Bari J.

Art After My Own Heart

Tea cups, tea pots, tea bags, tea anything is my latest obsession. I know I've said it before.

So, when I came across Kimberly Shaw Graphics, I was immediately in love. Last week Kimberly commented on my Dancer at the Tea Party bag on Flickr. This, of course, prompted me to click back to see her photos. I am so glad I did.

Kimberly is a wonderful artist who has turned that art into an incredible business. Among other beautiful items sold in her store, you'll find her paintings on greeting cards that are sold with a tea bag inside. How perfect is that???

Below is a photo that is in Kimberly's Flickr stream... here she shows us a bit of how her paintings are created which I, as someone not blessed with this particular talent, find really fascinating.

Doesn't that make you want to give watercolors a go?

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope you all had a great day. Mine was really nice. The kids gave me a set of art markers I've been wanting. Plus loads of great cards, flowers, bagels for breakfast, Thai for dinner... I'm STUFFED.

And I'm on Weight Watchers.

Ah-hem, I did use all 35 flex points this evening.

And now I feel like I gotta' get in my PJ's... 'cause the jeans aren't cutting it after that meal.

And I have to be weighed at 10 am tomorrow. Any one have any idea how am I going to loose five lbs between now and then???

This is what I'm giving Mom...something I can not wear myself in this current ... uh ... shape. It's the first of the ribbon belts we're creating. Yes there will be more tomorrow on the site... say about 5PMish, ok?

In the meantime, on this fine Mother's Day I did manage to wrangle the aprons up onto the site. Hope you'll check 'em out!

Have a happy evening. I'm off to decide which pair of pajamas have the biggest, stretchiest waist band.
XO,
Bari

Belts by Monday, Promise!

Hi there. Two posts... one day.

Thanks for all the emails about the belts. I promise to have more belts up on my website by monday in many choices! Email me if you want to reserve one. Make sure you tell me what size and color you want and I'll put your name on it. The production line starts tonight!

Starting a Prototype

I can't tell you how many times I've been asked to make a diaper bag. I don't know what the hold up has been really. I've been busy or whatever. I kept saying I was going to do it. And I was. I was just thinking about it.
Procrastinating about it.

But this week my sweet sister, Ilisa, pushed the issue when she told her son's class parents that she could get a diaper bag (from me) for the teacher who is expecting this summer... by May 28.

Ah hem... Sure. Totally doable. I'm on it.

Never mind I didn't have a design, a pattern, a clue what I was going to do. None-the-less, this morning I got to working on a prototype hoping and praying I didn't make too many gross errors ... You don't know this, but I am "geometrically challenged." I know what I want, but I have a hard time figuring out just how to execute this and that.

The good news is that I've learned a thing or two about construction so I didn't have to reinvent the wheel. I used what I knew worked on my carry-all and my messenger bags... plus cool gathered pockets on each side, I do to come up with this design.

This is just the unfinished outside of the bag. So forgive the wonky pictures. Bags w/no linings and unfinished seams don't stand up too well.

I am sending the rest of it to one of my seamstresses to finish up now that I have the basic body in place. I promise if it turns out well, I will have more made... Give me ... oh... a couple more months to get the goober up on the website.

Candy.

Now, this is fun fabric! We've been busy putting together a slew of belts for Jennifer to take to quilt market in Portland... I've got to show you how many zillions of combinations there are to be put together in the Bell Bottoms line. I was drunk on the color ... had it been candy I would have eaten it all.

Cutting and arranging pieces was a party. A red pattern next to an orange pattern, yellow next to blue, florals next to dots. No matter what I did it looked great.

And I have to tell you, I was stumped on where to put the red pieces.

There were two patterns that were red and white... and for whatever reason, I'm just not usually attracted to reds... But right there next to the orange and pink... Voila.

Just right if I may say so myself. I'm so glad I didn't try to go with the red, white and blue theme that I momentarily (don't laugh... it was only a passing thought) thought I might.

BTW, a certain little girl (that would be older daughter) is head over heels in love with this fabric. And actually, that's my next project for today... give older daughter some fabric to play with. It's going to be very difficult to part with.

Belle!

I gotta' send out a couple great big thank you's to Jenny Doh and Morgan McLaughlin of Belle Armoire. This article hit the news stands May 1, and it was more than I ever imagined. And... my name on the cover made my mother (ok, and me) very happy. Between my sisters, mother, father and me a minimum of 15 - 20 copies were purchased. The only people not impressed were my daughters who completely and insultingly shrugged it off as, "Yeah, Mom. What-ever!" Well, "Hmmmpfff!" to them and thank you Jenny and Morgan very much for the kind words and attention! It is greatly appreciated.

A Fanciful Win and Two Naughty Daughters

I won! I won! I won a giveaway from none other than the fabulous Vanessa Valencia of A Fanciful Twist. Aren't you jealous!!!???
I know two little girls who were WAY JEALOUS. Older Daughter and Younger Daughter Naughty Bugs said they were "just going to trace them, Mom. We loooooove them.... Pleeeeeeeease." Fine. Just make sure you give them back to me when you are done.

And. So. For the past five days... I have been hunting for my package. There were like ten I think. And, ah hem... this was all I could find when I went to take the picture of them.

Two little girls who love art are in big trouble. You know I'll find 'em... it's just a matter of figuring out which kid. Or under which pile in which kid's room.

Color Color and More Color

Just some pics of items going out today. The belts are going to a new store in Massachusetts called La Boutique (will give details as soon as she's open). And the bags are off to LaDiDa in Vista, CA. These girlies are one-of-a-kinds.

Happy Place

Last Friday the planets aligned, conspiring with me to make a purchase I haven't had the chutzpah to make being that I had a working computer that was "just fine."

Here's how it went down:
# 1. My PC finally blew up. DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD!

# 2. I managed to get Super Husband into the Apple Store where he was finally inclined to agree with me on the superiority of the Mac. So stubborn. Nevermind that I was the buyer... I needed his "buy in" in order to keep the peace, you know what I'm saying???

# 3. It was my birthday this week, and I needed a little gifty, don't ya' know.

So, excuses, excuses, I bought myself an iMac and my family thinks they'll never see me again. Can I TELL you how much easier it is to design "stuff"... (did somebody mention fabric?) on this sweet thing?
I am in happy place numero uno!

Ok, now with that out of the way... what else has been going on around here?

I did manage to get Miss Verna her new bag... Turned out pretty. I told her Scotch Guard was definitely in order though with those beautiful light fabrics:

On another note: I mentioned some time back that I had this stack of beautiful fabric to make aprons from and couldn't do the cutting myself because of that rotten arm (Update: doing much better... trying to avoid what got me to that state in the first place.). Well, I've managed to wrangle some wonderful sewing type people into doing it for me. Which is cause for a big loud, "hallelujah!"... Maybe a "wee-hoo!" too. Isn't she a cutie? There's more to come. I plan on having this babies up on the website no later than Friday.

Okers, well, more tomorrow. Must to make dinner ... uh, and I can't believe the state of my laundry room. Seriously people, nobody here has a clean pair of panties for tomorrow unless I get on it. That there is NOT a happy place.

Happy Earth Day

I must have been thinking green today. I was working on pears all morning. Here's a good laugh though...After I spent a fair bit of time on the first one (making the template, turning the edges, ironing, sewing), I sat for a moment admiring my work only to realize the sucker is upside down. Typical.

New!

Finally! More bags in our Japanese prints ...for now we have just a few of these cuties available, but a slew of these and other designs are being cut and will be on the way in a couple weeks.

 

I wish you all could touch these... the comment I keep getting is that they are "even better in person". I actually saved this on a voice mail from a certain somebody... I have to keep saving it because a not-to-be-named cellular company deletes your voice mails after two weeks. Did you know that? Ticks me off. I listen to that voice mail when I'm feelin' beat... how dare they? ;) Does anyone know how to permanently save voice mail... or better yet... transfer it to the computer? That would be cool, wouldn't it? I think I'll go ask my 12 year old... she's bound to know how.

 

More Studio Fun

Patchwork Cuffs...

I made a bunch of these yesterday. Oh, how I do love that green and orange mix. I thought I'd throw in the blue for good measure. It just seemed to work there somehow. Part of my design process involves throwing stuff into the air and seeing where it lands. ;)

Today I basically took the day off for an applique class over at Quilters Inn. I would describe the typical applique I do as collagey, scrappy... "scraplique" as you've maybe read here before... Today I learned the real thing. I loooooooved it. I learned the freezer paper and starch method. And I bought this fab tool called a stiletto which I probably should have known about already. The whole process of putting it together... oh joy! I have another class next Friday, and I'll show you the results.

Happy Friday.

~b

Brocade Home Goodies

I'm in love love love...

All from Brocade Home. Yum-delish!

Mood Enhancing

Is anything better than a vase of tulips?

Only a vase of pink and orange tulips.

To Do

Take more bike rides with my kids. Read more Great Books. Craft just for me. Take more pictures of the kids. Go to the Beach. Go on a Date with Super Husband. Drink a glass of Wine. Sleep in. Make great meals. Take a VACATION. Dream. Take a Hike. Read with the kids. Buy Flowers. Make a skirt. Finish a Quilt. Go Antique Shopping. Take a ride with no destination. Make some stationery. Write letters. Plant a Garden. Go to France. Try new Teas. Enjoy the Sunshine. Drink Lemonade. Take a Walk. Listen to Music. Be Silly.

Happy Weekend!

A little story about a girl named Bari

Much to tell, much to say. Right now a little proud "Ta. Da." ....

Why? Below is a Betty Weekender for Jennifer Paganelli made from her new Bell Bottoms fabric line which will be arriving in stores soon. I think this one is my favorite. A great big hug and Thank You through the computer to Miss Jennifer for giving me this fabulous opportunity! I am so honored. I'm almost silly, giddy honored.

I want to show these gals off, but there's also a little story here that I feel like I need to tell. It will sound just a tiny-weenie bit over the top, but no one ever said I wasn't over the top. I am. I admit it. I'm one emotional chick-idy.

I SO need to ya-da-ya-da. 'Cause if I don't my brain will whirl and no one wants to see that mess.  Here goes. I apologize in advance. But don't tell me you weren't forewarned...

My little story: Since starting Bari J.over three years ago, I have been pressing forward, pressing forward never really acknowledging any sort of milestones, acheivements but for a moment. My family would disagree because I tend to beam about it for a bit, but seriously, meanie Bari in my head has other ideas.

Then for whatever reason, this request from Jennifer snapped the old brain back into joint or something.

I started thinking about how far I've come since the beginning. And truth be told, it makes me want to sob. Just sob. Fall on the floor and sob, sob, sob. Messy sobbing. Not unhappy sobbing. Just sobbing. Maybe tired sobbing. Maybe relief sobbing. Something like that.

Someone at the Country Living event said, "Go ugly early". Meaning to me: "Start your dream. Get the not knowing what you are doing out of the way because if you don't go through not knowing ... you'll never get to knowing."

Well, everybody... I went very, very ugly early. A fact I was reminded of at the quilting store the other day... er... Thanks, Jane. Yes, I knew N.O.T.H.I.N.G. It's true, and now you all know it too.

Anyways, I'd been in touch with sweet Jennifer for some time when she asked me for several Betty Weekenders in her fabrics. I didn't think about it at first. Seriously, I was honored, but I didn't think, "How cool!" I mean, I'd been in love with her fabric line since it came out! (This was even before I was honored with Verna's project... which I'm totally stoked about too).

Then suddenly it hit me: That first bag. That first ugly, ugly bag! Jeezy peasy! I've worked my butt off since that first ugly bag. And not everyone thought I could do it.

Is it just me, or is this a universal female experience? That whole "god-forbid-I'm-proud-of-myself" bit.

I think I might just say goodbye to that for good. Here's a thought, gals... It's very not helpful.

(above... Betty Weekenders. The blue one is made from Jennifer's Bell Bottom line and the others are from a previous line. Except that one sticking out in the right corner of the pic.. that's Bell Bottoms. Two more to come next week. Wee hoo!)

Thank you, Jennifer. XO

~b

Hmmming & Hawing...

I'm here because I'm indecisive. And because I can't make a decision, I'm procrastinating. Just for a minute.

Was trying to decide whether the dancer stays or goes... she's not nailed down yet. I think she's pretty cute standing on that saucer. Like she might just dance right into your tea. She's a little day dream standing on my saucer while I drink my tea and tap my keys.

Oooh, look. I didn't trim her left hand (your right) all the way. Hmmm haw.... dancer stays.

Later, gator.

Pooped

Whew! I'm making myself crazy. As usual. In fact, I think I've created new ways to make myself too busy. It's my fault, I know. But none-the-less, I'm starting to get pooped.

Just thought I'd pop in and post a little diddy... part of something I'm working on. This stack of ribbon is making me very happy. I could just look at it all day. Better not... back to work. See you later... when I hopefully have something to show for myself.

Inspiration, Creativity, Gratitude... Decembers Child

Inspiration: Inspired, always, by my friends Janis and Margaret. This mother/daughter team owns Decembers Child. They teach, they sew, they write, they pattern, they inspire in so many ways. I'm not sure if there's anything they don't do well.

And now, lucky us... they'll be sharing "Inspiration, Creativity and Gratitude" on their new blog.

Creativity: You know how I love making a good blog-header, so when I finally managed to twist Janis's arm into blogging, creating this one for her was pure joy.

Gratitude: For wonderful friends and all that they share.

You're gonna' love these ladies as much as I do!

It's the little things.

I tell ya', it doesn't take much to make me happy.

I'd been meaning to order one of these stamps forever, and finally got around to it. Ooooh, the possibilities! Here I've just created a little stationery with Amy Butler's fabby paper... goodness I love that woman!

BTW, I ordered this on Monday and it arrived today. That's F-A-S-T. I got it here. Only trouble... now I want one for everything. I'll be ordering every size eventually, I'm sure.

EDIT: I totally should add that I bought my kids pre-inked name stamps because they chronically forget to put their names on their papers. Anna stamped an entire ream of notebook paper last night. I can't take credit for this idea. Her science teacher is a genius w/forgetful kids.

The Vintage Spool

Do you know Verna Mosquera? I bet a lot of you know her patterns from her company, The Vintage Spool. She's got a million of 'em. Every one of them incredibly detailed and elegant. And, If you haven't already seen her debut fabric line from FreeSpirit, you must.

Verna got a hold of me a couple of weeks ago to make her something fab for Quilt Market in her fabrics. Wee hoo! I'm honored. I'm thinking of adding in some ribbon too. Maybe. And believe it or not, I have secured help in the cutting department to save my poor arm... Super Husband to the rescue. Ladies! I've got a good one.

The Funky Dunky Arm and The Ladies in Waiting

I preface all of this with the fact that I am accutely aware that things could be worse, and that I am truly blessed and all that good stuff.

Buuuuut... all things being relative,I gotta' do my little whining routine and get it out of the way.

I've got all these pretty fabrics waiting to be turned into aprons and low and behold the workload (or my own carelessness) finally caught up with me.

I'm not complaining, mind you. Oh, no, not me. But Super Husband is "Sick-And-Tired-Of-Hearing-About-It", so it's your turn now.

This will sound silly, but what's happened is I have a "repetitive motion injury". Whaaaaaat???? Uggch. Sounds easy enough to get out of the way... but no... I have done quite the number on myself.

About two weeks ago, I woke up with numb fingers, which isn't unusual. I do every day (carpal tunnel, don't we all have that?). But that day, on the ring finger and pinky of my left hand it didn't go away. Still hasn't. Tingle, tingle as I type away. Must type with right hand.

Now, most things, I'll ignore. In fact, it's my habit to get on Web MD and I look up things it might be. Then I find the most benign possibility and decide that's what it is. My Plan is to Forge Ahead in Bissful Denial. (Note: this never applies to my kids and dogs, them I drag to the doctor on the first sign of trouble. Super Huband is on his own, because he's impossible to drag.)

But my plan did not work this time. Web MD didn't quite let me get away with it. Numb fingers means "go to doctor". Phooey!

Don't I have better things to do with my time?

Apparently not. Because it turns out I've done a little damage to Miss Elbow, hand, wrist, neck et al. And if you touch that funny bone area it sends me straight to the moon. And I mean just slightly touch. Not tap, not knock. Lightly touch and there I go...Zing-diddy-zing.

This means a bunch of trips to physical therapy (which, btw, are not seeming to work) and possibly a trip to Scary Doctor with shots in the elbow. Or worse, the neck, which is apparently where most of this mess started in the first place.

Ugggch! This is all very unappealing.

Honestly, I've never had anything that stopped me from doing the things I need to and want to do (aside from little surgeries here and there). I'm very fotunate. So, this is causing me some distress. I realize I'm almost 39 years old, but it really feels like high school was about a week ago. So, this just seems down right silly. I couldn't have repeated a motion enough to injure myself. I'm just 18... errr 38 years old. Not enough time to do that.

There it is, folks, my whining quota for the year has been met. No more! And Pretty Lady in Waiting Fabrics, I'm going to find a way to get you made into aprons, with or without me.

PS... On a funny note... To sleep, I have to wear this great big splint on my arm... along with a wrist brace on each hand because it apparently isn't good to wake up with numb hands... And to top my lovely outfit off, because I grind my teeth, the dentist has me wearing a mouth guard. Oh, and because it made me laugh, I decided to wear old sweat socks to bed too. Really. It's a sight to behold.

Autism Awareness Month

As many of you know, April is Autism Awareness Month. This month, the group, Have Dreams has signed up as part of the Bari J. Giving Back program. For all of April, when you put "Have Dreams" in the comment window upon checkout, 20% of your purchase will go directly to the Have Dreams charity.

The Bari J. Giving Back program continues to look for worthy charities to add to this program. To be considered, contact me. Look for information about The Women's Resource Center of Astoria, Oregon later this month as well.

Haute Handbags

So so much going on here. You know, that Oprah is right. What you put out there does come back to you.

As you know, I'm practicing "putting it out there". You won't believe what's happened since I started doing that... oh... last week. I highly recommend it.

I had thought it was kind of corny. But this is what I didn't know: when I Said Aloud What I Wanted my little brain had synapses firing off all over the place. It suddenly became... "I AM doing this." Hmmm. Which led me to making a bunch of phone calls and emails and talking to everyone I know ... gathering information to Make IT Happen.

Can't wait to be able to tell you what's going on... I loathe secrets. I can't keep 'em (so expect me to totally bust) and worse, I go nuts when one is kept from me. Super Husband thinks that is a wonderful game to play. "I have a secret". Drives me crazy... and why it works every time, I don't know. I'm like a four year old.

On another note, look what showed up in my mailbox yesterday! Goody Gum Drops! I've been waiting for this.

This is from Stampington's, Haute Handbags which will hit newstands Monday. (Remember when I said I was sending something in??? I didn't jinx myself after all.) Thanks, Amanda! I love what you did with it!

More beans to be spilled & did you see my new blog header?

It's not even a joke anymore. I am compelled to change that darn header ALL THE TIME. But in my defense, I just got Photoshop CS3 and the entire design suite from Adobe, so it "had" to be done.

On another note, Tammy has tagged me to tell seven more random facts. I dare say, haven't I spilled the beans already?

Now don't fall asleep here, this is way very important info...

1. I have the worst time following a pattern for anything. I find it immensely boring. This is a major downfall (as well as probably a strength) of mine because not following patterns, directions, instruction has caused me to learn everything the hard way. Anyone who knows me would agree, I'm sure... especially my poor mother who had to tolerate me as a child. I feel for you, Mom. It couldn't have been easy.

2. I can't resist art/sewing/paper supplies even when I don't have a particular use for them. I apparently just "need" them.

3. I collect business cards.

4. I love dogs, have two, but am totally allergic to them. If they lick me I break out in hives.

5. I have a one-track mind. Once I get an idea in my head, I can't ... I mean Can Not... get it out of my head until I do whatever it is I've been obsessing over.

6. I was a theatre major in college and if I hadn't had severe self-esteem issues back then, that's probably what I'd be doing today... I was pretty good at it in hind-sight. But thank goodness for my bad self-esteem, because I LOVE what I'm doing now.

7. When I was about 8ish I loved watching "Happy Days". When it would come on, I'd go get the poodle skirt my mom made me for Halloween, put it on and lie on the floor as close to the TV as possible. I was in totally in love with Scott Baio.

Now ... who to tag?

M&Co (Monica), Knitting Contessa (Tina), and Elizabeth Williams. Cough up the goods, ladies! I apologize if I've made you do this before as I can't remember.

Save the date: "Farm Chicks" Show

  Ladies, ladies... do I have an adventure for you! This, my friends, is what is commonly known as a "boon-doggle". And if you tell Super Husband, I will stop being your friend. He is only to know that I am off on "Bus-i-ness." Selling my wares, gaining exposure... (at least that's how I sold it to him). Muahahahahahaha.

But, between you and me, I happen to know that a whole gaggle of my Women Take Wing and other bloggy friends (Tammy Gilley for one) are going to be there. And apparently they travel with wine on board... not for the traveling part, silly. For the when we get there and are finished with our very business-like day part.

So, if you thought the Country Living Women Entrepreneurs event sounded like fun... imagine all those ladies out on the farm in Spokane, WA at the Farm Chicks Show.

Join the other chicks and me: June 7 & 8 in Spokane! See The Farm Chicks for more info.

The Never Ending Quest for Organization

I was near a Container Store today, and I had an urge to go in. This is nothing new. If ever a place lured me, it was a Container Store. Zombie-like, I am drawn in like a magnet. But today I resisted this urge. And this is when it all started.

You know how when you try to resist eating a cookie it sometimes leads to a feeling of deprivation... which then causes you to eat the whole box (I've never done that ... ah-hmm... I'm just saying...).

That's what happened when I resisted the urge to go into the Container Store, open my wallet and pour out the contents. It caused me to return to my studio and literally tear the place apart in my never-ending-quest-for-organization. Curse the Container Store!

I wish I could show you the mess, but alas, I am so appalled by it, this can not be done.

I will however show you the one and only drawer that is finished while the rest of the room is in shambles. Isn't Hello Kitty cute? I put her there just for you. She belongs in the back.

You do know that I can't go to bed with this mess here or I'll never get anything done tomorrow, don't you? The mess will weigh on me. I'd stay in my pajamas, aimless all day.

I know you don't believe me, but it seriously looks like a bomb went off in here. You'll just have to trust me on this one. Super Husband walked in took one look and turned around and left. He knows better.

So here goes nothing... I'm off to clean up this disaster. There is a lot of coffee on the horizon in the morning.

A wonderful weekend

Hi there. D'ya miss me? I missed writing... and reading what you are doing. I find I'm a bit of an addict. Anywho's and what's... I'm back from Chicago. Spirit totally renewed. I was at the Country Living Women Entrepreneur's Event, and it was Fab-U-Lous!

First, I just have to show you something fabby-tabby from a gal I met during the event. I have to say, I absolutely fell in love with her jewelry. To Die For!

This is from Mary Ellen at Twist Style... not only is she an incredible artist she's really nice too... and let me tell you I was drooling over her awesome brocade outfit. I can't even begin to describe... phooey, I wish I took a picture.

I find myself wanting to tell you every detail, but that would probably bore you to tears and I know that as it is, this is going to be really long. Plus, I really want to tell you about some of the fabby women I met and the event itself. So, suffice to say that before the event I held a trunk show, whirled around the suburbs getting stuff ready, and was lucky enough to spend time with my sister and her family and my best friend and her family.

Of course, the center piece of the weekend, and the reason I was there was the CL event. My sister, Ilisa, and I rolled into the hotel pretty late the evening before not realizing... or forgetting... about the traditional St. Patrick's Day parade in Chicago... it was the next morning and traffic getting into the city was an abomination. This is something I forgot about Chicago... the traffic. Oy. Oy. and Oy vey!

Ilisa and I had a pajama party, tea and super-duper carrot cake and then she had me practicing my schpiel until pretty late that night. But girls, I had it down pat. And, I have to admit, I'm the sort that likes job interviews and giving speeches so this was a particularly enjoyable combination of the two. Plus, what's more fun than talking about one's self? LOL. Hmmm... I say LOL, but I'll also admit that it's true... I do enjoy talking all things Bari. And don't tell me that you don't like talking about yourself... that's a crock.

But wait... back up. I didn't tell you before I left that I was lucky enough to be able to do the "Pitch Your Product" portion of the event. That was a total bonus. I wasn't going to say anything before I went (or later really) because I didn't want you to hold me to winning. Or laugh if I didn't win. But now I feel sort of like I already won because I really honestly feel good about it. Sounds trite... but it's really true.

Plus one thing I learned about this weekend was "Putting it out there in the world". In other words, stating your intentions to make them real. And, ooof! Stating what you want is not easy. But there. Now you know. I've got other intentions too that I intend to "put out there" soon.

Anyways, back to the event... The first panelist was the incredible Anna Griffin. Nancy Soriano, CL's Editor in Chief, interviewed her. Anna is an incredibly driven woman who has given her business her absolute all. Part of her business advice and mantra: "Yes, And". Meaning, put the yes out there and you'll figure it out. I was completely and utterly impressed with all of her answers, but even more impressed with how down to earth she seemed... and for that matter how fabulously down to earth Nancy Soriano is.

If I'm remembering in order, the next portion was about internet and technology as part of our businesses. I think maybe I could have been on this panel, if I may be so bold. The moderator was Nancy's sister, Susan Mernit who is an internet guru. You must check out her blog, btw. She's a super-neat lady that I was able to meet for just a minute. But in that minute, I decided that I really like her.

That's one thing you might want to know about me... I have Super Powers of being able to gather character in an instant. I say this not to be bragging or silly, but because almost every single time I have doubted my first impression, I have been burned. So now at almost 39 years old, I trust my instincts as an absolute rule. The point here? I really liked Susan Mernit, her incredible sister, Nancy, and most of the women this weekend. I felt like I was really among kindred spirits at this event.

((Ok, alright, there were a couple that I would make a point to steer clear of... but I shall name no names.))

So, where was I??? Ummm. Next up was Tamara Monosoff, author of Secrets of Millionaire Moms and founder of Mom Inventors. She was a really wonderful speaker. Motivational, inspiring... all that good stuff. Here's the super secret and mantra to add to my list that she gave us... "Leap and The Net Will Appear". Today, I have a bunch of leaps to make... I promise to fill you in later.

The final portion was the group of women featured in the March issue of Country Living. All of these ladies had great advice and their stories were invaluable.

I especially loved Maggie Pace's story...

(picture from Country Living Magazine)

Maggie started Pickup Sticks while on bedrest with her child... I myself was on bedrest during pregnacy and I could just totally relate to the experience... I just wish I'd used my time more wisely, good grief! Why didn't I start sewing then???

Which reminds me... I bought this Pickup Sticks kit years ago intending to teach myself to knit... um... hmmm... didn't do that yet.

In addition to all this wonderfulness, I had the opportunity to have lunch and a shopping date with these fine designers... that's me on the left in the "I'm-not-scared-to-look-like-a-dork-as-long-as-I'm-not-cold-in-Chicago" coat ... then Anita, Paula, Joanna, Heather and Jennifer.

This was a super cool time. Spending moments with other designers is always the bomb. I bet you know some of these ladies ;) ... to know how cool that it was to spend time with them for me you must know that I think fabric designers are like rock stars. I'm a fabric junkie, as you well know, and I'll put it out there again... I intend to design fabric, paper and mucho gusto more (and btw, I'm gonna, you mark my words... or at least hold me to it, ok???).

(Pretty pic from inside the Shabby Chic Store in Lincoln Park on Halstead Street)

I believe that's it... after all this I ran off to the airport thinking I'd hop right on a flight and to home I go ... but this was not the case... I somehow managed to laugh it all off, but eight hours in the airport is seriously NOT my idea of a great capper to the weekend. Oooof. Oh well. As they say... "People plan... God laughs." Apparently she had a good belly laugh over this... So, I decided to laugh along with her. Sometimes she's a real stinker, isn't she?

Very Scrappy Happy

More scrappy projects...

pin cushions, pin cushions and more pin cushions:

This was the apron I started last weekend.

I took a let things fall as they may approach on the apron. I simply did rows of patchwork and joined them together. I didn't pay attention to how long the strips were. I just cut the whole piece down to size when I was ready to assemble the rest.

I have to admit... I've never finished an entire quilt. So, this was right up my alley. Short and sweet. And quilters... I'll get on that finishing up quilts thing soon... promise. I do really want to... it's probably my limited attention span that has caused this issue.

I did have a long enough attention span to do decorative stitching along the edges of each patch... that's something, isn't it?

Scrappy Happy

I dig into the pile of scraps and come up with... piece after piece with a hole in the middle. It looks like someone came and took a big chomp out of the middle of them.

The culprit (when it's not me) is my daughter. We have both cut the motifs out of most of the basket full.

Anna has sat for hours just cutting away. Teach a creative twelve year old free-motion quilting and you've created an art monster.

This is the piece she's been working on. It's a tree. She's a girl after my own heart.

What's your Mantra?

I've been thinking about the things I tell myself. Some of them are not so good...You know, "You're never gonna' make it." "What were you thinking?" But these I am training myself to let go of.

There are other things that I tell myself often that ... well.. they work.

I've been having a bit of a good run with these lately so I thought I might share some them with you...

The very first one is from my dad, who probably doesn't even remember saying this to me. It's, "Never take 'no' for an answer from someone who doesn't have the authority to tell you yes." I say this all the time to Super Husband... especially if he's on the phone with customer service for something or another.

I'm famous for saying, "Can I please speak to the supervisor on the floor?" When the Supervisor says "No". I continue with, "Is there someone else that might be able to help me with this?"

That has often lead to being disconnected... but other times, baby, I get what I want.

It has many-a-time impressed the heck out of Super Husband who didn't think it was possible. He once had a air conditioning guy say to him, "I'll be over in five minutes, Mr. Ackerman. Just please don't let your wife make any more phone calls."

That was a good one! I'll be proud of that for the rest of my life. This particular air conditioning guy, because of my phone calls, was forced by our city to rewire hundreds of homes because they had used a phony permit to install. Muhahahahahahaha!

My other mantra is (I think this is from my mom)... "You don't get what you don't ask for." It's definitely along the same line as the other mantra, but it is totally affective for whenever I'm scared to death to take the next step. It has also gotten me flight and room upgrades while traveling. There's nothing wrong with that, I say.

Another one that I like is "You can't win unless you play." Well, hello? Duh. But then on the other hand, I often find myself saying "I never win." Yeah, but did I enter to win?

So, what's your mantra? Do you have one? Is it negative like my meanie voice sometimes is? Or did you have you managed to kick that meanie's butt?

I'd love to add some positive ones to my repertoire. If you share them, I'll compile a list for a future post!

Millie Fleur is H.E.R.E.!!!

Driving over to pick up my shipment, I was actually shaking! Then, after I had her in my clutches, although I wanted to stop at Peets for a latte, I zoomed right on by to get her back to the studio... and in some boxes to ship to peeps.

I'm beyond excited that Millie Fleur has arrived in numbers!

And, don't you just love that brocade ribbon on the back pocket??? I thought it really brought together all the colors. Yum-delish!

 

Will you be there?

I'll be there... March 15th. I was just thinking... I bet some of you are going to be there too.

Let me know! I'll be in town early visiting family and friends as I am originally a Chicago girl.

Stocked!

  The format for my "belts" page has changed over the last week. In the past I showed pictures of the colorways you could pick from. Now the page shows the actual belt in the size you are ordering. No guessing and hoping it looks like the picture. Each is one of a kind, so this page will change often. Right now I have the blues, pinks and melon/tangerine colorways in stock. More coming soon!

That's much better.

I said I'd paint the frame of the peg board Super Husband put up for me... and I finally did. The sad truth is that if I hadn't blogged about it, I probably would have lived with the unpainted wood much longer. There ya' go... blogging keeping me honest.

Current Brain Train

I'm not sure what it is with me and the tea lately, but I'm currently obsessed with tea cups, tea pots and definitely afternoon tea... and morning tea... and evening tea.

That would explain to my dentist why I keep coming back for more whitening stuff.

This is the start of a patchwork apron I've been making out of the 12 tons of scraps I am the owner of. I may need to make several to get to the bottom of the scrap pile.

Happy Leap Year

It was a solitary, sewing kind of leap year...

Reoccurring Dreams...

You know how sometimes you wake up and you've just got to tell your dream? I told Super Husband this morning about a dream I had right before I woke up and his response was sort of lack-luster. It annoyed me. I'm not sure he was even listening. So, now I've got to share. You may even relate, who knows?

There is a caveat. You have to promise me that you will share a reoccurring dream with me too... You may feel like commenting below, yes? (Talk to me... please talk to me... I work all alone in this office and I'm talking to myself half the day, so when you don't comment I think I'm writing to myself too).

I have a bunch of reoccurring dreams.

There's the quality "Flying over Everything" dream. I like that one.

There's the "I'm searching for a clean toilet for hours only to wake having to pee like nobody's business"dream and the "I'm swimming in the ocean, down a river, floating in a never ending water park only to wake having to pee like nobody's business" dream. I don't like those.

Then there's the "I'm on the Oprah Show" dream. These are usually pretty fun. Sometimes O and I are even friends.

The last reoccurring dream is going to confirm my lack of sanity. This dream made it's way into my regular Oprah show dream last night, and it was mostly disturbing when I woke up. But when I was dreaming, I was quite content.

I've had the dream that got mixed into the Oprah dream for the last 14 years. It's about my grandfather, and may be due to the fact that he passed away when we were on our way back from our Honeymoon. He had surgery that we all thought he was going to get through while I was away, and unfortunately that wasn't the case.

I dream that it was all a big mistake. I come home and I tell them they were wrong, that Grandpa is not gone. They bury him anyways because they think I'm nuts. Only to find out later that I was right. I know ... this is gross. Grandpa is then exhumed and is alive and well. He's with us but in this really tenuous kind of state, and of course then I wake up and realize it was all a dream and I'm really angry and sad all over again. When my grandmother passed I started dreaming the same dream about her.

Last night... or early this morning... Oprah's producers were setting my Grandparents up on a trip to Napa where we were all going to meet them at a spa resort. In my dream I'm telling the producers that my Grandfather is an amazing man, that he was buried alive and survived. I'm going on and on, and they're just taking what I say at face value.

At some point during this spiel I realize in my dream that I'm dreaming, but I don't want to know that I'm dreaming. So, I somehow manage to keep it going for a bit. And then suddenly I'm awake and totally disoriented. I start telling Super Husband something about my grandparents miraculously