Sommer Designs

BOO! I have updates!

Happy Halloween! I have a lot to say, so I'm just going to plow through the list!

1. Major update in the Del Cerro Tote department! Many are in limited quantities thanks to my recent jaunt downtown (I don't normally 'jaunt' around, but it's Halloween, so I thought I'd give it a go.)

2. Sommer Designs is having a 12-hour Spooktacular Sale! Seriously, if you have your eye on something, now is your chance! 20% off sitewide, BUT, it's only from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., California time, with promo code "SPOOKY". Details, and my cute graphic, here.

3. Hello St. Louis! I have super exciting news - NEST was asked to set up a holiday display of  some of their fabulous products at a WHOLE FOODS MARKET in St. Louis! How flipping cool is that? My Melrose Hostess Apron is part of the display! I think that means that I can say, my product is in a WHOLE FOODS MARKET??!! Holy cow! So, if you are in St. Louis, or know anyone in St. Louis, go in and check it out, and support NEST - talk up the store personnel about how cool NEST and their designers are! The store address is: 1601 S. Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood, MO

4. I have to deliver another bag to Cathy today, and I'm already thinking about another hank of that Malabrigo. It does that to you.

5. Have a great weekend my friends! XO

Yarn Porn

 

I visited Cathy at Twist yesterday to deliver some bags [See? I'm not the only one who thought the Del Cerro Tote made a great knitting bag], and of course, I got sucked into her yarn vortex.

 

The real tragedy is that I forgot my camera! This is beautiful, gorgeous, luscious Malabrigo; which I have not yet owned, let alone touched. Shocking Pink and Black Forest. If you haven't yet fondled Malabrigo, you must. You will not believe how soft and delicious it is.

Last night, while Scott was on a business call, I rubbed it against his cheek. He concurred.

I'm planning the Delores Park Cowl for these. Doesn't that look perfect for chilly days and nights?

 

I bought yarn.

Well, what did you expect? You know me, I have more projects than I have skills, funds, or time for. But those are mere technicalities, right? I won't let them hinder or hold me back from beautiful, delicious yarn.

Behold.

 

From Lori Lawson, Capistrano Fiber Arts, 2 skeins of 100% superfine Alpaca in these beautiful Autumn colors. (Check out her Etsy shop - she has some yarn on sale! These were only $10.00 each - but there is some superfine wool in her shop as low as $7.50!)

 

From Michelle Hoffee, I bought two skeins - one is a super bulky wool and the other is a finer wool - both in these gorgeous Candy colors. Michelle explained the heat process that the fine wool went through which bonds and strengthens it, so it has the durability of silk, but the washability of wool. Does that make sense? (*wondering if I have that correctly?) Anyway, it has a lovely sheen, as well, that is not picked up by the camera.

I've been thinking about hand-warmers lately [not that I need them right now; I'm reading about so many of you who have seen your first snowfall and we're stuck in 90 degrees. Seriously, enough already. I want my layers.] Anyway, Leslie wrote up two patterns for hand-warmers that I've been ogling, and I think I may use the two different yarns for each of the patterns. I've never attempted thumbs before though, so hopefully it won't become a frustrating, unfinished project.

 

I also fell in love with these skinny scarves that Michelle makes with superfine mohair and that bulky yarn. This was so me, I had to have it.

 

Michelle was generous enough to share her pattern with me and I think I might attempt one as a gift with her bulky yarn. How yummy, huh? Like I said before, I'm anxious for cooler weather. Now you know why.

But that's not all.

 

Michelle gave me these two skeins of undyed wool! I was so touched and so happy and thankful! At first I was thinking I would just use them as is [because, really, can we expect me to dye something?], but then I started thinking about Cathy - she has a whole dye kitchen at Twist, and I was planning to visit her tomorrow to show her these wonderful yarns. Maybe she has some advice? Maybe some of you do? I need to do this as simply as possible, or it won't happen. Advice welcome!

Anyway, I'm still working on my secret project and it's moving along very well! I'll be able to share it soon, I promise!

Meanwhile, there's another post up at Dinner Challenge - Linguine with Shrimp Scampi! Can you believe it?

I made so many new friends!

This past Friday & Saturday I had the honor of vending at Artistic License Fair in Costa Mesa. You know, this whole event/show thing is such a crapshoot. You never know what you'll find, or how you'll do, or whether the organizers have it together, or just threw it together. I find the last circumstance a lot, but my goal is to remain positive above all else, because to me, no matter how a show does, it's exposure, and that's worth a lot to me.

Apparently, this show has been around for 43 years. That, in itself, boggles my mind. I met a vendor that has been exhibiting there for 30 of those, and it was so interesting to talk to her and hear how the industry has changed and evolved in that time.

This fair was organized so well. The location, Estancia Park, was beautiful - we were on grass, under a canopy of California Pepper Trees, there was plentiful sunshine and a soft breeze - it was truly a vacation (after the back-breaking work of setting up, of course!). Kelley was there also, but we forgot to get a picture together!

I was next to LoriMarsha, who is so down-to-earth and sweet; it was great getting to know her better.

 

Shari came to visit (with a vintage Sommer Designs bag! I love seeing old bags!):

 

I had the nicest neighbors - Laura from Talisman Art Glass (spectacular work!):

 

Maggie, across from me, wove two baskets that weekend, it was amazing to watch! (I can't find her card right now, but will update when I do):

I met Michelle Hoffee from Made by Lovecraft, who has the most delicious yarns, and is so damn cute:

 

And also Lori Lawson from Capistrano Fiber Arts Studio, who had gorgeous handpainted and handspun yarn (I'm sure you can see where this is going):

 

How gorgeous is this?

 

And finally, the organizers, Nancy & Drew, who, as artists themselves, know exactly what to do [and how to do it] to make an artisan fair a success.

 

This was such a different event for me; it was so inspiring because I was surrounded by artisans and designers. There wasn't a replica booth in sight. Everyone was so nice and so down-to-earth and I left there on Saturday feeling so good about what I was doing, because there were so many other people doing what they loved, and sharing it with people who understood and appreciated handcrafted art and design.

The only downside is that I have to wait a whole year to do it again. Something else to look forward to, right? Hope you all had a fabulous weekend - I'll show you what I bought tomorrow!

And yet, another project.

 

As if I wasn't drowning in projects, yesterday I cast on something new. I can't divulge much because it's a gift, and the recipient sometimes visits here. Of course, this has been in the back of my mind for months, but a deadline looms and I thought it might be a quick knit. If I can keep up the pace I started with (we know how that goes, right?), it will be.

That's some delicious yarn up there, no? On the right, Manos del Uruguay, and on the left Feza Kid Mohair in two different colors. All knit together. Complete and totally yum.

It's perfect really, because the point I'm at with my refashion, I have to take a lot of breaks. Yes, there is beading involved, and it's tedious. I've decided I don't like beading. Of course, I'm going about it all wrong and in retrospect, could have made it much easier on myself.

I was planning to wear my refashion tomorrow at Artistic License Fair, but we're in the middle of another autumn heat wave, and it's going to be a million degrees out. Okay, not a million, but close. Actually, I think it's going to be beautiful and I'm really looking forward to it.

I was exceptionally excited to wear this because my tent will be next to my refashion hero of all time, LoriMarsha. Can you believe it? I mean, what are the odds? If you aren't familiar with LoriMarsha, you can see her here on Flickr, and on Etsy (she's closed the shop for the next 2 days, but check out her sold items). She's amazing. And I get to hang with her for two whole days!

Kelley is also going to be there, and we've decided (since it's a two-day) to have a slumber party and stay over Friday night. How fun will that be?

I have to leave super early tomorrow morning - so if you are in Orange County, and are looking for something to do - check out Artistic License Fair (Friday AND Saturday), at Estancia Park, 1900 Adams Ave., Costa Mesa. Good stuff.

Have a great weekend!

I'm working on something.

 

I'm not sewing any totes, and I'm not stuffing any liners. I'm working on a refashion, and I can't wait to show you.

In the midst...

A friend called me late last week and asked what I was up to. I said I was in the midst, and she replied, 'in the midst of what?' Sometimes I forget that people have no idea what I'm talking about, but 'in the midst' is a term Scott & I use all the time when we're in the middle of a project or a job, or whatever, but something that is taking time.

After I finished those seven totes, I got started on nine more. I don't know why I do this to myself, because I begin to teeter on the verge of burnout, and October is way too early in the season to burn out. I had a Farmer's Market yesterday (which was slow), and then I have a two-day event at the end of this week - Artistic License Fair in Costa Mesa (Friday and Saturday, Orange County people!), so I've been trying to stay on top of everything.

Let me just say, I think I'm okay tote-wise. But before I can take a few days off, I have to stuff some Lavender Liners, which is super easy and not a lot of work. I'd love to also get some of those totes photographed and uploaded on the site; I've been so bad about that lately. I'll work on it, okay?

Oh! Guess what? There's a post over at Dinner Challenge! Can you believe it?! Shari shared a great recipe with me last week for Beef & Guinness Stew - it's delish & easy! Go check it out!

Seven Totes.

 

Yesterday I hunkered down, streamed some Pandora, and made it to the finish line. About half the bags I cut out last week are done.

 

I can't decide which I like better - the blue lotus, or that olive wallflower. While I find blue so soothing and sedate, the olive is so me. But I'm just blathering here, I can't keep any of these for myself; they are to be added to inventory. *sigh* But at least they're mine until they find new homes - :)

Now, to get started on the last 6...

I almost forgot: my friend Janet emailed me earlier this week to let me know that my Melrose apron was in Cottage Living's Christmas magazine! They asked for images a couple of months ago, and you never really know what's going to happen; whether they'll be used or cut. So most of the time, I'm on pins and needles - sometimes I actually forget. I was surprised that this issue was released so early, and then Janet reminded me that Christmas is 10 weeks away. Gah!

 

If you happen to see the issue, it's on the very last page! *happy dance*

Tuesdays with Kelley

 

Okay, so here's where I admit to an ulterior motive for my pumpkin bread-making: Kelley & I have been trying to make time to continue our Tuesday morning get-togethers. It's a shame we need pumpkin bread to do it. Really, we don't. But this is a really busy season for both of us and free time is at a premium.

I'm so lucky to have a friend nearby that understands this. Our weekly get-togethers are so much more than tea and pumpkin bread though, and I'm sure any woman who has met a kindred soul will agree. A friend like this will listen to you, empathize with you, brainstorm with you, and give advice when needed and asked for.

Our businesses are very similar; but not overlapping in any way. Our target audiences are night and day; but the approach to sales and marketing is essentially the same. We do the same shows, and can share new ones when we find them. We can share sources, ideas and plans without the fear that the other is going to steal it. She gives me advice on sales (which is not my strong point) and I give her advice on marketing (which is not hers).

 

She crochets - I knit (that damn ripple shawl will be the death of me). Tea is had. It's such a nice diversion. And the funny thing is, I had been dragging my feet on finishing some bags. But after Kelley left, I was ready to tackle them again. That cannot be a coincidence - but only proof that friends and diversions are necessary when you work alone. It's networking, but on a smaller scale.

Hope today is productive for all of you!

It's that smoky season

Believe it or not, we had a cold snap last weekend. And by cold snap, I mean, we woke up Saturday morning and the thermostat inside said something, like, 62 degrees. I think it warmed up to the high 60's, or low 70's, [I can't remember, it was so long ago...] but it was a good enough reason to bring out the jeans & sweaters.

 

And think about my all-time favorite snack, Pumpkin Bread. There's just something about Fall; besides the promise of cooler temps, that makes me think about Pumpkin Bread. I make it with canned pumpkin, so obviously, I could make it any time of the year. But I don't. I can't.

 

I had grand plans for the weekend. About 10 totes to be completed. I didn't. They weren't. I have a Farmer's Market this weekend, but I'm not going to stress about it. I enjoyed being lazy.

 

I fantasized about Fall. And just when I was getting comfortable, in my jeans and sweaters, the weather turned again. The infamous Santa Anas returned, and while it isn't terribly windy here (at all really), it's pretty bad in some places. And the fires have started, which always makes me nervous. Even though they are so far away, it's just a little reminder of how vulnerable we all are.

 

I can't stand smoky season.