A New Year

After a grand Christmas with family, I'm back feeling refreshed and energetic. I have most of my spring and summer fabrics. Now I'm playing with various combinations. As I work my way through new pallettes, I'l be frequently giving you a snapshot of what I'm doing. You know I love to share. (See above, size 2 sundress in a mix of new and old.)

Business wise, my goals for the next 4 months have been made. Count down with me as I build inventory. Also I plan to start a newsletter for Mama D's and me. Want to receive it, send email address to annarellagirl@aol.com.

Personally, I continue on my quest to be healthy. Less food and more activity. (Dull, but effective.) My dog died in early Dec and since then I'm more sedentary. Not good. How about water aerobics? Push me, prod me to put some plan in effect!

Goals, not resolutions. Last year I did pretty well on accomplishing my goals. Some how using the g word is so much better for me. I moved along in my business. Focused on slow, steady growth. I don't think I can handle explosive growth and its challenges. I'm more a tortoise than a hare! I want to try some new shows this year, bigger and better suited to the handcrafter. But don't worry I'll be back at the Wilmington Flower Market in May and FBC Christmas Spectacular in Nov. As I firm up the rest of my show schedule, I'll let you know.

Enough rambling today. I'll be back more frequently in January. Meanwhile have a happy new year. I just know 2011 is going to be great!!!

Holiday Hiatus

For the first time in 10 years, I am facing a calm December. When one works in retail, the month of December is the busiest time of the year. But this year I've finished my scheduled shows, caught up with all my special orders, and now I'm free. So I'm taking a week to join 2 long, long time friends in Naples, Florida. Wahoo! a girls week of relaxation, good talk and doing nothing special. Sounds great to me.

These friends are the ones that know me at my ugliest and still cradle me in love and understanding. They've seen me at my skinniest to my fattest. They've listened to my deepest fears and shared my highest joys. Friends like this are rare because it takes years of shared moments to create such a trust and acceptance. A week together will be a rare treat. As you can tell I'm really, really looking forward to this.

Sadly we'll be missing one friend of our original quartet, she is busy elsewhere; but we'll be thinking of her while we share reminiscences, glasses of wine, new adventures, movies and beach time. See you next time, Norma.

Posts for the next month will be sparse. I'll be more regular come January.

Making My Christmas List

1. new computer - actually I have one sitting in a box, but as with almost every improvement project in my house, getting it hooked up and operating has required several trips to the store. Why, oh why, does it always take an unanticipated trip/s for cords, parts, programs etc? So I'm working on my sloooooow computer, fighting a virus (the machine's not mine), now hoping my computer tech, also known as my son J, can schedule me soon.

So don't give up on me. I know the blogs are infrequent, but it is time-consuming right now on this old lady - machine not me.

Have a great Thanksgiving. Stuffing is my favorite left over in the world. What's gets your mouth to watering on your holiday table?

I (Heart) Kind People

Saw this slogan on a tee shirt this weekend. (with the symbol for heart, not the word.) Loved it!

Is there a move afoot to make it fashionable to be polite, considerate and kind? I hope so. That is a movement I would support. How about you?

Possible sayings for more tee shirts. "It's Cool to be Kind."
"Kindness is the New Chic."
"Kill Them with Kindness."
"Confuse Your Enemies with Kindness."
"Change the World One Kind Act at a Time."

You get the idea. Now come up with some sayings of your own!!!

After the Show

I'm back after a very busy weekend. It always takes me a couple of days to get reorganized, but here I am. I miss when I'm not blogging.



The show was successful. I have several special orders to fill this week. Then there are several sizes of dresses and skirts which need replenishing. Lately medium and large skirts are going out the door. For dresses it is size 18 months and girls 5. Is there any logic in these sizes? Always a challenge to figure out what is going to be popular!



One of the best parts of these shows I do, is catching up with old friends and customers. One cutie showed up in her dress fom last year! What a thrill to see my clothes on a girl. Her Mom reported that it was her favorite dress, and she wore it constantly. The colors were still so bright! It looked like new. I wish I could bottle her comments for everyone who wonders if Annarella Girl clothes ae comfortable or wear well. Yes, yes , yes!



I feel very appreciated by all the positive comments. I look forward to seeing the many people who stopped by my booth at Mama D's in the weeks to come. Remember we're the red bungalow on University Ave in Georgetown - #407.

Extra Hands

back and inside of apron - child's medium

front of apron - child's medium

front of apron - child's large

How often do you hear your cell ringing and realize it is in another room? Don't have that pen or pencil handy when you need it? Where is your baby's pacifier? Seems like we all need a spare hand.

/div>

This slim, short apron, styled after a waiter's half apron, will lend you a helping hand with a pocket to hold, close and convenient, all the small neccessities of your busy life. Designed for comfort without the excess fabric or frills that can get in the way, you'll love the easy wearability of this apron. Easy care - just throw in the washer and dryer on the permanent press cycle.

I think this would be a perfect gift for the new mother or a crafter or a gardener. Plus don't forget the little ones who like to help mom (or just like having a pocket to hold their treasures.)

For more examples of the aprons come see my booth at the First Baptist Church Christmas Spectacular starting Thursday. As you enter the gym, Annarella Girl will be in back left corner next to Mama D's.

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!!