Excellence!

I've been enjoying watching all the trials for forming the various Olympic teams. Such inspiring young people. It takes not only talent, but, also, incredible drive. Working for years to improve a skill! We can learn much from the passion of the contenders who practice, practice and practice some more. Despite physical injuries, losses. mistakes these athletes persevere. I am in awe of their talent and persistence. I can't wait for the Games to begin.

Bad segway coming.

Speaking of excellence....I recently posted a new apron dress on my facebook page. I haven't made many of those this year. Well, I had a good response. Many people seemed to enjoy seeing one again. Yes, I'm still sewing apron dresses. Now I think I'll make some more, especially for fall and winter. Is there any other design you haven't seen in a while?

Neither heat or dry will keep me from moving forward!

Catching Up Monday

Good Monday Morning!! You never know what a Monday is going to bring your way, but so far this morning it's a good catch up day.

Temporarily, I hope, Mama D's and Annarella Girl are without a retail site in Georgetown.This weekend some return customers were searching us out and came to my sewing room where visitors are always welcome. Below is the pic of a beauty with one of the dresses she bought. Isn't she lovely!!! I wished she lived closer as she would make a lovely model.

I do love, love it when I can put a smile on such a cute face!!!!! And if you click on the highlighted names above, the links will take you to our etsy stores which are always open.

Last week I took a couple of pics of works in progress. Below is a short series to the final product.

There is happiness in the process especially when I can picture someone like my Saturday cutie wearing it with a big smile!!!

And I finish with a few random observations and apologies. After seeing what I posted last I realize it is time for a disclaimer/apology for my sloppy spelling/editing. Believe it or not I do read what I write, but often I see what is suppose to be there, not what is truly there, so lots of typos sneak through. Sorry!

As mentioned on facebook, allergies are wearing me down. Making me soooo tired! I wish I had a job on one of the morning shows. It seems like they are always taking lots of time off from a job that doesn't seem to take up much time to begin with. I am jealous. And it is enough to make me desert them and listen to the radio instead!

Certainly it is time to remind you that you can follow me on facebook. www.facebook.com/annarellagirl and or subsricbe to get my blog posts on you email, just gor to upper right of page where it says subscribe, enter your email address and follow instructions.

Happy Monday!!!

Summer Time Cutie

Brand new onesie. This is one of a kind as the black floral fabric is no longer available. Size 3 mos sleeveless Carter brand. I'm offering it for sale to my blog readers and my Facebook fans for 2 days exclusively, then I will put it on etsy.

Waist band of same material. After this I don't even think I have enough left for a flower headband. Size 18 mos, Carter brand. Same as above offered for blog readers and facebook fans for 2 days before it is posted in my etsy store.

www.facebook.com/annarellagirl  I'll send you an invoice through paypal if you wast to purchase. $15 + $3 shipping

www.annarellagirl.etsy.com

Hug a Monday?

The suggestion showed up on facebook that we should all hug a Monday. Well, consider this one fully hugged. Busy, busy, busy, but I think I've managed to stay in front of the eight ball despite a few close calls. It's going to be a full week, so if I seem to disappear for a day or two, know I'm working hard to keep ahead.

Check out facebook. www.facebook.com/simplybyshannon and www.facebook.com/annarellagirl are running a joint gigantic giveaway - a tutu with a corset top. This is a joint venture so Shannon and I thought we would launch it with this contest. All it takes is a "like" and comment on both pages. Scroll down to Shannon's post about it, hit link which takes you to original post, like and comment. Now you are entered. Easy peasy.

I'll remind you again tomorrow when I'm not half asleep. Good night!!!!!

Moving Forward?

Annarella Girl is no longer with Diva Chicks. Although I'm talking to a new store, there is nothing final yet. I feel like I've really bounced around the last year. Just when my local customers become comfortable with where I am, something happens and I'mmoving...again.

On the bright side you can always find me on etsy. www.annarellagirl.etsy.com or on my new facebook page. www.facebook.com/annarellagirl . You don't have to join facebook to get to my business page You don't have to join facebook in order to look at Annarella Girl page, but you might have to in order to like or comment. Not sure as the rules for business pages keep changing.

So meanwhile have a look at the new tutu with corset top Simple By Shannon does the tutu, either long or short. I do the top. Together we are creating fun and frivolity for little girls.

A new frou frou voice from me. I love my sundresses etc which are wild in a totally different way. But this has been a good design challenge to stretch my creative muscle. What do you think?

Now moving forward, my mantra for 2012. Not always easy to do - sometimes it feels sideways or, horrors, backwards - but I am going to view it all as forward. Stick with me. Keep me positive. Propel me forward with your thoughts and support.

A Different Morning

Instead of our, Butler and me, usual early morning walk, we went to the dog park this am. I was hoping I could really tire him out for the day without exhausting me. He had a great time. There were lots of dogs to play with and many owners who were willing to pet him and rub his ears. So now he is crashed in my sewing room. Maybe I'll try it again tomorrow. Thinking this is a good weekend thing to do when it is dry.

Picked a name from the list of friends on facebook page, Annarella Girl. Stephanie was number 20 on my list, and that was the number chosen randomly. This was fun. I think in a couple of weeks I'll run another chance. Or I'm thinking I might do it on this blog to encourage comments and new subscribers. It seems you all are very shy about your thoughts. Keep tuned to see what I do next.

Now I'm off to sew. I've got several things cut out just waiting for my fingers. Plus I have more flowers for headbands ready to be jewelled.

Heard a wonderful phrase this morning on NPR. "electronically disinclined" This implies that I could be better with all my devices if I wanted to be. That it is not because my brain is old and forgettful. Funny aside- afore mentioned brain couldn't come up with the word that I was looking for that lumps all our computers, pads, smart phones, etc under a general category. (I think electronics is a bit outdated.) Does anyone out there have any idea if there is such a word? What is it?

Good Saturday!

Headbands Galore

Working on some headbands. I'm running a drawing on my new Annarella Girl facebook page. Anyone who likes me and/or makes a comment on it is entered to win a headband. Winner gets first pick of the lovelies. The rest will be on display at Diva Chicks Artful Boutique on 7th St in downtown Georgetown - Texas, that is.

This is the first time I've run a drawing. Have I bored you with it? Or am I doing okay? My next goal is to create a tutorial about making the gathered flower for a headband. I'm trying to push myself to try some new things. And I enjoy reading and trying many of my fellow bloggers' tutorials.

So hang onto your hats, it will either be a great year or dreadfully boring!

Remember to check out facebook page. Just click on highlighted words. Also, don't be shy about subscribing to this blog. Scroll up to subscribe button at top of right hand column, enter email address, submit and you should receive a confirmation in your email box.

Happy first Friday in 2012.

Word of 2012

Kelly Rae Roberts is n inspiration. Somehow she manages to run a very successful creative business while being the mother of an adorable toddler boy, daughter and wife. She spends considerable time teaching and sharing via her e courses and blog. I've learned so much from her. I'm in awe of her energy. Love her words and thoughts.

On her blog she has posted her word for 2012. INNOVATE.

"Innovation means creative thinking, trying on new ways of considering everything and turning every thought upside down, sideways, and so on until an aha hits, until an idea emerges, until inspiration fosters movement."

I don't know about you, but I find this to be a wonderful thought for 2012. It reminds me that it is okay to return to a problem, idea or design over and over, worrying it like a dog with a bone. I don't know which time I will find that aha thought. And often it is not a mega-watt light bulb moment, but a lighting of flickering votives lighting the way, leading to movement.

So I'm going to make INNOVATE one of my words of 2012. This excites me. I think it is a good inspiration for business planning and clothing designing.

What word will you use as a guide in 2012?

Don't forget to go to my new Annarella Girl facebook page. You could be the proud winner of an Annarella Girl headband if you like me and/or comment.

January Morning

It's a good time to live in Central Texas. (Remind me I said this when I'm whining about our upteenth gadzillion hot day this summer.) Cool, but not cold, under a pale blue sky with a pale yellow sun rising. Gotta love it.

Do you all love colors as much as I do? My dream job would be as the color developer and namer for Crayola. This morning it would be a "washed blue" and a "lemon juice yellow." Wonder what tomorrow will be.

Inside I'm busy playing with fabric colors and prints. Here's a peek of what is on my cutting table. A bit of red, yellow and pink ready to be sewn.

And some hearts for Valentine's Day and beyond. Gonna make some headbands out of this as well as clothes.

Don't forget to join Annarella Girl on facebook. Like me or make a comment this week and you can win a heart headband. Don't have a little girl? Use it to commit an act of random kindness by giving to someone.

Forging Ahead

Got my nerve up yesterday. Ignored my feelings of internet inadeguatcy, inatiquitcy, inadiquatcy (How the devil do you spell it?) I give up. ...feelings of internet impotency. And created a facebook page for Annarella Girl. Check it out. And like me.

Facebook is for quick bits about the business - what's new, what I'm working on, where I'm going and otther trivia. There will be pics. And notices of what is on etsy. Just another way to keep all in my loop. I hope you will like it and become a friend. Click here to see and join.

Flashing to Sally Field's Oscar acceptance speech. Picture me leaping up and down, whirling and dancing, shouting "You like me, you really like me!"

Have a happy day. I like you!