Hart 2 Heart

Studio view

I thought I'd share a bit of what was happening in my studio this week. I didn't clean up, I just thought I'd keep it real. This is NOT Martha's craft room. It is actually quite organized, but I'm always so busy working, that, well, what can I say. . .

Cheryl snapped some photos, while Paloma and I worked away. Since Paloma is way cuter that me, I insisted that she put HER in the photo collage.

I LOVE my workspace! That's me, in the back at the sewing machine. We are trying desperately to get a loan modification so we can actually afford to keep our house. I know we are in the same shape as so many people out there. There is hope, and it seems things are going in the right direction. 

My main project this week was sewing up some burp cloth sets. Each one includes two coordinating burp cloths, an appliqued onesie, and a baby spoon. Great new baby gift!

I like ribbons.

Lanky is always helpful in the studio.

Getting some spring skirts ready for the shop.

Sorting through a mountain of vintage linens.

There you have it. I won't see much of my sewing machine this week, as I have a big cookie order to tackle. It's for a Jamaican themed bar mitzvah! How cool is that! 

 

 

 

Lanky sez. . .

Could someone PLEASE help me put these pajamas on?

Seriously, it's freezing in here!

Lanky sez. . .

"What do you mean, I can't eat chips in bed?"

Lanky sez . . .

"Is this a good color for me?

Seriously. I need to know."

This and that. . .

The Hometown Fair was fantastic! The weather was perfect, surprisingly, since we set up Friday in blustery wind and rain. All in attendance were so kind and supportive. I really can't express enough, my gratitude for everyone who shopped with me. 

Are you sick of seeing my booth display? I only share because I think this is my best set up yet. It is an art you know, and I have so much stuff to display. Clothes take up a lot of space, and then there are the multiple sizes to deal with. After 10 years, I think I may have it figured out!

This is the new design I wanted to show you. Andy and I collaborated on the "swamp monster." The pants are corduroy. I was so excited about this outfit, thinking it would just fly off the rack. Saturday, there were no takers. But then on Sunday everyone was checking it out and I sold most of them! You never know. I'll be making more and putting them in my web store next week.

My next show is on Friday, at The Power of Pink Women's Wellness Conference in Torrance (CA). It's such a great event. If you're in the area and would like to attend, you can register here.

And now a word from Lanky. . .

"I love my daddy. . . and my couch."

 

Oh sure, he looks innocent enough.

It's a long story. Let me start from the beginning. If you read my last post, you know I was pondering something new and creative and non work related to do. I was inspired by this awesome post over at Craftzine.

I used this photo, taken by the amazing Paige of my boys at an art opening. Trying to keep it simple, I decided to zero in on the smaller boy.

I changed it to black and white in photo shop, then used the "poster" application and made it look like this:

THEN, I enlarged it, made some of the lines darker, printed it out, and slapped it on my window.

I got so excited and forgot to photograph a few steps. Anyway. . . I found a piece of nice muslin in my stash, cut it, ironed it and taped it over the print out. Then I traced the lines I felt most important in replicating my boy, with a water soluble marker.

Then I went for it! I grew up doing a lot of embroidery. My mom taught me when I was little and I would draw pictures and turn them into embroidered pieces. I'll have to dig up those old projects to share. That's another story. Back to this tale.

I spent all Sunday afternoon relaxing on the couch, with my needle and floss, watching the JK Rowlings biopic on Lifetime. So, where did it all go wrong?!

It is still unclear when the crime occurred, but as I was enjoying my morning cup of coffee, I stepped out onto the back deck and noticed shards of wood scattered about. Upon further inspection, I realized it was the remnants of my EMBROIDERY HOOP! Aaaaaaargh. Fearing the worst, I inspected the perimeter, and discovered a wad of muslin, covered in doggy drool (dna evidence is being reviewed). There are holes too. Fortunately most of the damage isn't close to the embroidery. It occurs to me now that maybe Lanky misses Emmet. He's at skateboard camp this week, which might explain why I decided to embroider a portrait of him. 

I'm pretty sure the big man is an accessory to the crime. We may never know. 

 

Field trip!

This is where the other half plays. Trump National Golf Club happens to be just up the road from where we--the "other" half-- live (aka, "the hood").

Donald was nice enough to make a lovely trail for us to get down to the ocean. So off we went, Andy, Lanky and I, on a beautiful summer day.

It's a bit of a hike, especially for the out of shape member of the trio, but it was well worth the effort.

We're told that Weimaraners like the water, but so far, Lanky is not very interested.

He prefers to relax and blend in with the sand.

We happened upon this interesting stone formation on our hike.

What a beautiful day it was.

 

 

 

 

 

Our Little Lanky

This is Lanky, our sweet little puppy. It's a long story, but I wanted to share it. We've always been cat people, as you have noticed here on my blog. We've kind of always wanted a dog, but the responsibility kept us away. Then my husband heard about these sweet Weimaraner puppies, on Facebook no less. An acquaintance of ours was trying to find homes for them. Turns out they got them from some people at the park who were trying to unload them. Andy thought it would be good for us at this stage in our lives to have a dog. It would be "his" dog. With our Emmet being more of an independent teenager, Andy needed something to take care of, that needed him. 

Three nights ago, we went and visited the two remaining puppies. And of course, we fell in love with the little one, so cute and adorable. After "thinking" about it for a day (as if), we welcomed Lanky into our home. 


Lanky (named by Emmet) seemed a little skinny and tired. But what do we know about puppies? He had a little diarrhea, and then he threw up. So we immediately took him to our awesome vet and friend. Turns out the poor little guy has Parvo. So after being the happiest family on the block, we're all devastated and sad. He is in isolation at the vet's, being treated with iv fluids and antibiotics. He may not pull through. Turns out the puppies should have been vaccinated already, and they should have never been taken out in public, especially to a park. So lesson is, if you want to get a dog, don't do it like we did, BUT then again, Lanky needed us. And he loved us the minute we met him. I guess that's why people like dogs.

Life is about trials and tribulations, and we've had our share this year. In the end, it's all worth it. Growth can be painful, and it never stops. Keep Lanky in your thoughts.