Sommer Designs

Friday Flickr Favorites

I like this one.

Click on the image to see it larger. Made with FD Flickr Toys. You should try it.
 

Sommer Designs Pre-Holiday S A L E

Are you on my email list? Seriously, you should be (*cough* there's a sign up over there on the sidebar). I wouldn't spam you, in fact, I only send out my email newsletters, at most, once a month. But oftentimes I include promotional coupon codes for discounts, and well, who doesn't want a discount now and then?

So, I was cleaning up around these here parts, and came across a bin of aprons from a season ago (or so). It was my from my first foray into outsourcing, and to keep costs down, I had a lot made. And I still have some. So I went around, checked inventory, did some counting and marked down several apron styles. Some as low at $18.00 - that's half off!

And then, as if that wasn't enough, I included a coupon code. And I'm sharing it here too, because the holidays will be here before you know it. You can think of it as my own little stimulus package.

***Use promo code SWEET for an extra 20% off site wide until Friday, November 13 at midnight PST. I need to add that the promo code is only good online, not at my events, not in person and not in my Etsy shop.

Oh, also! Shipping is free over $36.00!

Hanging with my Girlies

The best part about being rejected from a craft fair is getting to GO and shop the craft fair! Yesterday Kelley & I met up with Shari to walk and shop Handmade Brigade at The Camp in Costa Mesa. By the way, The Camp is a thoroughly awesome place - not too many shops, but all of them are super cool leaning towards sustainability and the handmade. My favorite shop was this converted Airstream.

The event was very small with a few vendors scattered outside (it was a gorgeous day),

We just loved walking around and seeing people we knew from Twitter and Facebook and all over the vast crafty blogosphere.

Since it was November 1, Kelley wore her cool Day of the Dead shirt and found an appropriate backdrop:

I didn't get any pictures of the indoor area, but that's where we found vendors like Mincing Mockingbird, Frantic Meerkat & Hearts and Laserbeams. I also found one of my favorite vintage clothing vendors from Etsy, Salvage LIfe, where I picked up a sweet vintage black beaded cardigan.

This is Cynthia Morehouse, who, besides sporting a perfectly coiffed Beehive, has some of the funnest jewelry and had the most awesome mini-EZ Up Tent that was HOT PINK! I forgot to ask her when she found such an amazing thing.

All that walking and socializing wears us out - lunch was at Native Foods, which was delicious. Look at my crafty girls, aren't they awesome?

 
 
 I love hanging with my crafty folks!

I also love not working every craft event I hear about :)

ETA: Here are more pictures from Angry Julie! (yes, she really is angry!)

The Finishing.

These are those 4 remaining bags from about 3 weeks ago that still needed to be finished. I did, finally. I was tired of looking at them on my worktable, and they were taking up precious space. I'm glad they're done, and of course, it took no time at all because they were completely ready for sewing. Quite by accident, the side seams on the two middle bags almost match up perfectly! Don't you love when that happens? Even bags have a good side. :)

My studio is in dire need of [yet] another complete clean up. It gets into such a state in the middle of show season, and right about now, I start to feel that crawly claustrophobic thing happening. Nothing is in its' place. 'Where'd I put my scissors?' 'All five pairs are missing?'

I did accomplish one thing towards organizing and cleaning. I had a bunch of fabric cards (they might be referred to as color cards, but I can't remember such things) from a company I used a few years ago for some linen. I was at the Textile Show, and they allowed you to order as many samples of fabric as you wanted/needed, each sample being about 11 x 14. I had them clipped together, hanging off a cabinet door. They were pretty.

They were also pretty useless at this point. Another easy, brainless TV (House, this time) activity for me (as you can see, I cannot sit still...hands must be moving) is fabric flowers. They're almost done - just need the pin backings and we're good to go!

I ran out of fabric-button-maker-thingy's, so I had to dip into my vintage button stash. Another thing that needs to be sorted and cleaned up. 

After I finish those lovelies, I'll begin sorting my bins and getting things together for my event tomorrow in Costa Mesa (Artistic License Fair). It's not a long haul, but I have to leave at 6 a.m. to beat the traffic and then it's two days of fun and inspiration! Kelley and I are overnighting it, and once again I am next to LoriMarsha - could a girl get any luckier? I doubt it. 

Friday Flickr Favs...

It's a good day for one, no?

Loving...Gray & Yellow

After I finished some totes yesterday, I found a bunch of pouches already cut out, some of them even interfaced!! Don't you love it when that happens?

It's funny, to me, how certain colors creep into my wardrobe; colors I would have never imagined myself wearing. Like gray. I've never been a fan. Lately, I've noticed a lot of it in my recent choices. Then yellow showed up, next to gray, and I've decided that's my fall color scheme. The gray is classic, the yellow brightens it up. Together, lovely.

I've been saving all the fall catalogs and finally sat down over the weekend to go through them. My favorites right now (okay, always) are Anthropologie, Garnet Hill and Boden. I especially love reading the little model quotes in the Boden catalog, you know what I'm talking about, right? We all read them, and then roll our eyes.

"Maria (To prepare for a night out I: wash my hair)"
"Cintia (Favourite birthday present: having all the people I love with me)"
"Olga (My biggest gamble: becoming a model)" yawn.
"Maria (Sexiest man alive: Hugh Jackman)" Okay, I'll give her that one.

Just once, I'd love them to go out on a limb.

"Cintia (What gets me out of bed in the morning: my screaming 13 month old)"
"Janice (My biggest gamble: putting up my house for the bail bond)"

Good thing I like the clothes. My itchy clicky fingers are wanting these right now:

With jeans & boots. Unfortunately, if I buy them, I won't be able to wear them for a few months. That's because our summer just started. It happens every year - the catalogs come, the people in the eastern/midwest/pacific northwest blogsphere start talking about their changing leaves, and I'm shaking my fist in the air thinking, "damn you, Southern California gorgeous sunshine."

That's it. I'm going shopping.

Hobnobbing

On Saturday night we all went into the city to see Kelley's husband Andy's art opening in Echo Park. We were so far out of our element, it wasn't funny, but we were so glad we did something out of the ordinary like this. It was such an awesome exhibit!

It was at the Sublimal Projects Gallery in Studio Number One, which you must check out. I was beside myself. Amazing work by 5 uber-talented artists, dare I even say alternative artists; I hesitate, because who am I to distinguish between genres of art? Andy is the Creative Director at Girl Skateboards, so obviously, skateboard art is the main thrust here - it's graphic & colorful, almost pop-like, with a cartoon quality and the work is just genius.

The Mr. & Mrs. in front of what was my favorite piece, but you can't really see because they are standing in front of it!

Andy does work in mixed media collage, and brings in elements from his life, things he's saved or compiled, which add such a personal touch like a window into the soul. He recently started adding pieces of raised & etched cut lucite to some work, which also give it a third dimension. Love.

But you have to look closely here - as on all his work to see something really special and really touching.

Old pieces of Kelley's patterns are incorporated into his work! Is that love, or what? I was dying. Almost every piece of artwork had a pattern piece incorporated into it. (Andy, you're the man!)

The gallery space isn't very big, but I loved how each artist had their own area. Being the opening night reception, it was full of people and in the entry Shepard Fairey was playing DJ and spinning real vinyl! (How immensely cool is that?)

I am extremely proud to say that I am (we are) the owners of a piece of Andy Jenkins artwork. Last April I asked Andy if he was open to creating a piece as my gift to Scott for our 20th anniversary. We talked about colors and elements, and I tried my best to not dictate too much in the way of  my style, because it was his style I was after. I think we were both scared, but when I saw the finished piece I was ecstatic.

It's about 20 x 20 on plywood, and sits on a console between our living & dining room.

I wanted the initial 'S' and love how he used a gothic style, which I would have never suggested, but love how it looks. On the right side, in the red area, he collaged the number 20 (for the 20 year thing, you know?) and if you look in the bottom of 'S' you'll notice another collage.

It's two pieces of mine & Scott's birth certificates, superimposed, collaged, bound. Scott & I love this piece so much, it was such a perfect anniversary gift.

That Jenks...what a talent.

(click on any of the images here for larger versions - it's worth it!)

Last Day to sign up for ApronFEST Giveaway!

This is it! The deadline for entering my apron giveaway is tonight at 11 pm PST! After that, comments will be closed! The winner will be randomly picked Monday! Thank you for all the entries! I love reading all the wonderful comments, and your nice words make my heart soar and flutter.

On another note: if you are in Southern California, specifically the northern San Diego area, I'll be in Carlsbad this Sunday at Art in the Village. It's right in downtown Carlsbad, which is a darling little town!

 

Have a great weekend my friends! XO

Apron Fest 09!

 

Good Morning, my friends! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and, can you believe IT'S AUGUST? I have a lot to share this week, besides my little getaway, and while I take my time going through all the photos I took, I have this nice little diversion for you!

It's been forever since I hosted a giveaway, and when Head Apronista Deanna asked if I wanted to be part of Apron Fest 09, I jumped on board!

 

Doesn't that sound like the best way to kick off August, let alone the week? I certainly thought so :)

 

I had a damn hard time picking out an apron to give away though - so I'm going to do it a little differently this time.

 

This time, THE WINNER gets to pick any apron my site! Either half hostess apron or full apron, it's the winners choice!

 

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post before Friday, August 7 at 11 pm PST. I will randomly chose a winner and announce it on Monday, August 10. How easy is that?

But there's more! Hop on over to this post at the Apronista, and click on the Mr. Linky box toward the bottom of the post - it has links to everyone who is participating, and you can sign up for all the giveaways! That Deanna has thought of everything!

Also - if you are an apronmaker (or even an apron collector; the giveaway apron does not have to be handmade!) you can easily add your link to your giveaway right there.

Pass it on - Tweet it, Facebook it, blog it, post it - let's make it the best Apron Fest ever! XO

Press Pass

My son Colin (who is an intern at the local cable station, RPV-Channel 33) has had all sorts of amazing opportunities. He's met people and gone places, as a member of the press, that few 17 year olds have had the chance to experience. He's been in the pit at the Long Beach Grand Prix, filmed a private interview with LA Dodgers' Tommy Lasorda, and last week spent the afternoon at Elysian Park before a Dodger game filming and being a part of the whole pre-game press junket. It boggles my mind.

Yesterday, he had the opportunity to accompany the RPV Ch 33 anchor reporter, Maria Serrao (FYI: you must read about Maria on her website - she's an amazing inspiration), to Lucky Strike in downtown LA for a Dodgers Dream Foundation fundraiser.

And guess what?

He needed a ride.

On the drive downtown, I was given the rules of the press. You cannot ask for autographs. You cannot ask to take pictures with celebrities. However, you can take pictures at the event of any of the players and celebrities that are there. It's expected. I, on the other hand, had no idea what to expect. But Maria could always use photos for her website and that was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

We got there early and Colin & Maria started by checking their equipment and doing sound checks.

 

Inside, all the media are in line in front of a huge Dodger backdrop.

 

After the attendees arrive and they are given their bowling shirts, they stride in front of the backdrop for photos - a little bit of red (or blue!) carpet treatment! I have to admit, I'm totally not a sports person, and had no idea who anyone was. Even the celebrities. When a cute petite girl walked up and people were snapping away, I just stood there. And then Alyssa Milano walked away and I had lost my chance! After that, I was a little more diligent.

Greg Grunberg from Hereos.

 

I believe, Matt Kemp from the Dodgers.

 

Chin Han from The Dark Knight

 

Um, Larry King, who I swear is the human Montgomery Burns.

 

We were really all over the place - checking the bowling lanes and getting pictures and footage of the players bowling. Manny Rameriez showed up and all attention was totally diverted.

 

In between throwing a large heavy ball down an alley, he signed baseballs and bats.

 

And I had a great time watching Colin in action, right in the middle of it all.

 

Completely confident and self assured - I gush. I think Maria interviewed all the players that were there - everyone knows her and everyone talks - mostly about being part of the Foundation and the opportunity to give back to community and help inner city kids.

 

Maria with Manny (above) & Brent Leach (below)

 

Tommy Lasorda

 

And James Loney (who hosted the event).

 

Brad Ausmus

 

They shot some opening and closing remarks,

and we were pretty much done. Can you believe that? It was so cool to see the behind the scenes of what goes on with the media. There are TONS of people with big, bulky cameras, following these people around, shouting "look over here!" "to your left!" and they (players & celebrities) are complying, but also trying to just do their thing.

And there in the middle of it all is my baby. I'm telling you, teenagers might be the death of me, but every once in a while I realize we did something right.