Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Speaking of Engagements

The weeks go by, and I can't seem to keep up with my work, my emails, my friends. Oh, and yes, my blog. Last Friday I came down with the flu, always an unwelcome occurance to a busy person. Sigh. I don't think it was the swine flu, although I never got into the doctor's office to find out for sure. I just hunkered down for the past five days and waited to feel better.

Since I am a person who would practially have to be forced to stay in bed, I putzed around the house, organizing in my office, pulling out fabrics, and generally worked without working. I didn't attempt anything that required a clear head! Mainly I organized and brainstormed through my stuffy, fuzzy head.

I did figure out a new closure solution to my winter Magic Baby dresses and overalls.

Instead of using the adjustable knot closure I had created for the summer designs, I decided to design a tab in constrasting fabric. The tab is stitched to the "inside" of the reversible dress along the back shoulder. It slips through an elasticized loop, buttoning on the "outside" shoulder. The tab has two buttonholes in it, making it adjustable for extra growing room, one of the requirements of my Magic Baby designs. I am very pleased to have finally figured out an aestetically pleasing solution!

The fall and winter dresses and overalls are not only adjustable, but still reversible. I am using super soft pinwale corduroy on one side, and cotton on the "reverse", or cotton flannel with the overalls. I have also designed matching hooded and reversible jackets for winter, and hope to have the first ones finished this week.

It has been several years since I have participated in a vendor's mall. In fact, I think the last time was at the wonderful (and now defunct) Art Continuum events created and managed by my friend Ginny Carter Smallenburg. Ginny's fabulous event was one of the first, if not THE first, art events full of cool vendor stores and workshops that one now sees all over the country. She also managed them perfectly, treating vendors, teachers and students with respect, and bringing in the best of the best from everywhere. They were very fun weekends!


I am scheduled for a vendor's booth at the upcoming Cleveland Metroparks Reflections of Nature quilt show the weekend of November 14th and 15th. The director, Dan Crandall, had contacted me last year to be a juror for the exhibition, and to present a program and booksigning on Sunday the 15th about my book, Uncommon Threads: Ohio's Art Quilt Revolution. Since the event also has a vendor's mall, I will be setting up a live version of my etsy shop! My Magic Baby designs (dresses, baby blankets, overalls, jackets) will be there, as well as handmade journals, tote bags and other fun creations. Stop by and say hello if you're in the area.

7 comments:

  1. Good news that you did not have the piggy-flu! Trust me, you wouldn't be up, period!
    Sounds like you're busier than normal people when they are healthy---so much going on! I am sure your booth will be delightful; Photos, yes??? ;)

    XXOO!!
    Anne

    P.S. Try and rest.......

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  2. "Try" + "rest" about describe how I approach it. It takes effort : )
    Thanks for the reminder to bring a camera to my November event! I will post pix, I will remember to take pix...

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  3. I have been running on empty myself and will have to re-read your newest invention of the closing tags but they look great and growing room is always a plus for young mothers. The small portable etsy shop should be a real success because the timing is perfect before the Holiday mad rush and you come along with beautiful garments for babies you love. I need to send a check for the return funds for the FAVA show...I am hoping they will lay my work out and "spritz" with pure plain old water to ease out packing wrinkles and pop up the quilting. Is that a possibility??? I might call and ask if they would mind letting the fabrics rest and breathe. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

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  4. Gayle, your Magic Baby clothes are THE best children's clothes I've ever seen! I hope you have plenty of studio time to get a bunch made up before the show on the 14th and 15th! I bet they fly out of your booth!
    Thank you again for hosting the tArts meeting Friday night and for coming down to Wooster to get me, keep me overnight, and take me to GEM's the next day! Our walks were my fave part, besides getting to examine all those amazing Magic Baby dresses, etc! You're really on a roll with that! Much love, Pomme

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  5. Thanks so much, dear ones, for your kind support and encouragement. The good news is that I am having fun creating these designs.

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  6. Erin has requested a christening gown for Jan.3,2010 that I hopefully will fashion out of her wedding dress train. She would like it to be simple like her gown and reflect contemporary spiritual beliefs. Thank you for your loving support in stopping by my blog from time to time. We are planning to come up next May Good Lord Willing!!! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fern Stew

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  7. Mary Helen, what a great idea to make the dress from her wedding train.
    It will be great to see you in May. Hope it all works out for you to come...

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