From The Nest

Focused, designing, planning, directing...

My new "Good Seasons" design group is being printed right now, my latest fabric collection for Andover Fabrics. Really terrific, I can see all sorts of opportunities for this collection to become other products besides fabrics! Trying to stay focused and directed on tons of new projects and designs to bring to meetings in Atlanta during the AmericasMart summer gift show. I have a new line launching for Blossom Bucket this July at the show that is just darling...all beachy designs...everything from my funky "Pink Ladies" flamingoes, to flip flop votive candle holders, fish, dancing crabs, stacked sand pails, my "Girlfriends on Vacation" group and lots lots more. They just do the greatest job in coming up with the cutest products ever...a sneak peek at some of the items...



With all of this wonderful product launch and new ideas, the energy level around here is staggering. One thing really does lead to another...a new Christmas collection that started as just a tiny speck of an idea is just growing and growing with new product ideas and prototypes. It is exciting and the creative juices are flowing so it is good to keep focused and directed while planning meetings and organizing ideas. Won't be long before I will be back in Atlanta so do stay tuned!!

Launching the Carol Ann

Summer in Marblehead, our favorite time of year with the boat...we will be spending this weekend launching the Carol Ann, our 28' Ellis Bass Boat, built down Maine...first we have to empty out the boat locker that has been packed all winter with all the boat gear stored safely and out of the winter weather and put all the cushions, pillows, life jackets, mats, lines, bumpers, tools, etc back on the boat. The engine has been checked, oil filters changed, the battery charged, the zincs replaced, the bottom painted and the entire cabin cleaned from top to bottom with special cleaners. The weather is gorgeous with lots of sunshine and a nice ocean breeze is blowing today. Once they put the boat in the harbor with the giant boat hauler, we then take her over to our mooring and tie her on once again and begin the reorganizing. Then we go through the boat and clean everything, washing down the decks and scrubbing the galley and head, which always gets dirty over the long winter months just from being stored and not used. Re supplying all the gear we need for the upcoming summer, opening all the vents and organizing all the lines.
The Captain has varnished the flag pole so it will look nice once again. Everything is ship shape and in it's place and ready to go. We bought a couple of new floor mats and some fun pillows just to freshen it up a bit.
Then we pack up our lunch to take along with us for the day...like lobster rolls, chips, pickles and snacks and head out for an afternoon cruise somewhere along the Massachusetts Bay. It is always fun and relaxing and a special time for us. We love it!