New Blog Love

Stumbled across some new fun blogs. I likey...
http://www.pinklemonadeboutique.typepad.com/
http://dapperduds.blogspot.com/
http://grandrevivaldesign.typepad.com/

I haven't really read them yet, but I love what they make.

Fall Handbag Love

I welcome the season change. I love it when fall approaches. The lighting changes, and the temperatures drop (Hallelujah in Texas). It's funny when a season changes. It not only changes the weather physically, but things start to change emotionally and spiritually. I can feel a new season approaching in my life~moving to a new home: exciting and overwhelming. As I send my girls to school for the day, feeling free while feeling a bit lonely and desperately wanting to use my time wisely. I can feel a new season emotionally~prone to be restless and in constant motion I feel a need to slow the pace and find a quiet place. I feel an increased importance on the life I'm making for my children and husband. To find validation at the end of my day even if the things I do are not necessarily things I can check off a "to-do" list. I'm always looking forward to the next thing, but this season brings with it nostalgia and reminiscing. I can feel a new season spiritually~ a season of surrender. There are other ways to do things than JUST MY WAY (said with fingers in ears and feet stomping). For sure, change is in the air.


And when Fall comes I feel an overwhelming need to GO SHOPPING. All these cute jumpers, sweaters, and flats. I LOVE fall clothes. And of course you must have a new fall handbag. If you want to GO DIY and make your own. You know the one of a kind, no one will have one like it, landslide of compliments kind of bag here are some ideas:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7262947



http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7260266



http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=82029



http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=88980



http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5161588



http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2007/06/piping-stripein.html



http://pinklemonadeboutique.typepad.com/pinklemonadeboutique/bags/index.html



Well that's a start at least. That should give you something to buy or some inspiration to design your own. Let's all make new fall handbags!

The Magic Maker

Wanting to be ready for fame when it comes knocking on my door, I asked my friend Mackenzie if she could take some fresh and funky head shots for me. When Country Living calls and asks to put one of my new, adorable, and charmingly vintage chic aprons in their precious pages I want to be ready. Or when ReadyMade and Adorn commission me to make something fabulous, I just want to be prepared with a professional head shot. No hopping around at the last minute kind of thing.

Hee. Hee. Hee. These pics were actually for some website "redecorating" but they came out so fabulous (if I do say so myself). I hate pictures of myself but Mackenzie is a magic maker! Lately I never want to be in pictures because I want to barf when I look at them. But recently I started thinking that when my girls grow up they are going to want to know what I used to look like, so these will be the ones I show them. These pics are exciting because they are the kind that when I'm dead and gone my grandchildren can look at these pictures and say, "My grandma was a real Betty." {In case you are thinking I'm an egomaniac please look through these archives and take note of how many personal pics I've posted...one maybe??} Anyhow expect some updated personal info and photos.

I've been sewing like a mad-woman. I finished an adorable nap mat. But like a knuckle-head I forgot to take pictures. My hubby had the camera for his trip to Canada, and I didn't get any pics. Super cute fabric! {Actually it was out of the same fabric in the picture of me laughing.}

I've finished decorating a camera strap. Super cute. NO PICS.

I have orders for a few aprons, I'll post pics when they are done, and I have been teaching private sewing lessons. I've got two 5th graders. They are adorable and super hipsters/crafters. They made up a "super secret sewing handshake". It was so adorable, and after some major begging to be let in on it- they agreed. I'd love to show it to you. All seamstresses should unite under this fabulous new handshake, but I'm pretty sure if I showed it to you...I'd have to kill you.

Good Times

Fun little post on Modish!

Tomorrow In the Etsy Shoppe

You will be able to find these cute custom bibs...

And these adorable little toddler aprons...

And these quilted cards...

...

More Book Love

While reading Angry Chicken, I stumbled across this book. ( Girly Style Wardrobe, ISBN978-4-579-11132-9) Doesn't it look lovely? I've been wanting to make my daughters a shirt like this one from Boden, but I can't find the right pattern. Here it is!

And this book looks fun for me! :) (Everyday, ISBN4-579-11043-9) Once again a book wish list. Fabric, books, and shoes...these vices I can't resist!

Modish Ad

Here is my Modish Ad I placed. It will run until the middle of October. I LOVE Modish! If you like shopping indie, you should check it out. I'm hoping to move a lot of my etsy stuff, so I can upload my latest creations...pics to come.

I Dream In Patterns

Lately when I wake up in the morning I have a vision of a fabric pattern. They are in my head first thing, and then they fade and I spend the rest of the day trying to hang onto it. Isn't that weird (and fun)? I wonder if I should try to draw them, or try to recreate them in photoshop?? They really are fun. I would love to design fabric. I haven't the foggiest idea where to begin. There is software I'm sure I need to learn how to use, and who do you talk to, where do you start?? Do you approach a company? Maybe I should ask these ladies. (My favorite indie fabric designers.)
Denyse Schmidt Flea Market & Jump Rope
Heather Bailey
Amy Butler
Anna Maria

Who knows what the future holds??????

Want to be inspired? Look at these beautiful pictures. My friend Mackenzie sent this website to me. Look at the whole website. Everything, every page, every picture, her philosophy. It made me teary-eyed.

Good Night friends :)

Look At These

by Pink Lemonade Boutique

Are these the cutest bags you've ever seen? I think so. Look at her photo stream. Does anyone know anything about Flickr ? I really want to make one of those square mosaic favorites posts like I see everyone doing. I think they must be done on flickr??? I find flickr a little confusing though! Any help?

I've been searching for how other artisans photograph their goods. I really feel my "novelties" lose some of their charm online. I think to see all my stuff collective, and to be able to touch and see the fabric makes a world of difference. Soooo I've been researching and noting what photographs I love. I really like bright photos with natural light, colorful photos, photos with a focused foreground and fuzzy background (neg aperture????). So we shall see what I can come up with.

Today I was planning on blogging on not exactly knowing what to do with myself now that the girls are in school. Since the summer I've lost the momentum I had from last year, and now I'm struggling with how I should be using my time. But it looks like I'm not the only one feeling this way. House on Hill Road says, "I realized that it's time to find a new rhythm. The girls are settled in school and adjusted to their routines, but I am walking around not sure how to handle my new found time. I need to get my act together. So, it's photos posts this week."

More Flickr Finds:

Swallowfield

Tutti Fruitti and her blog

And a few new favorite blogs:

Anna Maria

Retro Mummy

Mad Housewife

Man, today was a doosey!

My sister-in-law recently gave me a bottle of this wine. Isn't that the cutest label? And read what the label says, " Somewhere near the cool shadows of the laundry room. Past the litter box and between the plastic yard toys. This is your time. Time to enjoy a moment to yourself. A moment without madness. The dishes can wait. Dinner be damned. Mad Housewife Merlot."

If that doesn't describe my need after a day like today I don't know what does. Three year olds are horrible and five year olds have their moments too. When did my children become tyrannical dictators?? I must regain parental control. I'm off to re-read some of my parenting books. :)

But first a "moment without madness". I like this wine because they cut out all the 'you-know-what'! I'm not having fish or chicken tonight, I'm having wine! And let's face it, I don't pick a wine for it's fruity undertones, I pick it because it has a cute label. And if I don't have to hold my nose to drink it I'll buy another bottle. Mmmm, this one is tasty.

And look at this... they were in my home town and all over Texas, and I missed them. Ah, shucks. I'm really not that big of a drinker, I just think this company is so adorable, creative, and cutting edge.

Added: Look a little love from the bottle! ;)

Celebrate Other's Success

Most of you know Claudine Hellmuth is my favorite artist, and I just found out she is going to be on the Martha Stewart Show. How exciting!!! She will be on Sept 12th. Set your Tivo. ;) Now she will be the rest of the world's favorite artist too!

My cousin Kia Faulkenberry is the textile designer for this adorable line of clothes. Tea

She is an amazing artist. I can't wait to order some fall clothes for my girls. How cool is it to order clothes your cousin designs??? I wish I had gone to school for textiles, and I wish I could draw like Kia. :)

Lisa at Feto Soap will be at Stitch again this year. I saw many wonderful things at Stitch last year, but I only made a few purchases, and her soaps were one of them. She makes really wonderful products. She also spearheads the Houston chapter of the Craft Mafia. I think I would like to join. That is if we can ever coordinate our schedules to set up a meeting. :) If you would like to see all the other talented artists who will be in Stitch this year check them out here.

Big Fat Loser

Hi Sarah->>Thank you so much for your application to Stitch!>>Unfortunately we're going to have to pass on your booth this year. We>> were>>flooded with applicants - almost three times as many spots as we had>>available. It made our decision very difficult and we had to let go of>>some amazing talent.>>We sincerely hope you'll apply again next year. We're always looking for>>new crafts and new faces to keep the show fun and dynamic.>>>>Again, thank you for applying!>>>>Karly, Jesse, Jennifer and Tina

Ouch!

Well, unfortunately, Stitch is not in the cards for me this year. I'm pretty bummed. I was really looking forward to it. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel the harsh sting of rejection, but I think it might be a blessing in disguise. If I had been in Stitch this year I would have been moving the family to our new house, putting my current house on the market and keeping it clean, while trying to create my best work for Stitch and Fest of Angels all in the month of October. Not to mention that October is hunting season, so I would be doing this with very little help from my better half. In the meantime, I will polish up my internet presence to better represent my work and I'll give Stitch another try next year.





On the bright side: I have much less to do, and have more time to decorate my new house (eek)and I will get to be a shopper again (at Stitch)!





I also must admit to being in a creative slump. With the kids home this summer I didn't get to make much. I spent the summer entertaining munchkins and leaving town, however I am uninspired lately. I have no art of my own swirling around in my head. Very few things spark my interest, and what does spark my interest seems unattainable to me (ie: beyond my skill level or requires learning a new skill). Even my usual arsenal of craft, art, and sewing magazines and zines don't elate me. I feel bored with them. I feel discouraged and limited. Should I take some classes? Like some more advanced photoshop classes or a Dreamweaver class?? Yes that sounds wonderful, but oh no...the classes never make at the local jr college. I would like to learn to screen print...but where? Maybe I will just take some time and sew clothes and accessories for myself, my girls, and my friends and family. That is how this business started. Maybe it will rekindle some creative expression. Maybe some new collages? Work with paper for a change? I don't know? Mostly I just want to travel around Texas listening to music and camping out at music festivals, but I just might be too old for that? I think I just need to expand a bit. I think I will buy different magazines, find new music, and rent lots of foreign films.

What an Eeyore post. I guess I'm a bit gloomy, but I'll bounce back. The other day my uncle sent me an e-mail that said, "I love your blog spot. Reading it set me free to be more creative." And he's one of the most beautiful artist I know. So if having this blog causes him to be more creative and make more art, the world is a better place! I will focus on that.

Austin City Limits Festival

Have you seen the line up for ACL Fest? It's marvelous??? I could spend hours looking at that line up, and listening to the song clips. If I were going I would want to see (in no particular order) Bjork, Kelly Willis, Damien Rice, Lucinda Williams, The Decemberists, Amos Lee, Paolo Nutini, Regina Spektor, Joss Stone, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Ryan Shaw, Ziggy and Stephen Marley, Spoon, Will Hoge, Augustana, Peter Bjorn & John, Midlake, JJ Grey & MOFRO, Carey Ann Hearst, & Devotchka, Rodrigo y Gabriela, & Aterciopelados.


If that music selection isn't "all over the road" enough for you go clicking you WILL find someone new to check out. My sister is going with her hubby. They should have lots of fun!


While we are on the topic of music... it was very exciting to open up this months TX Music Magazine and see my buddy Shane and his band The Gougers grace the shiny pages. Despite his substance abuse problems they seem to be doing quite well. :0P



















(endearing isn't he?)

"What comes from dust will go to ashes, what goes to seed will come to bloom." -Shane Walker