HELLO my name is Heather

  • Scruff n Stuff

    ByHeather Bailey

    0906CharlotteBob

    Bobbin
    is in heat. In the heat.  Not so fun. But, she has a fresh haircut and
    a bow in her hair, so that's something.  We can all relate.

    0807_puppies2
    I get regular requests for dog updates.  Pupdates.  Bobbin and Pixel
    are now 1 year old, and even more fun — and surprisingly more cute
    than they were as puppies. 
    Like swans.  To the left is their photo from last July.  And here they
    are now, below.  Ya, what's that about?  Puppies are supposed to be
    cuter than grown dogs. 

    I'm not complaining though.  Not only
    are these guys prettier now, but they've burrowed a soft spot for
    themselves in our family. 

    That Bobbin has already earned her
    halo.  She will put up with anything.  I'll keep my camera ready for
    her next fashion show, boxy castle home, choo choo train ride, or
    ribbon parade. 

    Pixel still wears his heart on his scruff. 
    He's just as floppy and eager as ever.  He manages to stay clear of
    Charlotte's narratives by virtue of his gender alone.

    0906_Pups2

    Some Other Stuff
    • Woven.  You must see Laura's new fabric line, Lantern Bloom. 
    It was a huge hit at Market, with its own unique style and edgy
    approach.  I've been meaning to do a post, but am in the thick of
    pattern-writing and post-travel recovery.  Call this a pre-post blurb. 
    Watch for Laura Gunn prints at Crate & Barrel too.
    • Curious.  It appears I've been written a public request to stop writing patterns, blogging & such.  All I have to say is, "An apple a day…"
    • Experimental.  We just got a dutch oven.  We're taking it camping with us this summer.  I'll share recipes.  Or shall I call them experiments?
    • Fattening.  We're working on a new Father's day ice cream recipe today.  I'll share that too.  Don't forget to try my Strawberry Pretzel Dessert ice cream.  It'll be a challenge to top that one.
    • Fun.  We're sending out our second newsletter next week featuring a craft project how-to, new Trash Ties colors, an introduction to Emily & Lindsay, a newsletter-only store promotion — and a giveaway.  Sign up for the newsletter here if you want to be included.

  • Shredded

    ByHeather Bailey

    ReUpholster4
    I just counted and we own a total of 13 rolling office chairs.  That's
    a lot of office chairs.  Of course, the one I prefer at the moment is
    shredded and hideous.  It's the ugliest chair of the bunch.

    My
    neck and arm are all out-of-whack from trotting all over NYC with two
    heavy bags.  This chair holds me together best.  It's a bit
    out-of-place in my studio though.  So, today, I'm slip-covering it. 

    No big style-ambition this time.  I'll be glad to take it from hideous to mediocre.

    Yep, that's exposed foam in the back there.

  • Plumpness

    ByHeather Bailey

    Have I mentioned it's
    great to be back home?  With an expanding roster of help around the
    studio, we're starting to get caught up, even ahead, on some projects. 
    Rachel and Lindsay spent a day or two just putting together a plump
    stock of Strawberry Pincushion Kits, after finishing up the Flutterby Flip-Book Kits.  Emily has kept everything else plugging along.  Being ahead is great.  I highly recommend it. 

    StrawKit

    So, back to The Giveaway.  What a variety of first sewing projects!  I've been reading comments all day. 

    1.  Congratulations Lindsay Brown!  Random picked you for the big giveaway.  Lindsay won a Freshcut scrap bag, a HB sewing pattern of her choice, and a Flutterby Flip-Book Kit.  Here's what Lindsay wrote.

       
    "Hi Heather!!! Let me start out by saying I am an ENORMOUS fan!!  I
    just completed 2 projects for my girls.  I made a pillowcase dress with
    the Lime Paisley and I made my youngest daughter the matching capris. 
    I LOVE LOVE LOVE all of your fabrics!!  Thanks for posting this!!"

    Kits2.  Random also picked the lucky Shannon / lilyhaven who wrote,

       
    "Holy cow! 975 comments already! … My first sewing project was a
    tiered skirt for my then 3-year-old daughter.  I was so proud of
    myself!  I wanted to sew for years and years and finally broke down and
    tried.  I've been addicted ever since.  I can't wait to see your new
    fabrics!!!" 

    I'll be sending Shannon a Freshcut scrap bag, along with a pack of HB ribbons.

     3.  Then, for AndieBee, who apparently barely survived her first sewing experience, I'm sending a Strawberry Pincushion Kit, along with a copy of my Fresh Picked Pincushions sewing pattern.  AndieBee wins just for surviving — and for calling me "cupcake."  Here's what AndieBee wrote.

       
    "Hi cupcake! My very first sewing project EVER in life: I was three and
    hangin' out with my Momma while she was making something-probably a
    dress or short set for me. She got up from her incredibly snazzy Singer
    machine in the wood cabinet to do "something", so I climbed up on her
    chair for a better view. Momma always held the pretty colorful straight
    pins in her mouth as she took them out to sew. I decided to help take
    them out while she was away…of COURSE I put them in my mouth just
    like her. And OF COURSE I swallowed one of those bad boys!! LOL

       
    "All I remember of the rest of that day was having to drink something
    icky and Momma monitoring my potties! Apparently it all came out okay,
    since I don't remember having to go to the hospital. ;O)  I picked
    sewing back up again when I was about 8 or 9, when Momma got tired of
    making Barbie clothes, and I've been sewing since."

    Ladies, send me your addresses. 

    Thanks everyone for participating — and for the blogiversary hoopla.  I'm loving being back home and back to blogging, tweeting, etc.  Thanks for sticking around while I was away through May.

    …which reminds me, there's something special posted for @TrashTies followers over on Twitter : )

    And, speaking of plumpness, check out this blog, with it's cheeky background image.  Bacon-infused waffles?  I'll be taking my camera with me next we go out to the fair.

  • |

    Giveaway, Oh Giveaway

    ByHeather Bailey

    Food5

    I don't even know where to begin with all of the adventures
    I went on this month.  I may have to grant myself a
    Get-Out-of-Jail-Free card and skip immediately past Go — at least till
    I'm caught up on some design projects.

    Food2noteThis
    weekend I went through the first round of strike-offs for my next
    fabric collection.  Gah!  I normally wouldn't mention strike-offs
    because, really, it will be months before the fabrics are available. 
    But, gah!  They're gorgeous.  I'm ready to fly over to the mill and
    screen the prints myself if it will speed things up.  I'm dying to sew
    with this fabric. 

    Bridgenote2See,
    now I feel better, and you feel worse.  Which is why I normally don't
    say anything.  But, that's what I'm working on today. And that's where
    my brain is.

    I'm also thinking about a giveaway to celebrate my blogiversary.  It's been 3 years now.  So, how does this sound for a prize?

    Hotelviewnote2
    Leave a comment, telling us what your first sewing project was — or if
    you don't sew, what your first sewing project might be — or if you
    don't plan to sew, why not!?  Or your favorite remedy for puffy eyes. 
    I don't know, tell us something interesting.  Or just say, 'Hi.'  That
    works too. 

    I'll let this go through Thursday night MST, then hand it over to the Random Number Generator for an edict. 

    I may hand out a couple of extra giveaways too.  I tend to do that.

    The photos?  Some shots from my weekend in Pittsburgh.  What a beautiful city!

  • |

    In Limited Supply:
    album kits, fabric… patience

    ByHeather Bailey

    It is refreshing to be home again.  Not only to sleep in my own bed
    and hug on my little kids (of course), but now I can start scratchin'
    at those irresistibly- itchy projects I sketched up while I was away. 
    Here and there, at least.  First, I have some emails and interviews to
    complete, as well as some fabric strike-offs to sort through (yes,
    round one is in the house!).

    Flutterby4a600

    So, check out my Flutterby Flip-Book mini
    album.  I used an old-fashioned wooden clothespin for the butterfly
    body.  A variety of cardstock wings make up the album's many pages,
    with a sprinkling
    of flowers and miniature butterflies thrown in for good measure.  The
    perfect album for celebrating a special event, a summer-load of
    activities, a new baby, a birthday, quirky kid-drawings, etc.

    FLUTTERBYkit2

    This is the workshop I taught at Inspired in North Carolina this month — the stinkin' cutest-est album ever.  We kitted up
    some extra albums, with full-on illustrated instructions included, so
    you can make an album too if you like. (Or maybe set up your kids or
    grandkids with a kit — gotta keep those children engaged over the
    summer.  My two have been squabbling all day.)  So, if you're
    interested, hop on over to the HB store.  Limited supply!  When they're gone, they're gone. 

    FlutterbyInstr400

    Freshcut™ is in the same boat too.  Free Spirit's warehouse is plum out of my Freshcut collection now.  We received our last supply.  Though the demand for that collection never subsided, the supply certainly now has, so last call for Freshcut!  Heck, here's a discount while you're at it.  Use the code "AlmostGone" through June 1st for 10% off any fabrics from my Freshcut collection.  We'll all sigh as it trickles away.

    And this week is my blogiversary again — three years now.  I'll put together some sort of giveaway, so stay tuned for that. 

    I'm
    off to dig myself up an urgent dose of Tylenol.  My kids aren't used to
    being around each other all day.  It's adjustment time — for all of us.

  • Hat-Flower Heaven

    ByHeather Bailey

    TinselFlowersA How
    long has it been?  Thank heaven for Twitter.  I've been on the road for
    the last 9 days, in Pittsburgh, Ohio & New York, hopping from one
    meeting to the next.  My dad met up with me in the middle there and we
    toured around his childhood neighborhoods and mine.  I lived near
    Pittsburgh till I was 4 or 5 and in Ohio till I was 8.  It was every
    bit as beautiful as I remember, or more so.  In most places, our
    next-door neighbors still lived there (wild).  I have a lot to share.  I can't wait to get back home and sort through the photos and stories.

    Yesterday,
    between meetings in NY, I stopped by Tinsel Trading Co. on 37th —
    vintage hat flower heaven!  I have some fun projects in store for this
    jackpot.  Another reason to get home soon. 

    So, after a quick
    stop by Purl Patchwork, and some other SoHo favorites this afternoon,
    I'll make my way to LaGuardia, then home.  It's been a great trip, but
    I'm ready to be back with my family and back to my list of to-dos.  We
    have some big things in store this summer.

  • A New Laptop & Free Internet at the Airport

    ByHeather Bailey

    FogNTrees
    Posting on the road.  I'm sitting in the Charlotte airport waiting for
    my plane to board.  I'm at once disappointed to leave Inspired just as
    the main event kicks off, and excited to meet up with the Creative
    Escape team at Bazzill for a weekend of group crafting. 

    With all of my jogging this way and that this week, I've grown seriously more attached to having an assistant. 
    (Two now.  We welcomed Lindsay to our team last week — just in time to
    wrap up our kits for Inspired.  I'll introduce Lindsay more officially
    when I'm not racing against my departure time — & I have a photo
    of her.)  It is so nice to get emails telling me where to go
    & when.  Here's your confirmation #.  Donna will pick you up at
    7:00.  Meeting at this time.  Dinner at that time.  Turn right.  Turn
    Left.  Do 20 jumping jacks.

    This saves a surprising amount of brain power, which can then be budgeted toward other activities.  Budgeting your Brain Power by Heather Bailey.  Get it now.

    I had a great trip to Charlotte.  Loved the fog.  All of my flutterby flip-book
    students motored right through their projects.  I spent my break-time
    chatting with two women who drove four hours or so (each way) just to
    take my one hour workshop.  (Hi Lisa & Heather!)   I also met a
    sweet little girl for whom my workshop was a surprise present for her
    8th birthday.  (Happy Birthday, Olivia!)  Olivia's mom and she set
    aside time every Thursday evening to make projects together — isn't
    that great!?! 

    Yesterday evening was spent talking Trash (Ties)
    with dozens more women.  We did hair and laughed and chatted.  It was
    great, giggly fun.  The dozens of Trash Ties we packed were gobbled up like cotton candy at a carnival.  Licked clean.

    Then, last night, when it was time to pack in as much sleep as I could before heading out west for round two, my dern book got inconveniently exciting.  Could have had another hour of sleep if
    it were not for imminent danger, a surprise wedding and a sexy, first
    kiss.

    That's the brief.  Time to hop on a plane.

  • Flit & Flutter

    ByHeather Bailey

    FlutterbyFlip-5a

    I'm bouncing all over the place this week.  By Tuesday night, I'll be in Concord, North Carolina again for Donna Downey's Inspired Artist event.  While there, I'll be teaching a mini-workshop on Thursday called The Flutterby Flip-Book for which my team has been kitting supplies all week.  Around the studio, stacks of Heather Bailey papers are shuffled together with some beautiful solids from Bazzill Basics.  And we're surrounded by bowls and tubs of colorful ribbons, flowers, clothespins, rhinestones, butterflies, and brads.  Bowls of candy. 

    FlutterbyFlip-10a

    Cutest paper project!  Can't wait to show you. (We'll post some extra kits to the Heather Bailey Store later this week.)  If you're in North Carolina, come see me.  Here's where you can sign up for the last couple of seats in the 1pm class.  The 12pm class is completely sold out.

    FlutterbyFlip-8w Let's see, there are some Trash Ties workshops
    late Thursday night as well (at Donna's irresistible urging).  We'll
    probably be somewhat loopy by 10pm, so I'm expecting more of a giggly,
    slumber-party-like setting than anything else.  Everyone in the class
    is getting two sets of Trash Ties and I'll be spending the hour
    teaching how-tos and demonstrating hairstyles. I hear there are a few
    more spaces available in the 9pm & 10pm classes.  If you're in NC,
    sign up!  I'd love to meet you.  Here's the workshop schedule
    where you can get your tickets.  Scroll down to the time-slot you're
    interested in (both are on 5/7), then click the blue & orange 'buy'
    button to read more about the class.

    FlutterbyFlip-6t

    On Wednesday, before the workshops, I'll be at the Free Spirit
    headquarters     in Charlotte, discussing fabric, hush puppies, high school (Jeff, the Sales Manager went to the same
    high school     as I – small world), whatever comes up.  It's mostly a
    social visit.  Always fun. 

    FlutterbyFlip-7 Friday, I'll fly back out west to attend a preview weekend for next summer's Creative Escape event.  I'll be crafting along with Heidi Swapp, Tim Holtz, Debby Shuh, and the other Creative Escape teachers
    while we preview our classes to each other and the entire volunteer
    staff.  There should be some fun dinners in there too, I think. 

    Come Saturday night, I expect to flop into bed like an eggy crepe.  

    Perhaps
    my kids will pour some syrup on top on Sunday morning — a smoochy
    reunion.  Isaac's always good at heading up some sort of kid-made
    breakfast-in-bed for Mother's Day as well.  I dream of fuzzy slippers and
    chocolate.

    FlutterbyFlip-9

  • Hello-ness

    ByHeather Bailey

    DaisyBouquet3a

    I
    have serious vertigo from working on a 24" monitor for the first time
    today.  We're holding off on the 30"er till the next upgrade.  (It's
    been 5 years or so since Mac last upgraded that beast.)  I've heard you
    get used to the gi-normity.  I sure hope so, as I'm definitely a bit
    dizzy — but it's a grateful dizzy.  My main machine is now a laptop
    and I can't say how excited I am about the portability.  Beyond heading
    to the park or the local bookstore for some quiet concentration, just
    switching rooms at will is exciting stuff. 

    I was trying to
    convince my new assistant to take a photo so I could introduce her
    here. Then, it dawned on me to swipe her Twitter photo & move on
    with it.  (You don't mind, do you Emily?)

    EmilyPhotoflSo,
    meet Emily.  Some of you may recognize her from the scrapbooking
    world.  Emily worked with Heidi Swapp for years, and Making Memories
    before that.  We had narrowed our interviewing process down to two
    candidates and were thick into discussing the matter when we received a
    last-minute suggestion to give Emily a call.  Well, Emily shook up the
    whole conversation and here she now is.  Currently, Emily is your
    girl if you have a customer service question at the Heather Bailey Store, a press
    inquiry, a wholesale order, etc.  Basically, she's our company
    juggler.  Well, I guess we are all company jugglers.  (You know those
    juggling acts that start with one juggler, then a second juggler steps
    on stage, then a third & so on?  Pretty soon, the bowling pins form
    a mid-air ballet?  That sort of thing.  We're not ready for Vegas or
    anything, but we're getting there.  We're still working on our stage
    names.)

    Oh, and you've gotta go back and read each & every comment left on the last post — holy toledo, what a bunch of crazy, cool stories!!  I'm both inspired and weirded out.  Time to start a dream journal.

  • Fascinated, though Somewhat Discomfitted

    ByHeather Bailey

    0904HBhairdo1
    I
    woke up this morning to my mother calling 'Heather" with a short, soft
    whisper in my ear.  Was she there?  No.  It was a dream type-of-thing. 
    She wasn't in my dreams, it was just her voice saying my name — and only once.

    The
    last time something similar happened was several years ago, when I woke
    up early with a panicky feeling that something was wrong with Old MacDonald.  "Oh no, oh no, something happened to Old MacDonald!"  As I came to consciousness, I laughed it off.  What could have happened?  Perhaps the Farmer in the Dell stole MacDonald's Three Little Pigs to make a sow's-ear purse for Goldilocks?  Again, I wasn't really dreaming of Old MacDonald.  It was just a feeling I had while not-quite-awake. 


    0904HBhairdo3a A couple of hours later, I learned that Isaac's grandfather unexpectedly died in the night.  His last name was MacDonald.  And he was old.

    I'm still baffled by the experience.  Especially, being his
    grandaughter-in-law and not a close relative.  I think I only met him
    twice. I rarely have nightmares or wake up in a panic.  My dreams are usually bizarre and silly, like a They Might Be Giants song.  I clearly remember rollerskating along a riverbank in Turkey and making snow-angels in a mountain of sugar. 

    So,
    though my mother's whisper in my ear this morning wasn't in panic at
    all, it was such a similar experience that I've been pondering the Old
    MacDonald thing all over again.  … and thinking that maybe I need to give my mom a call.

    Has this every happened to you?

    (The photos?  Random, I know, but I mentioned my hairdo on Twitter yesterday & some folks requested a peek.)