Nicole Lee Designs

Trying something new

2007-12-04T21:57:00.000-05:00

I'm trying something new with my blog and switching over to wordpress.
So check out the new blog and new posts at http://nicoleleedesigns.com/blog

I knew them when...

2007-11-27T06:49:00.000-05:00

Two of my very good crafty friends from the Richmond Craft Mafia, Dawn and Beth will be on Virginia This Morning, WTVR Channel 6 at 9:00 am today. They will be doing a tutorial on how to make your very own holiday garland. Have no fear, these are quick holiday garlands that can easily be made with minimum sewing skills. Here are a couple of tutorials from Beth and Kelly on how to DIY your own.
Felt Garlard
Holiday Banner

Turkey Day

2007-11-22T16:08:00.001-05:00

Cranberries, dressing and pie... oh my!!!!!!!

6 years

2007-11-16T21:07:00.000-05:00

Here is my 24 hour studio helper, which means he keeps me company and stares at me until I scratch his head or give him a treat. He'd prefer both, at the same time and hourly. As of Wednesday he turned 6 years old.

Improve your vocabulary and donate rice

2007-11-13T19:52:00.000-05:00

I know you are wondering what in the heck does vocabulary and rice have in common. Well, I stumbled on this site, Free Rice. As you play the vocabulary game and learn new words or surprise yourself with words you didn’t think you knew, 10 grams of rice is donated to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) for each correct word.
SAT’s don’t fail me now!

Its offical...

2007-11-04T22:02:00.000-05:00

I'm a Dorky Nerd Queen. You may bow to my abacus. :-P

Pink Dyson Contest

2007-10-31T18:30:00.001-04:00

I love gadgets. And what I love more than gadgets are gadgets companies that donate to good causes. Dyson is donating $40 to help Breast Cancer Research from each Pink Dyson Vaccuum Cleaner sold. How awesome is that! I could use one of these, I have thread bits and a cute but long haired dog to vacuum after.

Today is the last day to enter the contest to win won of these sweet pink Dysons. So head over to the Domestic Diva blog and get all the details and buttons. Spread the word.

I pledge to buy handmade...

2007-10-28T04:03:00.000-04:00

The holidays are fast approaching and its time to start organizing your gift list. So why not take the pledge to buy handmade this year. Buyhandmade.org has kicked off this holiday season with a one-two punch to the big box stores. Buyhandmade.org is a collaboration between Etsy, Craftster, indiepublic, Craft Magazine, Interweave, Burdastyle, The Austin Craft Mafia, Design*Sponge, and The American Craft Council. Nine giants in the handmade/indie design realm.
Pluses to buying handmade are unique, one of a kind gifts, avoidance of mall crowds, quality... I can go on! So go to the Buy Handmade website, take the pledge and pass the word.

Below are some great resource links from the Buy Handmade site:

http://www.coopamerica.org/: Co-op America is a not-for-profit membership organization founded in 1982. Their mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.
http://www.sweatfree.org/: A Network For Local action against Sweatshops.
http://ilsr.org/: The Institute For Local Self-Reliance. The Institute’s mission is to provide the conceptual framework, strategies and information to aid the creation of ecologically sound and economically equitable communities.
http://www.dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Business/Allegedly_Unethical_Firms/Wal-Mart/ :
See what Walmart is up to in your community.

Now that you are informed and ready to do some shopping from handmade/ indie designers, check out some of these crafty peeps!

I feel the luv!

2007-10-19T06:47:00.000-04:00

I can't help but always wonder if anyone is out there in internet-land, at least looking and hopefully liking what I'm making. Web counters such as Stat Counter show if someone visits your site (and I check once a day!) but it can't tell you if they like your site. Where as Etsy has a feature where a person can "heart" your shop or a particular item you have for sell. I use this feature a lot as I have a long wish list for Christmas and will directing loved ones to it this year. :-)

In the past couple of months, while my main website has been down for updating, I've been leaning heavily on my Etsy shop. I checked early this morning and saw that 85 people have hearted my shop.

This brightens my day and hopefully is a indicator on how today will go. :-)

An abridged look at my etsy "hearts" items.

Etsy
Buy Handmade
soleilrouge

Needles and thread

2007-10-07T02:34:00.000-04:00

This time last weekend I was soaking up new sewing techniques and drooling over new sewing and craft gadgets at the Sewing and Quilt Expo in Northern VA. If you ever had a interest in sewing, quilting or fiber arts, this is the Expo to check out.
One of the 9 classes I attended was a class in crochet. I've crocheted a little, mainly just making knots, but had always wanted to learn properly. Below a picture of my crochet project in the same state as started the day of the class. I hadn't moved any farther than about 10 rows until I got back home Sunday.
and about Wednesday...
Behold! A finished scarf!!!

Crafters Anonymous Craft Swap

2007-09-14T08:14:00.001-04:00

What to do with the extra buttons, or yard of fabric of a finished project?
Got a project that you never found time to do and now you are over it?
Bring your usable craft supplies to ArtWorks on Sunday, September 16th and maybe find some new supplies to be creative with.
Proceeds go to Art 180, "a Richmond based non-profit organization that creates and provides art-related programs to young people living in challenging circumstances, encouraging personal and community change through self-expression." So your craft addiction benefits a good cause too. Spread the word! For more info visit the website, http://www.rvacraftswap.com

A little bit of old, and a bigger bit of Nu!

2007-08-21T16:03:00.000-04:00

The sun has set for Soleil Rouge and now is Nicole Lee Designs.

After nervousness and a little stressing out about making the big switch of names and finding one I wanted to switch to (at first not wanting to use my name) it had to be done. Soleil Rouge was a bit hard to spell by many, easily mispronounced by some and it didn't quite fit the direction I want to go in design wise. Now thats its done, I wonder why I hadn't changed it earlier. :-/

A crafty challenge

2007-08-03T03:02:00.001-04:00

My friend Dawn has challenged me to do a craft-a-day during August.
It all ties in to the Use What You Have Movement of crafters. You see, one of the habits of crafty people is buying supplies with projects in mind, or a terrific sale or a happening of Oh My Thats Super Cute, It Must Be Mine. (I suffer from all three cases. ;-P) And for some reason the inspired projected doesn't get finished, supplies go unused. So, the goal is to use the supplies I have in house and finish a project from scratch or from partials that have some how managed not to get done each day. . Here is number one, a wrap skirt that has been cut out for a couple of weeks, no longer a UFO (Un-finished Object).

Back from Brooklyn - Fuggettaboutit!

2007-06-26T15:27:00.000-04:00

Wow, Renegade was a such a trip! There were 5 of us making the trek by van and car and a 6th (smart to fly) member joined us in Brooklyn. RCM had never done a out of town group booth like that before. Talk about trial by fire! Everything went relatively smooth considering 6 personalities all in one place for pretty much 24 hours a day for 4 days. Renegade was a very good show and it was great meeting people face to face, some I've chatted online with for a year.

We ate at a great eatery that was just around the corner from McCarren Park, called Enid's. Exactly the sort of place you picture in a hip/artsy area of Brooklyn. Super cool place, great drinks (yay! Harrison!) and apparently mac and cheese to die for. They were always out of it when we got there. Sadness. And I don't know if they do this every Saturday, but at around 10pm, they started showing a movie! That night, The Neverending Story. Enid's Rocks!
It hurt my heart a little (ok, a LOT) that I didn't get to go over to Manhattan, (So near, yet so far!) but time was crunched. I think it would have been worse if I had got over there and then had to rush through. I would have wanted to see everything and take in a show. I'll have to take Manhattan another time. :-(

I almost forgot my Renegade goodies. The Adorn magazine booth held several raffles during the two days of Renegade and I won a goodie bag!

I've been fixed!

2007-05-27T03:16:00.001-04:00

Jen over at IndieFixx, a favorite read of mine, featured one of my aprons in her most recent post on stylish hostess aprons. In honor of Memorial day weekend and what I consider the official start of BBQ season my hostess aprons are currently on sale.

Grill on in style!

Days of May

2007-05-15T04:03:00.000-04:00

New stuff for May. I had a couple of shows in a row and now gearing up for Renegade Craft Fair. YAY!!!!! RCM will be there with a group both. Its a biggy and in Brooklyn, NY. Nervous? Excited? YES!!!! So, I've been busy sewing and adding more clothes. Tops and wrap skirts...oh my!

Crafty line-up...

2007-04-19T09:47:00.001-04:00

Lots of activity happening in Richmond this week. Saturday we assembled the swag bags that we are giving out to the first 200 customers to Spring Bada-Bing. Lots of great stuff in there. Monday, we had our group picture taken by Jay Paul for an article in Brick weekly. Very exciting stuff and last minute. Miracles of miracles, all 10 members were there, and with crafty props. And we did what we usually do when we are all in one place. Talk about what projects we are working on, men, craft shows, news, men, crafts, projects to try... our photographer was very patient, needless to say. We also squeezed in one last meeting before Spring Bada-Bing, hashing out last minute detail.

Whats this all about you ask? It's all about Spring Bada-Bing!
When: April 22, 2007 ~ 10am to 4pm
Where:
The Marquee
3015 Cutshaw Ave - 2 blocks west of Boulevard & Broad Sts.
Richmond, VA

BE THERE!!

Sew crazy!

2007-04-08T04:12:00.000-04:00

Good news!...Richmond craft mafia got into the Renegade Craft Fair! Which brings my show count up to 4 big shows this spring. Man! I have lots of sewing to do! Time to burn rubber on my old faithful Brother sewing machine. So far, I've added a new dress style to the Soleil Rouge collection. Stay tuned for more clothing as I go sew crazy. :-)

Also new is, Style Conspiracy, a blog I'm writing, highlighting other indie designers and artists of color. Go check it out and shop indie!

On the Road...

2007-02-09T01:30:00.000-05:00

The Richmond Loves Raleigh Valentine craft affair was such a blast last weekend. Richmond Craft Mafia is heading down the road to the Handmaidens territory in North Carolina for Raleigh Loves Richmond.

Rubbin' out the mass produced, because mall is a four letter word!

Skirting the issue...

2007-02-06T00:18:00.000-05:00

I've been busy behind the scenes at Soleil Rouge. New items added to Soleil Rouge...Skirts!!
I currently have four fabric options for this style.

Yep, I've been drawn to florals lately!

And more kitschy hostess aprons.

Richmond Loves Raleigh: A Valentine Craft Affair

2007-01-28T00:12:00.000-05:00

Do you know how cool it is to find like minded people? I do! My fellow Richmond Craft Mafia familia. I feel very lucky to have found a group of crafty, talented and fun people to hang around with. Do you know how cool times 2 it is to find a whole separate group of crafty, talented and fun people to be around? The cool and talented Handmaidens. Bring them together in the same place for a joint event in Richmond? Freak'n Fantastic!

Move over June Cleaver!

2006-12-11T00:39:00.000-05:00

These aren't your average aprons. I've been inspired to make hostess aprons, so I'm in full on sewing mode. Must be the holidays, with all the cooking and entertaining that goes on this time a year. You just have to look good while you do it all. Even if you aren't heavily into the cooking part, you can look like it and be stylish too.

Here are a few I've made so far.

Indie Finds Holiday Guide

2006-12-04T00:39:00.000-05:00

Looking for something different to give for the Holidays? Then head on over to Indie Finds. Think outside the mall.

The Ultimate Holiday Guide

Indie Finds is a collective of over 150 indie designers. As you begin your holiday shopping, look to these talented designers for unique gifts and handmade items!

Accessories

Bath & Body

Clothing

Crafty Supplies

For Kids

For the Home

Handbags

Jewelry

Stationery

NaNoWriMo...

2006-11-30T14:45:00.000-05:00

So, I "participated" in NaNoWriMo this year. The goal, 50,000 words in 30 days, a Novel/Novella. I put participated in quotes since I got about 400 words in and just died. On the page that is.
I like to consider myself a closet novel writer. I have plots, a list of cool titles, some starts to a couple of synopsis/outlines all on my handy dandy flash drive in a folder titled Novels. Did you catch the plural novels not singular. Yeah, I have high hopes.

I was jazzed, I had a plot sort of, but I just couldn't get passed those first couple of paragraphs. There are tricks to expand your word count, of course. My favorite suggestion I read on the forum was to type potato after every word. i.e., He potato walked potato gingerly potato across potato the potato damp potato foggy potato field. Nice! I could do that, I still have until midnight, (evil laugh) but I won't. The point is the journey not the destination as the great thinkers say.

In my defense, I didn't do the prep work. I didn't have a synopsis, no outline, charactor names...title. Two days before November 1st I signed up. I jumped in both feet. It works for some, but didn't for me. I could have just hit the 50,000 word count and "won". Which is fine, it does jump start creative juices and thats the point. But me being me, I would like to have a semi-complete first draft of a novel on my hands and not mashed potatos.

It was fun though, and here at the end, I have a plot, some very cool character names, and a rough and I do mean rough outline. Next time I'll be prepared, yep I'll do it again. I recommend everyone try it. They are going to do a scriptwriting NaNo in June. hmmmm...I'm going to try it!

Bird is the word.

2006-11-23T17:59:00.000-05:00

She's Crafty...

2006-11-16T14:51:00.000-05:00

I try to keep crafty doing other things than sewing handbags and clothes. It helps to keep things interesting. So, I've been looking for the perfect camera case and haven't found one I liked. Of course, I hade to make one.

I didn't need anything bulky since when I take my camera its in my purse. Its a blanket stitch. I know its backwards, but I like this look better. What you don't see is a little button hole at the top for the strap to go through.

Music Meme: If your life were a soundtrack...

2006-11-16T12:39:00.000-05:00

I am a big time music lover. I use it to concentrate, to relax, to amp myself up for a project, just about everything. I also like a diverse range of music. So, when I saw the post on Lark Studio's blog, I knew I had to see what my soundtrack would be.

Media Player Meme

If your life were a soundtrack, what would the music be?

Here's how it works:
1. open your library (iTunes, winamp, media player, iPod)
2. put it on shuffle
3. press play
4. for every question, type the song that's playing
5. new question -- press the next button
6. don't lie and try to pretend you're cool

opening credits:
"Ping Island/Lightning Strike Rescue Op.[movie score from The Life Aquatic]" by Mark Mothersbough
(told you I like music from all places)

waking up:
"Danger" by Erykah Badu

first day at school:
"Suga Baby" by Cee-lo

falling in love:
"Rusty Cage" by Johnny Cash (hmmm, interesting!!)

breaking up:
"Let Go" by Frou Frou

prom:
"Black Sweat" by Prince(I didn't go to my prom, maybe I missed something! lol)

life's okay:
“Rock Star" by N.E.R.D (Rock on!!!)

mental breakdown:
“I Want You" by Erykah Badu

driving:
“Play" by David Banner (This one doesn't make sense. I haven't listened to this one in months.)

flashback:
“I'll be Around" by Cee-Lo and Timbaland

getting back together:
"King of the Dancehall" by Beenie Man

wedding:
“Broken" by Seether

birth of child:
“Get Up" by Ciara (well, that one is way off)

final battle:
"Hips don't Lie" by Shakira

death scene:
“Soul Survivor" by Young Jeezy

funeral song:
"Gold Digger" by Kanye West (LOL!)

end credits:
"Sinnerman" Nina Simone and Felix Da Houscat

This doesn't even touch on all the songs I have. Weird how some of the songs popped up but fun.

Keep A Lid On It!

2006-10-30T08:28:00.000-05:00

leopardJaguarhat
Originally uploaded by designerdiva.

I am such a hat person. I can't wait for the leaves to start to turn and that slight chill in the air that signals Fall. I then can drag out my many hats from the closet and go on the hunt for more. Of course, I can't go without making some myself. I am a designer after all. So, I've added a couple of winter hats to the Soleil Rouge repetroire. Faux fur...of course!! I'm planning to add more hats before Jack Frost gets to town.
Just call me the Mad Hatter from now on 'til Spring!

Still in de-clutter mode.

2006-10-17T02:40:00.000-04:00

I'm in a de-clutter mode. I took a ride down to the local Goodwill this weekend and donated a haul. Some 10 books, a tv stand, some curtains, 2 fans, etc. The attendant there asked me if the fans worked, of course! What heartless S.O.B. would donate something that didn't work? Apparently it happens. Way to help out dude, NOT! There are still lots more I need to donate/sell/purge but its a start.

Fabric Withdrawal

2006-10-02T01:07:00.000-04:00

I am a addict... a fabric addict and I'm going through withdrawl. I haven't stepped foot into a fabric store in 2 whole months. Its a push to get me using my substantial fabric stash, some of which has traveled cross country from La-La Land, Los Angeles, California. I do have my favorites and for the life of me, I-can-not-cut. Crazy, I know. But I'm on the right path.
To start it off, I made this one of a kind dress. I bought the snazzy, retro, high heel fabric from a fellow craft diva and fabric addict.(ENABLER!) ;-) She lightened her stash and I brought it home. ha-ha!! Right now, I'm day-dreaming of going to Mood, the fabric store featured on Project Runway. I could get lost in there for days! More to come later.

Its too darn hot!

2006-08-01T03:57:00.000-04:00

As if you don't know. I still had to throw my 2 cents in. Record high heat across the nation.

Today I have a gripe about the amount of bugs flying around. I must be sweeter than I thought because I've been stung twice by mystery flying bugs this weekend, on my head! Since I am anti-bug but don't want to gas myself with bug spray all the time, or not outside long enough to deal with lighting the cintranella candles, I'm going to share a tip I heard of somewhere that works. Dryer sheets!! Dryer sheets will repel the flying buggies. Great for the porch, a screened sunroom, etc. Just leave a sheet or two in the middle of the patio table. They will repel for about a week or so as long as they still have the smell. After this weekend I'm contemplating hanging them off my ears, but I'll fight the feeling. :-P

Knee deep in mud...cloth!

2006-06-05T00:08:00.000-04:00

I have a new handbag listed on Soleil Rouge. YAY! It features authentic Mali, West African mudcloth.

For those that don't know what goes into making mudcloth, it’s a loong process.
The Mali men hand spin and loom weave the cotton into 5 to 9 strips of cotton. These strips are then sewn together to create a panel and boiled to shrink it down to size. Then the mudcloth design and dyeing is handled by the Malian women. The panel goes through a process of 2-3 mud "dye" layers, then dried in the sun to ferment for up to a year! Symbols are then painted on and washed and dried in different natural herb and leaf solutions (depending on each Malian artists' technique) to set the design that can take several weeks from start to finish. No panel is ever the same and each tells a story through the symbols on the cloth such as family history/status, proverbs, etc. The mud cloth I used in this design features the symbol depicting good fortune/wealth and the symbol representing a spindle (the 3 lines) a traditional mudcloth design.

Come what May!?

2006-05-16T08:07:00.000-04:00

I can't believe its May and already halfway through the month. Well, Spring Bada-Bing happened and Richmond got a taste of what the new craft movement is all about.

I have to start with the rain. It freakin' RAINED! Drizzle, showers, down pour, thunder and lightening. In no particular order, all day!
Despite the weather, Spring Bada-Bing! The BOSS of all craft shows, went on without a hitch. Our vendors were total pros and Richmond craft lovers came out in the storm ready to shop.
Here are a few pics from the event. My booth set up and me at the helm of the red sun, Soleil Rouge in rain. Holding it down and keeping it real. ;-)

Don't forget, if you are looking for shows to vend at or attend and shop indie craft shows in your area, check out http://www.indiecraftshows.com. Easy peasy to remember and self explanatory.

2006-04-05T16:07:00.000-04:00

It's a crime to miss this event!

Chained to the sewing machine...

2006-03-30T02:18:00.000-05:00

Has anyone seen the movie, The Wiz? I've been feeling like I've been working in Evileen's sweat shop. But in my case, I'm the worker and Evileen! Cracking the whip to get the sewing done for two upcoming BIG shows in April. Fool for Art, (April 1st) and Richmond Craft Mafia's Spring Bada-Bing (April 22nd) and revamping my website. Soleil Rouge will have a new clean and bright look for 2006. After much brain drain in learning Dreamweaver, its almost finished. I think it looks good, if I do say so myself. :-)
Sneak peaks on new designs at Soleil Rouge.

Spring sneak peak!

2006-02-09T10:28:00.000-05:00

Well, the groundhog saw his shadow. No wonder with all the flashes from the media. Poor little guy. That means 6 more weeks of winter to go. Bummer!

But that doesn't keep us from starting to think spring. Here are some of the new spring fabrics that will be featured in my spring collection.

I am also working on a new look for Soleil Rouge. Stay tuned!

Chinese New Year!

2006-01-29T00:56:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!! Year of the the Fire Dog (Bing Xu).
I've had my very own fire dog for about 4 years now.
Ain't he cute!
Happiness and success to you this year!!

Moi?!?!

2006-01-10T03:39:00.000-05:00

I have been informed by a friend of mine that I have been neglectful in updating my blog. (You know who you are :-D) Well, I do have some news. I don't want to jinx myself and I'll believe it when I see it. Anywho, lil ole Soleil Rouge may have some handbags and fabric pictures in a local magazine here in Richmond. I'll name names when I get a copy and confirm it with my own eyes. *hint* The magazines initials are R.G., and thats all I'm saying for now. I'm doing a little happy dance.

I have been working on a couple of revisions of my exsisting handbag designs for the spring collection. This is a revision of my Sela bag design. Although its availabe now in a really nice fall/winter burgundy moleskin fabric, It will look fabulous in spring colors. Here is a sneak peak.

Trunk show success

2005-12-10T02:54:00.000-05:00

Celebrate! Happy dance!! The trunk show was a success in my opinion. More people showed up than I expected and they weren't just friends and relatives. I sold more items than I ever had at a show, so that is cause to celebrate right there I think. So I may not give up on vending at markets after all. I have added a new item, business/credit card wallet. Makes a great stocking stuffer.
I love this retro swirl fabric right now. :-) Here is another example, my Mini Clutch design in the retro swirl.

Time is Flying!

2005-12-01T03:14:00.000-05:00

What happen to all the time I had to make some cool new things for the upcoming holiday shows? Gone, I tell you, the time is gone!
December 2nd I am vending at the 17th Street Farmers' Market and a very short week later...tada!! The first official Richmond Craft Mafia Holiday Trunk Show!!!

I am stoked!! I've got to get busy and get to some sewing.

dog day afternoon

2005-11-14T08:54:00.000-05:00

My sewing room company, winter foot warmer and lil' homie is turning 4 years old today.

I try not to be one of those crazy dog people. But I admit, he is a bit spoiled.

Falling into Autumn!

2005-10-27T01:52:00.000-04:00

My favorite time of the year is here. I love fall.

I've been out and about at a couple of craft markets. My first 2 to be exact. Great learning experience and fun. I'm now gearing up to be at the Irvington Farmers' Market, November 5th. So, I'm working on a couple of more items to add to the mix of designs I have already.

Richmond Craft Mafia is holding steady at 11 members. Its a snazzy, cool bunch of ladies and we plan to take over Richmond's craft scene. Big thangs are in the works, a holiday trunk show in December and strong whisperings of a spring craft show. Stay posted with RCM by checking out the official website: http://www.richmondcraftmafia.com And while you are there, check out what the other RCM businesses have to offer.

Among some of the other things I've been doing is to get my newsletter up and consistent. So far it's been a every other month newsletter. Unless something is Big News, I'm keeping that schedule. I'm not a big fan of getting hoards of email without it having something pertinent to say. I try to have something new and interesting to announce. I'm thinking of doing a holiday contest for November. I haven't quite figured out the particulars but its a idea that's bubbling. So don't hesitate to sign up. :-)

2005-09-08T14:58:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone!
Crafters United is doing great. So far over $14,000 in donations and sales to benefit Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund.

Here is a picture of the tote bag I donated,

Please visit http://www.craftrevolution.etsy.com to see this and other great items listed for the cause. All proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund, which is providing hot meals to victims and rescue workers, as well as providing other much needed assistance such as shelter, medical needs and even therapy for victims.

Crafters United

2005-09-01T22:10:00.000-04:00

The Indie community is making a difference! Many indie designers and craft business owners (me too) have come together to donate items for Hurricane Katrina relief. All proceeds go to the American Red Cross. To learn more about this great effort please visit: http://craftrevolution.com/craftersunited.htm for more information and to help the efforts please visit http://www.craftrevolution.etsy.com.

such a trip!

2005-08-29T14:03:00.000-04:00

Buster today

I've been TAGGED!

2005-08-29T11:32:00.000-04:00

I've been Tagged by Leila. The past...Ohh, its all so blurry! ;-P

10 years ago today: August 28, 1995
I was in Los Angeles, gearing up for a new semester of college. This was the semester I switched majors from theater/undecided to fashion design. Finally!!!!!!! Going for it!!

5 years ago today: August 28, 2000
In Virginia now. I've been back in VA for about a year + . Still in college, I got hoodwinked into having to do another year due to non-transfering credits and screwey department class schedual for B.S. degree. I think that was B.S. Started the year pissed, and stayed that way for the duration. But I did take a pottery class during this time. Loved it and the professor was cute too! :-P
My mother moved back to Virginia this time too.

1 year ago today: August 28, 2004
Finally making my business official and pursuing full time 100%, 24/7.

Yesterday: August 27, 2005
Organizing and taking pictures of fabric for next site update. Sewing a bit and working on computer updating Soleil Rouge website. Plotting on how my Style Conspiracy site will look.

Tomorrow: August 29, 2005
Plotting, sewing, maybe a trip to the fabric store. Still on the quest of organization.

5 snacks:
Popcorn
pepperoni
cheese
cashews
dried pineapples
5 Bands I know most of the lyrics to:
Bee-Gees ( yes!, I said the Bee-Gees)
Duran Duran ( ditto and I'm putting a date on myself!)
The Temptations
Barry White
Gladys Knight and the Pips
5 things I'd do with a million bucks:
Buy a house near the beach and have a well organized studio for my business.
Invest in Soleil Rouge like I'd like to.
Donate some to favorite charities (Hale House, St. Jude,...)
Travel a bit, first stop NYC!
Shop, shop, shop
5 places I'd run away to:
Burmuda
Hawaii
Thailand
South of France
Figi
5 Bad Habits:
self doubt
Procrastination
biting one nail on each hand, right now its my pinkies. (weird)
stress snacking
not excersing to counter act the stress eating
5 things I like doing:
Teaching my dog new tricks
reading and writing
designing
Watching movies
SHOPPING
taking trips
5 things I wouldn't wear:
mini skirts
5 inch heels
thongs (but I won't say never)
horizontal stripes
Bows!
5 Tv shows:
CSI (all three)
24
Law and Order and L&R: SVU
Medium
Rescue Me
5 Movies:
LOTR ( all three)
Elizabeth
Hopscotch
Bad Boys 1 and 2
Bond, James Bond
5 people I'd like to meet:
Oprah
Maya Angleou
Elizabeth Taylor
Jimmy Carter
Robert Deniro
5 biggest joys at the moments:
finding a sale
selling a design
my dog, Buster
Fresh Diet Dr Pepper
a piece of Coconut cake
5 favorite toys:
Digital camera
new laptop
serger
Paint shop pro
MP3 player
5 people to tag:
leslie (Sparkle and Shine)
May (Whimsical Lily Boutique
Joleen(love, joleen)
Mandy (Hi-Heeled Designs)
Jena ( Curio J)

Look whats new!

2005-08-22T12:50:00.000-04:00

RCM (Richmond Craft Mafia) is alive and kicking with 5 members strong and 3 pending. Too Cool!!!
I've been keeping busy. Working on new Fall items for Soleil Rouge, new items and styles for the upcoming opening of my other site Style Conspiracy and... finished and sent my Sampler items.

Caution! sneak peaks ahead!! I just have to show off alittle. :-)

I couldn't decide what style to submit, so I did a bit of variety. The mini clutch style will be available on Soleil Rouge in the next site update.

TTFN
Back to sewing!!!

New look

2005-07-25T09:44:00.000-04:00

There is a new look brewing at Soleil Rouge. I know, I know, those that know me are thinking what else is new. But I promise no more twiking to my site unless there is something wrong or to add more designs for a looong time. It will probably launch today. I'm taking my site in a new direction, focusing on special occasion and bridal accessories.

Still a busy bee, changing the focus on Soleil Rouge and... drum roll please... starting another site, Style Conspiracy. Thats what I've been working on. Style Conspiracy will be my outlet for my fun and funky everyday designs and not just handbags and totes. I'm adding my other craft interests of home decor items and jewelry. Am I doing too much? Probably. :-) But hey, going with the flow. I'll keep ya posted.

Busy bee!

2005-07-01T01:40:00.000-04:00

I've been busy. Cutting fabric and ironing interface. Urgh! I always hated cutting fabric.
I have a slight addiction to fabric shopping. I can spend hours looking at all the textures and colors, thinking and plotting designs I could do. So I always have to fight a minor hesitation to cut.
But I did get one of the new designs finished to jump start my new direction of Soleil Rouge. Heres a sneak peak:

It's a done deal. Four independent designers in Richmond, VA (including lil ole me) have joined force for a Richmond Craft Mafia. I'm pretty jazzed about that. Finally people who understand why it is important to spend a 10 mins feeling interfacing to pick the right one for a project. :-) Too cool!

Eureka!!

2005-06-20T09:57:00.000-04:00

Well, a fairly uneventful weekend productivity wise. I finished a new pattern and started on the proto type but thats about it. Lazy lazy weekend. But I did have a revelation! A total eureka moment. Its all in the planning stage. But the jest of it is, Soleil Rouge is going to be more focused on special occasion purses and accessories and I'm creating another outlet for my funkier everyday bags, home decor, and other accessory items I want to design. It means for me, no more lazy weekends for me and LOTS more sewing and a whole grunch of crafting! Stay tuned!

The first post!

2005-06-16T12:38:00.000-04:00

Oh so new to blogging, so I'll start with a little about myself. I am the owner/designer of Soleil Rouge. Soleil Rouge offers a unique collection of handmade fashion accessories. I plan to use this venue to post updates on what is happening with Soleil Rouge, things that catch my eye, favorite things and other ramblings.
Currently, I am busy sewing new designs for Soleil Rouge. More fabric shopping! :) In the near future, I will be adding a line of wedding accessories. So stay tuned. Once I figure out how to post pictures I'll give a sneak preview.