Back from Texas

I have been travelling on business and just returned from a weeklong trip to San Antonio and Houston.  My friend Pam suggested that I must visit the By Design Scrapbook Boutique while in Houston.  Even though it was completely on the other side of the city from where I was staying, I stole away some time on Friday afternoon to visit the store that was designed by Heidi Swapp.

 And what a store!

If you like pink and black, this is your place. 

When walking up from the parking lot, you can't help but notice the room behind the front window.  The circular crushed velvet fushia sofa with its black and white pillows beckons you in to see the layout kits it displays.

There are lovely mini displays throughout the place.

When you walk in, the arched doorway beckons into a world of pink that I have never experienced before.

It was lovely and so much fun!

Glittered fruit, glass crystals, candied embellishments were at every turn.

I love this drape!  My husband would never allow anything like that in our house! 

And the displays of product as well as layout and project ideas were everywhere.

These huge frames adorned almost every wall, filled with many of my favorite manufacturers, like Prima and Websters.

And check out this crop room!

How about this for a place to relax after a night of cropping!

I bought their Le Bistro Rose kit of the month for December and February.  The December kit had many of the Webster's Winter Wings paper I have been searching for.  The February kit was awesome!  These kits are put together like design team kits, with no instructions or anything but lots of samples of different products that all work together.  The February kit contained lots of papers from Melody Ross in Turquoise, Emerald Green and Sunflower yellow as well as crystal, cameos, flocked butterflies and Prima flowers.  Absolutely lovely!  I can't wait to start working with it!

Needless to say, this diversion was a much needed break from an otherwise exhausting schedule.  If you ever get to Houston, this store is a "must" on your list of things to do.