The Fab Modern Stocking Sip & Stitch

I held the final round of the fabulous Sip & Stitch series at the Beehive last Thursday evening. This month we made a modern Christmas stocking.  Look at these smiling faces and these gorgeous stockings.  We had a blast!  Thank you ladies!  Happy Christmas to all! Chat with you all in the New Year.

Preparing for Christmas!

Its been a month since I've posted.  What have I been up to? Sewing for several holiday markets (all finished now), celebrating Thanksgiving in the North Georgia Mountains and decorating for Christmas.  The time between Thanksgiving and NewYear is my favorite time of the year.  I love the lights, decorations and just the spirited joy of the season. Here is what I call the Christmas room of my home.  All the rooms have some holiday decoration, but this is the room where we set up the tree. I love to sit in this room in my "mama chair" and just enjoy.....

I Want This House!

I've loved modern architecture for several decades.  My own home is a mixture of very modern furniture, traditional architecture, textured fabrics, African and contemporary art and sculpture, and mid-century pottery.  Hardly minimal.  But I so love this home featured in Home DSGN. The mixture of natural surfaces and elements makes it very rich in its minimilism.  I wonder where the sewing room is.....

Sip & Stich--The Classy Clutch

 

The second in my series of Sip & Stitch classes was held this past Thursday evening at the Beehive.  It was SOLD OUT.  How exciting is that!  I had seven ladies who ranged from confident beginners to my friend and fellow Beehiver Jessie who is a master sewist (and creator of Bubby's Handmade).

They followed a very simple but fabulous clutch tutorial I created and made some gorgeous clutches.  My next Sip & Stitch classes at the Beehive will be held November 17--The Mod Quilted Trivet just in time for Thanksgiving, and December 15--the Modern Christmas Stocking.  Go register for the next one!

In the meantime, check out some of the very lovely clutches made at last Thursday's Sip & Stitch.

Candler Park Festival (part 2)-- Disturbing Flattery

So I've been debating whether to post part 2 of my Candler Park Fest experience.  It's been sitting around waiting for a few days. This retelling of my "disturbing flattery" story will be familiar to all of you fellow small business owners/designers/creators/makers/sellers who show at festivals.

It was a very happy afternoon at the Candler Park Festival this past Saturday.  I love meeting and chatting with folks, who not only come into my booth to buy, but also just to say they admire and chat with the artist.  Heck, I admire and chat more than I buy when I go to festivals... so I was very pleased to do so with this very pretty mom, transporting a toddler on her shoulders, and her 9/10 year old little girl who had a very big impressive digital camera in her hands.  (Nothing like my point and click pocket camera that suffers greatly when I try to take product pictures with it.) When I commented about it she explained she loves to take pictures and I approvingly told her it was a great skill to master at such a young age.

So her mom and I began to chat.  She asked where I bought my fabrics. We talked about a creative seminar that she had been to with Denyse Schmidt and Anna Maria Horner among others.  I was intrigued!  Wouldn't you be?  So, I asked, "So, what do you do?"  I mean, come on!  Who has the $$$$ to attend  exclusive seminars hosted by America's top fabric designers.  Really now!  She hesitated. " Really, you can tell me," I coaxed, "it's OK."

She did not tell me her name but said that her new line of children's clothing with a national retailer is coming out this week.  How cool was that!!......   At that moment I realized her daughter had been taking pictures of my stuff.  And it had not been evident but stealthily-- and they walked off.  I wasn't going to tackle and accuse a child,  and another person walked in my booth, so I didn't stop the mom.

Usually, I'm not so "dumbstruck".  Please tell me this was all my hyper-paranoia at work.  But you know, I'm going to go with my gut on this one and remember to put up a sign that reads NO PHOTOGRAPHY PLEASE (especially by cute little girls with $1000 cameras).  OK, I am over-thinking this. How does any designer/artist protect their work?  I'm done now.

Candler Park Festival (part 1): Hits and Misses

The Big Red Cape was a smash at the Candler Park Festival!

The Candler Park Festival in Atlanta on the 14th and 15th was two days of gorgeous, sunny, dry, 80 degree weather, lovely people, adorable kids, eclectic arts and crafts, and great music.  I've done the festival for several years, but for a second time I shared my booth space with my artist friend Shannon Goines who paints very colorful expressive animal portraits--cows, pigs, bunnies, horses, squirrels, etc.. you get my drift.  She painted a fantastic squirrel for me last year--golds and greys. Beautiful!

I introduced several new pieces for the fall line that did very well--and one style in particular that was loved--not so much. The Big Red Cape was a smash!!! The Peplum Skirt sold well, especially in the sweet grey giraffe colorway.  The  Pear Button-Up skirt was well received. The Lazy Daisy embelished cotton tops almost sold out.  But the pin-striped culottes got a resounding big ole raspberry!   Or at least that's what I swear I heard from everyone who passed right by it on the rack. Can't win them all!  I loved my culottes when I was eight.  I need to offer them to a new generation of active, stylish and girly girls. Back to the drawing board on those.

The Peplum Skirt with the giraffe print was so adorable.  

The Lazy Daisy Long Sleeve T in various colors almost sold out!

The Fab Market Tote Sip & Stich

Last night I held my first in a series of Sip & Stitch classes offered at the Beehive!  The Fab Market Tote Sip & Stitch was such a blast.  A great big thank you to the ladies who came to sip, stitch & chat.  Everyone came away with a fabulous unique tote.  What a great girly evening!  The tutorial for this will be up soon!

Don't Box Me In

I came to a detour recently while traveling on this particular path I've chosen these past few years. My dad who is 86 and suffering from Parkinsons was diagnosed with dimentia as well.  Since July, I have been one of his caretakers.  I thought I could do it all!  Take care of my family, my home, my business, and him, while being creative all the while! Without being verbose, I must say I have NOT been able to do it all. What has suffered most has been my business, my creativity and my health. No (creative) Work and No Play has made Anna a very tired, stressed and anxious girl.  I tried too hard to make myself fit into the various situations and boxes of my life--but there is only so much of me. So I'm making some serious changes to the boxes!

One of the most productive and long-needed changes was the location of my studio.  In my home was fine for a while, but there are too many distractions and too many reasons not to focus on sewing.  Kids, husband, father, homework, meals, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping..... I felt like the proverbial headless chicken! I could hear all the lovely fabric bolts that recently came from Free Spirit, Michael Miller and Art Gallery calling me, yet I was not able to tear into their plastic wrapping.  I have had ZERO motivation--I have been so pooped!

So I packed up and moved my sewing "box"--thanks to Malene, my ever-supportive friend and owner of the Beehive--who invited me to share her studio.  The act of moving, starting something fresh, literally changing my (work) station in life, to a beautiful white space has been the most freeing, calming and inspiring thing I've done in a long while.

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL SEWING MONTH!

Do you adore fabric? Do you love creating with fabric as much as I do? There are quite alot of us out there.  So many in fact, that in 1982 President Ronald Reagan declared September as National Sewing Month stating that,"Tens of millions of Americans sew at home. Their efforts demonstrate the industry, the skill and
the self-reliance which are so characteristic of this Nation.”

Since 2008 National Sewing Month.org has sponsored a sewing contest in September.  This year's theme Sew for the Love of It is quite apropos for all us lovers of the craft!  Sew what you love and enter the contest. Find rules here.

I'll be busy sewing for my fall collection and for the contest all this month.  Much will be revealed in a few weeks!

Hand-Made Lover's Paradise

 Atlanta folks who shop at The Beehive know how awesome, big and heavenly this sale is.  For the rest of you around the country and for my readers overseas....wish you could be here.  This SALE is so sweet!!

What's Your Color Personality?

Better Homes and Gardens online has a fun quiz that determines your "color personality". I rather like to think I know myself, likes and dislike pretty well.  I took the quiz anyway for fun.  Well, the results were no less than on-the-mark!  My color personality is Earthy Green.  Try it.  You have to be completely honest with your answers.

Just Plum Crazy!

I'm working on colorways for the fall collection right now.  I keep coming back to plum.  Its very warm and sophisticated and certain deep shades can almost replace brown--which I use alot of in the fall.  Mixed with punches of gold or green its becomes fun and current. I've found these inspirations which are influencing and directing me right now.

 

Gold, green and plum clutch by Upstyle.

Plum and green wallpaper.  Visually stunning! Interiorideaz.com

 

Gold and plum cotton fabric by Art Gallery Fabrics.

Oh La La--so French.  Look at all those gorgeous hues on that plum sofa!  Trendey.com

 

Gold bird and plum pillow at purplepajamas.etsy.com

Sewing Camp Adventures

Throughout the summer, I've been conducting a sewing camp at The Beehive Atlanta.  I've taught sewing to girls before, but this was my first fore into teaching a daily class --five days a week, three hours a day!  What fun and how educational for me.  I've fine-tuned my teaching style, honed my class format and above all sharpened my patience!! The skills the kids have taken away were three basic hand stitches, how to thread aneedle and tie a knot (no easy feat), how to thread a machine, the major parts and how the machine works, and how to make straight stitches on that machine. SIMPLE. BASIC.  With these skills they were able to complete a project that they designed themselves.

Week one was comprised of girls and boys! They made personal decorative pillows for their bed.  Week two students (all girls) made a top and then cut off jeans into shorts and embellished them with applique techniques and hand stitches and, during week three students made a lined tote.  I have been so impressed with their creativity and complete immersion into what they were doing.  I have two more camp sessions to go--the week of the 18th and the week of the 25th.  But this definitely has inspired me to teach more and perhaps to adults as well.  I'll keep you posted if that transpires.

Back from Vacation!

 I feel as if I'm in a tree house when we are at the cabin.

We had ten wonderful days in the beautiful mountains of north Georgia.  I did pretty much a little of everything I love to do--hiked in the woods with my family, swam in the lake, cooked some gorgeous and creative meals with the venison my husband and my boy wonder harvested last fall, visited the local quilt shop, sewed a pretty market tote with some Art Gallery Fabrics I've had, and read to my children every night before they went to bed (Little House in the Big Woods).  I'm back in the studio energized and inspired for the fall collection.

 My sweet love helped me gather these lovely wildflowers.

I made this market tote leisurely--lined it and even added a zippered pocket for my wallet!

Women in the Sew

From where or whom do you get your inspiration?  Yes, the beauty of nature, your family--especially kids, history, an event,  current or past trends of clothing or interiors -- or the simple pattern of a newly introduced fabric, a vintage button  or the color of that yarn you just bought.

During the weekend of the 11th at the ICE show here in Atlanta, I had the pleasure of meeting and showing along side several amazing women who are all brilliant artists and designers and who have created some very successful businesses. We chatted craft, business, kids, multi-tasking, the King of Pops (see Jessica Swift's blog for more info on that delicious subject). I found their humor, hard work, their varying aesthetics, their talent and openness completely inspiring.  This week I've been working on the theme of my winter 2011/2012 collection.  More to come on that subject as I solidify my designs.

I also met Deborah Moebes owner of the fabulous fabric studio Whipstich, and Ellen Lucket Baker whose blog TheLongThread.com boasts 75,000 visitors a month!  Talk about inspiration--both these ladies have recently published a book.  Deborah's book, Stitch by Stitch, is a lovely companion for those who make clothing, and focuses on garment constructing techniques. I don't know about about you, but I can get in a rut using the same techniques, sewing the same thing over and over.  

Ellen's book 1-2-3 Sew features 33 unique and simple projects that allow you to build your skills as you progress through the book. This past Saturday I went to Ellen's book signing and took a class she taught on one of the projects in the book--making a clutch.  Ooh la la.  You should see what I can do now! 

 

Deborah and Ellen at the ICE show.  Thanks for the inspiration ladies!

My Prints Charming Has Arrived!

This little bird is waiting for me!

I few weeks ago I posted about the Australian dynamic print duo Cath and Kirsten at Prints Charming--I ordered their book and was waiting on it with bated breath. Well those sweet gals read my post and sent me one of their coveted project kits!  So now I am perusing through one of the best craft books I've gotten my hands on (do I sound biased?) and drooling at the sight of my kit waiting for the most opportune time to start my project--probably after all the festivals and markets--during my summer vacation.

Prints Charming is a treasure trove of 40 holiday, children's, and home projects--the photography is beautiful and abundant.  It's a wire-bound hard back that lays completely flat when open--very useful when your hands are immersed in something. My favorite chapter is the one on screen printing.  Cath and Kirsten teach the technique they use in their studio with step by step, clear and easy instructions. I am NOT an instruction manual reader--my brain truly shuts down when I am forced to read one--I learn by doing.  Don't tell me what to do--show me!  And that's what their book does. The book's instructions are written really as if they are chatting with you, providing lots of side bar tips. The piece-de-resistance is the small back pocket which includes a pattern for almost every project.  If you are like me, I trace my favorite patterns and save the originals folded nicely in their envelope.

A pocket full of patterns!

Thank you ladies for sharing your beautiful work in a beautiful book!

Cheers!

A Teacher's Gift

My children have been so fortunate and privileged to have had some wonderful teachers so far in their early education.  This year I was room parent for my Boy Wonder's extremely organized, creative, smart and fun (and crafty) teacher.  Last week marked the end of the school year and I wanted to give her something special that would remind her of her 2010-2011 class.  So, I made her a cushion with the names of all her kids embroidered on it.

I took a  piece of cream colored linen and taped it onto a stiff cardboard--then I loitered outside the classroom for a couple of weeks collecting signatures from the kids. Each child signed their first name with a fabric pen.   I then embroidered each name in different colored thread with a simple back stitch.  I added a two inch border of a colorful Moda fabric around the signature panel and fashioned the back side of the cushion with the same fabric. I filled it with a premade pillow insert, hand stitched it closed and voila!  I loved it--she loved it.

Thank you for a great year Ms. K!

Kirkwood Spring Fling Rocked!

Aside from the fact that my booth was right across the field where the bands played (loudly), and several of the bands that performed should have stayed in their garages to practice a bit more before venturing forth to acoustically accost the gentle people browsing the festival with their sweet little children, the Kirkwood Spring Fling was so fun and successful!

Beautiful weather, lots of visitors and once again the response to the GirlyGirl skirts and the GirlyMom coordinating skirts was fantastic!  I feel validated and totally get Sally Field's Oscar acceptance speech back ....whenever....she said, "You like me, you really, really like me"!  I try to keep everything current, fun and fresh, but I only know that the work I am doing is appreciated when I meet customers face to face and I get their feedback and response.   Much love to my loyal GirlyGirl customers who came by and many thanks and welcome to the new GirlyGirls and GirlyMoms who are now sporting coordinating outfits. Too sweet and cute!

The lovely linen applique pillows I made and showed garnered nary a glance!  I either did not make enough, therefore they went unnoticed, or did not display them well enough.  Oh well, lesson learned.  I took them to The Beehive and propped them in my space. I love them though, so I plan to make more.  I'd love to hear what you think?  Feedback would be great!

Ode to My Sweet Antonia

  Daisies are my Mom's favorite flower

My mother, Antonia emigrated to the U.S. from Greece with her husband, two young daughters and $75 in her pocket in 1971.  What a bold and daring move!

She worked in a men's shirt factory as a young woman, so when she came to the States and had to work, she took the first job she could find--making cloth napkins for the National Linen Co.  As she learned English (without any formal schooling) she was able get a job at Rich's Department Store--the finest store in the South--as a seamstress doing alterations for  some serious society  belles!  It was a real learning time for her and as her craft flourished she became one of the best seamstresses at the store.  She would fit models for the annual fashion shows, and would be the preferred fitter and seamstress when designers like Bill Blass came to dress "special" store customers. She sewed for society ladies, beauty queens, educators, politicians and celebrities. 

I remember her clients bringing dozens of fabrics to our house to meet with her. I was mesmerized by the colors and textures as they spread fabrics out on our dining room table and went through fashion magazines.  She created entire wardrobes for several clients!

Obviously today, my love of fabrics and sewing goes back to my childhood. My sense of style, love of texture and color and the need to create with my hands comes from my mother. I will never be as brilliant a seamstress as she is--and I make sure she knows this. She is a critical part of my small business--the one I always go to for construction and fit ideas--and the one who tirelessly helps me when its time to amass inventory!

Happy Mother's Day. Thank you Mama.  I will love you forever and ever--no matter what.

I Love Prints Charming

There are times when I simply wish I lived in Australia.  Specifically New South Wales--right next to the Prints Charming studio!  I've known about about Cath and Kirsten's work for several years.  They are the superbly talented team behind the screen printed fabric, studio, classes and products at Prints Charming. Using their hand printed fabrics, embroidery and quilting techniques they create some of the most unique, colorful and beautiful personal and home objects I've seen.  They also offers classes and kits, so that other lovers-of-craft can try their hand at these lovely projects too.  Their designs are fresh, bold, modern and very Australian!  I don't foresee a trip to  their studio though any time soon, so I ordered their book --Prints Charming (yes, they wrote a book as well).  I'll be happy to share with you as soon as I get it!  

Doing This, That and More of Each

When I explain to my beloved how well I multi-task, I really don't think he truly understands what that means.  Men don't do it (if at all) like women do.  Brushing my teeth with my right hand while I clean the sink, counters and mirrors (and occasionally--don't gross out on me now--the toilet--with a brush!) with my left is a brilliant example of "killing two birds with one stone". Eeeeew! FOCUS you say!

Well, I do this so that I can get through the mundane quickly and focus--on my creative projects! Those require my complete and total attention and give me such pleasure. So, the projects I have been focusing on recently, that have given me complete satisfaction are -- sewing my girlygirl's Easter frock--making custom coordinating GirlyGirl and GirlyMom skirts for Heather out of a beautiful, but, alas discontinued fabric by Dena Designs (about time I finished those)-- sewing a custom skirt for Jill ordered at the trunk show-- crafting a prototype girly-pillow for the Kirkwood Spring Fling market--adding more product to my Beehive shop--and conceptualizing currently undisclosed end-of-the-year gifts for my kids' teachers....

 

GirlyGirl Productions at The Beehive Atlanta

My girlygirl's Easter frock