Ok so I didn't wait a whole month....

Good Morning all! For those of you that are loyal followers you know I'm not real good at remembering to update my blog on what is anywhere near a regular basis.  The thought crosses my mind often but usually get pushed aside by another task, or something shiny or the fact that I'm actually driving when I think about it and have realized that trying to update right then even using the mobile app probably isn't the very best idea, but I'm here now and I have LOTS to share!

First and foremost, for those of you that have been following the wedding dress saga, last weekend was W day.  Brandy got married a week ago Saturday in her beautiful Quilted Elephant dress.  She was joined by her daughter Adrianna and our niece Odessa both wearing Quilted Elephant designed flower girl dresses.  There will be pictures coming soon, but the photography team took close to 500 pictures that afternoon and I am still waiting for my copies to add to the website, the Facebook page and of course this blog. I also created a couple of other looks by request for attendees of the wedding. All and all there were a total of 6 Quilted Elephant designs in attendance.

I have also started my Spring/ Summer collection.  Mostly simple wrap dresses, tiered peasant skirts and a sundress or 2, but it is only February (for at least a few more days) and until the weather makes up it's mind completely I won't be able to wear them much anyway. 

I have also received a couple of orders stemming from things that were posted during the wedding craziness.  If you have requested something PLEASE be patient with me. The last couple weeks have been really hectic and due to that fact I am just a little bit behind on a couple of my projects.  I will do my best to make sure that everyone get what they requested as soon as possible.

My final thought for the day is simple...PLEASE SEND PICTURES!!! If you received a Quilted Elephant gift during the holiday season PLEASE share.  I don't have form shots of many of the holiday gifts due tot he fact I didn't want to post them on accident and give away the surprise.  I am offering an incntive of $5 off your next order per picture.  For some of you this could add up to a freebie or only having to pay the shipping charges for your next order.

Thanks for stopping by and I'll add pictures when I can.  Have  a great week and remember...make something it's good for the soul!

Studio Updates.....part 3 (I think)

Ok ok ok.......I have been asked by a couple of people for pictures of the new studio and I do have a few to share, but you all have to understand I have been in it less than a month and during that month I completed a wedding gown and 2 flower girl dresses. My reason for stressing this is because it's a mess and there are some definite signs of disorganization.  I am working to overcome the mess and the disorganization but it's slow going because the sun is shining and my music is on LOUD (thank you Melissa B for the Grammy mix) and my creative juices are flowing.  I'm excited to finish the wedding dresses, the final fittings are this weekend and honestly I'm glad to be done with project. The stress of trying to keep the material clean and pretty and dog hair free and having to clean my machine 3 times more often than normal is making me NUTS!


Ok now it's time for pictures! Welcome to my studio the pictures basically pan from left to right around the room.  The picture to the right is my fabric storage unit. Currently it is also home to my heavy steam iron, my extra sewing machine and a shoe box full of patterns that need to magically find some sort of  organization. Above the dresser you can see one of my favorite pieces of art. A beautiful collage piece given to me by Mila Bowman. I suggest checking out her blog EncourageCreative.com. It follows her one a journey of creative discovery and a challange to herself to do at least one creative thing everyday for 365 days.

The picture to the left shows you part of why I enjoy working in this room so much. It has a HUGE picture window. I enjoy starring out the window while I work and I love the soft light that it provides to the space.The left of the picture is mu trusty ironing board that also does double duty as pin cushion and computer table and to the right it my cutting table.  Someday my cutting table will transform into a counter height surface that has lots of room to spread out, but for the time being this seems to be working pretty well, especially with the addition of the drawers underneath. That can be pulled out to hold scissors and pins as well as additional pattern pieces during the cutting process. The wall over my cutting table is VERY bare, but I have been toying with the idea of framing some fo my sketches in rimless acrylic frames and hanging them up for something interesting to look at. Ms. Bowman has also promised me a new piece of art (which she tells me will be shipped this weekend) and I hope to use it as a focal point in thise giant blank space!

This is my work station.  It gets great natural light and when I get frustrated  I can stare out the window and watch the world go by for just a little while. I found the box with drawers at a yard sale for $1 a couple of years ago and it has become a great place to store thread and elastic and all the other things that it helps to have close at hand. You may also notice the shiny thing hanging on the wall...yep you guessed it, that shiny thing is an over the door shoe storage thingy that I have tacked to the wall. It come's handing from holding everything from extra scissors to spools of ribbon and even beads and such for embellishments.

To the left of my work station is Stella my dress form.  She has on a new dress and has asked not to have her picture shared today.  Eventually I would like to put in a full length mirror as well so that my clients can get a good view of how they look.  I also have tailors blocks for clients to stand on in the even they are trying on a long dress and forgot their shoes.

I hope everyone enjoyed the tour.  I look forward to hearing from all of you.  Your feed back is very valuable to me.  As I mentioned Stella has a new dress, this is one of the first pieces of my Spring Fling collection, but I'm not quite ready to share so I guess that means y'all will have to come check out the blog another time!
Thanks for reading and stay creative!