PrincessDoodleBeans on Facebook...Give-away!

Hello wonderful readers and fans of the PrincessDoodleBeans Boutique. Whew! It's been one of those whirlwind weeks....custom orders, promotions, give-aways, and a few trips to the beach. Utter craziness. And I LOVE every second. Just a F.Y.I. you can now become a fan of the boutique on Facebook. Which is a huge bonus on two levels. 1. get up to the minute updates on what's going on, new pictures of products, new listing details, leave messages for me, etc. and 2. FREE TUTU GIVE-AWAYS! *dances around room wildly...again* My first Facebook giveaway is this coming Friday...July 3rd at 10am. I'm giving away a custom ballet style Ultra Poof Tutu! The winner will be chosen from among the list of fans who have RSVP'd "attending" to the event. (sorry, only those marked attending will be eligible, maybe attending will not be included. All or nothing, baby!) The winner will be chosen via Random.org from the list and will be notified on facebook. The winner will then get to choose colors, size, embellishments...and shipping, ALL for FREE! WOOHOO! *dances wildly around the room...yet again* It's time to give back a little FABulousness to all you loyal fans. So let's get you on that list! here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=95903783396

It's All About the TUTU <3

For all that are interested...(which I'm assuming is ALL OF YOU!)
My wedding tutu is being featured in a Fabulous online article along with a couple other Etsy shops with adult tutus. They truly aren't just for girls and ballerinas anymore. Check out these wonderful picks at the following address: http://hellowendysgems.com/

Wendy does such a superb job of highlighting the best in handmade :)

Make up your Mind!

I don't know if you've noticed or not, but little girls tend to be a tad contradictory. One day their favorite color is Pink, the next day, Purple. I tend to notice these eccentricities more than most because I have three of them in close proximity to myself ALL DAY LONG!
As creator of some fabulously frilly tutus, I thought maybe I would make one that would stand the test of time (at least for a couple days) by making it versatile. Thus the Reversible Tutu was formed.
Actually, what got me into the studio to create it was a message from a bride-to-be inquiring about color choices for her two little flower girls. She wanted something in Purple and Silver that didn't get washed out...a tutu where the Purple would pop, but still have a hint of silver.
Problem solved with the Reversible Tutu.

We both loved how the colors blended. How she could choose which side would be displayed and later on the girls could flutter around the countryside in which ever color they were most fond of.
Crisis averted. Customer happy. Designer Thrilled!
(and all this before breakfast)

The above pics. are of the two that I created for the wedding. I'm sure we'll have many more to come!

So whether her colors are pink and purple, blue and yellow, black and white, mint and maize. This tutu is sure to last a very long time (or until her colors change....again)

Spring Collection....And Sweet Deals!

I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce to you the NEW Spring Collection at the PrincessDoodleBeans Boutique.

You, meet the Spring Collection....Collection, meet You.

*shake hands*

There. Now that you've been introduced properly, I'll give you some information on these sweet custom tutus.

First out of the box is the Custom Rainbow Sherbet long length tutu. Double layered and ready for a party. Super sweet! I chose to include the colors Peach, Mint, and Light pink to create that sherbet look. The waistband is wrapped in soft pink satin ribbon and finished with a petite daisy with coordinating button centerpiece. YUMMY!

Next is the Custom Passion Punch Sherbet tutu. Available in the 3 shorter lengths. Popping with the juicy colors of Fuchsia and Orange and double layered to create extra frills and thrills for your little girl. The waistband is wrapped in soft Fuchsia ribbon and tied into a bow with Orange ribbon. The centerpiece is an Orange silk Chrysanthemum flower.

Back by popular demand is the Custom Punky Flower Tutu. Two dramatic lengths add personality to this custom item. Color choices are up to you!! Get yourself a little FLOWER POWER!

___________________________________________________________________

Specials for the month of MAY:

**This month only**

Purchase a custom Ballet or Classic style tutu and receive a FREE Upgrade to an Ultra Poof tutu!! Your item will have double the tulle at no extra cost. That's a savings of between $5-$7.

Check out my Etsy listings for more information/which items are included in the sale.

Have a Merry May

K. Frank

Here Comes the.....Wedding Tutu!

Rain...Rain......rain rain rain rain....r a i n .........

We've seen our share of the water droplets the past week. Not that I'm complaining...cause I'm not! We need the rain like we need to breathe...but it makes it hard to take tutu pics when it's constantly drippy. Maybe I should do a mermaid/fish tutu. *thinking out loud*

So, I've had many teenagers calling me lately. Not to babysit for my 3 girls, but to model tutus. I've been having to practically beg my daughters to put a tutu on so I can get some photos. ("would you like a cookie?" or "You can stay up an extra hour if you act like a ballerina") They're probably sick of tutus....

But call after call, message after message is from a young aspiring model. Love it!

I "kidnapped" one young lady last week for modeling purposes. An awesome red-headed beauty from our youth group. (also one of our babysitters, ha!)

I had her in the Custom wedding/prom tutu. (now on Etsy...btw) I used our backyard as the backdrop for the pictures, and as always, neither the model or the scenery disappointed.

400 yards of black tulle were used on the wedding tutu shown. This one was 28 inches long...and that's the shortest length for this style of tutu. You can imagine how much tulle would be used in the long length of 36".

In the works is a Spring/Summer collection of children's tutus, with the theme for Spring being:

Sherbet.

The colors and styles will reflect this deliciousness! yummy.

Until then,

*Be Tutu Fabulous*

Let's Go Nuclear

So,

Maybe I'm just having too much fun with the whole Trashy Tutu bit. I completed another Custom order this week for a black and acid green tutu I like to call the "Nuclear Waste" Trashy Tutu. Had an opportunity to not only hand deliver it, but also shoot a few pictures of the recipient in it. We used our church as the scene of the crime...ha! I have so many favorites, but these are the top 3....for now.

Added this number to my etsy site as well. Can't wait to expand the line of Trashy Tutu's. Remember $5 of the sale price of any Trashy Tutu goes to help support the Safe Passage organization. So you're getting an awesome tutu and helping families as well! YAY!

(Makes ya feel all warm and squishy all over, doesn't it?)

Stella and the "Very Veggie" Tutu Set

It's been a busy week here at the boutique. I completed a super poofy custom tutu for a 12 year old, a custom dog tutu for "Stella", and a springy tutu set for etsy. I decided to call the set the "Very Veggie" tutu set after tossing some names around all afternoon. I loved the sweet chocolate brown carrot onesie so much I just had to create a coordinating tutu to go with. The set is in the 6-9 month size, but the tutu should fit up through 2 years. I'll be listing this one on my Etsy site in the near future.
The sweet Stella came over with her owner this afternoon to collect her tutu and show off her dancing skills. My girls and I had a blast watching her tippy-toe all over our living room floor. My 2 year old couldn't stop laughing. She thought it was so funny seeing a doggy tap dance. Stella has some serious twirling skills too. It's amazing what a dog will do for a few treats. This was the second doggy tutu I've made...why should the humans have all the fun, right?
Next on my to do list is an assortment of Trashy Tutu's. No rest for the wicked.......

Harper is Tutu cute!

Today I had the exciting privilege of hand delivering a custom order to a special little girl named Harper. Her mom ordered a Custom Classic Tutu from me a couple weeks ago and I've been giddy with excitement about creating it ever since. The 3 colors she chose (orange, apple green, and turquoise) are amazing together. I added an orange satin ribbon around the waistband to give it that extra POP! Harper was dancing around the room in no time...twirling and looking absolutely adorable. I'm not sure she'll ever take it off.

Her mother, Lisa, also has a shop on etsy. We've enjoyed talking to each other about our custom wares and crafty know-how. (ha!) Lisa designs and creates custom Pom-Pom ponchos, taggy blankies for babies, and the coolest snake (infinity) scarves for kids/teens you've ever seen. Don't believe me? See for yourself at: http://www.manitoutrail.etsy.com/

We have quite a lot of talent here in Northern Michigan. I guess we need something to do when it's below zero outside.... I'm looking forward to sharing other etsy/crafting moms with you in the near future. But for now....Ciao

Knotty Girl Tutu

Here's another new-ish idea from the Boutique. The Knotty Girl Custom Tutu!! I use the same width tulle as the Custom Ballet Tutus and knot the ends to create a really funky feel. This is perfect for kids whos personality goes against the grain. The "not your typical little princess" girls. I'm thinking of my middle child, "Beans" as I write this. Her first tutu was a baby blue and royal knotty tutu on blue satin ribbon. I also created one that the little "Doodle" modeled as a tutu halter shirt. ha! These are soon to be added to my etsy site in children's sizes up through a 24" waist. They will be available in these 3 lengths:
Petite: 6"
Poofy: 8"
Prima: 10"

Happy March!
K. Frank

The Trashy Tutu Has Arrived!

Yay!! After weeks of telling you all about the Trashy Tutu, I've finally added it to my Etsy site! It looks at home on there... all snuggled up with the other custom tutu listings. And while I was at it, I went ahead and added the Children's Trashy Tutu (the kid friendly version) and the Custom Headband order as well. I was on a roll....seriously I think smoke was rising from my fingertips. So hooray for the trashy tutus and hooray for etsy!

And while we're Hooraying...let's also let one out for the Safe Passage Organization. When you purchase a trashy tutu (either adult or children's size) $5.oo of the sale goes to Safe Passage. This organization was started by Hanley Denning almost 30 years ago. Safe Passage provides child care and education in a loving and safe environment for children who live in the Guatemala City garbage dump. Yes, I said in. Their parents spend their days digging through the mountains of trash looking for recycle-ables to sell to area buyers...at the end of their 12 hour days they usually end up with a little over $5 for their efforts. The children used to have to work along side their parents in a methane rich environment..looking forward to the day that they too would provide for their families in the same way. Now the children are not allowed in the dump. Instead they have a safe haven to go to during the day that provides care, food, and educational opportunities to break the cycle of poverty. I'm so excited to have an opportunity to give to this worthy cause.

For more information on Safe Passage go to:

http://www.safepassage.org

Custom Tutu Orders

I'm in the middle of doing a custom tutu order for a couple of friends/crazy teens at youth group. After a sale yesterday afternoon on etsy (YAY!! YAY!!!) I decided to do a bulk order of supplies so I could get going on all the other tutus I've promised people over the past month. That being said....I'm extending to sale to those of you who read my blog! For the next week when you order a custom tutu through me (either online or in person) you'll get $5.oo off your order!! Another incentive to purchase the "Trashy Tutu" (for adults..not yet available online...message me for info.) is that I'll donate $5 of the sale price ($40.00 instead of $45.00) to an organization called Safe Passage.

For custom tutu ideas check out my etsy site: www.princessdoodlebeans.etsy.com or my flickr photo page at: www.flickr.com/photos/princessdoodlebeans

For more info. on Safe Passage go to: www.safepassage.org

Tutu Fabulous Catalog

It's Tuesday...I skipped Monday altogether because a) it was President's Day and noone else was working anyway. 2) i have a nasty head cold that made work dreary and uninspired. 14) I've never been a fan of working on Monday.

So I'm currently in the middle of designing a custom tutu catalog to distribute around the area. I figure this will give people a hands on idea of what the Boutique is capable of. I have quite a few tutu lovers that aren't internet lovers. Can't say I blame them. I much prefer to have something tangible in my hands to look at. The prices in the catalog will be reflected online as well. Noone will be getting a "better deal" by ordering in person vs. online. I'm also adding the adult tutu section to both because of the overwhelming response (mostly from friends and family, ha!) for frilly trashy goods in their size.

So back to the drawing board -

Happy Tuesday!!

K. Frank

Trashy Tutu

I had an interesting Valentines Weekend. Instead of the typical valentine making hoopla with the chocolate hearts and roses and kissy goo-goo nonsense, I invested my time (as well as my husband and my friend, Malanee's) taking pictures of the newest custom tutu to grace northern Michigan. The TRASHY TUTU! It started out being just a tutu for me....my own private guilty pleasure. I make adorable frilly tutu's for all the little princess's in the neighborhood, why can't I have one too?? Only mine isn't quite as frilly....more like the tutu equivalent of a train wreck or a hangover, or a cage fight.

I convinced my husband to venture with me outside with the intention of having him snap a few quick pictures of me in my tutu. I was not dressed, as you can see, for the 25 degrees that awaited us in the backyard of our rural Northport home. What was meant to last a few snaps went on for almost 20 minutes. And I'll admit....cause I have a hard time lying....that I reveled in every second of it. There's something about donning a tutu that makes you feel like pirouetting around like a crazed ballerina.

After reluctantly escaping the cold, I phoned my friend Malanee to tell her of the latest photo session. She agreed that it sounded deliciously inviting and asked if she could "borrow" my tutu for a concert the following day. I, of course, said "yes". But wanted to snap a few pictures of her in the train wreck too. You're beginning to comprehend that "few" is a relative term. And hour later we finished her Trashy Tutu session at the Boat Yard in Northport. The old warehouse and failing shack were such moody backdrops for our shots. We only called it quits because neither of us could feel our limbs anymore. I mean, digits really are important. *You can view the entirety of the photo session on my flickr site. www.flickr.com/photos/princessdoodlebeans.

So through all of this holiday nonsense I decided to add custom Adult Trashy Tutus to the list of tutus available for sale. I'll be updating my etsy site soon to reflect the newest creation. The tutu will be available to customize up through a women's size 10 for around $50.00.

Why should kids get to have all the fun?? Join the TUTU Revolution!!

ok,

gotta tuck the girls in....

K. Frank

Lacey Tutu

Lacey Tutu
Originally uploaded by PrincessDoodleBeansBoutique

A recent addition to the Custom Tutu line is the Little Lacey Tutu. You pick up to 3 colors of tulle and I wrap the waistband with lace ribbon and finish in a sweet lacey bow. Currently for sale on my ecrater site. This is an original design by the PrincessDoodleBeans Boutique!!

A Rainbow of Possibilities

Everyone loves choices, right? Of course you do. Well, here are the color choices for tulle and ribbon for a custom tutu order. With the ribbon you can also choose between satin (this is the comfy choice for the waistband...very smooth.) and organza (gives the tutu a sophisticated feel. perfect for tutu dresses, flower girl skirts, and other posh events.) Really, the possibilities are endless. A single color tutu is very dramatic. Most of my custom orders have between 1 and 3 color choices, but feel free to contact me for more options. If you can dream it, I can probably create it.

Until then,

*Be Tutu Fabulous*