Another honor for Lollypups!

Erika never mentioned it, but she entered my name in a Creative Mother's contest sponsored by Michaels craft's stores that went on this past Mother's Day. Seems I won honorable mention for my sweater designs. She wrote an essay about why she thought I was the most creative mom and included pictures of Lacy in the Misty Heart and the Candy sweaters. Lacy looks so cute in them, with her straight back and bobbed little ears, I'd say having her as a muse and model makes all kinds of good things happen. I have to say though, I NEVER use the word retirement. I'll save that one for when I'm dead.
I am happily "moving on" to the next phase of my charmed and blissful life.

Here's the link to the winners: http//www.facebook.com/Michaels?v=app_6009294086

I love that I make my children proud. They're my greatest joy. (Sorry Lacy, I love you but they come first sometimes) and in turn, my pride in them overflows on a daily basis.
.....and the road keeps weaving in and out........

Pet Fashion Week Sao Paolo, Brazil

Love those Brazilians......they have such a classy way of doing things (in spite of the wild costumes and dancing at Carnival). Patricia went to Pet Fashion Week in Sao Paolo and took a couple of pictures of my Sorbet Valentine sweater still being displayed while she was there. It's set in a glass enclosed case like some kind of museum jewel and very impressive to look at, I must say. I told her it would be there and to take a look at it since the Brazil show coincided with my trip to Peru. It was all so serendipitious though!! I wish I could get it produced but it would be so expensive.........still.........
So the deed is done and sweater production is now underway. I'll get one of each style in each size for publicity purposes and pre sales by the end of this month. The rest will be shipped by mid July. Much to do in preparation.........

Peru Product Progress

Back from Lima on May 2,2010. All went well and the trip was most productive. I met all the ladies who have been working so hard on making the samples. They were all so pleasent and very happy with the chocolates I brought for them. There's something about women who love to crochet that connects us all as sisters. Even Victor, who came to the apartment with Maura, a crocheter, said she was happy to meet someone as enthusiastic as she was about crocheting and knitting. I gave her two hooks and you would think they were made of solid gold. Seems she had only one hook to her name and it was very small so she was totally excited.

Patricia is a very smart business woman for one so young, and with whose ability I'm confident to make a quality product. The yarns are so soft and luxurious and she says she can also do the scarves. This will be much more advantageous to me since the colors will match the sweaters better than if I source them elsewhere. I think I'll give Victor the Pepper scarf since that was the simplest and he did work hard on getting it to me on time. So Patricia's order is complete, 50% of the invoice has been wired and now things are getting under way. Much yet to do but still, progress is progress and it's exciting to have seen how the garments are turning out.

Next I met with Mariela who produced gorgeous children's wear. I asked her to work on a sweater for me using some of the multi stitches in her kid's sweaters. She made me swatches of which I chose 3 to use and gave her a knitted swatch for a color combination. Her english (and my spanish) is not good and neither is her interpreter's so I'm not sure how this will work out. I did give her the schematic and she nodded that she understood so I'll wait and see.

Thirdly, I met with another children's wear producer who made intarsias in pima cotton. I'm going to create some artwork for him and send him specs to see what he can do. The intarsias would be machine made and maybe hand finished but I just loved the feel and look of them and that crocheted embellishments can be added. Patricia has beautiful intarsia's also but I think the pima would be good for the "belly shirts" I want to do for the spring and fall seasons.

Much more to report but I'd better get back to working on the business plan now that the loan is desperately needed! More to come..........much more..........It was quite a trip and now I must learn Spanish.