Getting ready for my first craft show!

First Craft Show see pictures here
I,ve been sewing up a storm every weekend! To get ready for my november craft show. I will have handmade purses,totes,zipper pouches, ornaments, aprons and a few quilts!

More images to come soon. Just a sneak peek. Wish I could hire all the crafters out there to help me!
Use your pinking shears!
pinking shears,are great to help your doll's curves be flexiable for stuffing!

securing a pocket

Make your pocket, by sewing your fabric right sides together. Turn right side out and pin the pocket on your lining fabric. My friend Nancy taught me to make a little triangle at the top corners of the pocket edges. This will re-inforce your stitches and keep your pocket strong, for holding all your goodies in your bag.

my life as a dog set / GIVE AWAY!

my life as a dog set
Originally uploaded by bellybuttons boutique

This set I made, was given away!!!! YES it's true! On The Dot Creations
contacted me for this prize give away contest and I accepted. I hope that the person who won will love it!. I sure loved making this set.

"A bit of your country in a Box"

my lovely swap with Nuta.

This was a very cool swap... Nuta (yes and she is the girl from Ipanema!)

A Bit of her country was sent in a box, and this is what she sent:

Havaianas, a popular flip-flop in Brazil,

2 packages of chocolates,Pococa Delicoca, a peanut candy similar to reesees it was amazing, I only got a few and I am begging any Brazilian swappers to send me more! I also received soap, lotion,cool pencils from Amazonia, buttons, really cute stickers,

fabrics,key chain, ribbon,and a clay chic. Also guarana, a soda that is supposed to taste better than coke.   

little cross stitch... baby cow

little cross stitch... baby cow
Originally uploaded by bellybuttons boutique

This little cross stitch is made for a lovely girl who lives in Singapore, I really hope she will like it! I love the old wood sewing spool, it belongs to my mother and law.

Brazilian Influence

These are my latest creations, the top right is called "rain forest", the bottom is called "Brazilian summer set". These fabrics were sent to me by my friends in Brazil, Carol Grillo and Fa Giandoso. The challenge for me was to take the Brazilian fabric and mix it with my own stash and create something special. I had a great time doing this. I let the fabric tell me what the idea for the pouch would be.

Fabric store in Brazil

This is the fabric store in Brazil called Maluhy it is located in Sau Paulo. The city is the largest in Brazil and is located in the South East of the country. I love this shot it looks so old world for some reason. Very different from the quilt stores in the USA. I wounder how they get to the fabrics???? I think they have some help. Wonderful shot taken by Fa Giandoso.

Flower applique - work in progress

Flower applique - work in progress
Originally uploaded by Frangines

This is a patchwork flower form Frangines, its very beautiful! I was inspired by it today!

Stunning Purses!

These are just some of the most beautiful bags I've seen. Pink Lemonade Boutique. If you truely want to be inspired, You must check out her photos on Flickr. Her mixing of fabrics is truely amazing. A work of art, and great creativity. If you want to see her web site, check out her link

in the "my favorite links" section. I had a tough time which purse picture to pick, they are all so beautiful. 

THE ART OF SWAPS

                                                    Swapping a new art form????? Love

I just became hooked on swapping cute items with girls from other countries.

The items are usually kawaii cuteness, stationary,stickers,snacks,craft supplies, buttons,

trim, sewing supplies,magazines, hand mades, and of course my favorite FABRICS!

This crazy obsession has become the new art form, a fetish of finding fun things and sharing with other parts of the world. Also getting things from other parts of the world! A way to meet new people and find out about them, their passions and spreading a little joy. Can we say the New Santa Clause????

Warm 'n Fuzzy                 Fofy'sFactory             Fofy's land gifts             Fa' Giandoso

If you would like to participate come visit  my  international fabric swap group!

THE BEST   C H E E S E C A K E     ever!

I am NOT KIDDING YOU MUST MAKE IT and

serve your friends they will put their forks down

and tell you its the best they ever tried!

HEART OF THE MATTER: Cream cheese’s smooth but tart character is what gives classic cheesecake its distinctive texture and clean flavor.

May 14, 2008  Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times

Total time: 3 hours, plus chilling time

Servings: 16

Note: Adapted from "Baking: From My Home to Yours" by Dorie Greenspan.
Butter for greasing the pan

1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

1 1/3 cups sugar plus 3 tablespoons, divided

Salt

4 tablespoons ( 1/2 stick) butter, melted

2 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 eggs, at room temperature

1 1/3 cups mascarpone cheese, at room temperature

2 cups blackberries

1. Make the crust: Butter a 9-inch springform pan with sides at least 2 3/4 -inches high, and wrap the outside of the pan in a double layer of aluminum foil.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, walnuts, 3 tablespoons sugar and a pinch of salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir together, using your fingers or a fork, until all of the dry ingredients are uniformly moist. Place the crust mixture into the springform pan and use your fingers to pat an even layer (about one-fourth-inch thick) of crumbs over the bottom of the pan and about halfway up the sides. Place the pan in the freezer while you heat the oven.

3. Center a rack in the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the prepared springform pan on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Set the crust aside to cool on a rack while you prepare the filling. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees.

4. Using a stand mixer or in a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese at medium speed until soft and creamy, about 4 minutes. With the mixer running, add the remaining sugar and one-half teaspoon salt and continue to beat until the cream cheese is light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Run a spatula along the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is combined. Beat in the vanilla, then add the eggs one at a time, beating a full minute between each addition -- you want a well-aerated batter. Reduce the mixer to low and beat in the mascarpone. Run a spatula through the batter again to make sure everything is evenly incorporated.

5. Place the foil-lined springform pan in a roasting pan. Pour half of the batter into the springform pan. Gently drop the blackberries over the batter, then spoon the remaining batter over the berries and smooth out the top. Make sure that the batter comes no higher than the top of the pan; you might have just a little batter left over.

6. Place the roasting pan in the oven and pour enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan.

7. Bake the cheesecake for 1 1/2 hours, until the top is browned (and perhaps cracked). Turn off the oven and prop the door open with a wooden spoon. Allow the cheesecake to sit in the water bath for an additional hour.

8. Remove the roasting pan from the oven, and remove the springform pan from its water bath. Carefully remove the foil from the springform pan, and cool the cheesecake to room temperature on a rack. Cover the top of the cooled cake lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

9. To remove the sides of the springform pan: Run a blunt knife around the sides of the pan, then warm the sides of the pan lightly with a hair dryer before unmolding. To slice, run a long, thin knife under hot water then lightly wipe dry. Keep warming the knife as you slice. The cake will keep, tightly wrapped, up to 1 week refrigerated and up to 2 months frozen. (To defrost, place the still-wrapped cheesecake in the refrigerator overnight.)

Each serving: 471 calories; 9 grams protein; 31 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram fiber; 36 grams fat; 20 grams saturated fat; 147 mg. cholesterol; 252 mg. sodium.

Heather Bailey's studio

This is Heather Bailey's Studio, man wish mine looked like this! But I would need more room for my fabrics! Lol! Never enough space for fabrics.

cafe des amis

cafe des amis
Originally uploaded by bellybuttons boutique

this Little bags are finally in a great shop called
"Simply Fresh" in San Marino! This shop is wonderful and has really cute kitch stuff, stationary, bags children's items garden,aprons, luggage tags, the list goes on.....
2628 Mission St
San Marino, CA 91108
(626) 441-7250

Thank you Jen!!!!!

The Cute Factor gifts gifts gifts!!!!!!

Here is the info on this cute card sent by my friend Jen, she got it in Singapore but this the link:http://www.kimmidoll.com/

I sent rements to Aiden and Lilly in Seattle, Its the faces of Joy nes pas?

muffin

muffin
Originally uploaded by bellybuttons boutique

everyone laughs at this, my new creation... I think I'm going japanese and cutier!!!!!!!

White Doll Arts

It is an honor to have my bags in such a beautiful shop! I would love to go there and meet Emma, she is a wonderful person and her name Emma Litten and the pottery shop seem to be a place out of a romantic novel.

  The shop

I like this one it is made with AMY BUTLER  fabrics mixed with others from my stash, I think It's a great  combo.

These bags all went to   Emma Litten  White doll Arts 

She has the most beautful shop in london.  "I have a small gallery/shop right on the sea in a lovely old fisherman's stone house called White Doll Arts. I specialise in selling handmade crafts and the shop has a good reputation and has been running for 9 years. I am a big supporter of artists and the immense time and effort and love that goes into their work and I think I have built up a string of customers who feel the same." way.www.whitedollarts.com

crow for Lillian

Bird bags

The little crow pouch was made for a woman who lives in El Paso Texas.

I love the crow, but it sits a little low. The owl is called Mr. Lonely... he is looking for a good home, He needs to be fed every day with makeup keys, or a cellphone, or even your supplies. He is very sweet and soft, makes a great pet. You can bathe him once in a while.

Carol Grillo

This is Carol working one of the many craft shows that she does. 

She is amazing, only 29 and has her own company. 

FofysFactory

I LOVE Fofysfactory!

I love Carol Grilo! She owns her own company called "Foysfactory". It's truely adorable!

I love everything she makes! I especially love the fabrics she uses since they are bought in Brazil.

They are very different than the fabrics we get here in La. I purchased three bags and plan to buy more.

If you would like to buy her things her is the link:

and her blog is here

calling all owls!

bags > owl banna colada

sunrise, and owl colada.

I thought I would name them after tropical drinks. These are great pouches to use for travel.

new fabrics for pouches!

new fabrics for pouches!
Originally uploaded by bellybuttons boutique

I've been trying to mix and match new colors together.

Séance de photos - bracelets

Séance de photos - bracelets
Originally uploaded by Frangines

this is Genevieve her company is frangines. She does some great work
that truely inspires me.
Check it out.

You can buy her things at www. frangines.ca/

cada macaca no seu galho

cada macaca no seu galho
Originally uploaded by mondopanno

this is one of the cutiest things I've seen!

cross stitches

cross stitches
Originally uploaded by bellybuttons boutique

welcome to my new blog!