MOVING MADNESS & GORGEOUS GIVEAWAY

You have to admit I do have good excuses for why I haven't blogged.  When I last posted I promised gifts and giveaways galore once things settled down after Quilt Market.  Ready?  Here comes my latest. 

Things have been on-again, off-again for the last year as to whether we were really moving to San Diego. Tim has been working there the majority of the time and I haven't felt comfortable announcing that I have been here by myself.  Well, it was definately on-again when I got home from Quilt Market and a Pod was in the driveway to make sure it sunk in.   

MY POD

Next thing I knew we were racing to get our house ready to sell.  Finishing up all those odds and ends that we always intended to tackle ourselves.  Tim flew home and we quickly had a mega yard sale...literally opened the garage door, stuck out a couple signs on Thursday and Friday while painters, carpet installers, roofers and landscapers (I'm sure I've left out a few workers) were here doing touch ups and repairs.  On Thursday early evening our real estate agent came by with the paperwork and a For Sale sign for the yard.  By Friday morning we already had people wanting to view the house.  I had made it clear that I intended to get the workers out and the house cleaned before it could be seen.  Sunday morning we planned to do some finishing touches, but a couple from Chicago wanted to see it first thing and stayed for 2 hours!   We barely put the finishing touches in place and had to quickly  find someplace to hide out (we ran out of time to even take showers).  My real estate agent happens to also be an incredible friend and neighbor.  Her house was just up the street and is currently vacant, so we took our very old and sick dog over there to sit for 3 1/2 hours. 

I was so stinkin bored.  Did I mention her house was totally vacant?  I sat on the floor and cleaned out all the old emails on my iPhone, tried to learn to use apps I previously ignored and threw out old gum wrappers from my purse.  All I could think about was how the Open House was going.  Tashi and Tim were layed out on the living room floor snoozing so I decided to put on my baseball cap and sunglasses and go for a little walk.  As I turned the bend there were cars up and down both sides of the street and up the side street next to our house.  I seriously thought someone was having a graduation party, but as I got closer it appeared the party was at my house.  My next door neighbor was out working in the yard so I snuck up on him.  Startled, he said he didn't recognize me with the hat and glasses, to which I told him, "Shhh, I'm incognito!"  He verified that all those cars were at my Open House.  I skipped back to the hideout and waited until 5:15 when we thought the coast was clear.  As we pulled up our drive we realized people were still walking around in the yard and one couple was visiting with the next door neighbors. 



Not too convincing SpyWear

 I wish I had a picture of our agent Teresa when we walked into our kitchen.  She had thrown  her torso and arms out  on the island pretending she had collapsed from exhaustion.  That was only temporary because she started talking 90+ MPH, telling us she couldn't keep up after 80 people but she was sure there were at least 100 that came through.  I wouldn't have believed her if I hadn't seen it for myself.   No sooner did she leave when she called on her cell to say she just received an offer.  By bedtime we had two offers over the asking price and more promised for the next day. 

Next morning we had people and realtors lined back to back starting at 8 a.m. with appointments to see the house.  Our heads were spinning.  We really had no place to go so we hung out at a couple restaurants until  Tim needed to pack and get to the airport.  We also needed to get our Tashi in to the vets.  After lunch we intruded on a showing at our house and felt obligated to say excuse me to the strangers looking in our closets.  We quickly packed Tim's bag and rescued Tashi from his indoor kennel.  He was not well and this added stress was taking it's toll on him.  When we got to the vets, it wasn't good news.  Long story short, we left without our Tashi.  He has been our friend and companion for 16 1/2 years; our other son.  One minute we are on a mountaintop with all the interest in our house and the next minute down in a valley as Tashi is being put to sleep.  Tim and Tashi were very close and Tim had to walk away from that to catch a flight for San Diego.  It was heartbreaking.

Our Tashi Bear as a pup

My Three Teenagers

As I said my goodbye's to Tashi I whispered in his ear to go find Jonathan.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 By that afternoon we had two more offers and appts. booked out the rest of the week from morning to night.  When Teresa stopped over I suggested that while this was crazy good, I wasn't sure why I'd want to keep this up. So I chose an above the asking price offer (surprised?) and by the time Tim landed in San Diego the house was sold.  I think that's a good sign, even a record, don't you? 

Wherever you want us to go Lord.  Where?  San Diego?  Oh, if you insist!! 

All kidding aside, moving across the country after just losing our son and leaving the only other family we have here was a huge decision and one we did not make on our own. 

Next task was to quick find a house in San Diego.  I had been looking almost daily since last August on the internet, flew out there previously to house hunt and always disliked the choices.  So many of our options were short sales, foreclosures, houses left vacant, bank-owned or just plain ugly. I flew out again with a list of potentials, most of which were quickly crossed off the list once I saw them in person, or saw the neighborhood, etc.  One of our "must-have's" was some private outdoor living space to make up for the much smaller interiors we were accustomed to in the South and Midwest. There were other things we hoped for, but this one thing was non-negotiable.  I am excited to say that the last place we viewed was "the one".   And it wasn't because I was blurry eyed and everything started to run together (which it did), but because we couldn't see inside the neighbors houses or even their yards, and likewise.  We put an offer on it, did a bit of countering and by the time I got off the plane back in Indianapolis I had a contract to sign.  That, my friends, is amazing. 

I had workers inside and out doing repairs and touch-ups and in some cases they actually made things worse.  For instance, a young guy was up in the attic and poked his foot through a bedroom ceiling.  It was much more humorous when the hole was open and the insulation was falling out.  But they made it much less conspicuous once they taped it with royal blue and black masking tape.

The guy that came to repair the hole didn't do a good job, got ceiling paint on the walls and after returning 3 more times the repair patch kept getting larger. When the owner of the company came to inspect the patch I told him the new homeowners would need to sign off on the job and I didn't think they would be happy with the workmanship. He walked over and closed the blinds in the bedroom and suggested I leave them closed as to not draw attention to the ceiling. Are you freakin serious??  Bye-bye Mr. Ceiling Man.

I've already closed on this house and packing has started!!!  Our friends  didn't want us to leave, but still had a Farewell Fling for us which will make us miss them even more than we thought possible.  I think I only know a couple people in San Diego, and one of them is our real estate agent.  Skype and unlimited calling will make the transition easier. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am so, so very excited about my next decor line with Demdaco.  In the midst of all this moving madness, I have been receiving both images and some boxes of product for approval for the 2012 Paula Prass Collection.  I was squealing over the images, but when the boxes arrived I was screaming and doing back flips...okay, just screaming.  I can't talk about the new products for another 6 months, but I am beside myself delighted.  The new line coordinates so nicely with my current line. 

So, since I can't share with you next year's line right now, I certainly can share my current line for Demdaco.  How about I share one of my pillow designs with you? This one is a 16" square in pinky coral, greens, creams and brown accents.  The saying: It is not only fine FEATHERS that make fine birds, it's also how those birds DECORATE their nests.  Just leave a message.  If you happen to know some highly creative artists, sewers or places I should know about in San Diego, I'd appreciate passing that along, but it's not necessary.  I'll be picking a winner around Thursday or Friday before the moving truck pulls down the driveway.  Ready.  Set.  Go.

SAVE THE DRAMA FOR THIS MAMA

As much as I'd like to believe it just ain't so, the fact is I do tend to tour the various emergency rooms on my travel schedule.  I broke my arm in NYC and got a concussion on the concrete stairs down to the Marta in Atlanta.   I'm more fun than a barrel of pidgeon toed monkeys.  Yet with all the historionics Jennifer still wanted to come to Quilt Market with me in SLC.  Glutten for punishment!

I decided to do something I've never done before Market and treat myself to a microdermabrasion.  Kinda like spring cleaning.  All  I researched  said there was no down time, my skin will be refreshed, yada.... I had it done on Monday and we left for Salt Lake City on Wednesday.  Everything looked great.  However, on the flight my face started itching and swelling.   

A sidenote: When we left Indianapolis it was 91 outside.  Our flight was delayed to the point all the passengers thought we missed our connections in Denver.  Rough ride, bad weather, then the pilot says we can't land because of a snowstorm.  Seriously???  Itch, itch.  We didn't get into SLC until 3:30 a.m. (5:30 a.m. to this Mid-westerner).  

   I kept popping Benedryl the next day for set-up, Schoolhouse and a later event.  By the first day of Market red raw welts spread to my neck and into my hairline.  My eyes were so swollen there were creases across my nose.  Anything, even water felt like I was pouring acid on my skin.  My roomies (Jona, Daria and Jennifer) had to look at this in the morning.  Needless to say, first day at Market was spent in the emergency care.  Lived on steroids and Benedryl the rest of the show.  I spent probably 2 hours trying to apply layers of makeup and concealer.  Then I was afraid I'd scratch it off.  As the swelling started going down my skin started peeling.  Like isn't that why I wanted the microdermabrasion in the first place???  I was self-conscious meeting so many people for the first time.   Tried sunglasses but I thought they just made me look like a pretentious blind lady.  Oh, and the kicker?  Now that I'm back home my face is better. 

Outside of my usual drama, seeing everyone was so wonderful.  This is the best group of people.  I mean it.  We sincerely care for each other.  I honestly felt like Kermit and Miss Piggy running towards each other in a field of flowers when I saw some of you. 

Now that I'm home I'm chained back to the hamster wheel.  I did decide I couldn't post again until I updated my blog header.  The header reflects some of my artwork and how it's turned into products.  Still way behind on getting the websites updated and a plethora of other must do's. 

 

So while others are posting all the beautiful new fabrics and booths, I wanted to try a different approach.

Here's the deal: We ARE moving to San Diego.  The 9 month roller coaster has finally stopped.  So now on top of everything else we are rushing to get the house ready to put on the market.  I love my house, love my neighbors, community, friends and family, so this is bittersweet.  However, I also dearly love my husband and I had this scripture engraved on the inside of his wedding band: 

Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Ruth 1:16

Doesn't sound like a very liberated woman, does it?  He adopted my kids and became the best father they could have ever had.  Tim has been my biggest fan, best friend  and business partner.  He's always got my back.  I am proud of him and am ready to move into this next phase of our lives together.  Okay, honestly?  Moving to San Diego for a job is like saying you are becoming a missionary in Hawaii.  No sympathy there.  We are looking to simplify so we'll be having the first yard sale this weekend. 

I am still planning some giveaways, but realized since there's another huge giveaway going on elsewhere right now, I'm going to wait until that event is over.  Plus, I need to go quick price some yard sale items.  Stay tuned.





MORE BOTANIKA



Kathy Miller took the first two shots of my Botanika fabrics in a grouping and I'm so thankful for that.  I barely got to see them all together before I shipped them off to Quilt Market.  I leave in two days and I'm running around like a deer in headlights.  But not too busy to give you another glimpse of my new pride and joys. 



Botanika in Meadow Colorway



Pastille Colorway



 I took a couple quick shots of the lattice so I could stroke the photo and remember how much I love how it turned out.

Mod Lattice

And here's a closer look at the Garden Border flowers.  Sorry about the odd angle, but you get the idea, right?



Garden Border in Meadow Colorway



For those of you that will be at Quilt Market, my booth is #425.  Please come and say hello.

My Schoolhouse will be  in Room 255B   3:10 - 3:40.  Expect to have fun and a possible giveaway!

BOTANIKA IS HERE!

Move over Princess Catherine!  My brand spankin new fabric collection, called Botanika, includes some royal birds.  I began this collection a year ago when I was inspired by a trip to San Diego.  I spent time at the beautiful Balboa Gardens, walked by incredible cottages in La Jolla and soaked up the beauty of it all.  Even the birds seemed happier to be living in such a glorious place.  So I began sketching and painting what I gathered in photographs and my imagination. 

As of yesterday I only had 8 of the fabrics, but by some sort of miracle (and Christine) I came back from an all day photo shoot to the rest of my fabrics.  I hadn't been to the bathroom or eaten all day, but I began running outside to try and get some outdoor photos while it was still light enough.  I also received 3 pillows from a couple of the fabrics (Susan, they are gorgeous!)so I was snapping up a storm while doing the potty dance.

Now I've been trying to put something together to show you, but I am having a heck of a time here.  And I'm supposed to be packing for Quilt Market.  Please forgive me if my debut is not perfect.  I'll fix it later, but just had to share.  What do you think?

 Why is this Meadow colorway stretched and fuzzy?  I reloaded it five times , resaved it, yelled at it.  Hmm.

pillow front

pillow back

I have so much to share with you.  I went through quite a low time after the holidays were over.  I also have been buried in work, but I'm feeling much better now.  Being creative has been a lifesaver.  You all have also been wonderful and when I get back from Quilt Market I'm going to make it up to you!  How about some giveaways?

Now off to pack!

COLORS OF LOVE

I got a phonecall from the florist yesterday morning.  They were outside of my house, but could not make it up our iced driveway and would I meet them down at the street.    Easier said than done.  The day before it warmed up just enough to melt the top layer of the ice snow mixture only to refreeze.  I literally could not walk without my arms and legs flailing.  More concerned about me than my driveway, the two delivery gals made another run for it and finally made it up the drive.  As they emerged from their vehicle they immediately joined me in showing off all our non-skating abilities.  We became fast friends, holding hands, even hugging (well, really it was clinging) without any formal introduction.  I think they had the whole shop in the van so it took quite a bit of maneauvering before this huge arrangement surfaced.  There was no way I could make it back to the house holding that garden in a vase.  I made them just sit it down for fear we'd end up on the noon news, "Three concussions over Valentine's Delivery".  I made it back to the house by holding onto the shrubs for dear life.  Then opened the garage door to retry.  I seriously considered putting on my bike helmet.  Got it!  Thanks to my sweet hubby who just happens to be working in sunny, warm California and is missing all the fun.  They warmed my heart.

  



I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.  ~Claude Monet

 Speaking of painting flowers, on Sunday I met Jen, Joe and kiddos for lunch, then some playtime at their house.  Wyatt wanted me to paint with him, so we pulled out the supplies.  With only 3 kiddie paintbrushes that looked like they had been used for scrubbing by Amelia, a starter paint kit and a vase of flowers we managed to come up with these quick masterpieces. 

The Flower Vase With Three Birds by Wyatt
The Flower Vase with Crooked Table by Mimi

WINTER BLAST

I am so behind on blogging, as you will see.  I have excuses, but who cares, right?  But I come with some pictures as a peace offering.  My new line of picture frames, pillows and mirrors had their debut at a few Demdaco showrooms.  As much as I wanted to I did not make it to the huge Atlanta showroom, but Tim and I drove to Chicago and visited my new line there.  So, as we were approaching the showroom this is what we saw!  Schweet, huh?



THE PAULA PRASS COLLECTION
 FRONT WINDOW DISPLAY



ANOTHER DISPLAY





LOTS OF PILLOWS



Since I didn't get to the Atlanta showroom I only have a couple pics that were taken from someone's cell phone.  It certainly gives me an idea of what I missed, huh?

THE PAULA PRASS COLLECTION
DEMDACO'S ATLANTA SHOWROOM



I am hoping to redo my website soon (easier said than done these days).  When it's complete I'll be offering these goodies for sale.

The weather seems to be a non-stop source of conversation lately, especially here in the Midwest.  The ice storm put a thick, hard layer of ice over several inches of snow and everything else, which pretty much closed everything down around here.  Then this morning we woke up to snow, snow and more snow over the harsh ice.  I realized that I have only been viewing all this "weather" as added work and inconvenience.  I caught myself doing it again today, then looked out my family room window and this was my view.  How can I be so blind to the beauty all around me?

I love the hints of pinkish coral the sky left on the snow.  It's been grey for so long, I almost missed the added color.

Speaking of all pink and beautiful, I didn't blog much during the holidays but just had to show you how cute my little Miss Amelia was for her holiday dance recital.  I must admit we were all quite pleasantly surprised at how well she did during the performance.  She is just way too busy to constantly pay attention, ya know?  We all glanced at each other like, "What? She's been holding out on us?"  

   

POSING AFTER MAKE-UP

TOTALLY FOCUSED

Afterwards we all went out to celebrate.  The restaurant manager came to the table to chat and commented on Amelia's recital (obvious by the outfit).  He asked how she did and her brother Wyatt piped up and said, "We were startled at how good she did!"  Startled?  Wow, that's our new word and we enjoy using it whenever possible.  Love those kids!!!

While I feel badly that I'm not blogging more often are all very understanding and forgiving.  Your wonderful notes continue to warm my heart.  Thanks xo

LOOKING FORWARD

As I finally stop and reflect on this last year I must admit I am so ready to bid 2010 farewell and am praying with hope and anticipation that this new year will be a much brighter one for me and my family.  I've divided the year into two catagories:

EMBRACING WHAT I CAN'T CHANGE

~ My longtime dream of having my daughter Jennifer and I be in business together came to a sad end when an obscure jewelry company called Stella and Dot swept her off her feet.  While I miss her dearly I well up with pride as I watch Jennifer's great leadership abilities launch her into being a director and founding leader of this incredible company.

~ The two most dominant male figures in my young children's lives when I was a single parent were both diagnosed with serious, life threatening illnesses.  My kids considered them "uncles" and they have been "family" to me for almost 40 years now.  


~ We made several trips to Michigan to start the long, arduous process of moving Tim's mom out of her house of 50+ years and into assisted living as her Altzheimer's progressed.  The adorable home that Tim grew up in is currently on the market :

~ Tim's job had him gone over a third of 2010.  The last four months we anticipated a job relocation and subsequent move and used every spare moment researching how to make the move from the Midwest to San Diego without losing the shirts off our backs.  I flew out there once in September to visit my hubby and search neighborhoods in person.  Otherwise I saw Tim briefly on weekends when he would fly home through the night and usually arrive Saturday morning and leave again Sunday afternoon.  Our short weekends were spent doing repairs and updating with the expectation we would be putting our house on the market.  While we were prepared for a major downsize and move across the country, in the end the offer was just not in our best interest.  On one hand the decision was a letdown, especially for Tim, as he was excited about the job and we both were willing to make the move.  On the other hand we were relieved that the uncertainty was over and Tim moved back just in time for Christmas. 


~ My months of researching and comparing the housing market in Southern California vs. the Midwest made me somewhat of a self-proclaimed expert of sorts.  The huge amount of the homes/condos were either in foreclosure or short sale and price per sf made my job even tougher.  What better way to point out the drastic comparison than with a visual.  Remember I posted about and fondly named this the Keebler Cottage?

During my search I discovered my favorite little cottage was actually for sale!  The 1908 sf home with the tiniest yard in La Jolla (a desirable suburb of San Diego) was priced at $2.3 mil.  At the same time the 25,000 sf La Chateau (Hilbert Mansion) in Carmel IN (a desirable suburb of Indianapolis) sold for $3 mil.

La Chateau Mansion Front



La Chateau Mansion Rear


While I readily admit these are extreme examples and realize the cottage has a nearby ocean.  I am making the point that my own humble abode in the Midwest was looking more appealing even with the snow.

La Prass Mansion

Sadly, our year ended with the loss of our son Jonathan to his long battle with bipolar and addictions.  It is still so raw.  I catch myself wanting to tell him I heard from a friend of his or wanting to ask him about something I read in one of his many journals.  How I wanted a different ending.  

While I didn't have control over what the year brought or how I would have spent it I do feel like I've been stretched spiritually and emotionally to become a stronger, deeper and more compassionate person than I was before.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE POSSIBILITIES

I already shared some sneaky peeks of my home decor line with Demdaco here which will debut this month at the Atlanta Gift Market, Chicago Merchandise Mart and the Dallas Market Center.  Here's a couple new peeks for you peeps:

I heard the preorders for my home decor line with Demdaco is doing quite well and I am already creating my next collection which will be ready in January 2012.  I'm even more excited about my next collaboration for Demdaco and where I'm creating it for.  Demdaco has been a great to company to work with. 

What I haven't shared yet about 2010 is that I signed a book contract with Wiley Books.  I'm flipping out over writing a how-to book on sewing upscale decor projects for the home. 

So how can I go much further without a humorous story, even if at my own expense, right?  I had the priviledge of having a luncheon date with both my editor and publisher for the book.  I have honestly been regularly distracted the last couple months.  I start into something, but my mind is thinking about something else.  At Thanksgiving I apparently put the cranberry sauce in the Tupperware cabinet instead of the frig, which I didn't discover until, uh, too late.  Many similar stories, but on this day I rushed to get ready for my luncheon and after a lovely meeting I saw Jennifer.  She said something like, "Mom, tell me you didn't meet the Wiley gals with only your white mascara conditioner on"?   I look in the mirror and sure enough my eyelashes were bright white!  I emailed Roxane, my editor who swore she didn't notice.  Told her it's the latest trend and she acted like I really knew what I was talking about.  Here's the only proof, taken by our waitress on my iPhone.  Can you see my bright whites flashing at you?  If not, can you at least tell I was standing on my tippie toes?  Well I was...standing there all short and with bright white eyelashes.  Yup, this is me in the middle.  Incomplete, lacking.  But that's the beauty of it all..... we are all a constant work in progress and I might just be the leader of the pack.    
  

Last but not least, I was able to submit my initial fabric strike-offs for my newest collection with Michael Miller Fabrics called Botanika.  I'll share more once the strike-offs and colors are approved. 

Finally, may I say again just how much you all mean to me?  Your comments and personal emails have kept me connected and hopeful.  I love you all so much for sticking with me this past year.  I hope to make 2011 worth your while!