A Baby Octopus

Ahhh! Connection. According to yet ANOTHER Ted talk, some people in a far away country measure their happiness as opposed to stressing over rent, student loan debt, health insurance benefits, and crime rates and realities. Yes, I know, I know--I live in Paradise. The food is healthy, the crows chatter constantly, and breezes are sweet, the sunshine is kind, and each day rolls along like . . . well, you see what I mean, I'm sure. But really, when I start feeling disconnected from the people around me who matter, there is nothing for it but to stitch up a wee creature from the great sea of peaceful acceptance and watery calm. Wow! How Buddhist of me!!! And what better fabric than a cotton mini-wale corduroy sent down from a GOOD FRIEND in Oregon who sends me connections to my best artistic self. And oh yes, back to connection in this cyber age. I have become a very low on the scale master of blogging, posting, and many things computer worldly, but it has come at a cost. Some days when I am about to throw the sweetest baby computer ever out the window, I think about all of you who "like" me, and favorite me, and read my blogs and YES!!! I feel connected and that is wonderful! THANKS and love always!

The NB and BF dress

I scared myself last night, looking at all of the rules and listing guidelines for ETSY, and realizing, once again, that I tend to play in the sandbox filled with glitter and cookie crumbs. Oh and dog hair!! The corgis are always shedding!! So when I listed my NERVOUS BREAKDOWN and BODY FAULTS dress in my store, I featured a tag from the Metric song, and deliberately downplayed the politically incorrect aspect of my stitching and writing. For those of you who know me, and those who never will, you know that I am not promoting the idea of body faults, and I am for sure not making fun of nervous breakdowns--real or imagined. The NB and BF dress was a figment of my imagination--you know, the imagination that should be sent to the corner more often than not? The one that never lets me finish anything without still noticing the missed stitch or crooked trim, the one that makes me keep my arms covered and skirts long, the one that is never, ever satisfied and content to say: "Hey! This is GREAT!!!" Perfect or not. Stitch perfect or not. Details perfect or not. My friend Linda believes that I am an open and world class whiner and I suppose that is true, and for your days when whining on your own just isn't enough? Wear this dress!! You will laugh yourself silly over all of the writing, and wrapped in cotton flannel and zipping and unzipping the belt zippers is like popping bubble wrap! Trust me, you will forget your problems!! Love always and thanks for listening!! Same time next week?

And It's All About Me

Not! Before I begin this new blog, let me profile the newest member of our company. He is modeling his VERY FIRST project . . . a MAN'S vest made entirely of 100% cotton covered in little ducks. Yes, we present--THE DUCKY VEST!!! A tailor and designer born to be from the first moment he touched our machines, the vest is nearly stitch perfect, and if I do say so myself: Pretty dang inspired!!! He made it all himself!! From fabric selection, design, cutting, all the way through construction, pressing, and hand finishing! Please visit our ETSY shop -- xanxan -- and within the next few days we will add more items, post some more fascinating sewing stories, recharge my camera batteries for more pictures (wait until you see the buttons on the vest!) and keep you up on the most interesting stitching family on the planet. That is us! In the meantime, write to us if you desire anything fabric! I am your huckleberry. Ok. WE ARE!!!