Jami, Stacie, Morgan and Amy

I am having such a hard time focusing this morning. Is it the beautiful weather? The kids? The 45 loads of laundry waiting on me?

Not today. Today, it is for a good reason. Thank goodness, because I tell you, I may explode if I hear the "c" word one more time. I'm not even going there today. If you haven't been by lately, scroll down and you will understand.

Anyway...back to HaPPy. When I am having a hard time getting happy, there are certain things I can usually do that will perk me up. Of course, eating is one. :)
But the other is getting myself a little eye-candy. A trip to The Art Institute of Chicago , for example, will always result in a good day. Guaranteed.

I'm not planning any trips, but I did get a little surprise in my Inbox last week that has kept me preoccupied, in a good way.

I won a giveaway!!!!!!

I know, I know, I say I never win anything, but I won! Do you guys love The CrEaTiVe CraTe as much as I do? I realize this isn't Make New Friends Friday, but I have found so many great projects at this site, I just had to give Stacie a shout out! Please go by there and tell her I sent you. She'll be tickled.
Recently, she featured Morgan's etsy shop called The Scarlet Poppe,
which is a fabric store. Well, it's not just a regular fabric store. It's a collection of your favorite designers kind of fabric store! Whooopppeeee!

Oh yeah, too much, you say? A "Whooopppeeee!" for fabric. Perhaps, my friend, you do not know Amy Butler. Let me just take you on a little tour of Amy's site, so we can drool together. Indulge me, OK? I need little happy place right now.

Beautiful, right? It makes me want to learn to quilt.

So does this :

and this:

There is something about this bag that just makes me smile. It's a simple design and the fabric is just gorgeous!

Now take a peek at this:

and this:

OK I need to stop.  

These designs (and some of the patterns!) can be viewed at AmyButlerdesign.com

Thanks again to Stacie from The CrEaTiVe CraTe for hosting this awesome giveaway!
You have given me a much-needed happy distraction! I have been drooling all over my keyboard trying to decide how to spend my gift certificate at The Scarlet Poppe. In the end, I am not sure I will be able to decide. I may have to just get a little of this and a little of that. ;)


Of course, then I will have to overcome my fear of actually sewing on this amazing stuff so I can wear it or use it. For now, I may just hang it on the wall and pet it.

What would you do with it?



PS. The Scarlet Poppe also carries other designers, by the way, but you know how I am about Amy. ;)