I have the coolest friends - Tori writes another book

My friend, Tori, rocks.

But if you're a long time reader here, you know that. Tori and I met in college - we had our painting studios next to each other, and then when I was a textile designer vacating my Santa Monica position for the same job in Chicago, she was my replacement. So we sat next to each other, two engaged girls, planning our weddings and traveling together as little textile designers to exotic locales - like sweaty mills in Georgia, meetings in Seattle, conventions in Chicago and one fun trip to Vail.
The next few years, we were peers - working with each other over a long distance... both loving design, but rapidly growing more and more tired of corporate life and we both ended up leaving our jobs and starting our own design businesses within a year.
Tori started her stationery company which has really done some amazing things over the past 5 years.
In her journeys, she's also been able to meet some other incredibly amazing stationery artists and after realizing how the word about them needs to get out, she wrote her first book - Today's Top Stationery Designers. It's great! What a beautifully published book and a great resource for both inspiration and some fun places to shop.

Tori has followed up her first book with a second now. And it's equally as wonderful.
I really loved reading about the artists - their inspiration, how they got started and seeing the images about their design spaces - aren't we all wanting to peek into creative studios?

Don't I have good reason to be proud of this creative author?
I think so.  She's always been the one to keep me inspired and informed about design trends she sees... Now she can inform you too.

Ticker-Tape quilt for baby Maile

Those of you who see my flickr pics will know that this was done a little while ago... I didn't want to post about it until my friend who it was for actually received it. She's got it now.

 This is a ticker-tape style quilt that I made for a friend's new baby. The fabrics in it have a lot of sentiment, there are pieces that are new and vintage, pieces that she and I shopped for together, pieces from J's grandmothers, pieces from AJ's one receiving blanket that I held onto...  There are pieces from all over the world and many of them have deep meanings to both my friend and I.  I had so much fun making this quilt, I am sure that there are more ticker-tape style quilts in my future... it's a fast and fun way to quilt. Plus, the raw edges are really... well... edgy.

I sent this quilt with a note for my friend telling her that this quilt is not a fussy quilt. I am hoping that it gets stained, used and loved.  (I guess I hope that for all my quilts.)

The design director and art

Mimi looked at this just now and asked, "hey mom! Where is the other half of her?" I explained, well, mommy's friend, Tori, made it for me... It's inspired by a picture mommy took (show her the pic)... "so then, that's you?"

A birthday smile

You may be sensing a theme here, but I have had a REALLY hard day. And today I opened my door to find a package on my porch... (earlier today I tweeted that each time I open my door I secretly hope a package is there for me)... And THIS was in it! My pal Tori sent it for my
birthday... And I'd even commented on it on her blog... About how she had this cute piece of artwork that -um, reminded me of, um, me... That sounds really self centered, except for those of you who know how much I love red and white polka dots... And my red and white polka dotted rainboots on top of that!...

come to find out... it was actually inspired by this pic.... the one I posted here...

Tori, you're awesome. What a cool fabric collage... Do tell your process... And thanks for the smile today, Lord knows I needed it.

Last day for the giveaway!

This was me a few days ago, enjoying some time to journal, spend a part of my Anthroplogie gift certificate, relish in my time without kids and have a cup of coffee at one of my favorite spots, The LA Farmers Market...
...come on, you know you want one of those rings... It's got your name on it!
Write your comment at the original post and be the winner! I'll pick tonight at midnight, if I'm up, or tomorrow morning.

Ps. I picked today to end the giveaway in honor of my pal Tori, who is 4 days younger than me. For many years now, we have taken each other to lunch for our birthdays, but she moved to Mississippi this year, so a phone call had to do. (love you,Tori!)

International Sanctuary - aw, shucks.

I was peeking in on Tori's blog the other day and saw that she'd helped International Sanctuary get their new website up and running. Which of course I had to check out - because I love the whole "purchase with purpose" concept that they have.

If you've been a long time reader of mine, you'll know that I had lunch with the founders of International Sanctuary a while ago whose mission is:

"iSanctuary is a new and growing non-profit organization that was formed to develop social enterprises for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation.

Currently we are training 40 rescued girls, from the ages of 13 to 18 in Mumbai India, in the skill of jewelry making. Once the girls are trained, their products are brought to the US and UK to be sold to fund their futures."Anyhow, I figured, even though I would be seeing them soon at an event I am hosting for MOPS - a mini-boutique in December, that I needed to make a little purchase in support of them. For a while I've been eyeing their "Ring of Fire" bracelet - it's kind of a signature piece for them and when I have noticed it on other women it's something I immediately recognize as an International Sanctuary piece. So I dropped one of those into my cart. Then I went over to the necklaces page and saw something that was so sweet! They have a necklace named the Liberty Necklace and is fashioned after a design that I made with Stephanie that day last December. We had such a fun time talking about clustering colors and shapes in the variety that would create a rich look... and I'd made some earrings and a necklace for her and off to our lunch we went. I knew we'd had fun together, but I'd never dreamed that they'd use my design and name it after our work-session. What an honor.
I bought one. And wore it proudly yesterday. I may need to buy a few more as gifts. At a mere $20, they are a lot of fun to pick up for thoughtful gifts this winter. (and they're cute!)

we're home

I've peeked through the (amazing) photos my man took while we were in Italy about 3-4 times already and I can't find my favorite yet... so just as a little appetizer - here's one that I feel communicates how I felt and a few more... since this IS the Libby Dibby blog... of THE skirt, and the bag, in Venice.

And though I didn't read Tori's packing list before hand, looks like I followed it quite well with the hat, the skirt, the journal, the comfy shoes, forgetting just the right amount of toiletries (Labello, anyone?) and my expandable bag - which I wore a myriad of ways... I'd also have to add one more item... a big silk scarf (see mine below, that I bought in Thailand 10 years ago - in Florence, I upped my amount to 4 of these...) - they can be used for 1000 difference uses and I never leave for a trip without one.

(and now back to some very jet-lagged sleep)

Scrappy Wraps

So I was wearing a bracelet today that Tori gave me a few years ago and I decided to email her to ask where she got it.... turns out Michelle Gonzalez, (shell2@tmail.com) - a former employee of Tori's - makes these super cute "Scrappy Wraps". you know how I am about scrap saving... and if you can do it beautifully? oh, yeah...

So Michelle doesn't have an etsy site and she's getting married soon, I hear, but maybe if enough of us beg her - she'll get one set up soon!

Michelle did say that she'd love to be blogged about today, so I'm sure that means she'd be willing to make a cute bracelet for you.

(oh, and for a very different type of fabric DIY cuff, check out Anna Maria Horner's book, Seams to Me...)

Great News!

I have fun news to share...

1 - While I am in Italy, my sister, Victory, and my dear friend, Tori, have agreed to guest blog. The theme will be all Italian, in honor of my trip. I can't wait to see what they post.

2 - The collaged candles got some Dollar Store Craft love this week. Check out the fun blog -

there are always so many fun things to do at Dollar Store Crafts. I'm a beach glass collector, so I think I will be trying this one out soon, and I also LOVE using my washable swiffer refills made from a fleece baby blanket I bought at the dollar store.

3 - I've been a sewing fool! I seem to have gotten the idea that I need to parade around on my romantic vacation with a whole new wardrobe... and have been sewing dress after dress... I'm just loony. Will post some shots of the latest one later today.

4 - I've sold out of my scrap boxes! Wow. After 24 (maybe 25) flat rate boxes getting shipped out to you all - my scrap pile is down to 4 bags of scrap - no longer 10. I made sure each box was full to the brim with scraps (they weighed more than 5lbs each!)- and did m

y best to ensure that each one had a fun and exciting variety of good sized pieces so

people could have fun making things. I can't wait to see some of the creations made. If I am feeling the need to spend another week cutting, folding, shipping, etc... we may revisit that whole concept again. It sure was fun while it lasted. Thanks for taking part!

5 - one question. If I were to bring 1-2 of the following skirts for my trip to Italy... which would you suggest? And why? (just so you know, these 4 are the ones I wear most of all, though my closet boasts about 3 more)

The Original

But Seriously

Hollywood

Out & About

Ciao!

Mother's Day Sneak Preview

Okay, Mom and Nancy... sorry you're getting a sneak preview - I'll show our gifts later - since our moms both read the blog... but here is what our Mother's Day is starting to look like.

Once again, fun from the Tori stash of fabric.

re-usable gift wrap.... a la Tori Higa. (an idea she gave me, also)

I made open top bags, and used ribbon and brass tags....

Spring and green

Spring is here... Though it's been feeling like summer in L.A. this week. I have found myself wearing this color all week... Wondering if perhaps I love it more than RED??? (don't think so, but it's debatable this time of year)

I made this top last night with some fabric I'd been stashing for a while and some of my "Tori Higa Motherload" (fabric she offloaded on me as she moved cross country)... Like it, Tori?... I'll post where I got the tutorial in a little bit.... When I get some computer time...right now I'm in the kitchen with coffee... (okay... link is in. I got it at Sew, Mama, Sew...)

I like the square neckline and ruffled sleeves. But I especially love the color.

New vintage pants for Mimi

The Design Director got these pants when she woke up this morning. Tori is moving across country and downsizing her vintage fabric stash, so we've been gifted with yards and yards of new inspiration... The Design Director loves yellow, and claimed this fabric instantly, so I was happy to oblige-complete with ric-rac trim. I love seeing her in this style.

Oh happy day. (scrap skirt #4)

After weeks of not being able to sew due to back pain, I was able to sew last night.
(I recommend not having a 40lb 2 year old... 2 year olds still need to be held, and I'm starting to think I need a weight trainer just to advise me on how to do this. Believe me, I still use my sling when I can, because it's the only thing that helps.)

Anyhow, back to the happiness...
Dear reader Catherine, commissioned me to make a little girl spinny skirt for her darlin' to match her momma's new CLASSIC patterned skirt, and here it is!!! I'm so pleased with how much easier it was to make this time and I think it turned out even better than the first 3!
And the vintage yoyo was just for happy kicks. Tori, of Tori Higa stationery, sent me a batch of vintage yoyos she boughtfor me at Estate of Grace- which I also need to blog about...
I just had to pass on the sharefest and this morning's happy project.
Now I'm off to preschool orientation...