myreclaimedlife

When Creativity Knocks!

When at the winter CHA show I had the opportunity to tape a webisode of When Creativity Knocks with ANA and Megan Araujo this mother and daughter duo produce an entertaining craft show featuring popular crafty projects with industry designers in a very fun format. I had the great pleasure at CHA to tape an episode in the Homearts booth, the cuff is featured in the May June issue in my Make it Green column. It was the very last hour of a four day tradeshow and Ana and megan had been taping nonstop. It was my first webisode so I was a little nervous but both Ana and Megan were so helpful, fun and professional it was an extremely enjoyable experience! The wrist cuff project is one you can easily make from a discarded sweatshirt cuff, after two sweatshirt books I have enough of those!

The always fabulous Ms. Margot Potter has a new website full of sparkly wit, wealth of information and her equally gorgeous creations. She is also part of a Crafting Cruise coming up with Ana and Megan!

Look for a big announcement in July, busy working on some big projects!

Creatively yours!
Debra, CEO! Creative Eternal Optimist!

Prom Says it All!

My youngest daughter graduates this week and prom is the Academy Awards of the week complete with red carpet, hours spent in hair and make up, the perfect gown. Three giggling girls behind my bedroom closed door excitedly got ready. My oldest daughter did make up, last minute touches. When the door opened out walked three lovely young women breathtaking each one. My heart sighed in their exquisite perfection. The boys handsome in their suits, slightly awkward, endearing. Parents all of us slightly in awe of these kids of ours now transformed before us into elegant young men and women. We gathered in our backyard for an endless stream of photos capturing the radiance of the moment. My favorite picture is of my daughter(R), her best friend and her stepsister just being themselves and so very wonderfully happy! 

Today graduation in cap and gown, time is never more profoundly marked than by our children. With love my darling Kate, Mum 

More Cat Inspired Creativity!

Creativity is a gift all of us do share, it is ignited by a passion and this past weekend the passion was cats! More from the cat show, the face painting was feline artistry! The cutest little girl ran around the show pretending to be a cat although she declined offers of cat nibble opting for a chocolate chip cookie instead!

The Real Dirt (the undercover scoop from my Garden)

So I am gardening finally in my little patch of heaven. Well if heaven includes mosquitoes without dignity,had to sneeze one out and tiny red ants which venture into personal regions they have no right to go. From a distance all is a vision of loveliness, the crab apple trees bloomed voluptuously outside my windows, the perennials are opening into colorful splendor but...step out into the area surrounding my garden and it is attack of the midget black beasts. One floated in my eye exceedingly hampering my watering efforts and several gnawed my neck in a very unflattering pattern! My bulbs saved from last year have been chewed into oblivion by the adorable but carnivorous vegetarian chipmunk who lives under the front steps. He also feels the mailbox is his own personal seed storage, not sure my mailman sees the adorableness factor in it!

The veggies are all in, now will they survive to give us a bumper crop enough for three that remains to be seen. I will continue to battle the elements and Mother Nature to ensure I can feed my family in a month or so from the first harvest. Eating local is important and how much more local can you get than your own back yard! I will leave you with this idyllic view from my bedroom window and save the real action shots from the garden when it actually has some green showing!

Debra, CEO! Creative Eternal Optimist & Gardening Guru (not!!!)

Creativity & the Naked Cat!

Every weekend lately brings a new creative adventure. This past weekend I was at the annual cat show in our city helping out with decorating the Exhibit Center and judging the decorated cages. This year the cages were a wide variety of cat lover creativity. New to the show and the winner of the best decorated cage was Nofuratu "Critic, Philanthropist and Entrepreneur", a Sphinx or hairless cat. Named after a vampire like character (Nosferatu) Nofuratu had a coffin inspired cage complete with chandelier, broken glass mirror and travels in a hearse. He spent the day when not in the judging ring resting on his black velvet pillow wearing a cape, part of his very extensive wardrobe!

He has a definite handle on branding and his PR skills at the show were superlative. He stayed true to the authenticity of his brand throughout the show, approachable but with a mysterious gaze. He passed out many of his business cards each with a striking image of himself and often autographed with a unique claw mark or paw print.

The show overall was a reminder of passion is the number one ingredient in creativity! More creative highlights from the show to follow this week!

 

Debra, CEO! Creative Eternal Optimist!

Creativity Gives Us Wings!

Being at Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh immersed in the richness of color, textures and imagination was a totally humbling and inspiring experience. The creativity displayed in the designs of the quilts, wall hanging, textile masterpieces and the artistry in which they were executed incredible. I am very fortunate to know through my work so many talented and amazing individuals, most of them also dear friends for the creative spirit is also a generous and compassionate one.

The act of creation is a moment where time is suspended, when the world falls away and we are one with our artistic spirit.

 It is a moment when we find our wings where anything and everything is possible. Brushes fly, fabric falls, clay caressed, the hands dance to the symbiotic symphony filling the air with a powerful energy vibrating ever outwards. The piece becomes a life force of its own and touches all who experience it in a way which changes them forever. Creativity is a gift we all share, everyone is creative and for those who do not believe so then we are the guides through our books, our classes, online. Everyone should have wings! (This quilted piece, the artist's name was blurry on my camera was hanging in the Spring Challenge 2009 section of the show)

Honoring  and remembering brave spirits everywhere on this Memorial Day.

With peace and JOY!
Debra CEO! Creative Eternal Optimist!
Inspiring the JOY of Creativity---1 Stitch at a Time!
 

Fabric Heaven!

Just back from Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh! What a friendly city. Stayed at the Doubletree, their chocolate chip cookies yummy. Liked their eco smart card which you put in your light outlet to put on the air and lights. Did a lot of walking to the Convention Center, getting lost on the way back some had its perks to seeing more of the beautiful architecture.

Had a great time with Creative Homearts family in the booth and at dinner. I created some samples for National Nonwovens booth in their new Xotic felt a mix of bamboo and rayon. So very soft! They were kind enough to write up my new book Sweatshirt Remix in their newsletter. My funky owl and chick enjoyed lots of attention at the show, the jungle bright colors were hard to miss!

Quilts Inc. has been putting on two international tradeshows for the past 30 years.There are classes held prior and during the show. My very talented room mate Phyllis Dobbs gave a presentation based on trends and her new fabric line. There are many fabric companies exhibiting, the atmosphere very friendly, the displays of quilts and related sewing products beautiful. The trends in color still much of the traditional but bold, jewel tones were very evident. Still lots of pet themed fabrics especially dogs. Wearables and children's wear, purses all in bright, slight retro feel fabrics with a fresh update. Attendees, many were dressed in lovely garments, blouses and skirts they had sewn in lively bold fresh prints.

Connecting with dear friends in such an inspiring environment is a part of a richly rewarding work life. I am grateful everyday for my creative cohorts and friends. To love what you do, to know you bring meaning to the world by what you share there is no greater gift than that!

Debra CEO! Creative Eternal Optimist!

Spring Quilt Market Pittsburgh!

I just returned from Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh. Quilts Inc began these International Quilting Trade shows in 1979 and buyers come from all over the world to take classes, see latest products and fabrics. As a designer and author the show is exciting with an array of fun things happening plus getting to reconnect with dear friends and be inspired all over again with my love of fabrics.

The day before the show is called Schoolhouse where attendees can go to many classes and presentations on new products, techniques and books. It was my first Schoolhouse so I was a little nervous, I was at the end of the day. There was a good turnout for my presentation. My publisher prepared a handout which was a class outline plus promotional ideas for my book to give to the attendees. I took jackets off and on, walked and talked, hopefully entertained and imparted an understanding of my book and its new techniques. The man in my class covered his eyes while I "stripped" well just to a cami. Anyway there were laughs throughout and it was a lighthearted end to the day!

Show overview, this shot is of one of my favorites Michael Miller Fabrics. always bright and bold their booth aisle is like its own world on the show floor. Many of the fabrics at the show had a bright palette, jewel tones with a slight retro feel. Wearables, purses and adorable children's patterns were seen throughout the show. Not fussy but cute pinafore styling with bold prints and darling details in the mix of patterns in the layers and bodice piecings. Purses of all shapes and sizes were everywhere and many of the attendees wore beautiful clothing pieces they had sewn. There were always the gorgeous quilts but sewing had a big presence at this show. Smaller projects like table runners, wall hangings were featured in many of the pattern booths.

The Celebrate Spring 2009! Display with its theme of renewal show cased some smaller but gorgeous pieces. This particular piece reminded me of a painting. The creator I did not get the name and it wasn't in the show book but it was a piece that really spoke to me with the spring trees and fresh delicate leaves emerging. More this week from Quilt Market.

Debra---CEO! Creative Eternal Optimist! Inspiring the JOY of Creativity---1 Stitch at a Time! 

Be the CEO! of your Life, CraftyChica Style!

Last night I watched the wonderful Canadian actor Michael J Fox and his special, the Incurable Optimist. He traveled the world with the question what makes an optimist. We all know people who seem to have an optimistic outlet on life no matter what happens. Being around them automatically makes you feel better. What I took away from the show was looking outward, sharing with enthusiasm, creating the best life possible and being grateful for each day are the life of an optimist. People who know me I think consider me an optimist and most of the time I am always believing in the joy of life. I am the CEO of my life Creative Eternal Optimist!!!

The past two years I have been working on my latest book, through it I had major water and mold damage in my studio, took on care of my Mom and found myself in a serious creative personal slump at one point. I was trying to come up with some designs for the book and a glittery fairy godmother appeared. I have admired Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica for a long time, her fun enthusiasm, crafty passion and generosity always bring a smile and loads of inspiration! It has been more than a year ago she posted one day about heading out to an event wanting something different and new to wear so she took scissors to a T-shirt and restyled it! I at the time was sitting looking at a plain sweatshirt thinking what am I going to do with this. I read her post, hauled out some wild fabric pieces, grabbed some scissors and cut up not only one sweatshirt but two creating a bright fun design Chic Chica! Vest. This vest is also the chapter header photo and on the back cover! The book Sweatshirt Remix is being released next week at Spring Quilt Market. I am doing a presentation to retailers and the vest is the one chosen for the handout. I wrote Kathy to thank her for her continual inspiration, she responded so generously and sweetly!

Optimism is all around us so when you need to fill up look for inspiration from friends, people you admire, smile at the world and do something for someone else, do it for yourself. Be a CEO of your life!

Debra CEO! Creative Eternal Optimist!!!

Be the CEO! of your Life, CraftyChica Style!

Last night I watched the wonderful Canadian actor Michael J Fox and his special, the Incurable Optimist. He traveled the world with the question what makes an optimist. We all know people who seem to have an optimistic outlet on life no matter what happens. Being around them automatically makes you feel better. What I took away from the show was looking outward, sharing with enthusiasm, creating the best life possible and being grateful for each day are the life of an optimist. People who know me I think consider me an optimist and most of the time I am always believing in the joy of life. I am the CEO of my life Creative Eternal Optimist!!!

The past two years I have been working on my latest book, through it I had major water and mold damage in my studio, took on care of my Mom and found myself in a serious creative personal slump at one point. I was trying to come up with some designs for the book and a glittery fairy godmother appeared. I have admired Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica for a long time, her fun enthusiasm, crafty passion and generosity always bring a smile and loads of inspiration! It has been more than a year ago she posted one day about heading out to an event wanting something different and new to wear so she took scissors to a T-shirt and restyled it! I at the time was sitting looking at a plain sweatshirt thinking what am I going to do with this. I read her post, hauled out some wild fabric pieces, grabbed some scissors and cut up not only one sweatshirt but two creating a bright fun design Chic Chica! Vest. This vest is also the chapter header photo and on the back cover! The book Sweatshirt Remix is being released next week at Spring Quilt Market. I am doing a presentation to retailers and the vest is the one chosen for the handout. I wrote Kathy to thank her for her continual inspiration, she responded so generously and sweetly!

Optimism is all around us so when you need to fill up look for inspiration from friends, people you admire, smile at the world and do something for someone else, do it for yourself. Be a CEO of your life!

Debra CEO! Creative Eternal Optimist!!!