Went to the fabric store today and got some great fabrics for pillows. I have to get all these pillows done this week. Some are from the ideas I got in Paris so I'm really excited about constructing them.

I took Eva, my 4 year old, to the ballet, Cinderella, today. I got so many ideas from the costumes and sets. It was beautiful. It also gave me the inspiration to decorate her room. The only problem is that none of the fabrics I have will work in the newly inspired room. Isn't that how it always goes?

I'm really excited about getting this all done this week. The pictures of Paris for the show home walls are ready and I'm picking them up tomorrow night. I can't wait to see them.

The above picture was from the Maison Objet show in Paris.

Busy Start to a Busy Week

Still trying to get back into the swing of things after a severe case of jet lag. I really enjoyed my trip to Paris with my friends in tow.

I am working feverishly to get some orders out as well as getting everything ready for the show home. Chris, the upholsterer and I spent Friday afternoon at Award Fabrics downtown to pick out fabrics for the furniture in the show home. It is going to look fabulous. I took a cue from Paris and went with grays, cream and blacks. Kami, the photographer who went to Paris, is going to enlarge some of the pictures she took to hang on the walls. I think it is going to come together better than we think.

I broke down and hired another assistant. Her name is Teresa and she will be working 3 days a week with Lisa and me. I have hired 3 people and all of them have quilting experience. Something says I need to start doing some quilting. LOL.

You know when you are busiest, everything is going to go wrong. My blind hemmer bit the dust yesterday and I had to not only pay for repair, I had to pay the same day rush charge. I'm in the wrong business. I need to start repairing machines.

I hope that is the only thing that gets in the way of getting these orders done.

Back from Paris

Well, I made it back from Paris safe and sound. I wanted to post from there but getting internet access was a challenge at times.
We had such a great trip. There is nothing like going away with your girlfriends. We laughed and laughed.
The Maison Object show was truly an amazing experience. The center was 2,300,000 (Yes, 2 million, three hundred thousand) square feet of Interior Design and Fabric companies. I went 2 full days and still could not see everything. I was able to take a few photos but mainly just did some sketching. Photos were a no no.
I did come back with so many new design ideas, not just from the show but from a lot of walking around Paris and window shopping. Every window front seemed to be better than the last. Truly, it was everything I thought it would be and more. I was not disappointed at all.
I met some designers from San Francisco (In a cookie shop of all places), a couple from Los Angeles (at Starbucks) and I met Hillary Swank on one of my walks. I didn't recognize her at first, I was lost and needed directions. She was very friendly though.
I will post pics this weekend. Jetlag is rough.

Tomorrow is the Day

I can't believe that I'm leaving for Paris tomorrow!!!! I'm really excited but very nervous too. We spent the day getting one last order out before I leave. I'm spending the evening wrapping up a little paperwork and yardage estimates and will cut out an order in the morning for Lisa (my assistant) to work on while I'm gone and then I'm out of here.

I can't wait to see what awaits me in "The City of Lights". I'm hoping to come back so inspired and ready to create some amazing window treatments, bedding and pillows. I already have things swirling around in my head.

I took a few more pictures of Sarah working with us today. She pulled up a chair and scrap of material and started working.

Have a good night everyone. I hope I can get internet service in Paris.

TGIF

Well, the first week of my blog is over and I'm really enjoying writing it. I am so thankful that God allows me to do what I love to do. I was up around midnight last night making a pattern for today's work and I thought, this really doesn't feel like work. I have always heard, do for a living what you would do for free and it will never seem like work. It is so true.

My assistant Lisa really held down the fort today. I had appointments this morning and this afternoon and had yardage to figure so she was working alone most of the day. She really got a lot done. I don't know what I would do without her. I would post a picture but she won't let me take one of her. We have a really good time working together, watching movies, talking. We both are addicted to chocolate but I've cut back on carbs so she eats it for me. She did buy me low carb chocolate but some things just do not need to be diet. Chocolate and salad dressing just need to have the fat and carbs in them.

Going to spend the first part of next week finishing up orders and tying up loose ends so I can get ready for the Paris trip. I'm getting anxious and ready to go. I hope I come back totally inspired and ready to take the business to the next level.

I'm pretty sure I've decided to hire someone else to help out. We just have so much going on, we could really use someone to help. We do a lot of handwork that takes up a great deal of time. Having a third person would really be great. I guess I have to start looking. It's going to have to be someone that can put up with Lisa and me.

I spoke with an art gallery tonight about having some of their work hanging in the Roswell show home. They seemed really interested and had some great pieces. I look forward to working with them.

It's a holiday weekend and I am planning on taking it off, if I can. Will post later. Have a great holiday!!!!