A Tuesday Dress Rehearsal Performance...

My good friend, Debi Kennedy, who is a professional retail/display designer, came and spent a wonderfully sunny and warm afternoon on my farm walking me through "dress" rehearsal.

Deb directed our every move like a seasoned symphonic conductor.   My incredibly supportive husband, Dan, had all the large "percussion" instruments covered as he hoisted and lifted on cue.

I, on the other hand, just sat in the audience with my mouth agape watching the performance and incredible story unfolding, all the while clapping and saying "oooh, aaaah".

Catherine

Hallelujah!!!

I am blessed to be given the opportunity to display my work alongside designers from Paris, Milan and New York. Tria Moda, a contemporary artistic boutique located in downtown Kirkland, has just picked up my line. I am still in awe...and it all started with a dentist appointment!

Dr. Thoms suggested that I visit a boutique in Kirkland when she saw the cape that I wore into her office that morning. Since I was already "in the big city", I thought I would stroll the streets and boutiques of Kirkland, which I quickly noticed had drastically changed from when I had lived there 20 years ago. One of the boutiques that I approached thought that my work would be a better fit for Tria Moda, since they specialize in artistic/contemporary/sophisticated/edgy work (an accurate description, believe me!). As soon as I passed the threshold, I knew I had found the latest shopping destination for my husband this Christmas!

My eyes darted from each garment for each was more beautiful and unique than the previous. It feels like walking into a Vogue Magazine. The large floor-to-ceiling framed mirror contributed to my fantasy of being in "pretty woman" trying on a beautiful opera coat...oh, to wear it on stage while I perform at the grand piano in the Sammamish Symphony...

So, you can see why I am in awe...

My husband, who is my biggest supporter, warmed my heart when he said..."they work and shop in some of the greatest candy stores, and they want your candy!"

"my alpaca/silk/mohair scarf"

Who would have ever thought that my angora goat, Barista, from Duvall would be showcased alongside cashmere goat from Milan!

If you want to step into a place that excudes fashion runway...with a northwest "practical" approach... then you owe it to yourself to grab a Starbucks latte and spend the afternoon.




"my latest swing vest"

- Catherine

I'm Branded over Breakfast...

There I am, larger than life...

While having breakfast with my husband at the local cafe, we started thinking about logos.

Fortunately the table was covered in white paper so I asked the server for crayons...she said I was an adult, I could use a pen. I declined and said I prefered the crayons. I have no idea why, but a pen didn't seem appropriate.

We drew F's all over that paper, different fonts, sizes, positions, words until our eggs and bacon were nearly finished. "What about horns?" My husband looked at me like I had lost my mind, especially since I was not given the gift of 2-dimensional art. "Why not horns? I use the mohair from my angora goats and our buck has lovely horns?"

With much enthusiasm I childishly drew a logo with my crayons. I tore off the paper, stuffed it into my coat pocket, my husband paid the tab and then I thought...now what?

In my pocket is where that piece of paper remained...

A few weeks after that inspirational breakfast, I participated in the Evergreen Classic Equestrian Art Show in Carnation. Alongside my booth was a talented glass artist who had purchased a pair of my gloves, but had asked that she have the cufflinks replaced with some that were not equestrian themed. We set a date for coffee one morning, and in the mean time I made her a matching scarf as a gift to thank her for her support which was inspirational and infectious! Another one of those people that God brings into our lives to give us encouragement and direction.

That sunny Tuesday morning while sitting at the sidewalk cafe, I showed her my logo drawing to get her comments. She immediately offered to create it for me once she saw the concept.

So, again, with a lot of help from my friends, Barbara took my idea and transformed it into something even more special than I could have dreamt. What a lovely pen and ink artist she is. It took and still takes my breath away!

This logo is now found on all my work. I incorporate it into the fiber of my fabrics to remind me of how important and inspirational time with my family (that breakfast), time with my friends (that coffee) and time with my animals (horns) is.

Catherine