls!!!  You know I almost flipped my wig.  lol!
     Just this Saturday I was also in Target and saw ornaments for sale for $5-$6 dollars that were balls of yarn with a snowflake hand embroidered on it.  It was pretty cute, but I have too much yarn at my house to purchase something like that.  But, it makes you think outside of the box. 
     A friend of mine placed a large crochet order for gifts for her son's classmates, her co-workers and his teacher.  I really appreciate her patronizing my shop.  I also appreciate that she thought enough of them to purchase something that was handmade and also made in america!!!  Things like that show that you took the time to be thoughtful in your gift giving. 
     Many times we run to the store to spend lots of money and get caught up in the hustle and bustle instead of being creative!  It is when we sit still and think, pray, meditate, relax. . . . that we hone in on that special gift or think of new and genuine ways to express our love and appreciation for family and friends.
     Dont get caught up in all of the commericals that urge you to spend money that you do or dont have, dont get caught up in trying to compete with someone else, dont get caught up in trying to be something that you arent!  Do you, and if it takes you out of your comfort zone, makes you spend a little more time being thoughtful and creative, it will be well worth it.  You'll be exhausted . . .  but Happy! 
MERRY CHRISTMAS and dont forget that CHRIST is in Christmas! 
                                                                                                                                     Love ya!   

Staying in the Race!

     I am happy, and encouraged! I have seen my etsy website spark to life after a two year dry period.  Dont get me wrong, I have made sales to friends and family off site but not many sales through the website.  I have received alot of activity, views, hearts, etc, but not alot of sales.
     I participated in the Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday sales with a 35% discount.  I posted the sale on my Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/crochetlovepetals) and emailed friends and family to let them know about the discount.  It seemed to have worked!!!  I have been busier than ever!!!  It has sparked a new fire inside of me.
   My sister told me to add new items to my site which are geared towards winter and see how things faire.  So, I made a few scarves and hats and added them.  Voila,  I got a few hearts and then folks started purchasing them and I even have a few custom orders for other items.  Thanks Michelle for those words of wisdom.
     You see, sometimes we get stuck in a rut and continue to do the things we are comfortable with or used to doing.  I had a vision in my mind of what I wanted to make, but Im not sure that I had a feel for what the customer was actually looking for.  So, because I wasnt in tune with them, I wasnt getting any activity. 
     Since I am a stay-at-home/work-from-home Mom, I dont get much interaction with others and hear other view points.  It prompted me to join a new team on Etsy "Etsy Artist of Color" and they have inspired me to network and try new things.  I am excited to see the success of other very gifted and talented artists and to be able to bounce off new ideas and critiques with them.  I am sure they are gonna invigorate me to do more!
     The scripture says : " I have seen something else under the sun:  The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.  Moreover, no man know when his hour will come;"  Ecclesiastes 3:11-12.  So I encourage you and I also encourage myself. . . . stay in the race, be patient, believe and things will eventually work out!  But, you cant just sit and wait. ..  you have to take action. . . you have to run, walk, work, take action!!!  Things will ALWAYS work out for the best!  I love you, smooches!