Keep your head warm

I'm now selling my hats at Powells On Hawthorne in SE Portland, in case you weren't able to nab one at Crafty Wonderland!

Crafty Wonderland

The monster of all Portland craft shows is upon us.  

That's right,

  it's time for Crafty Wonderland. 

Come by and visit me in booth 178 on Saturday and Sunday from 11-6.  Most of my items with be discounted and I'll be selling hats to keep your noggin warm and dry, in addition to the usual skirts and dresses.  See you this weekend!

Modcloth Update

Thanks to everyone who has written me telling of their experiences with having their designs copied and/or giving advice.  I really appreciate it and it makes me feel less like I am going through this by myself.  I am saddened by how often this seems to happen.

I have since received some emails from Modcloth, who are looking into the issue.  The skirt is not being produced by Modcloth, but through a vendor.  They are getting in contace with the vendor about the situation and are cancelling their reorder of the skirt, which makes me feel so much better.  So, I am happy to report that they are being more helpful than I would have imagined a big company to be.   Thank you Turi and Modcloth for looking out for an independent designer.

Knocked Off

So, this morning I got an email from the lovely Lilli at Frocks and Frou Frou.  She was shopping around Modcloth and came upon this....

Click here to go see the actual page

...and asked me if I was selling my skirts on Modcloth.

Ummmm.....no.

It sure looks a lot like this skirt that I have made in the past...

It looks like, and is, a cheaper version of the skirt that make my living off of.  It's made of polyester instead of wool and cotton and sells for $30 less than mine.  It is most likely being made in a sweatshop in a third world country by people being paid unfair wages.  That makes me feel a little icky.

Should I be flattered that I've been copied?  Or should I be mad that someone is making money off of my design?  Or do I pretend that it didn't happen?  I know you cannot copyright clothing, but it just seems wrong for someone to do this.

Can anyone weigh in on this?  I don't know what to do.  I did write Modcloth and let them know with photos as proof.

The Further Adventures of Mingus the Cat

Mingus, the wild cat.

Those of you who have been following my blog may have already read of Mingus.  If not, here is a little background information.  We adopted the little guy in December, thinking that he was the mellow, little lap cat that he appeard to be when we met him at the Humane Society.  No so.

We quickly learned that he wished to be an outdoor cat and would dart out the door as soon as it opened.  We gave in and let him do some exploring.  One day, he decided he wanted to explore our neighbors' yard and jumped over their six foot fence into the jaws of their two dogs.  That did not end well, but it could have been worse.

Woe is me.

He lost a leg.

Then got an infection and then an asthma attack.

Excuse me, have you seen my leg around here?  I seem to have misplaced it.

Yes, our cat is a tripod and yes, he's adorable- and he hops like a bunny.  It hasn't slowed him down much and he still manages to race around the house at top speed...and unfortunately get into trouble.  

Like today.

This morning I went downstairs to use the iron and I heard a meowing, but saw no cat.  The meowing was coming from a corner of the basement and I neared the corner, I realized that he was IN in the wall.  I'm still not 100% sure how he got in there.  I think he managed to jump into the small unfinished space under the floorboards of the first floor (which he has done before) and fell between the drywall.

So, how you get a cat out of the wall, you may ask. 

Destroy the wall, of course.

I had to tear up the drywall by the floor and pull the cat out, then scold him when he seemed to be perfectly fine and unharmed.  Five minutes later he tried to climb back into the hole I pulled him out of.  The cat is insane.  He seems to be using his nine lives up rather quickly.  We thought keeping him indoors would help, but apparently not.

Just what I needed, after a day like today.

Oh me, oh my.  

Indie Lovely

This morning I got an email from the lovely Anne, who has an Etsy shop called Renovation Alley and a crafty blog called Indie Lovely.

She has put together a beautiful online magazine and featured one of my skirts in her indie shopping guide.  Click on the image below to check out her handywork.

Open publication - Free publishing - More crafting

Wanderlust

I am thrilled to announce that Love To Love You is now available at Wanderlust, 

an adorable vintage and handmade store in Portland at 2804 SE Ankeny!

Girl From The Owl House

So, I'm a stepmom to the most awesome kid in the world (yes, I am biased, but she really is super awesome) named Harper.

 She started a blog called "Girl From The Owl House"  and I think it's pretty great.  Her fabulous Auntie Amber bought her a camera and she's using the blog to showcase photos of her adventures and things she loves, including Mingus our three legged cat....

her epic bike rides with Boppy....

...and trips around Oregon and beyond.

So, if you are at all interested in what a super smart and witty 10 year old in Portland is up to, 

I think you should check it out.  

Click here to visit!

Maui Wowee Part II

Just outside of Hana is Waianapanapa State Park, at which point I decided I really truely was in paradise.  Jagged lava cliffs, lush green plants, and the bluest blue water.  It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

Exploring a lava tube

We walked up this beautiful and creepy staircase under all these vines to reach some caves

The next day we went to Hahunu Garden to see Pi'ilanihale Heiau, a structure built out of lava stones dating back to around 1200.  Some of the stones traveled from as as far as 7 miles away and it covers three acres.

Next stop was for a dip at Waioka Pond, a small fresh water pool right next to the ocean.  On the day we were visiting the ocean was a bit moody, so waves were actually crashing into the pool.  It was beautiful and there were only a handful of people there.

See that cliff on the left?   I jumped off that into the water.  Of course, only after watching a few brave souls do it before me without dying.  It sure looks a lot higher when you are looking down.

Next up, the Seven Sacred Pools, which unfortunately were closed to swimming that day, but we got a nice hike in before the mosquitoes attacked.

Another amazing banyan tree.

This photo makes me feel like Tinkerbell

The bamboo forest, where we call it a day.

The next day we had to say goodbye to the beautiful house we'd been staying in.  It is surrounded by a flower farm.  This is the view of the backyard.  Wouldn't it be nice to wake up to that every morning?

This is the view from the deck where we ate dinner every evening and listened to chirping geckos.

On our way to Kihei we stopped by a botanical garden to ogle painted gum trees...

...ginger flowers

and  hala trees.  Check out those roots!

We arrive at our final destination, a sweet, tiny house right across from the beach.

The next morning we head for foggy Iao Valley.  These pictures don't come close to showing the scale of the mountains.  

Then we spent the rest of the day at the beach, working on our tans and watching the most beautiful sunset of our trip.

Me, sporting the bathing suit I made.

Our last day in Maui we spent all day on the beach,
after our breakfast of fruit salad and homemade mango bread.  I wish I could eat like this every day.

The surreal landscape of La Perouse Bay

Idyllic Big Beach

Unfortunately we have no photos of Dewey and I wearing our snorkel masks.  We spent half the day snorkeling for the first time, which was beyond amazing.  It is like being inside an aquarium exhibit.  Completely exhausted from swimming and sun, we watched the sun set for the final time in Maui from our hammock.
 I look kinda happy, don't you think?

Our last view of Maui from the plane.

Goodbye Paradise!
We miss you already.