daisyjanie

a message from the glory days

{image courtesy zapp196, flickr}

I've seen so many pretty & interesting inspiration boards posted on various blogs recently (poppytalk and modish are great places to see some of these), and they've 'inspired' me to examine my own inspiration board. It's filled with lots 'o notes and cards from Matt, my sister and the Peanut Man, in addition to pics, colors, shapes and patterns that lift me up. The note that I always have in my periphery as I sew is the one I like the most, and thought you might get something out of it, too!

Background: Back in 2004 (seems like much longer than that!), I was a partner in a painting business called Fresh Paint LLC. I'm sure you've heard me reference it previously. We were asked to be part of a Designers' Showcase, which was a fundraiser for a women's shelter. It was one of the most challenging and labor-intensive things I've ever done. I was so stressed out, couldn't eat, had no time to do regular things. When it came time for opening night, Matt gave me a card with this note inside about what an inspiration Fresh Paint was to him and Peanut Man - and the lessons they took away from this experience just by watching it all unfold. Without further adieu...

1. Make time, don't kill time.
2. TALENT may start it, but ATTITUDE will finish it.
3. Why 'push the envelope'...when you can shove it the hell through!
4. A war for integrity lost is always better than a battle for pennies won.
5. Never be ashamed of a creative idea.
Bonus: Never agree to paint a house that has no working bathrooms. {long story for another day}

{handpainted powder room & floorcloth from Designers' Showcase 2004 - my sister liked it so much, I replicated it in her powder room!}

things, they are a-bloomin'

Today was a glorious day! Fun to get a taste of summer in the middle of April, tho we are in need of some April showers. Lots of pretty things are in bloom in our yard - makes so happy to see these beautiful colors.
Azaleas that anchor the steps coming off our front porch.

Forsythia that borders the west side of the porch. They were just teensy buds on March 17th.

Man oh man, I cannot remember the name of this tree! I'll have to see if I saved its info tag from last year. 2 of these anchor each of the corners of the porch - they're about the 4th plant I've tried there. The scale and color contrast should work this time!

Periwinkle that's here and there. The former owner of our house had kind of English garden thing going. It was pretty, but it was soooo overgrown. The whole frontyard was periwinkle with a slate path. My sister helped me rip it all out when we moved in 5 years ago. We planted grass and reused the slate to make a backyard patio. Much better to have grass when kids are running wild in the neighborhood!

I'll be taking many more up-close images as summer progresses. I want to do more drawing and nature studies from my own images. I'll also be able to use these in some future fabric designs, too. I wonder when I see all the botanical silhouettes that are so popular right now, if they're handdrawn or taken from personal photos or just stock photos? What do you think? I know there are a lot of free brushes for Illustrator out there, too. I wonder how many are using these or are creating their own from scratch. I personally think stock photos and free brushes are akin to cheating, but that's just me. Do you have an opinion? I would love to hear it!

bright spot #2

Not much time to post this week - lots of sewing going on.

Staying pretty motivated today b/c the sun is streaming through every window, door and crack in this house. These lemon-y walls are practically glowing, and they're keeping me running like a solar-powered engine...or it could be from the twenty bit-o-honeys I just ate. Not sure which.

working on...taking good pictures

These 2 shots really capture the palette of this fabric collection. There are 14 colors in all, with the chocolate, taupe and cream being the most prominent. Pretty much my "comfort" colors...they make me happy in almost any context.

In all the years I've been creating artwork, photographing it has always been a monumental task that left me fit to be tied b/c there's just so, so, so much to be done between setting up to take the GD picture, actually taking it and then getting it into a usable format. Takes as long as the artwork itself, and it's not nearly as fun! I visited camera shops, asked professionals, borrowed cameras that cost more than my car, made lightboxes, crossed my fingers, waited for full moons - nothing worked! I put up with it b/c they seemed good 'nuff. But these fabrics, oh these fabrics. I don't think anything is good enough for them! I want to get the absolute best pics I can b/c this. is. it. I've been on a journey, and I'm where I want to be - where I can see myself for a long, long time. I want to stay here. So no more pissing around with so-so photos (amongst other things).

I searched hi and lo for my Canon manual today, then I remembered an article on The Switchboards by Lindsay Landis of Pattern & Paw and Purr Design. She gave an incredible synopsis on what you need to do to take your own great pics. If you don't know Lindsay's work, she is an overachieving perfectionist - her work is great and she knows what she's talking about! The first thing (and only thing) I did upon reading this article was fiddle with my light meter. WOW!!! I knew I didn't really live in the dark ages, yet every picture I ever took made my house and family look gray and icky. The light meter was the ticket!!! Thanks Lindsay! Onward and upward people! 2 good days in a row! Who'd have thunk?

a bright spot

Corner of a handpainted mirror from my early days (little tiny chink out the bottom but still my favorite). A lot of my fabric design style comes from how I used to paint. The mirror was designed by me, and I had a cabinet maker produce them. The top layer is 1/4" corkboard - gives it an intesting texture. I used to make thumbtacks to go with each one, but my customers told me they were too pretty to pierce. Good point (ha, get it, point?!). While I'm reliving the glory days, I was once a juried member of a local Craft Guild for these and sold them at fine art / craft shows around southeastern PA....ages ago before there was an "indie" movement! (Craftsmen crafts not arts-n-crafts...BIG difference!) I'll try to post more images from household "bright spots" that make me happy. Maybe Mondays would be a good day for that since they're usually such a downer for me...

customer comments from near and far

Designing fabrics, handbags, and building my business in general is a 24/7 obsession for me. These small notes of appreciation make it all worthwhile - thank you!

Here are a few from this Fall:

"The package was sitting on my porch yesterday afternoon when I got home! The bags are amazing. The fabrics are even more beautiful and fun in person, and I am impressed by the quality and sturdiness of the bags. I will be sure to distribute the business cards you included! Thank you so much!" --Marleah A, Ellis KS

"Needless to say, I am thrilled with the bag I ordered...actually, I ordered two, but have been using the swirled color one. I've had many compliments AND it works as a bag I can carry every day. So, I am ordering Christmas presents!" --Marcia T, West Salem WI

"I just received Order 1254 today. Again, the bags are absolutely fabulous. I now have the complete set. Thank you so much. Have a wonderful Christmas and Best Wishes to you and your family in 2008." --Joyce L, Surrey BC

"Hi Jan! We love our stuff! I've adopted the striped purse as a knitting bag for a small project. It's a great disguise - nobody would guess that I had my knitting in there! Helen is crazy about her headbands (and she hasn't seen her pink purse and mirror combo - I'm saving them for Christmas.) Can't wait to see the next fabrics! Thanks!" --Ruthie M, Exton PA

"Just wanted to let you know that I received my handbags and I LOVE THEM!  The fabric, the colors - everything.  They're great.  I've been sending a lot of other earth-friendly/vegetarian friends to your website - hope you're getting lots of business! Thanks again for a great product!  I'll be checking the website regularly for new fabrics and designs!" --Jeanne C, Sparta NJ