In between sessions of sitting on the sofa, sipping tea and composing a long overdue newsletter, I went into the studio and did some sewing. Always takes some time to hit my stride and this time has been no exception. I came back from Paris hungry for something orange....an orange dress. So I shopped in the ArtBarn and cut my new dress, Vogue 8813 out in our new Gorgeous Orange crinkled knit.
I have a weakness for crinkled/pleated/crumpled textured fabrics. This one is soft and drapey, but....BUT, I encountered a challenge when I went to press it. The texture changed, flattened out (still crinkled, but not the same).
The aha in working with this fabric is NOT to press as you sew. Once I got that, things improved. Not finished yet, it is still in an ugly duckling stage, will post photos when it is done.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
No Place Like Home!
W
hile I've been galavanting all around Paris and Provence, Shelley, Beth and Roxy have been holding down the home front, keeping the online fabric business going in the ArtBarn, working hard and having a good time together. We are all happy to be getting back to what passes for normal around here.
But there were BIG surprises waiting for me when I returned. Go to my FB page (link below) to see the the garden transformation, orchestrated by Shelley, Beth, Roxy, Carol and executed by Justin and the yard guys. Looking a lot like the Provence of Oregon!
Not only is the garden in full bloom, lawns mowed, irrigation ditch cleared, but Scott Rich, builder extraordinaire had completed the renovation of the 'sugar shack', our name for the little building where we can now receive new fabric and I can use as a photography studio (so the kitchen/dining area can be cleared of bolts of fabric).
Progress!!!
The cherry on top is that Shelley came in on Friday (usually her day off....) and totally re-organized the fabric in the ArtBarn, all arranged according to color, so it was like walking into a rainbow. See what I mean in the photos below.
New plans are percolating! Newsletter in the works, ideas for putting together patterns and fabrics, translating clothing ideas from Paris, sewing tips and more.
We're having a fabric giveaway on our FB page, celebrating Provence & Paris and the upcoming holiday (sewing) weekend. Can't wait to hit the studio and dive into making mode. Win $100 fabric in our giveaway. Go to the FaceBook page, link below, click 'like'. Then, share your sewing and designing plans, tips, photos. If you post a photo of a garment using a Tilton pattern and or fabric and you are the winner, you'll receive $200 in fabric (shipping included in both cases). Share with your sewing friends too!
Winner announced on Monday, May 28....Memorial Day.
Blue Linens
In the Pinks & Corals
Mining Turquoise
Jewel Tones
Gorgeous Oranges
Tender Greens
Sumptuous Silks
Hues of Blues: Knits
Knit Prints....LOTS more!
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Bonheur = Happiness
Coming home happy and satisfied after nearly a month in Paris and Provence. After our fabulous group of 13 left, Katherine and I spent a few days exploring Provence with our friend Martine. I loved it all, and while home beckons, I am already anticipating returning to this place I love, which nurtures and challenges my creative spirit and fuels my primal need for beauty.
Today after returning from Pithiviers, we roamed around the left bank, ending up in a small cafe overlooking the Luxembourg Gardens. Paris is full this weekend....another 4 day holiday, this time the feast of the Ascension was on Thursday, so most of the country is on holiday for 4 days. Provence was hopping. Paris was jammed. Fun to see how the French love to enjoy their days of freedom.
Home tomorrow....so I am posting some photos of Paris clothes that caught my camera's eye, just for fun! Enjoy.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Mother's Day A 'petit cadeau', (small gift) for you for Mother's Day from Paris, featuring our friend, Dominique Fallecker in an homage to the LBD....little black dress. Dominique is wearing her own clothes in this exquisite small video, produced by a talented team for a trend forecast for Winter 2012/13, organized by renowned trend forecaster, Li Edelkoort.
