When I was a little girl I watched my mom make a poodle skirt for me for Halloween. In 1976 she made me a Statue of Liberty costume, Uncle Sam for my brother and The Little Drummer Girl for my sister. We won best costumes that year at school.
Mom also made an array of dresses for us (3 of a kind at one point). She knitted and crocheted and she spent a period of 10 years (I think) making a breathtaking needlepoint of an urn of flowers in gorgeous jewel tones. Every time I see it it still puts me in awe. She is also a really talented painter.
(Above: Me and my sister Ilisa in pinafores by mom 1974)
Not surprisingly, I grew up thinking my mom could make anything. Her creativity was endless. And a gift that she gave to all of us.
Mom is most definitely why in my early thirties I turned to art. And then to sewing. And design. (Despite the fact that I started out in theatre, later graduated with a degree in Social Sciences only to end up working in advertising.)
(Right: my sister, Ilisa (Don't kill me for that picture, Ilisa... you are cute.) in the center, brother, Neal on the right, and me on the left half out of the frame... who knows who the deer in the headlights behind us is. Ilisa and I are again in pinafores by mom. Probably also 1974)
She's also the reason why when Emily wanted the sold out "Bella Bedding" (the bedding at Target inspired by the Twilight movie), I said, "Well, we can make it, you know.". Only problem was I couldn't find any fabric that was remotely similar. But thanks to the magic of photoshop and Spoonflower, we designed our own. Which is exactly what my mom would have done had she had such things at her disposal.
I was talking to my mom this afternoon and she said the reason she started sewing was because she saw a dress for me at Marshall Fields. She loved it, but it was $50, a heck of a lot at that time. So she decided to learn to sew.
It's that kind of thing that makes me think about who I am, the path I traveled and what I'm doing today. I sure wouldn't be doing it had it not been for my mom. Without even knowing it she set an example of optimism, resourcefulness and a willingness to be creative and think outside of the box.
For that and so much more (including not killing me when I was 16), thank you Mom. I love you!!!
Happy Mother's Day to you all... and an extra special hug and smooch to my sister, Lara, who is celebrating her first mother's day! Give that baby a kiss for me too, Lulu!
(Below: Bella Bedding inspired swatch... I think I'll add a leaf to the top of that stem.)
More old photos just because...
Me... pixie cut above.
My brother torturing me in any way he can.
Me. Center of attention. I wonder if this was even my own birthday.
You've stopped at the online journal of Bari Ackerman (the J. is for Jill, my middle name). I am a fabric, sewing pattern and surface designer. I love to create. And, I love to share ideas and dreams with other creative people. I hope you'll stay for a visit. And, feel free to chime in on the conversation. You know, so I don't think I'm talking to myself. Thanks for stopping by!
