Emily's Dress

My daughter Olivia has been invited to her first birthday party.  A birthday party where you go and there are games, and cake, and ice cream and other children...but mom drops you off for two hours.  Oh, I hope she will do it.  Depending on the day she wavers on whether she will go to the party without me.  I want her to go, I want her to enjoy friends and cake.  And, then I think...she's not quite 5 yet...what's the harm if I stay just one more time?  Olivia is my home girl.  She loves her room her dog, and her sister.  She has a little piece of velcro that seems to stick to the cul-de-sac.  She shows no sign of wanderlust. 

I asked her yesterday if she would like a special dress to give to Emily, the birthday girl.  She seemed very excited.  So, I spent a couple of hours making this dress for the darling and ever so feminine Emily.  Only, Liv doesn't seem too impressed.  Now she wants to present Emily with a baseball bat.  (Which I don't think Emily would really appreciate...the ever so feminine Emily.)  I made the dress, and Liv will have to arrive with it in hand, full of birthday wishes. 

Oh, I hope she decides she can muster all that is brave to attend the party because you know...preschool starts in a few weeks.  And they don't let mom stay at preschool, even if she does arrive with party dresses.  

And Then There Were 2

Middle of August to the beginning of September is an odd time for us.  Ava has gone back to school and by the the copious amounts of homework she's bringing home I'd say they are officially in full swing over there across the street in 3rd grade. 

Liv's preschool doesn't start until labor day. Odd, when you have 2 kids and the puggle home running crazy, fighting, making up and generally causing havoc at all odd hours of the day and night for a few months and then POW...you are down one.  We miss her.  The house is 80 percent more quiet even though we are only missing one during school hours.  Go figure.  

Liv is of course my home girl so she is slowly settling into day time with out sister, learning to re-connect with all those toys in her room that have been ignored all summer.  Chloe, my pug faced pooch is off.  I can't move anywhere in the house where she doesn't immediately hop up and follow me.  It's as if she senses we are in routine transition and she wants to be a part of whatever it is we settle into, eventually, maybe.  Bizarre to have a 24lb dog sit in the chair with you everywhere you go. 

So, a routine is out there for us.  I know it is.  It has to be.  I'm committing to about seven art/craft shows coming up this fall.  Routine, yes please let there be one soon.

The Dorky White Kid Conversation Update

Just for the record, I don't call the little boy who spewed racial remarks to my 8 year old The Dorky White Kid when in company with my girls. He is only that in my mind, and ok, the blog too. 

The other night we sat down to dinner and I asked the girls if they remembered the incident at the pool.   Foolish question, you big dorky white mom.  Of course they remembered and they immediately had opinions on the subject. Shock of all shocks that Ava had an opinion.   I explained that I was feeling like perhaps I didn't handle the situation very well since I didn't ask Ava if she wanted me to pursue an apology or communicate that what the little boy said was hurtful.  I told them that I was worried that by glossing over the situation by saying I was sorry that happened but, GO PLAY in the pool and move on I was negating the fact that they had just experienced a significant racial slur.  I told them that I wondered how it might feel if you have to go through life sometimes experiencing racism and you are simply taught to constantly turn the other cheek and act like it didn't negatively affect you.  Would that eventually make you feel sad inside?  Would it make you feel like you weren't in control? Would it make you feel eventually like you had no voice?

Ava thought about it for a minute and simply stated,  "Mom, I would have liked an apology."   Pretty clear right?  I told her that if anything like that ever happens again I will turn to them and ask what they would like me to do. Which might involve asking the other child for an apology and it might include informing their parent that we experienced hurtful racial language at the hand of their child. Ava said she was happy with this decision to handle things differently in the future.

Then Olivia piped up.  In an attempt to tell a story, which doesn't always come easy for her she explained that at a party this summer several kids were playing in a room and a boy asked Ava and Olivia where they got such ugly black straight hair.  Visions of a party we attended this summer where the adults were outside enjoying fireworks and sparkly drinks and the kids were running free in and out of the house came rushing back.  I immediately knew exactly which party she was talking about and which little boy she was remembering.  (Incidently, this little boy was a bit of a handful (that is being tactful) and was causing havoc the entire evening...not necessarily singling out my girls to torture.  If memory serves, he made several kids cry that night.) Still...for 4 year old Olivia to remember that this was said to her 6 weeks ago!  Blew my mind.

When all is said and done the girls said that they were happy we talked about this.  I asked if they would please come to me when they hear these things out in the world.  I want them to share these experiences and not keep them bottled up inside, only wondering what might be wrong with themselves at age 15, or 45, etc...

I've learned a few things from this whole incident.

1.  Racism happens in "good" neighborhoods.  Even where people are highly educated.  Perhaps even more in some instances due to the fact that lots of kids in upper class neighborhoods aren't seeing enough people of color in their daily lives. 
2.  Racism happens amongst children, they are learning it everywhere.
3.  My Chinese born kids are enduring and navigating racism when I am not with them.  They are only 8 and 4 years old.
4.  No matter how close your family is and how much you think you know your kids, and perhaps think they tell you everything.  They don't.   

Oh yeah, we'll be having this conversation about race and hatred a lot in the months and years to come.

* A special thank you to those who commented publicly and privately sharing your very real, and sometimes raw stories of racism and how that shaped you as an adult.   It's made me think.

Give Me The Floaty - You Dorky White Kid

The other day while visiting a friend's pool club Ava and her friend picked up a floating raft that no one was using and started playing with it.  To my knowledge they were playing happily for a while with this raft.

I was not paying too much attention, since they both swim well and instead was concentrating on Olivia's new boo-boo on her chin that had happened about 15 minutes prior.  Yes, Olivia's chin seems to get bumped and bruised each and every week, but that is another story.    

The next thing I know I see Ava's friend hopping out of the pool yelling at me.  "Those 2 boys (she pointed them out) were mean to Ava," while retrieving their raft. Apparently, the mystery was solved, now we knew who the raft actually belonged to.  They called her a Chinese (insert racial slur) while pulling it back from the girls.  Ava pulled herself out of the pool and started crying, "Those 2 mean boys took our raft and called me a Chinese (insert racial slur)."   I was stunned, although probably not justifiably so.  Maybe it is because Ava is now 8 1/2 and more independent, attends school by herself, and goes to play dates by herself but I just don't hear too many racially slanderous comments tossed our way.   I calmed Ava down explaining that what they said was very mean and completely wrong.    Ava's normally tenderhearted and docile friend was hoppin' mad and wanted to kick their little butts.  Her mother 86'd that idea quickly...espousing retaliation probably wouldn't end well.  I told the girls they were to avoid those boys.

Which they did.

And now it is several days later and I think I might have made a mistake.   Yes, I validated her feelings and did not make too big of a public spectacle since it was not OUR pool, we didn't know the boys or the parents.  Although, it certainly would not have been too hard for me to physically track down those boys and confront them about their use of racially offensive language.  I suppose I could have even asked where their parent(s) was sitting and perhaps notified them.

Here Is My Question To You 
and chance to play armchair quarterback.....

When you don't confront children who use racial profanity are you in essence condoning it?

If you do what I did and console your child but choose not to risk a public drama are you showing your child how to "turn the other cheek" modeling composure? (Which admittedly at the time, I thought I was doing.) 

Are you teaching your own children of a different race not to make waves, shake it off, words don't hurt...when perhaps we all know that they can and do hurt. 

Would it have been out of line as a guest at a pool club to track down the offending children and ask for an apology as a teachable moment on the ills of racial slurs? 

If you are parenting a child of a different race, what do you do in these situations? 

Thinking Back 

Perhaps I should have asked Ava if she would have liked me to track the boys down for a talk. Maybe that would have given her more power.  At the very least I suppose I owe her an explanation that this is bothering me and ask now that she has calmed down, if I handled it the way she would have preferred.

Ugh, parenting with the full metal jacket...it isn't for weaklings.  But then again, being raised by racial majority folks in their own sandbox, without lots of good experience, well that isn't for weaklings either now is it?

First Day of School

 

Ava started school this week.  No, you don't have to check your calendars for fear you lost the entire month of August.  School starts earlier and earlier here as the years pass.  Next year we expect to have a math test the night before 4th of July.  Here is our obligatory first day of school photo.  It is so hot and humid here that the camera wouldn't even cooperate, the graininess to the photo is the 135% humidity.  My sunglasses were fogged and the camera lens had a hot film permanently affixed as I tried to just get one photo in focus.  This all took place at 7:30am. 

Don't you love the American flag in the background?  Makes it look like a school photo doesn't it.  Remind me to thank the neighbors for that one. 

Down to one Number 2 child you'd think that I would be a hot mess of sewing madness right?  Wrong.  A hot mess, but not of sewing madness.  Unless you count the no less than six hours I have invested in this bag.  It has been completely made and wholly taken apart over and over again.  I'm not exactly sure why I couldn't get this one to come out perfectly.  Ugh, maybe distraction of a 4 year old tossing buttons around the room while I read instructions.  Maybe it is the puggle who is pooping on my floor since she doesn't like how hot it is outside.  In my next life I promise not to spoil my charges so that they retaliate against me when inconvenienced in any way. 

Does it look like a ladybug lives inside?  Would that be bad if it does?  Honestly, that never occurred to me when I suggested my client consider red polka dots with this black and while chenille fabric.  But, when my kids (and do not think it is lost on me that the name of the blog used to be twoladybugs) both screamed "Oh, it's a lady bug bag! Did you make it for us?"  Ummm, no.  It is supposed to be a sophisticated laptop bag for a working mother.  I'll report back on the final verdict. 

Those Faces

This summer I found the most wonderful photographers here in town, CW Photography.  They agreed to work with me in a trade for photographing the girls in exchange for some dress props and backdrops for their photo shoots.  I'll be their indentured servant for years to come, making little dresses and hair pieces until it adds up to the priceless professional photos.  I'm overwhelmed with how they turned out.  We had a blast working with them one summer day that was about 600 degrees outside and with the threat of severe thunderstorms looming, I didn't know whether we'd get any good shots at all. 

Olivia Xi GeGe Summer 2010

Ava and Olivia

Ava Jing Summer 2010

I was wrong.  The photos are amazing.  It started to poor down rain about 40 minutes into shooting.  You would never know would you?  My little Livi simply couldn't muster a natural smile.  She tried and looked so upset when I kept asking her to just "smile like you always do".  She would grit her teeth and try for my sake.  Chelsea and Wendy got a few great ones anyway practically attempting back flips just to get one little natural smile.  Ava, Miss Ava, she is my natural Miss Photogenic.  You pull out a camera, and she seems to turn on and exude charm, and now I have it on film.  

I've always been so reluctant to be in photos, I usually just grin and bear the clicking always thinking ahead to what I will "look like in that photo".  And, why do I care that much? I fret about hairs out of place, that extra 7 lbs. I was planning on losing which never seems to happen as real life whizzes in front of me. Is the make-up too much?  Is there ever really enough make-up to cover, hide and enhance?   See that necklace, it's borrowed from my next door neighbor.  The night before the shoot I hadn't put one minute of thought into an outfit for myself, spending too much time concentrating on the perfect outfits for the girls.  She saved me by offering those lovely pearls making me feel "somewhat put together".   When all is said and done.  Here we are in the Summer of 2010.  Me and my gals.  Me and my two peanuts that have practically driven me to the brink of exhaustion this summer.  Me and my little ladies that have made me laugh, made me yell, made me appreciate the amazing gift that is being their mom.

Yes, I'm glad we glad we got Chelsea and Wendy to take our pictures.

I'm Scattered

I'm a bit of a scattered mess.  It's almost as if the kid's are metaphorically standing in front of my work room with their little arms outstretched saying "Don't go in there.  Don't create anything.  Don't get any work done.  Make us macaroni and cheese and take us to the pool. Buy us ice cream."  I'm on the other side of the door saying "Wait, wait little girls...I have lots of ideas.  I'm ready to expand into another shop in town.  I have ideas beyond handbags, crazy colored dresses and baby items are up next on the cutting table." When I am working for a few hours I'm worried I'm not spending enough time with them, summer is short after all.  And when I am not working...which is a lot..I feel as though I should be getting more done for some fall shows coming up. 

So this is my summer.  Wanting to enjoy it with my littles and wanting to have some more time to do what I love, create.  Mostly, I've been hanging in the hood with my littles.  Fine, they win.  They should after all, they are 8 and 4 and deserve my time and attention.    

Here they are getting Santa's time and attention.  This was taken last week on a visit to Santa Claus, Indiana.  Yes, there really is a town called Santa Claus in Indiana.  It is in the middle of a corn field, but you knew that was coming right?  Olivia asked Santa for a sword and a gun.  I'm hoping we don't have deep seeded issues.

This black and white hobo bag goes out in the mail this afternoon. Ha, one bag.  Done.  Ok, two bags if you count the little zipper pouch that goes with the big hobo bag.  Two bags done. 

New Wristlets

Here are a few new little gathered and banded wristlets in all colors for summer!  I'm working on a run of about 12 of them to take to a private home show early in August. They seem to say summertime to me.  You know, going to backyard bar-b-que or sitting outside at a restaurant and you don't want a big bag sitting on the ground that will get someone else's "drink sweat" all over it.  Ahh ha, take a fun colorful little wristlet instead.     
Guess what didn't happen today?  The girls photography session that has already been rescheduled once.  It is raining buckets right now.  Not conducive to adorable photos of little girls running and playing through summer flowers.  If this crazy weather keeps up our summer floral photo in amazing sleeveless apron dresses is going to turn into fall pumpkin patch photos.  Oh well, I am seeing some darling Halloween fabrics being advertised recently.  Seriously, we are going to try for next week. 

In the meantime, I can make more gathered wristlets and some new totes for fall that will be listed on Etsy soon. 

Why Work Related Activity Is Not Happening

Oh, but they are having fun at the pools across the Northside of Indy. Ava, on the left is whopping it up with her two friends E and E.

I'm stealing a few hours this afternoon to work on a few new wristlets. Will share soon.

Fancy Pants

I miss fancy pants. I miss chubby little legs with 3 rolls above the knees. My Ava had so many rolls as a baby no one could resist lightly pinching her delightful baby chub. Seriously I had to shoo away old women at the malls. When I laid her down on the changing table I would kiss all those porcine toes over and over until she laughed kicking and screaming for more.

No one in our house wears fancy pants anymore. Sniff. Well, I don't suppose you can count the rolls above my knees since truly no one wants to see 40 year old rolls, let's be honest.

Maybe why that is why these fancy pants complete with their rows of ruffles have me waning nostalgia. These pants are for a photographer client who will use them while she shoots little girls doing what little girls do best.

Oh, but will her little clients be 1/2 as darling as my little ones? I think not.

Ava at 10 months old. Lots of baby chub.
Olivia at 15 months, no chub. She was projecting the baby Twiggy thing. But nonethless, over the top adorable.

The Neighborhood Pool

We've recently been invited to a number of friends' neighborhood pools. One friend even has the neighborhood pool located in their backyard separated by a fence. Is that the best of all worlds, a pool maintained by the neighborhood association located about 10 steps from your back door? Another friend has a neighborhood pool complete with playground, large deck that overlooks a pond and grills. Swanky I tell you.
Our neighborhood, well we have a lawn service that cuts the grass along the common area. You can read into that, no pool, no clubhouse, no Friday night association game nights. And yet I am not complaining since we have beautiful mature trees in our neighborhood that give the area a much older greener feel than some of the other neighborhoods in our town. Our neighborhood has that small homey unaffected feel.

So, without further ado I share with you Millbrook's very own neighborhood pool. Dues are excessively cheap, just make friends with the proprietresses with an offer of sharing a water resistant toy. Bring your own juice box if you come through the gate. And don't get wigged out when the dog starts to drink from the pool.
The girls have become so fond of the Millbrook Association Pool this summer that they use it almost every day. See that ring at the top? I can now blow it up in 16 large breaths while Ava runs for the hose to start the process of filling full cold pool. Those lamb's ear, hosta and hydrangea located immediately behind the pool are rockin' it since they get a huge dose of water every night at about 7pm when the pool "closes".

All this pool fun does make me miss this amazing pool of water where we enjoyed a week of sand and sun and rolling gulf waves last month. Don't the Muffin Man and Liv look happy at the beach? Hope you are enjoying your "pool" of water this summer.

Summer Time

Well, who would have guessed that June has simply almost bypassed us? How does that keep happening to me? In the month of June we have been on a family vacation.Here are the girls standing in Bo-Bo the Gorilla's cage at the Bubble Room on the prettiest place on earth, Captiva Island, Fl. Bo-Bo escaped sometime back in the late 1970s. Ava and Olivia drank his Shirley Temple.

We threw the dog a big backyard birthday party. Here is Liv and one of Chloe's guests Lacey the Collie. Chloe turned 3 in style complete with giant cupcakes, games of Red Rover, Red Rover and doggie ice cream. I managed to spend more on the dog's birthday party than I have ever spent on a child's birthday party. This fact won't damage my children emotionally later in life will it? We've been to a few summer free concerts put on by our town. Nothing like a band called Rick K and the All Nighters to keep the kidlets entertained. Rick K and his All Nighters went home promptly at 9pm. So, there you go. Life in the suburban Midwest.
And all this activity, it hasn't really been too conducive to high levels Pink Evita productivity. She sighs...resigned to the fact that the children have overtaken the cul-de-sac home, hearth, kitchen and almost all of momma's time and energy. How many more weeks till school starts?

Even though the kids have been rocking my world the last few weeks and have just about turned me into a taxi driver, I have stolen a few moments in the sewing room. I've arranged a new and super fantastic barter. This new barter is for professional photography for the gals! Next week they will be photographed out at the art museum and I will one day be the owner of a darling portrait of their cherubic little faces, if I can get the perma-stain of fudgesicle off.
The photographers wanted a small trousseu of little girl's dresses, diaper covers with fancy ruffles and flower headbands for their clients to use in costume changes. I found this pattern over at Little Lizzard King. If you like to sew, go over for a visit. This lady has the MOST darling little sewing patterns that are ingenious. So easy and well done. I can't stop with the over the top dresses and now want the little pants with ruffles to match. Times like these when a paypal account may not be the best for overall financial health.Speaking of financial health. I'm also taking custom orders in my spare time. Ha. This bag was super fun to make. Vintage button in the middle of the fabric yo-yo...swoon. I'm loving the chocolate leather. (ok, leather-like since the woman wanted a water resistant bottom to the bag, what life happens right?)
These little cuties will be shipped out tomorrow to their new home as well. Ahhh, a summer bar bag. Where is the Sangria?

So there you have it. The kids are good, the puggle is now 3 years old, the muffin man is still selling widgets like a mad man and has practically made me a single parent during the weekdays, and my creative little biz ticks happily onward. Happy summer.


Oooooh almost forgot.
New and improved updates to www.pinkevita.com coming later this week. My web dude, home on summer vacation and gearing up for 11th grade has done some yummy upgrades for me. Details coming soon.

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.