Martha Stewart American Made + Happy Habitat

Have you guys heard of the Martha Stewart American Made Contest? I came across it online, and thought 'why not?' And then coincidentally, I got invited to the American Made Minneapolis Meet Up at Forage Modern Workshop--- a killer shop that carries my eco throws. My family was planning a vacation to St. Louis for that week, so we instead moved our family getaway to Minneapolis. I got a chance to meet the kind and cool folks at Forage and also met the Martha Stewart American Made editors-- both so genuine and sincere in their interest of being there. I listened to a heartfelt toast that celebrated the local designers and inspired us by learning of Martha Stewart's humble beginnings as a caterer. The whole thing was so cool. To think that Martha's empire is stripping down business right to the core. A single person. A maker. And celebrating what we can create right here on our own turf. It is so invigorating to be a part of this movement.

SOOOOO--- I would love your vote. Happy Habitat Eco Throws are made here in the USA. Designed and sold by myself-- an American living the dream. The Audience Choice winner takes home $10,000 and a trip to New York to attend the American Made Workshop and a feature in MarthaStewart.com. This would be SO BIG for me-- it could mean a chance to go to the New York International Gift Fair where I would have the opportutnity to show off my product to buyers and press from around the world. If you've ever held an Eco Throw in your hands, you get it. They look good in photographs definitely, but they really feel good- so getting my product in the hands of so many people would be unreal.

To nominate myself, I had to include 6 photos, so this kicked my butt in gear to do a photo session. The photos are AMAZING. I had ideas in my head of what the photographs should look like, but was completely blown away when I actually saw the end result. Heather Morrow-- you are MAGIC. This was so much fun! And I can't wait to do it again because good photographs make a big difference. More to share on the photos, but for now,  to see the 6 we chose for American Made, head over there and while you are at it, VOTE for Happy Habitat. Please. Pretty pretty please!? After you vote, check out the nominees-- I've never seen so much talent in one place. Very inspiring indeed.

Here's one of my favorites...

photo by Heather Morrow

hmong textiles

Oh hello. You're still there? That's nice. Thanks for sticking around while I've been MIA. Mama duties called towards the end of summer. Lots of soccer, baseball, hitting the pool. Barely keeping my head above water, but I somehow made it through summer.

Lots of inspiration this summer-- and here's one that I can't stop thinking about. Hmong textiles. So bright and cheerful. Somehow I totally missed this whole thing when I visited Thailand-- as there is a large population of Hmong there. Hmong people are also from the mountainous regions of China, Laos and Vietnam. In case you were wondering.

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Hmong textiles use batik, block print and lots of embroidery for a good ethnic mix. I'm so inspired by the indigo blue with pink and orange that Amber uses a lot and sells in her shoppe:

These colors together are gorgeous:

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Hmong Christmas Stockings? Sure, why not.

I am foreseeing a hmong inspired throw coming soon!

being a do-gooder- one percent for the planet

I've been in business almost 2 years now and it's been an amazing ride. I didn't know what to expect when I started designing patterns and started this blog. So far Happy Habitat has had some good press, some great partnerships with companies such as Fab.com, One Kings Lane and Joss & Main, I've put out 2 catalogs and added baby blankets to my product line. It's still just me here. I am Happy Habitat's customer service representative, salesperson, designer, owner, finance associate, public relations, administrative assistant, CEO, shipping expert, social media strategist, and writer. I'm not great at all those things and I don't enjoy each of those jobs, but it does make for good variety. I would prefer to be just designer and owner. But there is some satisfaction with learning something new. I think because this is my baby, I'm scared to let any of it be out of my hands so instead of paying someone, I figure out how to do it myself. I suppose that's the practical side of me too. Maybe there will come a day when I can't do it all, but for now it works.

Back to the point of this-- I had told myself when I was first designing products that there had to be some good in my business. It was an immediate win for me to have my patterned throws made from recycled cotton-- a perfect fit. Bright colors, washable, family friendly, made in the USA and helping out mother nature. Keeping with that theme-- I'm partnering with 1% for the Planet. I'm not exactly rolling in the riches here, but I can handle giving 1% of my income to causes that help Earth. Did Jack Johnson persuade me to join? Maybe a little. Does giving back feel good? Yep. Am I proud to have this logo on my website? For sure.

Find out more by watching this cool video or check out their website.

(Side note: I have not decided which non-profit I'm going to be donating to yet, but when I do, I'll make sure and update.)

Thanks for reading and buying and supporting Happy Habitat!

Happy Habitat + Young House Love = GIVEAWAY!

Remember this cute room from Young House Love? 

Sherry and John did such a beautiful job with the Fuego Throw in their little girl's playroom that I wanted to partner with them  for a giveaway-- and it's happening NOW. Git yo'self over there for your chance to win a Happy Habitat Eco Throw AND Letter Pillow.

cross + trend

Emily Henderson's Living Room

Is anyone else seeing these plus signs everywhere? Or are they shortend crosses? About 2 years ago my friend Annie asked me to make a cross throw (she's always so ahead of her time). I couldn't because I didn't get it. Is it just a design, or does it mean something? A symbol that's making a point: Help people? Jesus? Additon? Peace? I know, I'm reading WAY too much into it, but it is very well known as being the symbol for the American Red Cross:

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Switzerland's Flag:

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So I felt like it was making some kind of statement. I think I've gotten over it, and any association that comes with it is at least a peaceful and kind one. Something about the symplicity is nice. Will this be a lasting trend? Do I need to make a cross blanket? These sure are cool:

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And these little cuties are what got me thinking about all this cross business again:

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The baby blanket sure is adorable, and you know I'm a sucker for triangles:

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Passing trend? Or modern design staple?

New Triangle Happy Habitat Eco Throws

Made some new colors for the Triangle Throw:

Bubble Gum + Sunny

Coral + Mint

I love these brights, but I'm still partial to the classic gold and black. Maybe just because it's in Emily's room. Maybe just because it just seems to fit right. Want to see a specific pattern in a different color than I show-- just email me! I'm happy to try out a new color! 

Like the new Triangle Throw summer colors? Get 'em here.

and the winner is.....

Congratulations to Leigh who is the winner of the Royal Designs Stencil Contest! She said she would like to use the Casbah Trellis Stencil in the back of her dining room built-in hutch. I hope she sends us pictures of her finished product!

Thank you to all those who entered the contest. My curtain stencil project turned out so well that I've already got another stencil project brewing in my head. Mwahaaaaa....