Optimism

I'm getting ready to head to the garage to get the snow tires removed from the little car I bebop around town in.  I know there is snow forecasted for later in the week but I'm ignoring that prediction and putting on my optimistic hat today.  Speaking of hats I have a great idea for a recycled winter hat, stay tuned hat lovers.  One of my customers who ordered a bag on the website last week reminded me of a wonderful tradition.  She was excited to get her new bag before Easter and reminded me of that excitement that you would feel about the new Easter outfit.  I had such a strong, warm memory of childhood expectation.  It reminded me of a picture I have of my Mum and I in our Easter outfits that I'm attaching.  The skirt I'm wearing is the first real garment I ever made.  I'm 10 in the picture.  My Mum had a friend spend her Saturdays tutoring me on the basics of laying out a pattern and putting thread to needle.  Thanks so much for everything Chris Poitrios wherever you may be.  I just noticed how my Mum's head looks like its being attacked by her beloved gold toned eagle wall hanging.  Oh well, the 70's.

Home Again. Home Again.

Wow.  It is so nice to be home.  Even with the snow and ice.  I missed my little piece of heaven here in Kennebunkport, Maine.  My dogs and husband missed me.  I love my husband but there is nothing like the greeting you get from your dog after being away.  Times that by 4 and you get the welcome I received Monday afternoon when I pulled into Blueberry Lane.
The dogs have been plastered to me ever since.  Jack and Marko are flanking my lap now as I type. 
The American Craft Council Baltimore Craft Show was amazing, awe inspiring, creatively stimulated and rewarding.  I was so honored to be a part of so many talented artists. 
My sister, Sue Rioux, http://www.sueriouxdesigns.com/, and I shared our hotel room with Caryn D'Onofrio of http://www.donofrioleather.com/.  We had so much fun.  It was like a weeklong girls weekend. 
One of my wonderful neighbors at the show was Andrea Williams, http://www.boundearth.com/.  Andrea is a fellow New Englander.  She actually grew up here in Maine and now lives in the Boston, Mass. area.  You have to check out her work.  I've never seen anything like it.  Simply beautiful.
I bought myself two dresses as a treat for my recent weight loss.  http://www.handjivewearart.com/  I would have been happy with everything they sold.  Really cool stuff.
But I have to say, there's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home.

Good night Toto.

Baltimore

Hi all
Baltimore is big and awesome. Lots of really talented people. I tok pics of my wholesale booth with my phone. I'll up load them when I get home. I'm really happy with my display and have gotten lots of complements. So that a nice!!
We have to use the internet in the hotel lobby. My eyes are so tired that I can't even read the screen. So you'll have to. Forgive my spelling.
Nancy m. I wanted you to know that Doris is with me and an inspiration!
More in a couple days

Happy Monday

What a beautiful day.  It's hard to be mad about all this snow when it is glistening in the sun like it is this morning.  It's been a busy few weeks since my last blog.  I'm getting ready for a show in Baltimore, Maryland that runs Feb. 22-27.  American Craft Council - Baltimore.  The first two days of the show are wholesale and the rest are retail.  My little wholesale line, PammyJ Designs, doesn't get much of my attention.  So I've been busy updating and planning for that!  However, most of my time has been spent creating some new work that I am soooo excited about.  I'm really into the total recycling idea.  By that I mean reusing as much of an item as possible.  The bags I make from recycled clothing are really taking a more prominent roll in my retail line this year.  It's so fun and exciting. 
Also in the past couple of weeks I've reached my diet goal.  As many of you may or may not know, I've been on Weight Watchers since August.  I've lost almost 50 lbs.!!!  It  feels so great!  Since January 1st I've been using a shareware website that counts calories instead of the point system used in Weight Watchers.  That site is FatSecret.com.  Although Weight Watchers is a wonderful program, I didn't want to spend the rest of my life worrying about the Points System.  Learning the actual calories of items and keeping track that way is much more practical for me. 
Anyway, here is a picture of one of the bags made from a really cool vintage blazer and some great vintage fabric.

This is the medium convertible bag.  So it can be worn as a messenger style or as a backpack.

Sunday Sewing

My first blog ever!!  Thanks to Sue Hellier who inspired me to blog 15 minutes every day!  So here it goes....
I always feel a little sorry for myself when I have to work on Sunday.  But a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.  It was a beautiful day outside today.  Cold yes, but the snow was sparkling.  I have the most beautiful studio view.  My sewing machines are situated in the corner of the room where two big windows look out at my beautiful back yard.  My yard is fenced in and serves as my dogs play ground.  So as I work I can watch my 4 dogs romp and play in the trees and foliage.  Of coarse, there isn't much romping and playing going on out there right now.  The snow is over their little heads.  I went out the day after our big snow and shoveled a little area out for them as well as a path to the back door so I could walk out to their area.  So today, I could see them venture out through their dog door and explore the winter wonderland.  I'm working on recycled fabric bags this week.  Its really fun because each one is completely different from the other.  The TV viewing of choice today was (thanks to my DVR) "The Closer" winter episodes and 3 new episodes of "Primevil" an awesome BBC America si-fi show. 
All in all it was a nice day.
Dinner was a yummy shrimp/corn chowder that is VERY calorie friendly.  Check out "Hungry Girl".  I adapted her reciepe a little.
Now, the fire is going strong, the dogs are all cuddled with me on the couch.  Life is good. 
Working Sunday, not too bad.