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!