Happy New Year

I hope everyone is having a really Happy New Year. I have set some goals for myself, not resolutions that I will break, just goals to strive for. I took some advice from a book I'm reading and wrote them down. (Reading the book was one of my goals). I see them everyday. I even put dates on the deadline for getting them done. I'm constantly reminded that time is fleeting and I need to get my goals accomplished before the deadline. A lot of my goals were in the business arena. I'm making some progress but still have a ways to go. I'm excited about the new year, though and all that it has to offer.

One of the first things going is "The Next Cool Event" in Febuary. I'm making a 15 ft voodoo doll as the centerpiece for the Voodoo Bar. I'm excited about that. I've posted an artist rendering of it. Actually, the artist is a client who did me a HUGE favor by doing this. Thank you Eric. I will pay you back!!!

One of my goals this year is to learn how to smock panels. I'm looking forward to learning some new techniques. I found a sewing school in London, England. Now isn't that special. I can merge my urge to travel with education. Can you beat that? I'm also going to post some photos of things I love on here to share some design inspiration. I'm going to try to get most of my own house done this year as well. That will be a challange but I'm up to it.

Happy New Year everyone. Make the most of the days you are given.

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.

It's been a while

You know it has been a while since I updated when I couldn't remember the password to get into my blog. lol. I finally figured it out, though and here I am.
It has been an amazing couple of months. I am writing a column for the online magazine http://www.simplystylishlife.com/ I am under the home section. Please check it out. I got to do work for the TV series "The Vampire Diaries" too. We made a velvet patchwork quilt for a flashback scene from the 1400's. When I say we made it, we actually made all the pieces and hand sewed all the quilting. It was crazy. We only had 3 days to get it done. When we delivered, the set designer, Karen Bruck, gave us a tour of the sets. It was really neat to see behind the scenes.
I also gave a trunk show to the ladies of the Bradshaw Farms Womens Club. It went so well. They asked so many questions and I got a lot of feedback from them. I was really feeling 'under the weather' but their great response gave me so much encouragement. I have my next trunk show next Saturday at an interior design shop in Snellville. I have a few more ideas and samples to make up. I want you to be able to come to everyone of my shows and see something different. I have my third show schedule at the Towne Lake Hills Golf Club for January. I measured the club last week for draperies and am really excited to be doing this for them.
We were also able to do some work with Pat Shankle Interiors in the Atlanta Home Show at the Cobb Galleria. It was a really great show and we were so glad to help them. Pictures are posted on this post.
I am so thankful for all the doors that God has been opening up. I am so humbled.
We are getting booked for the holidays so if you need any draperies made, call now.

Looking Ahead!!

It has been an exciting couple of days here. Good and bad. We have had several meetings with interior designers that we have met at various functions. They have all been so nice and we have really enjoyed spending time with them.

We are also excited about some opportunities that could be opening up for us to do work in the film industry. It would be so incredible to be watching a movie and see window treatments that we made. LOL. How exciting.

The basement bathroom that we are working on is almost complete. We can't wait to post pictures soon of the finished project. It has a paris theme but not too much that it goes over the top. It is done in soothing greys and blacks. It is really coming along.

We have a big project to finish this week and some smaller ones to finish and deliver. We also are upholstering some custom sofas for a designer in the Atlanta Home Show that I hope get finished this week.

We are also turning in our article this week for the first addition of the "Simply Stylish Life" magazine. We will link to it online as soon as it is available. We are really excited about this new adventure.

The photos above are of the Cedar Grove Bed and Breakfast in Vicksburg MS. Lovely house, I just hate that they added wallpaper border (which I seriously doubt they had in 1841 when the house was built). I love period treatments, in period houses!!

Happy Labor Day!! (or what's left of it)

This has been a pretty busy weekend. The cool fall air always makes me want to purge all the clutter in my life and home and begin the "nesting" process for winter. We have loaded bags of trash and boxes and boxes for donation. Hopefully my "trash" can be someone else's treasure.
Speaking of donations, Cherry Lane Drapery is donating 10% of it's proceeds for all orders placed until 10/31/2010 to the Susan G Komen Atlanta foundation. We are really excited about this!! So, for everyone out there, get your draperies done for the holidays and donate to an amazing cause all at the same time. What could be better?
I hope all of you had a great Labor Day weekend and were able to spend quality time with your families. During some of my down time, I watched 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'. What an amazing gift to have such a large loving family. To know that no matter what, they have your back. I hope and pray that for each one of you.
We are coming into the cool, fall weekends full of garage sales, pumkin patches, apple picking, festivals, and of course, the southern favorite....FOOTBALL!!!! I think I have already lost my husband and sons. While they are sitting on the sofa, watching the game, take out your girlfriends or daughters and do a little window shopping. See the new trends and styles that are out there. Go to an open house or showhome and get some ideas. Make your home a place to "hunker" down this winter and enjoy your loved ones. The Atlanta Home Show is taking place this month on the 24th at the Cobb Galleria. Check it out!!! Meet some of the vendors and just relax and enjoy.