Making Plans for Spring

Last weekend was unseasonably warm and gave everyone around a hint of spring fever. It made me think about spring cleaning and spring freshening up of my home. Most of all, it made me want to get rid of a lot of excess stuff and start anew. I've been boxing up for donations and cleaning out things. I threw away stuff that I couldn't believe I was throwing away. I'm the type that once I actually decide to throw something out, I find that I need it desperately within 2 weeks. It always happens that way. With fingernails clinched, though, I did get rid of much excess and still have a ways to go.

The older I get, the more I find that all the extra accessories and "frou-frou" doesn't really appeal to me as much. I really am liking a clean, sleek look. I just have a really hard time getting rid of things that I have had for years, or found at a really bargain price. The only things that are "safe" are my family heirlooms that mean something to me. Those stay no matter what.

Have you been looking around your home thinking of some changes that you would like to see made in the coming weeks or months? Maybe just some new throw pillows or new rug would make all the difference. You could also look for a fresh, funky light fixture or some art work that catches your eye. Changes don't have to cost a fortune. Just moving the furniture around and weeding out the unneccesaries can make such a big difference and give your home a new lease on life.

I'm really looking forward to getting much more use of my porch this year than I did last year. Birds this year are really popular and just make you scream for warmer weather and flowers. Enjoy the pictures.

Is it almost Febuary?

This month has just flown by personally and professionally. I guess it is because there was so much to do this month that it really became a blur.

Today was such a nice day that it really gave me a little bit of spring fever. I did a little house work and looked around to see all the projects that needed to be done or in my case, finished. I think our recent ice storm had the same effect on people because I had 5 new client appointments this week and worked up 3 new orders just today. I'm really excited to see the uptick in interest for custom work. I hope it continues.

Being snowed in for a week, not only here but while we were away for Christmas, really gave me time to reflect on the business, the art of sewing and where I want to be this time next year. I have a saying that if I don't write it down, it doesn't exist!! I made a list of all the goals that I want to achieve for the coming year and posted them on my cork board in the office. Seeing them everyday will remind me of where I want to go, or at least I hope.

We are working to play "catch up" right now and I figured today it will take 2 more weeks to get ahead. We are working on 2 master bedroom suites right now and lots of pillows. I love making pillows. We interline all of them and put zippers in that just makes them so luxurious. We use only down inserts which makes all the difference in the world. I just love how they look and feel.

The above picture is of panels we did for last years Atlanta Symphony Show home.

Hope you all have a happy weekend!!

Happy New Year

I know it's a little late for a Happy New Year but this is the first post of the new year. It started off with a bang.

The Christmas season was the busiest we have ever had. We worked up until, literally, the last minute. We got out of town for a relaxing trip to the mountains and came back to jump back in the fire.

We had a space at "The Next Cool Thing" event. It was a three day event which took place in Atlanta that was meant to bring the design industry and the movie industry together. In case you don't know, Atlanta is the new hub for movie making. Several series are filmed here as well as countless movies. I already do some work for the "Vampire Diaries" TV show and looking to expand a little more into the set design world. We had to pick a movie theme and we choose "27 Dresses" I made draperies with wedding dress details and Celeste Alexander of 7 Pillars turned real dresses into draperies. The whole event was a blast. There was so much going on. Music, food, Daniel Craig was there in the James Bond booth, Tyler Perry was there as well. Aerialists were swinging from the ceiling. Bond girls were standing on tables passing out caviar. It was crazy fun. We also did the draperies for Pat Shankle Interiors and Grayson Harris Interior Design. They did an interior space based on the movie Auntie Mame. The whole event was incredible. I can't wait for next year's show. I already have my idea ready to go.

I met so many people there and can't wait to see what this year holds. I already went to an event tonight at the Chastain Horse Park. They were having an open house for clients. I met them at the event this weekend. I was so honored to be included. The owners David and Sheryl are so nice. I wish them the best.