Catch-up! That's right, catch-up. Deadlines, promises, laundry, sleep. Catch-up.
I had to stay in Chicago an extra night due to airport delays last week. So, far better than pulling an all-nighter at the airport, I had a quiet meal at the Hyatt and a good night's sleep. Somehow, that extra day of travelling compressed last week's obligations into a mad flurry of busy-busy.
In Chicagoland, I met up with Hope Meng and Melissa Alvarado of Stitch Lounge, Nicole Smith of Cutting Edge Magazine, Simon Haskins (designer and son/business partner of Jenny Haskins'), Anna Maria Horner and several amazing folks from Bernina. We ate delicious food and chatted about one of my favorite subjects - sewing.
I found that I was somewhat enchanted by the cold weather. However, if I had to clean a windshield, fill a tank with gas or buy groceries in such weather, I'm sure it'd quickly lose its spell. Thank you for your foul-weather-warnings -- you should have seen how many layers I wore that first time out the door.
Oh ya, those photos up there... Seeing as tomorrow's Valentine's Day, here's a fun idea: Customized Sweethearts. All you need is a bit of clean sandpaper, a papertowel to brush off the dust and some edible markers. No, you don't eat the markers.
And, finally, what happens if I don't mention the studio photos? Will you forget that I promised them last Wednesday? Hopefully. They're still on Isaac's laptop and I don't have the nerve to ask him to do one more thing for me. I hereby change my promise from "Wednesday" to "soon."
And check out this dress!
What a great idea! Now where to find food markers around here... Great to have you back. :-)
Posted by: Shari Barnes | February 13, 2007 at 01:24 PM
Oh what a clever idea!
That could get interesting.
Glad your back, can't wait to see your pics!
Posted by: Stephanie | February 13, 2007 at 01:27 PM
Missed you Heather - glad you had a good time in Chicago. No doubt you have come home with a heap of ideas spinning in your head? Love the food writer pens!
Posted by: Di | February 13, 2007 at 01:45 PM
Chicago sound like fun (in a freezing your toes off sort of way)! I like your Sweetheart idea but I'll need a whole box so I can write out "I know the kids have the flu but if you increase their nyquil dose I'll meet you upstairs in a half hour". How romantic.
We made oodles of your hairbands for my (oldest) daughter's birthday party favors and they were a huge hit!
Posted by: jona | February 13, 2007 at 02:00 PM
Your title and opening line made me smile. When I was in 3rd grade my teacher had a catch-up day once a week, on which she set aside time for students to catch up on their work for the week. Once when I played school with my little sister (who was 4 years old) I also played catch-up day. My sister was convinced it must be a day to eat hamburgers since it was ketchup day. It made perfect sense.
Love your hearts!
Posted by: Sarah | February 13, 2007 at 03:06 PM
edible markers! huh....... I can think of a few things these would be wonderful for!!!
I wonder where I shall find myself some of those fabulous little guys.
I'm so envious of your trip to Chicago. I need to get more crafty friends who I can wine and dine with and chat about crafts!!
xoxo,
Jenna Lou
Posted by: Jenna Lou | February 13, 2007 at 03:07 PM
That dress you linked to sent me into serious hyperventilation. Gorgeous. It must be amazing to see your beautiful designs made into beautiful things.
Posted by: Megan | February 13, 2007 at 03:07 PM
If you look in the background of this link to my blog...in the second pic you will see a Paige Pocket made of your fabric by MaryMo.etsy.com
http://wannabeincloth.blogspot.com/2007/01/tinks-fingerless-mitts.html
The friend I made them for and gifted them to along with the Paige Pocket shows them here:
http://tinkerwiththis.blogspot.com/2007/01/presents.html
Posted by: Amanda | February 13, 2007 at 03:15 PM
I love your idea of customizing the candy hearts - never even heard of edible markers. Glad to hear your trip went well - dinner sounded like fun. And, yes, the cold can be quite unbearable in regular day to day life.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 13, 2007 at 03:17 PM
I linked you a couple times in my todays post... your yummy pin cushion and adorable leaf pins! And now I see that I should have linked to your latest post too! You are genius Heather!
Love your blog!
Linda from Tempe!
Posted by: Linda Thompson | February 13, 2007 at 03:28 PM
Thanks so much for linking to my dress Heather! It was a delight to work with your amazing fabric line!
Great idea about the hearts too - now if I can find those markers tonight, I might be in business! Crayola washable won't work, huh?
All the best,
Becky of Ambrosia Couture
Posted by: Becky (Ambrosia Couture) | February 13, 2007 at 05:03 PM
Ohmygod that dress is gorgeous!!!!! I don't have a little girl but I want to buy and keep it *just in case*. Ohmygosh...love it
Posted by: Candace | February 13, 2007 at 06:06 PM
Heh, heh... great idea!
And man oh man... I love that dress!!!
Posted by: Amy | February 13, 2007 at 06:51 PM
Heh, heh... great idea!
And man oh man... I love that dress!!!
Posted by: Amy | February 13, 2007 at 06:51 PM
oh i am loving this blog, heather! and becky-jayne, my kids have for sure eaten worse things than edible crayon. HA! (the dress is fabulous, too, of course!!)
teri
Posted by: teri skrdla | February 13, 2007 at 09:06 PM
ok, this is strange...my post showed up above with the name amy. LOL...
trying again....
teri, as in TERI not AMY...hehehe
Posted by: teri skrdla | February 13, 2007 at 09:09 PM
Fun idea with the edible markers, Heather! ~ Sounds like you had a fantastic time in Chicago, despite the chilly sub-zero temps! I love ALL your freshcut choices.....can't decide on any one fabric, so i'm ordering a little bit of everything! What a gorgeous dress made from your prints.....of course they make anything look beautiful!!!!
Posted by: Laurie | February 13, 2007 at 11:34 PM
oh it's excellent ! it's a very good idea ! I love
Posted by: Babou | February 14, 2007 at 02:53 AM
oh it's excellent ! it's a very good idea ! I love
Posted by: Babou | February 14, 2007 at 02:53 AM
I could have used those pens earlier this morning making my little treats:)
Posted by: Shabbyjuls | February 14, 2007 at 09:58 AM
I am a-lovin Becky-Jayne's dress! Her little sister set was adorable too!
Glad to see you back. :)
Posted by: Sandi | February 14, 2007 at 10:46 PM
LOVE THAT DRESS!!! My little girl is now 14 and too big for it, but I completely appreciate and enjoy seeing the talents of other sewing moms. I do so love your fabric line, Heather. I have got to order some and make some spring/summer handbags/purses. many of the places I checked out your line only carry part of it (Hancocks of Paducah and Purl). Is there somewhere that has all of it?
Edible markers are found in Hearthsong catalog. I got them one year to write on royal icing frosted cookies. Not sure if AC Moores or Joanns or Walmart carry them. Check small kitchen stores. They might have them.
Posted by: Clare Adams | February 15, 2007 at 09:54 AM
Thanks, Clare. Thanks, everyone! Clare, I just checked - Fabric.com has most of the Freshcut collection in stock right now. The fabrics are far prettier in person than those scans reflect, though.
And I picked up the edible markers at Michael's, in the baking aisle ; )
Posted by: Heather Bailey | February 15, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Such a cute idea Heather! Next year, I'm on it. This year dave came home to me whining about feeling sick and refusing to leave bed. But, there was a new episode of Lost on which almost made up for my lameness. Today I'm making him bread, The way to his heart.
Posted by: Laura Gunn | February 15, 2007 at 11:19 AM
This is my first post to your blog - I recently discovered this wonderful world of online creative, artistic, crafting people - I'm in heaven! Your fabric line looks lovely & lively & your photography is gorgeous. I love how you capture the images - just beautiful & inspiring. You're very talented & you write very well...and, you have that 40s-50s Betty Page look...you need to have your own magazine. :)
happy creating,
tammy
(a lover of fabrics, vintage anything, wee things, words, color, ideas...and all that good stuff!)
Posted by: tammy g. | February 15, 2007 at 11:51 AM
Oh why did I see this only today? what a great idea - must remember for next year. Wonderful, colourful blog.
Posted by: tamara jai mabley-chaisson | February 15, 2007 at 04:26 PM
That dress is fabulous. Love Becky's work.
Posted by: Toni | February 16, 2007 at 09:23 AM
Wow that is a lot of sanding...a saint of patience indeed. Love your blog and fabric. My cousin designs(mostly freelance)and recently one of her designs was picked up and used by Anthropologie! She's pretty excited. Love seeing all you folks working at what you love. I wrote about her here http://beautythatmoves.typepad.com/beauty_that_moves/2007/02/man_i_love_her_.html
Posted by: heather | February 16, 2007 at 12:14 PM
sounds like a great weekend Heather!
The dress is gorgeous in your fabrics too. :o)
Posted by: lori | February 17, 2007 at 11:31 AM
your message on the sweettarts is probably the most romantic ever! i need to be a bit more romantic. thanks for inspiring me!
Posted by: jen | February 18, 2007 at 09:38 PM
Oh what a beautiful chandelier - can you tell me where you got it?
Posted by: katherine | February 19, 2007 at 11:04 AM
This is such a great idea! Thanks for posting this!
Posted by: Kim | February 20, 2007 at 08:24 AM
Edible markers oh what fun!
Posted by: Katy | February 25, 2007 at 07:22 PM