To Market and Home Again

Here's the welcome my kids put out for me upon my return home from Quilt Market in Houston. I'm not really sure I know what it is or what it was suppose to be, but that is so not the point. It was there waiting for me. It was worth it to someone to tape popsicle sticks together in honor of mommy's return. And after some serious lack of sleep it was good to have a material clue I was at the right house.

And speaking of lack of sleep. What an amazingly wonderful time I had rooming with Heather. It was so good to meet her in the flesh just to be sure we were actually two different people. Through many emails, blogmails, and voicemeails we have racked up more similarities and parallels that I can count on two hands. We spent hours and hours finding more and sharing many belly laughs. I can't say how nice it is to find a friend in the industry with such a similar set of priorities both in work and life. She's worth a million more posts but here's just two funny things: We stayed up so late/early talking one night that I said "Heather look, I think its getting light outside" to which she slammed her head on the pillow yelling "Quick go to sleep!". We laughed so hard, that we earned our fifth wind and kept talking. Also, we both thought the other would bring toothpaste when each of us forgot so we brushed our teeth with Orbitz gum and kept forgetting to buy toothpaste when we had the chance. I'm hoping no one noticed, if so, we are both genuinely sorry.



Our new friendship would have been more than enough to carry that trip but in addition I was able to meet more wonderful talents. As always it was good to see and hang with Debbie, Meridith and Donna from Free Spirit. They do such an amazing job of interpreting our dreams into fabric. Heather Ross is every bit as adorable and bright as her fabrics. Denyse Schmidt is just as unique, beautiful, and warm as her quilts. I truly enjoyed a chance to get to know her. Jane Sassaman is even more vibrant and lovely in person...just like seeing her quilts up close. Robyn Pandolph is elegant and sweet, embodying the beauty of her fabrics completely. Kirsten and Kath of Prints Charming are just exactly that, charming! And of course with their adorable Aussie accents and bright beautiful faces, I never wanted them to stop talking. What a wonderful group of gals. Such diverse and inspired talent, I am so humbled to be a part of it!

There were also several encounters with the wonderful Gina, she will be featuring some new goodies of mine within the next few months, and possibly earning some mag spots too. She is a sweetie! Oh also, I was constantly stopped and asked about this.



I wish I could have stayed longer. I wish I could have talked more. I wish I could have seen and heard more. But I had a very special boy's birthday cake to make and some of his wishes to grant. And just like his premature arrival 7 years ago, Joseph's birthday didn't coveniently work into my business plans. But nothing worth it is ever convenient.

Wishing you a wonderful day! xoxo,AM

Finding my digknitty

It's finished! My redemption in yarn world has been completed. I will happily flaunt my single crochet know-how from Nashville to Houston. And may I say, that if a handbag can be cozy, this one is. Its just plain warm on your lap. And on a rainy morning like this, the warmth and vibrance of this tote-along is very welcome. Not to mention my lap will be empty for the next few days traveling alone with no kidos. Awwe, kinda sad. Oh they'll be fine. And so will I!



A few notes about the construction. Literally this is two rectangles and one long strap of single crochet. I just joined the rectangles together in the center instead of the sides with the orange contrast. I am crazy for braided dangleys these days. Dunno why. I'll readily admit that the braids and orange color feel slightly Pippi. Or lets just say playful. The fabric lining is especially helpful to keep the bag from stretching with the weight of life's heavy necessities. Oh yea, when I made this one, I was so excited about color I forgot to sew in the pockets. So the new one has the high-positioned for easy grab and elasticized to prevent slip out pockets. Did I tell you about my new Chocolate phone? Why isn't it brown???



Well seeing as how the only thing packed inside that suitcase are my barely-broken-in knitting needles, I better scoot. (No carryon I found out with those.) I gotta try on all the outfits which are clean (not many) to figure out what to throw in. I am so stoked to be hanging with the Free Spirit bunch, rooming with Heather, researching sewing pattern publishing, meeting Gina, and just plain getting away! I'll also be finalizing the selections of my new fabric line, Chocolate Lollipop, coming out in May 2007. I can't wait for you to see it, but it has to be a secret for the next few months!! My only hint for you is that it's SWEET!

Have a fabulous weekend! xo,AM

Quit one, Purl two

So maybe if I make this quick, no one will notice my sad attempts at knitting, yet I will have fulfilled my obligation to post my progress. Like I had stated previously, my daughter, Juliana, taught me to crochet a few years ago, so I am well versed on the single crochet stitch.

Wowee, go me.



I wanted to move on to knitting and was inspired by a few things. One being this pair of Steve Madden shoes/slippers that I bought for comfort during my recent toe incident. They also have acted as armour against the jousting heroics of some pencils still on the floor. Aren't they cute? Juliana says they are slippers, but I think they are shoes, because they have a hard rubber sole. Feel free to cast your vote. And know that I wear them in public, so be gentle with your slipper proclaimations.

So we went shopping and loaded up on skein after skein of pretty yarns. Some thick, some thin, some stripey. I was particularly taken with a bright orange soft fuzzy one and a multi-stripey-purpley one.

I thought though, a smart move may be to start my knitting practice on something that I was less fond of, knowing I would be screwing it up somehow and it wouldn't become anything. I started with the granny pink colored yarn that felt soft and easy to work with. I spent some very long hours slowly trying to get comfortable with those needles. It felt pretty awkward, honestly.

I knitted, for a while, just repeating row after row of that same stitch, which really did feel more comfortable after a while. Then I tried knitting a row and then purling a row. Now that was exciting! It was looking real and sweater like! I soon became bored though, and thought I should try knit two, purl two, to get that ribbing kinda look. It was working! Then after a few rows of that I got just plain cockey. I thought I could alternate the knit columns with the purl columns for a while and maybe it would come out looking like a basket weave. Juliana just shook her head and snickered at my ambition. Well it wasn't long before I was noticing some missed stitches which got me frustrated.



After taking in a long look at my bumpy-wumpy curled in mess of a nothing, I swallowed my disappointment. I chinned up and realized that I did learn something with my first attempt. I learned that I have the attention span of an ant. A young immature ant.

I'm not done with knitting. I did however go back to some crocheting immediately and have been playing with that stripey-purpley yarn and the orangey yarn too. Of course I had to incorporate some of my fabrics. After I swell my ego up with a this cool new handbag that I'm crocheting/sewing up, I should be able to return to the knitting with some dignity.

I'll try to share the new handbag tomorrow. I'll be off to Quilt Market in Houston in the afternoon, but hopefully with a new bag on my shoulder. Do they allow knitting needles on flights these days?

Well that wasn't as quick as I had hoped. Hope it made you feel better about trying something new.

xo,AM

Black & White

I guess you could say its the consumate classic.
It's fundemental.
It's nostalgic and modern.

Black and white also feels more real somehow in photographs, though color is suppose to be that. If you look long enough at each, the black and white seems to describe an object better, and color starts looking like a distortion.

Black and white has also maintained as an obsession of the fashion, home decor and tabletop world.



For today, lets sit on this amazing couch and let me show you my nostalgic black and whites. (Has anyone else considered selling everything you own to buy it??)

As promised, I am sharing some of the cherished items of my grandmothers. My dad's mother was my Yiayia Eleni, and I grew up a world away from her busy hands. I can count on one hand how many visits we had. A sad fact of being a first generation daughter of an immigrant.

Here she is in the middle between my Papou and his parents. My dad is the pouty looking one standing in the middle. Two more children would come after this photo.



I don't know alot about her, but there are some certainties I gained through my limited observation:

She cried everytime she greeted me and said goodbye to me.
She hugged really hard, and stroked my hair alot, whether I was 5 or 28.
She rarely sat down.
She could not read or write.
She made lots and lots beautiful things.

Upon most of his returns from Greece, my dad would bring back gifts from his sisters or Yiayia. One of my favorites is this gorgeous crocheted star, about 30" in diameter. Its really beautiful on our black farm table in the dining room. Though I've been told she used her finger to crochet without a hook, I would have to believe that a hook was used for this teeny tiny work.

Another gorgeous don't-let-the-kids-sit-on-it item is my white wool bedspread, which I do imagine she used just her finger to crochet. She sent one each for my sister and I around the time we were both married. Word has it she could just look at stuff and figure it out, not reading or following any pattern.

So across the ocean and in the farm rich lands of Indiana my mom was raised by the very beautiful and equally industrious Anna Ruth. I had the more typical grandma relationship with her, getting to visit at least once or twice a year. She made the best pies, the best cakes, the best everything. She knitted, sewed, crocheted, she did it all. And though they were not rich, the child photos of my mom and my Aunt Beth are utter glamour. Their hair and skin were soft beautiful perfection. Their matching handmade outfits and coordinating angora sweaters were of the magazine stylishness. My Grandma was a beautician for a time and really stayed such for always.



Take a gander at the hipness here-this was probably taken right around 1930. I love the signature she put across it, movie-star style. She was constanly doing something, making something of nothing. One of the most basic items she made, but probably my favorite, is this cable knit sweater. She made it for my high-school age mom, so its really old (sorry mom) but I wear it all the time.



Well its clear that I have a long way to go in carrying on the tradition of knitting and crocheting. There is a very high bar there. In fact I can barely see it from where I stand with my fledgling skills. What an inspiration these women are, though. I live in such a different time, but I'm sure my desires, and fears are the same as theirs were. I'm sure my exhaustion at the end of the day pales in comparison with my Yiayia's. I'm sure my ambition at the beginning of a new day is nothing compared to my Grandmother's.

While it is such a blessing to have these wonderful items for inpsiration and warmth, its even better to have their memories, their names, and their blood running through my veins.

Forgive the nostalgic indulgence today!

Back to the painting side of the studio!

xoxo, Anna

New Baby on the Block

Another Sunday, another Baptism.

When you are Greek Orthodox, there is no shortage of meaningful milestones and spectacular celebrations to take part in. A new little life in our commuity was baptized today followed by a humdinger of a reception, complete with dinner and dancing. Little Dimitri Joseph cried through the whole thing, just like a baby, but was wide-eyed for all his guests at the party.

People have come to expect something handmade from me, and I aim to please. As a gift, I thought it would be fun for him to learn his D-I-M's instead of his A-B-C's. Growing up greek makes you a superhuman speller, even if all you know is your own name.

I used some of this fabric and some of that fabric and made him a way oversized stuffed block that he can tumble around with on the floor. Each side has a different letter of his name, and luckily there are only 5 different letters in his 7 letter name and since there are only 6 sides to the cube he will have to re-use 1 of the 2 I's when spelling DIMITRI.

Oh well, this is starting to feel like math and I know thats not what you're here for.

This weekend I also got to squeeze in some time for my new goal of becoming a knitter. I'm also digging deeper through the mothy bally smelly drawers of the old hutch and spending some time with the beautiful handmade items of my grandmothers. I'll share more of those cherishables in the coming days as well as a glimpse of my own progress (a word I'm using very loosely here).

Here's today's spelling practice, don't tell me you never learned anything from me!



xoxo,AnnaMaria

Grand-mother-load

Does anyone else have a stack like this in your home??

If I put all our crocheted and knit blankets and sweaters into one room from the grandmothers, great grandmothers, mothers and great aunts, I wouldn't fit in the room to take a photograph.

I really really love having them. Every one of them. They've become a kaleidoscope of love in this house, and they are dragged here, there and everywhere by the kids.

And with the recent passing of my husband's grandfather, his grandmother found that she wanted to clear some things out of the house. So the stack is getting higher.

I've never been much for knitting or crochet. My mom and every mom before her did it. My greek grandmother crocheted without a hook! Just used her finger, and you would not believe the intricate results. I'll share soon.

I always watched, but sort of resisted the structure of it, as described in the story of the needlework. For some reason though, recently I've been inspired to try more.

Having lost both my grandmothers in the past few years I won't be learning from them. So is my mom teaching me? Nope. Who? My daughter! How cute is that? Even watching her smart little hands whip through the basics, I picture the first women I watched do it, the women that Juliana barely had the chance to know.

It was actually Juliana who taught me to crochet when she was 11 years old. And now at 14 she has executed quite the thorough knitting tutorial, so that I am casting on, knitting and purling. She is just the most inventive little creature.

I'll be sharing some of my VERY basic progress here. And maybe the cooler weather will inspire you like it has me. If the weather isn't enough visit purlsoho.com and their darling blog. So beautiful.

xoxox, AnnaMaria

quickie

Just a note to say that Quilters Buzz has put up the second part of their feature on me today. Just provides more insight to designing fabrics, yada yada.

Have a looksie, if you're not sick of me yet. Back to painting today!

xoxo, AM

Strapping Young Lab

As promised I have finished up one doggie-inspired project and I am offering it here for you to try. It is really simple, pretty quick and I've got a few photos to walk you through it. Then after you're finished you can walk your dog with it.



Materials:
*one six foot length of cotton canvas strapping-whatever width you desire, but at least one inch
*3 cut strips of fabrics, equal in length and width to your strapping
*one of those metal thingermaginggins that latches to the collar, readily available at your hardware store
*heavy duty sewing machine needles



Step one: Stitch one strip of the fabric to the strapping-very close to the edges on each side. You'll want to cover this stitching with the edging later.



Step two: On the remaining 2 strips of fabric, fold the edges in and press so that the edges meet in the middle.



Step three: Fold in lengthwise once more down the center and press so that raw edges are tucked away.



Step four: Wrap your folded, pressed strips along the edge of the strapping and stitch carefully close to the inner edge of the edging. Check underneath to be sure that your stitching is catching the edging wrapped around the back too. Trim leash ends neatly.



Steps five, six & seven: Turn both ends back about a half-inch and run a stitch over a few times for a nice finished edge. Slip one end through the metal clasp, sliding an extra inch or two through, and sew down securly with a box and "X" shape. Turn the opposite leash end back enough for a comfortable "hand loop" and stitch down in the same manner.



I hope all is clear and good luck giving your pup a new leash on life!!

Now I just need to find Leo and conduct some field research!

xoxo,AM

OH YEA! And before I forget, I've been spotlighted on the QuiltersBuzz.
Buzz over and have a look and learn a little more about me and what makes me tick and tock.
Still no insight, however, on what has made me such a clutz.

Weekend Guest

It occurred to me that, as photos of my children appear here and there, that you should have a glimpse of child #6 too. It's rare that I can get a photo of just Leo because he is dearly loved by all (notice the dorito-crusted fingers gripping him as he attends movie night in the playroom). In fact, I would venture to say that he is the favorite sibling, and perhaps the most obedient child we have. He therefore has the distinguished and ever so appropriate title of King Leo the Sixth.



He holds just about every priviledge the rest of the kids do. In addition, his bathroom is a full 2 acres. Another perk is that he's allowed the occasional overnight guest. He has friends of all ages, and his newest friend is Tooey the puppy (yes, pronounced just like it looks, "2-ee"). She was such a pleasant guest this weekend. Her owners had to go out of town, so we were trusted with her.



It's been two years since Leo was a puppy so we had to puppy-proof the house somewhat, getting dangerous kid-toys off the floor and such. We only had one scare when we couldn't find her anywhere, even after shouting her name repeatedly. The above picture shows where we found her, all nestled and sound asleep. The two chums completely wore themeselves out playing.

They've also inspired some fun new project ideas that I've ferociously sketched out over several pages of my idea book. And I've left you a hint to one of those projects here.



More on this tomorrow!

Haute Dog! I'm excited!

xo,AM

Figuratively Speaking

Since painting is on the mind today, I thought could share more of what I've done in the past. And also share how when I'm painting I still have handiwork, fabric, texture, printwork on the mind. I'm convinced that these tactile things are alot of what connects us to this world and each other. The act of making, giving, and using an item is simply beautiful.

When my friend Janna Eaton Smith asked me to do a portrait of her and her new daughter Adeline, she also asked my advice on how to dress herself and the baby. Not thinking too much about it, because those elements get changed alot in my paintings anyway, I just told her "anything you feel comfortable in". She showed up to the studio for the photo shoot with Adeline dressed in this beautiful sweater, handknit by her grandmother. Thats how she felt comfortable.



That little sweater became very important to me as the painting developed. I completely let it dictate the palette as I wanted all the rest of the painting to compliment it. Even the shapes and loose patternwork in the background were inspired by the cluster style knitting on the sweater. (If I knew the name of that style I would mention it...not a knitter...yet.) I remember contemplating how I wanted that feeling of physical and emotional warmth to be conveyed and was so pleased to have been given the inspiration.

Now back to today's painting.....actually spring imagery for product design.......you know me always in the wrong season.

xoxo,AM

Better from heart to toe

Well I tell you what, I feel much better today.

The toe is not so painful. Come to find out, I don't use my left middle toe too much in the studio. Picking up the kids from school and clutching a zillion lunchboxes, tote bags, permission slips, jackets, and still-wet artwork all with a two-ana-half year old on the hip is a different story all together. We managed just fine though.

But my heart is better today too. I spent the morning slowing down, reading comments & well wishes from some very kind women ,and looking through the impressive array of creativity behind the women who sent them. Thank you so so much. In return I am sorry to hear about each and every injury that my comical catastrophe brought to each of your minds, and appreciate your sharing! (mostly cause I feel a little less dumb now)

I think every medical professional I came in contact with shared the "dark mark" under their skin, accompanied by the school age story of how it got there. Its apparently universal.

I also finally got to those fabrics and all are in tidy little stacks. I've shared a few of my favorites


Fun stuff. Back in the full swing soon, lots of painting to do....

xoxo,AM

Not so heroic

Okay, so yamember last night when I said that I was going to spend the entire evening romantically folding a secret stash of fabrics that I storybook style happened upon???

I was sorely mistaken....and I mean SORELY mistaken.

I spent the night in the E.R. and the morning in the O.R. and the afternoon in the W.H.Y.M.E. and then transferred to the H.O.W. on earth. I have tried to answer the how so many times to so many doctors, physician's assistants, nurses, anesthesialogists (sp?), surgeons, x-ray techs, you name it. With every lame attempt to describe my even lamer freak accident involving that beautiful tool which I admire the most, I kept thinking if I could just use that tool...the almighty pencil...and draw a picture of it, maybe it would then actually make sense.

So here goes, I figured drawings would be much less grotesque than photos.



An unsuspecting Anna flits around the studio tidying up, anticipating a night of folding fabric fun. The No.2 lies in wait.



Not noticing a very sharp pencil on the floor, left by who knows, Anna walks in its path and in one motion manages to scoop up the pencil with the right foot, jabbing the lead into the middle toe of the left foot, tripping on it enough to hear a snapping break of the lead, and finally landing on the floor in one whiney "fwump-ouwwwah". She could see a deep whole in her toe and feel a huge amount of pressure, but then the real horror set in.......



....laying on the floor behind her was a pencil with the top broken off, not just the lead but the wood too. "Where is the tip to that pencil?", she thought to herself as she tearfully rubbed her hands across the can't-wait-to-rip-it-up carpet. Upon the quick and obvious analysis that the rest of that pencil was lodged in her toe, with no easy way to get it out, Anna and her nurse/neighbor Karen, decided this
was worth bringing Daddy home from work and taking a trip to the ER.



So many hours and three attempts by two people later (and lots of toe pain) we could not dislodge all the pencil from my foot. The best option was to stay overnight in the hospital, and wake up to the hope that it wouldn't take long to get into surgery.

I wish my first, and hopefully only, surgery had been for a more noble cause....but as several people have pointed out, its like a strangely beautiful irony that I was injured on the most basic tool of my trade. You could say drawing is in my blood, er-uhh, not anymore I guess.

The happy ending? Coming home from a successful, quick surgery this afternoon and finding this on a day when I felt like such a clutz.


Heather did me a blurb and I am so grateful because I am meeting more of YOU and I appreciate all the wonderful new friends I have and all their comments too!! Keep em comin.

"Miss Amazing" was not feeling such today, but I thank you none the less.

And Heather, these are for you, they're freshcut


xoxox, AM.

Secret Stash

It was even a secret to me!!!

Rememeber when I said in my very first post that I had gotten my studio all organized, folded fabrics and everything?? Well ever since, as I work on some new projects, I keep getting visions in my mind's eye of these fabrics that I just can't seem to locate.

After those visions kept coming today while piecing some goodies, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to have another looksy in the creeky old warm attic (which always reminds me of my Grandma...good, good feeling). You see when we remodeled our kitchen over the winter, I had to empty out some of studio cabinets so that I could use them as a makeshift pantry in the dining room. And just when I thought I had retrieved every bit of those cabinet contents back from the 3000 square foot attic, I found I was WRONG.

I also found THIS!



So I will have a relaxing evening of folding old friends instead of folding laundry. Better than a cash prize.

xoxoAM

Petite Pop-ups

Look at what I found blooming in the garden this morning!



I immediately plucked them and stuck them in a sunny spot.



From what I can tell they will thrive in sunny or shadey areas, and require very little care, except for an occasional fluffing.

I'll let you know how to propagate these blooms soon.

xoxo,AnnaMaria

Christmas in October

One of my biggest challenges as a surface/textile designer is inspiring myself to create art for a season that we aren't currently in the middle of. I am usually working on product design about 18 months ahead of when it will actually hit store shelves. So I am currently wrapping up my designwork for Holiday 2007 and now focusing on Spring 2008. It gets so confusing sometimes, that when I'm writing a check I have to think soooo hard about what today's date is, due to constantly living in the future!

I thought it would be fun to share a new holiday design collection I've worked on called Holiday Hoopla. Below is the original painting where I've definitely taken a less traditional approach to holiday and concentrated on the visual hoopla of it all.



I designed the painting so that it could easily be repeated for items such as giftwrap, or table textiles, etc. Below its shown in repeat pattern & you can see where the different elements pop up and repeat themselves.



Some types of products may have different coordinating pieces, such as paper tableware, that has 2 sizes of plates and napkins. For that situation I will usually pull out just a few elements of the main design and create a seperate design, to break up the monotony. I think of this process as how I would layer pillows together and how I would want to mix size, color and detail. Here's a few examples:






So there's a festive glimpse of another day in the life of this studio! If you have a hard time enjoying these holiday images during the beginning of fall, do what I do and just flip on Johnny Mathis Christmas and jingle all the way. This technique of mine has also proven to completely confuse my sweet children.

Happy Holidays!!
xoxo,AM

Sunday Drive

The need for a baby baptism gift has sparked my plugs.

Baptism is the beginning of the long life journey, and I'm sending our little friend Luke Anthony Changas off in style. This car has all the extras; dizzying dot wheels, eye focusing squares, finger feeeling textures and durable bumpers for a rough ride. The body is made up of scrap metal and the size will hug curves, or be hugged possibly.

All my kids are fighting over who will hand it to him. I'm thinking assembly line style so everyone will have a chance.

xoxo,AM

Summer Was Here

Remember when I was talking about palette last week and the projects it can inspire?

Oh I could ramble on and on about the beauty of autumn, the burst of colors, the crisp leaf-burning smell in the air........or how as I drove Isabela to preschool this morning, the breeze coming through the cracked window gave me a tickling flutter around my heart as we rode over hills waving to the neighboring horse farms on our daily path.

It is my favorite season by far.

For now I'll share a stream of consciousness creative path that resulted in a new shoulder bag pattern. The first prototype's fabric choice was inspired by the current state of my garden. You'll notice my pink summer roses performing one last encore before they bow out to the golden chrysanthemums coming from backstage.



Right, golden tones with a shot of pink...........



What inspired the function of this bag was the need for sliding car keys in and out as easily as a notebook. I am always carrying around a folder, sketchbook, portfolio, or something and have few bags that are tall enough or have a wide enough "mouth" to accomodate my ventures. Once the different textures and glowing palette were together, it reminded me of our living room, so I thats where I photographed it.



The nature of the construction has visible "hand", as I employed braided strips, ruffles and so forth. I wanted something that felt comfortable on my shoulder, durable to carry weight and look inventive at the same time. Taking this detail shot above and seeing the shock of tourquoise lining reminded me of this painting............



........its called "new mother peeling pears" and its of my friend Kristy Lord Johnstone who sat for me shortly after having her second baby.

Pondering how one palette can connect a garden, a room, a handbag, and a painting had me all excited and happy. It feels as though I've honored that natural beauty with every bit of skill and craft I could squeeze out.

Hope it made you happy too.

xoxo,Anna Maria