Meet the Artist and Giveaway: Elvina from NewMomDesigns

I have something really special for all you fabric lovin' gals, a new giveaway!

Elvina from NewMomDesigns has graciously agreed 

to send one of my lucky followers

a yard of the fabric of their choice!

Buy it here

NewMomDesigns isn't your typical fabric shop. In fact, you won't find these designs anywhere else!
Elvina designed each and every pattern! I first came across Elvina's shop when my good friend Jessa from

littlepearlquilts marked this fabric as a favorite:

Buy it here

For some reason when I saw it I became instantly nostalgic. 

It reminds me of some blocks we used to play with as kids. 

I am IN LOVE with this color combination, just writing about it made me want to pin it, so I did :)

Buy it here

I don't often talk about it here, but I am obsessed with antique kitchen items. 

I have a fair collection of Pyrex and Fire King bakeware. 

This pattern reminds me of some of my favorite dishes and utensils.  

As you all have probably figured out by now, I'm pretty much a paper crafter.

Still, I LOVE fabric, and I'm super jealous of you sewing types. 

Elvina went ahead and sent me some fabric to play with.

Buy it here

Here are a couple little things I've made so far. 

More on that later....

 Elvina and I joked about what I would do with what was left over from a yard of fabric

if I was going to make magnets, still makes me chuckle a little thinking about it.

I promise I'll do more, Elvina, soon :)

I've really enjoyed getting to know Elvina, I know you will, too.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: After I had my first kid, I knew I wanted to be more in control of my work schedule, I wanted to have the flexibility to stay home when my kids are sick, or when it rains heavily for days :) I knew I needed a change from the demanding corporate interior design position. While I thought of other options, I got pregnant with my second baby, and that sort of pushed me to take a break from working all together. We had just moved into a new house, had a new baby, so I had my hands full. Some time later, I got swept up into fabric design - all because I could not find the fabric I needed for my son's room. Ever since then I see inspiration for fabric pattern everywhere I go, no matter what I do - fabric is always on my mind! Kind of crazy, right? LOL!

Q: Is interior design something you still do?
A: Interior Design is still a strong passion of mine. I read Interior designs magazines, follow design blogs, do small projects and help my friends with their design dilemmas.And because fabrics (not necessarily mine)  are such a big part of an interior design, I do plan to offer Interior Design services locally as well as via internet " E-design". I think custom upholstery fabric option could be a great perk for my clients ;)

Q: It seems like so many great things on Etsy started with a story like yours. Were you hesitant at first to go for it? 

A: Well, it was a bit different for me. Thanks to my great hubby, I was able to stay home with my kids for a while without any pressure of going back to work. Instead, he supported the idea of finding a way to balance my motherhood/family time with a flexible working schedule. It was important to both of us that my job makes me happy, because when the mommy is happy - everyone is happy! And that's when I started considering my fabric adventure as a serious candidate for my day job.

Q: I really get a kick out of your designs! How would you describe your style?

A: I always try to keep it clean and modern, but I end up squeezing a little bit of fun or humor into it as well.

Buy it here

Q: Sounds like you've got a couple of little ones at home. However do you manage to balance work and...well, work?

A: Ha-ha! That is so true! When I work on my designs I actually rest from the "work" with kids. Recently, they both joined a day care nearby, so I could dedicate more time to fabric business. So I try to do all my house chores, blogging, design work and occasional projects during the day while they are not home. Weekends are spend either visiting friends, grandparents or having guests at home, so work is definitely out of the question, except maybe answering emails really quickly.

Q: What kind of fabrics are you working on currently? Any holiday fabrics in the works?

A: Well, most likely I will skip this year on holiday fabrics, I have a bigger project in the works that is important to finish by the end of the year: I am in the process of setting up a REAL online fabric retail store with my brand, where most of my fabrics for sale will be organic, produced with low chemical dyes, and all with affordable price tags. That's a tall order! :))

Q: If you don't mind me sharing our funny little secret, I thought people might get a kick out of the fact that you and I don't sew! We're designers! Do you have any hidden talents?

A: It is true, I don't sew, but I wish I could... As for hidden talents - not sure I could do anything non-design related. One of my biggest talents, (and my husband would agree), is finding an excuse not to work out! Exercise and I, we have tension in our relationship! :)

Q: Do you have any advice for new sellers on Etsy? 

A: I know this been said many times, but try to photograph your products better. Just when you think the picture is good, try taking another one. Not that I have mastered it, but I do notice a big difference with better images. Always improve your pictures, even if it means taking a thousand, just to get the one right. I myself plan to re-photograph all my fabrics for my new website.

Buy it here

Q: Just for fun, what are some of your favorite Etsy stores to "window shop"?

A: cynthiavardhan - gorgeous handmade items, HelenRawlinson - such lovely patterns and graphics, vintageinteriors - I have been having a real itch to buy something vintage recently..., graphicspaceswood - I would shop blindfolded here, everything is so awesome, contemori - what is the age limit for buying toys...?

That should keep me busy for awhile, Elvina! You've really got great taste. Okay, readers, don't get lost! Head on back here and enter this fantastic giveaway for a yard of your choice from NewMomDesigns!

How to Enter the Giveaway:

1. Follow this blog

and leave a comment here saying you did.

2. Follow Elvina's Blog "Many Little Things Make Me Happy"
and leave a separate comment here saying you do.


3. "Like" NewMomDesigns on Facebook & let them know I sent you

and leave a separate comment here saying you did.

4. Visit NewMomDesigns on Etsy and leave a separate

comment here letting us know which item is your favorite.

By the way, Elvina is offering free shipping within the United States
exclusively for my blog readers!
Just let her know I sent you :)


Don't forget to visit the Giveaway Page for other great giveaways :)


Good luck!

Fine Print:
Only 4 entries per household please
1 winner will be chosen September 28th at midnight PST
Winner will be chosen by random.org
Entries will be validated
Winner will be announced here
Winner will have 3 days to contact me, 
after which a new winner will be chosen
Must be 18 years of age or older to enter