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

Spring Studio Cleaning...Dreaming...

On Monday, after the trunk show,  I took many pieces to the Beehive and freshened up my shop there.  I'm very pleased, as it looks very bright and current! I also tore down the racks and displays in my living room and schlepped everything back down to the studio.  I stopped in my tracks in HORROR at the sight of fabric bolts upright against the walls and on the floor, scraps strewn all over, the ironing board open with iron ON (for several days), buttons strewn on the work counter and endless -- can I say endless -- pieces of thread everywhere! I could probably attach the pieces and put together a whole spool. And they have to be picked up by hand otherwise they clog my vacuum.

Before I can continue any sort of creative work, though, I have to clean the clutter, reorganize my space, and reshelve everything! My studio is "cozy", so vertical organization is critical.  I am constantly trying to reconfigure things to create better access to my materials.  So I did some research for ideas.  Well... I found some amazing pictures of what my studio would like to be when it grows up! Check out some of these and more ideas at home-designing.com.

Thank You Girls!

A great big thanks to all the girlygirls and girlymoms who came by the open house and trunk show on Saturday.  It was wonderful to catch up with many good friends and customers and to see the fruits of my labor loved so much!  The drawstring gored mom-skirts were a big hit. (Available on Etsy and The Beehive in the next few days.) Nataly and Nancy rocked them. (What is it about tall French-Canadian women???)  And as usual, the GirlyGirl skirts were my best sellers.

Thank you also for helping me raise an nice little sum to donate to Samaritan's  Purse.  They are doing much needed and good work in tornado-ravaged North Carolina and Japan right now.

NEXT STOP:  Kirkwood Spring Fling on May 14.   Hope to see you there.

Color and pattern-always!

Matching mom rings 

The mom skirts were a hit!  Thank you girls.

Alive.... and Sewing!

Really?  It's been a whole month since I wrote last? I have had a whirlwind of a time these past four weeks.  I've been sewing frantically -- head down -- even on Spring break -- getting ready for my Spring shows and for the GirlyGirl Trunk Show and Open House this Saturday, April 16. I've had the undying help and support of my sweet mama (Antonia) who has VOLUNTEERED her exquisite professional sewing skills to assist in the amassing of my inventory.  Not an easy task.  We literally have been our own little factory of two for the past month.  I cut, serge, hand-embellish, then pass on to her for additional sewing, then she passes on to me for finishing and tagging. Whew!

This Hooker Furniture mid-century desk serves as my sewing station at the cabin.

The Caroline Coral linen skirt in detail.

The results are lovely.  I'm so happy with the sweet details in the pieces of  this Spring's collection. I gave the Caroline Coral linen skirt a small hand-embroidered flower (this was what I did during our TV-free evenings on Spring Break). The Lilly Lemongrass skirt has a ruffled layer of sky-blue sparkley net that peaks from underneath. And, My Cherie Blossom skirt is infinitely girly with pompom-fringed crochet trim! This year I decided to offer coordinating tank tops made of 100% organic cotton embellished with crocheted lace and a fabric covered button.  Pretty pretty!

I have to get back to work now to get ready for you all-- my adorable GirlyGirls and devoted GirlyMoms!

Hope to see you at one of these upcoming GirlyGirl events:

GirlyGirl Trunk Show and Open House--April 16, 2011  

Kirkwood Spring Fling--May 14, 2011

Suzuki School Market--May 22, 2011

Indie Craft Experience--June 11-12, 2011

Creative Antics!

YES, I love creating.  As much as I can, whatever I can, whenever I can! Occasionally, I get these creative bursts of energy that last for several days.  I can't help myself--I have to make stuff and do stuff.  I'm up early, get the kids to school, I literally go, go, go all day --focus on their homework, sports, dinner, etc., when they get home, and as soon as they are in bed, I'm back to my creative antics until 1 or 2 a.m.  This is not sustainable behavior mind you--but gosh, do I get some great things accomplished when it happens.  I feel like Forrest Gump--an ordinary person doing extraordinary things!  So last week, when this wave of creative energy hit me, I rearranged my entire living room, while my ever-supportive-love was out of town (lest he want to offer assistance). The whole floor feels and looks brand new!

I highly recommend rearranging furniture, changing pillows, reorganizing book shelves, moving artwork, changing the mantle....I did this all the time for clients who paid me! This weekend I went antiquing with friends and added some lovely McCoy pottery pieces to my collection and my shelves.  The living room  feels clean, fresh, bright and bigger, not to mention pretty darn magazine worthy!

On the craft side, I downloaded a fantastic tutorial from a very cool Australian blogger Melly & Me and made my daughter a Kokeshie Stuffie.  I also made a lovely set of linen coasters for a friend who is getting married!

OK--now I need a nap!

NAME THAT DRESS!!

I can't express how joyful I am when I create! I really am pleased with what I am presenting this spring and I hope you all will be too. Today, I started naming the pieces.  Every dress needs a name!  And as I love alliteration in poetry, I gave each garment names inspired by their color and whimsical female names.

Millicent Moss Voile Tunic

Millie May Shift

COLOR, TEXTURE, PATTERN FOR SPRING 2011

I've had a delicious time selecting fabrics and designing the 2011 Spring/Summer GirlyGirl collection these past few months. I purchased several lovely graphic printed cottons a while ago with intent on introducing them in the spring.  Inspired by the colors and simplicity of the Catherineholm enamelware designs, I recently added some coordinating cotton voiles, as well as, a couple of neutral linens that give the collection a new depth and sophistication. 

Many customers have been asking for coordinating mom clothes for a while now.  Believe me, making girl's clothing is much easier! I've tried many times to create just the right pieces... easy, comfortable and feminine without being overly cute.  I think after three seasons of trying, I've come up with a skirt, top and dress/tunic that are PERFECT!  

I'll be introducing the line beginning March 1, at The Beehive.  In the meantime, check out some of these delectable fabrics!