Bari J.

New and Improved.

Not sure if you'll be able to tell the difference in the paint here in the living room. The light from those windows was blinding, but here it is... I removed the slipcovers (which I plan on reverse engineering for new ones) and couldn't help but move the furniture (that is something I do all the time anyways, and my husband laughed because he was totally expecting it.). I was a little tired of the shabby chic look in there. What do you think?

Before...

After...

I got this quilt several months ago, and I didn't know what I was going to do with it. I think I like it here.

And some holiday pics just because I happen to like them...

 

More Paint Please

Finally, finally, finally. He agreed to do a little painting around here. Today... the backsplash in the kitchen, one accent wall, the living room & the dining room. I went for the entire kitchen, but settled for just the accent wall and backsplash... And, actually he wasn't going to do the dining room, but I taped it all up and now he has to or live with blue tape everywhere. He can't do that. Hates the sight of unfinished work. Muahahahahahahhahahaha.

Oooh, I can't wait!

The contents of the living room ... in the dining room. Boy I have a lot of junk. Didn't realize until I had to take it all outa' there.

Tomorrow... the painting results. Wee-hoo!

The truth is I don't do well with unstructured time.

I have a hard time sitting still. Call me a work-a-holic or what you will, but sitting around is not for me. Can't do it. After five days of nearly totally unstructured time, I'd had it. So after a day of countless board games, a really nice dinner was served and cleaned up, a movie was watched (Alvin and the Chipmunks... I don't recommend it.), and children were going to bed... I made something I'd been thinking about for awhile.

This is a very easy and quick little (ok, big & fat) pin cushion that I will put a tutorial up for later this week.

I hope you all had a nice holiday.

Peace,

~Bari

Happy Holidays!

No, I don't want to watch "Pirate's of the Carribean" #310.

Yeah, No. Thanks, but I can't. So, while the peeps were in the family room watching said movie, I snuck off to my little cave here and made this ... inspired by Laurie's pretty pillows. Now I'm going to have to make a couch full because I really like it. Ahhh, well, they may watch Spider Man #310 tonight.

Distracted...

Today, I set out to get a head start on the New Year's resolution that I make every year... get organized. But as I was going through the piles of stuff I was distracted inspired by these and didn't get anything done. My one vice... design books (that and magazines, shoes, and for whatever reason, Target... I know you can relate.)

Sale Time!!!

We're running low on most of our corduroys and cottons, and I was actually starting to worry... But I just got word that my new fabrics are at the dock in L.A. & ready to be shipped to me!

You should see me rubbing my hands together in delight. These are so fabulous! I just can't wait!

However...

That means it's time for a little sale... Our corduroys and cottons in almost every style are marked down almost 50% in order to make room for the new goodies. So, scoot on over to our "Design your Own" page & whip one up for yourself!

 

These combinations and more are available.

What fills me up...

My sweet Anna hard at work making Santa Hats for each of her friend's, her sister's and her own "Webkinz". Three different sizes. Over 20 hats. And one for her own head too. Last night she stayed up past 10 PM sewing, adding the pom-poms and wrapping each one. I don't normally let her stay up so late, but determination can not be stopped.

This morning I expected a sluggish Anna that had to be dragged to school. Instead she practically leaped on top of me to tell me to get MY butt out of bed so she could go to school. Dressed like a little Santa herself, and dragging a backpack that weighs more than she does plus her shopping bag filled with gifts, off she went.

Every day, I drop her off just across from the school, and I wait there in the turnout to watch her cross over. Every day, the sight of my little Anna off to middle school with all of these kids that look gigantic in comparison makes me want to run out of the car and go with her, protecting her each step of the way.

Today was no different. I still hovered watching her go. But today, with her goodies in hand and her proud smile she looked a little bigger.

I'll never want to let her go, and I'm sure I'll have to fight the urge to stage a sit-in in her dorm room when I drop her off at college. Yet, there was something about her these past couple of days. The way she made up her mind about what she wanted to do, and then really got it done... the pride she had. I'll still need to attach a GPS device to her when she's a teenager, but something tells me, this one's going to be just fine.

Last Minute? That's My Middle Name.

Joelle Hoverson, you are my hero. Your new book, Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts is my new guide to gift giving. Last minute is how I survive. Everything is last minute.

But this morning I woke up in a panic (nothing new, but none the less)... Suddenly I remembered what I forgot..."What am I going to give to the school principal? What about the teacher's aides?"The list went on and on. The more I thought about it, the more people got added to the list.

Sweet relief. I rifled through my books, quickly whipped out my new handy-dandy edition of your book and got straight to work.

I decided on sets of coasters ... 'cause they were cute. Yes. But admittedly I chose them mostly because they were in the 2 hours and under section and I could chain stitch them to save time.

Three sets of coasters and several hours later...

Whew! Done. Thank you! They're all getting coaster sets and Martha's famous egg nog recipe... (I really like that you added the suggestion of adding a recipe to the mix. Nice touch.)

Shipped. Deep Breath... Nap.

Today was the last day for UPS ground shipments in time for Christmas. And a lot of people got in right under the wire (that's what I did too). But today, it's all gone. It filled the entire rear of my car as I toted it off to be shipped. And, feeling really blessed as it was a great season, after I dropped it off I did the happy dance.

Then I went home and announced I was taking a bath.

My husband's response: incredulously, "A Bath???".

Yup. A bath.

And I announced that I was not doing anything else today.

Except... cook dinner, do laundry, go to girl scouts, and clean up the disaster that is my studio right now... oh, and vacuum.

But really, now that the Christmas shopping season is almost over I'm going to relax.

Yah, I know what you're thinking ... even I don't believe me when I say that.

Vintage Goodie Hunt

Ah, yes, the never ending search for loot.

My favorite find of the day... The gold tone pair of Kramer earrings top left.

Yup. Had to use them right away, and I miss them already.

Lu Lu Lights

I love these nightlights from Lu Lu Lights... another great Etsy find. I couldn't resist the birdy. She went right into my shopping cart. But there are many fabulous pieces to choose from... so truck on down there. Time is a'wastin'! These are super stocking stuffers!

Gifts from Bari J.

Just a few Bari J. gift suggestions... All under or around $50. Each of the products below will ship the next business day.

~{Don't forget, you must order by the 17th to receive before Christmas.}~

French Velvet Ribbon Brooches. Feature over 6 yards of velvet ribbon and a vintage bauble. We have an array that are pre-made or you can pick up to three velvet colors & design your own (the designer ... moi... then chooses the embellishment). Either way, brooches ship the next business day. $42.

Alison Wristlet... With Applique $52, Without $48.

Versatile Lizzie Pouch... $22.

In regular or wipeable fabrics... All ship next business day. Featured here in Wipeable Blossom.

Quilted Patchwork Belts. Choose from Black and White, Tangerine, Pinks, or Blues. Available in kids sizes too. $34 to $44.

Just in case you thought it was prettier...

I've been getting questions on how my pieces are made and by who lately... Here's the scoop on the two most often asked questions.

One: Are Bari J. products handmade? Yes.

This is how I produce bags at this time:  After being professionally backed for durability, fabrics are sent back to me where the patterns are cut.  By me. All art work, appliques etc. are done personally by me. There are no templates or patterns for appliques. And no one ever helps me with that. After the bags are cut and marked, they are sewn either by me, or it is sent to a local seamstress. I can't do it all by myself, but they are NOT made in a factory. All belts, brooches and aprons are made by me. I had someone help with the ribbons brooches, but that turned out to be a mistake. (don't ask). I may eventually send the pieces to a more formal sewing room, but for the time being, my group of local sewers is working out just fine. We have guidelines for consistency and have set processes for which the bags are made.

Two: Are the fabrics vintage? Fabrics for handbags are vintage inspired. I don't use vintage fabrics on handbags for reasons of durability. I will throw in a vintage fabric here and there on belts and aprons though.

So that's the dealy. It's usually a mess in here. There's always the occasional dog to step over, kids come in and out and it's just not as neat and pretty as I'd want it to be. But despite the mess, the chaos, and the really hard work it is more fun and more fulfilling than I ever dreamed it could be.

Etsy, oh Etsy... what did we do without you???

Some yum-lum-diddy-yum from Etsy, my new best friend.

From paperflowers.

Me-thinks I need one... or two. They're just $10, adorable and a super gift.

And while I'm at it... I need some of Katinkapinka's jewelry too.

Stockings and Stilettos... don't miss it.

I'm ready. Are you? Don't forget, if you are in the San Francisco area, you are required to come visit me at Appel and Frank's Stocking's and Stilettos event tomorrow evening...

Naughty Kitten.

Wanted: Harley Kitty.

His Crime: Leaving Fur on New Bag

Harley Kitty has been on the lam somewhere in Janis's home after leaving his tracks on her new bag.

The punishment...

Aww. Who could punish a guy this cute???

Just a Hint...

Here's a tiny little bit of what I submitted for Stampington's Haute Handbags. I'm probably jinxing myself...

Aprons at Bari J.

Aprons are now available in the Bari J. store.

 

Stockings & Stilettos

Come visit me Thursday at Appel and Frank's Stockings And Stilettos Event in San Francisco... Buy your ticket online and receive a discounted ticket price of just $7.00 and a free goodie bag. Use code 'designer' at checkout.