Break Time

My dear readers, the time has come for me to take a break from blogging. In the immediate future I'll be on the road. Then I'm not sure what I'll do after that. It's been fun - 615 posts, but it is time to say goodbye. Thanks to all of you who have read and commented over the past years. I'll still be talking to you in my mind. I'm making no promises about how long I'll be gone.

You'll still be able to find me on facebook. That's an easy way to see what I'm doing. www.facebook.com/annarellagirl

New Header

My favorite photograper, Sarah Havard, has created the new header. I'm going to try this one out for several days. I always have to live with something for awhile to see if it suits me.

All comments and opinions are welcomed.

Excitement!!!

This will be a teaser post. My sister, who is a poet, has decided that she will compose some poetry using my blogs as a jumping off point. I'm honored and excited. We aren't sure what roads we will travel together but isn't that part of the thrill?

She sent me a poem, but before I post it I want to make sure she is okay with me unveiling her babies to the public. Here is my hope that she will let me put it in the spotlight because I know it will resonate with many of you.

Until tomorrow. I'm into the final part of a special order. I'm having to remake a skirt that I wasn't pleased with. So I'm racing back to my machine. This order will be finished tomorrow. (I almost wrote "should" but realized that I can't have any doubts. It WILL be done!)

Excuses, Excuses

I'm suppose to be writing daily, but I've missed a couple. When last heard from I was getting ready to have my second eye operated on; this time I'm a little slower getting back to computer. All is fine. Not the miraculous result as before, but with slower improvements expected. For some reason not known to medical science, doc says every eye is different and responds differently. No surprise to anyone who has been pregnant. None are ever the same. The body is complex and has a mind of its own. Okay, so that is so non-scientific, but it is true. Life is full of mysteries, and the human body continues to be one.

Secondly, I mentioned that I was all caught up with work. And I was, until Monday. Happily I got some special orders. I say happily bcause I love working. I'm now busy at my sewing machine trying to get 3 skirts and a jumper finished by Friday afternoon. Wish for me no mistakes!!!

Hello...again

It's been since Oct 12 that I've shared with you, my readers. My mind has been filled with random thoughts and half finished blogs, but I've not taken the time to put them down on paper. (How quaintly old fashioned. How long has it been since I've actually put a pen to paper?! But it is so much more romantic to say this than to say fingers to a keyboard. Just doesn't have the same warmth.) Sooo, today I'm sitting in front of my window watching the deer go by and talking to you.

Sometimes I'm absent from here because life is challenging me. Despite some evidence to the contrary, I do try to limit my whining and complaining. When I'm in "my poor me" mode, I don't write much. I don't talk to friends or family much. But this last month I've been feeling good, just overwhelmed with sewing special orders and getting ready for a show.

Now my work is slowed down. I've cleaned and organized my sewing room gearing up for Christmas projects. And I'm getting back to you.
Hello, again.

By the Numberss

Forcast - temperatures in the 100's. Predicting a lot of sweating.

Post 504 on my blog. Lots of ranting observations.

17 items in my etsy shop. 4 more to go in this series.

Hours to make a dress, 6-7.

These numbers are the parenthesis of my sewing life.
Counting the days in my summer.
Working towards fall shows
While enjoying my favorite season.

Count Down

Would you believe it? This is my 496th post since I started writing it. In the beginning I expected to become a chronicler of small business and independent designer. (My dreams are always big.) This blog has developed into a journal of my observations. I hope you all have enjoyed it as I've stumbled my way through my life as a parent, grandparent, friend, craftperson and yearner. I wonder where the next 496 posts will lead.

Blog Limp

Can't download pictures
Barely able to open blog
Help is on its way
Finally
How long to being healthy
Technically?

No forward this week
Like a runner jogging in place at a busy corner
Not losing ground but gaining
No forward

Be back as soon as possible.

Blogging for Business...Continuing the Conversation

After I posted last night, I realized I'd omitted part of my thoughts. So here goes with some more.

My premise that readers and fans would be interested in my process and thoughts is based on more than conceit. I am fascinated by what makes people tick, what makes up people's stories. I firmly believe that there are only so many personality taits but the combination of emotions, intellect, personality is what produces each unique individual. And I want to know how this impacts each person's life, especially their creative life. I find each story inspiring. I find each story amazing. Everyone has a story, and I want to hear it.

Whether it be a painter's painting, a writer's writing, a songwriter's songs, a designer's design, an actor's role  or a singer's song, I want to know what their voice is, how they choose to express it, and why they create what they do. I assume that many others want to share in the same knowledge. So that's why I write out my thoughts and think some might be interested in them. They are part of my uniquiness and part of my art.

Some artists don't want to share their thoughts; they want the audience to approach it without prejudice. I, on the other hand, want to share my voice, because it further clarifies it for myself. I don't work well in a silent vaccumn. Like I just said, we are all different. Through blogging I get to talk to my audience, sorry for that, sharing bits and pieces of me, the ordinary, the creative, the story of me. 

Blogging Business Part 2

I had an interesting discussion with a family member about my previous "blogging for business" post. He didn't think it was an effective business tool. Rather it was more of a personal diary of my thoughts and opinions. So I shouldn't expect a larger audience for such personal ramblings.

Maybe there are more of you out there who wonder the same why. My expectation for the blog was/is that my audience will grow because people want to know me better, people want to know more about what I am doing, people would want to know what my creative process is. When someone is buying a dress or onesie, they are buying a little piece of me. Is that creepy? I hope not. Every article I create contains a bit of my imagination, my sensibility, my creativity, my love of color, my love of pattern, my joy in construction. Each one has a uniqueness because it is handmade which involves slight nuances of differences.

Does any of this make sense? Am I further befuddling the issues  or clarifying? Perhaps my beginning premise is invalid? Maybe there is little interest in the artisan? Maybe I am the only one who considers my pursuit as an artistic one? Questions, questions questions. Thanks for letting me spew it out. Thanks for listening as I try to wrap my brain around what I am doing and why. It really is all part of my moving forward artistically and business-wise in 2012.

Blogging for Business

Some of you may be surprised to find out that this blog was started over 4 years ago to extend the reach for an audience for Annarella, a retail design, gift and art gallery. That business got caught in the economic crunch coupled with some personal problems and closed 3 years ago. The blog ontinued as I turned to Annarella Girl as a full time endeavor, but the intent remained the same - to use it as a tool to develope new customers while keeping old customers in the loop with what was happening. This year it has become more personal with my thoughts and stories of my life as well as the business. Periodically I visit it with the idea of how it is contributing to the business. The last few weeks I've been looking at this angle.

Conclusions. It doesn't work as a business tool. I'm not sure why, but I've never been able to capture even a small audience. Lots of people try it out. Read it once or twice, but then drop it. As far as I can tell few readers recommend it to others. Few other bloggers link to it from their blogs. One notable exception is Susan @ magnolias end who has been a cheerleader from the early days. (Go to the highlighted link for her blog. I love her wise and gentle voice. It uplifts me, and frequently informs me.)

I've tried different approaches to see if I cans register an improvement in my stats. Seldom do I have a noticeable uptick in readership or comments. I'm left with several possibilities. First, I'm not saying anything that is of interest to others, family excluded. I'm not informative rather I'm opinion based and there are so many blogs out there who can offer those with much better writing and observations. Although I do write about what I'm doing with Annarella Girl, now that I have a business page on Facebook, it seems redundant to blog about it, too. So I'm left with wondering what to do. Do I continue in the same unproductive vein? Or do I try to re-invent the blog, again? I have more thinking to do. Although blogging has been good for my mental health, I need to make the best use of time and effectiveness for my business tools.

Any insights you may have are welcome. What has worked for you? How is the best way to move forward?

Love Hearts

Ta Dum! It's my first practice picture taken in my newly created photo station. Now I have consistent lighting and a plain backdrop where I can pin the clothes, but it will take some practice to produe good product shots. You, professional photogs make it look so easy, but you know it is not. I'll always need you for shots with models, but I need to be able to do product shots for etsy when I finish a garment. I hope to use some model shots for highlights. Anyone have suggestions; I'm open to them. 

The heart material is inspired by Valentine's Day but will look good far after. I love how it looks with the other fabrics.  Nextt I'll try the fabrics in a skirt.

As the new year is unfolding, lots of artists and artisans are choosing a word to craft their year around. Blogger Ali Edwards is credited with starting this notion several years ago, and like all good ideas it has been embraced by many. Here is a link to her 2012 post with all the words her readers have chosen for themselves. Don't have a word of your own yet, go here for inspiration.

Now I'm off to shoot - pictures, that is. For my drought-ridden buddies enjoy this rainy day.

Encouragement

Artist, fellow blogger, Judy Grupp recently posted about rejection. She put out one of her "babies, a manuscript, and had gotten a rejection letter. It happens to almost all creative people sometime in their ccareer and it hurts.

Several of her followers wrote notes of encouragement to her. That is the beauty of blogging. You can put your pain out there and some one is always there to return with a hug, warm words and inspiration to pick yourself up, remove the smarting barbs and try, try again.

Thanks for all my fellow bloggers and artists who keep me going. Stop by Judy Grupp's blog and enjoy her wise words and the supportive comments of her readers.

If a tree falls...?

If I post a blog, and no one reads it, does that mean I had nothing to say?

Blogs of Inspiration

As you know I'm trying to live a better life. In reaction to what seems to be an increasingly mean atmosphere in the media - be it the news broacasts, the reality shows or the talk on radio and TV - by spotlighting the rude, crude, lewd behavior of stars, politicians, celebreties and wanna be famous, I decided that I needed to lead a kinder, more forgiving, by example life. To succeed in my personal crusade, I listen to some blog voices regularly. I've been adding some new ones to my sidebar.

Let me share who and why. There are many bloggers who are chroniclng life and its universalities. I'm partial to the simple voice - direct and kind with a sense of humor about themselves and their world. (For this post I' m not talking about many of the artists that I love and follow who inspire me in a different way.)

Ordinary Courage - Brene Brown has a wonderful voice as she explores courage, shame and life's journey. Thought provoking she inspires me to explore and accept my world. Recently she is talking about vulnerability.

Kellie Rae Roberts - last summer I took an e course from Kellie Rae about how to improve my craft business. It was extraordinary. Chock full of informatio and insight. By chronicling her business and personal life she inspires me to be less fearful of making mistakes and criticism. I'm learning to be more focused in work and play. This year she has added a baby to her family. She is always optimistic as she juggles her creative life and family life.

Susan @ At Magnolias End has a gentle, witty blog that talks about ordinary life. I love the pictures she paints with her words that make me nod with recognition. We're all in this together. She has 2 new projects now that she is embracing - a major remodeling and impending granmotherhood.


Joy, Joy in the Journey was recommended to me by the afore mentioned Susan. Last year this blogger generously shared the journey she and her husband made toward his death. Now she shares her road after. Real and inspiring. She is now embarking on a new phase in her education career. I hope she will continue to keep us posted.

Enjoy meeting these bloggers if you don't know them already. They will make your day sunnier.

A Little Bit More of Fall

I'm taking off again. Going to the soggy East to see my mother-in-law who is ill. I probably won't be blogging. But I leave you wth some colorful pics Carrie Ellen has posted on her site. They are beautiful!

For another view of autumn stop by Susan's blog for a pic of nature's fall bounty. Pumpkins make me smile.

Finally go to Brene Brown' s blog for inspiration on imperfection. She talks about how much time nd energy we waste on being perfect or trying to show only our perfect side to the world. I, for one, am very guilty of that. Instead we need to embrace each other's imperfections, move on and use that energy for good. This takes some courage - to acknowledge my flaws - but can be so worth it. And what a gift for my daughter or granddaughter to show I'm not afraid of or governed by my flaws. While I always strive to be better than my flaws, I want them to know that my fear will not stop me from living, starting a newbusiness or being me. I AM IMPERFECT!!

PS. New romper aize 18-24 months.

How Did You Get Your Wings?

Among the many benefits from the ecourse, Flying Lessons, by Kelly Rae Roberts, was meeting and being touched by so many creative voices and blogs. One I try to visit often is Suzanne from Blue Sand Studio. This artist, see her gorgeous jewelry, recently posted a 3 part interview with Jenni Adkins Horne, another flyer. I find it so interesting to learn about the journey of an artist from where they began to where they are now - the background, the education, the evolution. Stop over to Suzanne's blog where Jenni shares her story.

Don't forget to visit me at the Peddler Show in Corpus Christi this weekend. Fri 3-8, Sat 9-6, Sun 11-4. Check out website for reduced admission. Here's one of the new rompers that I'm taking.

Blogs for Thoughts, continued

A friend, Susan, write a personal blog, http://www.atmagnoliasend.blogspot.com/, which is about her life and random thoughts. Her voice is gentle and insightful. a true reflection of her. In the last month she has written several posts that have really resonated with me.

First she did a mid-year review of her personal goals for the year. What a super job she is doing at keeping her resolutions moving forward. Have you been able to progress in self growth or business growth? I decided it was a good time to take account of my goals and plan follow-up for the last quarter of 2010.

Businesswise, 1.I've worked on using the internet better with changes on my blog. Goal - want to start a newsletter for Mama D and me. 2.Found a new home with Mama D's which gives me a chance to attend more shows in Texas. (By the way, the next one is in Corpus Cristie, Aug 20-22.) Had a great time at The Wilmington Flower Market in May!!! 3. Have acquired 2 part time assistants to help with computer work and sewing. Hooray!

Personally, trying to find more balance - all work, no play make me very dull. Hence you've seen here more time with grandchildren and children. And more time with friends. Getting out for lunch, dinner or just a cup of coffee at least once a month. It doesn't sound like much but for me, the driven hermit, it's an improvement; and it does make me feel better. Stay tuned I want to add some physical activity next quarter.

Spiritually, I'm trying to live my best life possible - always learning and stretching. I find the current mean spiritedness as seen on reality TV, news sites, on internet blogs really, really distressing. So I'm working on being positive, not petty, and celebrating all the good events and good people I know. Click here for one woman's 90 day journey to being less negative. Also, read Susan's blog for her cheery take on life. The blog was part of her new year goals. Congrats on a success.

So, how would your mid-year review be? I suspect most of you are moving forward in a positive manner. Share your proud accomplishments - business or personal. Keep up the good work!!!

PS. a small look at the owl apron dress as promised.

Where to Begin

Water and kids. Is there anything better on a hot Texas summer day?

Always after taking a break from blogging, it's a bit awkward coming back. Where to begin...with the reason for absence, with the work I've been doing. or bits and pieces of what I've been thinking? My instinct is to move forward. But I want to chat about what I've done.


It was another stint of Grammy time. This summer my grandchildren have been around more than usual. I love it!! Sometimes they are with their parents but often without. The solo periods have meant I have really gotten a chance to appreciate each one and the phase they are in as they grow. They are such good kids who try hard to help me and be kind to each other. And you know when you are ages 5 to 10 that is not always easy!

Meanwhile I'm grabbing every minute to sew. Now that my house is quiet, I am catching up with business projects on the computer, house cleaning and errands. Getting back to my usual schedule feels comfortable. It's like putting on that old shoe...ahhhhh!

a small complication - computer is acting squirrelly. Right now I can't upload any photos for this blog. WHY? I'll never understand the mysteries of computers. Does anyone else have a love/hate relationship with their machine like I do?

Hopefully next blog pics will return.

Well, I decided to give it one more try. Voila!! The pics are back.

In a Hurry

I still will feature some more blogs that have given me food for thought.

I just keep running out of time. Bear with me.

In the meantime take a peek at news at tysonskross.com and atmagnoliasend. Then maybe you all can write your thoughts.

See you tomorrow.