heather bailey

  • Olive Edition – Hot Off the Press

    ByHeather Bailey

    I have fun news today. My Olive Edition core kits and papers for Project Life
    have arrived. They are now in stock at Amazon.com and available for purchase
    with Amazon's FREE Super Saver Shipping. Becky assures me that she
    ordered gobs of product, but she also laments that her products tend to
    sell out with ridiculous speed. I'm not sure where that leaves us on
    urgency.

    ProjectLife_Olive_HeatherBailey1

    But, I do know that it's the beginning of a new year—and the perfect time to get going on a Project Life album. The Project Life concept makes
    documenting your life fun—and easy. You only have to fuss as much as
    you like to fuss. And if you don't like to fuss, there's no need to
    fuss.

    For Project Life, you use pocket pages to organize your photos and
    then you add in color, design and documentation using one or more of the
    Project Life kits—like my Olive Edition core kit here. Each core kit comes with hundreds of cards
    for jotting down key bits of information pertaining to the photos in
    your album. Everything goes in a pocket page. And there are lots of pocket-page configurations to choose from. Super simple.

    ProjectLife_Olive_HeatherBailey2

    The Olive Edtion core kit
    is housed in a chic, glossy box and organized as you see below, in a
    tidy tray. In the larger compartment, there are title cards and foldable
    journaling cards with lots of writing space. All of the smaller cards
    have artwork on one side and journaling space on the reverse.

    There are scrapbookers who go wild with their embellishments,
    preferring all sorts of texture and flair within their layouts. And
    there are others who like simple, clean layouts. Project Life is
    designed to satisfy everyone.

    ProjectLife_Olive_HeatherBailey3

    I like goop, well-done goop, that is. But, I don't have time to goop.
    I do have time, however, to slip photos and cards into pockets. And my
    kids are expert pocket-slipper-inners. Project Life works for me and my
    busy, busy life in this way.

    ProjectLife_Olive_HeatherBailey4

    Of course, you know I'll find at least a dozen other ways to sneak
    Olive Edition cards from their well-ordered little box and use them for
    other purposes: gift tags, thank you cards, bookmarks, valentine
    ornaments—lots of ways to spread this loveliness about.

    Oh, that's right. There's a 12"x12" coordinating paper pack. I can use that.

    There are also some cool, plastic month dividers and a coordinating
    album/binder that should be in stock soon. These are still making their
    way to Amazon's warehouse.

    Here are links to the products available so far:

    • Olive Edition Core Kit
    • Olive Edition Paper Pack

    To pull up my collection over on Amazon as items are added, search "Olive Edition Project Life" in their Arts, Crafts & Sewing Department. I don't think Becky has "Heather Bailey" on the listing yet.

    For more info and images, visit my earlier post about the Olive Edition here.

  • In 2012…

    ByHeather Bailey

    I’m sitting at my desk amidst a whirl of pine-needle debris and
    glitter. The celebration and indulgence of Christmas is being swept up
    to make way for the new year: tightened belts, tightened routines,
    tightened to do lists, loosened possibilities.

    HeatherBailey_Flowers

    In 2012…

    ** I became a runner. I never believed it was possible. I did not
    succeed at age 14, I didn’t succeed at age 17, at age 24, at age 27. I
    tried many different times in my life. At age 36, two months after
    having a baby, I started running—very slowly, very carefully. It was a
    process. But, within a few months, I was running 5 to 6 miles per go. I
    am still baffled and amazed. Thank you, Couch to 5K, for holding me
    back. It turns out I was always doing too much too soon.

    ** I also learned that “running” means “jogging.” I was several weeks
    into the journey before I had this epiphany. If you run-for-your-life
    when the voice in the app says, “run,” you are not getting the idea—duh,
    Heather    .

    ** I had the thrill of getting to know my new little son. His unique
    personality revealed itself, as he hugged us and whacked us—alternating
    between the “Thank You” game and the “Uh-Oh” game—his two favorite
    phrases. What a sass-a-frass, lover-bub trouble-monkey.

    ** I took my kids to the Bahamas. They swam in blue waters and sat in
    the sand. Our first fancy vacation ever. Usually, we go camping.

    ** My work filled the shelves at Target. In the form of planners and
    calendars—there are new ones there right now. The best is when my
    personal friends stumble across them, having no idea I did this project.
    Serious double-take. “Wait, I know her.”

    ** I designed a new cotton quilting collection. It was all-consuming work, as usual.

    ** Then, I started on the next one.

    ** We remodeled and expanded our home work space.

    ** We moved our office/store so our little one could have a more
    homey start at life. It was a tight squeeze. But good and right.

    ** My mom started writing a column for the local paper.

    ** We gave our old van another chance at life—as our oldest child
    turns 16 this month and we don’t believe in giving a new driver
    something fancy to truck around in. $$$ in repairs later—more than the
    vehicle is worth, frankly—it still looks like a sad, speckled monster,
    but it works. The PERFECT first car.

    ** I took my daughter to dance class.

    ** I cheered for my teenager at band competitions.

    ** He grew to be two inches taller than his dad—so far.

    ** I hemmed a lot of pants for my growing children.

    ** I cried over difficult relationships.

    ** I prayed for my sister who is fervently wishing for a baby. I prayed for my brothers and my parents too.

    ** I thinned out my closet. Then, I filled it back up.

    ** I drank too much soda.

    ** I planted flowers.

    ** I filmed a tv episode with Sew It All for PBS.

    ** I didn’t blog all that much. I caught up on design projects after a
    brain-fuzzing pregnancy instead. And soaked up my sweet little kids who
    are growing older all-too-quickly.

    ** I designed aprons, kitchen towels, sewing patterns, embroidery
    patterns, fabrics, planners, calendars, a Project Life kit, a Shutterfly
    album and still more fabrics—all coming out in 2013.

    ** I found an awesome couch to reupholster for my family room. (I can’t wait!)

    ** I got older.

    ** I got muscles.

    ** I got boots. Several pairs.

    ** I took time off for the holidays.

    ** I baked a lot of cookies.

    ** I got tired of taking time off. And eating cookies.

    Now it's time to get back to it. Bring it on, 2013.

  • Hungry Walls

    ByHeather Bailey

    HeatherBaileyOwl2

    My walls are disturbingly void of artwork. I just don't like most
    commercial artwork. It's not personal enough either. And I don't have
    time to scout out great pieces on Etsy or make the artwork myself. Not
    usually, anyhow, but I'm making an effort this month to at least get a
    couple of pieces started and see where they lead me. Starting with this
    owl.

    HeatherBaileyOwl1

    Of course, he might sit on my drafting table for weeks, waiting to be
    painted. I thought work would slow down a little during the holidays,
    but holy cow, every licensee is looking for new product lines from me. I
    really need to get an artist-type on staff.

    I do have two awesome birdie prints from Laura Gunn that need framing. I should go get frames, huh? — like, right now while I'm thinking about it.

    If you have art to recommend, certainly post a link. I have hungry walls.

  • Any Guesses?

    ByHeather Bailey

    SneakyPeek_HeatherBailey

    I have been immersed in designing a fantastic new collection for a great company with a great product. The big announcement goes live on their website today. Once they spill the beans, I'll come back and add some salty photos and spicy details to the news.

    It's exciting to be able to share a project with you so soon after I completed the artwork. Usually, I have to wait a miserably long while—at least that's how it feels. But not this time! Just a few more hours. Till then, here's a teaser photo.

    Update: The word is out. Read more about the big announcement here & here.

  • Sketchy

    ByHeather Bailey

    Sketching470_HeatherBailey

    I'm in the thick of designing new prints. The one I'm working on right now will probably take me all week—at minimum. This pushes me awfully close to my target date, but the print is gorgeous, so I'm taking the gamble.

    The other designs are close. I can see the light. As long as I work through the dark, right?

    Sketching2_470_HeatherBailey

    In other news, we survived Spring Break. I look forward to having the kids around. But wow, this week, I'm more ready than ever for them to head back to school. A snippet of quiet, a splinter, a shard, a crumb, would be oh so lovely. Tomorrow is the day.

  • Teensy Little Bird

    ByHeather Bailey

    110927_BabyBoyBailey_01a

    When the hospital called on August 17th to schedule a C-section for September 3rd, I got off my computer, and walked and walked and walked. Every day, for days. My best shot at avoiding surgery was to go into labor naturally. (My oldest was born by C-section, so the doctor didn’t want me to go full-term at the risk of uterine rupture.) It was over 110º each of those days, so I would head out at 8pm after the sun went down and make laps around the neighborhood in my fluorescent-orange shirt — the Great Pumpkin.

    110927_BabyBoyBailey_02b

    I did it! With four blisters on my left foot and three on my right, our new little bub was born at 1:59pm on Thursday, August 25th. No C-section required — phew. My feet only stopped aching this week.

    I had never gone into labor before on my own, so I stayed in bed that morning longer than some might have, timing my contractions on my iPhone (standard clock app, lap function – awesome). Once I could no longer sleep, I started posting my progress on Twitter; it was a fantastic distraction. We got the kids ready for school and called in my mom to make the rounds, then headed out to the hospital. Of course, we had to make a stop at the store for an SD card for our camera. (I wanted photos!) At that point, my contractions were a minute long and three minutes apart, from start to start.

    110927_BabyBoyBailey_03b

    At the hospital, when I walked from triage to the delivery room, my doctor announced that I was at a 7 or 8 and everyone at the nursing station stood and clapped, saying “Wow, you’re still walking!?” I wonder if that’s such a big deal or if they stand and clap for everyone. “You’re dilated to a 1? And you’re still walking!?” “You’re dilated to a 3? And you’re still walking!?” Might be a good protocol.

    I had a big, goofy smile on my face — between contractions. The staff was baffled by me. Sure, it hurt. Of course! I was just ecstatic that I beat the scheduled surgery and that I’d get to meet my new kiddo. Good thing I was in an excited stupor too, because my doctor had to attend to three emergency situations in the course of my labor. She held off on me a little bit so she could help the other mothers get through their ordeals. After she broke my water, everything went very quickly and the baby was born within the hour.

    110927_BabyBoyBailey_04b

    And here he is! The inventory is complete. He’s all here, with all his teensy parts. And everything appears to work as it should: cooing, gooing, squeaking, squawking, spitting, squirting, grinning, grunting. He’s so new and tiny that all of these functions still have us mesmerized.

    I’m saving his name for another post — as that’s it’s own story. When it comes to names, I’m a waffler. Why can’t we all go by three for four different names — that would be so much easier! (Well, maybe not.)

    Two days after the baby was born, Isaac and our talented friend, Jared Platt, met up to take pictures. These lovely shots were snapped by Jared. Jared is a professional photographer who travels the U.S. teaching photography workflow and file management to other professionals.

    110927_BabyBoyBailey_05

    Isaac has typed up his thoughts on little bub’s birthday as well — more revealing perhaps than my polite assessment. Here’s his take…


    Read More “Teensy Little Bird”

  • The Tuxedo Clutch & Fresh Style Magazine

    ByHeather Bailey

    TuxedoClutch_2
    There’s a fantastic new magazine out this summer called Fresh Style. The debut issue oozes with luscious color, decorating inspiration, fashionable crafts, and more, including interviews with me, Amy Butler, and Ashley Ann Campbell of Under the Sycamore.

    To celebrate the magazine’s launch, I designed a pattern to include with the article: The Tuxedo Clutch. Instructions for this fast and fun purse are found in the Summer 2011 issue — available at newstands through the end of July. Other projects featured in this issue include an apron made from men’s dress shirts, a chic ribbon headband, custom-bleached shirts,and a super-cool pallet bed. (I love the ceiling decor above the bed too (p.75). Ooo, and I just spotted a Happy Stacker in the basket next to the bed — Ashley Ann, is this your house?)

    TuxedoClutch_1T

    The Tuxedo Clutch packs a big punch of style, yet it is simple to make. My design is inspired by the ruffled front of a funky men’s dress shirt. Think 70s prom. (Whoa, not exactly 70s, but check out this ruffled shirt.)

    The blue brooch? I picked that up at a vintage hoo-hahs booth at Quilt Market a year or two ago. I couldn’t resist. It’s old and a bit skee-wumpus, which has me loving it even more.

    FreshStyle_Summer2011_D

    For more info about Fresh Style, visit their blog at freshstylemag.com. And here’s a handy link if you wish to place an order through Hoffman Media. I think they carry back-issues too, in case you miss the July deadline.


  • Specters & Sparkles

    ByHeather Bailey

    My feet!  They are trotting along beneath me now, where they belong. 
    What a feat it has been to catch up on things after a couple of months
    of scattered-ant-hill syndrome.  I'm nearly there.  Just a few more
    photos for a book contribution, and one more design for my next fabric
    collection (of course, it's the most complicated of the prints and might
    take a week or two to finish).  Then it's back on schedule.  Glorious.

    MarloBloomBag_HeatherBailey_1
    Perhaps
    even ahead of schedule soon, as we now have an on-staff seamstress to
    help bring my designs to life, moving pattern-development and
    sample-making along.  I tell you what, it sure takes a mighty amount of
    focus to do some of my less-fun work (accounting, payroll, etc.) when
    there's a flurry of sewing going on in the other room.  But great!  I'll
    introduce you to Tamara in my next newsletter.  And Nica too, my new
    Studio Assistant.

    MarloBloomBag_HeatherBailey_2b

    So, isn't my new Marlo Bloom handbag adorable in Nicey Jane?  I feel sparkly
    when I'm toting a tangerine handbag around — even when wearing pjs to
    the grocery store, as I tested out last night.  I'm loving the vintage,
    khaki button on the flower too.  Nothing like a touch of ugly to pretty
    up a project. 

    The school year is hovering.  It floats over my
    shoulder, just beyond sight, and teases me, "Just a few weeks more and
    your little girl will be grown."  Now, of course, this isn't true.  But I
    am taunted nevertheless. 

    MarloBloomBag_HeatherBailey_4a I'm still deciding
    which school to send Charlotte to.  We're down to three choices — and there
    are just about three weeks to decide.  There's the school close to our
    home — the easy option.  The highly-recommended charter school — C is
    near the top on the waiting list.  And then a good, solid school in
    Elijah's same school district — great district, but that's about all I
    know on this one. 

    It's going to have to be a last-minute
    decision, as I still have my fingers crossed on the charter school. 
    Perhaps my school specter will go whisper a message to the
    school's administration, "Red rover, red rover, let Charlotte come
    over."

  • Saturday Market Bag

    ByHeather Bailey

    Introducing another of my new sewing patterns, the Saturday Market Bag.  It's a fun and easy sew —
    and perfect for toting spring things, like a
    picnic blanket and a good book. The pattern includes three options,
    including two simpler looks, one of which is reversible. And the sides
    of the bag unsnap for additional carrying space, so you can really go to
    town.  Or to church.  Or to market.

    SaturdayMarketBagW

    May Flowers!  Did you glimpse the new May Flowers discount link in the sidebar? Save
    some $$ and get free stuff — follow the link for codes and freebies
    good through May 31,2010.

  • Smarty New Year!

    ByHeather Bailey

    SmartyShot

    I'm moving my business
    into a new office/warehouse space. We have a few walls to build and a
    couple of rooms to paint, then the big haul begins. The plump, juicy
    cherry-on-top is that my craft-night fantasy may soon become reality —
    regular thread-covered, music-filled, sugar-enhanced soirees.
    And with the larger studio space, we may be able to convince my
    fabulous mother to teach sewing lessons in the evening. The Phoenix
    area needs more craft socials, if you ask me. (I'm not opening a retail store, just expanding my space.)

    CuttoutSmartyIt
    will take a few weeks to get settled and adapt to the new digs. Let me
    know if you're in the area &/or know anyone who may be interested
    in 'knowing their sewing.' I'll start buttering-up my mom. She's an
    amazing teacher, and she knows her stuff.

    I'm working on a new, free tutorial to post online as well. And
    there is another new mini pattern on the way, and four new premium
    patterns, and several secret projects — busy, busy new year. What are
    your new projects/goals for the new year? I wish I could commit to the
    traditional goal of increased exercise and vegetable intake, but I'm in
    no position to take that on this month. Maybe next month.

    Also!  I need the winners from last month's giveaway to email me their contact info so I can hand out prizes: Heather@HELLOmynameisHeather.com.