Art & Soul Boutique

Cheers to a New Year!

2011-12-31T18:17:00.000-08:00

It's almost time to ring in 2012! I say it every year but it's true...the time just flew right by. We have great memories of 2011 but are SO excited to see what 2012 has in store for Art & Soul.

We are extremely appreciative to all of the individuals who helped to make this a record year. Our customers are of course the #1 in line for those thanks. THANK YOU. Then there are the people who work really really hard on capturing the essence of our clothes in such a short time frame, our wonderful photographers. Here is a recap of the year and a shout out to all of our wonderful photographers:

Elizabeth: Tennessee
Elizabeth Hawkins Photography
http://elizabethhawkinsphotography.blogspot.com/

Amber: Indiana
The Clik Chick Photography
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Clik-Chick-Photography/202764218992?sk=wall

Karen: Nevada
Karen Edwards Photography
http://www.karenephotography.com

Christoper: Deleware
Christopher Coudriet Photography
www.christophercoudrietphotography.com

Marla: Missouri
Red Bee Photography
http://www.facebook.com/RedBeePhotography

Andrea: Georgia
Andrea Crabb Photography
http://www.andreacrabbphotography.com/

Kara: Washington
Kara Roberts Photography
http://kararoberts.com/

Sarah: Connecticut/Colorado (just moved!)
My Four Hens Photography
http://myfourhensphotography.com/

Amelia: Nevada http://www.ameliabayardophotography.com/seniors

Susan: Alabama
Mi Lolli Photography
http://www.facebook.com/pages/milolli-Photography-Modeling/305209207419?sk=wall

Ampy: New York
Galpin Studios

http://www.galpinstudios.com

Annie: Washington
Ella Sophie Photography
http://ellasophiephotography.blogspot.com/

Amy: Alabama
Amy Childers Photography
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amy-Childers-Photography/157948957566603?sk=wall

Jennifer: Wisconsin
JK Photography
http://jkphotography-jknobloch.blogspot.com/

Stacie: Wisconsin
Sweet Child of Mine Photography

http://www.sweetchildofminephoto.com/http://www.sweetchildofminephoto.com/

Dawn: Indiana
Just Shoot Me Photography
http://www.justshootmebydawn.com/

Amanda Chandler: Alabama

Amy McLendon: Tennessee
amymclendon@comcast.net

Kimberly: Wisconsin
Kimberly V Photography
http://kimberlyvphotography.blogspot.com/

Jennifer: Washington
Forty Toes Photography

www.fortytoesphotography.com

Bridget: Illinois
Bridget Stern Photography
http://www.bridgetsternphotography.com

Kelly: Oklahoma
http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com

Rebecca: South Carolina
Rebecca Porter Photography

http://www.rebeccaporterphotography.com

Sarah: Indiana
Sarah Beth Photography
http://www.sarah-bethphotography.com

Jeni: Alabama
Artsy Tartsy Photography

http://www.artsytartsyphotography.com

Janet: Alabama
J. Lindsey Photography
janetlindsey@rocketmail.com

Heather: Indiana
Filigree Fotography
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Filigree-Fotography/175770279140747http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Filigree-Fotography/175770279140747

4th of July!...and FREE SHIPPING

2011-07-04T05:49:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it is already four days into July?! I guess that is the first sign of age, when every time someone mentions the date you just cant believe how time has flown! I hope you have been enjoying your long holiday, I know we at Art & Soul are appreciating the time to relax after the Studio Sale last week. Thank you to everyone who made the trip over to Art & Soul. It was great meeting people in person as well as seeing so many new faces who were having their first experience with us.

My last blog I mentioned a bag that we would be sending out to someone who wasn't able to attend the sale. Nancy Henderson, you are the winner of that bag!! Congratulations! Nancy, be sure to e-mail me at bercotchildrenswear@comcast.net with your address.

Those bags were a hit at the Studio Sale. We gave them away as a gift with purchase and so many people were surprised that we were just giving them away! Our objective is to be a company that stands apart from others and giving something away is an easy way to show our appreciation for the people who order our US made clothing and give us a reason to go into the office 5 days a week.

Twice a year we slash prices so we can clear space for the next season. Now is the time to make room for Fall/Winter! As a 4th of July celebration of all things American we are offering free shipping with voucher code: Indie TODAY only in the US & Canada!

Preparing for the Studio Sale!

2011-06-22T08:38:00.000-07:00

For those of you who haven't heard we are hosting a Studio Sale, Thursday, Friday & Saturday of this week. If you are going to be in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area we would love to meet you and have you share in Kristine's birthday weekend with us!

Whoever said "the details will kill you", they were right! There is so much to do to get everything ready for the first wave of shoppers tomorrow. We went out last night shopping for the food. We were playing the Price is Right trying to guess how much everything in our cart would cost. I was the furthest off! Tanya was within dollars of being correct. It was a little crazy how close she was. So if you are ever invited to be on the show The Price is Right, I am not the person to invite but Tanya is!

We have been working on a few fall pieces that will debut at the Studio Sale this weekend: knot ties, ruffled pants, adult skirts and more chocolate adult capri's. We have also been working on a bag that we are going to be giving away with each purchase. We found a great free pattern download that we have been tweaking. Here is a picture of our first bag, our second bag and then you can see how much larger the pattern under those bags are which is the size we finally decided we liked.

You know we love a good giveaway! So for the ladies who wont be able to make it to the Studio Sale this weekend you have a chance to win one of these beautiful bags too! A winner will be announced Thursday or Friday evening, depending on when I am less tired from the Studio Sale!

How to enter:

1. Kiss your child

2. Jump through an extra large ring of jello (fire would be too dangerous)

3. Post a picture of either you or your child in Art & Soul on your Facebook

page mentioning our name (will not be verified)

4. Comment on THIS BLOG POST

Our website will be down from now until Tuesday, June 28th as we prepare for the Studio Sale and then take inventory afterwards! We are super excited to be meeting so many customers, showing off some original pieces and giving you a chance to see all of our beautiful clothes in person.

I can't wait to see you!
Love,
Elizabeth & the Art & Soul Team

Giveaway Winner!!

2011-06-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

Choosing a winner for anything is always the worst part of a giveaway for me because I hate choosing just one person. I don't know how people do these every day! The winner of our giveaway is:

Renee Cromer Bryant

thank you so much for entering and be sure to e-mail me with your address, the piece of your choice from our website and the size you would like it in!! bercotchildrenswear@comcast.net

I also have a couple of more beautiful pictures to show you from Galpin Studio's. She photographed the Tangerine Dream dress and I LOVE the way the pictures came out! She also made some made-to-match hair accessories for the Tangerine Dream dress that are just gorgeous! Do you have a Tangerine Dream dress for your little one yet?

Going through withdraws, must.. do.. a.. giveaway!

2011-06-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Trellis Dress

Blue Skies Adult Skirt

It has been SO long since we have offered our wonderful followers a chance to get something for FREE. Yep, you heard that right we like to give things away! In exchange for likes that is, hehe. I'm new to the whole giveaway from the blog (Facebook was so much easier to use!) so bear with me. The prize up for grabs is an item of YOUR CHOICE from our webiste www.ArtandSoulBoutique.com

To Enter:

Please visit Art & Soul Boutique, come back and leave a comment regarding your THREE favorite pieces.

Extra Entries:

3 Entries - LIKE Art & Soul Boutique on Facebook

3 Entries - Leave a status on your wall regarding Thursday's 1pm EST launch being sure to tag @ArtandSoulBoutiquebyBercot

1 Entry - Follow the Art & Soul Boutique Blog

Be sure to comment on this post with each entry. If you are new to Art & Soul say HI on Facebook! The contest ends Friday, June 17th at 11am EST when a winner will be drawn and announced!

Chocolate Adult Capri!

2011-06-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to be photographing the new Chocolate Adult Capri to show you all tonight! They are just like the much loved Charcoal capri BUT these have the yoga waist band! I didn't even know that I loved yoga waist bands until I had them on skirts and capri's! I teased Kristine because she likes to wear her pants high and I like to roll mine down. The yoga waist band is such a perfect compromise because it can be worn high for Kristine or rolled for me! What about you, when you get pants that are high, do you roll or wear them at your natural waist?

I went through my wardrobe last night trying to figure out what would be the perfect combination stylish but also comfortable for the pictures. I think I was able to find something. My new husband is my fashion coordinator but he is on a business trip this week so I am on my own! I would love to see pictures of more ladies wearing their adult pieces!

Kristine and I were talking about new capri and who could photograph it and I mentioned that I would love to see them photographed on a bigger model. Well I didn't realize from there that I was going be volunteered as the LARGER model!! Hahaha! So for all of you ladies who didn't buy your capri's in a size small I am here to portray a real woman! I wear a size 14 pant and will be modeling for you the size Large Chocolate Adult Capri. Feel free to comment back when we post pictures on Facebook that I don't look anything like a size 14 and you would have thought for sure I was wearing a medium :)

beautiful photography by Filigree Fotography

Tomorrow we are launching three new dresses for the little girl in your life as well as a limited numbers of the new Chocolate Adult Capri. Thank you so much to the awesome photographers who have made these gorgeous pictures possible:

Filigree Fotography

My Four Hens Photography
Galpin Photography

beautiful photography by My Four Hens Photography

Wishing Happy Homecomings for all our Vets

2011-05-30T18:22:00.000-07:00

Take A Moment To Thank A Veteran When you see someone in a uniform,
Someone who serves us all,
Doing military duty,
Answering their country’s call, Take a moment to thank them
For protecting what you hold dear;
Tell them you are proud of them;
Make it very clear. Just tap them on the shoulder,
Give a smile, and say,
"Thanks for what you’re doing
To keep us safe in the USA!" By Joanna Fuchs Thanks Rebecca for sending in this heartwarming picture of your daughter Amelia and your husband on his return home from serving our nation. We are so grateful for all the sacrifices your family and so many others have made for our country. Words are not enough for me to express my thanks. May God bless and protect you all!

Busy Busy Busy..getting ready for the Studio Sale

2011-05-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

There is so much to do when expecting company! If you haven't seen our invitation yet be sure to check it out on Facebook and let us know if you will be attending so we can plan for food. Our work room is busy sewing away the new collection so that gives us some time to clean and organize. Kristine has pulled all kinds of things out of closets and bins including an alarm clock, to which she exclaims "what was someone doing with an alarm clock at work?". Who knows! We've found some 1 cent stamps that look vintage, fabrics from collections long ago and trims we didn't know we had!

It is so nice to see the shelves becoming organized and that sense of calm that comes with an organized space. Who knows Kristine may even designer even cooler pieces because everything will be so much easier to find! No pressure though right?

The top is organized and the bottom is pending...

This is almost done but looks 100% better!

This is the pile of stuff from the shelves, plus a few Blue Shorties

Do you have any organizing tips you can give us? We need all the help we can get :) We will probably be doing this for the next few weeks and those of you coming to the Studio Sale can see in person what we end up with as the final result!

Honey Moon part of Honey Moon Sugar Baby

2011-05-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

I have spoken with lots of you and thank you all for the wedding well wishes. We are now almost 3 weeks into being married, so far so good!! Our new line was named Honey Moon Sugar Baby after all the new events that have taken place here at the office. My honeymoon is here at the office packing all of these orders.

I love looking at wedding pictures and so I wanted to share a few with you all too! I feel like I see some of your names so often on Facebook, in orders or because we have talked on the phone and that I have a small sense of knowing you. Now you can see & know me too :)

We got married in the Smoky Mountains in a big 10 bedroom cabin. It was SO much fun and a great party with our close friends and family. Just wanted to share!

Darling, You Send Me

2011-05-11T12:09:00.002-07:00

I would like to start by saying that we are SO excited about the launch on Monday. I counted and we should have about 20 new summer pieces in our new collection ~ Honey Moon Sugar Baby. So much sweetness!

In honor of our new line we want to give something away! How about a shopping spree? I know there is TONS of Art & Soul clothing out there...because I ship it to you! Now through Friday e-mail me your favorite picture featuring Art & Soul. I will put them in an album on Facebook and everyone can vote on their favorite. The winner will get a $100 gift voucher to the store and just in time for launch!

The Not So Fine Print:
*Submit photos to bercotchildrenswear@comcast.net with "Photo Contest" as the subject line.
*One entry per child. Include your child's name & age in the email as well as your contact info.
*Entries can ONLY be submitted by a parent or legal guardian of the child, no creepers please.
*By submitting your photo, you give Art & Soul Boutique the rights to post the photo and contact you regarding the contest.
*Entries will be accepted from NOW until 2 p.m. EST Friday, May 13th via Email.
*Entries will be loaded into a FACEBOOK album labeled "Photo Contest" by Friday.
*Voting will begin upon upload Friday and close at 9:00am EST on Monday, May 16th.
*To vote for a photo you MUST be a 'fan' or 'like' Art Soul Boutique by Bercot on Facebook;
*Then you must 'like' the photo you are voting for.
*Photo with the most 'likes' will be the winner of the $100 gift voucher!
*Comments are permitted and encouraged, but will NOT count towards the number of votes.
*Official winner will be notified and announced Monday, May 16th!!

A week full of excitment!

2011-04-27T17:53:00.000-07:00

Busy, busy, busy is always the mantra of our day here at Art & Soul Boutique. Our shoppe has lots going on this week and lots of exciting things for you in the coming weeks too!

Our star sewer had a baby girl just yesterday, we knew she was getting VERY big but didn't realize the baby was coming so soon! She was in the office working on Monday and out on Tuesday with a new baby (a c-section). A healthy baby girl whose name I am 85% sure is Jaclyn, weighing in at 6lbs and some ounces.

For those of you who have not formally met me, I am the Elizabeth whose name signs all of those handwritten thank you cards. I answer the phone when you call (during business hours), respond to e-mails, update Facebook and sew on all those buttons! Along with some famous person from "the Pond" I'm getting married this week too! I'll be out of the office Thursday & Friday and back on Monday. If you reach out and don't think you are getting 110% customer service, it is because I am customer service and I'm away from the office :) Next week I'll have some pictures from the wedding weekend giving a sneak peak of a couple of the pieces coming out in the next launch.

In other news we will be having a Studio Sale Thursday, June 23rd through Saturday, June 25th here in Fort Wayne. We'll have one of a kind items for you, an area of pretties at a GREAT price and maybe lunch for those who RSVP. You will be able to take a tour of the shoppe, see our clutter and meet Kristine, the master mind behind the clothes you love so much. Filigree & Flowers will be here with us too with her one of a kind hair accessories and her made to match Art & Soul. If you think her stuff is cute on her etsy page, wait until you see it in real life, its GORGEOUS. More details to come as we approach!!

That's our exciting news, although rest assured we have more in store! I'll be signing off as I was sternly instructed NOT to do ANY work. I love comments though! Feel free to comment on the blog posting or on the Facebook posting of the blog posting! If you were able to attend the Studio Sale what kinds of things would you like to see there? A demonstration, the president or maybe just a few cute outfits. Let us know!

Vintage Stories, has a story!

2011-04-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

Forever Friends Skirt

The shoppe is buzzing with excitement today as we prepare for the launch our our Vintage Stories line at 1pm EST today. Lots of things to do and yet I am drawn to blog to share with you a little behind the scene on this line. When we launched the Vintage Garden Knot Tie last month I was shocked that it was so well received. We still have people asking if they can get one! So the quest started to find more vintage fabric, trim and buttons to fill the demand. These vintage knot ties: Royal, Dauphine & Magnolia are all names of streets in New Orleans where Kristine loves to shop for vintage fabric.And shopping she has done! She has staid busy the last couple of weeks preparing all of the fabrics and fussing with how they will combine for the optimal presentation.


Be Sweet

Aloha

We didn't just stop with the vintage knot ties though we decided to make three adult/child skirts that also are accented with vintage trims, ruffles and buttons. The skirt to the right is our Forever Friends Skirt modeled by Author Colleen Coble and her granddaughter. The skirt is named after one of her books as well as tribute to her long time friendship with another model and author featured below Diann Hunt. Diann is the model of our next beautiful skirt Be Sweet which is named after one the books she wrote! Diann is pictured reading with her granddaughter too. Then our final skirt is the Aloha, named after a book that Colleen wrote and modeled by her daughter-in-law and another of Diann's granddaughters.

So our Vintage Stories has been born out of authors for models and vintage accents. It has been so fun! Well I'm not sure if this is even a complete thought because I have walked away from the computer so many times but on to finish up last minute details!! I am so excited about these skirts and jumper and especially that it offers a coordinating option for Mother's Day. I can't wait to see what you love because Vintage Stories, has a story!

What's for dinner?

2011-04-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I think this is the most asked question of my family and perhaps yours too? Have I mentioned more than a few times how I loove to cook almost as much as I love to sew.
Just call me Ms. Home Ec!
Okay so here's my recipe for baked salmon, okay actually it's my sister-in-law Cozy's, but she doesn't mind being knocked off so here goes. Be prepared to put this in your regular dinner rotation it's sooo good.

1 salmon fillet
(size appropriate for your family)
equal parts honey and brown mustard

(I usually do about a 1/2 cup each)
you can also do barbecue sauce if you prefer
Panko breadcrumbs to cover top of fillet
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
To prepare fish I rinse with cool water and pat dry. Cover shallow baking dish with foil, lay fillet on foil skin side down.

Coat top of fillet with your topping of choice,honey mustard mixture or barbecue sauce and generously sprinkle Panko bread crumbs on top.
Place fillet on middle rack in preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until
done. I served ours with bowtie pasta fettuccine and sauteed green beans with mushrooms. We try to eat home cooked meals together as a family at least 5 nights a week and I'm always looking for healthy fresh food menus to be made in less than an hour. Salmon's also suppose to be good brain food which I need because thanks to all the awesome people finding out about Art and Soul Boutique we are busy busy with so many new patterns and designs it makes my head spin. New Mommy daughter skirts and vintage knot tie jumpers launching tomorrow. Okay gotta go someone's asking what's for dinner?

Adult Skirt Winner...finally announced!

2011-04-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for commenting with what you are giving up for Lent or how you celebrate your blessings. It is fun to read how everyone is different and how we each give back. The winner of the an Adult Skirt is 'Monette', be sure to e-mail me at bercotchildrenswear@comcast.net with your address, your choice of available skirt and your size.

The work room here is busy with the hum of the sewing machine as our ladies finish up the most recently launched adult skirts and other kids dresses. Kristine has already moved on to creating the next line and is fussing with the fabrics and styles of each piece. We will have more adult pieces coming soon. A knit dress, more skirts, a big ruffle capri made from the most wonderful feeling fabric and also a neat shark tooth shirt made from another knit fabric. We have piles of fabric with some that just "don't work with anything" (says Kristine like a women looking through her closet) and others that we wish we had bolts more of!

Easter is coming with an opportunity to wear our favorite pretty clothes and of course Spring time which invokes cookouts and gathers in every social person! Even though I work at a boutique and play with pretty clothes every day I haven't given a second thought to what I will wear for Easter gatherings yet. We have our first gathering next weekend so I better start! What about you? Do you plan your holiday outfits or just wear what you have in the closest?

Sunshine Adult Skirt


May Day Bouquet Adult Skirt

You are all invited to dinner tonight at my house

2011-03-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

of worship, that is! Our church has different groups, this week the Sunday school teachers, fix and serve dinner before our Lenten service. Tonight's menu is lasagna, salad and fresh bread with assorted deserts. We usually have 60-80 attend but all are welcome so come on over to Peace tonight. We serve dinner from 5:30- 6:30 with church starting at 7:00. I'm the lesson reader tonight too, so big give day for me today ;-).

Actually my new Lenten routine the past few years is to GIVE for 40 days instead of giving up something for 40 days. I try to be a giver all the time. I think the biggest thing I ever gave away so far was my old big green cutting table. A friend of mine was just getting her clothing company going and I knew (even if she didn't) that it was something she would really need. At first when I gave it to her it was so big she couldn't get it in her space and I thought I would have to arrange to give it away,again.Her husband finally got it to work for her and if I'm not mistake she still uses it every day, I love it!

The thing I like about forty days of giving is thinking about what I can give to others to fill their needs. Many are things I already have, so it's eco friendly too. I'm 15 days in and it's working really well.I have some set projects like cleaning out closets and giving away clothes and household stuff . I went through all the empty thread cones and trim spools I recycle and brought those to my son's school for their art class to use in sculptures. Can't wait to share some pictures of their great creations! One of my daughter's teachers called and said she had a guy that has a one man band and needed a cover for his table, he hides his stuff under it, when he preforms at the library,churches and such. She offered to pay but was pleasantly surprised when I said she was helping my fill in my 40 days of giving.

So here's the another giveaway of mine, tell me what you've given up for lent or what you will be giving away this lent or maybe what your special way to celebrate your blessings is and I will bless a random winner to receive one of my new adult skirts launching next week on the 6th. And remember your all invited to dinner tonight at my house!

"the table"

spools of thread

Indie Designer = slack blogger (at least in my case!!)

2011-03-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

It has been too long since I last blogged! I of course can tell you the truth that things have been crazy busy (in a good way) with the Garden Party launching last week. I am still reeling with excitement at all the outfits that did so well. The Vintage Garden Jumper sold out in the first hour, which I was NOT expecting! There seems to be a desire for vintage in a cute format. If I'm wrong tell me now before I scour the city for the vintage textiles that makes each dress unique and gorgeous. I am already hard at work thinking about the next launch as I finish cutting the last few items for Garden Party. There will be adult pieces, skirts, tops, ruffled capri and maybe a dress. Women's clothing is so much harder to make because admit it ladies, we are just harder to please! I think you will enjoy what is in store though and the opportunity to coordinate in subtle ways with your little one.

Enough about that! To announce the long over due winner of the blog prize, Megan P you were the random winner from all the correct answers of 2007.That was the year that I was asked to do the swag gifts for the Oscar mamas. Be sure to e-mail me at bercotchildrenswear@comcast.net with the size you need and your address.

We recently were introduced to a creative accessory designer right here in our home town named Filigree & Flowers. She sells her accessory on Etsy and has been kind enough to help us keep up in the accessory department by designing pieces to coordinate with our outfits. Be sure to check her etsy shop and facebook to see more of her beautiful designs.

So in celebration of a wonderful launch we are doing a giveaway with Filigree & Flowers of these beautiful clips that match our Newport and Nantucket outfits. In order to qualify for this giveaway go to Filigee & Flower's facebook page, "like" her and then leave a comment that Art & Soul Boutique sent you! She will pick a random winner from comments so pretty please stop on over and say hi!

To end this missive I must confess I will not always blog in a timely manner. But I am thinking of doing it! If only my thoughts and well intentions added words to an empty blog ;-). Because if you follow me at all you already know Indie Designer= slack blogger (at least in my case !!)

Oscar's and other February Drama

2011-02-28T14:36:00.000-08:00

From: Jneoni@aol.com
Date: Sat, 27 Jan ???? 17:34:26 -0500
Subject: gift list
To: kbi1@hotmail.com

Please find the Pre Oscar Baby Gift list below;

Kate Winslet son Joe Mendes 3 daughter, Mia, 6

Marcia Cross twins unborn

Angelina Jolie Maddox Jolie-Pitt, 5 Zahara, 2, and Shiloh, 8 months

Will Smith Jaden, 8, and daughter Willow, 5

Gwen Stefani son Kingston 8 months

Patrick Dempsey twins unborn

Cate Blanchett sons Dashiell, 5, and Roman, 2

Courteney Cox daughter Coco 2

Reese Witherspoon daughter Ava 7, son Deacon 3

Brooke Shields daughters Rowan, 3, and Grier, 9 months

Gwyneth Paltrow Apple, 2 1/2, and Moses, 9 months

February always seems to be a month with drama and life stories that would be suitable to win the Oscars.
For example my dear Aunt Myrtie ,at 101, passed away this month while getting a manicure. What a perfect way to leave this world (if one would want my opinion). She was happy to be having her nails done, let out a long sigh and left this world for the next. Or what about this,I got a new (to me) car this month had it less than 2 weeks when a kid with his learners permit and no insurance hit my new HHR. The blessing was no one was injured and it wasn't totaled.This is kinda a surprise because I tend to be in accidents that total cars, seriously I have probably totaled at least 5 cars.The accidents were never my fault and I always walk away mostly unscathed. Once my car got totaled,while parked across the street from our hotel the St. Peter House in New Orleans on Christmas Eve moments after we returned from visiting my Mom and Dad and nieces.It even took out the wrought iron pole that held up the balcony right under our 2nd floor room, pure drama.

Back to this month, I've spent a lot of time at home this month between record snow storms and nursing the sick and afflicted. My dear littlest kiddos just finished up two straight weeks of colds and flu. My husband came back from our fabulous Florida get away in January with a case of Lyme's disease and is just now getting his groove back.
So besides spending all my working hours trying to make the most amazingly beautiful spring dresses and ensembles to chase the blues away I've been cleaning drawers and sorting stuff getting a home studio set up in my basement. Did I mention yet that my oldest son Drew graduated from Nursing College, moved out of the house, passed his nursing boards and got a job :-). insert gianormous smile ear to ear in here.

Anyway I came across these 2 mementos of past February's so how about a contest to win some new Art and Soul just in time for the spring and sunshine that's sure to be coming our way really soon!
Guess what year this guest list is from when I was asked to hook up all these Oscars stars with SWAG gifts?
I will pick a random winner from all the correct answers to win something special and sweet for your little super star diva.You pick the size I pick the frock.

Buy your Fabric Envelope today! Very limited quatities available...

2011-02-16T12:17:00.000-08:00

Fabric Envelopes great for carrying your ipad in your purse/bag, gathering all those love letters from your sweetie or storing your precious photos. Shipping is free!

You can still get the pink & black envelope for free when you order from our Love Letters Line.

Mustard (above)

Turquoise Sun Burst (above)

Chocolate (above)

Earth (above)

Henna (above)

Midnight (above)

Did I mention the sash has feathers?

2011-02-06T19:02:00.000-08:00

Here's a few peaks of the new collection I'm working on. I love these romantic prints in vibrant pastel colors. Is that possible? It is if you have Jennifer of Sis Boom fame making her fabric majic happen. That
woman is such a talented soul , I love everything she's ever done or is about to do, truly.
Vanessa was helping to strike a pose in her room for me. My son Brendan did the border mural in her room too. The curtains my friend Beth and I made out of some vintage mix match goodies. I'll try and get some pictures of her room to share, it's small and very cottage sweet, I think.
Please know we have some great photographers on deck to shoot the collection, so real pictures won't be far away. In the mean while please help me name this collection? I'll hook the choosen one up with a pretty blog prize from the __________ collection. Oh ,did I mention the sash has feathers?

http://www.sisboom.com/

Comfort Food

2011-02-03T19:28:00.000-08:00

I love cooking as much as I do sewing. I'm all about casual comfort food. I like to make simple dishes that have flavors to savor. Here's my simple recipe for potato leek soup, I think it's super easy and so delicious
oh and of coarse nutritious! It's even diet friendly and full of antioxidants.

Ingredients:
2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp olive oil, 4 leeks trimmed and chopped, 4 potatoes diced, 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock ,salt and pepper to taste
serves 4
1) warm butter and olive oil in pan over medium low heat. Add leeks and cook stirring often for 5 minutes
2) add potatoes and cook stirring often for 5 minutes. Pour in stock and increase heat to medium, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes or until leeks and potatoes are tender.
3) remove pan from heat. season with salt and pepper to taste. With a potatoes masher, mash most of the potatoes to make a creamy soup. Leave some in cubes for a chunky texture. Ladle into bowls and serve.

We serve ours with grilled munster cheese sandwiches on whole wheat bread ,YUM.

Today I was in need of a big dose of comfort food, my sister Leslie died of breast cancer 10 years ago today.
I know it's suppose to get easier with time but I still miss her in my life. Now I'm off to working on the new matching soul sister dresses for spring and to find some comfort food.

Love Letters to You

2011-01-26T17:23:00.000-08:00

wish you peace

upon a star

that shines so bright

it illuminates the world

with my love for you!

Okay, just having a little fun writing some valentine's day

Love Letters.

I need to send some love letters out to Timi, who makes my site look so pretty.

The awesome photographers who did such a wonderful job on the pictures. Check these ladies out Amber, Andrea and Elizabeth you ladies rock!

And to the girls who made the pictures sweet as sugar with their whimsy and charm. Thanks a million times ten.
A pure love shout out to all!

Let's have a prize or so shall we?

Share a little poem or love note with a comment here on my blog and I will pick a random winner(s) to receive something from the
Love Letter Collection.

XOXO

Kristine

P.S.
I'm super excited about sending
Love Letters to You!

Reporting for Off Duty

2011-01-15T06:20:00.000-08:00

The kids have loved playing in all the snow we had this last week.Here they are frolicking it up with the dog in the front yard. Stay tuned for a few different looking shots. We, Michael, Carson, Vanessa and I are leaving

the snow and cold behind and heading for the sun, sand and sea for a week in southern Florida.Elizabeth

and crew are staying behind to get the valentines Day line, Love Letters, launched. Am I the luckiest girl in the world?YES! She's got big plans for all kinds of stuff while this cat's away ;-).My job? To share more pics from us reporting for off duty.

The future is not what it used to be

2011-01-11T16:46:00.000-08:00

The future is not what it used to be is such an odd quote that makes you stop and think forwards and backwards. I heard it the other day on an NPR story and I thought what a perfectly witty statement.
I used to plan things out years in advance with lots of notes, lists and charts, but not so much any more. Maybe it's because I'm approaching 49 (for the very first time) that long term plans make me a little more timid. Maybe it's because I've seen loved ones pass through this world to the next untimely. I've known first hand miracles of all sorts and spontaneous events that rippled through my life for years. This has me reluctant to plan too much what is to come.
January is a reflective time for most and I'm no different. Lots of planned organizing and list writing, day dreams and wistful thoughts of possibilities, ways to be better and goals to map out. So many new dresses and outfits to design, tons of fabric bolts and trim to play with and listen to so they can tell me what they want to be for spring. All the while trying to keep up the momentum of my girl's collections while segueing into doing a woman's line too ......because the future is not what it used to be.

Thanks for a WONDERFUL year

2010-12-31T17:54:00.000-08:00

Almost Done

2010-12-12T18:30:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to share my hallway walls that my son Brendan is painting with an idea I saw in an Anthropologie catalog years ago. They had done theirs on ivory walls with what looked like a black sharpie.
We already had the ivory molding upstairs and down so we picked a soft gray and ivory for the line details. I love the way it's turning out, he has some painted and it all sketched out in chalk upstairs and down, so cool. We live in an old house which has some kind of remodeling going on every floor. The most peaceful place to be right now is halfway up the stairs in a field of flowers and such. When I was a kid I had a Christopher Robin book by A.A. Milne and this was my favorite poem. I so loved the middle of our stairs as an oasis of sorts and now I've found it a good place to gather all the creative thoughts that run around my head.

Halfway down the stairs
is a stair
where i sit.
there isn't any
other stair
quite like
it.
i'm not at the bottom,
i'm not at the top;
so this is the stair
where
I always
stop.

Halfway up the stairs
Isn't up
And it isn't down.
It isn't in the nursery,
It isn't in town.
And all sorts of funny thoughts
Run round my head.
It isn't really
Anywhere!
It's somewhere else
Instead!

A.A.Milne

I'll share more soon because the hummingbird on my wall upstairs is almost done.

Giving Thanks to You!

2010-11-25T18:56:00.000-08:00

Giving thanks is easy because I truly am thankful everyday for the wonderful life I have full of blessings and love. I have a great husband and four wonderful kids. We have a beautiful home where love lives and lots of good things to eat. We have friends and family to help us celebrate when times are good and keep us close when we need a hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on. We have the love of God and his forgiveness to see us through all the times of our lives. I feel especially blessed that I get to spend my time working doing what I love. I adore all my employees,clients and their special little ones who make it possible for me to live my dream everyday. I hope you can feel the love in every piece of clothes we make at our studio in Indiana. Chances are I said words of good cheer when I ushered the lovely fabric in the door and hugged the pile of dresses,pants and such before fussing and folding them. And before shipping the order to your home I stood over your box and happily sent it out with a warm wish and prayer giving thanks to you.

Feelin' the Love

2010-11-10T19:20:00.000-08:00

What a great week and it's only Wednesday! Thanks to all the sweet as sugar models and photographers who went above and beyond to get the pictures done for our launch. I'm so happy it's time to share the love. Everyone who guessed the launch to be today the 10th wins a piece from our My Favorite Things collection.So that means Blaza, Louise, Joyce, Annie, Candice, Kaitlyn and Nancy send me an email with your addresses and size to bercotchildrenswear@comcast.net, be sure to put blog prize in the subject please.Let's spread a bit more love around, shall we? All the winners of the "which fabric isn't vintage" psstt it's #3 come on down! Follow the same instructions please Michelle, Joann E, Blaza, Elizabeth, Amy, Tracy, Pinksarahh, Misha, Cynthia Schauss and Kaitlyn. Thanks again everyone for all your love and support it means the world to me. Sweet dreams, I hope you all are feelin' the love?

My Favorite Things

2010-11-08T03:37:00.000-08:00

We've picked the name! Annie you are the winner, I love "My Favorite Things" as the title of our newest collection. It suits it so well because it's all the classics and then some! As soon as the lines launch you can pick your favorite for your blog prize.For those who have guessed on the date well that will be soon too... so when we know, we'll let you know and pick a winner from all the correct answers.

So new quiz to win an outfit from our latest fashions. Which of these fabrics is not vintage? #1 ivory, #2 red floral, #3 black and ivory #4 red paisley.Leave a comment on my blog and I will pick a random winner from all the correct answers for an outfit from My Favorite Things.

Trick or Treat

2010-10-31T17:02:00.000-07:00

Oh my! I almost went all of October without a post. Crazy good busy at the studio, kids , kids stuff and costumes and getting ready to share lots of new goods on the site. So here's the Trick part, guess the day we are launching. Seriously I don't even know for sure it depends on so much behind the scenes stuff my head is spinning. Here's a hint it won't be any earlier than next Friday the 5th and no later than the following Friday the 12th. This really is like waiting for a baby to be born you know it's coming you just don't know exactly when.
So here's the Treat part leave a comment on this post with your best guess for launch and I will pick a random winner from all the correct answers for an outfit from our newest collections. Also if you have name ideas I'm all ears, if I pick your suggestion you win a fabulous outfit too!Have fun trick and treating!

Farmville in the Fortville

2010-09-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

It feels like Farmville here at our house. Look at the tomato goodness we just picked from the garden today! I love this time of year, the weather is just about perfect. Cool mornings and then warm sunny days.
Fall is fabulous don't you agree?
In celebratation of the first day of fall let's have a blog contest. Guess how many tomatos are in the blue bowl and comment on my blog by friday. I will pick a random winner for a Cardamon Wrap Tie Dress and Masala Ruched Legging by the weekend. Who ever wins gets to pick the size.
Your beautiful Art and Soul by Bercot Boutique outfit will ship from right here in Fortville, I mean Fort Wayne. Life here is super busy running the real farm and fort. So to all my farmer and fort building facebook friends, please forgive me for not responding to your farmville or fortville needs :-).

Aunt Myrtie's Chair

2010-09-02T18:55:00.000-07:00

Have I told you lately how much I love old things. I love that they have touched this century and the next past and maybe even the one before that. My Aunt Myrtie, my dad's oldest sister is 100 years old. We went to West Virginia this past weekend for a visit and to collection some treasures that she wanted us to have because her house is soon to be on the market and it had to be cleared out. Her and her husband never were able to have children and since she was 20 when my dad was born she's always been more like a mom to him and a grandma to me. My cousin Judy ,from California, was able to travel in with my Mom and Dad and we meet up with some more cousins to visit and reminisce about how cool Aunt Myrtie was "back in the day". She was a librarian and always pretty trendy with her fashion sense. I will always remember her bright red nails and matching lipstick that went so well with her beehive hairdo. She worn simple dresses, like Jackie O, that showed off her curves. Her house was full of all the latest gadgets and beautiful dishes.
Her husband,my Uncle Richard, had a computer the first year they came out from the Tandy company. His work shop reminded me of the one in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, always full of inventions and such. He was so happy to share the news, that when he was in college at 80 something taking a computer class, that he was the oldest student to attend Marshall University. Anyhoo I just wanted to share how it came to pass that the girls would be posing for our new fall collections in my Aunt Myrtie's chair.

Fall is almost here.....

2010-08-31T19:29:00.000-07:00

Lots going on at Art & Soul and yet I feel like I'm spinning 90 mph while moving in slow motion. Maybe a reaction to my new meds or perhaps the life of a children's fashion designer? So much to do getting ready for the launch beyond the every day gotta get things done lists.
I tell you I'm losing my mind there's so much to do. I can't wait share it all but for now feast your eyes on this!
These are some of the latest peaks of a few of the new fall pieces. Molly did a great job and the girls were so good with wearing fall when it was 91 degrees out! Thanks for your patience one and all because like I said fall is almost here.....

Check out this cuteness!

2010-08-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

Pictures are coming in from all over the place as we get ready to launch for Fall 2010.
Hopefully we will get all the new fashions up some time next week.
Stay tuned it's going to be grand.
Annie sent this over and I had to share so you could check out this cuteness!

I Just have to share

2010-08-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

I just had to share this awesome photo of the sweetest girl in Art and Soul I came across.
While checking out my blog comments I saw one from Elizabeth of Elizabeth Hawkins Photography and when I checked out her blog look what I found! This makes me so excited because I love this dress and I am impressed with myself that I was actually able to get the picture to download and attach. Obviously my geek skills need some honing but we all have to start somewhere right?
Thanks to everyone who sends in photos and puts them on our Art and Soul Boutique facebook page etc. I love them all even if I don't comment on them because again my lack of computer skills holds me back sometimes ...but here I go trying to be better. So please indulge me and send in more photos that I will just have to share!

It's about time

2010-08-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

It's about time I let you faithful readers in on what's going on at Art and Soul or I mean Kristine Bercot. Well the truth is I've been wrestling with a condition that has me tired to the core and semi useless to the busy life I've always loved. I'm not much on going to the doctor, because well I've always been relatively healthy all these years, to steal a line from my Mother in law, all I've ever had was babies. Well this year when I broke my elbow and meet my deductible, I thought I should indulge my fears and have some tests run, maybe something really is wrong with me.Not that I mind been right but this was one instance when I wish I wasn't.Although it is a relief to know what is wrong with me, it's my thyroid. So my extreme tiredness and weight gain from practically starving myself for what feels like years has an explanation and the best news, can be cured so to speak with medication. Although this is a chronic condition that will have to be treated for the rest of my life it is treatable. So please forgive me if I seem to take forever to respond to calls, emails and requests for new collections etc., I really am trying to keep up. Hopefully my meds will kick in over the next few months and bring me back to my regular old crazy creative busy self!
Speaking of my crazy creative busy self, Fall 2010 is almost ready to launch! I've sent most of the collections out to be photographed, which means we are almost there. Susan from mi-lolliphotography just sent over a few pics which inspired me to blog. I'm glad something did, it's been awhile! So maybe before August turns into September we will have all the newest collections up on the site.And hey although my kids start school this coming Monday some kids won't go back till after Labor day so I'm kinda on schedule?
I'm soooo excited for the new fall pieces to be available for your veiwing and shopping pleasure because really it's about time!

Just in Time for Kindergarten

2010-07-31T17:52:00.000-07:00

Vanessa lost her first tooth! Marie Montessori says that's when kids are ready for kindergarten and Vanessa will start next month at her school, Bunche. What a big girl she is now. My sweetie is so much fun and funny. She keeps me in stitches every day. Which is a very good thing since I create and sew for a livelihood. So just wanted to give a shout out. New fall creations coming soon....just in time for kindergarten.

Adopt Daisy the Dog

2010-06-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

Wanted a good home for Daisy the Dog, halter tie dress, to call her own. She is house broke, behaves marvelously and loves children.
She doesn't bark or bite but does look fabulous for any summer event. Comfort and Style, this little dress has it all! We have them all lined up for the studio sale this Friday and Saturday waiting for the special girl's in your life.I'm so looking forward to meeting and greeting all my shopper friends that can come to visit this weekend. If you can't make it to the studio this weekend, don't worry, I'll be having the studio sale online for you the first week of July. To share the love
I'm marking the Daisy dresses down to $14.00 right now so you folk's that shop online can adopt Daisy the Dog too!

Start spreading the news

2010-06-18T15:49:00.000-07:00

Start spreading the news about our studio sale.
It's this coming friday June 25th 10-5 and saturday
June 26th from 10-2.Our studio is located on the first floor at the Fairfiled Manor. it's a seven story building at the corner of Fairfield and Creighton Ave. The address is 2301 Fairfield Ave Suite 100&114, Fort Wayne IN 46807. If you have questions or need directions please give me a call at 260-456-9739.
We will be starting our end of season clearance sale so the deals will be fabulous! There will be lots of one of a kind items, samples and merchandise from past collections never seen before on our site and the deals on these are over the moon.( Think garage sale but everything is NWT/ NWOT.)
Guess what else? I even went through my hugh fabric stash and have yards of lovely fabric for $5.00 a yard. If you like to DIY you won't want to miss this :-).
Speaking of beautiful fabric stashes Treasure bay fabrics, aka Melissa, you won the red white and blue outfit. Send me and email with your size and address and I will get it out for you asap. So remember start spreading the news.

Happy Flag Day

2010-06-14T12:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Flag Day to one and all! In honor of flag day leave a comment and I win pick a random winner to receive a red white and blue outfit before the 4th of July. You pick the size I pick the outfit.

Where have all the fishes gone.....

2010-06-11T14:28:00.000-07:00

Oh Pete Seeger, we need a song for this tragedy for sure.
Okay time to break my silence.I said (to myself)that I wasn't going to blog until the oil stopped spilling out of the pipe in the Gulf of Mexico.I know that this is a totally irrational approach to a even more unthinkable situation.I am so distraught over this destruction it has rendered me mute, barely able to control my sadness.I grieve the demise of so many sea and land creatures.I just had to share with you all, to let you know I'm here working away at lots of stuff behind the scenes trying to find more ways to be more green.To think about my carbon footprint and be more of an eco family,person and company. I usually say I smile in every language but now I think that I cry in every language for our earth and it's creatures being destroyed. For the people and a way of life like no other on the Gulf Coast.When will we ever learn,when will we ever learn......

Thanks Mom = free shipping

2010-05-06T14:17:00.000-07:00

SUMMER 2010! {GO SHOP}

Please stop by Art & Soul by Bercot for our SUMMER LAUNCH! We have four sweet little groups to get her summer wardrobe looking lovely.

We would also like to take this opportunity to say HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Don't forget your free shipping code at checkout {THANKSMOM} good anytime between May 5th - 15th on purchases over $50 while supplies last. Current offer cannot be applied to past purchases.

Regards,

Kristine Bercot

P.S. Please share the love with all your friends!

Thank you!

Is there a pantone for that?

2010-05-04T19:13:00.000-07:00

I think that there may not be Pantone colors for all the ones in this Bombay Club Collection. Oh the lovely off beat oranges,chartreuses and rich turquoises that sing a bright and cheery song all the day long.So can you tell how much I love this new group? It truly does sing and dance, try one and see for your self. Or maybe when there's a girl in it, she can't help but to sing and dance.

These days I'm singing and dancing, making my list checking it twice because I'm going to Quilt Market towards the end of this month. Oh so exciting to meet all my fabric idol's all together for one awesome weekend, Yipee! Jennifer Paganelli's sure to be there showing off her new poodle collection. Maybe I'll meet Paula Prass a fellow hoosier? I'm bringing a few gifts of outfits I made up of different designer's fabrics. Maybe I can get an autograph or so, I'll report back on this. These people are superstars to me. Meanwhile I've made plans to meet up with my friend Linda from Allegro Fabrics, boy does she have a great eye for fantastic fabrics! Any one who's going to market give me a shout, I'd love to meet up with some cyber friends while in Minnesota.

So I can't believe it but new summer's ready set to go up tomorrow. Thanks for all the great work of some super talented photographers. Molly did the pictures for Bombay Club and boy does she know how to make work fun. Her mom and dad were so gracious as to let us take pictues of Vanessa and Ellis at their home, thanks again. So anyway had to let you know lot's of lovilies already in stock and all are set to be ready to ship out by the time I leave for market before the end of May. I can't wait to show off all the super new fabrics for fall collections. Then you can ask me, Is there a pantone for that?

The Secret's Out

2010-05-03T09:31:00.001-07:00

Thanks Amy for sending over these awesome pictures of Skye and Sienna! They look so cute in our Cornflower Blue Collection I can't wait for the launch May 5th. Let's see, I think that only leaves the Bombay Club collection with a peak to share before this Wednesday when the summer collections go up on the site.
Thanks for all the Earth Day Comments. You can't imagine how much fun I had putting these scrap boxes together, such amusement reminiscing over this special print or that. Am I a fabric nut or what? Laura, Schauss Family,Joann E, PongoandBindi, Mellymel, Mycrafts Amber, Jennifer, Blueeyes9693 along with Annie ellasophiephotography Melinda simplybowdacious and Jessica of the new Joyfolie you are all winners! Everyone but the last 3 send me an email with your shipping address and I'll send your packages out the most eco friendly way possible :-). I had 20 boxes ready so I guess my daughter's school, Bunche Montessori will have fun crafting with the rest. I can't wait to show you how cute the cloth napkins are that I'm making for their preschool and kindergartner's. We can't start them too young on saving our planet.
Now go tell all your friend's, summer launches Wednesday sometime, this is such good news let the secret out!

Happy Earth Day

2010-04-22T08:26:00.001-07:00

I know,you all will know, that I'm officially middle aged because I remember the first Earth Day!
My second grade class got trees to take home and plant. I hope mines still around it would be 40 years old, how cool. I'll have to go check on that when we do our New England vacation this summer. Above is our soon to be released summer collection of earth inspired prints named Picnic i'll let you know launch dates as soon as I know :-).
In honor of Earth Day I'm cleaning the studio and not throwing hardly anything away.
Many might think me a hoarder of sorts ,(not that I'm ready for a t.v. show) because I can't bring myself to throw much out if I think it can have another purpose, but really how much scraps can one human being use?
I've got all the best Amy Butler, Jennifer Paganelli, Anna Marie Horner, Kaffe Fasset, Michael Miller etc.......So I want to share these treasures with all the crafty ladies out there. Jessica, Melinda and Annie I already have boxes started for you. All the rest of you out there leave a comment about how you recycle, get your family and friends to recycle or a special Earth Day memory and I will hook you up with a box of goodies.
Happy Earth Day!

One more

2010-04-13T10:03:00.001-07:00

Just for now, because I don't wish to drive you all crazy wondering, here's one more.

I'm just saying....

2010-04-13T06:05:00.000-07:00

I'm just saying, I think these dresses turned out as sweet as sugar or sweet tea in the south. Wait till you see the row of ruffles up the back of the navy and white block print knit. Doesn't Vanessa look cute with her hair cut short? I'm just saying...

Sneak Peak

2010-04-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak peak of one of the newest collections we're working on for summer. Isn't my niece Cayleigh as stunning as she is sweet? She and her super talented mom Tracee were awesome to work with. Cayleigh's Gramma and Grampa lives in a real log cabin that they built themselves on some beautiful land in Louisiana. It is quite spectacular in a quintessential Americana kinda way and came through hurricane Katrina with barely a scratch. A true testimonial to the workmanship and love that it was built with. We were so fortunate to join them in an Easter celebration while visiting my Mom and Dad. Thanks Marion and Jack for an magnificent meal and those Mint Juleps were tdf. Any way crazy busy first day back, gotta go for now but stay tuned for more sneak peaks.

Spring Break

2010-04-05T11:20:00.001-07:00

Yeah! Spring break. It sure is nice to take a week off with the kiddos to play in the sun, romp at the beach, go to zoos, parks and out exploring the great out doors. We sneaked in a little work and did some of the photos for the new summer collections, can't wait to share some peaks real soon.
Joanne E you are super lucky you have the perfect Once upon a Time life and won an outfit for the girl of your dreams. Please email me your size and address and I'll get something sent your way when I return from traveling. Zeb's mom I haven't forgotten you, your prize will mail when I get back too! Hope y'all are having an awesome spring break!

Once upon a time

2010-03-24T03:07:00.001-07:00

Once upon a time there was a girl who kept having a recurring dream that she was a SAHM.
Okay that girl,or middle aged woman, yikes is me. I'm past the roller coaster ride streaming out of control planted in my head and onto a much more pleasant and ethereal dream. I've been crazy busy trying to get all the 1,000 items done on my work list that never seems to get smaller. All the while nursing my broken arm which still looks like someone needs to rotate my playmobil arm just a little to get it back on straight. This along with caring for the family has me more than exhausted and pretty much the first one to bed every night.

So here's the deal, once asleep I dream of being home with my kids all day and night. An official stay at home mom. Laundry done during the day, homemade dinner on the table at 6:00, instead of 8:00. The house mostly clean. No more peeling wallpaper in the entry halls. They now look like the page in Anthropologie that I've been dreaming of doing with lots of shades of taupe paint and a black sharpie, for going on too many years now. Other thing are remarkably organized, like pan lids etc. and we entertain more than just random holidays and birthdays.
Awww sometimes my house is so clean( in my dream) and everything so perfect I'm able to sit in a chair and read a book. So who wouldn't want to have this dream every night? right?

Okay so night before last, I'm in my sahm dream zone when I'm awaken with a start. The kind where eyes wide open,almost upper lip sweating, practically sit up in bed start. So fully awake middle of the night I wander downstairs to check on things. Check my emails surprisingly small hmmm I wonder out loud. I go to check my website it's GONE. I check several times in disbelief, all NOTHING. Oh my Gosh what has happened, how did this delightful dream get so far out of control? I still show up in google what gives? I check my blog, still there but no link to my site, how weird, some one has commented I can't find you anywhere? I break down, I cry, I already miss my virtual shop which is so much me. I love making children's clothing and sending them out all over the planet to be worn by sweet little munchkins. I know I have been super bad about returning emails, so sorry, but most orders have shipped. I have been behind on Seaweed skirts and Ariel tops because they were more than just popular. Dotty tops because of fabric "issues" again my apologies, I want it all to be perfect in the absolute best of ways and I get all worried and retreat from all things in the midst of these troubles. Is this my punishment for not appreciating all my wonderful clients who mean the world to me? My lack of communication and my enhanced dream state have caused my site to disappear? I'm so sorry. Why and how did this happen? And more important what can be done about it at 3AM? I dash off a few emails to the powers that can maybe help figure this one out ,wipe away my tears and go back to bed to try and see if this might just be part a dream?
The good news is it was just some kinda c panel issue that got remedied in less than a day by the good folks that keep thing humming in cyber space. I have a renewed appreciation for my lovely life and my work which means so much to me. And I think it worked out so that I got an extra day to get orders caught up. But really kinda weird still, don't you think?
Okay so back to sharing some Art & Soul prizes, Angela you have won the day dreamer outfit please email me your size and address and I'll get you on the blog prize list so that all can ship out before the end of the month ;-). And this would be an awesome time to say thanks to all my customers, friends and family for your support. How about a random drawing for a Once Upon a Time outfit with the ever popular ruched leggings included. I'll pick a random winner from comments posted.Please share with me what you think of as your Once Upon a Time...

Daydreamer

2010-03-05T04:08:00.000-08:00

Don't these girls look officially like daydreamers?
I seem to be in a dream lately. I seem to be floating from task to task like from one cloud to another. More like one roller coaster to another. I feel like I'm on the Demon Drop 80 miles an hour with no control over my path. Someone else is running the ride this week. I plan things they don't happen, I don't plan things and then they do. I'm ahead of schedule but somehow still way behind. I try to keep things together, but a wind comes and scatters my peace about. Oh dear, life seem so complicated sometimes, can anyone relate to what I say?
Zeb's mom you won right away, I guess it was pretty easy Congrats to you! The early bird gets the Citrus Ruched dress. Your combo skills of timing, luck and knowledge worked, so send me email with your address and size please. Tell me what you've been day dreaming about lately and I'll pick a random winner to win an outfit from daydreamer.

Ode to Orange

2010-03-03T14:16:00.000-08:00

This collection I really wanted to call Ode to Oilily but I didn't want to get in trouble, so I settled on Ode to Orange, which really is about the same. Ever since I walked into my first Oilily store in Boston on Newbury St. sometime in 1976, I felt my life change. There before me was a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors all sewn up into the most gorgeous clothes I had ever seen.

The designer spoke to my heart, orange with blue, red with green and everything in between.
The full color wheel with no rules. Prints, plaids, calico and stripes altogether, things that at the time really pushed the envelope, so to speak. They had a catalog on the counter which I kept for so many years, I had it tattered and worn from staring into it for inspiration. I know I have along way to go before I can compare myself to the Oilily masters but this is my homage to .......
Okay, so I am having a hard time finding the original designers name on google. Sounds like a contest.First person to answer correctly wins the Citrus Ruched Dress.
The random winner of the Soul Sister dress is Jodi Randolph send me an email with your size and color choice and I will set you up with your prize.

I need to give my heartfelt thanks to the lovely models for making my job easy and to Gina for once again making my fashions shine. I'm telling you the clothes on the hangers don't sing as sweet as when on a little girl. So please enjoy my Ode to Orange.

Spring is in the Air

2010-02-28T19:05:00.001-08:00

Spring is not far off I'm sure. I know all of us have had more than our fair share of snow this year. I checked the calendar and I tell the truth, spring really is just a few weeks away. So we here at Art & Soul are preparing to dress your little fashionista's in style. These awesome pictures from Annie arrived in my mailbox and I had to share. Isn't Madison the cutest little vision of spring and sweetness in our Soul Sister dresses?
These are up for preorders in the shop and all orders will ship before the first day of spring. Other fabulous news is that all of our 5 spring collections will be in the store by some time this week. I'll keep you posted as pictures arrive.
It's time to celebrate! Let's have a blog contest winner. Tell me the sign that lets you know that spring is almost here and I will pick a random winner of a Soul Sister dress by Wednesday the 3rd of March. Now to harness the power of positive thinking, let's all say together, "Spring is in the air".

bff

2010-02-25T07:30:00.000-08:00

when i was in florida i meet up with my bff from high school at delray beach. we had a wonderful time soaking in the sun and catching up on the last ten years. so much has happened and yet we're both much the same. lori and her sister lisa have an awesome bed and breakfast on martha's vineyard. it's called the tivoli inn. if you can be so lucky as to get to the vineyard do check it out, along with her store down the street, those girls know how to hostess. while visiting her she gave me a beautiful scarf and i said awesome this will go with everything i have. and it does because i slipped on the ice, broke my arm and now i use it for my sling. why does it seem we either have 1 thing or another to deal with all the time. oh well, so much easier having me be the injured one than a kid or a parent.
spring at art and soul is really just around the corner.heading out now for a photo shoot at gina's, can't wait to share pics soon. 5 spring groups should launch next week. stay tuned for more info about that and my plans to sooner than later visit my bbf.

This Just In

2010-02-15T07:28:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Vanessa

2010-02-11T18:57:00.000-08:00

Today my baby girl is 5! She is such a sweet heart, there are not enough words in Websters to describe the depth of my love for her. I had her model a new dress so you all could catch a sneak peak. Sorry about the picture quality, photography is not my special talent.

Be Mine

2010-02-05T07:07:00.000-08:00

I know that there are many who have been so patiently waiting for an update of when new Art & Soul will launch. I have to share I'm not sure, I am hoping sometime before the end of Feb. We have a lot of the fabric for production here but I can't stop from finding more treasures to put with this and that along the way. I keep trying to focus. Just to get started I need 9 great dresses to fill the page! 9 great tops and bottoms that match up too. Photo shoots for everything etc.
Hopefully there will some peeks for you middle of next week.

In the mean while feast your eyes on these two new LaBella Flora Collections that my friend LaDonna and I collaborated on.
LaDonna from LaBellaflora.com has been a huge supporter of mine over the years. We first meet when working together in the early 90's, she would come to town and buy merchandise for her first store. Now she has one of the absolute best boutique web sites for girls out there! When I told her I wanted to launch my new line Art & Soul she was the first one to order for her site, what a boost that was for my confidence. She has always dreamed of putting together her own look for her site and once again she honored me with asking for my help in putting it together. Here you go. It looks so sweet I can't wait for you all to check it out. The best part, it's all in stock and ready to ship today, plus this is the super special part she's letting me share a discount code Spring5 for 5% off your labellaflora purchases now through Feb 10th. These would be perfect for all the little valentine's in your life. So don't delay in checking out Simply Spring and Be Mine!

Upside down M's

2010-01-25T13:01:00.000-08:00

Okay, I know for you faithful readers I can be called a blog slacker for sure! I can share with everyone I really have been doing some exciting things behind the scenes. In search of inspiration for Art and Soul's spring collection a dose of sunshine was in order. Most of our family was able to escape to FL for a real vacation last week. We were so lucky the weather was a glorious 10 degrees above normal, how crazy, because the 2 weeks before had been the coldest ever since keeping records! Hence a mad dash to ship and communicate about stuff and then virtually no info via email or blogging of any kind. We were internet impaired which made for much more beach and sun time.

Back to reality this week. We have had a few inquires about how we are able to offer a secure shopping site for our customers being such a small company. Can you trust my, by most standards, ancient hard drive to be secure? Can you trust my server or shopping cart company that captures information about you and your order etc.? Probably.... but you can also know that we have paypal and all their powerful security systems as our merchant company. This means that they capture your credit card info or your paypal info when you order. We never get your complete credit card info into any of our systems at any time so there would be no way for this information to be compromised on our end. Hopefully this information is comforting to you.

I know I feel better knowing our systems have all this security in place because sometimes when I say we, it's really just me. I'm usually the one who gets the orders in and ships them out, I try to respond to all emails and I'm most likely the one who made a shipping mistake and also the one to make them right. So please know that I do try hard almost everyday to stay on top of all this along with designing the new collections that make all these challenges necessary. I love what I do so it makes all this my pleasure. I can't wait to share the new collections soon!

My daughter Vanessa, who's almost 5, was spelling mom the other day while on our vacation and got her M's upside down. I said "Vanessa that spells WOW " , she said "that means awesome so it's the same as MOM". Wow what a way to melt my heart. Wow, Mom ; We, Me, I guess we both sometimes do upside down M's.

Part II

2010-01-13T12:39:00.000-08:00

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year. Our gift to you.

New Year Shopping!

As promised, our continued, Shop like a Professional now through January 14th enter coupon/voucher code wholesale and receive 50% off your entire order. Shop early for best selection.

In stock merchandise only. All sales final. No returns. No exchanges.

Please understand that adding an item to your Shopping Cart is not a 100% guarantee that the item is available. We will make every effort to provide you with your complete order.At times, items become oversold when multiple customers add the same item to their cart simultaneously. If this happens, you will receive a refund for the oversold item.

We do wrap pretty packages and will personalize cards free of charge if you wish put the message in the comment box.

Regards,
Kristine Bercot

P.S. Please share the love with all your friends!

Thank you!

Our mailing address is:

Art & Soul Boutique
2301 Fairfield Ave
Suite 100
Fort Wayne, IN 46807

Our telephone:

260-456-9739

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-13T12:30:00.001-08:00

Peace and Happiness

2009-12-30T15:24:00.000-08:00

What happens when you live too far in the past or too much in the future? You miss out on the present! Is that why the word for now is present? Hoping you all got the best present of all for the holidays, quality time with family and friends.
I was so thankful to be so busy shipping Art and Soul all over the world right before the Christmas break. Thanks so much for the love I really appreciate it! All orders (by the grace of God) did get shipped before the 22nd, a few things need a little attention but overall I can say I had tears of joy in my eyes reading all the nice emails and seeing all the great pics. I am taking a break spending time with family presently. Will be back in the studio after the 4th from our retreat of rest and relaxation. I predict oodles of new creations coming soon with all my new found creative energy. Wishing you all much peace and happiness in the year ahead. XOXO Kristine

Norma Rae

2009-12-19T06:35:00.000-08:00

Okay now I just feel like Norma Rae. Working 12-15 hour days with no breaks, barely food and water. Less than 50 orders left to ship. So if you don't have your order yet or haven't gotten notice of it being shipped don't worry, they will all go out by tuesday. If you get an email with a crazy time like 10:30pm or 6:00 am my clock is not broke, I'm truly working night and day to get everything shipped. I'm doing my best to answer emails too. Please be patience with me.

Thanks so much for everything I don't want to sound ungrateful. Now back to sewing and shipping. Thank you Crystal Lee Sutton, the real Norma Rae!

WOW!

2009-12-17T11:05:00.000-08:00

WOW!!! I am in shock and truly blessed by the response about our holiday share the love sale.

Before the sale : we ordered shipping supplies, took inventory and prayed for the best.

Okay so WOW again. I set up the code Sunday night to test it,left to run an errand for an hoursih and came back to 100 emails, and it hasn't stopped since. I'm so pleased :0) and overwhelmed with gratitude. I feel like Sally Fields on Oscar night for Norma Rae, "You like me, you really like me."

So what great news right?

Well I ran out of shipping supplies twice so far and we just can't keep this pace up, so... we are turning off the shopping cart at 12:00 Friday the 18th. I wish we didn't have to but there is no way to get all the current orders and the ones that may come in by tomorrow noon out before the 22nd if we don't make this drastic move.

So thank you more than 1000 times and my apologises a million times. The inventory is a little messed up too, the classic reasons things put in multiple shopping carts simultaneously before checking out, people phone in orders and add ons etc. Please know we are filling orders in the order in which they arrived to be fair to all involved. If you emailed me or called I am trying to respond in order received as well and will try to get back to you before the end of today. Know that if you do have an order you will be shipped complete by the 22nd or a refund for items we cannot fill will be issued by the 22nd. Also I am adjusting shipping charges when appropriate when items cannot be filled.Thanks again, now back to pulling, packing and shipping orders.

On a very personal note,I'm going down to my mom and dad's with my husband and 2 littlest kids between the Christmas and New Year school break. My husband hasn't been able to see my dad at all this year, something I know my parents are looking forward too. My dad will be finishing his last radiation treatment when we are there. Hopefully 2010 will be one of health for my family we all kinda need a break from this cancer stuff.

Oh yeah and because I had to end the sale early we will do it again once we have regrouped after the holidays sometime before January 15th for 2 1/2 days to make up for ending it early. Thanks to everyone for your patience and understanding it means the world to me.
We're looking forward and willing to have this mayhem again, WOW!

Shop like a Professional

2009-12-16T03:23:00.000-08:00

Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays.

Our gift to you.

Holiday Shopping!

Shop like a Professional now through dec 20th enter coupon/voucher code wholesale and receive 50% off your entire order. Shop early for best selection.

In stock merchandise only. All sales final. No returns. No exchanges.

We do wrap pretty packages and will personalize cards free of charge if you wish put the message in the comment box.

We will work whatever neccessary to ship all orders out usps priority by the 22nd.

Regards,
Kristine Bercot

P.S. Please share the love with all your friends!

Thank you!
Our mailing address is:
Art & Soul Boutique
2301 Fairfield Ave
Suite 114
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
Our telephone:
260-456-9739

I am looking forward to meet the items.

2009-12-10T02:34:00.000-08:00

I am looking forward to meet the items. That's how my new acquaintance Megumi ends her emails as we worked together on her order for her store in Japan. I love the thought of all the people near and far meeting my items. To me they do have life in them, a soul of sorts. I love making things with all my heart and soul. I hope that you feel the life and love when you meet my creations.
Check out her other stores she carries all kinds of sewing notions and vintage items and such from all over the world. To look at her sites is a major sugar rush, so much eye candy! Please stop by and have a sweet visit you won't be disappointed, you craft and vintage mavens of the world.
Antique syugei reinette http://www.rakuten.co.jp/reinette/ and this site too
Vintage shop blueberry http://vintage-blueberry.com/index.html

Thanks to everyone who took the time to write down what's on their to do list for next year.
Such great ideas and heartfelt comments what an inspiration to me, your families and friends are lucky to have you in their lives for sure. Speaking of lucky it's time for Donna with the 3 girls to go shopping. You have won the random $100.00 shopping spree. Send me an email to artandsoulboutique@gmail.com and lets get those little girls of yours introduced to some Art & Soul. I have some lovelies here that are looking forward to meeting your girls.

The List

2009-12-03T09:08:00.000-08:00

I've gotten my crumpled list out and keep trying to analysis it. No, not my Christmas list I gave those up years ago, the list that I wrote of what I wanted to accomplish in 2009.

1. Spend more time with family and friends

2. Start a blog

3. Start an Etsy store

4. Lose weight

5.Try to react to every person, place or thing with thought and love

6. Try and avoid drama (unless attending a live performance)

7. Recycle more

8. Give something away everyday,even if it's only a smile

9. Be more spiritual

10. Work smarter not harder

When I was just getting started with my business, heck life, my dreams were so big you can't imagine what was on my list. Whew, it makes my head spin to think about it! Now I say my pillow can be small. My dreams are so much simpler yet in some ways just as challenging, happy husband and kids, good balance of work and leisure. Be a better kid, wife, mom, friend, ___________ etc.

So, let's see..... I think I got them all done. Does it count if I lost the weight and found it right away? Is this a good time to tell everyone I started an etsy store? artandsoulboutique.etsy.com

Not anything in it right now but please keep checking in. I can't wait to put up all kinds of treasures for we humans young and old, heart and home.

If I got all the items on my list done did I not challenge myself enough? I've been getting a lot of international orders lately, which has me thinking maybe I should try to woo someone to want something I made in every continent for 2010. I've shipped to North America, Europe, Asia and Africa just this week.

I want to give something big away Saturday. How about a $100.00 shopping spree to
artandsoulboutique.com
Please leave me a comment of what's on your list for 2010 and I will pick a random winner and most certainly get some good ideas for my list.

Antarctica may prove to be my down fall but I do have a goal and 365 days to try.Many goals are so important to me they should get an encore, hmmmm......now to work on the rest of the list.

CYBER MONDAY

2009-11-30T06:08:00.000-08:00

Cyber sale to all our virtual shoppers!
Please feel free to feel the love. Enter cybersale in the voucher/coupon box and receive 20% off your entire order.

Oh, here's the good part, shop early for best selection but... the code will work all this week.

I love this kinda sale,whatever you want is on sale.

We wish you a happy cyber Monday, Tuesday and beyond!

Happy Happy

2009-11-09T19:14:00.001-08:00

Yippee. The holiday groups are up and a lot of you noticed because the ballet belts and more are big hits! I'm so happy, I love the loveliness of these, oh and the shrugs too. Embellishments to delight. Gina Miller did it again with these awesome pics.

I just had to mix the vintage curtain fabric and trim of last century with the trims and ribbons of this one to create these treasures. Hey if you look close on the accessory page you will see I have them in adult! So you can match your little princess, perfect for the holidays.
I have to say my inspiration for these came from seeing my nephew, David Hallberg, dance at a very special performance in Indianapolis last month. It was truly beautiful. He's really a big deal but don't take my word for it check out his web site. Click on press and you can see him in September's Time magazine with Michelle Obama and lots more good news.
Okay so I know that the site is still a little rough but I had to put the new holiday up because they will be here before you know it. We've been working on cutting and sewing, hence the site being neglected,just click on the catagories across top to find new dresses etc.The best part,
orders placed this week and forward will ship in less than 5 days. So hopefully this news will make you happy happy!

Something different all the time.....

2009-11-08T11:50:00.000-08:00

That's a great tag line for me and it sums up the Holiday Vignettes. I've mixed together all sorts of fabrics and trims new and old to create these groups : Harvest, Michigan Ave and
Plum Pudding.
Hopefully you'll find something you love for your little ones. Here's a few more peaks. Behind the scenes things sure are busy, so it won't be long now, to hopefully charm you into something different all the time.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-04T11:03:00.001-08:00

Harvest Time

2009-11-03T06:59:00.000-08:00

Harvesting the fields so to speak. It's been crazy busy sewing and shipping. Here's peeks at new holiday pieces to be up on the site shortly. Please forgive me for the lame post, like I shared too busy cutting, sewing, shipping,adding items to web site, etc. :0).

Peace

2009-10-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

Peace what a powerful word. I feel more peace now than in many a week. We have almost gotten all orders caught up. So instead of being four weeks behind on shipping I'm only two. What a relief, I hate it when things are in a messed up way. I was really feeling overwhelmed when I saw the stack of orders that we were behind on, I'm sorry, I just had to knuckle down on shipping and communication i.e. Blogging fell by the wayside, please forgive me. All the blog winners, you have not been forgotten, you are now on the top of the new stack, soon my friends,soon!

Peace is also the name of my church. Peace Lutheran Church. I love my church because of the comfort worship brings to my heart. I love communing with others and praising God. I love the peace that comes from a faith in God.

I love teaching my Sunday school class. This is the 21st year I've had the 3,4 and 5 year old class, since my oldest was 4. I always ask the kids "what's the number one best selling book of all time?" They all the say with big smiles on their faces "the Bible"! Then I read them the bible story for the day. I teach them prayers to say before they eat and we always pray for family and friends, work, school and church and peace in the world. I love seeing my canceled checks made out to peace. It feels so good to give money to peace. I only share these thoughts with the best of intentions, not to preach but to reach out, to share the peace that God can bring in times of joy and sorrow.

I wish you all peace. Here's a lovely picture from our summer collection that looks so peaceful I had to share. Thanks Nicole from backstreetphoto.com for sending this in.
Oh, by the way Kelly you've won the Modern Prairie outfit, please email me your size and address. I'm still laughing about your wedding story.

Walk a Mile

2009-09-30T17:37:00.000-07:00

Walk a mile with me so I can tell you what's going on.

These last few weeks have been the best of times and the worst of times. The fall launch was running late due to my traveling back and forth to my mom and dad's much of the summer. But hey, I've been doing this a long time so I felt we could rally the troops as we crossed our "t's"and dotted our "i's" and pull it off. All the fabric and trim, over 4 miles worth, were ordered and in place this summer. Samples were made, edited and some made again just to make sure everything was just right. I found some fabulous photographers, Molly and Amanda, to work literally round the clock to get the pictures taken and formatted and rushed to my web designer. Timi also worked round the clock to get the launch done.

Then the ordering began; yeah my favorite part. The reason we do it is for all of you and your kiddos. Creating whimsical, functional, comfy fashion one piece at a time. Everything is made in Indiana so I can't blame customs. Well I sorta can. So the worst part is my cutting knife broke, just stopped working. Well you can imagine that you can't cut over 4 miles worth of fabric without some major appliance. Mine was my trusty knife. I actually can say I love her. She's been with me so long, so faithful and true. Any way because so much work has gone off shore no one stocks parts in the USA any more. Heck, you can't even buy a knife off the shelves because all of those have to be ordered and shipped in from Asia or South America with a 2-3 week lead time. So any way, where is all this going? The knife got some CPR and is up and running until the parts get in. I am finally going to be shipping fall orders out this week and next virtually round the clock until we get caught up and past this knife mayhem. After this glitch, all orders should be shipped in our usual less than a week time frame. All the blog prizes will be shipped by the end of next week.

Speaking of blog prizes, Nicole Kelly, you are a winner! Please email me your address and size and I'll get yours on the to ship list. Also, Schauss Family Happenings, you're a winner too! You know the drill. Please send me your info so we can spoil your little one as well.

Any way, what I really want to say is thanks for listening, thanks for your business, and thanks for your patience and understanding. Okay... just a few more abstract nouns: thanks for your faithfulness, love and support. But most of all, thank you for giving me an opportunity to continue to do what I love most: create kids clothes made with love in the USA. I can't end this without offering you a chance to win a blog prize from our Modern Prairie collection. So here goes, tell me what makes you smile when you're having a challenging day. Everyone has a chance to win, it's a random drawing, so good luck!

Thanks 1000 times for walking these miles with me.

This week, Last week, Next week

2009-09-16T23:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know I said end of this week for launching new fall but that was now last week, so I should have said early next week and that would be this week. Yippee, the new fall lines are up now. It's so exciting to see all the orders come in. Thank you, thank you a 1000 times. We really worked hard to do a little bit of something for everyone. Everything is handmade at our studio in Indiana. So here we go to please and delight you with all our new creations. Shipping starts next week so virtually no waiting for your lovelies.

This week to celebrate lets have blog contest. Comment on my blog about something fun you did this week or last week and you could win an outfit from the Birds of a Feather collection. Post my contest on your blog and you could win a wildflowers outfit. The winners will be random so everyone has a chance.

Next week I will announce the winners and it could be you!

Last weeks blog winner is Michelle with 2 l's. Please send me an email with your size and address and I'll hook you up with a gorgeous Romantic Roses outfit. Grandma Michele, with 1 L, let's spoil your little one too! She needs some Art and Soul for kindergarten so let me know your info and you win too!

Cheers! Kristine

2009-09-14T01:59:00.000-07:00

Art & Soul Early Fall Launches Monday!

2009-09-12T16:39:00.000-07:00

Labor Day

2009-09-08T13:10:00.000-07:00

This week is the perfect one to launch the labor of love that is our early fall collections. You'll have to wait a little longer as we tweak and fuss to get everything just so.

To help with the wait here's a new contest. Tell me about how you spent your labor day and I will pick a random winner for an outfit from our Romantic Roses Collection. You pick the size we pick the style.

Oh and this is so good,after so many requests we are adding 12 month and 18 month sizes for fall 09 along with our 2-10 girls. Can you say "holiday photos"?

photos courtesy of Molly Jones Photography

Sneak Peek

2009-09-03T01:23:00.000-07:00

photos courtesy of Molly Jones Photography

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

2009-09-03T00:16:00.000-07:00

My older boys and I headed down to see my Mom and Dad before school started. We left in the middle of the night so we could reach the Blow Fly Inn in Miss. for lunch Guy, the Food Network Guy had visited and raved about basically everything so it was a must do. It was wonderful and not divey at all. Katrina had come through and destroyed the original one so now everything is beautiful and new except for the recipes, they are the original ones. We drove across the coast of Miss to LA and saw the scars of Katrina all along the coast. The beaches are so beautiful and clean on the coast side just like they looked perhaps thousands of years ago but the land is still telling stories of the storm. The beach road now ends at the Silvers Springs Casino so I took Drew and Brendan for their first time at a gambling establishment. Here I can refer back to the winners and learners, I gave them each $20.00 bucks and a good time was had by all , what happens in Mississippi stays in Mississippi. We then made it to my Mom and Dad's for dinner with my nieces. We had a great visit the rest of the week. My Dad is doing so much better, an answer to many prayers. The boys were a huge help doing all kinds of stuff that needed done around the house. I'm so blessed to have such thoughtful and caring kids. We also were able to finally deliver all the boxes of clothes to a church that will hand them out to kids in need.

Peace in heart = ability to function. So I kinda was preoccupied with all kinds of family life issues the month of August. This of coarse delayed the launch of fall but I hope everyone will understand and have saved some love for Art and Soul. Peace of mind and heart has renewed my creativity so much, it's good for the soul. Really one could say "it's good for the Art & Soul", so many new styles, gobs of great prints and super comfy knits, pure bliss. I hope you love everything! So much more to share soon, very soon. Launching one day next week stay tuned for more details.

Thanks,

Kristine

playing catch up - blog backlog

2009-08-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

Ciao: You say hello, I say goodbye and we can do it at the same time.

Help me move the rest of spring & summer off the shelves to make room for new fall.

Coupon code just4u works for an extra 20% off the already clearanced beauties now till 9/4. Look at this sweetie in her Creme Brulee. If you don't have one of these now would be the moment to snatch one up. A shout out to Amanda for sharing these awesome photos. Stay tuned for more info about her up coming art and soul trunk show and so much more.

save an additional 20% on Art & Soul by Bercot!

discount voucher code = just4u

good until Sept 4, 2009

photo {left} courtesy of Amanda Traywick Photography

Winners and Learners: I heard this in a Country song the other day and I thought wow what a great perspective. I do an awful lot of learning. Miss Melissa 74 you are the winner of the Mr. Potato Head contest.

Here's a peak of some of what's on the cutting table now. You get 2 new outfits from the 4 new collections launching some time next week. You are going to have a really hard time choosing, they are all so yummy.

photos {below} courtesy of Molly Jones Photography

Treasure in your own back yard: I want to keep her to myself but she's so good it wouldn't be fair. Molly Jones has done a wonderful job in capturing Art and Soul in photos. She lives right here in Fort Wayne and she makes house calls. I'm now affectionally calling her Dr. Molly she makes me feel so good.

I just grin from ear to ear when I see her photos.

We're in the NEWS!

2009-08-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Just released - Our Veruca Halter in Very Cafe is featured in Hudson's. We still have a few left so get over to Art & Soul Boutique and get this dress before they sell out!

Mr.Potato Head

2009-08-07T22:56:00.000-07:00

I know that I should be sharing new fall pictures, peeks etc. but I'm on a mission to get the house organized before school starts back up. This is no easy task especially for a saver of basically everything like me. We have shuffled the kids rooms around, the little ones need all their clothes gone through and basically almost all of Carson's have turned into hand me downs before our very eyes. Do kids grow more in the summer? It seems that way. I wonder if science has any data on this? So back to the daunting task of cleaning the entire house. I have a litmus test that has been in place for about 20 years ish. It involves Mr. Potato Head, when he has been assembled from top to bottom it means clean. It means every toy box, shelf and drawer has been gone through and organized thus the complete Mr. Potato! Which I have to sadly report has not been accomplished as of yet, so I need your help. Tell me what pieces of Mr. Potato Head are missing, I will pick a random winner from all the right answers and you will win 2 new fall outfits. Which are due to be launched before the end of the month :0). You know the drill you pick the size and I pick the outfits. Okay so more about Mr. Potato Head mine is the one from 1988. Also did any one hear that Starbucks is teaching efficiency with Mr. Potato Head? They are testing their managers to see if they can assemble it fast enough and it will help them to make a better flow of the barista line. Who new this 50 year old toy could be so important to so many? Woohoo Mr. Potato head!

All with the same husband

2009-07-22T23:45:00.000-07:00

I've been married to my husband since 1981, 28 years next month. We have 2 sons who are in their early 20's. Actually I was right in the middle of their ages, 23, when I had Drew, and 24 when Brendan was born. Here's a picture of my big guys. L-R Drew, Brendan and my Hubby Michael. These guys sure know how to relax and have a good time. We also have a son Carson, 10 next month and our darling daughter Vanessa who's 4. She always refers to herself as our favorite daughter and we smile and say for sure. I've had kids in my 20's, 30's and 40's. Twenty years between my oldest and youngest. We are a passionate bunch and usually get a stare or two when people try and figure out how we fit together. So I always find myself saying "All with the same husband."

BTW My son has his student loans due so I decided to hire him to do 2 paintings for the blog prizes. The lucky winners are Nancy and Jennifer. I will email you direct when I have your portraits ready to ship.

Also I'm so excited to help Brendan set up an etsy store to sell his custom portrait paintings from photos in. I'll have more to share soon. You just wouldn't believe how cute he did my mom and dad with their church picture.

SUMMER CLEARANCE STARTS TODAY!

2009-07-22T00:59:00.000-07:00

A Thankful Women

2009-07-10T01:03:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone for your kind words, prayers, cards and calls. I have been at my mom and dad's for almost 2 weeks now immersed in getting my dad to a comfortable place. My little kids and I are heading home tomorrow with a stop at the beach for some ocean therapy.

All the pictures everyone has sent in have done much to cheer my soul. Please keep sending them in to artandsoulboutique@gmail.com. I'm so glad it's a random drawing who could chose? Not I. They are all so cute! I'm picking one next Friday the 17th so there's still time to get in the drawing for the painting. So please feel free to cheer me up some more.

I want to share a prayer that made me laugh at a very somber time. All the best, Kristine

Dear Lord,
So far today, I'm doing all right.
I have not gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish,
or self-indulgent.
I have not whined, complained, cursed, or eaten any chocolate.
I have charged nothing on my credit cards.
But I will be getting out of bed in a minute,
and I think that I will really need your help then.

Creative Energy in the Air

2009-06-28T14:12:00.000-07:00

My son Brendan is a great artist (his mom thinks so for sure). He hasn't been discovered by many yet, but he sure has an eye and a way with color. Back in early 2008 he was fooling around and painted these pictures of my son Carson and my daughter Vanessa for me. We had black and white photos, one of Carson taken by Greg Shappell at VBS and one of Vanessa taken by Karen Spillson.

I just love the way he balanced the opposites,orange and blue and created the shadowing with color, but in a black and white kinda way? Maybe it's just me who sees it this way.

So about the same time that year, a great and already discover artist, named Shepard Fairey, painted several posters of Obama in a similar style, with the campaign choosing to use the one with hope on the bottom.

Incidentally there was a big hullabaloo in 2009, it was revealed that the HOPE poster was based on a copyrighted photograph taken in April 2006 by Mannie Garcia while on assignment for the Associated Press which wants credit and compensation for the work.

Garcia however believes that he personally owns the copyright for the photo, and has said," I'm so proud of the photograph and that Fairey did what he did artistically with it, and the effect it's had." Hence me referencing the original photographers who created the first image that inspired the paintings so not to get in trouble.

So anyway, the bigger message I was trying to tell is, doesn't it seem to work that way?

My son Brendan and vise versa had never heard of Shepard Fairey or seen his work until a year after he finished his painting but they were in such similar styles it's kinda remarkable I think.

It's like there is an energy, that is creativity, that silently moves around the world influencing people to create in similar ways. Speaking of creative energy, I can't wait to share peeks of our new fall lines getting ready launch in August. The pictures will say it all and then some.

Because I've been a blog slacker I can't leave you without an awesome blog prize. I'm commissioning Brendan to do a painting. Please send pictures of your little one wearing Art and Soul and I will randomly pick a winner for a painting. You may email me at artandsoulboutique@gmail.com.

Just a thought

2009-06-18T18:04:00.000-07:00

The original bloggers were country and western singers.

They told their personal tales of woo and loves and life in colorful ways that went out over the airways to all who were interested to hear. Just like bloggers can make you cry, laugh, get mad and all ranges of responsiveness in between, I would argue the case with confidence that, C & W songsters do the same.

What creative ways to spin a yarn or 2. The last few weeks have been fodder for many a song and blog inspiration yet to be told.

1 2 3 Go!

2009-06-04T20:24:00.000-07:00

Doesn't the adorable Miss Lauren look like she's ready to celebrate this summer? Isn't it great she is wearing her Nani with the most awesome bearfeet shoes? They match perfect! Too cute.

Today begins the first day of the summer vacation for my little kids. What a wonderful feeling to have an expanse of time to change up routine and kick back. Knowing all too well what is ahead for them, a life of responsibilities and commitments, deadlines and lists. I have the need to let them know wonders, excitement, travel, anticipation and relaxation. I look forward to living vicariously through them this summer, a life of pure leisure and bliss, quantum leaping in and out when possible.

Continuing with random acts, anyone who has ever commented on my blog has a week to send me your size request, girl between 6m & 10, and address and I will send a surprise, one per person, parcel post. artandsoulboutique@gmail.com. We will also donate an item per item given away so maybe we can help 100 kids, lets try.

back and forward

2009-05-25T20:24:00.001-07:00

This Memorial Day has me pondering how to do more and be better. I want to give back for all the blessings bestowed on me and I wish to pay it forward, to be among the ones to begin the chain of good deeds. So I was thinking how could this be done in a way to say thanks to the customers who support our company and perform random acts of kindness to those in need.

So here's my idea which I kinda lifted from http://www.tomsshoes.com/ that for every pair of shoes sold gives a pair to a child in need. How cool would that be?

So between today and the end of the month of May for every $50.00 purchase we give a random item to our customers (you!) in a size of your choice and donate an item to a child in need in your name. And you know what else? Spend $100.00 and get 2 random items for you and two donated and so forth.

I have an amazing collection of beautiful outfits too numerous to picture but hopefully sweet enough to impress you for your random treat.

Here's a dress, that Gina Miller photographed currently not in our online store that could be your's from our art fair collection. We will also be filling a box of like-kind donations for a charity that helps kids in New Orleans. I will hand deliver them , since I'll be going back and forth alot this summer.

Heads up Jamie, blogger Pongoandbindi and bearfeet.com shoes fame, please say hi to Mary for me, you won the Nani outfit. Send me an email artandsoulboutique@gmail.com with size info and we will ship your outfit to you.

And don't forget to leave a comment on my blog for random acts of kindness will be bouncing back and forward for the rest of the month.

Lemons = Lemonade

2009-05-21T01:20:00.000-07:00

If life gives you lemons, make lemonade! Dale Carnegie said these gems of wisdom. I love lemonade which means what? I should be prepared for the sour and make it sweet? Just when you think you have had a big week there is a bigger one. We had a sweet launch for our summer collections. Loads of new customers to woo when they get their orders shipped this week with their lovelies, lots of fans returning for new stuff, just absolutely wonderful. And thank you every one for the suggestions about dealing with kids and bad moods, I've used several already. ladywombat you are the winner of the Daisy the Dog outfit, please send me an email artandsoulboutique@gmail.com with your address and size request and we will send it out.

Then the sour life challenges hit me hard. I traveled to New Orleans to share a Mother's Day with my Mom so nice, this is hard to do since she lives so far away and I have school age kids. Unfortunately this trip was not just one of pleasure, my dear Dad has cancer and had to have a major surgery so I went to help them with travel, hospital stays, etc. I'm sure there are many other who have dealt with these kind of challenges in one form or another so you know what I mean. It's so emotional to be unable to control the outcome or circumstances when some one you love is sick. I was so available to help yet felt helpless. I wanted to be strong yet felt so weak. I wanted to smile and be positive but could barely keep from crying and thinking the worst, never daring to let these feeling out. And so it is the way we all have to take the sour with the sweet, the good and the bad, no chance of having one without the other, the delicate balance of life.

Congrats to my niece Sarah, the other nice bookend of my trip! I was able to help her celebrate her graduation from college, YEAH! So... I just wanted to give you guys a heads up on why all the orders will ship out this week and next, instead of last. Thanks for your understanding and a prayer or two, if your so inclined, for my dad Bill.

And to end this missive on a sweet note leave a comment and I will pick a random winner for an outfit from the Nani collection.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-11T01:09:00.000-07:00

I always laugh to keep from being overwhelmed when I think of all the things we are suppose to teach our kids. ABC's and manners, how to count to infinity and beyond, how to deal with bullies and people who hurt us. How to offer help and encouragement to those in need.To be benevolent and spiritual. How to love and be loved. How to mend clothes, fences, household items and broken hearts. To be kind, patient and understanding in a world that sometimes has all these items out of stock. To be confident but not cocky. To be happy and content whether you have or have not. The list is endless and ever changing. The more important lesson is maybe what our kids can teach us when they are glad, mad, sad, bad or the thousands of emotions and situations in between.

Speaking of which what do you think my daughter Vanessa is trying to tell me in this picture? She sure is saying volumes without a word.

Tell me your favorite technique or phrase to deal with your kids (I really mean it,I need some new tools in my box now that I have a girl) and we will pick a random winner to receive an outfit from our Daisy the Dog collection.

And congratulations Anna you have won the Betsy Ross outfit. Please email me your size and we will get it out to you!

Way back when

2009-05-07T01:21:00.000-07:00

Way back when I was in grade school in New England , one of my favorite subjects was history. I lived in Longmeadow Mass. , we had a Paul Revere bell in the First Church and a George Washington slept here house, with a plaque on the outside to tell us so. An area steeped in Colonial roots. Most of the American history books told of all the great founding fathers who started America and wrote the laws to guide us. I only heard tell of one woman, Betsy Ross, a seamstress! So I think it only fitting I named a collection after her.

Here’s a glimpse of my ode to Betsy. I hope you love it! I found these a fabrics a variety of places over the years and waited until they all knew what they wanted to be and here they are. Anyone who knows me, knows I have been collecting and washing old jeans for-e-ver to have enough to use in a cutting of this or that. I love to recycle and this is a perfect way to do something with not much of anything, just like when Betsy took some scraps and made the flag.

Of course with this collection almost everything is new, as in never been used, whether it be the calicos and over printed gingham or the vintage rick rack and buttons. So please enjoy.

Comment on my blog, before the weekend, to win a Betsy Ross outfit, same deal you
pick size, I pick the ensemble.

Also, Nancy you are the winner of the last drawing, send us an email with size and mailing address for your fabulous Xanadu outfit! artandsoulboutique@gmail.com

Q. When will the new summer collections go up? A. Late Thursday night May 7th - Great for night owls & early birds!

May Day May Day

2009-05-01T20:35:00.000-07:00

Help, I need someone to be a winner! :0)

Comment on my blog over the weekend and I will pick a random winner for a new outfit from the Xanadu collection. You pick the size, I pick the ensemble.

It is the most idyllic tropical paradise grouping I've done so far, if I do say so myself. It's made from the new Jennifer Paganelli fabric collection called Pretty Please.

So you just have to leave a few words of kindness, pretty please with sugar on top and you might just be the lucky one. Good luck to all to to all a good weekend. Here's a sneak peek from the fabulous Gina Miller.

Plays well with others

2009-04-28T22:21:00.001-07:00

Look how well the ladies at Free Spirit play together. These Tina Givens prints go great with the new Jennifer Paganelli Pretty Please collection don't you think? Mixed with the kiwi knit gauze the comfort and style go on and on. The girls at the photo shoot sure played well together. What fun they had with the hula hoops in this Hawaiian inspired collection "Nani", which mean beautiful. Not that I know Hawaiian, I always say I smile in every language and am trying to master English, (did I say that right?). So to get it right, I contacted my friend Colleen Coble when trying to come up with a name for this group. She is a very prolific writer and has a whole series of books on Hawaii. They are for sure stay up all night just can't put them down books. If you need a good read check out any of her books, she has about 40, I hope you will love them too. Speaking of prolific we have about 35 new pieces to share next week. I'm so excited that the summer collections are almost ready to launch! It seems it takes so long to bring ideas to make beautiful things to translate into halters, babydoll tops, capris and dresses ready to be shipped into the hands of all the girls waiting to play well with others.

Center of the Universe

2009-04-22T02:06:00.000-07:00

We are having a studio sale at the center of the kids fashion universe, Fort Wayne IN. Come on over to shop and say hi. We look forward to serving you! Here are all the details...

Gosh what a week....

2009-04-14T23:02:00.000-07:00

Gosh what a week or almost 2 when I look at the date from my last blog post! Should I share about the great spring break I had? I went with my 2 little kids to Ann Arbor MI. We stayed at the Weber INN a very cool boutique hotel. It seemed almost European with it's design elements subtle, yet every detail thought out. And of coarse a marvelous pool that we got to from our own spiral staircase. If you have chance you must go. We went to Zingerman's deli a fabulous foodie experience. And a trip to IKEA, what more could a girl ask for? My son Carson picked out his bunkbed/desk combo for his room. I visited a great store the Elephant's Ear that carries my line in their shop, what a treat! All and all pure bliss. Then back to reality and work with a week that could inspire poetry. I thought, should I write a poem? Maybe a limerick to make one laugh but I settled for a Haiku, If I had done it last week I could have entered it in the Twaiku contest on twitter.

What a week that was
Oh the waves of emotion
still my smile lingers

And how is it I am so happy, Well, is it because my web site has been rockin with orders coming in so fast my head is spinning? Or is it because I have the nicest customers in the world that say and do nice things for me? Or is because even when things need to be fixed a smile, the truth and a can do attitude go a long way? Maybe it's because I'm busy making a gorgeous summer collection with Pretty Please fabric from Jennifer Paganelli? I think it might be all of the above and then some. I can hardly wait to share pictures and summer launch details! Now to pick a contest or 2......

Fortune Cookies

2009-04-02T21:14:00.000-07:00

Our family loves to go out to the Chinese buffet almost every week.They have a great sushi bar and all the favorites dishes on all of our lists, something for everyone.With 6 of us I love it because I don't have any dishes to do! After we have feasted on the delights,one more ritual begins. The opening of the fortune cookies. Does everyone wait with anticipation to read the words that may speak to just us about our lives and futures? It's such a random process yet sometimes so relevant, just like how life is sometimes! My words of wisdom tonight were : Be Happy. It's one way of being wise. Have truer words been spoken? Or how about my son's: If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it. So I'm going to try and live my life with these words of wisdom in the background.Or maybe.... just until my next, meant for me fortune cookie, speaks to my heart. Oh, and to speak to all you who have been in contact begging, pleading and just asking nicely about when the next sale at the studio is, we have picked the dates April 23,24 and 25.Stay tuned for more info! Wishing you all good fortune,happiness and wisdom.

Art & Soul Spring Drawing

2009-03-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

The winner of the first drawing is Eileen, and the winner of the second drawing is Camille, congrats ladies! Please email me with your address & size for your gift from the Art & Soul Spring line.

Vernal Equinox +1

2009-03-21T17:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday,the first day of spring, day and night were equal, poised and balanced, but about to tip over on the side of light. More lightness, how nice. In many cultures, this is the start of the new year. Between the 12th century and 1752 England and Ireland changed their New Year on March 24. In Mexico you may see a parade where children dress up as animals and flowers, how sweet would that be. In some cultures it is traditional for you to light a candle for every child in your house. We did that and tried to make eggs stand on end on the counter and several tables to no avail. Proof that not everything that is suppose to work, works.

Let's talk about things that do work, thanks to everyone who joined in with us Wednesday for the Spring launch and the Art and Soul board. It was so great to have so many kind words shared. What a delight. We have taken the board down but will put it back up to share more when we launch our next groups in April. I'm looking forward to seeing all those pictures of Creme Brulee, Penny Lane and Veruca posted, so make sure that your on our mailing list so we can give you the heads up on what the date is. Pictures of any past collections are welcome too!

So anyhoo, this new season, new year thing has me thinking about cycles, who knows more about those than women? This is a time of rebirth,renewing and recycling. So I'm here to help! Anyone who orders from March 20th til April 1st, 2009 get a free handmade recyclable shopping bag. Here's a picture of just how cute yours might be. Please note no 2 are exactly alike, but all are equally cool. And for you ladies that love to make things your self, shoot me an email or comment or comment me on the bottom of your invoice and I'll enclose the pattern too. There can never be too many people recycling and this is a perfect project to use up scraps with. Oh yeah, start thinking about your gardens, more info on that soon too!

Win Art & Soul Pretties - Drawing #2

2009-03-16T23:08:00.000-07:00

After many requests we've decided to add a second drawing to our spring preview contest. The first drawing is explained in more detail below- but, in short, right click and save the party banner below, post to your blog, comment & link back to us and you'll be entered to win something pretty from the new line.

To be eligible for the second drawing, for those of you who do not have a blog:) Simply leave a comment below this post & then register on the Art & Soul Board. If you're already a registered party guest then simply leave a comment on the blog and you'll be entered into the drawing. The winners of the drawings will be announced & posted on the Art & Soul Board between 6p-7p EST on March 18th, we will also post them here on March 19th.

Did you notice the little sneak peek? These are a few of our best selling knit pieces. The dress is our Vintage Veruca Diva knit dress featuring a fun asymmetrical hanky style hemline, paired with our violet shrug & matching ballet capris. We love these pieces for their sweetness and kids love the comfy twirling fun.

Stay tuned for more peeks!

Before there was television

2009-03-14T02:33:00.000-07:00

People would make the most amazing handy work. The lace in my new photos by the awesome Gina Miller was made by my own grandma's hands. She made the large piece hanging behind the girls and the roll of lace, along with hundreds of doilies, table runners, collars and almost anything you can think of and a few I'm not quite sure what they were. People often ask me how I learned to sew. I muse at this because I have sewn as long as I can remember. My dad rigged up a sewing machine for me when I was five and I would sew standing up so I could reach the pedal and see the machine. I would make doll clothes and home furnishings for dolls really all kinds of stuff. I had a lot of creative women in my life, both my Grandma's were such industrious women, my maternal grandma did sewing along with knitting, crocheting and tatting. She always had a bag of something she would work on. When I started my first sewing room 20 years ago many of the women working for me came from all over the world to become American's. I would tell them when my grandma came to America from Italy she sewed in the factories in New York City. And they would say she owned the factory? And I would laugh and say no she sewed all day just like you do now, it's the American dream that someone within a generation or two can come to America and have there own business. We are an industrious, hopeful, lucky bunch to live in the greatest country on earth. These days seem so challenging because what we have known for quite some time has some very big unknowns. Please embrace change. Let us once again show our creative spirit to make what we need, to create and invent new ideas, for us to be the leaders of innovation that the world knows we are. 35 years ago hardly anyone but a few knew what a computer was and I mean really the television as we know it was only invented 80 years ago. So your assignment... turn off the computer and t.v. for a couple of hours and make something, anything, even if it's dinner with your family, your life will be richer for it. And hey if your so inclined the world is in need of some new fuels from renewable resources. Wow, I can feel the creative energy now and turning off all those t.v's just made this little light of mine shine brighter!

AN INVITATION

Mark your calendars for March 18th 6pm EST & join us for an early showing of Art & Soul spring-summer. Sign in anytime at http://www.artandsoulboard.com/, we'll have lot's of fun and some great giveaways.

A CONTEST

Share our invite with your family and friends by posting the banner onto your blog with a link back to us @ http://artandsoulboutique.blogspot.com Leave us a comment below so we know your playing. I will pick random winners to receive some of the new Penny Lane collection, you pick the size from 2t-10 and I will pick the outfit.

(right click to save) don't forget to leave a comment!