SNEAK PEEK/ FLIGHTS OF FANCY FABRICS

I so hope you are all satisfied with what I'm showing you. Keep in mind anything can change!

Whew, what a whirlwind the last few days have brought my way. The strikeoffs didn't arrive til after work last Friday. I started Saturday and didn't finish until Monday just in time to overnite my color corrections off to Michael Miller Fabrics. I was slow, I know, but I really had very little knowledge on how to go about the task. Sandi Henderson was so kind as to help once again and Jennifer came in to help on Sunday, as well.

So today I was happy to finally just play with the small pieces I had, and try to envision what I might do with them. But, alas, Kathy called and asked me to overnite the fabrics to them. Jennifer and I have very quickly snapped some shots before we had to box everything up and kiss it all goodbye for the moment.

This is not the only project we have going on right now. Oh no, this is the very busy time of year for designing new products, photography, new catalogs, price sheets, packing and sending crates, shows and filling orders. And I wondered what I'd do with myself when the kids left home!!!

Thank you all for your kind comments and interest. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what you think about the fabrics. Lots more where that came from. Go easy, it's my first try at this fabric thing. Also, colors on several pieces are off and hopefully will come back much better on the next round.

Unfortunately, my Studio reveal is delayed. Woodrow is getting impatient with me, as I'm sure you must be. Hopefully, worth the wait???

THE STRIKE-OFFS ARE HERE!

This morning there was an email from Kathy sent at midnight saying the strike-offs were on the way, sent overnight and should arrive today. I have literally spent my entire day imagining hearing the UPS truck. Finally at 5:15 pm our most awesome UPS guy pulls out front. Jennifer runs out the door and almost tackles him and then when I met up we had another one of our tug of wars in front of Charles (Mia calls him Charlos). We have opened up and initially done our screams and fabric dance. I am very pleased! I know I'll be doing some tweaking, but must say the 1st strike-offs are much better than I imagined. Need to do some weekend things; which will include carressing my new fabrics and finishing my new studio. I love this country! Next week will be full of more bursts of excitement and Flights Of Fancy for you.

DOMINO MAGAZINE; WELL A TEENIE BIT

No, REALLY CLOSE. Okay, awhile back we got a call from Domino Magazine requesting 20 picture frames for a photo shoot. Jennifer was calm on the phone, but once she hung up we did the "We're Going To Be In Domino" dance. We make everything to order, so we were tripping over each other trying to get these out the door in time. So a couple days ago our Domino comes in the mail. Jennifer and I each had an end of the magazine and pulling for dear life. I "let her" have it, since I'm that kind of person...cough.

Jennifer flips through the first time. Can't find anything, so second time she goes through slowly with a magnifying glass (just kidding) and finally found this one frame. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for any exposure for our products, but I can't help chuckle about what we imagined with 20 frames and what actually appeared. Big learning curve over here! Domino is one of our favs, so we imagined...well, you can imagine what we imagined, can't you? Have a chuckle with us, won't you?

BAROQUE MIRROR MAKEOVER

As I am working on the finishing touches for my new studio I thought I'd share an easy makeover with you. I have not had any extra time for fun projects, so this one just fell in my lap. I ran an errand one day recently and swung into a local "antique" store. I am usually sceptical about what many of these places call "antiques", so expected it would be a very short walk through. However, I spotted 2 mirrors. One a cheap plastic repro for $15.00 and another smaller one for $9.00 (this one was the better find...made in Italy of plaster and in perfect condition). I bought both.

The molded plastic mirror was actually more interesting to my creative needs because I felt free to redo without guilt. Since I am currently liking the idea of "framing" whatever in our displays (notecards, a quote, etc.) I wanted to not confine this frame to one use. Since we do numerous shows around the country I thought this could be a multi-purpose redo.

This was the easiest makeover I think I've ever done. I removed the mirror out of the back easily. Then after washing off any dust/dirt I laid the frame out in the yard and simply spray painted. Since it was a plastic frame I used a plastic spray paint. Took 5 minutes total! This project has so many uses...a magnetic board; cork board; inspiration board; picture frame; etc.

I decided to use this in my studio as an almost transparent addition; giving me the option of easily taking it to a show and returning it afterwards..hardly missed. You'll see when it all comes together.

WOODROW IS POOPED

Yes, Patty, he's being pitiful. Here's a photo after he was done. I admit the thing was heavy, but no need for such drama!

SNEAK PEEK: LAUNDRY/STUDIO

THE SCARY {BEFORE}

This is a photo of the laundry room that was soon to become ours when we purchased our house. Once I took possession, I kept the door closed. At the first chance I painted over the sponged walls. Unfortunately I didn't have any easy solution for that lovely "brick"vinyl flooring so I still kept the door closed. In the last several months it has become necessary for me to create my own studio away from the hub bub. The business has already taken over the living room and entire basement (and during deadlines...every possible surface of the main level). That's when I decided to combine the laundry room with a design studio. Below is a peek at some elements I used. Both the drawer and swivel chair are from Ikea. The work station I ended up with was actually from Pier 1, but couldn't find an image so took the Pottery Barn image which is very similar. The new Samsung washer and dryer is delightfully quiet and doesn't wiggle & wabble across the room.

The floor was my biggest challenge. After much over-analyzing I decided the easiest solution with the least amount of work were the Flor carpet tiles. I love them.

My last image of my sneak peek is of Woodrow, my trusty assistant, helping install the floor to ceiling inspiration board. He took on way more than he could handle, I'm afraid, and was quite stiff for a few days afterward.

I am adding the finishing touches and will soon reveal the wonderful transformation. I wanted to share the {before} and can't wait until it's far enough along for a big reveal!

THIRD CHAIR in BEST SEATS SERIES

As promised; paint barely dried, is the Third Chair in my Best Seats Series. I think I'll take a much needed break and do some cleaning this weekend. I'm a messy person when I'm creative. Everything around me is a mess as I focus in on the details.

Have an awesome weekend!

FIRST + SECOND CHAIR

Here is the Second chair I promised. I also added a shadow to the First chair, so am reposting that. I'm already working on the next one, which might be my favorite yet, so hope you'll check back daily. We just printed out the first two on canvas and they look great!

WE'RE IN COASTAL LIVING MAGAZINE

We just got our Coastal Living magazine and a couple of our frames are in there, yeah! Just wanted to share...and post 3 times in one day!

FIRST CHAIR

Making up for my absence by posting a second time today. This is the first chair in a series I am painting. I have a thing for chairs...and birds, so I'm planning to paint several. They will be for sale on the Paula Prass site as canvas art, prints and notecards. Let me know what you think.

How would you like me to post one a day? That should keep me off the streets!