Creative Spurt

Yesterday was THE BEST! It was an all-around gorgeous day: beautiful coolish, breezy, sunny weather, feeling good, quiet neighborhood and I ROCKED it on the projects I had to do, namely I finished my first draft of my 3rd collection for Henry Glass & Co. I've had a preliminary draft of the collection on my wall for months now and it's just never jelled. Yesterday, everything clicked into place- pattern, scale and color.  Ahhh. It's off in the mail and I'm now waiting for a response to it.

As a little treat to myself, I took me and my new passion, embroidery, outdoors to soak up some fresh air and sunshine. Here is the product of that moment. My original design based on Flock from My Happy Garden from Cloud9 Fabrics (please don't copy, folks!) It was a "tweet", that's for sure!

Customer Appreciation

I browsed through my Cicada Studio Textiles flickr group the other day and was wowed by the latest inclusion by Indiaeden, who upon a little research I found to be a customer name I had seen a few times. Jeanette did a wonderful job- love the frayed edges, too- nice touch.

Aren't these just stunning? I totally wish I had a collection like this. (I can't afford to make stuff just ta have). I can't tell you how happy I am to see my fabrics used in someone else's project. Proud I am.

Giveaway | Winner

Congratulations to lucky No. 13, Jules. Julia has a lovely shop on Etsy, Jewelweed making beautiful linen printed goods. I think the Dover Pictura Art Nouveau book will be quite happy in her new home. Congratulations to the winner and thank so much to everyone for entering.

Sparkler Fun

We had a great 4th of July. Continuing the fun into today with more friends.

Boys had some sparkler fun and just when we thought we may get to do an entire alphabet, the battery ran out... doh.

Hope your weekend was super!

Giveaway | Art Nouveau by Dover|Pictura

I was going through my bookshelf the other day and took out Art Nouveau by Dover|Pictura only to turn around and see another one just like it on my desk!

I have two! Who knew? Certainly not I. One must be from my old job when we'd do our annual office cleanup. (this may also be a little indication of what it's like to be inside my head these days).

So, I'm in a position now to do a little giveaway, something apart from my a typical fabric ones (though, those are fun, too).

I love this book. I can't really say that I've ever used the included disk nor have I taken anything literally from it, but I'm so enamored by the art nouveau style- line quality, how they use negative space, color combinations and the stylize motifs and the natural themes. It's just a gorgeous reference and top notch imagery and quality. Maybe one of you would like it too! Be warned, the book has been thumbed through- it is not pristine, but if I was selling it on eBay, I might say it's in slightly used condition.

If you're interested, drop me a little note about how you can see yourself using this wonderful reference and tool- even if it's just for a pause on the sofa to escape and dream.

One comment per person, please.

Anyone in the world can enter.

Must must MUST leave contact info. If I can't find you within a click or two, I will choose another winner.

Deadline is Sunday July 5th, 9pm EST. Winner to be announced Monday the 6th.

Featured | Fyndes

Very pretty moodboard for a bedroom, highlighting my Dandelion fabric, over at Fyndes.

Thanks to Cristin Bisbee Priest, founder of Simplified Bee.

Meep!

My subscriber number changes daily but it's been hovering just under this number for weeks now. Today it landed smack dab on it and it made me smile.

Thanks for subscribing!

Impressive!

Even I'm impressed now that I see all the framed Zodiac Couple prints piled up and waiting to go to their new homes.

Go Irene!

Sorry for the lousy photo. I had to snap it quick before the baby got his mitts on them. Plus, all that dang rain and clouds didn't help.

Buckling Down

This is it! My official Summertime Start Date. All people and animals are out of the house except me. Gorgeous, breezy, cool summery day... birds singing... a big pile of crap to do on my desk. Here I go!

For your viewing delight: The Florecita Belt from Sundance.

Sweetness

My son picked these tiny treasures at the park the other day. He came back so proud and told me just how hard he looked for the perfect clover blossom.

*sigh*

Have a great weekend!

Tricks Of The Trade Pt 2 | Twill Plaids In Photoshop

I've had a resurgence of interest in this Plain Weave tutorial/template of mine from last year. I must be on some hot search site or something. I get a lot of request for other templates, like a twill or herringbone or houndstooth, etc. While I'd love to sit and do them all, I really don't have the time... but I am quite familiar with the twill weave, so I figured I could knock it out. Zoom in on the image above to get a clearer view of the texture.

I'm not really sure what construction this particular weave might equate to in real weaving terms, but we typically did flannels in a 64x54, 21's... and this seems a bit finer than that... more like s 100x80 40's (just a guess)- also, it's sort of a reclining twill, meaning it slopes more like 30º rather than a more typical 45º. Does all this sound like gobbledy-gook? Well, it is and it isn't... but believe me, if you're trying to let the average person know that the plaid you are designing is a "twill" this will work. And for all intensive purposes, if you were sending this pattern to a mill to weave, it would also work, only it would be known that you expect a construction let's say of 64x54, 21's in a 45º (which is something you and your mill would be working out WELL in advance to giving them artwork...).

Follow the directions on my previous post for how to use this downloadable Photoshop template. (caution, download starts upon click and it's nearly 5MB file!)

If anyone has any requests for other weaves, you can add them to the comments here and maybe someday I'll get to them.

E is for Embroidery

Not too long ago, I won some adorable patterns from Penguin and Fish and I was really looking forward to getting back into a craft I haven't touched in years. Then yesterday, a little chat with my friend Victoria of The Silly BooDilly got me energized to to do this project last night. I was fortunate to have all the colors I needed for the job. I think it took me all of 1 hour while I watch a little telly with my son. Next I'll tackle the Lion pattern. I'll probably frame these and put them in the boys' room.

Makes Me Happy

I just love these new Love: King and Queen of Hearts US Postal Service stamps. Bought oodles of them- not even caring if the stamp goes up yet again in the next few months. This is my official stamp for the next year! I also reserved a set to keep with my growing stamp collection.

When I was a child spending time at my grandparent's, they had an end table with coasters and decks of playing cards and such. I would take out all the royals from all the decks and play paper dolls with them. No doubt these two would have been the main characters in my imagination.

They are also lovely in white and when you put one on a white envelope, it's appears a subtle mark and very elegant indeed.

Happy Father's Day!

Thanks for the cheeks, Dad! (Among other fine qualities).

Cloud9 Pre-Production Is In

Finally received our first cut of fabric of the print Blue Yonder- can read more about it on the Floating on Cloud 9 blog. 

Happy Day! Happy Weekend everyone!

Simple Tied Quilt Tutorial

Very easy peasy, if I do say so myself. I've been meaning to make a quilt for my older son's *new* bed, since he's decided he wanted to sleep in his baby brother's room. If you read my post from the other day, maybe you'll understand why I just had to throw up my hands and do something completely NOT on the list. This felt good, and what's nicer is it only took the day. I would also like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and supportive email and advice given. It felt good to get it all out- the response was icing on the cake.

Now for the project:

I am using Queen Anne's Lace fabric in a cotton/linen blend. It's backed in 100% linen and the quilt batting is 100% Bamboo. I also used exactly one skien of embroidery floss, for which you may need more or less depending on your project size.

Because of the linens, this has a very nice heft to it- more like a thick coverlet. Can easily be made with ANY fabrics.

You can make this any size you want- with our without piecing obviously, but to keep in the spirit of "easy", I just used a single panel of fabric on both sides.

One of your panels will have to be at least 4 inches larger in both directions. No binding tapes are used in the making of this "easy" quilt. It's self-bound. Simple, right?

OK, follow me!

 

1. Lay out your batting first, then lay the top layer of fabric over it so that it is centered within. Put a few pins along the edges to keep it from shifting.

2. Trim the batting to the exact size of the top fabric.

3. Add more pins in the center area to keep every thing in place. Loosely roll up the fabric in a way that will make it easy to unroll on top of the backing fabric (details to follow).

4. I taped my backing fabric to the table because the linen was very slippery. If you're working on a rug, you probably don't need to do this.

5. Unroll and center your topper onto the backing and make sure to have at least 2 inches excess on all sides. Anything larger, should be trimmed to 2 inches.

6. Starting in the center of each side and working your way to the corners, fold the excess fabric from the backing over and snuggly up against the edges of the topper- making sure not to pull the fabric, but giving it a nice crease with your fingers as you go. Give it a few pins just to keep it all in place.

7. Again working from the center of each side to the corners, fold the excess under itself to create a 1" finished "binding" and pin well in place.

8. To create neat-ish corners, I did a lazy mitering job, but it worked. Where the fabrics met in the corners, I pinched them together, snipped a bit of the excess, then tucked and folded until it resembled a halfway decent miter. I'm sure there are many ways to achieve this, but, you know, this is s'posed to be easy!

9. Topstitch* from the top side 1/8"from edge of binding. I went back and topstitched the corners last. Trim threads. 

* Let's put this in the "Where Have I Been?" section of my life... finally found out about the walking foot attachment for my sewing machine *angels sing, the heavens open and light is cast upon me*

10. Mark and pin (I did this by making a cross-hair with two pins) for the ties that will be made. I spaced mine about 6.5" apart. I will only ever dry clean this quilt, so I didn't concern myself with doing too much tying, but if you think it might get washed a lot, I'd probably space the ties every 4" or so. Not more, though.. probably overkill.

11. I used embroidery floss and the appropriate needle with the knot on the top side. The reason I made cross-hairs with the pins is so I could make a neat X on the backside, and the pins made it easier to keep the fabric from moving while giving me a little guide to stitch within. You DO NOT have to do this. You can simply tack it with a single pass of the needle or you could go crazy and stitch little hearts or something. Likewise, you could do some tacking on your sewing machine... It's really up to you and how much thought and effort you want to put into it. It's important to make square knots here, because the floss has a tendency to unravel. Also, from experience, even a square knot can slip undone, so be sure to leave enough floss so that you can retie the knot without causing yourself too much grief.

Done!

Shifting Gears

So much is going on right now with my businesses, and I'm finding I have to downshift to really take it all in. Unfortunately, it's like I'm in the fast lane on a speedway and every thing's zooming past at 200 MPH. I'm actually going to take the time to list the things right now... mainly for me, but maybe there will be some commiserators out there who are willing to listen.

School ends next Monday for my oldest son, but as it turns out, yesterday and today he's home sick with a fever that's been going around- coughing and sneezing, too. The school won't let him back in without a doctor's note, so later today, that's where we'll be heading. Basically, my last "free" week of working at home is now compromised. Nothing against my son, but he is quite the chatterbox. Seems he can't think without having to say it out loud, so there's lots of chit chat, in which some of it he includes me. Basically, my focus is shot.

Today I have orders to fill, emails to write, patterns to design, and calls to make. If I get 3 things done, I'll consider it a successful day, all things considered.

My husband, who is a teacher, will be home starting next Friday. While I love my husband dearly, working is not going to be easy with the presence of both him and my oldest son. Thankfully, the baby is still scheduled with day care and 2 visits to Grammy's a week. Though having Andrew around to get boys to and fro will help, I can't put it all on him, as it's his break from school and he has a lot to accomplish himself. We are both going to have to make concessions.

Oh, and hey... did you see that post on home renovations? Yeah, that's likely to kick in one of these months, too. Fun. (It is, and it isn't, if you catch my meaning).

I have to design two new collections- one for Henry Glass, the other for Cloud 9. Shade Garden and My Happy Garden are due come in around the same time and when they do I need to work on sewing samples and photography and promote, promote, promote. I will want to recruit a seamstress, but the idea of even finding and working with that person is as daunting a project as doing the job myself.

Cloud9 Fabrics hopes to be at the International Quilt Market, for which I still need to submit the application (on to do list). When we are accepted, I'll have to start planning for the booth in reality... right now it's just a bunch of ideas in my head. I see what others are capable of and while I'm not looking to win any prizes, I want it to be a special booth that will draw interest, so it's got to be well thought out- and that's going to take planning since we need to get it all to Houston from New Jersey *quiver*.

My zodiac frame business is taking off very nicely. It's not a major time consumer, but it is another obligation. Add to list.

Also, I have a shop to tend to- can't neglect this- need to sell off inventory and would really love to reach 2000 sales by the end of this year. It's not an essential want, but I don't want to let something I've worked so hard on slip away due to my other projects.

I've got another super duper big thing going on in the background now too, and while I can't really discuss it openly, I will tell you it has nothing to do with another baby! But in a way, it is like a baby, and will require much time and dedication.

There's also a very good chance that I'll be licensing designs to a stationery company and it's too good an opportunity to pass up, so, say it with me folks..., Add to list.

This is my first year working strictly from home and it's been less than easy- as most work-at-home-moms can attest to. My work day is a total of 5 hours, and I easily have 9 hours worth of work to do. I work in pockets of time throughout the rest of the day when family is home, or when most people would like to kick back on the sofa and veg in front of the telly. It's a struggle and it's VERY hard to disconnect. (Don't get me started on the woes of home/work/life/family/spirituality/health balance!) But so soo soooooo much positive career stuff is coming my way- it literally feels like I'm being showered in it sometimes. It's really hard to walk away from any of it.

I wouldn't trade this career path for another, ever, but I do have to set goals for myself that will free me from my own bonds. After turning 40 this year, and all the introspect that tends to go with that momentous milestone, I have determined that by the age of 50, this all has to be behind me. I figure I've got another few years of really punching it up and making my business(es) grow with good old dirty hands and achy back and frazzled head... but as I approach that next decade, I'm looking for a seat more above all this - one where I can be an overseer and planner rather than the doer of every little detail. That's my goal anyway, so with that in mind, it's no time to slack. I can do it. I will do it. I just hope my sanity doesn't teeter too far over the brink and my family and home wind up suffering. 

The balance of it all is very very difficult. Oddly, I'm no racing fan, but I can't help equate my situation to driving- I'm on that speedway, and I can't just break or I'll crash or get crashed into. I have to slowly and safely make my way over to the right, so I can park that car. Easy does... easy does. Just gotta keep remember those words.

Mmmm. Doooooooooors.

Who knew they could be so delicious? I went to a door store for the first time yesterday. My contractor seemed amused at my intensity on learning all the could be gleaned about doors, casement windows and hardware. After going in with a sure image in our heads about what we wanted, a quick glance at the catalogs and our wallets suddenly left us leaning decidedly with this more cottagey vibe. Though they are lovely in natural wood, we'll be painting the doors and windows (color TBD) Now all we need is to find out the estimate on the job itself (pins and needles)

From left to right: Bungalow Series Door from Simpson, Elkay Wilshire hardware in oil rubbed bronze, Marvin Ultimate Casement Window.

Making Plans

I have A LOT of things going on in my life right now. A LOT. Which is why my blogging has been sporadic at best. Seems like all my efforts are sporadic these days, and it's really starting to get to me. With no sign of a freed up relief, I will just have to roll with it.

Hey, wanna see one of the big behind the scenes things? Da da daaaaaa: Our much needed front yard renovations!

The whole front of the house is exactly as it was when the house was built in 1955. As you can see, time wears heavy on the masonry these days- oh, and an underground oil tank removal has all but trashed an already decrepit vista... Anyone who's done this kind of work can attest to the great expense, hence its not being done already. Now that our front steps are officially crumbling and a hazard, we are forced to do it and we're working to get estimates these days. You might also know, that when you change one thing, the interconnected projects must also be done: new stairs = new walk, retaining wall removal, new graded landscape. Then, while you're at it, for a relatively low amount, you can get another new walk along the drive and throw in a new front door, remove the cruddy awning and create a proper portico.  By why stop there? How about some windows on the sides of the bumpout/foyer to let some much needed light into our North facing cave of a house? Don't get me going on additional work I dream about: replacement windows and trim and interior doors throughout the ground level. Which of course makes me dream of a new downstairs bathroom that is not powder blue and gray circa 1950. All I know is that whatever renos we do, there will be a bunch of happy neighbors who are wondering why the hell that young family can't get their act together and make something nice out of that house of theirs.

Here's a sketch and my anal retentive CAD drawing to show the contractors (and interested parties) what our vision is. (the CAD is from when I was planning the back yard years ago, which is already done- worked well, so I dug it up and changed up the front! ... and oh yes, it IS to scale. Snap!)

Enjoy the images! I'll be sure to keep you updated as when we finally settle on a contractor, this will probably be happening sooner than later.

Withdrawl & Shakes (of fist, that is)

Internetless and frustrated over at Cicada Studio today. As I type from my mom's computer (who just handed me a chicken salad sandwich and a cold glass of beer!), all I can be is happy that I can follow up with most my business correspondence and get a chance to take a peek at the two lovely blog features I was fortunate to receive. Sam from Inklore featured me on her Link:lore feature and Alyssa from Penguin and Fish gave me a nice shout out that I'd like to reciprocate as I just won two fabulous embroidery templates in a Bloesom Kids giveaway (I chose elephant and lion!).

On the not so great side of catching up are a few emails to customers who will not received their orders in a timely manner for which I've extended regrets and free shipping as a consolation. Boy, it sucks to not deliver, but I know it is probably worse to not receive that for which you've paid! Also, my correspondence with my Cloud9 Fabrics mill will be delayed until I can get all my strike-offs and a computer in one room. Damn.

Internet not due to be back up and running for at least another day. Hoping I'll make it without exploding. Honestly, I wish these things would happen when I can plan my days differently... I can think of other things I can occupy "down time" with other than scrambling to fix problems and catch up with business remotely. C'est la technogie moderne, n'est pas? (pardon my French).

See you when I see you. We'll see if it's from Earthlink or another provider...

Separated At Birth?

Adam Lambert, 2009   -    Michelle Engel, 1988

OK, can you tell which one's the girl? Believe me when I tell you that some people had difficulty deciphering in this stage.

Inspired by Mew Paper Arts to dig around, and encouraged by High Desert Diva to actually post this. 

I think Adam's prettier. Man, if he was around when I was this gal, I would've had a mondo crush, I'm sure. Oh, who am I kidding, I have a crush on him now.

Adam Lambert photo lifted here

Music Minute

Oh man! Today Matt Pinfield was back on the air at 101.9 (Welcome Back, Matt!) and they played this new one by the Doves, Kingdom of Rust. A band I like OK, but never loved. As a huge fan of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (see my profile, if you don't believe me... I mean, Clint's badass character with his fabulous hair, poncho, and steely blue eyes, offset by crazy, squirmy Eli Wallach and his sweaty, grimy face and chaps and Lee Van Cleef's cold bird of prey attitude and THAT MUSIC by Ennio Morricone- it's perfect) the twang and haunt of this far away tune just went right to the fiber of my being. I'm a total sucker for that sweeping mandoliney guitar (what's that all about I wonder? Maybe I was of Spanish descent in a past life?). Anyhoo, check it out if you're so inclined. I've already bought it and have listened to it about 6 times.

15 minutes later update: This song pairs quite nicely with Adam Lambert's Ring of Fire and Liam Finn's Second Chance. Oh, yeah... I'm hooked.

An Oldie But Goody aka What Comes Around Goes Around

How many of you have been with me for just over the year I've been running this here blog? Then you might remember this item that I was selling at that time. These Zodiac Couple frames were a  nice item for me in my shop, but l.a.b.o.r. i.n.t.e.n.s.i.v.e, as any framing project typically is. I had to discontinue it for sanity reasons, but part of that decision was my moving away from cards and working my way towards textiles.

But then, lo and behold! One of my happy customers, Irene, (Leo/Gemini), who initially hunted me down from a magnet I sold at a local yoga studio, recently contacted me and had about 6 orders in tow for just the prints- she knew a framer and would be able to get them framed for her friends. This morphed into genius idea of being a rep for my cards, whereas she'd sell and frame and deliver and all I had to do was make the cards. I mean, now, how in the world am I going to say no to such a logical maneuver?! Plus, she's a Leo, so I know I've got a top rate, passionate, driven and personable sales force there (PS- my husband and son are also Leos, so I'm a little biased). Her enthusiasm certainly rubbed off on me! So, coming around full circle, I'm back in the business.

So, here's the pitch: Cicada Studio Zodiac Couple Frames- makes an incredibly unique, thoughtful and personal gift for any couple. Think engagements, weddings, unions and anniversaries! If you're interested, you can contact me directly (email in profile). wink wink

New Item In Shop | Karlfield Linen Swatch

My entrepreneurial spirit is rubbing off on my son. He showed me this picture of a flower he drew and said "Hey, Mom? Can you make a fabric out of this? And if it sells, can I have the money?"

Well, heck yeah!

Best. Collaboration. Ever.

Get it here!

Karl gets 100% of the profit for his contribution to this print. Half will go into his savings, and half into his spending.

Shop Live | 30 Minute Sale

This Thursday (May 28th) Marichelle of Heart Handmade is hosting the 2nd Shop Live Event on Etsy. You can read all about it here, but to sum up: Select Etsy sellers (including me!) will be selling items in the virtual labs where you can nab a promo code for excellent discount deals (in my case, 25% off my Summertime Sampler + free shipping). In addition to this, many sellers (including me!) will be holding all-day sales events in our shops. At any time between 9a.m - 9p.m. EST I'll be offering free shipping + a free notepad on all the items in the Shop Live section of my shop. Simply purchase items as usual and either wait for a revised invoice, or I'll refund the shipping via PayPal.