As I've already told you, we have a very special guest on the way. But the difference is that this guest plans to stay for quite a while. Even though it feels a little like getting ready for weekend company, things really have been about shifting and making room for new things, and finding homes for those things that piled up way too long until a new home could be found for them.
... but like I said, I started with just a simple sketch. One doodle became two, and two doubled, and somehow I ended up with a basic sketch. It seems that I like to draw on graph paper, although not because I am following the lines or trying to keep things in scale. I just like it.
I would have to say that the sketch was the easiest part of the whole process. It's the color and the small, but super significant details that take the creative process in a whole other direction. So once the basic sketch was done, it was sent to the manufacturer where they digitalized my drawing and filled in the colors that I had used. We picked Pantone colors and they matched the colors to their thread colors. Then we got a rough draft of how the ribbons would look in the colors that we chose.
... and that was just the first step.
I've shared with you before that nicknames for children or one's special "sweetheart" are a lot different here in Germany than they are in the States. I can't really say that I know where I came up with the special nickname for our little guy, or if I even know anyone else who calls their little tyke the same, but since our little man came into our lives, I have been calling him, "Sweetpea".
I suppose that "Sweet pea" could have two meanings... a tender or sweet vegetable pea, or also associated with the word is a fragrant, climbing, flowering plant that one finds often in Mediterranean regions (Duftende Platterbse)... either way the name stuck.
So after much back and forth, I just couldn't get away from the name, and thus we decided to launch my ribbons under the label of "Sweetpea Designs"... and that's how the name was born, or should I say blossomed.
There's a saying in English when someone does something as a "final gesture, effort, or performance" (Wikipedia) before the end of something, it is considered to be "The Last Hurrah" or "Swan Song"... that last beautiful song that a swan sings before it's death. O.K... sounds a little dramatic, but you get the picture, right?
This past weekend, my husband and I had our "Last Hurrah"... our final performance before the end of "life as we know it", so to say. No, no... no separations, emotional upsets, or anything heart-wrenching, but just a "little" life change for us. In fact our change is mostly about adding and not losing. If you've never been good at putting two and two together then let me just come out and say it... we celebrated a weekend away, just the two of us, without our "little guy" as a "Last Hurrah" of sorts before our newest "little guy" gets here. Yup, that's right... number two is coming!
Somehow I've not managed to tell you about it until the time is almost here. I can't really say why I've not talked about it before now... and it's not even because I'm a private person and wanted to keep this to myself, but I guess I've just not found the right time to say it. And now the time is getting close... closer than I realized, it seems a little silly for me to just all of a sudden out of no where (in a couple months... more like weeks now) make a birth announcement about our new addition.
I guess in some way I have already been preparing you for the quietness that is to come by the quietness that you may have noticed over the past several months. Of course I'm not really sure what the outcome will be, as no parents are, but am hoping to deliver a most beautiful performance as we close one chapter and prepare to start the next.
(O.K., so you might have noticed a couple Amy fabrics mixed in there, but I think it still works)
... so I thought I would combine a little booth snapshot with a fabric reveal. I really love these super fresh blues... so perky and cheery. Berries, leaves, butterflies... delish!
Isn't this trendy, vibrant coral color as equally delicious. Oh, listen to me carry on... one would think that you could actually eat this stuff. Well, I guess it all depends on how you look at it.
Happy weekend!
I wanted to feature this collection at the show for several reasons...
Did you happen to notice the cross stitch fabrics in the upper and lower corner of this pillow? No, I didn't spend hours before the show hand stitching this, but used fabric from Anna's "Needleworks" collection (found here and here).
This fabric is so versatile and can be used in so many ways... what's not to love? Yes, one can actually hand stitch it, or use like a normal patchwork fabric, as a border on a skirt, or pillow... I really could go on and on.
Check out the very first photo in the post again... did you also happen to notice the super fantastic bag in the lower right hand corner?... yeah, also made with the Needleworks fabric using AMH's new Art Student Tote pattern. (if I get some time, then I'll try to show you more detail)
Another addition to the LouLouThi line is this absolutely delicious Voile fabric. This is so light, buttery, and soft... if you are anything like me and have to touch everything as you walk through the stores, then this is the fabric for you! This comes in two equally as delicious colorways... sherry and forrest.
Well now, you certainly didn't think that was all, did you? More to come this week!
Juicy and bright citrus fruits, colorful veggies varieties, zig zig stripes, and tangy geo wedges in fresh colors are quite the eye-catcher.
We added a small bistro table and chairs decorated with placemats, matching napkins, fabric baskets filled with herbs, pillows, and a fun carafe wrap using the coordinating collection. I found the inspiration for the carafe wrap and the fabric baskets here.
Of course such fun fabrics lend themselves perfectly for a patchwork apron, matching hand towel with patchwork accent trim, and even a simple oven mitt. You can find the free downloadable pattern with great photos and instructions here.
So, has this left you hungry for more?
...pillows perfect for a favorite wicker chair, straw garden hats with fabric accents, light and airy summers skirts, brightly accented shopping bags, and fabric baskets filled with flowers featured just how versatile this summer collection is.
These really great Gamaschen (boot covers) were the talk of the show. People just couldn't walk by without making a comment about them. I got the pattern from Smila's book "Für Dich Genäht". If you're going to get dirty, why not look good while you're doing it, right?
How could I forget about all my non-sewing customers with these pinwheels made in bright and juicy colors? Remember them from here?
This was a really super fun downloadable pattern that I stumbled onto a while back, and knew I had to make them using this collection. Really easy and with a video too! Pin cushions, jewelry stands, or sweet decorative accents in a boring corner... I'll let you decide.
So, this was just round one... still a few booth shots to show, but I figured that this might whet your appetite.
Ready for more?....
