I was up late and I'm up early, feverishly finishing this dress that Juliana designed. It'll be the part of some magazine ads for Drawing Room, and I have about 24 hours to complete the whole shabang, including the sewing, final fitting, styling, photography, any photo editing and final art for production. Started at about 9:30 last night. So go ahead and ask me, should I have dropped everything and taken 7 people on a 30 hour round trip car ride for 5 days just to play with our family's newest baby? Should I have talked on the phone yesterday for two hours to a dear friend who I've missed lately? Should that coffee be sitting so close to that dress? (Should I really be drinking coffee out of a cracked mug?) I say yes to all. I can't enjoy what I'm doing unless I enjoy what I'm doing and about once or twice a year I remember that.
Besides, I could photoshop a coffee stain out. Show ya more soon. xo,AM
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Taking Risks
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43 comments:
Are we going to get to see when it's all said and done? If so, I can't wait!
I think that the requisite warm, caffeinated beverage is actually more important to sewing than the machine. Absolutely it should be sitting right there! Beautiful fabric by the way, and how cool that your daughter is designing things (I think Juliana is one of your oldest children, right?).
Before I even started to read the text, as soon as I saw the picture, I thought to myself -- that looks like an amazing dress. I hope she's going to share the pattern with us.
How exciting for Juliana to be able to design and see it in print.
Good luck getting it all finished!
Can't wait to see the dress when it is done! Don't you love the times when you totally procrastinate but you have the most marvelous time while doing so? I think those are usually the best moments in life! :)
I'm impressed that you're taking the time to blog! Good for you for remembering to enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. Best of luck as you finish up.
Looks like a gorgeous dress and stunning fabric too! Can't wait to see the final piece. What a thrill to do all that while facing a deadline.
judging from the tiny bit we can see in the picture juliana was inspired by the 50s fashion with its wide skirts and small waists... can't wait to see it completely!
and you're perfectly right about taking a break here and there. it helps us getting some of the "quality" back into the "quality time" of things we love to do...
Oh bless your heart! I used to do this to my mom...I mean come up with some sort of prom dress concoction about 24 hours before I needed it, and expect her to customize it to my specifications (obviously not the case here)...and she did it! And now that I can sew a little I realize what a task that was! Keep the coffee coming?
I know the feeling, I'm procrastinating sewing right now by reading your blog! the coffee is right by the keyboard!
That dark brown piping is a stunning accent color! Oh, another thing to add to your "living dangerously" list -- leaving your rotory cutter blade open next to the dress. Please don't ask me how I know!
Great fabric Anna Maria!
Good for Juliana. :o)
I have four designers right now. My oldest daughter Tessa(16)does applique hanging mini-pillows, purses and clothes; Aliss(13) does slap bracelets; Hannah(8) does purses and baby pillows (she appliqués yellow gingham duckies and embroiders water around them); the youngest Sophie6)designs coin purses and small purses.
most of them have me sew it, except Hannah who hand sews all of her stuff. determined.. :o)
I wanted to say that when you described you family life growing up on the podcast, it sounds like the life my kids are being raised in...except one parent at home. some things we parents cant help (like you know), it was encouraging to hear it from the point of the child. thank you..
Lori
Yes, and I must be quite the risk taker too... the list is growing and yet, here I am reading all about the wonderfulness on other's blogs. Away I go!
Thanks for the daily inspiration, Anna Maria. As always, I so enjoy stopping by.
Smiles!
Bari
PS... How long did I stare at that baby photo? Must share some baby feet pictures. :)
The dress looks great. Can't wait to see the finished product! New baby is definitely worth putting off other things. I might exchange the mug for one that is not cracked however. :)
Well, I would have said yes to all too! It looks great, can't wait to see it. Sending super mama, sure we can do it all, thoughts your way!
I love this post, and have Sooo been there. Well, except for the magazine photo shoot thing. Can't wait to see the dress.
Anna
The dress looks beautiful so far!
I just learned that my fiance's grandma is giving me her old sewing machine and sewing table as a birthday/wedding gift!! There is no better hand-me-down than that, huh?
You're interview @ Craftsanity was so sweet and fun!!
Wow Juliana! That looks like it's going to be a gorgeous dress! How fun that she gets to collaborate with you on things like this! Can't wait to get my hands on some of that fabric - I have a list of things waiting for "Drawing Room" fabric!
Right on Anna. No matter what, it always gets done!
Can't wait to see this dress!!
I can't wait to see the dress too!!! Julianna is such a talented girl! That is coming from the art teacher in me who has taught her age. I would have loved to have her as a student!!!
Ohhhh, can't wait to see the finished product!
What fun! I too, noticed the dress first off, before reading anything in the blog. :)) Can't wait to see the bliss! Way to go Juliana. Of course you had to go tickle the baby toes and drink your coffee and so on....we have to live life, right! Happy Easter! Now go grab a chocolate easter egg, but watch out for that dress! LOL
Laurie
xo
Unbelievably cool. I am DYING to see it in all its glory.
That girl may end up becoming a top clothing designer, and I can say I "know" her and her talented mom too. :-)
this makes me smile anna maria...i am not alone in my "risky" behavior and need to like what i am doing or i'm just not going to do it...
all the things you talk about in this post are what makes life the incredible trip that it is.
can't wait to see the ad...that juliana is one talented girl!
No matter how much beautiful stuff I see, I keep seeing more!
Well said...nothin' like a deadline to have you doing every crazy thing you probably shouldn't!! Love it...love your blog too!!!
Wow...that's not only risk taking, that's tremendous pressure. Good luck and keep us posted. I want to see the final product.
Ooo, black trim!
Or is it brown?
I like.
Living dangerously, sounds like the perfect way to get things done. I'm sure it will look fabulous and be completed right on time.
its black :)
AM
Oh I can't wait to see the dress!!! I am a wee bit of a risk taker myself, I sit here, coffee a few inches away and my keyboard nicely dry from where I dumped coffee on it the other day....yet here I am again...this keyboard and coffee and I are a dangerous combination...what the heck I like flirting with danger....
looks like a lovely dress, can't wait to see it finished!
Should that dress be so close to an open rotary cutter? I ruined a quilt once that way. Glad you know what's important in life. More people need to have that attitude.
"I have about 24 hours to complete the whole shabang, including the sewing...." You mean there are other ways to finish a project? The dress looks blissful! Congratulations on your new line!
~Kim
I have all the faith in the world that you will finish and it will be absolutely fabulous. And WOW on Juliana designing a dress that you are sewing, with gorgeous fabric and it will all be in print. Fantastic! I say enjoy whatever you want to enjoy and whenever you need to enjoy it. Life is too dang short to put off for deadlines!
hi Anna Maria, the dress looks beautiful. I all for doing the thing that you feel you must do rather than what you should do. On my last birthday I dragged my family on a 5 hour round day trip just so I could see the sea and be blown to bits by the wind! We live just outside London in quite a built up area and sometimes I just need to see a big expanse of the world! Thankyou for such an inspirational blog!
30 hours round trip??? You are a trooper! Loved the photoshop comment. I've been there. ~jen~
It's good to do what is enjoyable when the need strikes. I find I tend to get a cold or something if I ignore that urge too long!
Also, loved the interview!
I love that dress!
that is an incredibly cute dress! are they going to be up for sale?! :)
GREAT DRESS!!!!
I've been known to be a bit reckless with the coffee cup, too. The dress turned out just perfect!
Anna,
I have to ask, what color is the piping on the dress? Can't tell if it is chocolate brown or black?
Sooooo pretty!
Juliana did a fantastic job!
Laurie~
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