Bari J.

Yes, it's for real. I have created and listed new bags on my website. There is only one of each bag. So get 'em while they're hot. 

I'll now be going into hiding and working on sewing patterns. Some day in the not so distant future there will be an array of sewing patterns and kits! I'm working on it. Promise.

Here are a few of the newbies.

 

I turned in the rough copy of my book on Monday. After which I sat on the sofa going, "What just happened? Did I just write a book?". Weird.

When I started this process all those months ago, I truly was not sure how I'd pull it off. So, it was uplifting to feel the shift of "I don't think I can do this" to "I most certainly can do this". A slowly building confidence in what I do know, what I have learned and what I can do came along with the process of creating each project for this book. And, with each project I learned something new. 

It's not over yet, but I think I enjoyed this experience very much.

I now have actual strike-offs for Art Journal rather than the digital prints, and I can't wait to show you the difference! The COLOR! So much richer. Boy am I thrilled to see it! I'm especially in love with the blues.

 

 

Here's an example of the original prints so you can see the difference. Wow. Look at that brown compared to the strike-off brown above! Cool. 

Store owners: you can now see (and order) the whole line! Click here!

Well, back to book-deadline-land. Getting there! Pinch me. I'm having so much fun!

So, when I heard Flip was letting you Design Your Own Flip Camera, I HAD TO HAVE ONE. I wanted one for a long time, but when I heard that, well, I FLIPPED! Then I find out, I can list my design on Cafe Press, so you can buy one too, and I was totally sold. And now you can get your own Bari J. designed Flip Cam here... LOL.

But then my little brain started whirling, and I thought "Oooh, what else can I design?". So, I went and designed some of these... for all of my favorite Fabric Junkies... and now, you can get one here.

I'm so excited. I can hardly stand it. What should I do next? I'm just itching to design... Book and fabric lines be damned  But I think I'll get back to work... on my book.

FIN-A-LLY!!! I can speak. I can speak. Well, a little anyways. Enough to give you a line name and a tiny preview. Here it is (well, sorta'-kinda' a little bit), Art Journal, my new line for Windham Fabrics...which will be available for quilt shops to order in October (in stores late April 2010).

 

Ok, fine. Twist my arm. Here's a little tiny bit more, the front of a post card I'm sending out.

 

Murphy's law. I call it "Magical Thinking". And as a rule, I'm against magical thinking. What I mean by that is that I think that things don't just happen. I think that we make them happen. Just sayin'.

But over the past week, a series of unfortunate events (really just a couple) have caused me to look at that Magical Murphy's Law. {{{BTW, an aside and another reason not to like it... It's a negative law. So in the way of magical thinking, I think it's a bummer. If I'm going to think magically, it should be good things. Not: "if anything can go wrong it will.". Seriously, that's ugly.}}} But none-the-less here's how things went down:

1. I'd been rushing like a demon to meet a deadline, sewing and writing away when ... POOF! The circuit board on my sewing machine decides it's time to call it quits. 

I looked over my shoulder. Murphy, are you there? 

No. No. No. No magical thinking. At least not the negative sort. 

I called The Sewing Machine Shop in Walnut Creek, and happened to get the owner when he came to pick up the mail. He was just stopping in as he just had knee surgery. Anyways, I explained my situation, and he graciously lent me a machine until he can fix mine. 

The result of which is... this infinitesimally small peek (you are looking at about two inches of it) at this project... See that pretty Laura Gunn fabric?! To die for.

2. I lost the pen to my graphics tablet which is my life line to drawing. Of course, I really needed it right then. I had to think quick in order to save one of my favorite designs in fabric line number two from the cutting room floor... which is a cute story in and of itself and I'll tell you about that when I can show you the whole line in a finished form... which I think is really really soon. But I digress... Murph's law had me loosing a pen just when I needed it. Was I actually going to let him get to me again?

First of all, dear Murphy, I'd drawn my little hand off about a week ago, and found the perfect element I'd already drawn and finished to add to a pattern. (I'm sticking my tongue out and blowing razzes here.) Ha. I saved the "fabric pattern from having it's little head chopped off. 

(a peek at somethin' or another in the works, but it's not the one that almost got chopped.)

Then even though I knew it was a trick, I decided to use this so-called law in my favor. I figured this was the best way to find my old pen. I was already on the magical thinking tear so what the heck, I'll give in... I ordered a new pen that afternoon, and wouldn't you know... found the old one the next day. I'm keeping the new one as a back-up.

3. After Murphy had wrecked havoc twice in a week, I got a letter from my child at overnight camp that started "As I write this I am crying...". So of course this causes a flood of tears from me. (I don't know where my daughter gets her dramatic streak.) I wanted to rush right up there and get her. But. I think. And I realize that this note is written the first night of camp, she's tired, she's in new surroundings. And Murphy's law would tell me that by the time I got up there, she'd be having a grand old time and wondering what all the fuss is about. I'll wait a day. And I was right. Today's letter from her had a really happy tone. She's canoeing, hiking, and told me not to worry because she is drinking enough water and eating the food.

Ha. Magical thinking, Murphy's Law ... You've got nothin' on me.

PS... Just so you know, if that letter hadn't come today, I'd be in the car right now, feeling guilty that I left her there for an extra day. Murphy's law be damned.

I'll just say it. I've been holed up in here for months making projects for and writing a book. 

 

But it's not fair for me to just announce that with out telling the whole story. Because the world works in mysterious ways. And I think you may find it interesting and somewhat intriguing how this all came about. Make of it what you will. But for those of you who are thinking that you would like to do the same thing, I hope you will be inspired by this little tale.

Something surreal happened when I got back from Quilt Market last fall. I'd just signed a contract with Windham Fabrics to license my designs, when I get an email from the new Acquisitions Editor at C&T Publishing, Susanne Woods, requesting a book proposal. She had been reading my blog for a while and had just realized that I lived practically down the road.

My response to myself was, "Me? I can't write a book. Besides, I just got some really good news, when is the sky going to fall?". 

My outer response was more like, "Well, let's find out what this is all about." (Remember that whole stepping through doors that open thing I've talked about before?). Susanne and I met for lunch. Some of you may know C&T for their traditional quilting books, but alas the vision at C&T is changing a bit. Susanne explained that C&T is starting in a new direction with "a fresh modern aesthetic" (wait till you guys see what that is all about!), and she thought that I would fit in well with this vision. Hmmm. Who knew?

That was October. Fast forward a couple of months... (the months that I spent procrastinating until Super Husband got on me about it: "Why the heck haven't you turned in that proposal?", was about how it went). I wrote a proposal in December, turned it in in January and by March was looking at a contract (with my head spinning in circles).

And between that, finishing fabric line number two, putting on a bat mitzvah, a bunch of extraneous stuff you have to do to promote a fabric line, I have been consumed since. 

That's why the stack of fabrics from Moda (in a previous post), from Windham, and from Michael Miller (above). The bonus of writing a book is fabric that gets to go in the book comes to you in big boxes from generous companies... who I can't thank enough!

So, that's my story. Lot's more about this adventure to come. 

 

I'm so over the moon today. Went to Quilter's Inn to visit Full Bloom in an actual store. Got a phone call from a store that says it's flying off the shelf. And came home to my very own 22 bolts of Full Bloom. You all have been so incredibly supportive, I can't thank you all enough!

So, let's do a little give-away of 2 stacks of fat quarters.

If you are in, just leave me a comment and tell me what you are thinking of making! I'll use the random number generator to pick two winners on July 24th. Happy sewing!

UPDATE (July 13): So many of you have entered, I've decided to add a third winner. One more fat quarter stack!

 

This is the Garden Tea Party Quilt shown in my sidebar. Before it gets shipped off to hither and to yon (apparently there is some taking turns going on), we decided to take some pics. 

This first photo was Emily's idea. She said, "Hey, let's take one of those Pottery Barn photos and I can be in it!". Sounded like a plan to me. Sweet thing called dibbies on this quilt upon the first stitch. That's a kid after my own heart.

I am definitely having a super exciting start to my Summer. I mean, what could be better (ok, close to better) than a trip to Pixar Studios? Oh, I don't know... maybe a box full of surprise fabric from Moda?

Shhhh... don't tell anyone, but I have a super-secret project I'm working on. That's why they sent it to me. Sheesh! I am a lucky ducky girl. 

 I couldn't be more giddy. Thank you Moda! You totally made my day. I've already started cutting into it. I can't help myself.

I've got other goodies laying around here too. Don't ask my why, but I love how these paint chips look all coordinated up in the cello bags. I've been getting ready to introduce my next fabric line (not just yet, but you know...). The printouts from my computer were kind of faded looking so, paint chips do the trick to let Windham know what color I want. But what do you think the peeps at home depot thought when I went in with a notebook and stood in the paint aisle for over an hour leaving with all of these? And no paint. 

The only problem with so many colors is... it's SO many colors. I couldn't make up my mind. 

At one point, I had my fabric printouts and cut up little pieces of paint chips all over the room. And glue stick in my hair. It's all part of the crazy process. And the good news is, I did finally decide. Color choices are on their way to Windham tomorrow. Yay-hoo! On to the next project. The super secret one.

(Photo disclaimer: my camera is in the shop, so I've been taking pics with my iPhone. Not terrible, but...)

I promised more pictures from market, didn't I? This here is the name-dropping issue. 

And, since my friend Cindy says there are absolutely no pictures of me on my blog, and that is an issue for her, the first one is of me... and April Cornell. Yes, I have no shame, I dragged April Cornell over to the Windham booth going, "Look what I made!". No shame at all. 

Actually, April was really gracious and so kind. She even organized a Twitter-Meet-up. Which by the way is the coolest thing ever about Twitter. April tweeted "Twitter meet-up 10am Saturday, Moda booth." and a ton of us showed up. Seriously cool. And why I loooove tweeting and reported over Twitter the whole time I was at market.

Oh, and here's who I dragged April away from ... nervy, huh? Brandon Mably. Sorry, Brandon. 

Btw, I have no idea how I got into this picture. I meant to be taking a picture of them together, when someone said, "Hey, don't you want to be in the picture?". Uh. No. But. O.K.

Speaking of Brandon, I asked Kaffe Fassett if I could take his picture, and he said yes, but unfortunately he was so engrossed in his work, he didn't look up for the shot. Awww. He also was very gracious with my bumbling and bubbling. I was a little overjoyed to meet him. Eeeks. 

Here's a great shot! This is Myrinda from Fabric Hound and Kristen from Gocks Frocks with first Project Runway winner and fabric designer, Jay McCarroll.

Now, I know I mentioned something about showing you my own little spot...

This was the original quilt I presented when I showed the line to Windham. It's on it's way to France right now! I'll let you know when I hear more about this. Very exciting fun stuff.

And, here is a bit more... 

Well, that's all folks. Until next market. BTW, it looks like maybe, possibly, likely, I think my second line will debut there. More about that and some other unbelievable stuff later! 

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

 More quilt market pics to come, but in the meantime, enjoy this free downloadable quilt pattern. Made from the Bari J. Full Bloom line, it has a collaged border instead of traditional binding. The full line is available at many online shops and quilt stores around the world, but I know for sure it's already on pre-order from Jona at Fabritopia. It's due in stores within the month. Store owners can contact Windham for details on ordering wholesale.

Download Gardenteaparty_barij_final2

If you'd have asked me five years ago what I would be doing today, I would never have answered, I'll be designing fabric. No way. I was a stay at home mom, and prior to that a graphic designer and copy writer. I didn't have much confidence in myself, let alone know what I was capable of doing. 

I couldn't possibly have guessed. But, life leads you in the most unexpected directions. Doors open and you walk through, or you don't is what I've always said. How different life would be today if I hadn't watched Alicia Paulson on HGTV that day about five years ago, and thought, "Gee, I think I'll make myself a handbag.". How different it would be today if I didn't go to the Country Living event last year and be told to speak what you want aloud. I would never have said that I wanted to design fabric aloud because I was afraid that people would think, "Oh, yeah, another one that wants to design fabric, yada, yada.".

So, today, when I got this Hancocks of Paducah catalog, I was pretty bowled over. "My fabric" is on the cover. Something I drew, something I created. And then to open it and be on a page next to my hero, Kaffe Fassett, oh, come on! You've got to be kidding me! 

If you ask me now what I'll be doing in five years, I'll tell you that I haven't the faintest idea. Who knows what doors will open, which ones I'll choose to walk through and which ones I'll just pass by.

Did someone say "fabric-schmabric"? Wasn't me.

It's been a long two or three weeks. I've been in Las Vegas (an early celebration of my 40th birthday), Phoenix, and home. I've been doing a lot, but have not found much to say that is a cohesive thought. So you'll bare with my rambles I hope. 

I'm working on projects to take with me to quilt market including some kitchen items including the little tea cozy above, and hopefully soon I'll be working on a large scale quilt. I'm waiting on getting my hands on a large amount of fabric. I've got the pattern made. Directions are almost done too, and are for public consumption. I can tell you from first hand experience now that if you design a quilt on paper, it maybe helps to work with scale in mind. I found out that it's pretty hard to go back and arrange the measurements to fit a design. May be kinda sorta a good thing to do that first. I dunno'. You tell me.

Vegas was fun. I was with my sisters and my mom. I hadn't told you yet, but Lara is pregnant again (Vegas wasn't exactly her idea of a rocking good time at the moment, but we all survived, including those of us who are not pregnant... so...).

My mom got me hooked on the darn poker machines where a heck of a lot of cash was thrown down the darn toilet. We saw Jersey Boys... fabulous and a highlight of the trip. Another highlight was that incredible outlet mall in Vegas. We spent an entire day there, and other than that, we never left the Venetian, believe it or not. We ate, we spent, we left. Just what the Nevada visitor's bureau was hoping for.

And since this was the start of my kid's Spring Break, my brother in law flew out to San Francisco and DROVE back to Phoenix with Super Husband, super kids, and two insane labradors. I drove to Phoenix with my mom and sisters from LV.

Mostly a good time was had, and I got to see my friend Jona (Fabritopia) and two of her kids. There are pics on her blog.

Unfortunately, the day after we arrived in Phoenix, my mom caught a virus (probably from those NASTY poker machines). And then things turned kinda' ugly. Poor mom mixed her blood pressure meds with Sudafed (don't do this). Her blood pressure dropped like a rock, and she passed out COLD. I mean... COLD. I heard her head hit the floor from across the house. It was midnight and my dad was screaming his head off, "Call 911!". I went running willy nilly not knowing what was going on and couldn't find a charged phone in the place. My dad didn't think she was breathing (she was). When I did find a phone, thank goodness she had already come to, but she looked like something the cat dragged in (sorry, Mom) so we got the paramedics and they took her to the hospital. 

But you know what she says as we are waiting for the paramedics? "I can't go to the hospital. Look at my hair.". I love it.

She spent the rest of the time we were in Phoenix in the hospital. Pretty awful. But thank God not worse.

On Friday, we made the trek back to San Francisco in record time. Don't tell CHP, but we got back in 11.5 hours. We made TWO stops the whole way back. Unheard of for us. I will tell you we were a bit hungry by time we got back, but we were back.

Since then I've been mostly on a tear. I'm getting ready for quilt market, I've got a project I'm working on that I can't wait to tell you about but I do not have permission as yet to speak, I'm working on my next fabric line, there are bag orders looming, and good grief is there isn't paper work out the ying yang.

So that's that. Below: a couple some bags I've been working on, and I'm off. Back to the grind. 

These are for some Frannie Bags...

The one above is for a present... wanna' guess who it's for? Is it for you? 

I think I might be loving this fabric combo.

And, this one, I'm tempted to keep, but it's a special request from a customer. I made two, so we'll see...I'll probably put it on the website for sale. I can't say I don't have enough bags.

Poor Super Husband. It's his birthday, and I can barely concentrate enough to look up and say hello.

I knew my strike-offs were coming today, and I couldn't wait, and then they arrived! We picked them up from the UPS store before heading to get some Indian food for lunch, which meant eating lunch with me was probably torture because that's all I could think or talk about.

I really am going to make some red velvet cupcakes for him, and in fact, I did make popovers this a.m. for breakfast (when in doubt, bake), but I am still marveling over this actual real fabric with my actual real name and logo on the selvedge. Holy moly. You can understand, right?

I just got my apron that was featured in "Apron*ology" from Stampington back. It was also featured in one of their original ads soliciting submissions. I'd forgotten all about it. So, I'm giving it away. Just leave a comment on this post and you will be entered to win it. I'll randomly pick a winner on Friday, March 13 (since 13 is my favorite number) by using this website.

I swear, does anything make you happier than giving stuff away?

 

I am a total freak. Just ask my 11 and "almost 13" year old girls. They'll tell you. I need to get a grip. 

Of course there are many reasons why they think this. But I think I may have added icing to their cake last week. 

They were with me when I visited my UPS box as we do a couple times a week. This time a package from Windham arrived. I dragged it back out to the car where the girls were patiently waiting for me to take them to their various activities.

I knew what was in the package. A couple copies of my color cards. I opened the box and pulled them out. And to the utter dismay of my very, very hip and cool pre-teen girls, I start crying. "Oh my gosh, girls! Look! It's real! Your mom did it! I did it! Oh my goodness. I can't believe it!" and on and on just like that.

Until I started laughing... And saying the same sorts of things. The girls are now frantically looking around to make sure no one can see them in the car with their mother, the freak, now crying and laughing because she got a box with some stuff in it that totally did not relate to them. Emily is crouched down low in the back seat.

Finally Anna yells, "Mom! Pull yourself together!". 

This sort of shocked me out of it. Pull myself together? I'm not apart. Don't you two get it? I did it! 

Well, no they didn't get it. Still don't get it. 

Or maybe they sort of get it, because about five minutes later, Anna pipes up again, "When I grow up, I'm not going to have to get a job for real because I'll take over the Bari J. empire.". 

I try to hide my new round of tears (uh, and laughter). The "almost 13" year old Anna responds with a sharp crossing of the arms and rolling of the eyes. "Thank goodness we're not sitting in that parking lot where everyone can see us.", I can hear them thinking.

I did pull myself together in time to drop them off, and before they got out of the car, they quickly looked around to see if anyone could see them, hugged me and said, "Love you."

"Love you too. And, btw, work hard because you're going to have to get a job 'for real' when you grow up." 

Of course, if the "Bari J. empire" is what Anna so graciously (and a little bit frighteningly) thinks it will be, I'd be happy to have her hang around.

But don't anyone breathe a word to her about that until she finishes college. 

They're letting me talk... and show... I know, I know... I already gave out a lot earlier, but now they've completely uncorked me! This is pretty much the whole enchilada! Below is a virtual quilt (ie: I put it together on the computer as I don't actually have any of the fabric yet). It will be available as a free download when the fabric hits the stores May 15. Shop owners! You can order from Windham now. 

Well, finally! I've loaded all the belts in stock. Each is one of a kind... once it's gone, it's gone. $32.

Many of you know that although I've been sewing for a while, I only just started quilting. I guess I had been doing many quilting-like things for years, but I had never made finished a whole quilt. When I got started on the whole quilt thing a couple months ago I had no idea... no idea at all... how easily I would become obsessed with it. I can't stop. I'll work all day and piece quilts all night and weekend. I've now finished three quilts and I am on my fourth.

I'm really excited about this one. I'd had Anna Maria's gorgeous incredible fabulous fabrics sitting in stacks calling my name for months and I was loathe to cut them... they looked so great just there in the stacks and I didn't want to make any mistakes. But then the other day Miss Laurie stopped by with her fabulous quilt made out of many of the same fabrics and motivated my butt. 

This weekend after all was settled in house and work, I dove in... foot loose and pattern free. I hate to follow a pattern. Not that I can't follow a pattern, I can, but I don't like to. Rules stink.

I decided that I wanted to really mix up the colors and patterns so that whatever color we paint our master bedroom in, it will work. (Did I ever tell you that we've had test paint splotches on our wall in there for three years? We can't decide. And it's such a big undertaking and such a messy process... that's our excuse anyways.) 

The other thing I wanted to do with this quilt was test out all sorts of angles and different kinds of piecing so that I can learn a bunch as I go along. One of the things I learned right away was that I need to learn paper piecing. Which apparently would have helped this block a whole lot... If you don't know, with paper piecing you build in the seam allowance on things like these triangles in order to get a beautiful point. I think the color play works here so I decided to ignore the wibbly-wobbiliness (I'm being kind to myself) of my piecing and use it anyways.

Here's a bunch more of the unfinished quilt. It's about 1/3 of the way there. I can not wait until it's finished!

Truly, was the cat ever in the bag? In March after the Country Living Women Entrepreneurs event, I told you that I was interested in designing a fabric line. I even asked you to hold me to it. I'd been thinking about it for a while, but until then I was too scared to say it out loud. 

But I've learned a lesson... saying it out loud is what makes it real.

Since then, I've been on a tear. Obsessively designing fabric. (LOL. First I had to figure out HOW to design fabric) After several rounds and versions and toss away lines, eventually, I came up with something I loved and knew I could present. For display purposes I had it printed up by Spoonflower (they rock), and off to market I went last week. Finished quilt and goodies in hand. Shaking and quivering in my boots. I presented to a lot of companies, and to my amazement, I ended up with a lot of interest.

A couple days later, and I now know that my designs will be available this spring at the Pittsburgh quilt market. I can hardly believe it. I have an actual real contract in my hands.

So, what do I take away from this part of the adventure? I am sure that the decision to say it aloud, to state what I wanted, that made me go for it in the way I have. Uh, somewhat relentlessly. There's probably some people who are a little sick of me. You know who you are. Sorry ya'll. (That's my new Houston-speak. I like it)

Next up on my list of to dos... paper. Hold me to it. Right after I get this fabric line out. 

Note: If you read this post earlier, you may notice I went back in and edited it. Sometimes it just doesn't seem like any of the wording in these blog posts are right. And I worry that things will be misconstrued. This post was super hard to write for whatever reason. I felt like the wording was too contrite, the story not completely told... which is bad, because I think that people reading this should know the details. It wasn't super easy to do, but it was all well worth it. So, you are now reading the edited version of the first post. I hope that whoever you are and whatever you are trying to do, that this post will inspire you to do it and know that there have been those who have inspired me as well. Thanks for understanding, and for your very kind support.

 

Let me tell you, there is nothing that makes me more nervous than having my picture taken. But, when the fabulous Deb Kennedy asked me at Farm Chicks to be part of her series on the giftandhomechannel.com,  I was more than happy to oblige... The video is now available to view  here, (I think you have to sign up to get to the video, but there's nothing to it and there's lots of cool info on the site). 

Of course, me being me, all I focused on was my weight and the way my voice sounds and my haircut... all I have to say is thank goodness for Weight Watchers... I've lost 20 lbs since then. Holy potatoes! Literally. Super Husband, being Super Husband, said, "It's not that bad, you just look really nervous. Uh... Yeah. Just a little. 

PS... A side note... The Farm Chicks now have a beautiful new blog that you have to visit!

Tum dum... tee dee... What in the world do you wear with this in the Fall? I'm making new rules... are there rules anymore? No. no. no. no. There are no rules. If you are not in a completely cold climate where it's snowing and sleeting and something like this might get ruined, then I think it's perfectly acceptable to wear bright yellow, pink, green, blue and red all year. 

So I was forced to go shopping. 

And looky-loo what I found. I found an apple green jacket (fall fruit) at J.Jill... It's CORDUROY. And, if you ask me that is decidedly Fall-like. (Of course, in the Spring I'll tell you I think it's acceptable now too). Plus it was discounted from over $100 to $35. I'd actually been eying this for months and waiting patiently for it to be reduced... a game that paid off. They are having an awesome sale ... 25% off already reduced items. Wee hoo! I scored on a bunch of goodies...

Now, is there any way I could also wear this? And why is my daughter so embarrassed when I pick her up from school wearing it? I'm in the car... no one can even see me!

 

What I'm working on now is making various and sundry goodies to drag with me next week to the Houston quilt market out of the fabrics I had printed. This is the first of which is coming together. I'm also bringing with a bag, apron, pin cushions... and anything else I can throw in a bag.

I'm thinking this is going to be pretty exciting... even though I have no idea how this is going to work out. I have a couple of appointments though to hopefully license a line (and then maybe I'll have my own booth next year and actually be selling this stuff to YOU). I'm planning on doing a lot of shopping though for my Spring handbag line. Should be really fun meeting people too! 

If you are going to be there... let me know. I'd love to meet you!

I just got word that they're on the way from Australia! A joint effort between Cathy Penton Design (charms) and Bari J. (art)! I'll let you know as soon as they arrive.

I'll try not to go into the gory details... As you all with kids know, as soon as they go back to school they come home with all sorts of disgusting boogers. Literally. I don't know about you, but I think my immune system must be compromised because while they are just out for a day or so, when their little boogers infect me, I am down for the count. ie: I spent Sunday through Tuesday and even part of Wednesday on the couch.

Every once in a while I'd wander in here and decide I could take it. But dizziness bowled me over and back to the couch I went. I decided it was probably not worth cutting a finger off with a rotary blade.

And this was how half of the week evaporated before my eyes.

Then yesterday, Ms. iMac decided (or it may have been iMail) that it was not necessary for recipients to be able to actually view the attachments I was sending them. Hence, I spent the day, writing back and forth to various clients, "Can you see it now?". By about five pm I realized it must be the mail app, and went directly online to my server to send the pieces... and wowee... it worked. Aargh. If I only thought of that at 9am.

Another day... gone. Not sure where they go.

None the less, there was still one day left, I was sure I could get the entire list done today. There was hope yet.

Not so fast, Missy!

Today was a "Teacher Work Day". Excuse me, but how many of these do they need anyways?

Kids at home, a mattress delivery, a long back up of laundry, several other various and sundry people through the house, rush a slew of cuts up to a seamstress, and Blammo! Day gone.

What's the deal with that?

The deal is that certain people were forced to eat their choice of grilled cheese sandwiches or a corn dog for dinner or starve because I couldn't take it anymore. Suck it up, folks. I made some broccoli to go with it. What more do you want?

"Am I done whining yet?" Yes, fine. I did manage to get a little tiny bit up on the website (there are about 20 belts, a bijillion keyfobs and several more bags waiting their turn)...

Here are the two lovelies I managed to extract from their background and make shiny and pretty enough for all to see...

It's amazing how long this all takes. Is it ok to pay a 12 year old to take pictures, and spend hours upon hours photoshopping them? No? Hmmm...

Maybe I can teach Super Husband. I wonder if he'll go for that. I better wait until he's over the boogers. He seems to have just caught it. If you think I was whining, just wait. You'll probably be able to hear it from there. He's already asked for homemade chicken soup and announced he's going to bed at 8:30. Ugh. It's going to be a long night.

More arty charmy previews...

For the holidays, I'll soon have Art Charms. They are a collaboration... art by Bari J, charms by Cathy Penton.
Here's a sneak preview of our double sided charms.

As you might know from my previous post, my family has been in need of a little of this. Thank goodness it comes in many kinds... we could use all the therapeutic treatments we could find... My sister and I found some of it when I visited her this weekend in Arizona. One of which was getting some blond highlights in her hair by a super fantastic hair "therapist". I have to say, Lara looked amazing, as did our mom. She needed a little treatment too.

I am relatively scared of hair color and thank goodness, I unbelievably haven't but a few stray grays. Plus, I actually like my hair color (hmmm... now that's unusual. I said aloud that I liked my hair.) Which makes me think... why didn't I go get the alternative and much-needed nail therapy? I shall indulge later this week, me-thinks.

In addition to beautification therapy, we also spent time getting some of our most favorite therapy of all... retail therapy as it is commonly known.

Amazingly enough, we didn't indulge in food therapy because we figured that would have been therapy that eventually would have made us feel worse. Plus, of course, the thought of weighing in at WW and weighing more is enough to scare me straight any day... Good girls...

The retail therapy was as expected very, very satisfying.

Below... a goodie from that part of our adventure... at Paris Envy, a shop in Phoenix that carries my bags... and btw, is undeniably "Wow.". I'm not just sayin' so because my bags are there either, it really really is. And the prices are reasonable too which I'm finding unusual (someone remind me later to show you the little spread about it that was in the Arizona Republic a couple weeks ago... it looked incredible).

There is also Puppy Therapy ... Lara has much of this... Roxy, our girl, will not leave her side and barks at anyone who comes near Lara these days. Amazing how animals know when we are vulnerable, isn't it? I threatened to take this cute potato home with me... She's the most amazing rescue dog ever. We think she had been abandoned... who in the world could abandon this???

Then all said and done I came home tonight finding the squeezing of my little peeps and Super Husband quite therapeutic as well... Then, unexpectedly... an added bonus... my own personal form of therapy... my Very Own Fabric Therapy... it arrived while I was away. I did really cry too. Very, very good therapy.

My most favorite therapy of all however... My Family. Seeing my Lara, hugging her and knowing that everything will be alright. There really is something to be said about the connections that siblings have. The shared experiences, all the ups and downs. I'll never know anyone like I know my sisters and brother. They are undeniably the best friends I'll ever have.

We have our mother to thank for that. She has always said, "I always wanted four kids, because I wanted you all to always have each other." And we do (she said through happy sad, sad happy tears.). Thanks, Mom.

Awww... darn. That was a sort of emotional post. Off to hug the squeezy girls some more!
Thanks for listening... Hmmmm... blog therapy too! Good stuff!
XO,

I'm having one of those days when I love what I do. I can't believe I get to play with fabric and goodies all day. Don't anyone tell Super Husband I am enjoying myself so much. Tell him I'm working my butt off please.

And truthfully, not every day feels like this. A lot of days are spent doing the dreaded accounting and paperwork. That's what you should tell Super Husband. Tell him I'm doing math all day. It's horrifying.

But on the sly I'm going to tell you that today I am in heaven. Fabric fabric pattern pattern color color. I love it.

Today, I mixed and matched and matched and mixed. It had my little pea brain all in a tizzy. "Ooooh, pretty! Oh... I know, not that fabric! This fabric! Move this here! Do that!" I was all a-whirl with thought.

As I was going along it occurred to me to wonder why it works out. What makes these seemingly random patterns and colors come together?

When I'm designing I find it curious that sometimes I have no idea where it's going. I'm simply taking various items, mixing them up and trying to make sense of them. It may look pretty random when I'm done, but really I think that as I'm mixing and adding my brain is tying it all together.

Sometimes as I am doing this, I have a hovering sense of doubt about what it will all look like in the end, but so often it has managed to come out "right" that I have taught myself to keep going even if it's not making sense at the moment.

I was having that sense of dread and doubt as I was lining up my piles of rectangles for this quilt for Jennifer. The blue wasn't doing it for me. Then the yellow made no sense. But as I mixed and placed and replaced the rectangles it started to meld, as it always seems to with pattern and colors.

And when it does all come together, it usually leaves me wondering why. Why does that look right? One color answers another and one pattern answers another even if the colors seem totally unrelated when you look at them separately.

Sometimes I do that I purpose. I take things I know have no business being together just to see if I can make it work. That's what I did with this particular quilt. And somehow or another, that blue does look right.

That's what gave me this sense of satisfaction today. For no reason at all... that blue does look like it belongs. It just brings me joy.

Of course, I better not let Super Husband know. Not that he begrudges me my happiness. He'll think I was having far too much fun, and might want me to (I can't bear to think it) get "a real job".

Next time he walks in, I'm going to have to switch over to Quickbooks on the screen and furrow my brow. That throws him off every time.

Impatience is a Virtue.

OK, this was not part of the plan, but I'm giving up some of the goods. I've been hinting and hinting at this and "duh" I know you knew what I was hinting at but ok so, I can't keep a secret. Never have been able to... Telegraph, Telephone, Tele-Bari. I can't shut up.

Actually, if you tell me a secret, I am like a vault unless you are endangering yourself or you are my sister. I can keep the secrets of others, but not my very own. It's ugly.

So... Oui. I am on my way to my goal of having licensed designs as a lot of you know I am DYING to do. You would not believe the single track mind I have. It's good and bad and all that stuff. No one ever said I wasn't totally type A. The good news is that progress is really being made (as S.L.O.W. as that process is).

However... I wanted to see what it would look like on fabric. It was driving me nuts. What would these designs on this little screen look like on real actual fabric? Honestly, I couldn't take it.

And, how cool would it be to be able to show fabric companies my designs on F.A.B.R.I.C.??? Seriously, is that cool or what?

So, I decided to take the matter into my own hands and print some of my own darn fabric. And, VOILA! These pieces showed up in my mailbox today (more on how later). I can tell you I really did almost pee myself.

I even used my fabric scissors to open the envelope. That's the kind of desperation we're talking about here.

And now look, I'm not even showing you the whole enchilada.

Seriously, I think I might lay down on the floor and cry.

EDIT: I just want to clarify that this is not a licensed line yet. It has not been picked up although I am making in-roads on that. This is my dream. This line in whatever form it takes will be licensed at some point ... because I am not going to let it not be. The getting to that point is a really, really long road. I feel sharing the process with you along the way will show that it can be done. Whatever that "it" is for you. Thank you so much for your encouragement. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!

For those of you who just can't wait, I now have in-stock Art Bags. They are each one of a kind so if you see one you like, grab it!


More coming next week! Wee Hoo!

PS... There's also some of these on the way:

Ya'll didn't think I'd forgotten what I'm doing here, did you? It's back to bags, baby!

And it has something to do with something or another that I've designed (You didn't think I forgot that I said I was going to do this, did you?). Really, it's not as exciting as you are thinking (don't get carried away... yet), but it's making me oh so very happy. I hope to have more really exciting stuff to tell soon, but this exciting news should get me part of the way there... here's a hint...

Just a fun little give-away. Enjoy these labels by printing out the pdf. It's fun to print them on those full sheet Avery labels and cut them out. Use for your own enjoyment only please.
Cheers!

Look who just arrived.
Click here for details.

Wristlets
Originally uploaded by Bari J.

Wristlets are ready! At a new price: $44. Don't forget to use code summerfun at checkout for an additional 10% off through July 14th.

Holy stinkin' moly. This website upkeep thing is for the birds. I am happy as heck that these babies are finally listed.

Manana...
some of these:

And btw, they are all still 10% off for the Summer Sale. Ends July 14.<

More goodies to come...Slowly but surely the site is being updated. These are among the first.
An Emily Tote in Golden Garden with a sweetie applique and grosgrain ribbon:

Does this give you a better idea of size??? I'm going to try to have each bag displayed this way.

And the entire brooch page is going to be changed shortly as I have added 4 extra yards of French velvet ribbon to them to make a whopping 10 yards of ribbon used... plus I'm doing them just a little differently. This is the first one that made it on there. I love this shot, if I must say so myself.

PS... Did you notice the blog changes? They're on the site too. I so need to get an assistant to do these updates. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? (You're probably only going to understand that last part if you were a teenager in the 80s... my apologies.)

Weekend synopsis:

When there wasn't some of this...

Or some of this...

or this...

There was some of this...

And I loved this...

And I know I promised you some of this...

Named for my best friend, Alison's, daughter. XO, Missy Miss!

And, when are these going to be ready for purchase, you ask???

Don't ask me. I wouldn't know. I'm just teasing you by posting it here... I hope hope to have it ready by Fall.

Just stopping in to say hello. It's that busy time of year with the end of school, and I've been busy busy getting ready for Farm Chicks too... I'm having to stock up on stuff and create new and different goodies to bring along. Today I've been making piles of these...

Hope you are having a nice afternoon. I'm off to do the pm drive kids around thing. Oh the joy!
See you later,
B

Hi there. Two posts... one day.

Thanks for all the emails about the belts. I promise to have more belts up on my website by monday in many choices! Email me if you want to reserve one. Make sure you tell me what size and color you want and I'll put your name on it. The production line starts tonight!

Just some pics of items going out today. The belts are going to a new store in Massachusetts called La Boutique (will give details as soon as she's open). And the bags are off to LaDiDa in Vista, CA. These girlies are one-of-a-kinds.

Finally! More bags in our Japanese prints ...for now we have just a few of these cuties available, but a slew of these and other designs are being cut and will be on the way in a couple weeks.

 

I wish you all could touch these... the comment I keep getting is that they are "even better in person". I actually saved this on a voice mail from a certain somebody... I have to keep saving it because a not-to-be-named cellular company deletes your voice mails after two weeks. Did you know that? Ticks me off. I listen to that voice mail when I'm feelin' beat... how dare they? ;) Does anyone know how to permanently save voice mail... or better yet... transfer it to the computer? That would be cool, wouldn't it? I think I'll go ask my 12 year old... she's bound to know how.

 

Patchwork Cuffs...

I made a bunch of these yesterday. Oh, how I do love that green and orange mix. I thought I'd throw in the blue for good measure. It just seemed to work there somehow. Part of my design process involves throwing stuff into the air and seeing where it lands. ;)

Today I basically took the day off for an applique class over at Quilters Inn. I would describe the typical applique I do as collagey, scrappy... "scraplique" as you've maybe read here before... Today I learned the real thing. I loooooooved it. I learned the freezer paper and starch method. And I bought this fab tool called a stiletto which I probably should have known about already. The whole process of putting it together... oh joy! I have another class next Friday, and I'll show you the results.

Happy Friday.

~b

  Ladies, ladies... do I have an adventure for you! This, my friends, is what is commonly known as a "boon-doggle". And if you tell Super Husband, I will stop being your friend. He is only to know that I am off on "Bus-i-ness." Selling my wares, gaining exposure... (at least that's how I sold it to him). Muahahahahahaha.

But, between you and me, I happen to know that a whole gaggle of my Women Take Wing and other bloggy friends (Tammy Gilley for one) are going to be there. And apparently they travel with wine on board... not for the traveling part, silly. For the when we get there and are finished with our very business-like day part.

So, if you thought the Country Living Women Entrepreneurs event sounded like fun... imagine all those ladies out on the farm in Spokane, WA at the Farm Chicks Show.

Join the other chicks and me: June 7 & 8 in Spokane! See The Farm Chicks for more info.

Driving over to pick up my shipment, I was actually shaking! Then, after I had her in my clutches, although I wanted to stop at Peets for a latte, I zoomed right on by to get her back to the studio... and in some boxes to ship to peeps.

I'm beyond excited that Millie Fleur has arrived in numbers!

And, don't you just love that brocade ribbon on the back pocket??? I thought it really brought together all the colors. Yum-delish!

 

  The format for my "belts" page has changed over the last week. In the past I showed pictures of the colorways you could pick from. Now the page shows the actual belt in the size you are ordering. No guessing and hoping it looks like the picture. Each is one of a kind, so this page will change often. Right now I have the blues, pinks and melon/tangerine colorways in stock. More coming soon!

I've finally got the  key fobs on my site.