List Making

Sunrise yesterday was gorgeous - such inspiring colors. Everyday the dawn is different. Mother nature, you rock!

Grabbing a cup of coffee I toddle off to my work room to try and mold my day. Making a list is the way I try to order my time. A few days ago I posted about spring fever and its effect on me - lack of focus, task hopping, and general purposelessness. In order to correct and corral my energies I make a list of tasks to accomplish. Not a glamorous solution but it works for me.

So after breathing in the fresh spring air and feasting on the rosy sunrise, I tackle the to do list. It pays off. Of the 6 tasks I target as important to finish...drum roll please...5 are crossed off. Ahhhhh, my world seems manageable again.

My dream is to spend all my time creating - composing with fabrics; painting with cloth. In reality, the occasional spate of paper work, list making and (dare I admit it) organizing clears my mind and reenergizes my artistic side. Just not too much.

Spring

"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn."   Hal Borland

This quote greeted me in my email this morning from Goodreads. I post it especially for my northern friends who are still experiencing winter storms. Hang in there!

 

Bluebonnets, something to smile about.

A Tuesday Muse

The world out of my workroom window is green. The new green of budding leaves, my favorite color. So bright. Clean. Clear. It is  filled with hope. An affirmation that life continues anew. My spirit says ahhhhhh.

Here are a few skirts and dresses with some spring green.

 

 

Wallow in the new green with me!

Is It Spring Fever or an Allergy Attack?

 

 

Last week I could feel a creeping lacksadaisical attitude taking over. Not a sickness. More of a boredom. Lack of direction. No excitement.

You know when you think you are hungry, and you refrigerator surf looking for something that will satisfy that urge, but nothing really seems to hit the spot. A nibble of this, a nosh of that. You end up filling physically stuffed but still unsatisfied.

Well, that is how I was last week except not with food (although I confess I did my share of mindless snacking) but a lack of direction, no concentration. Leaving lots of half-done projects on my sewing table. Feeling at loose ends. When I was in my sewing room, I was looking longingly out the window at the birds flying, squirrels scampering, and leaves budding. When I was outside, I was worrying about everything that was undone whether it be sewing, cleaning, cooking or organizing.

Is this spring fever?

Or maybe it's just a result of increased pollen in the air. Not severe allergies but just enough to make me feel logey (how do you spell that?). A little out of sorts. As if the world marches on and I'm a 1/2 step behind or off to the side or slightly turned around.



This Monday morning finds me hoping that I will be a bit more focused this week. To give each project undivided attention, and every trip outside deep enjoyment. Smelling the roses.

Neglect

So sorry for not paying attention to my readers. Hang in there this time will pass. I've been preoccupied with special orders (Yea!!!), business details and lots of the minutia of  ordinary life. I have nothing exciting to say or share.

So bear with me. I will be back. Maybe to pontificate or rant. Maybe to share some designs and creations. Or maybe just to ramble like today.

Happy Sunday.

Rainy Day

Here in Central Texas we haven't been getting many rainy days. So we greet one with joy. We want the spring flowers to bloom. Those new green buds and leaves on the trees need the moisture. So despite this being a huge weekend and coming week in Austin, SXSW, we must smile as the raindrops spatter our roads and sidewalks. (Besides, the weatherpeople say it won't last.)

Speaking of spring and blooming, here is something new fron Annarella Girl.

A pillowcase dress with some differences. Pillowcase dresses have been around for a long time. In fact they were originally made out of pillow cases. I've been looking at them for awhile when a customer mentioned how easy it seemed it would be to make them reversible. Light bulb moment. Of course!!!!
Add a top band and a bottom band that echoes the reverse. Make with a bit of an a-line shape for easy running and dancing. Don't you think that is important for every little girl? And Voila!

 



 

What do you think? Now I'm into final phase of development. I've put a call out for a local 18 month old who would wear it and then have it washed to make sure of ease of care. Keep your fingers crossed that the idea doesn't need too much more fine tuning.

The Workroom

So many fabrics....

 

So many ideas....

 

 

Never enough time.

 

 

I need to thank my sister, M, and my sister-in-law, P, for being my extra hands. With their help I hope to have loads of dresses and skirts for my 2 big spring shows.

 

Red Poppy Festival, April 28-29. Right here in Georgetown, my hometown. Always fun and always successful. Hoping for sunny weather.

 

Wilminton Flower Market, May 9 -11. East coast, here, I come. Wilmington DE holds family and friends plus this longstanding fair that raises funds for a lot of children's charities.

 

I had hoped for another big show back here in Austin, the Renegade Craft, but I didn't get accepted. I must trust that they know that I'm not a good fit for their audience. I'm taking it as a sign that I need to search harder for my audience. Actually I have 2 retailers that I want to talk to. So I'm going to see if they have any room or need for the cutest girls clothing ever!!!!