RANDOM ACTS OF BOREDOM

While the doctors are very pleased with my progress, I have discouraging moments. Can't do most things without help. Yesterday Jennifer washed my hair, that was a good day. Now today my husband is off to business in Tucson and up to Calgary, Alberta for 9-10 days. Not a good day.

I'll post on some important events recently that Jennifer photographed and since I prefer images with my posts, I'm using some of her pics.

Here's Wyatt's 1st day of kindergarten, while I was in NYC. Jennifer calls this TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL. He called me that morning on the way to school and I had a chance to hear his excitement and anticipation. I adore that boy!

Then Wyatt turned 6 last week. I didn't get to go to the Bowling Party, as you can imagine, but heard it was FUN. An orange bowling ball and great friends! What a day to remember. My sweet Amelia (My Mia) is the one with the gum..that's what most of her photos look like. That or forbidden lipstick or candy, but always something cute or sweet.

Then, Jennifer and 2 of her best friends went to Ontario for 4 days over Labor Day and had such a wonderful time. I'll pretend I was there taking the pics instead of here drooling on meds. I've never been to Canada, and it's funny that my daughter just got back and my husband is just going. Based on what I'm seeing I really hope to visit someday. Here's just a few of many awesome images. The girls stayed at Esther's folks and every turn of the head revealed either incredible views of water or vineyards. CALGON TAKE ME AWAY.

Esther, Kelly and Jennifer putting their moves on. Hey, wait. Is this one of those guys acting like a statue looking for tips? Jennifer already knows it, but I'll say it again. She has been blessed with the most awesome friends. I love these gals. They treat Tim and I as family. Gosh, I'm getting all perclempt here. I swear, I'm not on meds, but emotional, none the less.

I want to also blog about the shopping in Ontario because Jennifer brought back a highly post worthy gift with pics of the stores...gorgeous. Hope more than anything that I can soon post my own projects again. I'm leaning on my faith and your prayers to keep me going. Thanks for the encouraging words.

I AM THE ONE ARMED DESIGNER

I have waited to post about this until I was emotionally ready...and off pain meds. I broke my left arm while in New York. There, I said it. I am severely left sided, so yes, it's my writing, drawing, painting, washing, EVERYTHING ARM...you get the idea. I actually did my last post with Jennifer's help because I missed everyone while I was gone. I also felt bad because my previous post was about a death and I wanted to not jump in and have this be my next news.

First off, the week before we left for NY was hard. Jennifer also didn't get to participate in saying goodbye to her friend because of the NY show. She then left the show early for Wyatt's first day of kindergarten. My Tim flew in to take Jennifer's place because tearing down the booth and packing crates is a multi-person job. Tim and I had Thursday to ourselves and were so looking forward to exploring New York and seeing Mama Mia! the musical. Friday I had an appointment at Michael Miller Fabrics that I was pumped about. Major change of plans.

Tim tells me as we were crossing the street I stepped onto what looked like a flat surface, but was a 3" drop. As I lay there I could not feel my arm at all. Terrifying, I must admit. But then the pain. I'll spare details, except that the humerus bone was broken in half and a very unclean break. Because it wasn't a compound fracture I was placed in a temp splint...that ended exactly where the break started (yeah), which was no fun. A specialist could not see me for 6 days in NY I was told, so had to make it back home, no fun, and finally got help Monday. In the meantime I held my own arm together for 4 days, so I couldn't use my right arm either. Living in Indianapolis has it's perks because we are a very sports oriented city and sports medicine abounds. I've been rubbing elbows, while ever so gently, with many people that have great stories to tell about their injuries. Lots of famous athletes pictures adorn the walls. I'm like a third the size of everyone else. I'm thinking I should send my signed autograph just for fun...since I'm having so much!

Anyway, my reality has sunk in. I am without my creative arm...don't know yet how long. Very good news is that I have no nerve damage and will not need surgery, as we were told in NY. Once they took the splint off and put me in a contraption that holds my arm to my body, things started going better. My arm is very swollen still and yesterday they added an elastic sleeve over my forearm and elbow which looks like an overstuffed sausage. I'm not posting pics, if that's okay. Just envision a rubber arm 2 times your normal size in multi colors tied to your body. There..a visual image will do, don't you agree?

It's a tough break, pun intended. Yet a mere hiccup in the scheme of things. I know I have some challenges ahead. I have the Quilt Market coming up in October and all the prep for my Flights of Fancy debut. Hmmm, I see NO sewing in my near future. I am determined right now to be the recipient of a miracle! Always loved a decent challenge, so here's one....being a one armed designer!

I would appreciate your prayers. I was so excited to get back from NY and dive into designing and creating. I live and breathe to design. I'm not out to prove anything, but I want to be there in Houston, come October, to wow you into my booth and welcome each and every one with a huge hug. That's what I'm talkin about!

GLAD TO BE BACK!

I apologize for taking off out of town without posting beforehand. There was so much to do and that last week was filled with drama. Then once we got to New York we had a busy schedule and bad internet connection. So, I'm back with photos and stories.

First off, we had a space at the New York Gift Show in the Studio Section, so we took a photo to show you a bit of our set-up. Hard work and late nights. Once the show started Jennifer and I fit in a couple fun things. Here we are in front of Rockefeller Plaza. In the summer the skating rink is transformed into eateries.

Also, had some business at Michael Miller Fabrics a couple of days. Lots of cab rides, which is always an adventure. One particular driver honked and barked at everyone. As I observed, I realized even though his honks sounded the same, they actually had different meanings. I commented to Jennifer that there should be different honk sounds...like a little keyboard w/ symbols. Like a picture of a pedestrian w/ a bullseye, or the finger. As I'm chuckling and wondering if that might be how I make my 1st mil Jennifer reaches for the camera and snaps this Don't Honk sign. Now that tickles my funny bone. Next sign warns not to attach bicycles to the railing. Is it just me, or does anyone find this humorous?

It was great to be in New York and to actually meet some of you for the first time. Had some wonderful chats and made new connections. Now I must say, I really missed you all and am so happy to be in touch again.

A SAD DAY

In Memory of Julia Fruits Montgomery - Age 29

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Julie - wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend has lost her fight with cancer. Julie and Jennifer were friends from college and she was a fan of ours! Julie was such an inspiration to us through her battle and we plan to honor her wishes by celebrating her life.

DESIGN*SPONGE POST

Jennifer called me while I was grocery shopping yesterday afternoon. Yeah we were all getting pretty darn hungry around here. Twizzlers for lunch just wasn't getting it. We've had so many deadlines around here lately and worked through dinner creating new food combinations.

Oh yeah, the phonecall..... Jennifer says my Studio was on Design*Sponge!!! A Before and After; my favorite! Thank you so much Grace for a wonderful write-up. You even mentioned Woodrow, my trusty assistant. Go check it out.

FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

One of the incredible blessings that comes along with blogging is that sometimes you just really connect with certain people and they let you into their lives. We get to share joys, tragedies, struggles and triumphs. I have been granted permission to give you a glimpse into the life of one such blogger and now friend.

This is Chris, a Marine Pilot, and the oh so handsome husband of Missy (Sweet Funky Vintage) holding their second daughter at her Christening. Chris has just been deployed sooner than expected to Iraq while Missy is still settling in with their 3 children from a very recent move to the west coast. Just hope you can go over from time to time and say hello to Missy and offer some words of friendship and encouragement. She's such a sweetheart, and I imagine a little lonely and overwhelmed with three little ones running around. I also hoped by putting this photo on my blog, that it will keep our thoughts and prayers for our soldiers close to the surface.

Thanks for letting me share this with you all.

LET ME MENTION THE MENTIONS

I want to give a huge shout out to both Print & Pattern and Design Healing for giving me such kind mentions this week....well, more like a spread! Please take time to visit these blogs. I know most everyone is familiar with Rock Star Bowie over at P&P, but please go check out the great Design Healing blog of Stephanie Ryan. Her day job is a Senior Concept Designer for Lenox. How cool is that? And that's not all she's up to, so go check it out, won't you?

Then I really want to let you all know just how much your kind comments and emails have meant to me. I've only been blogging a few months and was a virtual unknown in this arena. Your acceptance and enthusiasm is so...so...WOOHOO!!!! Thanks a million.

BEFORE + AFTER DESIGN STUDIO

As promised here are very amateur photos of my new studio. I didn't promise Amateur. That's just what you get. Awhile back I told you the story of needing to continuously find new areas of the house as Paula Prass Designs and Mimi's Collection grows. We didn't even make it all fluffed and polished. There's still so much I want to do, but I think those projects will show up in future blogs.

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS:

My huge inspiration board! My Mini McGyver husband (anyone remember that show where McGyver could make anything with gum and a string? Okay, that's my husband). I imagine it and he brings it into being.
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Galvanized bins over washer and dryer! More inspiration will soon stick there as well.

Lots of storage boxes everywhere! The green containers up above the sink cabinets have tags that are actually discontinued Formica chips. I slapped some paint on them and decoupaged magazine letters to describe the contents. Fun, huh?

The half finished paintings I started of my kids when they were little. They've been in the storage room for years. My husband hung them. Now I really want to finish them. Who wants to stare at unfinished projects. We even still have the original photos attached, so no excuses. We'll see.

My Country Living canvas bag. I got it a couple years ago at the Country Living Women Entrepreneurs Event and I use it for everything. From the Farmer's Market to Design jobs.

Future possibilities to use my upcoming Flights of Fancy fabrics. My husband took a shot looking in the window. Not much privacy...calling out for some cute curtain, don't you think?

BEFORE OR AFTER? I don't keep the door closed anymore.

So, there you go. What do you think?

LOOK WHAT I FOUND!

Okay, I know I've promised you pics from my new design studio, but I have a good excuse ( I think). Here goes.

This weekend Tim and I headed to Ikea to make some purchases for our booth at the New York Show coming up soon. Our closest Ikea has been Chicago, but a new one opened in West Chester, Ohio which is closer for us. We were disappointed in that we didn't realize this Ohio store was a much smaller version of the one in Chicago. Mind you, it was still huge, relatively speaking. However, give me an inch and I'll take a yard. I had things on my list that were either out of stock or just not at this Ohio Ikea. Bummed that we drove 2 hrs. we decided that before we trekked back home we'd hit the Ballard Outlet nearby. Nothing there w/i a price I would pay for damaged merchandise. Then we hit the Frontgate and GrandinRoad stores in the same outlet. That's when I spotted this piece. Not looking for this, but with the whole back busted out it was marked 75% off. So for $100.00 we fit this unexpected last piece in and headed home.

Once home Tim already had beadboard scraps, which I painted and before bedtime he had the new back in place. Today I passed through the dining room on purpose numerous times to get a glimpse at the best deal in Ohio. This is a quick evening shot. You like?

The laundry room is almost complete. Of course what is ever "complete"? Presentable..there you go. That leaves room for updates and changes and whatever I decide to do different.

So here is my Show + Tell for the day: a corner of my dining room that I share in lieu of my upcoming studio photos.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Gosh, I had to stop and express my huge gratitude to everyone for such kind comments, both on the blog and many personal emails. It means so much to know I've struck a fabric nerve with you. If I weren't buried in some other projects (the New York show in a couple weeks) I'd sure be working on my next designs!!! Your comments make my creative juices do the happy dance. And you know what that means...MORE CREATIONS for you!