Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Hit the Road

I really had my doubts that we were going to be able to get out of here by Wednesday. But ready or not....

For the first time I've loaded my machine, cut out garments, plain onsies waiting their transformation and unmade headbands. I am a sewing room on wheels. Plans are to sew in the evenings while on the road. Then after weekend in NYC I have a couple of free days to sew, sew, sew. The good families in Wilmington deserve as many choices as I can give them.

Everyone in the Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey area come see me at the Wilmington Flower Market. It starts on Thursday, May 5, at 10 am, runs through Saturday. There are lots of goods to see. Any purchases dedicate 15% to a bunch of children's charities. Such a fun way to support all the worthy charities. You can check out the flower Market website for a list of all te organizations supported by the market.

Children's activities include a carnival with lots of rides. Kids love it. An outstanding plant sale is a long time staple. The flowers are gorgeous and look great in yards and containers. Stop in and pick out your favorites. There is a will call area so you can pick them up when you are ready to leave.

This event is not to be missed. Annarella Girl is in the "handmade" tent. Can't wait to see you all!!!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Mecca

Going to NYC next weekend. So I'm dreaming of what I might see. When in New York I can be content just breathing in the energy of this great city or people watching. What a feast for the eyes. And a feast for the mouth. Maybe we'll eat some great Italian food. My husband loves to indulge in a street vendor hotdog. Or how about a good pizza? So much to choose from. My son tells me to check out Yelp for good suggestions.

Of course, we'll visit a few galleries to see exhibits of upcoming artists. Maybe we'll catch the next superstar before they become famous. Fill my senses with inspiration.

AND I'll visit my personal mecca, Purl. This fabulous store has scrumptious fabrics. I have saved a few pennies from the Red Poppy if I find some materials I just can't live without. Maybe some things for my dresses this fall and winter. Dreamy.

Yahoo!!! Anyone have some suggestions of more must see or do places?

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Time Flies



Remember when you were a kid. 24 hours was endless. The day before Christmas - endless. The day before your birthday - forever. The day before a vacation - slow torture.


Maybe a sign of being an adult is when all the "days before" become not long enough. When a looming deadline is cause for panic. 24 hours a day tooooo short. That's my world today. I need more time! There is so much I want to get done. So many more dresses I want to make. So many onsies that I want to embellish. So many headbands to create. So little time.


Wish me luck as my clock ticks on. Wilmington Flower Market is May 5, 6, 7 whether I'm ready or not.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Pretty Girls





Meet 2 pretty girls who modeled their new dress and skirt for me at Red Poppy. That's Laila on the right in an apron dress. Madison, left, has her new skirt on. They are so cute!!! Wanted to wear the new clothes immediately. Wow, so good for my ego.



Below are 2 new garments that will be making the trip to Wilmington Flower Market.







Sew on and sew forth!!

Monday, April 18, 2011

10 Days

Red Poppy Festival is over. It was wonderful - lots of people to meet, good weather and successful sales. Thanks to all who bought from me! The onsies with attached skirt made their debut, and people loved them. I do have a pic or two that I will post tomorrow. Now I have 10 days to restock for the Wilmington Flower Market. Let's see - that is 240 hours. So if I don't sleep, limit the potty breaks and eat only once a day, I should just about make it. Posting on this blog will be spotty for the next month, but I'll try to check in for brief updates. Thinking warm thoughts about all of you.

Friday, April 15, 2011

No More Time

I wish I had a couple more weeks, but I don't. Red Poppy Festival starts tomorrow at 10 am. I'm as ready as I'm going to be. There are a few more headbands to make. Then it's a matter of gathering together everything I need, packing it in the car and setting up booth. Luckily Jennifer D of Mama Ds does most of the heavy lifting and booth design. I just come in at the end with my racks, clothes and a table.

At this point I'm always nervous. How will the show go? Will I meet lots of people? I love when I get to share the excitement of a girl picking out something beautiful to wear. It's such a joy when I can make someone happy.

There is a dark voice whining in my mind - an old, familiar demon. What if no one buys? This makes me feel very unloved. I can only liken the bad show experience to dressing up your new baby who you think is adorable and taking her into a crowd where noone appreciates her, ooh and ahs over her cuteness or tells you how beautiful she is. Hoping for a weekend full of love for my "babies."

Have a great weekend. Be kind to each other. Enjoy the spring flowers.Celebrate the specialness of each baby you see.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Sew Much to Do; Sew Little Time



The title sums up my life right now. The Red Poppy Festival takes place this weekend. Make plans to come. Great entertainment starting Friday night as some of the arts and crafts vendors ar setting up. Check out the official site http://www.redpoppyfestival.com/ for times, events and entertainment line-up. A great party put on by the city of Georgetown., and all free. MamaDs and Annarella Girl are on 7th St across just east of Main.



Working frantically to get ready. Sewing, of course, but there is a lot of odds and ends to do to get displays and handouts ready. Just trying to keep focused and mark items off my to do list.

Ten days after Red Poppy I start my journey east for the Wilmington Flower Market. Leaving a bit early so husband and I can stop in New York City to visit my son, Tyson Skross, and wife, Allyson Smith, who are now living in Brooklyn chasing their dream to be established artists. (I'm so proud of them for taking on this challenge!) They are so good and deserve more regonition. I can't wait to see where they are living and what they are doing. As a mom I need to know their surroundings so when I'm thinking of them I have a framework for visualization.

While I'll be on the road I will still have some things at the Good Water Gallery, 704 S Austin Ave, on the square in Georgertown. Here are some pictures of our, Mama D and me, space there. I think Jenny D has done a wonderful job of creating a warm, casual look.





Sew, a busy time, and I'm loving it. Hope to see a lot of you soon.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

H. B. to Me

Today I turn 67.

I feel 37 until

I have to haul these creaking bones out of bed.

There is a huge mind body disconnect.

Be kind to an elder today.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Homage to the Seam Ripper


Monday morning and on my third session with my seam ripper. Taking out mistakes. Why does one garment present so many problems? Seems like I can sew tons of pieces without a problem, and then, bam, one comes along where I make mistake after mistake. So it goes this morning. Luckily I have my trusty seam ripper. When I'm teaching someone to sew, I introduce the seam ripper as "your best friend." It makes life so much easier. It allows me to take out and repair errors so much easier.


So simple to use. Place the point under the errant stitch, pull up and cut thread. Repeat until all the wrongs are gone.


Wouldn't it be super if all our mistakes could have a simple instument which would make them right? What our world needs now is a giant seam ripper.

Friday, April 1, 2011

What's New

My regular readers know that I've had some changes this week - new dog and new retail presence. I hope to have some pics of Mama D's and Annarella Girl to show next week. For all you locals stop by tonight for First Friday from 6-8 at Goodwater Gallery in the Chupa Rosa building, 704 S Austin Ave - on the square, Georgetown. Sorry I won't be there but food and drink will. Jenny D has done a great job of setting up our displays. So go and have fun.


While I've had many distractions - and to add to the rest Hubs is immobilized with a very swollen knee, so I have to feed and water him - I am managing some work. The Red Poppy Fest is Sat, April 16-17. That leaves me with 2 weeks to add to my inventory. Here are a few of the new dresses and skirts.
This size 5 (the most popular size right now. I'm having trouble keeping up with demand.) is inspired by the purple shadows in the garden.


The palette for this size 12-18 mos apron dress is from the Caribbean - sun filled greens, sea blue and agua.
Texas has the most incredible sunsets. Here the rosy pinks and deep oranges mimic the end of our day. Size 6-12 mos.


A medium (size 5-6) is flower filled in pinks and green. These skirts look adorable over laeggings. Fulllength for cool days or cropped length for warm days.
I'll be adding these items to my etsy shop soon. I welcome your visit to it. Just click on my side bar.
Enjoy your friday. I hope your weekend will be filled with sunshine and flowers.