Pink Swirls and Ends of Bolts

This pink and black bag marks the end of an era. I have loved this pink swirl fabric. I have made every conceivable bag, accessory, and do-dad out of this fabric in the last year. This is the end...of the bolt that is. I have no idea who the designer was or the company that printed it. You might think I would save selvage pieces of fabrics I love for re-order. Or spread sheet vendors I purchase from. Oh no, that would be too easy. That would be too organized. That would take away from the sheer joy of anxiously cracking open a box of fabric the moment it arrives on the doorstep, practically accosting the UPS man. There is no time to spread sheet vendor item numbers when you are running up a flight of stairs planning on where to cut to make that hobo bag lie on the diagonal.
Good-bye pink swirls. If I ever see you again on a bolt, I will snap you up.

It's Lavender Day

It's lavender production day here at Pink Evita home headquarters. This is the best smelling "make-it" day I have here in the sewing room. Tomorrow night I am participating in a show up the street at a hair salon/spa and I noticed my basket of lavender rolls was getting a little shy of these olfactory pleasers. Here they are, all made up but not rolled yet with organza ribbons. Lavender rolls are made from beautiful cottons sewn wrong sides together and then a layer of soft organza film to keep the lavender from falling out. The "pouch" is then stuffed with 1 1/2 cups of California grown lavender and the hole is sewn up tightly. What you get is an almost flat pocket of lavender goodness.
Roll them up and stash them in your closet. Lay them flat and make your drawers smell delightful. My grandmother always had lavender sachets in her dresser drawers, she was so feminine. I think of her when I make them. I keep one in my car at all times, trying desperately to ditch my chicken nugget mobile reputation. They are also nice in the kitchen, since meat loaf doesn't smell as good the next morning. They will dissipate in smell slowly...just pick it up and give it a shake, and the lovely scent will be revitatized.
I'm taking my basket to my show tomorrow night. Live near Carmel, IN? See the side bar for show details and stop on by to say hi. What doesn't sell will be listed on Etsy later this week! Oh, and when you stop by don't let me buy too much from Beads for Needs...she will there too. I love her jewelry. But I'm supposed to be selling, not buying. Say it three times. Selling not buying.

Downtown

Here I was all set up for a show downtown this week. The venue was gorgeous, the other vendors, very high quality. All we really needed was more shoppers. Sadly, this one was chalked up to learning experience, as in learning which shows are worth coordinating with family so that I can spend a whole day downtown, paying entrance fees, paying parking fees and all that good stuff that goes into doing a show. Just not too much traffic, and not too much traffic means not too much in the sales department. Nevertheless, seeing artisans that I have met before at other shows is so fun. Seeing their new items is always a thrill. There were some terrific handbag artists that I haven't seen before. Creative folks inspire me.

I'm now back in the studio as it were. It's a mess in case you were wondering, thank you very much. But, I have some fun custom projects for next week! Perhaps this will inspire me to clear a workspace and vacuum up about 6 lbs. of thread off the floor. I'll post pictures as I finish the new goodies.

A very Happy and Well Deserved Mother's Day out there to all the mom's be you mom'preuneurs, working outside the home, working inside the home and everyone in between out there in the world. I hope you get handmade cards and blueberry pancakes in bed this weekend. Because since it is the toughest job we'll ever love, you deserve it.

There's a Hound In The Sewing Room

Rule #1. The sewing room at Pink Evita is a smoke free environment. Check. Never smoked, so
clearly this is not an issue.

Rule #2. Small children do not throw or toss or pull at fringes. Check. They only unravel gros grain ribbons and leave toys on the floor for the sewing mistress (that's me) to trip over.

Rule #3. All puggles are to remain in the floor licking only used threads. No puggles are allowed to lie on or otherwise engage with fabrics that may or may not be sold one day. Pet fur on your newly purchased item is NOT cool.

check. puggles always obey.

Or do they? Look who I caught in a rule #3 infraction.

Who me?

Yes, you.

Go torture a squirrel in the backyard and back away from the new red ribbons. Slowly.



No one listens to me. Not even the puggle.

If you see someone around town carrying a bag made from the fabric in the picture...can this little rule #3 infraction be between you and me?

Oh, Baby!

What could be better than creating for a new little guy who has yet to make his entrance into the world? The only thing better is when the mom chooses some very cool fabrics, that's what.

No snips and snails or puppy dog tails for this too hip chic mama. Her little guy will be seen in some updated oranges, blues and browns when he makes his formal debut sometime in July.

This diaper bag is sort of disguised as a large hobo bag. It has a long adjustable strap, probably to get around the handle of a rather large travel system stroller.

The set includes a diaper caddy which will fit 2-3 diapers and a slim line wipes case. Because we all know what WILL happen the minute you leave the nursery without your handi-wipes. We don't need to go into details or anything, but we do know don't we?

The roll in the photo is just that...a diaper mat rolled up for transport. It has matching fabric on the outside, two layers of fleece on the inside for some cushion and a layer of clear vinyl for easy clean up and wipe down. It is fastened together with a velcro tab.

The back of the bag has two enormous pockets with cowgirl snaps in case mom wants to drop something valuable in the pockets. Both sides of the lining have huge pockets subdivided into 4 pockets for all kinds of baby gear.

Let me know if I can help design and make a diaper bag set for you.

Little Wallets and In Need of An Elf or A Cook

Last night it was 6:30 before I stepped away from the Beast, (who by the way I have found a new and lovingly symbiotic relationship with in recent weeks) and I came downstairs to think about cooking dinner for the fam. Yes, 6:30 pm and I was just starting to think about dinner. The girls were screaming for something other than apples*, Livi suggested gummy bears for dinner, nice try my pet...when the Muffin Man stepped into the kitchen.

"My God, Man you simply must find me an elf to sew or a cook to whip up something in the kitchen for your children, 'cause it just ain't gettin' done around here." I said. He looked curiously at me while stuffing pickles in his mouth and said, "Yeah, why don't you look into a cook?" Seriously, this was his version of help around here? The Muffin Man knows we aren't exactly rushing to find someone to scrub toilets for us, NEVER MIND a cook. One can dream, can't one?

So, here is what was keeping me strapped to the Beast for so long. I thought I had a show this week. Ha Ha ha, it is next week. Apparently the large sized print calendar open faced on my desk is NOT enough to help me get my gig's right. Anyhow, the show is next week. If you are in Indy and want to come and hang out in the land of the beautiful and well vacationed people(I'll just be visiting too), please see the sidebar for details and come say hi to me at the Village of West Clay Boutique.
Yes, I was chained to the machine freaking out thinking I had a show starting this weekend, not NEXT weekend. Want to see what I made?

Aren't they lovely? Little wallets with hooks and key fobs to match. It took me all afternoon to make four but they are so pretty sitting there I don't care. And, I have four new wallets to take to my show that happens to start NEXT week. Did I mention that I mentally farted and completely biffed on the date?

So, that leaves me with count them...7 whole days until my next show. What should I do? Maybe plan ahead to make dinner for the little beings sponging off us for free rent and snacks?

Nah, the Beast is calling my name. Come play with me little girl.

Make something pink and green and zebra striped.























I'm off to use up every bit of this fabric and trim that is left on the bolt. Seriously, pink and green tassels, you know you'd be rushing to use it up too. Oh yes, and perhaps polish kielbasa with sauerkraut and fresh greens for dinner. Livi will be unappreciative of the switch from gummy bears but we all gotta get real sometime.

*I blame my mother for the apples, each and every time my brother and I screamed for something to eat while growing up, it was suggested that we find an apple. Consequently, it is now 30 years later and I am just now discovering a newly found appreciation for them. Especially when it comes to snacking with my children. Yes, I will undoubtedly turn them off apples too for a mere 30 years. It is a legacy I can do my best to uphold.

Just The Girls

Seems like it's been all business here lately. But, really these gals are my business. On the left is Ava, modeling the junior sized messenger bag I whipped together for her friend this past week. Ava told me the little girl's favorite color was blue, so a little blue accented messenger bag it was for her birthday. See Chloe? She seems a bit underwhelmed an unimpressed doesn't she? Perhaps she was more interested in her kibble snack. Olivia, on the right is modeling her poodle skirt mixed with normal preschool attire tee shirt. Do you like her Leap Frog watch she got at Wendy's in her kids meal bag? Me either. But don't tell her, she loves the thing.

In the background is my Photo box for taking pictures of my bags and putting the photos on the internet...it does wonders for the decorating in my office. I never take it down, I'm too lazy. And the huge armoire on the corner? Yes, that thing is enormous and takes up 1/3 of the room and houses a very old tv that no one ever watches and a collection of never used scrapbooking supplies. (Olivia will have a scrap book of her 1st year of life with us before she is 18, I swear. Doesn't that sound like a good winter project?) Clearly I should list the armoire on craig's list. It takes up too much space. And yet, this all sounds like a project that I don't have time for. What else is new?

I might be getting the decorating bug again. There are some spaces around here that could use it, clearly. Hmmm...how far can one get on the $0.00 budget? Perhaps California Closets will come and create some built-in's for me out of the goodness of their little organized hearts?

Yeah, right don't hold my breath.

Oh, Those Colors

They arrived today. See them? Opening the package and seeing these amazing colors made me swoon. It was like a fix, I tell you.

They were ordered from Quilt Home
and arrived very quickly. Wonderful customer service if you are looking for some quilt weight fabrics for your stash. I have to smack my fast clicking ordering finger every week when the online newsletter arrives. Must-Not-Order-Too-Much-Fabric.

They are sadly not for my own personal stash, they were ordered for a custom set of bags I'll be working on this week.

The tote will look something like this one, but in the colors you see above. I'll toil away here for a while and post the bags when they are done.

On the home front, as if talk of fabrics are not the home front...but you get my drift. My gals are seriously looking forward to seeing grandparents and extended family for Easter and spring break.
Olivia wants the Easter bunny to bring dress up pumps. Ava wants to Easter bunny to bring her a bike helmet that doesn't have Power Rangers on it. Plain pink or purple or blue...something not embarrassing would be much appreciated thank you very much Easter bunny....bok bok. I'm not exactly sure when the Easter bunny took some steroids and beefed up to look a bit like Santa Claus, but it's been made clear that 1 hollow chocolate bunny and a few stale jelly beans will not cut the mustard this year.

I'm off to buy these. And, I'm not sharing.

Off to Market

It's been a whirl wind of a week. I spent the beginning of the week taking some custom orders, yeah...love custom orders, and love spending time with the ladies as we work to come up with something one of a kind. I'll get to work on them next week.

I've also been down to my favorite place in all of Indianapolis, Broad Ripple's...54th and Monon Shops. This is where the delightful Tanya of Ceramic Dreams features some of my bags in her shop. I took several new spring bags down and she called to tell me that I had already sold several pieces this week! Since I've been experimenting with some really bright colors mixed up, really mixed up, (ok, so mixed up that I'm not sure people will "get" what I'm trying to do since I'm often not sure what I'm trying to do) I'm thrilled that so far so good at Tanya's Ceramic Dreams for the new spring goodies.

See this new tote? It's going to market with me tomorrow. We are headed downtown to the Eiteljorg museum for Women In Art Market day. I'm quite frankly thrilled I was allowed in. I'm looking forward to see what the other artists are showing. And, we all know the Muffin Man is big man on the cul-de-sac tomorrow with the girls, so I will be eating my lunch all alone. Or rather, hopefully amongst lots of people walking the market, perusing the goodies and writing big checks.

Getting ready for this show has been at times wonderfully invigorating and at times a ridiculous amount of self imposed stress and pressure. Oh, the table will need 10 more heat therapy rice bags...must whip those up tonight...oooh ran out of white rice..must run to Costco for white rice in bulk. Wouldn't it be adorable if they were two colors rather than one? Must figure out dimensions for cutting. Oooh, that adds another step for sewing them together. But, they are so cute so it's worth it.

Loving the new colorful totes, must have at least 5 on the table. Gah, running out of time and have only 3 designed. Where is that oldest child to be used for cheap child labor? Would it be bad to insist 4 year old uses iron to interface 75 pairs of bag handles? Would that be awkward explaining to ER doc why 4 year old has iron burn on her finger? Bad idea, let them play Wii. Forget the child labor help, for now.

Last minute idea for creating a few Easter baskets for the table? Oooh found adorable fabric which appears to have eggs on it. Lady at store insists they aren't eggs. But seriously, they are eggs and with a pink bow? This could be made into some rocking awesome Easter baskets...but we are sort of at the 11th hour and is it wise to take on a new project for the booth? Clearly no, will I do it anyway...maybe.

So, if you are in the market for a fun activity downtown Indianapolis tomorrow anytime 10am to 5pm, stop by the Women in Art Market at the Eiteljorg Museum and tell me to breath in and then breathe out. Then repeat and get a sandwich.

All Lined Up

I've been in production mode this week. Good golly, wouldn't you know it the weather has suddenly changed to 65 degrees and I'd rather be on the swing set.

No worries though, they are done all lucky thirteen of them. I've been working on a custom order for a week and a half and here they all are lined up like little pink soldiers ready to go to their new homes.

See all those glorious bright colors? This was a fun project getting to work with all these sunny spring colors. Goodbye brown and maroon chenille, until fall when I am suddenly in love with you again.

Pink tissue. It makes me happy. I can be having a dreadful day and then go look at a bag all packaged up in her cellophane bag with pink tissue poking up, presto good mood restored. Perhaps I should some with me at all times.

I went to a small show this weekend. Not too terribly well attended. Sad, especially since the venue was fabulous and that show could be SO MUCH MORE. You know me, I expressed my constructive ideas with the organizer and she asked me to send an email with some ideas for making it more local artisan'y for next year. All in all it did kick my butt in gear for the other spring shows I have planned. Got me going with making sure the table would be well stocked and every item has a tag with a price.

Of course, as always it was amazing fun to meet the other vendors. Check Wendy out here..yes, my girls are the proud new owners of some Eeko Wraps for their lunch boxes. I am living ziploc baggie guilt free at this very moment, thank you very much. Since the Muffin Man was on kid duty I got to eat my Subway sandwich without having to share my pickles, which is always a treat.

And that my friends, is why I have a small business. Eating my sandwich with pickles in peace.

They Were Green and Fuzzy

See the little kid on the left? She woke up this morning fresh from rolling out of bed complete with morning breath. She insisted with straight face and absolutely no snicker or remorse that she had already brushed her teeth when I inquired about those fuzzy green things that should have appeared pearly white.

I asked her again, please go brush those teeth before school. Again, she insisted that she had indeed brushed them before coming to see me. When I told her that I hadn't heard any water running, she told me that I couldn't possibly hear every water trickle in the house every single time. Little does she know, yes I do. I also have eyes in the back of my head and can read minds.

I pulled her little sweet, yet deviant head towards mine and told her I would not hesitate to sniff that breath and if it wasn't minty fresh, there would be swift and severe consequences for anyone lying to her mother. She stomped off loudly saying FINE, she would go brush those teeth. Then she paused for a moment to run her hand slowly over the table that was missing the sewing machine since we ALL know in this family is missing since it is in shop after my latest user owner mistake. She paused ever so gracefully and looked my way to say "So, where did you say the sewing machine is again?" The kid is the black widow.

Holy mother of all things evil...if I was going to make her brush those teeth, well then she would take that opportunity to remind me what a dork I am to break my new machine.

Oh dear God in heaven, please keep her out of federal court. Please let her run into some teacher sometime in the next ten years who can convince her that Sing Sing is a horrible place and she'd be much better off using her powers for good.

Uncle dammit, I cry uncle

Remember the Beast? I hate it. And I love it for it's potential and sheer brute strength. But, mostly I hate it. Seriously, this damn thing better be making some kick ass bags in about another week or I might have to go back to struggling on a machine that isn't built to do what I need it to do or I could simply run the thing through my index finger and call the whole thing off.

I am so #$% frustrated with myself for making some seriously stupid mistakes. Which as of right now is driving me to lug the 65 lbs. of sewing machine head all the way across town again for the second time this week to sheepishly admit I made a complete beginners error and tried to wind the bobbin without unthreading the machine. If I had waited to receive the replacement owner's manual that I ordered over 10 days ago, perhaps I could have read in that owner's manual that you MUST UNTHREAD THE MACHINE BEFORE YOU WIND BOBBIN. Somebody, pass the "Doesn't follow directions well" tee shirt please. Yes, on these commercial machines the needle pops up and down WHILE you are winding the bobbin. This is completely different than home machines. Who knew? Well, perhaps the 16 times trying unsuccessfully to wind the bobbin while watching that needle go up and down might have been a clue for Poirot over here. But no, this gal has to learn everything the hard way. Because if I wasn't constantly learning the hard way...well what fun would there be in my life?

So now I have a newly refurbished machine that has been professionally oiled and fixed and was until yesterday when I picked it up, in fine working order. It took me all of 10 minutes to jam the bobbin case after I got home. Nice.

The question of day is can I get dressed and out of my pajamas to drive across town to take the humiliation at the repair shop? Or should I save that bit of deliciousness until tomorrow?

Oh, and I have a show this weekend, bags are not getting made with all of this foolishness centered around the Beast.

I'm going to have a cup of chamomile.

Marching Towards Spring

March 1st. I want spring. Bad. I'm tired of being cooped up. I just want to take the pooch and walk a few miles without being bundled up and slipping on the ice covered streets. The kids, well they could use a romp around the backyard as well.

Look what they received in the mail last week! Canadian Maple Leaf Mittens! From Canada, whoot! Aren't they the best? My aunt, who is a real living and breathing Canadian sent them. I'm jealous. I'm guarding them so the girls do not lose them. I'm just that way about red maple leaf mittens.

I've been toiling away in the sewing room. We even have a new addition to the family.


















It's a beast I tell you. A beast. I rescued it from a auto repair warehouse on the south side of town via Craig's list. Do you use Craig's list? It's my new best friend. It was under about 2" of dust and automotive grease. I can't exactly figure out how to properly set the stitch length wheel. But, I'm sure that is a minor technicality. Once once I get my hands on a copy of the user's manual, yeah they lost that, I'm sure happy days will be here again and I will be cutting through 12 layers of decorator fabrics with fringe in no time at all.

See that needle? Yea, there's even a yellow warning sticker on the thing with a simple picture of a hand with a finger flying off the hand. Scary! I've been circling the thing in my sewing room like a 14 year old boy eyeing up a college co-ed in a swimsuit. I'm here wanting to strike up a conversation and all, but seriously afraid it might bite. I'm proceeding with caution, driving this thing is sort of like hooking up a sulky to a huge bucking colt. I'm all over the place. But when I can get it to calm down a bit and slow everything to a minor crashing halt the stitches are absolutely gorgeous and it cuts through my handles and fringes like a hot knife through buttah.

Did you see Ava in that picture at the top? She was sick with a icky virusy thing and we didn't even know it yesterday. She's in a ball on my bed soaking up sponge bob reruns spreading germs to my pillow as we speak. Poor thing. The Muffin Man asked how she could possibly get sick now that winter is almost over and none of us are sick here on the cul-de-sac. Hmmm...honey, do you think she might have contracted the galloping green stickies from that petrie dish of an elementary school she attends 8 hours each and every day? Gosh, all that hanging out with notorious nose pickers and chronic sneezers...who would have thought? I love men, being the stronger sex and all. Gees.

Green Fabric Lost and Found

The fabric used to make these bags, until two days ago had been lost in my mess of a sewing room, for perhaps a year. This is a shameful admission isn't it? I bet I bought this fabric over 2 years ago after swooning over it in a now defunct local fabric house. I've had this niggling feeling since last summer that there was more of those wonderful green polka dots and Japanese style flowers hiding somewhere in the fabric chaos that makes up my sewing room/staging area/design center of a converted bedroom. It eluded me though, hiding cleverly amongst the stacks of reds and pinks.

Ha, clever no more that green stack of yumminess, I was overcome with happiness to find my neatly packed spring green pile of fabric cleverly hidden in between a mess of red toile and quilting cottons a few days ago. I immediately dropped everything and vowed to use it all up, pronto. Never to be lost again. See that little green polka dot key fob in the bottom of the picture? It was the very last scrap of 1 3/4" x 12" at the end of the bolt, and it made it onto the black webbing before it could scurry into a haystack of blue batiks.

It all looks so spring-like don't you think? I'm a bit "over" the extensive winter weather here if you can't tell. They are almost ready to be toted off to the new spring shows where I will be exhibiting starting next month. (see the side bar for specifics should you live in the Indianapolis area)

Perhaps I will go on a mission for that black and tan linen flocking I know I bought in '08. Admittedly it might be time to take a few minutes for some spring cleaning. Sad but true.

The Grub Part Two

Well, how does the old saying go? The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat? By the long faces leaving my living room last night, you'd know they experienced the agony of defeat.

I however, not so secretly, was perfectly content with my house full of kids and friends. Of course I had this to graze by each and every 10 minutes in my kitchen like a holstein cow. Perhaps this is why my favorite pair of cargo pants, otherwise known as "fat pants" were less than ahem...comfortable this morning. Grrr....

Look at someone's sticky fingers heading on in to the Muffin Man's practically world famous chicken wings.

The Snack Stadium...it was by all accounts an over achievement on the part of my friend L. She arrived promptly 1 hour early before the party barking out orders to start peeling twinkies and hohos to both her husband and myself.

Here we were, about 1/2 hour into the twinkie peeling and toothpick stacking. Yes, that is a "dummy" pan holding the perfectly planned space while the 7 layers of taco dip were being chilled at 37 degrees in the fridge. She missed not one minute detail. Perhaps my city could hire her for some urban development projects tax payers might have to foot the bill for here in late 2010.

See the marshmellows in the on the left side of the stadium? My idea, thank you very much. I thought they quite resembled some of my mid-western compadres who regularly purchase season football tickets.

And the final result? I present to you the Snack Stadium 2010, which unfortunately shall be forever memorialized as the snack stadium of doom. See the players? They are a tribute to our Winconsin friends out there.


The goal posts were of course carefully constructed Slim Jims. My daughter Ava quickly made sure no one would bogard the goal post before her greasy fingers could be laid upon the holy grail.

What to do with all the leftover twinkie's you ask? Each party goer was promptly sent home with a ziploc baggie that was freezer ready. No arguments. Just take your twinkie baggie and leave. There was one minor skuffle that involved what might be construed as a cat fight over the ho-hos. But all was resolved peacefully, thank goodness.

This stack stadium fun was brought to the cul-de-sac in part by a plethora of Blue Hawaiian drinks. Here is the snack stadium civil engineer herself dressed up in full regalia. Oh, there's me on the right in the one and only sports themed tee-shirt I own. Which I only have since L gave it to me last year. We do look sort of happy with our blue drinks though, don't you think?

Ho hum...another year another football season done for. Big East basketball anyone?

Go Panthers!

It's About The Grub

I don't know if you've heard or not but our fair city is playing in the Super Bowl tomorrow night.
Oh, and how I wish that I was sitting out on the warm veranda in New Orleans as the coastal breezes brushed by. No, I'm in Indy snowed in under a fresh new and very wet 6" of snow. It is barely 20 degrees here and the children are now climbing ladders inside the house for amusement. Don't ask. I'm not bitter or anything.

The only thing to entertain me this weekend is well, football. In my book this is hard up, even if it is the super bowl. For those who know me in person know first hand that I usually take up my knitting while everyone else cheers on their team in my living room. And, believe me I've been duly chastised for the move. I laughed out loud once when the muffin man, in all sincerity suggested that I attend one of those wives and girl friends clinics the Colts have been known to host for lack luster gals who know nothing of the game. I in turn suggested he take a quilting class. He didn't talk to me for two days.

Oh, I'm happy to entertain friends and neighbors with crock pots full of pork bar-b-que, home made chicken wings and kick ass pots full of chili but as far as knowing a 2 point conversion from the likes of a 5 yard penalty, well I'm just not your gal. That is until this week when my gal pal L emailed me this. SNACK STADIUM

I'm all in now, sports fans. Call it a holy conversion. She has called me daily for the update on the shopping list to create such a HOLY SEVEN LAYER DIP SENT FROM THE GODS.

Apparently she's arriving with child and husband in tow an hour early at my house before the party so the assembly line can commence. Here is her rendition of pre-party wet your whistle action. Ok, other than the fact that her cat is now interested too I am decently aroused by the mixture of not only twinkies, cheese sticks but also Ho Ho's? Was that not the shopping cart of shame? All I can offer in return is blue curacao mixed with vodka and anything else that can be mixed with lemonade and marachino cherries with a spot of leftover gin from my 40th birthday party 7 months ago to boot.

Before I overdose on the crack on that table the night before the big night of food fest, I mean the super bowl. I must remember that I have also arranged homemade black bean soup, get it "Souper Bowl"?, asian meatballs, football shaped sour dough bread, lettuce wraps and blue icing'd brownies to be delivered to my house by 5:30pm tomorrow night. Schwing, those men in tight white pants could be braiding each other's hair for all I care. I'm getting Asian meatballs!
And a SNACK STADIUM.

See, this weekend it's all about the grub.

My New Favorite

I saw this magazine on a news stand rack last week and simply could not resist.
This pleated weekend sized bag was just too adorable to pass up despite my best attempts to simply step away from the rack.

It is made with a whole assortment of rectangles. Lots of rectangles and no pattern...just my favorite thing to do.

Here is my second attempt. The first one is a darling brown zebra stripe mixed with dark reds. I'm too lazy right now to snap a photo. But it will be going to my next show as well.

I've had this french blue toile for over a year, never seeming to be able to find the right companion to mix. It is the best feeling to finally find the proper home for some fabric that has been hogging precious shelf space for too long. I'm most happy with my fabrics when they are purchased and then immediately find a creative home making up something delicious then subsequently sold to a happy client. However, when you purchase completely on whim and intuition like I usually do, also known as not planning all that well...um, sometimes there are a few pieces that simply take longer to find their final destination. Thus the hogging up valuable shelf space issue. So here she is, blue french toile paired with blue and red wool houndstooth and an unexpected black and brown velvet flocking for the handles and decorative yo-yo. Topped off with a vintage button and I think she is ready to go somewhere overnight.

Martin Luther King and a Birthday Meltdown

Ava shared her birthday this year with Martin Luther King Day. Which was a stroke of luck in that she could celebrate her day in style with LBF (little best friend) while at the movies rather than taking a timed multiplication test within the confines of Near The Cul-De-Sac Elementary.

The next day at school the children were given a piece of paper in which they were instructed to write their big dream, similar to Martin's famed "I have a dream...."

Ava promptly wrote that her dream was that the Chinese government would change their one child policy so that children like her could stay in China with their real parents.

Ouch, real parents. Me of all people know that the word "real" in the adoption community is, well, emotionally packed with less than positive innuendo. But, as the mother of an 8 year old I also know that political correctness is not necessarily first and foremost. I know what she meant. I know I am a real mom. I've cleaned barf up at 3am, I've endured countless Hannah Montana songs. Ava's birth mother, whoever she is, is also a real mother as my friend had to delicately remind me at lunch last week. Ava's right, in a perfect world she would have been born to parents who were willing and able to lovingly care for a baby girl newborn. She would have been raised in her hometown, schooled with kids in China, been given the chance to make a life for herself amongst her people. But she wasn't, and she's beginning to process the consequences of her being left by someone at a government office. I can't say that I blame her for being a bit pissed.

She says she just wants to know what her birth family looks like. She wants to know if the one child policy enforced by the government of her home country had anything to do with why she was left. I can't give her any of this. I can give her any doll she wants, any computer game, a warm bed, good schools, my love, and all the hot chocolate she absolutely seems to crave. But, I can't grant her that one wish. This my friends, really stings.

And now we have one of those moments I always knew would come when we decided to adopt. It is one of those" yea, we are adopting" and someone says "oh, how wonderful for you, and have you thought about what will happen when the child questions where she came from and experiences loss and grief"? And since I'd read the memo I astutely responded that we had so much to give a child and we will cross that bridge when we come to it. We will just love her enough to get through any issue that ever comes up. And, love conquers all right? I'm not so sure anymore. It isn't one of those snappy response issues. I'm not sure there is a right answer. It hangs over us with some days seeming to be more clear and sunny than others but we always have that one cloud.

It's now been several days since we had our conversation. She's grieved a bit. I've grieved a bit and now we are rebounding. She is at this moment in her room with her sister belting out Taylor Swift tunes at the top of her lungs laughing hysterically.

At one point I think I really did believe back in 2002 that getting that beautiful baby in my arms would in some way be reaching a destination. I now know is probably isn't true. Seven and a half years later we are simply starting a journey.

New In The Studio

Dog Collars. A couple of months ago I was asked to make some dog collars and leashes for Ceramic Dreams, the delightful shop at 54th and Monon Shops, for you local Indianapolis folks. Tanya, the owner of the shop mentioned they might sell well since the shop is located so close to the amazing Monon walking trail here in the city. The Monon Trail can always be found buzzing with walkers, bikers and dog lovers out for a stroll. Now, I have a special spot in my Puggle Mama heart for Chloe, but it never occurred to me what fun it would be to make her fun collars.

Now that I have ordered the hardware to make sure the collars are durable as well as too darn cute for Valentine's Day. I'm hooked. And, Chloe is hooked up! Maybe Chloe will have a new one for each season. She will have to share her February heart themed collar with a Chinese New Year one and in March, she might become wholly Irish.

Because there was just a little bit of fabric left over from the collars, the rest quickly turned into delightful little Valentine's key fobs. Way less calories than that box of chocolate you were thinking about purchasing. Can you tell I've been hitting the gym recently again?

Here is my Puggle model. She takes the job very seriously. There was a milk bone in it for her after all.

And, no I have no idea what that schmegma that is smeared on her little name and phone number tag. Probably something she got into raiding the bathroom waste can. Not cool, Chlo.

Go Colts

In case you were wondering who we will be cheering on to win the Super Bowl.

Chloe said inquiring minds wanted to know.

$.50 worth of blue fleece doggie couture provided by Pink Evita.

It was a big hit with the football fans at the party, what can I say?