Sommer Designs

The Great Escape

Hello long lost friends. I didn't mean to be away from this space for so long. The season has a way of getting away from me and it did just that. Now, I have all this catch up, not just here, but everywhere! I have to say though, the break was worth it and taking last week off was just what I needed.

 

Ojai: was great! Kelley, Tonya (Kelley's friend) and I were there for a three-day event and even though we were working, it was like a mini vacation. What a gorgeous place that is; I can't believe we never go there for a weekend escape, but I think that will change.

I met the nicest people - isn't this gal darling? I want to hire her to model my aprons. We had a lull on Saturday sometime and Tonya went for a walk and found a honky-tonk bar for dinner - it was perfect!

I seriously could have stayed in Ojai for weeks, but alas, had to jam home because two days later we left for New Mexico and then I had this to enjoy for 5 days.

We spent the time visiting with my sister & her partner, walking around, shopping and just driving. New Mexico is so, so, SO beautiful. So much of it is still untouched, and coming from Los Angeles, where almost every surface is covered with asphalt and developments, it was such an eyeful. The sky goes on forever. The air is totally clear. You can see the horizon. It's just spectacular. I could totally live there and be a cowgirl, and then I could wear these:

I've got tons of pictures to go through and upload to Flickr, but I am so behind! The countdown is on and my remaining events will keep me occupied for this week and next. I have some replenishing to do before the Sandpipers event on Friday; another 3-day, which I love, but it's going to mean an intense week. I just wanted to pop in, say hi, and let you know I haven't forgotten about this little slice of life online :) I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday! XO
 
 

Ojai Holiday Home Look In Event

It's 5:30 a.m. on a nice, cool Friday morning and I'm almost out the door! I know, it's warped, but I have to *try* to miss that wonderful Los Angeles freeway traffic!

This weekend, starting today, I'll be at the Ojai Holiday Home Look In, benefiting the Ojai Music Festival. More information is here for you local peeps!

Have a great weekend! ♥

P.S. The Marketplace is open to the public!!

Right on schedule.

I can't believe tomorrow is Wednesday. This week is already getting away from me, but I've accomplished a ton in the last two days (see what happens when you stay away from the computer? Interesting observation.). The picture above was my set up on Saturday at St. Martin of Tours Fall Festival. I had not done this event before and was pleasantly surprised - nice people and nice venue, and I was right next to my pal. That helps immensely.

Sunday was another trip into LA, but this time Hollywood for Temple Israel of Hollywood Hanukkah Boutique, which was a little slower, but after I came home and went through my receipts, just as good. Nice surprises all around! I started a little freak out on the way home Sunday night thinking about what I had to do this week. I went through a bunch of pouches at both events and realized I was low on lavender liners too.

Somehow, I mustered the energy to cut out 30 lavender liners Sunday night and then have spent the last two days making 24 pouches, 32 card cases and I just stuffed and rolled 18 lavender liners. As you can see, I'm really into numbers right now. It's all part of the inventory-fill-in-freak-out mentality. I just have to package said lavender liners, and a few aprons, and I'll be locked and loaded for this weekend. See? Right on schedule.

Oh! You have to see this.

My new lavender sachet basket. I love it. I have been searching high and low for this thing and finally found it online here last week. I put it in my shopping cart, and just couldn't bring myself to hit the buy button! $69! Plus shipping! I decided to hold off and check Home Goods the next day; if they didn't have it, I'd buy it online. Guess what? $29 at Home Goods.

Score. Don't you love that?

LAST DAY to save 20%

Hello! What a week! I'm just popping in here right quick to remind folks that today is the LAST DAY to save 20% on my website with promo code SWEET - here's the pretty graphic:

I know, I repeat myself. It's the Jewish mother in me.

ANYWAY, sorry it's been quiet here, I'm getting ready for back-to-back events this weekend!

Saturday, I'll be at St. Martin of Tours Fall Festival Boutique (11955 Sunset Blvd., LA - near the intersection of Bundy, I think), from 11 - 5 pm; and Sunday at Temple Israel of Hollywood Hanukkah Boutique (7300 Hollywood Blvd., LA - between Fuller & Martel, 3 blks west of La Brea) from 9-3.

Stop by if you're in the neighborhood!
 

Workshop Overdrive

This past weekend was my last weekend off until about December 12, unless I decide to do a last minute Farmer's Market (not counting Thanksgiving weekend). Isn't that nuts? The holiday event season totally crept up on me. Or, rather, time is going by waaay too fast, and here it is, almost mid-November.

I wish I could say I took the weekend off, but I didn't. I did plenty of resting, but I did plenty of cutting, pressing and sewing also. [And a little bit of knitting too!]

I'm not in the mood for handbags lately. Inventory is fine with those anyway. I've been working on 'smalls'. Pouches of all sizes.

They're pretty easy, don't take much time, since there are so many different fabrics, I'm not getting bored. Much. Yet.

And little lavenders. It's keeping my interest level at just enough. Just enough to continue.

My posting might be a little sporadic for the next few weeks. I get a little crazed this time of year. The family is used to it, even the dogs know.  
 
 Also - don't forget - the website sale continues (that didn't give me a heart attack on Saturday!) 20% off everything, even marked down merch with code SWEET. *wink*
 

GAH! Website Down!

Yes, good morning, I know. There's nothing like your website going missing on a Saturday morning just as the holiday shopping season begins, right? I'm in touch with my host and hoping that it will be up again soon!

Please check back later! Remember, 20% off already reduced prices with promo code SWEET.

Luv, Sommer Designs

Friday Flickr Favorites

I like this one.

Click on the image to see it larger. Made with FD Flickr Toys. You should try it.
 

Fabric Inspiration

Last Friday was one of Scott's [every other] Friday's off. We usually try to go out to breakfast or lunch, and this time, when I suggested my favorite little French bistro in Manhattan Beach, he trumped me with a downtown suggestion. He had found an old copy of Los Angeles Magazine and they had a review for a little hole-in-the-wall downtown, near skid row, and he had to try it. And he had to drag me there. Near skid row.

You know what? It was really good! It's called the Nickel Diner, and it looks like a throwback to the 50's, but I think it's newer.

The menu seemed to very diner, but the food we ordered had a definite modern spin. It was really delicious, and even more delicious to have time alone with this guy.

Since we were downtown, and it turned out to be only a stones throw from the fashion district, I decided to drag Scott with me to pick up more organza. It's fun taking someone who doesn't usually go down there, because the first time you walk the fabric streets, your head spins.

It's a completely different world.

So much of it is apparel oriented, but it's so fun to people watch. I wonder where those guys are going with all those bolts? Are they manufacturers, or fabric purveyors?

These shops are short on display inspiration, but big on selection and color. We got what I needed, walked around a little more and then headed out. I can take only so much of downtown. Really, it's very overwhelming for me.

Yesterday, I stayed a little closer to home and went to the nice, expensive fabric store. I'm in pouch-production-mode, and needed inspiration beyond what I had at hand; plus, I ran out of some lining fabrics. I tried to be prudent and thrifty, but still came home with this selection:

Owls. Do you see them?  I really needed the owls.

Sommer Designs Pre-Holiday S A L E

Are you on my email list? Seriously, you should be (*cough* there's a sign up over there on the sidebar). I wouldn't spam you, in fact, I only send out my email newsletters, at most, once a month. But oftentimes I include promotional coupon codes for discounts, and well, who doesn't want a discount now and then?

So, I was cleaning up around these here parts, and came across a bin of aprons from a season ago (or so). It was my from my first foray into outsourcing, and to keep costs down, I had a lot made. And I still have some. So I went around, checked inventory, did some counting and marked down several apron styles. Some as low at $18.00 - that's half off!

And then, as if that wasn't enough, I included a coupon code. And I'm sharing it here too, because the holidays will be here before you know it. You can think of it as my own little stimulus package.

***Use promo code SWEET for an extra 20% off site wide until Friday, November 13 at midnight PST. I need to add that the promo code is only good online, not at my events, not in person and not in my Etsy shop.

Oh, also! Shipping is free over $36.00!

Mystery Socks: F I N I S H E D

That was fun, can we do it again? I pretty much finished the toes on both socks over the weekend and then sat down in front of my computer yesterday and watched the Kitchener Stitch video on Knitting Help a few times before I tried it myself. It wasn't hard, but my closure seems a little bumpy. I am not ripping it out and trying it again; I'm very happy with the end result and dudes, it's just the toes.

I really like how the toe decreases with this stitch. It's more gradual and it feels like there is more toe room. I like that. I also like that I totally knit A PAIR of socks in a month. With my attention span, that's just insane. This completes my third pair of socks!

So. Of course, yesterday after I finished them, I twiddled my thumbs for about 2 minutes before I cast on some Monkeys.

But these will go much slower. This I know.

I have to do some sewing. After all, that's what I get paid to do. *sigh*

Hanging with my Girlies

The best part about being rejected from a craft fair is getting to GO and shop the craft fair! Yesterday Kelley & I met up with Shari to walk and shop Handmade Brigade at The Camp in Costa Mesa. By the way, The Camp is a thoroughly awesome place - not too many shops, but all of them are super cool leaning towards sustainability and the handmade. My favorite shop was this converted Airstream.

The event was very small with a few vendors scattered outside (it was a gorgeous day),

We just loved walking around and seeing people we knew from Twitter and Facebook and all over the vast crafty blogosphere.

Since it was November 1, Kelley wore her cool Day of the Dead shirt and found an appropriate backdrop:

I didn't get any pictures of the indoor area, but that's where we found vendors like Mincing Mockingbird, Frantic Meerkat & Hearts and Laserbeams. I also found one of my favorite vintage clothing vendors from Etsy, Salvage LIfe, where I picked up a sweet vintage black beaded cardigan.

This is Cynthia Morehouse, who, besides sporting a perfectly coiffed Beehive, has some of the funnest jewelry and had the most awesome mini-EZ Up Tent that was HOT PINK! I forgot to ask her when she found such an amazing thing.

All that walking and socializing wears us out - lunch was at Native Foods, which was delicious. Look at my crafty girls, aren't they awesome?

 
 
 I love hanging with my crafty folks!

I also love not working every craft event I hear about :)

ETA: Here are more pictures from Angry Julie! (yes, she really is angry!)

Fast 'n Easy: Teriyaki Broil with Ginger Pilaf

Does anyone have the book, The Pampered Chef Busy Mom's Cookbook? It's pretty good. I bought it when my kids were little, because many of the recipes were fast and easy and very kid friendly. And then I lost the book, and when I tried to find it online again (or through a rep), I found out it was out of print. You can still find copies of it on eBay and Amazon, which is where I found my current copy about a year ago. So, I feel less guilty sharing these two recipes, because it's out of print!

Anyway, start the marinade for this the night before and you'll be golden at the dinner witching hour.

Teriyaki Broil
Serves 5-6

1 bottle (10 oz) teriyaki sauce
2 green onions, sliced
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 tbls. honey
2 pounds flank steak
1 pint mushrooms
1 pint cherry tomatoes

Combin teriyaki sauce, green onions, garlic and honey in a small bowl. Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade and refrigerate. Place flank steak in a large zip-top storage bag and pour remaining marinade over meat. Seal bag and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight (go for overnight!).

Preheat broiler. Remove meat from marinade and place on broiler pan. Discard remaining marinade. Broil steak 4 inches from heat, turning once with tongs and brushing other side with some of the reserved marinade, 8-10 minutes per side for medium-rare/medium.

Meanwhile, thread mushrooms and tomatoes onto skewers. About 4 minutes before steak is done, brush vegetables with more of the remaining marinade and broil 4 minutes, turning once.

Remove steak & skewers; let steak 'rest' a couple of minutes. Cut steak across grain into thin slices. Serve with skewered vegetables.

Ginger Pilaf
(this is really good!)

2 tbls. butter or margerine
1 tbls. fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
1 cup long-grain white rice
1-3/4 cup chicken broth
1 can (4 oz) mushroom stems & pieces, drained
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup frozen peas

In a 2 quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add ginger and saute 1 minute. Stir in rice, chicken broth, mushrooms and onions. Bring to simmer. Cover and cook over very low heat 20 minutes. Remove from heat, add peas and stir. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve.

You're a rock star.

Mystery Sock: The Foot.

I've decided I like knitting two socks at a time. Not two socks at a time on the same needle; I have that book, but haven't tried it yet, it looks complicated [honestly, I bought the book just for the patterns!]. Separate needles are fine for me. I finish one portion, and then go and do it again; it sort of reinforces the detail/instruction/stitch, etc. I may not like or appreciate this later, but for now, it works. Plus, I have two almost completed socks, which for me, is an amazing accomplishment.

I liked the foot the portion of this Mystery Sock - the ribbing down the center made its' way into the fan/cablely pattern like the side of the sock. It's hard to see here, so I tried it on for you:

It's hard to see there too! Today the final [toe] clue was revealed, and I'm bummed because it instructs us to graft the toe at the end. That was the part of my sock knitting class that I didn't pay attention to. Figures, right? It looks like I'll be spending some time in front of my computer on watching videos of Kitchener Stitches. Thank goodness for that.
 

Two days in Costa Mesa: Artistic License Fair

I had such a great time in Costa Mesa at Artistic License Fair! It's one thing to be stuck in a beautiful park for two days; and another thing to be stuck in a beautiful park for two days with a myriad of talented, artistic, likeminded folks. Both are wonderful and relaxing, but the latter is unbelievably inspiring.

One again, I was next to LoriMarsha, with her amazing refashioned clothing & accessories

If I could just shadow this woman for a day, my life would be complete. Simply amazing. My two favorite local yarnies were there, Lori Lawson from Capistrano Fiber Arts...

who gave me a mini-lesson on spinning (which I will NOT be getting into, but it's amazing to watch!)...

and Michelle Hoffee, from Made by Lovecraft.

I also made a new friend, Mary from Button Box (does not have a website!!), who had an amazing booth - so creatively merchandised with apothecary boxes and bins, brimming over with vintage button jewelry - so gorgeous!

I saw old friends - Shari stopped by first thing Friday morning with Flick & Summer (the cuties)...

...and I finally got to meet an online friend from Flickr, Graygoosie, which was really one of the highlights of the day for me!

I can't begin to tell you how blessed I feel to be able to meet so many of the wonderful people I've met online. When I'm spinning my wheels and wondering why I do what I do (why I bother to do what I do), I think about these accidental friendships and it really sustains me. I know, totally corny. But totally true. I don't know what artisans did before the internet.

Of course, I spent money. More sock yarn and superfine merino/cashmere blend for...I don't know yet, but the colors were gorgeous.

 I also bought two LoriMarsha originals that I can't wait to wear when it cools off a bit. They are amazing, and totally out of my comfort zone (fashion-wise), with their bright colors and mix of textures, but they are gorgeous and after two days with all these people, I am ready to step it up and make an effort, even if it's just to go get the mail.
 
So many of the outdoor fairs (and even the indoor charity boutiques) include vendors who simply resell merchandise they buy (including replica goods). As a handcrafter, this is hard because, in my mind, it's a mindset thing. I think it's difficult for people to understand the work and detail that goes into making your merchandise, and then to see buyers swarming the table with $2 jewelry from China...it just makes you wonder why you bother in the first place?

That's why I love this event; it's heavily juried and all handcrafted, and represented by the artist. They have their followers, and it's amazing to see the same people return year after year (this show has been going on for over 40 years!) to support it. I'm so grateful to be included. I can't wait until next year.
 

The Finishing.

These are those 4 remaining bags from about 3 weeks ago that still needed to be finished. I did, finally. I was tired of looking at them on my worktable, and they were taking up precious space. I'm glad they're done, and of course, it took no time at all because they were completely ready for sewing. Quite by accident, the side seams on the two middle bags almost match up perfectly! Don't you love when that happens? Even bags have a good side. :)

My studio is in dire need of [yet] another complete clean up. It gets into such a state in the middle of show season, and right about now, I start to feel that crawly claustrophobic thing happening. Nothing is in its' place. 'Where'd I put my scissors?' 'All five pairs are missing?'

I did accomplish one thing towards organizing and cleaning. I had a bunch of fabric cards (they might be referred to as color cards, but I can't remember such things) from a company I used a few years ago for some linen. I was at the Textile Show, and they allowed you to order as many samples of fabric as you wanted/needed, each sample being about 11 x 14. I had them clipped together, hanging off a cabinet door. They were pretty.

They were also pretty useless at this point. Another easy, brainless TV (House, this time) activity for me (as you can see, I cannot sit still...hands must be moving) is fabric flowers. They're almost done - just need the pin backings and we're good to go!

I ran out of fabric-button-maker-thingy's, so I had to dip into my vintage button stash. Another thing that needs to be sorted and cleaned up. 

After I finish those lovelies, I'll begin sorting my bins and getting things together for my event tomorrow in Costa Mesa (Artistic License Fair). It's not a long haul, but I have to leave at 6 a.m. to beat the traffic and then it's two days of fun and inspiration! Kelley and I are overnighting it, and once again I am next to LoriMarsha - could a girl get any luckier? I doubt it.