Wednesday, July 20, 2011

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

Sunday, July 17, 2011

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.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

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!