so sad

These are my last few days in Portland. I'm dismantling my work studio and have been going through 3 years worth of saved remnants and fabric scraps. I still have so much to do, and so much to get rid of. Everything in my studio is for sale or up for grabs, and it's so hard to let go. I am excited about living in NY, but I'm really going to miss Portland. 

cabin fever

I made myself a ski-mask!

never in my wildest snow-dreams...

did I ever imagine we'd get this much snow! We got dumped on, for lack of a better way of putting it! Portland is shut down. There are no cars on the streets, just people occupying the lanes of traffic because it's easier to walk on. I went sledding three times yesterday. This is crazy and inconvenient as hell, but I absolutely love it. 

Edit: I love how I'm now seeing several people walking down the deserted streets drinking beers and booze. Because when it snows, there are no laws and anything goes apparently!

Snow creatures. The monster in the middle was spotted late at night on Burnside.

two miracles

Not only is it snowing, and I'm here to enjoy it (after getting my orders out and work done first), the biggest check in the world finally came today! Aaaaaaaaggh!! I can't believe it! I am going to cry. 

All the days of sacrificing and putting my personal needs last, not being able to pay bills, making do with very little, all in order to just buy fabrics or repair my sewing machines are over.  I can buy whatever fabric I want! I can run a real business where I don't have to make every single thing myself because I can't afford to do otherwise. I'm not going to be homeless at the end of the month, like I feared. All that incredibly hard work and years of struggling but never giving up has just paid off. It is all real now. It really happened, and it's just really hitting me now. 

And it's beautiful outside.

NYCya real soon

I'm in NYC again for a quick business trip, and will back again, permanently in less than 3 weeks! I was very hesitant and nervous about coming for this trip, but things went well, and I'm thankful I did. Though, I was devastated having to miss rare Portland snow. Enough snow to go sledding at Laurelhurst Park. Portland, I'm gonna miss you a little. I'll be back tomorrow, so bring some more snow for me!

wow

What can I say? I'm very flattered. My dress on someone's body....permanently!

Oh, and I love how there's a giant ant checking it out! :)

craziest week ever

Oh Dear Jerell,

 I've had the most insanely busy few weeks, yet you kept calling me pretty much everyday, talking me into getting you dresses for your boutique opening tonight. Yeah, EVERY day. More than a bill collector, even! They call too, but not as much as you. Well, I cranked out a few beauties quickly, ran to the post office and got them on the right truck just barely in time.  

Only for you, Jerell, because I love you. I hope your boutique opening tonight is a huge success! And send this brotha a check once they sell because I am hurtin' for one!

Here's a sneak peek at a blinding hot-pink cocktail dress that I had a hard time parting with. It's only a peek, but you'll see more of it later. I know...me and hot pink? Wha...?? The others were all gray, though, to compensate.

Update: I can't find a website for it, but here's a link with the address. Go visit!

rumors, rumors, rumors

Two people mentioned to me in the last 24 hours that they had heard that I was hired my Michael Kors. Hmm, not to my knowledge. If he hired me without telling me, then I apologize for being a total no-show. 

Strange. I can't help but wonder where this is coming from. Perhaps he was just thinking aloud that his collections were in need of a hefty helping of some noodles.

Yummmm....

in my studio today

Okay, yeah, there's usually not a bouquet of flowers sitting randomly in the midst of the threads like that. You caught me. 

updated site

Goodbye old, poopy website that I quickly made myself, hello shiny new site designed by the hardworking Transport team! And a new online shop to follow shortly. Finally!

Yay, Obama!!!

This is a sketch that I did which was supposed to run in Radar magazine, but they just folded and have hopes another magazine might pick this feature up. Me and a few other PR designers were asked to sketch an inaugural ball gown for the future first lady, but keeping the first lady generic. I ignored that, and did a sketch of Michelle Obama! What an exciting new time for change!

Update: Here's the link to the Daily Beast which did pick it up along with the other designers' sketches. 

www.thedailybeast.com

bridal tsunami

When I had to remake that wedding dress in about 2.5 days, my apartment floor was completely covered in wave panels. I had to lay them all out and pin every one together and make sure every angle and spacing was exact. A huge task done in a short time all made possible by lots of coffee! 

illustrations

I've been out of the habit of sketching lately, but it's a habit that I want to get back into. I'm going to try to do a sketch a day for the next month. And I'll be selling them off on my Etsy site:leanimal.etsy.com

lonely hotel california

I was flown out to LA on Monday night to do the Craig Ferguson show on Tuesday. It was a quick 24 hour trip, but it was fairly enjoyable. When I checked in, the nice guy at the front desk happened to be a fan of the show, and he very kindly upgraded me to the most beautiful room I've ever stayed in. It was a shame to be by myself, but I said I'd take pictures (which don't do it justice). It was kind of a lonely trip, in comparison to being in NY last week, but the show was fun. 

Craig Ferguson is as kind as he is hilarious. He even gave me a little gift tote bag which had M&M's that were printed with his face! How do you even get those made?!  I'm truly enjoying all of this, and don't take it for granted for one second. 

Time for me to stop procrastinating and get back to sewing!

creating the collection

A big part of my working process is pure experimentation. I puzzle together the pieces, and then I play around with them by holding them up on the dress form or on myself and snapping a picture. I prefer taking snapshots because so many times I have done something awesome once, only to completely forget how I did it or what it was like!

I have plenty more of these photos, and I'll post them up later!