Smolder

In the lines of "Tangled"... Here's a little someone perfecting his "smolder"

Gifts of Gold and Silver

Today IS Cyber Monday, and yours truly has been so wrapped up in art and foster visits... I plum pudding forgot.
So here's my gift of gold/silver to you...
All December long... If you order either a mama skirt or a spinny skirt, you get a free sterling charm - personalized with a word of your choice.
Just mention your word in the comments section in checkout.
This works for my etsy site or my website.
And if you'd prefer a discount instead, just plug in BABYITSCOLD in as a discount code for 15% off.
Either one, it's your choice.
Silver or gold.
Thanks for being my awesome friends, readers, customers and generally great folks to write to.
Www.libertyworth.etsy.com
Www.libertyworth.com

Thanksgiving Round 2

We came home from our amazing Thanksgiving with our family with exactly 1 and a half containers of leftovers, which J and I promptly gobbled up on Friday. Then we were sad, wanting more leftovers. So I was feeling brave, we got a turkey and I spent Sunday (in between fighting my computer as I ordered prints of the final 4 Christmas collages)... And while J took the 2 big kids to see "Tangled", I worked up my very own Thanksgiving dinner - all by myself... The turkey virgin is no longer!!!!
J was beyond impressed. (that was the goal...) and he took this pic to celebrate.

I'll post images of my new collages. The show is Dec 17 and I've spent the past few weeks working my fingers off and exhausting myself trying to finish 10 collages for the show. They are done now, but in the process, Black Friday and Cyber Monday passed me by!
Oy vey.
Will post more about last minute holiday special in a sec.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our family wishes you the most beautiful and joyful Thanksgiving!
We spend Thanksgiving in Malibu with family every year, ending the day with a walk to the beach and sledding down the sand dunes. Here are some fun pics from last year (which was a lot warmer than today is going to be)

Rapunzel

A little bit of yellow yarn, some purple clothes and we've got ourselves a beautiful Rapunzel.

Three Graces Quilts finished

Yay! The three graces will have their quilts at Christmas! Three quilts down and 7 to go.
Once I finish my collage artwork for the upcoming show (deadline is Thanksgiving), I'll be able to dedicate more time to the sewing. In the meantime, I'm happy with how these came out.

Owl Make my Own

Seems like everyone loves owls these days.
I rarely get time to actually read blogs these days with the kids, the baby, sewing up a boatload of Christmas gifts and working like crazy to get 10 collages done for my upcoming art show, but I did get a few minutes the other day. And I found this adorable application where you get to make your own owl calendar.  Very clever art, clever programming and a fun gift idea.

Ani's flower

Ani made this flower necklace and sold it before I could post it on etsy. I made her promise to make more like it. At least I got a pic of it before our pal Amy wore it out the door. And only $25!!! Can you believe how gorgeous it is? Oh, and um, yes, it is the flower from The Original skirt... Which means it's a matching accessory...
I'm gonna help Ani set up her own store on etsy. Will keep you posted. In the meantime, if you want to order this necklace, send me an email... And since I'm packing these for her, I'll include a free gift from me for every purchase from her store.

I have the coolest friends - Project Ani

My friend Ani is a treasure. She's a strong and beautiful woman who is currently starting a new life for her and her 2 1/2 year old son. We've been friends for years and now we are neighbors, as well.
This new season for Ani hasn't been easy. After being laid off recently, she's been doing everything she can to make ends meet for her and her energetic little man, having garage sales - scraping pennies together.

What I haven't mentioned yet, though is how creative and artistic Ani is.  She's really a creative genius. So when life hands her lemons, she's making some beautiful lemonade. I gave her some supplies, she added to them from her collection of vintage brooches, lace and other items and voila! BEAUTY.

Today I've listed 4 of her jewelry pieces in my etsy store to sell for her to put food on the table.
(One sold before I even got to post this!)
I hope that as you shop for the holidays, you'll consider shopping in Ani's section of my store.  It will be a blessing to more than just the giver and the recipient.

Sale soon?

Let's be honest... I've been hauling my stuff to festivals and art shows for 7 and a half years now and I'm too tired to do it anymore. This holiday season, I backed out of all but two events, only choosing them because they are run by 1- a personal friend, and 2-me....
The Backyard sales have really been fun! But I didn't schedule one this year... So here's my question... If I had one, would you come?
(for those of you readers in Los Angeles!)

Pumpkins

Remember these pumpkins that i made last year? This year, they are gracing the fireplace mantle, along with an adorable felt Mayflower ship that I got at Pottery Barn Kids. (just my luck, I walked in right as they marked it from $49 to $12... it's now back up to $49... Have I ever told you about my shopping luck????)
Anyhow, the pumpkins were pretty simple to make... And they're such a happy use of some favorite fabrics around here. And it's fun to use them to decorate for my favorite holiday...

Growing into her own creative shoes

The design director is really at an amazing place creatively. After her many different projects, she is at the point where her questions as we do a project actually make good sense.... Her creations for her friends and cousins elicit the same comment I often hear, "did you really make that?"... And now she's at the point where I can set her up at the sewing machine and let her fly. No more breathing down her neck and barking, "BE CAREFUL!"... Though I'm never more than a foot away from her sewing at this point, my hands are not running the show. She takes little reminders here and there... "watch your lines. You're getting a little close to the needle..." it's just amazing to see how much she's grown in the past few months when it comes to sewing.
Tonight's project is a book bag for her (lucky!) teacher. We used some of my special stash and made a gorgeous bag with AnnaMaria Horner's Good Folks laminated cotton as the exterior and we lined it with some great orange floral and gave it purple straps - per Mimi's design taste.
It's going to be the kind of bag any adult would use proudly with just a few stitching wobbles as proof that she really did make it herself, though I'm sure no one will believe her.
Good thing we've got proof in photos.
With all these boys around here, I love having a blond little mini-me to create with. And even when I'm wasted tired - almost too tired to stand... I'll drop everything to chase a creative bee in her bonnet...

Fall History Lesson

I've posted a pic of this lovely church in my neighborhood before, but I didn't know what I now know... The other day I was I'm an adjacent building, speaking with some friends of mine who attend and serve at the church itself... And they shares with me that not only is this church a 1/8 replica of a cathedral in England, but it was actually the first church in Los Angeles to integrate and became one of the main stops for Martin Luther King Jr. to visit each time he was in Los Angeles.
I have to say I nearly began crying when I heard this. I also felt so honored to be a part of this special place in LA, an important location in history and the re-integration of our neighborhood... We've had elderly neighbors actually tell us "welcome back" to the neighborhood.
When Z and I got to enter the church to see the inside, we were rewarded with the most lovely views. It was a beautiful moment.
What I love to share is that the inside, history and heart of this church around the corner from my home is as lovely as the architecture.
You just don't picture Los Angeles in this light very often from the outside, you know?

Pumpkin Scones

Oh you are going to love me for this one. I couldn't wait for Halloween to be over so I could make these pumpkin scones.... Hooray!
Tonight we get a double batch, half will get frozen for future fall happiness.