I'm Blushing

I love flickr. I started using it as a marketing tool but it rapidly became a daily treat to look at. It's a lovely way to catch glimpses into the lives and brains of other designers and artists. I am quite attached to the "Notes" feature where you can leave little messages on pictures - it's as if life is a comic strip and I can pen in little thought balloons.

But I digress. The other day rhembein found me on flickr and wrote this very flattering blog post about it (which is why I'm blushing). There were all sorts of harmonic convergences in our meeting, including the fact that the island where she lives is one I visited on my honeymoon!

Ooooh, she's an amazing designer:

photo originally uploaded by rhembein

You can see more of her gorgeous creations at her site. Hurry, go check them out!

Thanks so much for the the lovely blogpost, rhembein!

A Milestone

I set up my Etsy shop late last August with high hopes and low expectations. I got a convo about a custom order on my first day and after figuring out what a "convo" was, I've been trundling along with fairly regular sales. At the beginning of the summer I made some sales goals to meet before my one-year Etsy anniversary and this morning I met my milestone:

I never thought I'd be able to make 200 items, let alone sell that many! Etsy has been a grand adventure, allowing me to stretch my brain and develop my designing skills. It's provided a great excuse to go to fabric stores and helped me overcome my irrational fear of sewing zippers. I've met amazingly creative and kind people along the way. I think I'll have another cup of coffee to celebrate!

Have you met any milestones lately?

I'm Back with a Stack of Fabric

Whew! We've made it back home from our long summer trek. We drove from Seattle to San Diego and back with lots of stops in between. The kidlings were great sports throughout the trip, sleeping in 7 different beds in 4 different states.

Here are some things I learned on the trip:

1. You aren't allowed to trim your child's hair in line at Disneyland.

2. Today's TV needs more shows like the original Muppet Show with its irony, puppet-y mayhem and non-destructive explosions.

3. Nerds candy + a car seat + twisty highways = a parent's nightmare.

While some people collect commemorative silver spoons or postcards on vacation, I collected fabric. Here's my spoils:


I got to visit Denver Fabrics, Rosie's Calico Cupboard Quilt Shop, Michael Levine and The Stitchin' Post. I loved them all, although Rosie's was the most jaw-dropping, with rooms full of fabrics all coordinated by color. Thanks to my mom and my husband for taking care of the kidlings so I could frolic with amongst the fabric!