The American Flag

It's such an iconic symbol of our freedom in America. In so many ways, this symbol gives us feelings of safety and pride. I have several decor items for the celebration on the 4th of July, but I have versions of the American Flag up all year.

The Smoking Glue Guns chose to make American Flags out of reclaimed wood this month. We picked up wood from Southern Accents and DWS. I had a few things in my stash that I used to add more dimension and texture. Our craft night was a little different than usual. We were using power tools! Well, Sara was! hehe Each person picked the wood they wanted to use and took it to her to be cut to size. The best part of that was when we were getting ready to clean up and discovered we had a "group flag" with all the scraps! It's being mounted on plywood to be hung in the Smoking Glue Guns Workshop at Ashlee's house!

I was thrilled that two of my besties got to join us. Daphney wanted to make a flag and Ashlee came in town for an appointment and decided to stay! Aren't their flags cute? This one of mine is hanging in Connor's office. He loves an American Flag!

 I couldn't get enough of them, apparently. I've made two more since that night! One is hanging on the barn at Hansel and Gretel and this one I may sleep with! Haha...just kidding. I have been in love with this wood for over a year. Thank goodness I brought a few pieces home with me when I saw it because I found out yesterday it was sold! Seriously broke my heart and reminded me that I have to start doing things instead of just thinking about them! Of course, one of my favorite creative friends dug it out of the wood warehouse at Southern Accents. She has amazing taste! ;)

This flag is something I dream of making one day! I love Alabama Chanin and love hand stitching! You can order this quilt online or order the DIY kit online.

Southern Makers

Alabama Cool. That's what I call all the talented people that are proud to call Alabama home. You've heard me talk about a few of them: Alabama Chanin, Billy Reid, Alabama Shakes, Frank Stitt, Chris Hastings, Belle Chèvre, Butch Anthony, he's been on American Pickers and in the New York Times! I also have a print of Amos Paul Kennedy (eek)....ok, I haven't really talked about them all right here, but you've probably heard of most of them.  A very talented new friend, Andrea Jean, has created an event called Southern Makers. I saw it on Alabama Chanin's Facebook page. When I saw all the talent that was going to be there, I KNEW I had to be a part of it. I left a message on Facebook and with Tiffany on her voicemail. It was Good Friday at 6:00pm. I didn't expect to hear from anyone until Monday. I called Garlan and told him about it. I was so excited, I could barely explain it. I knew he would want to be there, too. He checked it out that night and realized he had a contact at one of the creators. He made a call. Again, it was Easter weekend. We had to be patient. Monday, we both get emails saying the booths were full. We would be placed on the waiting list and the email list for next year. NOT ACCEPTABLE! I replied saying we would love to sponsor the event if they still needed someone. This is where the tables started to turn! Garlan had also been working on his guy. I left town and on Tuesday he sent me an email saying he was on the phone with someone in charge. Next thing I knew he was in Montgomery in their offices working out a way for us to be involved! When I got the email from Tiffany saying we would be communicating about what needs they had from us, she also told me her mom had recently moved to Birmingham and was IN THE STORE when Garlan was in her office!! She called Tiffany and told her that she had just found the coolest place and knew her daughter would love it. Yes, this was meant to be!

Fast forward to the next Sunday. Garlan and Ryan go to Montgomery to measure the spaces that we are going to help them with: the stage, the workshop area, covering 34 feet of 8ft fencing and the entrance! It's going to be a TON of work....but, so worth it! Did I mention this event is listed in Garden and Gun as something to do in Alabama in May? Well, it is!

I went to Cullman on Wednesday and walked through the store and wood warehouse to pick out all the pieces we want to use. We found doors, shutters, display pieces, tables, windows, porch posts....seriously a ton of stuff. We drew it out on a notepad, took a lot of pictures and sent it all over to Andrea and Tiffany.

Monday we all met at the store. Their team is awesome. Everyone was walking around with fresh views of the store and lots of fun ideas. It's just over 2 weeks away. (gulp) I am so excited about this event. There will be so many talented makers from all over the state. The date is May 4, 2013 2:00pm-7:00pm. I hope you all will come out and see what we create. I think it's going to be amazing!

Lucysinspired

 photo credit: Margie Romney Aslett Instagram

I use lucysinspired in a lot of places. I've been trying to come up with a name for a business that I want to start. I keep going back to that name. It's easy because it's out there and it covers a lot! I'm pretty much inspired by every thing I ever see!

I am always reading through different artists blogs and articles or books. I was reading something this morning and decided maybe I'm planning to much. I have a book with all of my ideas in it. I need to do it. I need to make it. I need to put it out there! Some of you are probably saying, "oh, you put it out there!". I know I am always posting on Facebook, etc. I need to figure out how to make it work for me though.

Yesterday, I sat in my garage organizing all of my salvaged pieces that I've gotten from Southern Accents in the past couple of years. (there's a lot) I will tell you that I worked on a belt, organizing my jewelry pieces, I stitched on my skirt from Alabama Chanin and my scarf...even a tea towel. Then I finished a frame I've been working on and sprayed 5 more to finish. That is a lot, but, what did I accomplish? I guess I have to do that everyday. I need to keep going to my "workshop" and work on something or everything everyday and eventually get some stuff done! I have been commissioned to make a frame for a friend. He has a beautiful drawing of Walt Whitman. It's in a cheap frame now and he wants it in something cool. I have a perfect piece of trim from the Gay House in Montgomery, but it's not quite big enough.....of course. I always find a road block. I'm need to find the perfect piece and I'm going to take it up to Woodshop Studios and get David to help me. Laura and I worked on our table tops last night....I love power tools.....mitre saw, nail gun, and that big table saw that cut the edges perfectly!!!

I'm going to try and get something accomplished today. It's raining and I was supposed to play tennis this morning and go to ITF for my WOD...insert giggle. I will make it to my Workout Of the Day at 10:30 and then hang out downstairs and work!

One more thing, Alabama Chanin is hiring...hello, best job ever! It's just that it's in Florence. I asked Connor if we could move, he laughed. I don't think he thought it was funny, though...

Stitching

I love to sew. I don't do it very often, but I love to make something! I went to Florence a couple of weeks ago and got to meet Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin. I have been inspired by her for so many years! I can remember reading about her and then about 6 months later finding a tshirt at Barney's in NYC on the sale rack! I didn't buy it....it was still out of my price range!! I was very impressed. One of my favorite facts about Alabama Chanin is that she lives and works out of Florence, Alabama! That is one of my favorite places. I follow her on Facebook and read her Journal religiously. I am dying to take a weekend workshop, but can't justify it right now. I am, however, going to a mini-workshop next weekend! It's on Saturday and I'm making a scarf!

Natalie had a workshop with Faythe Levine a few weeks ago and I was very excited to be there. I took Ashlee with me and we soaked in the Factory and the fabric.  I was a bit starstruck! To top it off, Butch Anthony was there! Seriously, in his overalls and straw hat. I thought I would DIE! I was surrounded by incredible artists that were from Alabama. It was very surreal. We met lots of very kind people and felt welcome the minute we walked in the door. There was yummy food and beverages and just a home feeling.

We went to the workshop the next day. It was how to grow your brand for the artist community. So many artists do not market themselves. It was a lesson on blogging and all that social media entails. So funny that I can do that for other people but not myself. Ashlee and I left on cloud nine....that is after we spent an hour touching every article of clothing there! It's all absolutely beautiful and very inspiring. I left with a kit to make a corset top.....almost finished! I'm putting it together as we speak. I LOVE it!!! Going back on Saturday for a 2 hour workshop. They are having an open house...If you are in the area or just want to do something fun this weekend....you need to go!

It's the holidays! Time to celebrate!

How does it get so busy? Every year I say I'm going to be ahead of the game, right? It's just too hard. With all these things to distract me......Pinterest, Facebook, blogs, oh and that job I picked up! Geez. The first month I was a decorator, which was fabulous! I was in and out and working from home. Now, I'm officially full-time and I'm.worn.out!! If you aren't a fan of the Telegraph Facebook page, you should be. We are the coolest boutique ad agency in town! yeah! It's a super fun job...making commercials, designing logos, websites, getting creative with facebook pages..it's all the bomb.com.

I really need a week off BEFORE Christmas, though! Shopping done - nope. Decorating finished - nope. Kids parties at school planned - nope. Cookies and sweets baked - nope. Special touches (my favorite part) - nope. Going to Holiday parties like Alabama Chanin's Holiday Market tonight -  nope. I'm so sad. I wanted to go and I can't fit it in....I just have all that other stuff to do.....I could kinda get all that done in the four hours it takes to get to Florence and back! oh well....I get to go in May for a workshop. I just want to sit around and stitch, ya know?

I did get to go to a fun Cookie Swap last Sunday at the adorable Beth of Unskinny Boppys house. It was so much fun. Do you know she invited me and we have never met in real life! How cool is that? I think she has the magic touch on decorating skills and wanted to be her friend...so, we have been cyber friends for a while now! I also got to meet Lori from Click Workshops. Oh, there goes my Christmas list...it's all things photography now. I want a new D700, a Nikon 1, a new lense (any one will do) and a year's full of photography workshops with Click. Santa? Do you hear me? To make matters worse, I come in to work on Monday and Kevin and Isaiah decide they are going out to buy a camera! Green, I tell ya, I was green. They got the D5100 to shoot video and stills. For the love......I want to steal it and play with it all day! Oh, make that one more thing on the Christmas-I-haven't-gotten-to-it-yet-list. Pictures of the kids for Christmas cards - nope!

I guess that's why I decided to sit down and write out a blogpost. Make myself a list...maybe I will be held accountable....or the time will get here and it will have to get done, or else!

I do have some decorations up...here's my mantel - done!

Hope your Holidays are all in order and you are sitting at home baking cookies with your kids, listening to Christmas music by the fire...which, is not going to happen here...it's 70 degrees out! You've sent out your cards and are finished with all the crafts....probably working on next year's gift list! Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!