Craft Stores are the D*mn Devil!

So tonight I headed out to Joann's. I had scoped it out earlier in the week and they had some pretty good sales going on. Of course I was lost in there for about an hour...so many beautiful things to see, so many cute ideas!!! There's definitely a craft renaissance going on, as evidenced by the abundance of supplies out there. I remember when craft stores were grandma's playground. Now there are soooo many hip funky, fresh and simply fabulous fabrics out there! I'm even considering taking up quilts...like I need another craft to add to my repertoire. Oh...my hands get so jealous of what my mind can create!

Speaking of people living the dream, there are some designers I've been stalking. They are absolutely living my dream! I just love their work! I love Lotta Jansdotter for the simplicity of her designs. I love her for the same reason I love Ikea. It's that whole clean simple and well designed Scandinavian aesthetic. She makes me want to learn every kind of printing by hand that there is!

Then there's midwestern sweetheart Amy Butler. I don't know exactly when I took notice of her brand, but it's been on my radar ever since. Everything is just so fresh and wholesome and beautiful! I actually contacted her once, since she lives in my state, but that went nowhere.
Another designer I recently discovered is Heather Bailey. Her work is startlingly similar to Amy Butler, but there is a suble difference. Plus she gets mad props for those Trash Ties...man! I wish I'd come up with that!

I love these 3 designers for many reasons. I guess what I love the most is that they make a great living doing what they love. They also show the rest of us that being crafty is not silly or unimportant.