2nd Production Run

Putting anything into production leaves you at the mercy of the universe! I find that even when I plan months in advance, things can go wrong...Plan A turns into Plan B and then C, D.....and then finally it's over for this run! Whew...I can stop holding my breath!

With the help of friends, cutting Beadmat pieces and taking unplanned trips to National City where I get the Beadmats sewn, they are finally done and look as beautiful as I expected them to look!

The few changes this time were based on feedback from beaders, Thank You for all your suggestions! I've changed the "Fireline" holder from a snaped strap that threaded with difficulty, to a ribbon that ties. Much better! I've changed the snap to a fashion industry snap which will stand up lots of use! I have some other ideas too, but that will wait until I hear back from those who buy this exclusive run at Bead & Button. So let me know what you think!

Here's some pictures....you might notice the difference in shots...my dear husband is a professional photographer with a great eye and great equipment and minute attention to detail in the set up. My shot is with a point and shoot, with on camera flash and 2 minutes piling them on the floor...but gives a little different perspective.


My shot!



His shot!

Cool Combo!

Still puzzled trying to remember crochet terms. I know, it's not knitting or sewing. I'm sure, given determination and my usual "attack and conquer" attitude I could finally get it. But alas...I'd rather just sew or knit. And then along comes a cute design that makes me want to try it again. Especially when it's combined with one of my loves...in this case, sewing!

The pattern's from Crochet Adorned...a book that is filled with wonderfully colorful photos of inspiring things to make! Yes they're crocheted, but I'm thinking I need to look at understanding this needle art once again. I can actually "chain", OK that's a start. And then "single crochet" - that's step 2. But then the confusion sets in...I seem to double and triple crochet at random .... following a pattern just doesn't happen!

So when I was asked to make this top and teach a class in it, I looked at my friend Susan at The Grove and said ... "you've got to be kidding!" Then I found out she has a great crochet teacher that will teach that part of the class! Yea! The sewing I can DO! and here it is....


Can't you just picture this top made a little longer and worn with leggin's or a little longer yet and worn with sandals? Gotta take out my book and tackle crocheting once again...it's on the leading edge of becoming the "in" style. When you start seeing major European and American designers putting it on the runway, you can bet it's the next big "trend"!

Happy Mother's Day!

My friends and I raise our glasses to all the Great Moms who make our world go round!

Happy Mother's Day!

Cousin Ellie

Didn't think I would do it again...guess I'm just a softie when it comes to friends and monsters! So when my good friend fell in love with Iris and said, "I would LOVE one in pink" - I immediately agreed to create Iris's cousin Ellie.

She's a wild little one, with stars in her eyes, big eyelashes (which by the way she curls every morning) and a cute little belly button! I'm sure when she grows up the talent agents will be breaking down the door!

When Ellie heard all about her new family she began to search my house for things that would create an instant connection...

One morning after curling her eyelashes, I found her going through our CD collection. She'd been playing the piano, but when things got quite I knew I had to find out what she was doing. As a Mom I know that the "quite" isn't always a "good thing"!

And there she was sitting on the piano bench with her picks, asking to have "Diva" turned up!


She was still looking for the "one" special CD, but didn't find it. Thought I was going to have to go out and buy it for her...Did I mention she's a bit of a Diva herself? More on this later....

While pouting, (refused to go a buy a new CD) she decided to burn off a little steam practicing her jumping jacks...her new Daddy, besides being a "music nut" is also personal trainer, so being in "shape" is important to Ellie!



Whew....curly eyelashes, lots of great music, workouts and all in the few minutes after I got up and was trying to get ready for work. At least I thought I was going to get ready....couldn't find my hair brush or clippies...hummmmmm - where's Ellie???

Since Ellie's other Daddy is a fabulous hair stylist, I know that Ellie is a very smart little
monster! She really listened to the stories I shared about her new family.
Love the punky look Ellie!

I finally got ready, rushed off to work and there on the wall of my friend's office was what Ellie had been pouting about all morning. Well, thank goodness I had dropped my camera in my purse, because she grabbed it off the wall and was a happy little monster! Wrapped in her and her new Daddy's favorite superstar Diva!

I'm sure she'll be joining her new Daddy's when they go to the Diana Ross concert later this month....if not they might find all their ice cream gone!

Bye Bye Ellie - be a good little monster!!!

Creativity + Sewing = Smiles and Success

Thought I'd share with you the great work my students at The Grove did in their classes over the last few months. It's always fun to see someone move from "how do I thread this thing?" to "what's the next project you're teaching?" And I have to say, I've met some very talented students who just needed to have a little help in the "land of sewing"!

The first hour or so is often filled with doubt on whether the seam is sewn right or the gathers are puckered in the right places, and I notice lots of "breath holding - even though the Yoga studio is down the street". Once that's worked through, we start to relax and laugh and see something actually take shape before our eyes!

And here are the results!

Lee, in the Stella Strip Skirt she made standing next to her Mom
with the Stash and Dash Bags they made!

Liz with her colorful Needle Case and Jan putting the "pedal to the metal" on her Case!

Lisa and Michelle, almost done with their Dharma Eco Friendly Bags!


And Stephanie DONE!

Katie, Susan, Rita and Lee proudly showing off their awesome Market Bags!

Come and visit The Grove and sign up for a class...May will have drop in and work on your project classes for those that are "stuck" and in June we'll be having a Twinkle Sews Sundress class, a Summer Top class that combines crocheting with sewing (the crocheting part offered in May) and a Joy Bag class!

Whatever you do, wherever you are....explore your creativity!

Roll It and Stash It!

Class is coming up this Saturday at The Grove to make this fun Knitting Needle Case. It's BIG and lets you store a ton of needles! The pattern is from the book Stitch 'N Bitch and is quite easy to follow.

The most fun is picking out the 3 to 4 different fabrics and then it's all "freeway" stitching! That's my term for "put the pedal to the metal" and sew straight! No curves...ALL straight, couldn't be simpler!

Those of you who knit and haven't dusted off your sewing machine for a while, will enjoy "getting back on the bike" and sewing the handy take along roll up!

The Needle Case if folded in half in this shot....

If you're in the San Diego area and are open on Saturday, call The Grove and sign up - a few spaces are still available. They also have copies of the book to purchase. If you're not in the area, pick up the book and get some fun fabrics and sew away!

Iris the Gormet Monster

In January I saw this adorable pattern by Rebecca Danger of Dangercrafts and couldn't resist it. Mind you I've never, I repeat never, knitted an animal before and I don't have any little ones around that would enjoy it. But I just had the feeling that I HAD to get it and knit it.

It was combined in a kit with Lorna's Laces Revelation, and although it was displayed in many color choices, I chose the blue one.
I tell you all of this because 3 months later, my daughter tells me she's expecting and her and hubby are "thinking blue". Was it Mama's intuition? A mother/daughter telepathy? Did all the stars line up and drag me to the table at the TNNA (knitting and needlework conference) and say "buy me"? I'll never know, and won't question why it was so easy to make and so timely.
So here's some pictures of my latest (non-sewing) project...

Iris had a ball at my house, she posed like a good little monster and then went
crazy with the antics!

Standing on her head...

Looking "Cool"!

And trying to look fashionable when sitting in her carrying case for her trip to her new family.


Yes....she's now with her new mommy and daddy, waiting for a new little one to join the family!


By the way, there's a sweet story that Rebecca writes about Iris. Iris evidently adores food...all the tastes and colors of food. She cooks everyday and is a BIG lover of cheeses! According to Rebecca, Iris will do anything for a nice gourmet meal and would walk through fire for some good cheese!

A Monster after my own Heart!