A New Adventure

It's only February and what a year it has been so far!

DBB is just thriving! I hit over 100 sales in my etsy shop. I've had more than double that in non-etsy sales in less than a year. I hit 2000+ fans on my fan page on Facebook. And, well, now ... DBB is gearing up to move across the country!

Yep, that's right ... Doll Baby Bowtique is headed to Tennessee! I'm sitting in my hotel room right now in TN and yes, it is 3 am. I am tired, but I am working on a late coffee (that's happening a bit to often these days), a 4 hour nap (after all, we took a red-eye), and, well, adrenaline.

As many of you know, because of this move, I decided to close up shop early to prepare my family. Some people may think I'm crazy ... why close and lose momentum and customers? Yes, that concern - well, worry really - has crossed my mind. I worked so hard to get DBB to this point ... are these customers going to take off on me and not return? Well, some might. But I built this little business from nothing ... this time if I have to rebuild, it won't be from nothing like last time.

One of my fans said she admires a mom who knows when to stop and has her priorities straight. That gives me courage and hope. I have fans, loyal fans, people I am dedicated to and many who are so very supportive. I love creating for them ... you. And I will again. Heck, I don't plan on disappearing; I plan on making some fun new stuff that I haven't had a chance to make before because y'all (hehe) been keeping me so busy. It's not just about making money ... I spent most of this past year paying off a debt from my first (and last) few craft shows back in 2010. (I spent $ to make $ ... and I didn't make a whole lot of $ ... lots of people who just don't appreciate handmade items). Anyway, I'm off track now ... I enjoy doing this for the fun of it. Yes, I have to keep it professional in many instances. Still, I love creating and I love having someone to create for.

While I will still be creating (don't forget that now), my priority has to be my husband and 2 children and myself as we prepare for a giant life-changing event. I know many people have done what I'm doing, I'm not the first person to move away from home. Yet, after 32 years of living in the same place ... I've got a lot of memories to pack up, a lot of people to spend time with before that time runs out, and a family to make certain is okay through all of this. Plus, once I'm told to pack up that sewing machine, there ain't nothing I can do about it until it arrives in TN.

But I'll be back, in a new state, on a new adventure, with new creative energy and a new outlook. I hope you'll be here, too, so I can share it all with you!

Much love,
Katrina

Broken ...

2011 brought a few new "gadgets" into my life. Things to make my sewing life better, easier and much more fun. Alas, that didn't last very long ... they're BROKEN.

First, my portrait lens ... I've had it for a year. Mid-December I picked up my camera to take a picture of my kids and the lens just fell off. No, I did not mistreat my camera and my kids did not do anything to it. The lens just fell right out of it's socket. Sad sad sad.


Next, this little sewing machine was one of Miss A's birthday gifts. She wants to sew just like mommy! Well, we took it out of it's packaging for the first time since she got it in October. We tried and tried and, yep, it's broken! Sheesh!


And finally ... all I wanted for Christmas was a serger. My wonderful hubby surprised the daylights out of me and actually got it for me! I was excited to say the least. When it finally arrived and I opened the package, this is what I found. You see that gray stick piece sitting on top of the machine, well, it's supposed to be attached to the one sticking up at the top. Yep, it's BROKEN (at least this one is being replaced).

A Happy New Year!

Wow ... it's been a long time since I've posted! Still, there is no better day than today to pick this blogging thing back up :)

Let me begin by saying ... Happy New Year!!!!

2011 was a fantastic year for Doll Baby Bowtique! I kept my resolution to try new things ... sewing new things that is. I did it and the best part is that so many of you liked what I made! Because of all of you, I went from a couple hundred fans to almost a couple THOUSAND! How amazing is that?! Because of DBB, I have made many wonderful new friends and have grown in ways I never could have imagined.

I'd like to ring in the new year by thanking each and every one of my fans, friends, family, supporters for bringing me to where I am now!

I am looking forward to 2012 and the grand adventure it holds for me and my family. I know that means it may put Doll Baby Bowtique behind just a bit ... I may miss a couple of holidays here and there, but it will be a fabulous change that will only serve to inspire me and my family even more.

I look forward to spending this wonderful new year with all of you! Thank you and love to all.

Katrina

And the final winner ...

Our final giveaway winner is Michelle!

I don't have a last initial or anything ... but you are lucky number 20 picked by random.org! Feel free to contact me at dollbabybowtique@gmail.com with the item of your choice! Can't wait to see what you pick!

Thank you to every single person who participated and supported and even "liked" the giveaway and of course for supporting Doll Baby Bowtique! You will never know how much your love and support is appreciated!

Come back soon ... I think I may do this again sooner than 2000 fans ... it was fun!

Love,
Katrina

Final Day of the Giveaway!

Good Morning Friends!!!

I can't believe 4 days came and went so fast. I can't believe 9am came so fast (as you know I should have posted this at 8am). So as a huge thank you to all of you here is what I am offering up today:

One Free Item of Your Choice!!!!

That's right ... one item of your choice. Loved the mega tote or kids tote from days 1 & 2? You can have your own! Need a skirt/dress or how about a boy's item {pants, tie, vest, etc.} ... you can have it!

{now, this is not for an outfit, just one item ... but if you would like an outfit, half of it is free!}

So you know what to do ... leave your comments here to win this cool offer! Winner will be chosen at 8pm tonight!

.... and you know if you feel like it, follow the blog and let people know about DBB ....

Lucky No. 10 wins on Day 3

Congratulations to our Day 3 winner ... Amy {with a little guy named Connor}.

Please email me at dollbabybowtique@gmail.com so we can work out the details of your prize!

Thank you again to all who participated today! I love seeing so much excitement ... makes me happy!

Stay tuned for Day 4 - our final giveaway day ... this is for something you'll want to get your hands on for sure! Come back tomorrow at 8am for your final chance to win something :)

BOO! It's Giveaway Day 3!

Good Morning everyone!!!!

I am having a lot of fun with this giveaway. Thank you so much to all of you for your support and participation ... it makes all the love and sweat so worth it!

So today, as asked, I'm bring you a little Halloween ... this is for a girl OR boy outfit! {just because the photo is my daughters outfit, doesn't mean it's not for boys}

Today I will be giving away a BOO tshirt (or onesie) with the Eek!Boo! bottoms {skirt or pants ... your choice}!

You know what to do ... just comment on this post to enter! Simple as that.

If you feel like "following" my blog or sharing my facebook fan page with your friends, please do so! More fans means another giveaway at 2000!

I will pick the winner at 8pm (PT) tonight!