a quick note . . .

a quick note . . . 

as mentioned in a previous post . . . I have been wanting to make

a few changes to my blog . . . 
and last weekend - I worked on it for quite a long time!!

crazy as it sounds - I was trying to simplify my life a bit!! 

and just when I thought I had it all figured out . . .
I somehow deleted all my comments . . . 

Yes - every last one - up to last Saturday evening. 
 and even a few on the post I had just done earlier that day.

I was in the process of making some changes . . .
to moderate all the comments in the future - as I have 
been getting lots of spam lately.

Well - I was in an unfamiliar place . . . 
(as I usually just use the little trash can when I am logged onto my blog)  
and for some reason I thought it logical that I could delete them without 
affecting the ones that had already been published . . . 

And yes - I honestly believed they would stay published!!

But - obviously I didn't know what I was doing - and in a flash . . .
they were ALL gone . . .

I couldn't even believe it . . . I was in shock . . . 

My sweet husband tried to help me retrieve them . . .
and I was up until about 3:30 in the morning . . . but no luck.

It all happened way too fast . . .
like a speeding bullet - and there was no way back.
I couldn't even believe that I could do this without a prompt from
blogger - to make sure  I really wanted to delete them - ffffffforever . . .

(which I obviously didn't!!!!!)

well . . .
this was most definitely not the type of 

"freshening up" I was looking for!!

  

and although - this is also part of the journey

quite honestly . . . this little "delete all your comments journey"
was not at all fun!! I felt awful about it and still do . . .

These are the times when I know why I am a designer . . .
and not a computer programmer like my husband. . .

but I am quite sure of one thing . . . 
that I won't ever make that same mistake again . . . ever!!! 

I just want you to know that your comments have and still do . . .
mean the world to me!!!  

and a little "french bird" just mentioned to me . . .
that I could change my settings - to allow anyone to leave a comment 
(not just people who have accounts)  
Thank you miss Kim - much, much appreciated!!!

just wanted you to know . . .
and I hope you understand!


xoxo . . . liz

red cross love . . . #1

it's getting a bit chilly outside . . . 

 would love to curl up with one of these . . .

and this first aid box is just darling . . .

images found here - saidos da concha

(photos by: Tiago Cabral)  

xoxo - liz

a new look . . . at an old fiber . . . (part 2)

I have to say that I don't normally love photo shoots
but this one was tons of fun . . .

mainly - because of this sweet girl you see here . . .

 

her name is "Lucy" . . .

. . . but lets back up a bit and start from the beginning . . .
as it all started out so innocently . . . so simply.

I was looking through boxes and boxes of old "Life" magazines

in the garage of my very cool and artsy friend Linda.

There were boxes of them from the 40's, 50's, and 60's on up . . .

really quite fascinating!!

And then I turned around . . .
and low and behold there was this very, very cool car . . .
a car that Linda and her husband lovingly restored over the years
and were getting ready to sell.

I simply love old cars - and this one was a beauty . . .
and on top of that
it was in my all time favorite cream . . .
the exact same cream as that of the textile line of  
Bainbridge Blues!!

As I sat there with my mouth wide open . . . still in shock . . .
my mind started turning . . .
I think Linda knew exactly what I was thinking . . .

Yes - we did need to do a photo shoot with this beautiful vintage car
and the vintage inspired textiles from  
Bainbridge Blues . . .

 

I told my two business partners Mudge and Fran 
about this very cool car . . . 
and they were equally excited!!

But there were other questions . . .

what was the story line . . . the catch phrase . . .
how to bring it all together . . . 
how to relate it all to a wonderful fiber called hemp?
Then there was the location . . .
and of course - we definitely needed a model . . .
a Bainbridge Blues "it" girl.

We needed a girl that was not sad and glum
like you see in most magazines . . .
and she could not be too silly . . . or too stuffy . . .
in fact - she needed to be - just the opposite . . .



a girl who is cool, fresh, smart and happy . . .
one who knows where she is going and how to get there . . .

comfortable in her own skin and knows what she likes . . .


 

an updated version of a flower child from the 60's . . .
pure and simple - yet refined and classic . . . 
with a bit of modern mixed in . . . 
fresh and updated . . .
just like the fabrics themselves!

Well - as soon as Lucy's name came up . . .
we all just knew she would be perfect!
You see - she was truly - in a nut shell . . .
all of those things and more!!

 

What we didn't know at that moment . . .
was how well she worked in front of the camera.
Well let me tell you . . .
every photo turned out better than the one before!!
She was so much fun to work with . . .

 

and Michael Jardine . . .
our amazing go-to photographer
took some amazing photos of her and the fabrics that day!!

I have to say that it was not easy 
to choose just one!!!

and in the end . . . 
it all came together quite easily 

and yes - it was the most fun photo shoot 
I have ever been a part of!!

  

It was full of vintage inspiration . . .
along with a modern sensibility
and a glimpse 
into what our fabrics are all about.

and in the end . . . it looked like this . . . 

which is exactly what we were after . . .

a bit of vintage . . . a bit of classic . . .
a look at the past . . . and a look into the future . . .


   

"Buy classic, buy quality, buy less, live simply, live well . . ."

Fran came up with the above slogan a few years back
and I have to say that . . .
I love it more each and every day!!


and - one last little secret . . .

our sweet and very smart 
Bainbridge Blues' "it" girl - Lucy
well . . . she has never done a photo shoot before!
. . . now that is amazing!!!

Thank you Lucy!!
We love everything about you . . .

. . . both inside and out!! 

. . . but then again - we have all felt that way . . . 
for a very, very long time!! :)

we didn't ask her to . . . but . . .
 

yes . . . she can do a very good pout!! 
(one of the best that I have ever seen!!)


. . . and to our amazing photographer 
Micheal Jardine
for capturing these fantastic photos!
We couldn't do this without you!!!
(You can see more of Michaels photography - here) 


. . . and last but most definitely not least
a big "thank you" to my dear friend Linda
for letting us use her amazing car that day
and more importantly . . . 
for your friendship, 
your enthusiasm, and for always
inspiring me when I need it most!! :)

xoxo - liz 


and yes . . . I am updating my blog . . . more on that in the next post . . .
 

a new look . . . at an old fiber . . . (part 1)

the latest marketing from . . .

B a i n b r i d g e - B l u e s

about hemp fiber . . .

Hemp is a durable, versatile natural fiber similar to flax (linen).
Hemp can be grown without pesticides, fungicides or herbicides,
uses little water and enriches the soil.
It is (naturally) UV light resistant so it is less likely to fade.
Like linen, hemp is breathable. Consequently, fabrics made of hemp fiber
are excellent for drapery, upholstery, and bedding applications for the home.

www.bainbridgeblues.com


the behind-the-scenes of the photo shoot . . . up next :)
xoxo - liz

new things at Embellish . . .

a few new things in my space at
Embellish . . .



4 - very cool and big light shades . . .



most likely will need to be rewired
but I think you will see . . .



that they are worth the extra effort!!

I also have 4 more in storage!! :)
( just sold these 4 on Monday :) )



a couple of old locker baskets . . .
(filled here with samples from the Bainbridge Blues' fabric line)



Come see what is new . . .
as I will be bringing a few more things in next week!



and if you have a girls around 4 to 6
we have some great clothes from the . . .
"Hattie Bird" collection!!
(perfect for "back to school")

Stop by and take a look!!
xoxo - liz


Embellish
(Bainbridge Island)
285 Winslow Way East
Bainbridge Island, WA.
(206) 780-2592

Tues. - Sat. (11-5)
Sunday (12-4)
Monday (closed)

Stella Love . . . fall 2010

a peek into the fall collection from . . .

Stella Love

by my sweet and talented friend . . .
Maresa Patterson

simple yet intriguing . . .



pure and natural . . .



and perfect for fall!!

I just love everything about it . . . xoxo - liz

www.stellalove.com

Coming very soon to . . .
Jack Straw
(Seattle)

photographs by . . .
Hans Johnson

on strength, tolerance and faith . . .

One more thought to share . . .



on
strength . . . tolerance . . . and faith!

this is a post I have been wanting to do
for a very long time . . .
a bit about myself and what makes me tick.

The three words above are extremely important to me!!

you see . . .
I grew up in a town where I was very much a minority!
and at the early age of 10
I learned what it was like to be judged.
Not for what I was . . . but for what I was not.
It was an awful time for me . . .
the name calling, the tears, the deep hurt that I felt!
It was a "group" thing . . . and I most definitely did not fit in.
I also knew right then and there - that I never would.

Life continued like this for years . . .
never really getting any easier.
But I did find ways to deal with it . . .
to make it less hurtful . . . to rise above it . . .
and to make the most of it!!
It was my life that I was living
and I did not want to be sad . . .
or angry about something I could not control!!

And from this whole experience (as hard as it was)
I can honestly say I feel very blessed!!
Blessed to have a better understanding of my thoughts
on these three very special words . . .

on strength . . .
As a woman - I have found strength where I was once weak.
I know that as a woman I can be strong within myself and be who I want to be . . .
regardless what others may think.

on tolerance . . .
I have found the importance of tolerance as I personally experienced intolerance.
I strongly believe in being tolerant of others . . . their ideas . . . and their beliefs!!

on faith . . .
I believe in faith . . . whether it is in oneself, a religion or
something else that centers one's soul! I also believe that we should respect each others' faith - as often this may differ from one's own!!
As I see it . . . this brings you right back up to tolerance . . .
and they right back up to strength :)

xoxo - liz

on blogging . . .

On a personal note . . .

I have been thinking about several posts for a very long time
and plan to share them in the next few weeks.

why?

because in this blogging world . . .

do we really show who we truly are?
what we truly believe?

I never thought I would be a blogger . . . not me??
In fact it all started out quite simply
as an information and marketing tool
for our vintage markets - directions, dates, pictures, etc. . .

and then it turned out to be something
completely and entirely different :)

yes . . .
it definitely does have it's ups and downs!

in fact there has been more than one time that I was ready
to throw my computer out the window!!

and yes . . .
I have cried like a baby . . . for all sorts of reasons!

The first time I remember crying was during the first few months when I thought I was responding to everyone's comments. My sweet husband looked over my shoulder and said sweetly . . . "I don't think those replies are going anywhere sweetie" . . . and I said "what?? - of course they are . . . they are going to this noreply at blogger and I am sure that everyone is receiving them . . . :) " And then a few moments later . . ."ahhhh - now everyone thinks I am awful and rude etc. . . " Of course the tears started to fall in buckets . . . why? Because I wrote these big long emails to people - and they never knew - and that personally made me very sad!!

I guess I should have read that blogging book
that everyone kept talking about . . . :)

I also cried at the computer when I read a post that was particularly sad, or inspirational, or sometimes even at my own posts when I realized how lucky I am to have such a beautiful mother, or father, or family or friends . . .

and sooooo many times I have cried for people I do not even know
and for whom I have never met . . . or ever will.

and then . . .

there was this whole blog list issue and following issue. Do I just do a few of my favorites? Or do I include everyone??. . . well of course that is what you do . . . and I started systematically adding everyone that ever left a comment, that were following . . . because - isn't that what you are supposed to do? Doesn't everyone do that? Isn't it the polite thing to do??
Could I keep up with it? Well of course I could!! (not) :) But not to worry . . . when things slow down a bit . . . of course I will get back to it and get it all updated :)

again . . . should have read the book!!:)

Of course the blog list started to get very long as I could not keep up with it . . . and then the question came to my mind . . . where are the blogs that truly inspire me? Well - maybe I need to categorize them in such a way that makes sense to my head . . . maybe that will help . . . days and weeks later . . . a job only partially done . . . and realizing that it is more confusing than ever!!

and yes . . .

I will probably change some things again
as I have planned to do so this month.
(most likely simplifying a bit . . . or maybe a bunch - as I have not yet decided)

but - what I truly want to say . . .
is this . . .

it is not about the blog list . . . or the number of followers . . .
or the number or comments . . . etc. . .

and quite honestly . . . I am glad I didn't read the book!!
Why you might ask?
because I am glad I experienced all of it . . .

for me . . .

it has been about the journey . . . about making mistakes . . .
about the true friendships that have been made . . .
about self expression of thoughts . . . and visual inspiration . . .
about a new appreciation for what I have that truly makes me happy . . .
some of it serious and important . . . and some of it not so much . . .

and I really, really like that :)

xoxo - liz

. . . best of luck to all of you who are just starting this journey . . .

Barn House "people" pictures . . .

I loved the Barn House Flea and . . .

all the vintage goods . . .

but most of all . . .

I loved the people!!

as they are certainly a very, very special group . . .

from the sweetest hosts, to the hardworking vendors,

to the most wonderful customers and to all the family and friends who

gathered on this very special day!!

lets start with one of the kindest men I have ever met . . .

Jermonne!!

just look at him . . . sweet, adorable, kind,

honest, warm, sincere . . . a very lovely man indeed!!

along side the very sweet Jermonne . . .
is Pam and Jane - who came all the way from Minnesota just for this Flea.

Yes - just for this particular flea market - can you believe it . . . well it is true!!

I met these two last year when I was a vendor at Farm Chicks . . .

and for me - they have been special friends ever since!!

(even if I see them only once a year!!)

and next up is sweet, sweet Joe . . .

I dare to say that he works harder than anyone I know

and he is amazingly talented to top it off!!

For me . . . he is a true artist and constantly inspires me!!

In fact . . . he worked so hard putting this wonderful show on . . .
that he just crashed like a baby in the arms of the queen when it was all over.

(I hear he isn't keen on the whole picture thing . . .

but I just love this series of photos below)



tired . . . very tired . . .



oh wait . . . is he waking up??



I do see a bit of a smile . . .



there he is - sweet, sweet joe!!



happy and content laying next to his good friend Cindy (the Queen of Tarte) . . .
the boy's favorite queen . . . and probably mine as well :)

One of the highlights for me this weekend was getting to know

Cindy a bit more . . .

she is a strong women, with a kind, independent and artistic soul . . .

in a few words . . . simply amazing!!

I truly feel lucky to have spent some time with her!!

Here is a picture of Kathrine (Kathrine's Folie) and her darling niece . . .

not only is Kathrine sweet and kind but this girl can bake and cook!!

You see - she is the one behind all those wonderful cupcakes,

chicken skewers, and salads . . . such amazing food . . .

and my favorite was the grilled jalapeno appetizers after the show!!

I started with one and then another - it was hard to stop as they

were soooo amazing!!

I am glad I had a chance to meet her . . .

and yes . . . she should really have a cookbook!!

and then there were all these cool gals at the flea . . .

new friends and old friends . . . such beautiful souls . . .

I so wish I had pictures of each and every one of them

but unfortunately only have a few . . .

first up . . .

my neighbors from last year at Farm chicks . . .

Lynn (GUND), Angela and Heather . . .

isn't this such a cute picture of the three of them!!!

and my new friend Lisa (A Thing For Roses). . .

she is exactly like I thought she would be - sweet as can be!!

and my new blogging friend Francisca

from the blog "Bee and Mason" who was also

the winner of my recent give-away!!

and then there were my very cool and extremely

talented barn neighbors . . .(Flutterby Farm)

Kim, Jessica and Madeline!!

Madeline even had a little lemonade stand near their booth . . .

(quite the entrepreneur!!)

My daughter Hattie (a few years younger) thought Madeline

was the coolest ever - as you can see! :)

and here is a picture of the two Hatties . . .

there seemed to be an instant friendship and

they spent most of the day trying to find the barn cats . . .

Here is Natalie's Hattie with one of them!!

(Love this picture!!)

and my all time personal favorite . . . my kids - Pierre and Hattie with the barn kittens! :)

This is one of my fondest memories of the Flea . . .

as my kids totally fell in love with these kittens

Having my family with me made these memories special . .

you see - they are my rock . . . my balance . . .

the ones that make me smile each and every day!!

Thank you again Joe and Jermonne . . .

as you are the ones who made this all possible!!

. . .

these are the types of memories that make up

a good life . . . a simple life . . . one worth remembering!!

Love and hugs to you both . . . you are truly the best!!

xoxo - liz