7 x 5 in.

My mom sent me a series of photos of an actual deer and bunny rabbit who are friends. Could not be sweeter. From the photos it seemed as if they were inseparable even snuggling together in a little ball.

{click here to buy original} {also available as a print}

I was about to write that this is the first tote bag I’ve sewn, but actually it’s my second. 

The first one I created from a pattern online and this one I took a class. Even though I’m coming along with my sewing, I still really appreciate having someone step me through a pattern. Officially on my sixth class, I’m getting much quicker with my machine and reading and cutting out patterns is becoming way more familiar. Always a little intimidated by sewing, it’s nice to feel progress happening!

Each pattern is so different, have you noticed? So much of a pattern feeling easy to follow has to do with someone’s ability, to not just sew but to instruct someone how to sew. Especially for students like me who prefer a visual/listening learning experience. I’m not much of an instruction reader, never have been. I prefer to jump in and figure it out as I go. However, this method does not work so well with most sewing especially apparel sewing :) 

I take almost all of my classes at Sew LA, who just opened up an awesome new space in Atwater Village. {if you go, stop by Proof Bakery across the street - except on Monday because sadly they are closed - and you will not be disappointed. Oh and also Kaldi Coffee & Tea right next door has my favorite 'Pirate’s Chai' hot or iced}  In fact I took some private lessons from Shaerie way before I ever knew I would be designing my own fabric. Shaerie is the owner of Sew LA as well as one of the teachers. Years of experience in sewing {I think she started as a teenager} she’s great at explaining everything clearly, and thoroughly. She’s also a stickler for high quality, while working smarter not harder. For this reason, her first pattern is a winner. Clear and easy to follow.

She’s working on developing a line of her own patterns and the tote bag is the first to be released. Right now you can only get it here at Sew L.A. So if you’re wanting a functional, quality tote bag that’s easy and fun to sew, this is your pattern.

Loving my tote bag. As you can imagine it’s my new favorite which means I’m taking it everywhere. I used two of the designs from my newest line {shipping any day now} 'The Red Thread'.  All in greys, bloom flowers on the outside and bunnies and mushrooms on the inside. 

At the beginning of this year ~ I said I wanted to travel more. And travel I have. It’s nice when you realize that you are actually doing what you say you want to do with your life.

This past weekend we jetted off to Colorado, visiting friends and old haunts in Boulder as well as spending a couple of nights at a cabin in Keystone. Oh and! the leaves were turning. There’s nothing lik the sound of aspen leaves rustling in the wind. And there’s nothing like the color they turn in the follow.

I always wonder if it’s worth the hassle of going somewhere far, flying and then driving, when you have just a few days to experience everything and no real time to truly unwind. And I’d say: yes! It’s always worth it.

You just decide to see what you can and squeeze in as much unwinding as possible. With a view like the one above, sitting in 2 comfy chairs in front of a roaring fireplace while a sharing an awesome bottle of red wine, unwinding in 24 hrs is indeed possible. 

The truth is the shift in perspective you get on your own life when traveling even for just a few days is so worth it. You know how it is? The daily routine ruts that start to happen when you’ve been home too long. We really recognized this when we took our six week trip abroad a couple of years ago. Still angling for another long trip like our one to Paris. 2013 it’s going to happen. In the meantime, the traveling this year, even for just a few days at a time I’ve been especially happy to come home, and appreciating my daily routine so much more. 

And now back to work again in preparation for another quick trip to Fall Quilt Market. I see lots of sewing on the horizon. And hey I have a book coming out!!!!!

some new {little yellow} ceramic vases

are here! a limited edition are available over at the shop.

Inspired by my new Iphone case, a series of tiny portraits. Why I always encourage working in more than one medium. One always inspires the other{s}.

{originals are sold} {now available as individual prints or a set of all 3}

As I head into my 7th year of blogging {seriously?! for someone who really didn’t want to start a blog...} ~ officially the longest blog and work break I’ve taken. 

And the reason many of us don’t take such long breaks: because when we actually step away for longer than a week or a weekend, breaking the momentum and/or the daily treadmill so many of us are on,  we might not want to come back to life and work as we know it = exactly what happened. 

Don’t get me wrong - I am excited to return, to create and make things, to share them with you {and a little less excited to return to the tasks involved with running a business}. I seriously needed this break and am so glad I took it. Could have been even longer, but then again I think we always feel that way. I thought I’d return after Labor Day, but just wasn’t quite ready. So am easing back in to things this week.

I’d be lying if I didn’t acknowledge that this book might also be responsible for some {even more than usual} reflection. Just a little light reading, you know, while on vacation. I am presently in the process of changing my mind and my blog ;)

Also the longest break from my usual routine of creating - but as you know, my fellow creatives - we can’t totally break from making something with our hands, right? So I knitted a cowl {woot! it’s true I started & finished a cowl in a few days - bless thick yarn and big knitting needles - photo to come when it’s not 90 degrees out} and I also finished this cross stitch of Miss Fran for my new Iphone case. If you enjoy hand sewing, stiching, you gotta get your hands on one of these. 

Alrighty then, the book is at the printer! I’m feeling pretty well rested. Got to know San Francisco and my own city of Los Angeles a lot better.  Had a great visit with my family.  Did a little sprucing up of the blog, so as per usual no big promises as to what’s ahead, but I’m excited to spend time here again, more often. I miss my blog. 

Hope August was good to you out there xo