Work in Progress

I'm taking a break for some family time. I won't be on my computer for a while, but don't fear I will be back. Here's a glimpse at what I'm leaving on my iron board. Makes me think of you, Mrs Cie.
Have a happy Labor Day!

Cleaning Up

I've had a few requests from masseuses and other vendors for waiters' aprons. They need pockets for cell phone, pens, order pads, small bottles and a cloth. Then I got to thinking it would be great for mamas to hold wipes, ointments, little toys, burp cloths, etc.

So this week I've been fooling around with some. Here are the results. Of course, I had to put the Annarella spin on them with some bright fabrics and ribbon. Pocket is generous and divided for all the bits the wearers need handy. Ribbon tie is long enough for skinnies to wrap and tie in front which means us, chubbies, can easily tie it in back.

Behind the pink apron you can glimpse a couple aprons for kids. Can use them for dress-up or as mommy's helper. They are very washable so they would come in handy for the kitchen, too.

It's been fun to fool around with these. Let me know what you think. (I'm so sucky at pics, I'm never sure how much you can decipher in my photos.)

Christopher St Leger

Most of you know how much I like Christopher St Leger's watercolors. They are so vibrant, robust and vital. His palettes are complex. His subject matter is not the traditional for watercolors. Rather it is urban and gritty. Well, he is now offering glicee prints to allow everyone to have access to his art regardless of income level. Thanks, Chris. What a great idea!

Swing by his website to see his latest work and get info on his prints. It will brighten your day!

Lessons

First day of school in my neck of the woods. The youngest grandchild starts kindegarten. Where has the time flown? I can't wait to hear how his day and that of his big brother, 2nd grade, and big sis, 5th grade, go.



I learned a few lessons this weekend in Corpus Christi. And not easy ones. I went expecting a big successful and slunk out with a huge failure. Luckily being with Mama Ds I could review it all with Jennifer D. So by the arrival home I'd decided quitting was not the answer (and by Sunday afternoon I was ready to just shuck it all.). But I think I have it in perspective now. A big thanks to Jennifer D.


Why such a dismal show for me? Mama Ds had lots of sales even though her sales were off about 1/3 from last year. It felt like the slow economy had finally hit there. That are depends on tourism and the oil industry. While not subject to oil on the beaches the Gulf oil spill has made people stay away from the Gulf shores and workers in the oil business very aware of the fragility of their incomes. So all the customers were very cautious with their purchases and orders.

Children, children children, bless their hearts. Shopping is hard on them. We had quite a few falling apart in our booth. (And I don't blame them, sometimes shopping makes me want to cry!) This makes it very difficult for the Moms. Impossible to make a choice with a crying toddler pulling at you. Or refusing to try something on. If you were one of these moms, please email or call me. I'll be able to send you pics of what you were looking at.

On the plus side I met some great people. Got lots of positive comments. And some very good suggestions which I'll be looking into this week. Oh well, in this business you never know what to expect. Good show, bad show. So I'm not quitting. Gonna try to learn as much as possible from this to improve my business and move on.

PS. If you want to send me some love and encouragement, itwould be a welcomed hug.

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.

Fingers Crossed

Hope, hope, hope my computer is whole again! For 2 weeks I've been limping along with limited internet access, but thanks to my smart, handsome, talented oldest son and tech supporter I think I'm back. Along the way I've managed to keep up with this blog and most of my email, but everything has taken more time. I haven't been able to view all my blogging friends, so now I look forward to keeping up with you all again. whew, I am happy, happy happy!

Look for me this weekend at the Peddler Show in Corpus Christie. Log onto the website and get times and directions. This is my first trip to southwest Texas. I hear the people are warm and welcoming. All my fellow exhibitors talk with much anticipation about how much they enjoy this show. So I hope I'll have a great time making new friends and customers!!! I'm taking lots of dresses, some new rompers, embellished leggings and lots of headbands. I am so excited. Look for me with Mama D's. See you.

Tickle the Soul

Heard this phrase as part of the intro to a segment about fountains on CBS Sunday Morning. It caught my ear and made me smile. Don't you just love it? Picture a long finger of water reaching out to gently poke. Or the your soul giggling because it is so tickled. And it brought to my mind so many run-on thoughts.

Artist, Dan Zinno, often picks his titles from random phrases he hears on NPR. Phrases he finds thought provoking or reflective of his work in progress. When he told me this, it brought an added dimension to his abstract pieces and what he wanted his audience to experience in each painting, or not. Tickle your senses by paging through his website. What do you think his titles tell you?

Apologies to the Next Generation by Dan Zinno

Back to the subject of fountains and tickling. The phrase brought back memories from my youth when every summer my mother would take some of us to Longwood Gardens to see a show followed by the dancing fountains. For the life of me I don't remember any of the performances although I think at least one might have been a Gilbert and Sullivan. But I remember being mesmerized by the fountains painted in colored lights and dancing to music. I was so excited each year. Truly it was an awesome display to this young lady. The fountains still dance, now in concert with a fireworks show. If you ever have a chance to see these at Longwood Gardens, remember that girl thrilled by the spectacular. I thank my parents for exposing me to them even if they were sure I'd remember the musical play too.

Other waters, simple and not, stir my creative juices. When trying to work out a problem or unblock a design, water always helps. From a shower to washing dishes the feel of water seems to unclog my thought processes. Feeling a little down, sitting by a stream or watching the play of light through a sprinkler can bring back a lightness to my being. Water has the magical quality to "tickle my soul." Make me feel whole, again. How about you? What pulls you out of the doldrums? Anybody else out there use water like I do?

I leave you today with one of my favorites, Buckingham Fountain in Chicago.