Little Loft Opening

Meet Amanda. She's wearing one of the new apron dresses that Annarella Girl has available for fall. Perfect for back to school. She can layer it with a tee and leggings for easy wear.

This is just one of the new color combinations I'm featuring for the fall/winter season. I'm rolling them out for the Grand Opening of Little Loft this Friday, August 3.
When: 5 pm
Where: 709 7th st, on the square in downtown Georgetown - upstairs at The Exchange
What: lots of fun with a balloon artist, clown, food and DISCOUNTS.
           ONE DAY ONLY - 20% discount on all Annarella Girl.

We're hoping for a big crowd, so help me spread the word. See you there.

soooo cute!

Red Poppy Time

Some Georgetown Poppies. Proudly, we are designated red poppy capitol of Texas and celebrate with a 2 day music festival. Weather cooperating, more than 30,000 visitors crowd our streets to listen to good music, sample fair food and shop the best handmade arts and crafts vendors from inside and out of Texas. Mama Ds and I are part of it all. Love all the crowds, commotion and confusion!!! It starts with a parade at 10 and goes to the late hours with a street dance and concert on Saturday. Sunday opens at 12 and closes at 5. Come one, come all. Great family fun. And if you're not familiar with downtown Georgetown, it is a good time to explore the many restaurants and stores. If it has been awhile since you've been here, there are new shops and restaurants you really need to see.

Link to Red Poppy Fest Here

Onesies

newborn size

0-3 mos

6-9 mos

In the sewing room a row of onesies is growing. They make me smile with the bright colors, colorful prints and gathered skirts. Because I use name brand onesies whenever and whereever I can find them at a reasonable price, there are never a full a range of sizes. So if you ever see one in a size you want, grab it.

This Sat, March 3, Mama Ds and Annarella Girl are sharing booth space at a show in Round Rock at Cedar Ridge High School. (Love the inside shows because wind and rain don't interfere. We all stay dry and snuggy.) Show is put on by Theatre Boosters so all booth fees go to a good cause. Come out and support the talented students and a cause that contributes to their programs.

Cedar Ridge High School, 2801 Gattis School Rd, Round Rock. 9:00 - 3:00.

New onesies will be there!!!!

This Little Piggy...

Off to market again. Last day of the First Baptist Christmas Spectacular from 9-3. Having fun seeing old and new customers or as I prefer to think of them, friends. Also meeting some new vendors.

Sneak a peek at Julie Yost of Count It All Joy. She crochets these incredible scarves. Wearable art, truly. Or as she proudly proclaims, "...this ain't your Granny's crochet." She has a website you can visit or a facebook page.

Tomorrow back to "normal" whatever that is. Butler will be so happy! See you then.

New Palette

long skirt front

I love this new palette - dark and rich. Faux patchwork is a bit oriental in feel with its touches of metallic gold.

long skirt back

long sleeve onesie

Can't wait to hear feedbackat the FBC Christmas Spectaculr. Starts at 9:00 tomorrow. Mama D and Annarella Girl are ready!

Rambling 14: Leander High Craft MArket

Getting ready. Always odds and ends to get together. Organization is not fun but so important. Trying to finish one more dress before tomorrow. I'll see how my day goes. How many interruptions or diversions take place.

See you tomorrow at Leander High Craft Market. It's a large one day show with many vendors. Check out their facebook page for all the reasons to attend!

Rambling 10: Deer Thoughts

On this morning's walk Butler and I met 5 deers. (B was a gentleman and let them pass without a lot of hulabaloo.) So graceful. I wish I could glide like that when I walked. They were very watchful, but they didn't bolt. I think they were enjoying the aftermath of the rain.

The deer travel in families, looking after each other. Seems like they have a lookout. One who is always ready to shout out the alarm. Then there are the young ones usually looking to follow the mom. If she startles, the babes move fast. It's fascinating to watch them move in concert - slow and stately.

Speaking of someone looking out for others. I want to send a huge thank you to Jenny D of Mama Ds. She does all the physical setting up and breaking down for me at shows. Without her I would have to give up exhibiting at craft shows. And next to the joy of creating, getting to share the fruits of my labor with customers, other crafters and the community, is so important to keeping my creative spirit healthy. Jenny D, I love you for supplying the muscle for my soul.

Next show is Saturday, Oct. 15. Leander High Craft Market. Check out their facebook page. Put on by the high school baseball boosters, a very well run show with an impressive roster of vendors. It will be fun.

Spring Break

Beginning of spring break here. I'm going to be hanging out with my grandkids. Grammy camp strikes again. Plus I get to hang out with my son. We have a couple of events planned but nothing big. We're just going to enjoy being. We do hope to see "Rango." All that ugliness intriques me.

I'm a little behind in my sewing room. Despite my best efforts to be ahead as I start into spring break, you, loving customers, are buying. Love ya!! Don't mind having to hustle a bit. But I'm taking a break for 4 days. Going to relish life. Going to have laughs with my beautiful, clever, funny, talented grands.

Give hugs to your family and friends!!!
Talk with you on the other side of the weekend.

Oops

Didn't make it to Corpus Christi show. There is no juicy story involved so I won't bore you with a long narrative. So onward to First Baptist Christmas Spectacular next weekend. This is my favorite local event. A percentage of every sale goes to benefit the preschool programs. So it's a feel good show - you win with a unique handmade dress, skirt, apron or other gift; the school wins with money to support its students and teachers; I win with income to grow my business. You got to love all those wins!!!

Above are 2 of the tie on headbands I now make. They are totally reversible in two widths - 3" & 2". Super comfortable way for kids and adults to keep hair out of the face.

Below is the back of the owl dress seen in yesterday's post. Love it!!!

Have a good weekend. And visit me next week at the FBC Christmas Spectacular, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Now I'm off to sew up some more goodies!!

Black and Blue

Well, its all over except the shouting(in the House and Senate.) Halloween, Day of the Dead, Election Day and T's birthday. I applaud the end of the constant airing of obnoxious political ads. I congragulate all of you who voted. My family had a fun and funny Halloween. Did you know David Lee Roth is alive and living in Georgetown, TX? lol. Now lets see if we can move beyond the arguing and meaness of politics into the holiday season of winter.

This weekend is the Peddler Show in Corpus Christi. Mama D and Annarella Girl will be there. If you're in the area or know anybody in the area, come see us. There are lots of top notch artisans exhibiting so you can shop for one-of-a-kind gifts while chatting with the artists. Support us by buying handmade. Its fun and feels great to give a unique present to everyone on your gift list while encouraging those who design and make it.

Here are some of the new things I'm taking to Corpus Christi.

skirt, size small (3-4)

skirt size medium (5-6)

romper size 6-12 months

dress/jumper size 12-18 months

apron dress size 6

I'm having fun. Are you?

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.

Mama D and Me

Life is always full of opportunity. So last week I went and knocked on its door. Mama D's is a local handmade business. They make wonderful purses, diaper bags, burp cloths and more. As they like to say - they are accesorizing babies and mamas everywhere.

I've been aware of them since doing the First Baptist Christmas Spectacular together last year. They caught my eye with their flair for putting patterns and colors together and their workmanship. (Is that not right up my alley?) Mama D's is a mother, Joan, and daughter, Jennifer, business. Last year they opened a small retail space in a little red historic house here in Georgetown at 407 W University Ave. They also do lots of shows. They generously have accepted me to share their retail space and some of the shows.

This weekend we're doing The Peddler Show in Cedar Park. It starts Friday at 3-8 and runs Sat 9-6 and Sun 11-4. It will be great fun working with Mama D's. I can't wait to meet all the customers. Annarella Girl will have dresses, tops and skirts as well as an assortment of fabric headbands and embellished leggings. Log on the Peddler Show website for a coupon for discounted admission.

Enjoy a couple more bags from Mama D's etsy shop. As cute as they are in pictures, wait until you see them in person!

Flower Market Revisited

Meet Ellie. That's right, this young lady shares my name. Her grandmother bought her a dress but couldn't find a hairband she liked. So she returned on Saturday for a day of fun and picked up a headband I made especially for her. I love her painted face. She is a new favorite of mine! So like an Annarella Girl - quiet in demeanor, but a penchant for wild colors!!!

It has come to my attention that some mothers are hanging the dresses in the closet to save for a special occasion. Please don't. These garments wash and dry well. I create them with the hope that they will be loved by the girls and worn often. So take them out of the closet. They need to dance, swing, hang upside down and twirl with each Annarella girl.

The response of you all at the Market was remarkable. I can't say it often enough...you made me feel so loved with your appreciation of the dresses, tops with leggings, rompers, skirts etc. For an artisan who works in solitude wondering if the images in the head are being translated truthfully by the hands, your smiles and comments affirmed that I am on the right path!!! Thanks, thanks, thanks.

Off to See the Wizard

check - clothing finished, pressed and hung

check - displays packed and in car

check - my clothes are packed

don't know what I'm forgetting, but I hope it's not too important

excited to see friends and family on the way

Hooray!!!!

I'll try to blog once in a while, but I'm not making any promises.

Wilmington Flower Market in Rockford Park

May 6. 7. 8

10 - 7

Look for Annarella Girl in the handcrafted tent.

Sew On and Sew Forth

The Red Poppy Fest was wonderful. Lots of sunshine and friendly people. I love getting to know new customers. And I got to catch up with lots of old friends!

The new headbands were a hit. The girls especially liked any that used a fabric with black in it. See the pics above for my leftover inventory. I have a whole bunch more ready to be assembled for the Wilmington Flower Market.

Speaking of which this is my last week of sewing for awhile. I always wish I had more pieces of clothing, but there is never enough time to finish all that I want. When I have my break this summer and am starting my fall and winter lines, I'm going to look for someone to help me out one or two days a week. If you know of anyone who wants a small job, please send them my way. Pay is a bit above minimum with the added benefit of working with me. (lol)

For all my friends in the East, make sure to stop by and see me. I'll be in the handcrafted tent. Tell all your friends! If I do say so , I've got some great stuff!

Wilmington Flower Market

May 6,7,8 10am - 7pm

Poppy Time

Sunshine and rain mean good poppies. When in Georgetown, drive around Old Town and enjoy the stands of red poppies in so many yards. They are glorious this year. This picture comes from Gwen Green and is one of 17 posted on Flickr of the red poppies in Georgetown. Beautiful!!!

Come on Sat and Sun to enjoy the Red Poppy Fest. "Paint the Town Red" parade starts at 10 on Sat. Great music both days. Little Texas is headline act on Sat.

The Exchange will be open Sat 10 - 8 or until Little Texas start. Sun open 12 - 5. See you there!

A Little Detour

As the Red Poppy Fest and the Wilmington Flower Market fast approach, I've got my head down to just sew, sew and sew.That's my plan. As much inventory as possible. Well, plans do get interrupted.

Yesterday, late afternoon my husband calls out from the living room where he has been watching a baseball game. This is a bit odd since he knows not to interrupt me, but there is that certain tone which makes me pay attention. Nothing else except "come here." So I do, only to find him standing and gripping the back of the sofa in a stiff posture. "What's weong?" I ask. He is frozen in place and experiencing a lot of pain. Uh, oh! I mention Emergency Room, and he doesn't argue. Double uh, oh!! I alert Jeff, our oldest son, who, by the way, owes us lots of ER time back that he amassed as a toddler and child. (stitches and stomach pumps.). Then we go about the business of getting into car and to local ER.

The bad news is that he is having a muscle spasm in his back. The good news is that the pain medication seems to be working. Don't know what the orthopedic doc will say, but it seems as if I've lost my best helper for packing car and setting up. And the long drive to Wilmington, DE could be somewhat longer as we have to stop and stretch more frequently. We'll wait and see how fast he gets mobile. Keep your fingers crossed that he is ready for the road trip and off pain meds soon.

Time spent in the ER was minimal - 2 1/2 hours. Most time was trying to find a pharmacy still open. Who knew they all close early on Sat? It was 8:00 when we started looking. I've never considered that to be late, but I guess people don't need medication on Sat night. Or any medication other than alcohol. But we found one, got food and meds and returned home. Now he sleeps like a baby and enjoys enforced inactivity. Oh darn, he has to watch TV all day and night. That's a lot of baseball. And I return to my sewing room counting the hours I have left against the tasks I want to get done.

Red Poppy Fest April 24-25

Wilmington Flower Market May 6-8

Birthday

Today is the my day. After a certain age birthdays should no longer be counted just gently celebrated. So now that I am over Uncle Sam's medicare milestone, I declare my day should be marked with little joys!



But I still like some of the perks of a birthday - flowers, phone calls and cake. Today I was lucky to have my youngest granchild, Hudson, spend the morning with me and help me make cupcakes!!

As you can see he did a delicious job!! Happy Birthday me!
(Isn't family great!)

Cowgirl Cuties

Here they are the cuties that wore my dresses in a local beauty pageant. Don't they look great? Such beautiful girls.

They are with their proud mom who did the gorgeous hats with the red poppies.

Now I'm into the final push to build up my inventory for The Red Poppy Fest , April 24 and 25th I'll be at The Exchange. Then it's off to Wilmington, Delaware for The Flower Market, May 6,7,8. I'll post more info as these events get closer.

Meanwhile enjoy your Easter Sunday!

Here Comes the Weekend!

Gonna keep it short and sweet this time. Two of my favorite events are coming. Tonight starts the Olympics. I love watching the drama of these events. I am in total awe of these athletes who train so hard and with such focus to be among the best in the world. I like hearing the back stories about their lives, their families, their homes. Thanks to Roone Arledge who realized that we couch potatoes would be fascinated with the up close and personal look at the winners and losers. (This was the start of reality TV, I think.) So for two weeks I get to see it all from the ice skating to ice hockey to curling. Cheers to all!!!

Valentine's Day. I hope everyone has someone to love, child, paent, grandparent or friend. I leave you with Allyson Smith's triptych "Two in the Space of One." Enjoy!!!