Happy New Year 2017!

Every closing year was the time for us to reflect and begin the new year with plans.

Like a good book, we closed one chapter and open another chapter with enthusiasm and anticipation. With hope and excitement.

We made a usual New Year trip to Paris this year. Last year we stayed put in our home, but this year we've planned to go to Paris again.

I took this opportunity to go fabric purchase and restock. We went to Saint Pierre again just a couple of footsteps from Sacré Coeur, Montmarte. I knew the place so well, and I've missed this place so much.

The Marché Saint Pierre isn't the most glamorous part of Paris, as you could see. If you're not sure where it's situated and If you go there by Métro, just get down in Anvers station, walked up a bit to the direction of Montmarte (or just follow the tourist crowds) until you see bellow Sacré Coeur monument there are fabrics shops.

While in there, just keep vigilant. It's also one of the most hostile place in Paris, Barbes and Clignancourt just a couple of Métro stations away, and for some people it's the place to better be avoided.

But for me, Saint Pierre is the best place to find fabrics and sewing bits with unbeatable prices. This time I managed to find fabrics and sewing notions in 4 shops visits. Tissus Reine, Les Coupons de Saint-Pierre, Marché Saint-Pierre (Dreyfus) and one little "mércerie" (sewing notions) shop.

My girls helped me choosing fabrics. They both said "tu as trouvé ton bonheur ici, mong" (looks like you've found your happiness here, mom). Oh, yes, I did :) 

Closing the year ..

Good news from the boutique assistant came through my email yesterday, it's the sales report for November and 4 items sold.

 

So people actually bought my stuffs, that's cool. I feel relieved, because I could continue to make more creations, that's my goal .. to continue .. I'm still new in this domain, sewing wasn't my thing before -- but as I love colors, fabrics and put them into a nice piece of clothing or accessories or whatever my mind came up with -- I began to sew (and never stop ever since) ..

 

Okay, now it's almost near the end of 2014. I already had some plans for 2015 actually, but as they say .. "DON'T TELL YOUR DREAMS, SHOW IT!" .. well, I just gonna keep on showing it .. ehehe ..

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 

 

A moment of pure joy ..

"To me, true success is happiness. From that has come two key things: passion and persistence. When I have done things only because it was what others highly valued, I did a few good things. When I have pursued the things that make my heart sing, I have done something great. And not because it was easy or I got it right from the start, but simply because I loved it enough and believed in it enough to keep at it."

—Jessica Herrin, CEO/founder of Stella & Dot jewelry and accessories company.

I am blessed, I should not forget to feel blessed and grateful whenever possible. God has given me so many good things : my health, my bright daughters, my hard-working and caring, loving husband, my talents, my skills, my published books, my clothing creations that people bought with delights, my good friends that truly care for me ... those things are really priceless ...

 

During 1 month after the exhibition I managed to sell enough through online orders just to keep me going. I have enough time to create what people had ordered from me and that I haven't got the time to do it while busy preparing exhibitions.

 

Next month, in July we'll take a summer vacation to our home country, Indonesia. In July (9th) we'll also going to vote for Indonesian next president. It's been a very HOT campaign going on right now, we just hope for the best outcome, none of the 2 candidates are perfect, but we still have to hope for a better leader and a better future for Indonesian people. Our country is a rich country (rich in natural resource and in human resource) but unlucky to have a rotten corruption government. I think our people must change their mental attitude. The system, the justice, must work and clean from bribes, so people could really believe and have faith in their government again. 

 

During our vacation, I had planned to visit some places (also to look for a small garment factory-workshop) to help me assemble my designs. Planned to make a small sewing & craft selling event (and also books signing) with a bunch of friends in one small coffee shop near my best friend's place, just to invite friends and relatives who also like to buy my creations but can't get them due to the long distance shipping. So yes, I'm going to take some of my stock and of course my new creations as well. It's so exciting just to imagine it all right now ...

Meanwhile, I love - I live .. and in between, I create.

Denim collections

After lace and brocade, satin and soie (silk), I begin to sew light denim. One for little girl (size 100) and another for woman (size L). Later I'd like to make more pieces like jumpsuits, wrap skirts, etc. I just have to divide my concentration to do all these ..

I can "totally" immersed in the creating process of a clothes only in Monday and Thursday (that's when I don't have to do school run) so my time is free from 8 am - 16 pm. Other days like Tuesday and Friday, I could only "work part-time" from 8 am - 11.30 then if I could continue, from 14-16 pm. Wednesday and weekends are almost impossible to concentrate, although I sometimes "working" a little bit, but mostly I could only do cutting, pattern tracing, etc .. small things like that.

Oh, and soon, on the 9-17 February will be a winter break, no school for the kiddos and 9-12 we'll drive to Paris again to meet my cousin who come from San Diego. I also try to stop by Esmod school (if they open) to submit my registration for their summer course in July.

So, that's our planning. Hope everything will go smoothly, everyone in a good health so we can make this journey as enjoyable as possible .. :)  

Textile purchasing trip to Paris

We went to Paris last week from 27-31 Dec 2012, it's our year-end holiday as the kids and husband got 2 weeks vacation, and looks like it's become our "yearly" trip every end of December? .. well, there's a reason for that! ... first, we all love the City of light, we don't care what people said about this city: I heard people dislike it because: it's dirty, the subway smelly, people are rude (to those who don't speak their language), the traffic is horrible, etc, etc ... but to us, Paris is just like our second home, where we feel belong. It helps that we speak french quite well and we've spent one year living and working in Paris during 1999, so ... maybe that's explain why we keep coming back there :)

Second reason? .. I want to buy some fabrics again in the city center of textile: Saint-Pierre! just steps away from the famous Sacre Coeur in Montmarte. Found so many beautiful textiles there. Grabbed some of them that suit what I've had in mind (and what I planned to purchase) for my next exhibitions and fairs (bazaar) as I got two agendas in the end of April and May 2013.

Third reason: having a relax and fun family vacation. Went to Euro Disney for the kids (although it was raining the whole trip, that day) but they had fun (and I had to enjoy it too despite the wet and freezing weather). Went shopping to La Vallee branded outlet too (it's been on our wish list since we knew they opened new Burberry and Longchamp outlet there) .. hee hee .. Husband also delighted to find his fave brands there such as: Ralp Lauren, Diesel, Pepe Jeans and Superdry. He got some new stuffs for himself there too.

Soooooo ... yes, the holiday is over, the kids will be going back to school next Monday the 6th January, husband already started to work since the 3rd January .. and I ... already made some stuffs too: 2 bolero jackets and one pair of curtains for our room (and my tiny workshop).

This weekend we plan to go to Lyon and I'd like to visit the Textile Museum in Lyon  http://www.musee-des-tissus.com/ I'll get back with (hopefully) many inspirations and pictures from there ... bon weekend a tous! :)

Saint-Pierre, Paris Montmarte.

more Batik projects

Hi I'm back.

Returning from summer holiday in our home country always bring lots of inspirations and energy!. I bought some batik fabrics of course .. straight from Yogyakarta!. I also got some batik fabrics from friends as a gift, so why do we waiting for? trace the pattern, cut the fabric, go to your machines, start sewing, get busy!! ...

Here's some of the clothes I made since we came back from holiday ...

MAKING A BATIK DRESS

MAKING A BATIK BLOUSE