Free Apron ... enter to win ....

Free Apron .... from Over The Top Aprons

How to enter: Go to Apron Goddesses
Scroll down to November 16,2009, give-a-way from Over The Top Aprons
Follow directions on how to enter
Contests ends December 2, 2009
Good Luck

Red and Black for the Holidays

Red and Black for the Holidays ....

Elegant and Dramatic

(available at: www.overthetopaprons.com)

Aprons for Toddler .... new for the Holidays!

How cute are these --- and such fun for doing Christmas Crafts or baking those Christmas Cookies.... May I invite you to visit www.overthetopaprons.com where you can purchase the sweet little aprons. The apron fits Toddlers from 3 to 5. Enjoy!

Oranges and Sun Flowers Aprons ....

Well, Burnt Orange and Sun flowers ---- as shown in the 2 aprons. The Burnt Orange Apron is a great color for Fall -- sort of makes you think of spices and pumpkins. The Sun Flower Apron is fresh and fun and makes you think of the warmth of the sun.

Both aprons are available at: www.overthetopaprons.com

Best Blog Award ....

Thank you:


I am delighted to receive the Best Blog award from NW Money Saving Mama.

I would like to pass the award on to several blogs that I have discovered, some new and some old; but all of the blogs I enjoy visiting:

Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice

ASecondCup
LadyJavasCreations
A Rose By Name


Proud Mommy
Confessions of a psychotic housewife
Lovely Purses
My Kids are My World
Shopperista

Unique You
Melissas Jewelry and Gems

Theta Mom

Margie and Edna's Basement
Working Divas
At Home With Auntie E

The Best Blog Award rules are:
1. To accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link.
2. Please pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have discovered and have enjoyed.
3. Please remember to contact the bloggers you have awarded the Best Blog Award to and let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Thanks to all of you, you are all great bloggers!

APRON SURVEY ....

Just A few New Aprons from : www.overthetopaprons.com

APRON SURVEY:

Would you help me out? I make aprons and would like to know what you, as the consumer, like in an apron?
1. Would you give an apron as a gift?
2. Would you purchase an apron for yourself?
3. Are you concerned about quality of fabric,design,and workmanship?
4. Or are these areas not important to you, you just want a functional apron to work in the kitchen?
5. Any suggestions of what you would look for in an apron?

Twitter, Facebook, Social Net Working, Entre Card, Blogs?

Twitter, Facebook, Social Net Working, Entrecard or Blogs? Have Twitter and Facebook, Social Networking, decreased the traffic to your blog? Are you still an active Entre dropper? Have you noticed you have fewer readers and hits to your blog? Is your blog still a priority to you? I am going through some changes and I feel I can not keep up with my website, twitter, facebook, social networking,etc. and still keep up with the blog. Does anyone else find this a problem and have you come to any conclusions? It would be interesting to learn where you stand on all of this. What is our response or opinion?

Techorati "Link Love' ... join in ....

If you have a claimed Blog on Technorati and want to boost your Authority to gain more traffic please read on.

Here's how it will work, in order to be "counted" by Technorati you need to have your link in a Post. They do not count Comments or Mr. McLinky anymore.

I will list your blog here after you leave a Comment with a Link to your "Technorati Link Love" Post including my link. You are more than Welcome to c/p my Post for yours

This idea was started by: Mommy's Online Garage Sale.com ... if you are a family with young children, this is a Must Read Blog -

Another fun Blog - this will uplift your spirits for the day : The Crazy Suburban Mom, Tracy has a great writing style - takes you right into her life.

You are all invited to join in and have fun 'meeting new blogs and boosting your Techorati rating..... so, hop on board the "Techroati LinkLove Exchane!



Thanks to everyone taking part in this. My blog is: htp://oveerthetopaprons.com ... and I would like to invite you to visit my website: www.overthetopaprons.com

If any of you women have your own website, drop me a note. I love to see what other women are doing in the area of Website business. It is an encouragement for all of us. Again, Thanks!

Toddlers need Aprons too .....

Toddlers Need Aprons to cook too ..... And what could be more fun than to have your own little apron to cook along side mommy: (you are invited to visit: www.overthetopaprons.com to view more toddle aprons or contact for custom made aprons).

Featured Artist: Tracy Cornell from Braggin' Rights

Tracy Cornell, owner and designer of all products made in her shop: Braggin' Rights, lives in Texas and has been married to her wonderful and supportive husband for 13 years.

Tracy started 'crafting' when she was very young, encouraged by her mother to always be creative; making gifts, creating things, and using her imagination. During her high school years she took a few art classes, submitted a portfolio to the Cleveland Institute of Arts and was accepted. Her focus was charcoal drawing, pastels, and watercolors. However, being young she did not follow through with this; so,every
thing she does now she either learned from her mom, or was self taught.

Tracy takes pride in making high quality items. . "I feel that the products that you deliver reflect on you as a person; both my products and character are of high quality. I know that when I send out a product, I am proud to put my name on it, and I care about how the person receiving it feels upon opening the package. I always wrap my products as if the recipient is receiving a gift, and either add a free unexpected treasure, or other little extras; coupons, stitchery on the packaging and/or other little things to make it a special experience for them."



Cute Crochet Purse with Crochet Rose


Every Cute Dogie needs a Cute Dogie Clip


Rose Bath Set

Currently, Tracy is selling her work in a small local brick and mortar shop and decided to give e-commerce a shot. She finds business for her shop in a variety of ways: " offline (via repeat business), friends 'spreading the word', and simply letting people know what I do. Online, I promote my business by numerous social networks, ads, and through a 'Refer a Friend' program that I send out with all of my orders plus including coupons and business cards."

Tracy says, " My goal is to consistently find ways to better myself. To be the best at whatever it is that I am doing. I know that none of us will ever be perfect, though I don't believe that there is anything wrong with striving for it."

Shabby Look

Tracy's work can be found at:

http://www.madeitmyself.com/user/bragginrights.aspx




http://www.artfire.com/users/BraggingRights
http://tcornell.etsy.com

You can also follow Tracy on Twitter:
http:twitter.com/tcornell123

You ask me why Tracy is a featured artist? ... it is because she is Unique, she is Special, she is One Of A Kind

Latest Apron ...

Reversible Apron, Brown and Aqua, Large Bow to wear in the back, at the side, or tie in bow in the front.
Ruffle at bottom of skirt.
It fun to tie a large bow in the back ...
Or you set the style and tie it in the front or at the side. Apron also has a large pocket in the front.
Latest Apron --- Hostess Apron, Chic, Sassy, Great for the kitchen, every day use or Classy enough for entertaining your favorite guests. www.overthetopaprons.com

What is New In The Air? - Aspiring Couture

ASPIRING COUTURE -- A NEW LAUNCH - Allison O'Grady launched an exciting new website July 7, 2009 - for all of you Aspiring Designers and Fashion Forward women or just women who love beautiful, creative clothing this is a must see for you!

The purpose behind the online boutique is to give people a place to go to find quality pieces. The purpose is also to give aspiring designers a place to sell their work so they can start getting their ideas off the ground and continue to flourish and prosper.

I was so impressed with the beauty of the website, I ask Allison for an interview for which she graciously consented.

Here are the questioned I presented to Allison that I would like to share with you; it will give you an insight into her personality, her passion, and her business that I know we will all enjoy reading and learn from.


1. What motivated you, led you to designing this business, Aspiring Couture?

Something inside me finally clicked and I just knew that this idea that I have been putting off for years just had to get started. I was not in a very good place in my life, and basically needed a outlet; I needed a way to create what I wanted. so, i just decided to see where it would take me. From there it became more realistic, and I just kept creating and creating. That's just what I love!

2. Is it a 'self' effort or do you have a partner or team?

This is a sole project I am doing. Sometimes I think it would be beneficial to have a partner or something like that as it can get overwhelming and if you don't have someone to communicate to, it makes it quite rough,. But, as of now it is a sole thing!

3. What is the goal for your business at this time? What is your projection?

I think pretty big when it comes to ideas, goals and dreams! The goal is to get some of the designers I am representing into magazines, their work in movies,or whatever they want! At the same time it is ti find new beginning designers and do the same thing with getting them in mags, etc,.

But, I guess as of now it would be for Aspiring Couture to gain credibility for the products and exchange level of the company. I want to see Aspiring Couture grow into a successful company I believe in my purpose behind it, and feel that it is something people can relate to and hopefully will!

4. Are there any mistakes, successes, that you would like to share so we can learn from you.

As of now I have probably made mistakes,but have yet to fully figure out what those are! But, I don't really care about that because every mistake I have made has let me to the right way of doing something, so they are not really mistakes then, right?

As for successes, I guess the main thing I knew was that if I just continually outflow something will come in. I know that if I continually put the word out there, someone is bound to see it! That is the main thing that has kept me going.
I definitely know that if I have a rough day, sending out e-mails, posting blogs, etc. will just about handle it.

5. What encouragement would you give to other women who want to go into their ownb business? How would you advise getting started?

I would say ABSOLUTELY do it! I completely support anyone who wants to start their own thing and create their own company!

There are probably a lot of different ways to go about starting up, ad I think every person needs to create something that works for them and is easy for them! But, the one thing that I would advise is to just outflow to anyone and everyone like mad! You have to make yourself known if you ever want anyone to know who you are. It has to come from you though. Block messages that are not sincere, this really upsets people.

You may think people know you because you promoted a bit, but the truth is we see about 200 things a day, and unless it is memorable,m we tend to forget about it! I definitely recommend starting a blog, twitter, facebook, and any other social medial channels that would be relative to your business. Oh, and be a real person!!! Do9n't only promote your product or your website. Show your thoughts and be involved with other people! I like getting to know real people, not just the blog!

6. Do you feel the economical time is a good time to get started or would you suggest waiting until things in our country/internationally get settled down?

I don't necessarily think it's a good time ti start a business, but I don't think anything should stop someone from living their dream. The economy is going to go up and down, but it is just a matter of being above the bad economy with some really amazing people skills, selling skills, and marketing! Ya, you have to work harder,but it's worth it. Whatever you do though, I would never suggest holding out from living the life you want for anything!

7. Where do you reach out and find the sources for your business?

I don't even know! It is literally anywhere that I see something that inspires me. I follow tons of blogs for inspiration as well as to learn from them!@ I gather inspiration from other blogs (but never take anything from them! If I do, I give full credit with a link back to the person's blog for more info) I also find inspiration in my daily living and different experiences. Other than that,m it is all about surfing twitter, and other social networks to find out what readers want from me as a blogger and to deliver that!

8. What do you point to in your growing up/your childhood that brought you to where you are today? Family, education, interests?

Well, everything! I obviously learned from every part of my life as I continue to do. One main thing I have realized recently is that you never stop learning. The more knowledge you have on any and all subjects the better you can be in many different situations.

As far as past experiences-my dad always owned his own business and I always knew I wanted to do the same., (Doing what, was an entirely different topic!) I had taken sewing classes forever and had a great passion for that. I went to a very good private school where I was able to test myself and become even more independent than I already was, but with the knowledge to back up my dreams.

I have always been a very productive and creative person which my parents really supported. When I was 13 I had an intense schedule for even an adult. I carried that with e and knew how to work long hours as well as how to produce a product. So, all of those things really did define me as a person.

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You may ask, why did I choose Allison O'Grady to interview? .... Well, from reading the interview I think we can all agree she is an inspiration for reaching out for her dream. Something we can all aspire to.

Also, Allison O'Grady is unique, she is special, she is one of a kind!

To learn more about Aspiring Couture you can go to the website: www.aspiringcouture.com and to Allison's blog: aspiringcouture.blogspot.com

Apron being worn at Blog Her Conference ...

Chic Apron being worn by Clarissa of Posh Parents while attending the 2009 Blog Her Conference. Also, Stacy of Mom Made That and Mom Sparks will be giving away an Over The Top Toddler Apron and handing out Over The Top Aprons post cards.

Are you planning to attend? It sounds fun and exciting. Please share if you are going to be one of the lucky young women getting together in Chicago!

Aprons for Toddlers - Mama's Little Helper ..

Aprons for Toddlers - Mama's Little Helper.
Children love to help in the kitchen and they love to have an apron to wear just like Mama. What could be a better experience than baking cookies for the family or for friends and having your little girl wear her very own little aprons. For more selections please visit: www.overthetopaprons.com

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, How Does Your Garden Grow?

I honestly think my garden is a bit out of control. I got so excited that I planted a bit on top of each other. How about you, do you have pictures to share; a garden to be proud of? or anyone have a garden like mine? You send the pictures; I will post them. We can even vote on the best garden!