Sorry, I've neglected this...

So sorry I've neglected my blog the past few weeks....I'm gearing up for my 1st ever open house/7th anniversary celebration. In the midst of that I'm truely bless to be extremely busy and I'm trying to keep up with my work load.

Please be praying for my celebration on April 2nd. And if you're in the Tulsa, OK area that day please stop by....call for directions.

I promise to post a longer more informative post - musing after all this is over!

Mirror, Mirror on the wall....

"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of all?" Most of us know this as a line from Snow White. But as I start this week I wonder if any of us really ask that question when we look in our Mirrors?


We look - check our hair, our makeup - even look between our teeth for food but do we REALLY see? I'm not talking about asking if we are "beautiful" on the outside - but really using the mirror to look within ourselves and see both the beauty and the flaws that exists in each one of us.

Well, I for one am trying to be brave enough to view myself as I am beauty & flaws! It's not always fun - but I trust that I will grow from the experience and truly become a better person from it with His help.

I want to learn to do the small acts of kindness that many of our parents taught were just common courtesy. To allow others to check out before us in the grocery line - especially when our cart if chocked full and they only have one or two things or maybe they have a child that is being hard to handle or just because we had that little nudge in our spirit! To slow down and take time while we drive or walk and not "plow" others out of our way....even when they are driving us "crazy". To show a bit of kindness to a complete stranger look them in the eye and smile...something so simple and yet we in our "hurry" forget to do it. There are thousands of other ways we can do simple small things - and none of it costs us a penny...just a bit of kindness and courtesy. Both of which are returned twice over when we give them out.

I'm definitely a selfish human and no where near where I want to be...but I'm willing to keep trying...are you???

it's 2:45am.....

It's 2:45am this morning..........
















and I'm awakened by my own thoughts....random as they maybe

Stress (yup, that's my middle name!) about my upcoming open house and all that needs to be done. - but you've heard enough about that.

Wondering how in the world I'm going to get all the jobs that have been on hold done by the end of the week.

Wishing my bank account had more zeros. Don't we all?

Thinking....thinking....thinking....

Where's the off switch on my brain and who turned it on so early? And why won't they let me get back to sleep? Even a purring cat one side and my sleeping hubby at the other don't do the trick.

I'm trapped in a place of limbo where my thoughts and worries control me - finally after hours of tug of war, I open my hands and release control and feel the tension quietly drain from my body and settle in for a few minutes of sleep before the alarm blares!!!

How simple it is when we realize there is one who wishes to share our loads and our burdens....why then does it take me so long to realize this???

The tossing of the waves...

I feel the tossing of the waves around my boat (life)and I'm a bit blank facing another day, tired and in need of caffeine!

Here's hoping I can get everything done that needs to be done today. I'm beginning to feel the pressure of my upcoming open house and everything that needs to be done for that event. I think I have a list as long as my arm and I seem to add to it everyday.

I'm currently bidding on several jobs and have several appointments with retail clients, so I'm grateful & blessed to be busy. Have they perfected cloning yet? I could really use that at the moment.

Here's one of my favorite quotes (one I need to remember right now):

"Challenges can be stepping stones or stumbling blocks. It's just a matter of how you view them."

-- Author Unknown


I'm also in the process of revising my wholesale contract & terms. My recent experience, don't ask, has caused me to make sure I have this in place with all my decorators/designers. I guess I had become a bit lax in that area.

I thought I start sharing some of my favorite treatments that I've created over the past 7yrs.

These panels cover an eyebrow arched alcove and go back about 18" to the door creating almost a tent like effect. There is 12" of smocking at the top and are held back by faux italian strining. Designer: Jeannie Carpenter; Workroom: Cord & Pleat Design.

High Ho High Ho......

High Ho, High Ho it's off to work I go. When I hear that like most others I see the dwarfs in "Snow White" shouldering their tools and marching down the road to work - all the while "whistling" as they go...



Isn't that how we should be? Shouldn't we do something in our lives that we are truly happy to do. For the lack of a better word...Passionate! I am one of those who is truly blessed to have found the work that I am truly passionate about. I know that seem strange when you think of what I do - I plan, design, cut and sew a quote/unquote Luxury product. In these times people are cutting back on "luxuries" - well, so far I haven't seen the effects of this in any major way - so either I have my head stuck in the sand or I'm doing something right (I must have someone looking out for me!!).

I believe that everyone deserves to have a home/office environment that they enjoy - that makes them feel good. It is said that when we like our surroundings we are happier more productive people. Well, with all the "doom & gloom" and "rage" issues out there I hope I can bring a bit of light and sunshine in to the lives of those that I am able to touch and in the mean time I get the added blessing of it bring me joy too.

So maybe as you pass those things we all take for granted or wish we had - you'll remember to look around for those things that bring light into your life today! And take a little time to add a bit of light and joy to your life and that of your family and friends by creating "environments" that bring happiness - even in the smallest ways. The use of a favorite color, a fabric pattern that makes one happy, a bit of whimsy....just use that great creative mind you were given and I know you'll come up with something..and if you get stuck and need help - well you know who to call - that "crazy" "loopy" drapery lady!!!

Road Tripping it today!!!

I love road trips I discovered the joy of them in college and then when I was serving in missions - just traveling in the car - mostly by myself enjoying my tunes and the scenery! No matter the time of year. I find it enjoyable and almost like recharging my batteries.

I'm hoping and praying that today will be that way. I'm on my way to southern Kansas to make adjustments for a Decorator on a job. Not looking forward to it, so please keep me in your prayers. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to make this Decorator "happy" but I will try as I always do to make things right in her eyes.

Afterwards, I hope to get to take a quick side trip to visit a colleague in Joplin - it just depends on how the time goes with the adjustments. I know that will be the fun part of the journey.

Hopefully, I'll be able to post after I return today - some pics and a more positive message. Prayers and "happy thoughts" are definitely in need for me today.

The pounding in my head...

Okay, today's not such a great day so far. I woke up feeling icky in my stomach and now my head is pounding with a migraine to beat any "headbanging" band. Hopefully better soon.

Getting a very late start to the day. I've been out since early running errands all over town. Picked up foam and staples at the upholstery supply store, picked up migraine medicine at the drug store, made personal deposits for hubby and self and one for the business too - woot woo!!!! Pick Up fabric from our local/national fabric company - finally got breakfast and CAFFEINE at about 9:45am....Still need to unload the car. I have to pick up my stepdaughter after class and take her to get her car in just a few minutes - then it's back to unload. 1pm - meeting for hubby and I...

Then after wards back to the fabric company to pick up lining & maybe by around 3pm I'll actually be able to do some work....And I wonder why I get behind in my schedule...I'll post photos of new fabric and job in house later.

Here's a photo of the panels I completed yesterday evening....


Goblet pleated panels....really nice geometric tone on tone pattern on the fabric...

Hopefully more later...right now picking up stepdaughter...

Lists, Lists, and More Lists

I admit it I'm horrible at making lists...and then when I get them made, I forget where I put them much less use them. But I am definitely addicted to the feeling you get when you get things crossed off them.

Panic set in last evening when I realized I had 30 days til my 7th anniversary/open house!!! So much to do, so little time....the ageless story. So I'm currently working on a list to take me up to exciting date!! Also, I need to make a list to keep myself on track this week of jobs that need done - broken down into bite sized pieces. So far this week I've found that I'm a bit scattered and easily distracted (that's a new on for me right?)

So for all those who love lists and those who like me keep mental lists - here I go I'm plunging into the list arena for this month...I'm actually going to get those lists out of my head and written down.

Now, the big decision (as I sit and drink my AM Caffeine) is do I make a list the old fashion way - with pen and paper or use my computer - since it seems to be one of my major distractions at the moment. And even more scary do I dare post this list here on my "blog" (still getting use to that term) - so that you, my friends and "cyber" friends can help hold me accountable...

Well, I'm off to ponder that and all the hard questions for the day...check back for my decision - or voice your opinion.

Monday AM & Caffeine!!

Okay it's hard getting started today. I need a large dose of caffeine & a handful of Excedrin to ward off my impending migraine. I feel a bit overwhelmed with all that's in front of me this week.

Way to many jobs - not enough time...and a very hard to please designer. So prayers are definitely in order...

But there's lots of fun stuff too, some really cute monogramed pillow shams, throw pillows and bench cushion for a young girls room!! Pictured here.

And another job - still don't have fabrics...should have them today for a double box pleated valance and panels...

Oh...and don't forget a single lumbar pillow w/velour looped fringe...love it....

So much for a lazy Sunday...

I spent the day at my showroom/studio cleaning and working on some french black out panels that are now ready for the designer to tell me the finished length which she promised me last week. Oh, well.

I also realized how much I still have to get done before my anniversary/open house on April 2nd. So much to do and so little time, I will probably enlist the assistance of my friends and family to help me get everything done and still stay caught up on all the jobs in the studio. I feel truly blessed to be staying so busy during these uncertain times.

On the lighter side...Why is it just when you think you've got a job figured out - it seems to change overnite? When I cut the widths for this next set of panels - I thought I would get a full 2 widths of fabric...now after studying the widths I realized to match the pattern properly, I would have to match almost halfway into the 2nd panel. Oh well, no harm no foul (as my husband says) - I looked at the notes from the designer again and I can cover the window with only a width a half each panel - but now we will have excess rings....hope the client can return them.

I think I will always be learning in this business - if I stop maybe learning - I should just retire????