Sommer Designs

Happy Belated Mother's Day

I wish I could say that I spent the day in my jammies, knitting or reading on the couch, as my family showered me with gifts and chocolate. As it was, I slept in until 6:30 and then got to work! If I did spend the day in my jammies, knitting or reading all day on the couch, my family would certainly think I was ill. I just can't do it!

I did an event on Saturday in Manhattan Beach, and earlier in the week was kicking myself that I only requested one table. But then on Saturday as I was loading the car, relief swept over me as I realized how very low on inventory I am. This was a good thing for Saturday, but a bad thing in reality because the Palos Verdes Street Fair is in 3 weeks, and I have a lot to do before then!

So yesterday I cut out 111 lavender liners and 12 bags. The liners will be delivered to Estella tomorrow, but even if she finishes them in time, I'm not sure I'll be able to get them stuffed, sewn shut, rolled and packaged by May 31. Luckily, I'm picking up some others tomorrow, which should help the situation, but I can't believe I'm down to less then one bin of liners. I might be a little scarce here while I dig myself out of this little hole I've found myself in!

Saturday was a so-so day - not really my audience (the event was sold to me as a craft boutique, but I was flanked by two replica handbag people and an Arbonne distributor - pretty much not crafty, you know?), but to my happy surprise, Cathy from Twist Yarns was also a vendor!

I hadn't been back to Twist since my initial visit, but she totally remembered me! It was so great to catch up with her and hear how her fabulous little shop is doing! I got to fondle yarn and think about another project (I received a gift certificate from her shop for my birthday that I still haven't used!). Cathy is just such a breath of fresh air, so real and down to earth, I wish Twist was closer to my home, because I'd totally hang there all the time. And then I'd be in even a worse inventory situation, huh?

Oh, hey, one other thing - are you on Facebook? Sommer Designs has a page over there and I'm trying to keep it up to date with announcements, events, etc. If you are and want to fan the Sommer Designs page, please do! Also, if you own one of my products and would like to post a review, please do! Thanks dolls!

Meet The Betty's.

No, I don't normally name my mannequins. My son Dylan asked me what one of their names was, and I said, Betty. Then he asked what another was named, and I said, Betty. Finally, the last, and I said, you know.

Dylan looked at me and said, "You can't name them all the same name! That's creepy."

Me: "No kidding. Mannequins are creepy. They are The Betty's."

End of story.

I bought them last week at a store that was going out of business in Hermosa Beach. It was one of those expensive stores that I could never afford to shop in, but everything was 70% off, so I stopped in. And I still couldn't find anything, except The Betty's.

Look at their awesome feet! I needed some matching mannequins for an upcoming trade show, and The Betty's will be perfect.

And, they were only $35.00 each. How could I not take them home with me?

ETA: The Betty's came with the pink sashes - I did not outfit them! They were from a store called PINK, in Hermosa, that donated all its' profits to breast cancer research. It's a real shame they closed, but I think they might have lost their lease. Maybe they'll continue via the web?

Spring Fling 2008

Spring Fling was this past Saturday, and as always, it was such a fun day! Filled with friends and customers who traveled from near and far (thanks Laura & Katy!), lots of chatter and girl talk, and of course yummy snacks!

I only snapped a quick photo of my set up before everyone arrived, and the sun was streaming in the window, which totally ruined my shot! So, sorry, but you get the idea!

Three bins of older merchandise that I just wanted gone was marked down 50% - there's still some left, which I'll bring to the Farmer's Market this weekend; great timing for Mother's Day. The bags are in perfect condition, just older prints...that I'm really quite tired of looking at. [isn't that a nice thing to say about your own creations? jeez...]

Natalie Walker of Natalie Nicole Swimwear [isn't she DARLING?] and her amazingly CUTE line of swimsuits. She's actually closing her business, and everything was $20 a piece. Believe me, gorgeous separates at an unbelievable price.

Shoppers liked those Market/Book bags I was talking about last week [you know, the ones I didn't like making...figures, right?]. Can't say I'm going to make more, but it was nice to know that I was on the right track.

Simple snacks are always on the menu...including cupcakes!

Cutey patootey Charlotte modeling her new hair clip [made by me years ago - another small bin I found that I decided to liquidate]

Jamie Calvert's beautiful artwork - lovely scenes of Palos Verdes & the equestrian trails - the small square cube in the center is mine, mine, mine!

Susan with Katy & Richard, who braved the heat and traffic and visited from the valley - thanks guys!

I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I would have liked - it's hard to sell, host and be photographer too! Oh, and there's all the socializing...that's hard work! It was a fun day, but exhausting. I'm glad it's over - thanks to everyone who came and helped make it so much fun! We'll see you next year! XO

Where procrastination comes back to bite me.

Maybe I just need to start delegating - that's what the husband tells me, because I feel like all I do is work anyway. So how is it that I'm sick to my stomach at my to-do list and scrambling all the time? I logged off the computer in an attempt to really buckle down and get some work done. It worked, but I have miles to go before I sleep...

I love these new Del Cerro Totes in Pink Lotus and Butter Toile - they were a little experiment, and if I can get it together, will be on the site at some point this week (just being realistic, okay?). The bases are brown poplin, and they're perfect for summer. I got a slew of aprons packaged and more cut out, and currently, I'm working on cutting out a bunch of lavender liners.

I had a slew of older fabrics that I've grown tired of, so I played around and made them into Market Bags/Book Bags. They're quite cute, and I considered adding them to the site, but I really didn't enjoy making them. They were one of those things that sat cut out on the table for two weeks, and everyday I would walk by and shake my fist at them. I finally sewed them together (to put us both out of our misery), and will offer them at the Spring Fling this weekend.

Speaking of, the Spring Fling is coming along - I feel much more scattered this year than I have in previous years, and I wonder if that's a sign that I'm growing tired of it, or just don't have the time. It used to be such a big deal, with me preparing for weeks ahead of time to make it just right. This year, I feel like I'm sort of just throwing it together at the last minute. I'm not, but for some reason, it just feels that way. I know it will all come together and will be a fun day - but it's just stressing me out right now (can you tell?)!

It's time for me to get back to work - Happy Monday!

I'm already tired thinking about next week.

So, today was a Farmer's Market - and do I have to tell anyone about the weather in Southern California? It reached 94 degrees today. That's just insane for April 13. Heat like this breeds lethargy.

I really wasn't sure what to expect from today's market. Susan was supposed to split the booth with me, but she was super busy and low on inventory, so she backed out last night. More room, less chatter. At least my friend Kim was next to me [so I got some chatter anyway]!

The markets have been a little slow lately, and I say that even as a shopper. When Scott & I go on non-market days, it's slow. I can only imagine what the farmer's are thinking. I'm always wondering how the economy is for them and how the rising prices are affecting them. Today was hot, so it could have gone either way. It was busy early on, people were smart in getting their shopping done early before the heat got bad.

I had some new bags I was thinking of debuting today, but they didn't get done in time. I got too lazy in the heat the last couple of days and didn't finish them. So, hopefully they'll be done by my Spring Fling Boutique in two weeks.

This coming week is going to be a little insane. I'm posting tonight because I don't know if I'll have time for the next couple of days. This week is the Los Angeles Textile Show, and I might be attending everyday. That's unusual for me because I usually just go and visit my favorites and blow out of there.

But this time, I'm sourcing a new product that has been in the works for almost a year, and admittedly, could have been released a long time ago if I could just make a decision. I've made a big committment (that I'll tell you about later!), and it's time to really get serious about it. So I'll be sourcing in a big way and will be picking everybody's brain.

Couple that with getting ready for the Spring Fling in two weeks, another Farmer's Market the week after, and the Palos Verdes Street Fair at the end of May. THE END OF MAY is next month!

Who put time in hyperdrive?

My favorite {little} visitor.

Oh dear. I know I said I was done with the Itty Bitty posts, but, dang, I can't help myself.

There I was yesterday, supporting Lupus Awareness like any other good vendor in Manhattan Beach, and in walks an Itty Bitty. Not just any Itty Bitty, but the Itty Bitty of my dreams and my worries.

Please meet little Miss Daisy G.  - in her Itty Bitty Upside Down Daisy hat...

Could you die?

I also made an Easter Basket.

On Monday, I bought an Easter Basket. One of the perks of being in business is that I can buy completely useless things and call them props. I woke up at 2 a.m. the night before with an idea for my March Email Newsletter, and it was all I could do to lay there the rest of the night instead of running downstairs to begin executing my plan.

As you can see, the idea was to combine Easter & Passover - Easter Baskets for grownups - fill them with Lavender Drawer Liners; and tote your wine to the Seder table in a Catalina Wine Bag. It was a little cheeky, and I liked that.

However, I was a little worried about possibly offending someone; but I figured the only people that could possibly be offended would be the Seder-goers, and then I'd just remind them that I am one of them. I'm not making fun of the Seder table (but, seriously, I've been to some Seder's that could really use some amusement), but let's face it - just have fun with it.

(Oh, I also bought some of those plastic eggs. And candy to put in them. I know what I'll do with the candy, but the eggs?)

I found the one patch of grass in my backyard that was uniformly green, and I had my little photo shoot, and then I spent the rest of the morning making that damn graphic.

I broke all the email marketing rules about sending out a newsletter that was a big graphic. The email marketing guru's tell you not to do that because not having text in the body of the email makes it more likely to be sent to the spam folder. I added some text to the bottom, but decided to throw caution to the wind and go for it (by the way, it did not seem to affect my opening and click through ratio).

So then I was left with that Easter Basket. I need another object here like a hole in the head, and it sat on the worktable for two days until yesterday.

I'm doing a Lupus Fundraiser event on Sunday in Manhattan Beach, and wanted to donate an item for the silent auction. I had some Lavender Liners packed up in a shopping bag to drop off, but then decided to {duh} make a grown up Easter Basket.

I tell ya, sometimes, she's really dense.

{entonces}

You win some/you lose some.

Note to self: just because your car will already be packed, doesn't mean it will be any easier to do two shows back to back.

The Lowdown:

Friday - Designs For Dining: Fantastic. Very fun, but a very long (11 hour) day. This was the first time they had vendors, so I didn't know what to expect. I also had not ever attended the show (bad me) so I really didn't even have a clear picture what the event was all about.

It is really nicely done. Individuals, businesses and groups 'sponsor' a dining table and decorate it. Visitors buy tickets to come in and view the tables, get ideas, see what's new, etc. There are raffles & a silent auction, and it was a huge social.

There are little lectures and seminars during the day on everything entertaining-oriented, like flower arranging, table settings, china, etc. In the late afternoon, there was a wine & cheese table, a wine talk and then a Live Wine Auction. I was pleasantly surprised - it was really nice!

I brought more 'dining-oriented' product (read: aprons & wine bags) and actually sold more regular bags then aprons! Go figure! It was fun seeing an old customer with a vintage Sommer Designs Valmonte Bag - I think I made that bag about 3 or 4 years ago! I had a great time, but was really beat by the end of the day.

Saturday's event was a total flop! I don't usually diss the bad events here - and really, my mantra is that there are no bad events. Even though the event was poorly planned and ridiculously unorganized, I made contacts in an area that I usually don't get into. So if the events I found through those contacts work out, then it was worth it. There is always a bright side and a silver lining in my book!

But the fatigue...oh my! I purposely did not change the clocks on Saturday night, because I wanted to wake up Sunday morning at my usual time (6:00 a.m.) and realize that it was 7:00 a.m., and I had, in fact, slept in. It worked! I was totally refreshed yesterday and got so much done! Scott surprised me at 5 p.m. with news that some friends were coming to dinner and we did the mad dash to clean up the house and throw dinner together. Scott must have had it up his sleeve all along, because his pizza dough had been rising all day.

The weather was spectacular (sorry East coast & Mid West) and we grilled pizza and ate in the garden (that actually sounds prettier than it is, but it was just the patio. My garden is in shambles.).

The dogs like it when we eat 'in the garden'. I think I'm just about ready for spring! Aren't you?

Back to Back.

Happy Friday good peeps in Blogland! I have no pictures to share, and really nothing to say, except that I have two back-to-back shows and if you're in one of these places, please stop by!

Palos Verdes Peeps!
Today! Friday, March 7, 2008: Designs for Dining at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 2200 Via Rosa, Palos Verdes Estates, 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Details here!

Pasadena/San Marino Peeps!
Tomorrow! Saturday, March 8, 2008: Easter Bunny Extravaganza Gift Show at the San Marino Women's Clubhouse, 1800 Huntington Drive, San Marino, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, I'll be resting my weary bones!

Have a great weekend! XO

Dare I mention the weather?

Saturday evening we went down to Laguna Beach to meet some friends for (my birthday) dinner. The weather was stunning. Seriously. It's been freezing for the last three months, and then all of a sudden we have (near) record highs. Before dinner we met for cocktails on the patio at Las Brisas, and the view was simply spectacular.

In retrospect, an evening out in Laguna, as wonderful as it was, was probably not the best idea the night before a market. Because the next morning, I had to get up 5 a.m., and that wasn't pretty.

Once again, the weather was spectacular - tank tops and flip flop weather and white, white, white legs peaking out of skirts. It was all I could do to make it through the morning - actually, the morning wasn't so bad, and luckily the day ends at 1 p.m. I was a basket case, however, by the afternoon and even with an afternoon nap (can you believe it?), I was in bed by 8 p.m.! I am so out of market shape! The back hurt, the legs hurt - oy, me!

As part of my early-in-the-year organizational triumphs, I am dedicating Mondays to paperwork and bill paying. I even put it on the calendar, and having put the time aside, yesterday was so productive. I feel so much better and in control of those nagging things. My desk is still a mess, but at least the mortgage is paid.

After last week of not cooking one single night (thankyouverymuch), I am back at the Dinner Challenge. It has been so helpful to plan everything out, and blogging about it keeps me accountable, even in the smallest way. Last night, I made Pasta with Turkey Sausages, Red Bell Peppers & Basil, and the unofficial recipe is up. Unofficial, because I couldn't find the actual recipe, and just winged it.

It's super easy - take a look!

Small discovery - when cooking, it's especially important to have a kitchen staff. Mine just follows me around...

They're better at clean up duty than anything else. I always disappoint though...poor babies.