Portabellopixie

No pictures = No post

Hello!

Yep, still here. I have lots to post, but darn it - no pictures. Before I bought my MAC, I had a PC which means I had Photoshop for Windows. N'case you didn't know, I do most of my designing in Photoshop and all of my picture editing in there. I'm supposed to be able to upgrade to the MAC version for a happy fee of $199. After dropping the rather large chunk 'o change for the computer, I downloaded the trial version which has since expired. I found an awesome deal today though-if you are in need of any computer software, I recommend buycheapsoftware.com. I got the extended version (Retail $900) overnighted to me for $530. Not too shabby. Anyhow, it will be here tomorrow and I have lots of pictures to edit and post!

Otherwise, we're doing pretty good. All orders have been processed and we are now sold out of Gracie and Claire is almost gone. Our next printing will be here late this week, early next and the orders will continue to ship out in the order they are received. THANK YOU for the support. We've really been enjoying the initial feedback on those receiving their patterns. I'm going to show some pictures of the insides of the patterns soon. (read problem above.)

Crafty fabric blogland is in the pre-market whirlwind of preparation. Ehh..not so much here. It's in 3 weeks and I haven't even started. I want to feel stressed about it but I'm just NOT. We'll be there and we'll have a good show but I think I've reached a place where I just know what I can do (and stay sane) and what I can't do (without losing it). So right now I'm sewing costumes (we're having a Tinker Bell and a Shark this year) and Halloween decorations. Next week I'll start the market crazies.

Maybe.

:)

Sandi

OH-in case you're wondering-I don't have a new fabric collection debuting this market. I'll be debuting a couple new patterns that will be shipping out in January. New fabric and patterns next spring. (Another reason I desperately need my Adobe products back in working order!!)

Bit's n Pieces

Lets see here.. where to start? We've got lots to cover tonight!

First off-I had no idea my confession of less than perfection would strike such appeal with y'all. !!?? Seriously-I could chat off my imperfections endlessly. Or just ask Jessi, Erin, Janelle, Jacqui, Jessica, Amber or anyone else that knows me in real life and they'll tell you that I am completely normal and full 'o faults. And they strive to remind me of it on a constant basis. ;) Which I encourage. Keep the head a normal size you know?

And on the note of keeping my head under-inflated...

I will be signing patterns (!!!) this Saturday in Rigby, Idaho at The Quilt Shoppe on 243 West Main Street from 12:00 to 5:00 pm. Come by, snag a pattern right off the top of the pile and meet the very normal Sandi Henderson who has dirty dishes in her sink and cobwebs in the corners of the room. :)

For everyone that isn't able to come this weekend, if all the ducks line up quacking, we'll be launching our website early next week and shipping patterns right after you place your orders!

I received an email from a group of indie designers who are organizing a launch on my alma mater, ebay. It is to benefit Nie Nie and her family. If you want to bet involved, click here!

On other Nie Nie notes-I received a couple requests during my cupcake pincushion listing to link over to other auctions. My apologies-I didn't actually receive these until after all the auctions had ended as I was in a self-induced computer black-out. (It's necessary sometimes.)

Quick note-I have never watched an episode of American Idol in my life. We don't get any form of tv coming in (no aversion, we just don't for some reason?). Anyhow-I am completely hooked on David Archuletta's song Crush right now. I feel like the biggest teeny bopper-it is the pop-iest song ever and I usually don't go for pop, but I can't take it off repeat! So, you get to listen to it too, and as alway, feel free to mute me. Seeing him all over the place when the contest was running I thought for sure he would have a high squeaky voice-where on earth did that perfect perfect tone come from? My mouth literally dropped when I made the connection to who was singing it.

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As for all the guesses about my secret project I spoke about in the last post-I was right. Nobody guessed it. However, I was astonished how much you guys know about what is going on behind the scenes! Lot's of guesses were things that are going on right now with the exception of the scrapbook / paper line / wallpaper. Not on the agenda at the moment. But nobody came up with the actual project I was talking about. It's going to be fun to finally unveil it!

Talk soon,

Sandi

PS-pictures of Jessi's cutie pie boys that I took a couple weeks ago!

And we shall now be reacquainted...

This summer has been the busiest of my life. Projects upon projects and I've become a total late-nighter. My family has been so supportive but there is always a feeling of guilt at spending any time away from them. Time away from my kids is really difficult but the trade off is positive for our family and me as a mother. We are on our way out the door tomorrow for our only summer jaunt of a vacation and I can't wait. I'm not planning on bringing any form of distraction with me. No books, sketchbooks, audio devices or anything. I am just being with my family.

Apart from picking up my slack this summer, Dustin has taken over garden care, which has resulted in him using cute terms like "my lavender" or "my flower beds". He brought home a jasmine bush the other day for his flower beds. The photography we are enjoying today is a result of his garden.

When we leave tomorrow I am leaving behind an overflowing inbox of incredibly kind email that I have not returned yet. Pictures of project made out of my fabrics, questions about patterns, and more. I'm sorry I haven't gotten around to this-email is the one part of my business that I really struggle with. I am so touched by the kind emails that come in-if you don't receive an immediate response please don't think you are being ignored. I have an email day scheduled next week after we return. :)

I hope you are all soaking up the last bits of summer in style. I'll be back soon and we'll kick off some new fun around here.

:)
Sandi

Etsy Finds ala Sandi

So I ventured over to Etsy today and searched "Sandi Henderson Fabric" in the Handmade Category.  WOW.  Lots of beautiful goods out there.  I thought a little feature of some would be fun.  In fact I had so much fun looking through all the listings that I think I'll just have to make this a regular thing.  I only made it through the first 10 pages and there was so much more to look at.  Etsy is such a cool site-I highly suggest taking a peek.  I buy all of my jewelry off of etsy.  And there are all the sewn goods which are just so completely affordable for handmade.

BTW-I have in no way been paid to show these off nor do the sellers even know about it.  In fact I swiped all of their pictures without their knowledge and hopefully they won't mind.  :)  I don't take paid advertising on my blog just so's ya know.  I sometimes receive goods in the mail that people would like me to try out and sometimes I pass it along, but only if I truly like the item. Please know that if I give you my recommendation for something, it is a true recommendation and not a paid one.

That being said, check these out!

Caronlina Patchworks Farmers Market Quilt  I love this quilt!  My free Farmers Market quilt pattern (coming soon) looks an awful lot like this.  :)

Sew Gracious Bag  Love the mixing and matching of fabrics going on here and the clean stripe of linen.  Classy.  I'm seeing a bright orange vintage broach or something in it's future.  (Well, if it came my way that is..)

 

KinderKouture Dress  I just love love love the simplicity of this dress with the little flower!  Really shows off the fabric which of course I like.  :)

Abby Chase Tampon Hider  OK, every woman needs one of these-'nuf said.

 

Little Butter Beans Dress  This is so sweet!  The yoke is really working for me. 

Quiltville Bag  This absolutely had to be included in my list because of how much work this has to be!  And I'm guessing it's pretty big based on the scal of the fabrics-each square is probably about 4 inches.  So pretty and so affordable!

Hazelhouse Quilt - These are the colors I'm thriving on right now.  Orange and green, orange and green - so I love this quilt. 

 

Plaid Square Quilt  Another lovely quilt, I really like the differen shape elements going on here.  :)

OH-and I totally forgot to report on my weekend.  I totally took it off and read the book.  I stayed up ALL night Friday and finished it Saturday.  Dustin read almost the whole thing Sunday after church and finished it yesterday.  We're pretty big book people here.  Can I just say how happy I was with the ending?  All my issues with the story line were completely tied up which is what I was hoping for.  :)  Thank you for all the encouragement to slack off for a few days.  It didn't take much.

The Evolution Of Dance, 6 minutes to make you smile

I am not a big You Tuber, it just totally sucks you in and before you know it, you've lost an hour!  But I saw this video over at Becca's today and watched it.  And then watched it again.  Both times I ended up laughing so hard I was gasping for air and had tears in my eyes!  This is awesome, I had to share.  Make sure you turn off my music first.  :)

The State of Things

So this is how our neighbor brought home my little boy the other day.  Don't ask me-I have a solid alibi of being in bed with a serious case of the "kill me nows."  This one falls on Dustin.  Ha!  Unfortunately she was not in the "LOL-how funny!  What a cute little naked boy" mode either.  Hope none of you find this offensive.  I promise he won't follow your cat over the fence.  :)

So with the holiday and the sickies-I decided to give the blog and computer a break over the weekend.  I came back today to an overflowing inbox of truly important emails and absolutely no spare time to answer them.  I picked up the phone and hired an assistant.  Just like that.  Well not quite-we've been thinking about it for a while and the load has finally reached breaking point so here we are!  The best part about all this is that my new worker bee is my sister.  She only agreed to take the job if I dubbed her Pepper Pots though.  You guys are going to Lo-oove her!  She is hilarious, (this is the stand up comedian sister) and an excellent writer.  Which is good because she is going to be helping out with customer service.  She's also a starving honor roll college student so this is good for everyone.  Maybe she should guest write on the blog sometime soon..hmm..

All right-the posting will continue.  I have lots of pretty, non-naked pictures sitting in the line up.  :)   

30 Days

No I am not off to rehab nor is that where I have been.  :)  30 days is my new plan.  I am deeply engrossed in some big projects right now (finishing patterns, designing new fabrics-not to be seen until Spring) and I am finding it very hard to blog!  So here is my new plan.  I always have pictures that I want to post but don't really have anything to relate to them so I don't share them!  So for the next 30 days, I'm going to post a lifestyle picture each day and a little tid bit from a tag that I possibly haven't done yet or a FAQ or a link to a special person that I've really wanted to share.  You know-something like that. 

Kicking it off is not one of my pictures, or my work.  But it is SO gorgeous!

This arrived on my doorstep yesterday and I quite literally shrieked and jumped up and down with joy.  This bag (and the wonder woman who made it) hold a special place in my heart.  Do you recognize the flower?  It was the inspiration for a print in Ginger Blossom that unfortunately got cut out right at the last minute.  I just love this bag and the inspiration flew-I named the print "Geeta" after my friend that made it.  When it got cut, (the very last strike off had colors in completely the wrong spots and there absolutely was no time to fix it) I was sad, but you may notice that the flower that adorns my logo is similar to the flower on the purse.  So it's still here, kicking around keeping me happy and now I have the bag too.  :)  Thank you sweet Geeta, I love it! 

Side notes on Geeta-I've gushed about her before, she also just started a new blog called Pintuck that I know will be amazing, and she has the most glorious British accent.  When I talk to her on the phone I sometime get lost and just listen to her talk.  :)

The Blogging Gods are Unhappy

I have been trying to post!  However-my camera has been MIA.  I've been in a frantic state about it until I finally realized that I left it in a different city at my grandparents house when we went to their 50 year anniversary party.  Phew!  My sister is picking it up and meeting me halfway tonight, so I'll be back in action tomorrow.  I wanted so badly to debut the patterns as I had promised, but without my camera I haven't been able to take the few final pictures needed.  We're slated to do this in the morning so all will be revealed soon.  :)

Since I didn't have any pictures, I was going to indulge in a tag from Amelia who is having picture posting issues on her blog.  But now the post where she explained it all is gone!  Is anyone else out there having picture/post issues with their blogs?  I know it had to do with a book so I will say that the last book I read was "The Host" by Stephanie Meyer.  (Funny side story here-I was chatting with Joanna the last day of market and told her I was anxious to pick up the book and read on the way home.  She asked what it was about and I started telling her about the vampire love phenomenon-remember how I said you sound dumb talking about it?  Well she just started laughing at me and I couldn't help but chime in-almost to the point of tears.  There we were, in the middle of miles of fabric and patterns cackling about vampires and body snatchers.  It's good to have friends.)  The book wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I did finish it and that's a feat lately!

So I've had a hard time figuring out what to post this week with no camera!  Then I decided I would share some non-sewing pictures from Oregon.  Talk about beauty.  My creative, green loving soul doth soar.  Thank you for the tips and recommendations on places to check out-you guys have given me the information I really wanted that you can't get from a travel book!  We're planning a trip back there possibly in the fall to really take a good long look around before deciding on a spot.  We're lucky enough to not have to have our jobs mandate where we live so we're going to take a good long look around and find the perfect place.  And drag Amber and Brian along with us.  And my family.  And anyone else who wants to come live somewhere gorgeous.  Speaking of Amber-if you want to see what I would have posted this week if I had a camera go read her last post.  It's identical to everything we've been up to here.

These pictures were all taken at Multnomah Falls in case you were wondering!  I just love how these flowers are growing out of a rock wall.  I felt like such a tourist taking pictures of this kind of thing, but I guess I kind of was.  Can't wait until that kind of thing is normal to me.

So I'll be back soon with that pattern debut I promised!  And the website is looking spiffy and will be up and running soon too.  Soon soon soon..

Q&A from Me to You

Pattern Strike Offs.  That's not what they're really called, but that's what I'm calling them because going through them feels like going through fabric strike offs.  Everything is shaping up mighty fine I'm happy to report.  If you're wondering "aren't you debuting those in a week?" the answer is yes.  The process  with patterns is a little different than fabric.  The design is long done on the patterns, this pile above is just getting them perfected to print!  If you will be attending Quilt Market next weekend, you will be able to order the patterns!  (And if you're not, you'll be able to soon after.)

Which leads me to Part 1.

How do you guys want these printed??!!  Tissue paper or white paper?  I can do either and think they both have advantages, but as they are for you guys I though I'd ask.  I had intended on doing a cool survey fill out form, but was spending way to much time trying to find a form builder online.  Blah.  So just let me know in the comments!

On to part 2...

I'm getting several requests for retailers carrying Ginger Blossom flannel, corduroy and laminated cotton.  If you're carrying it or have seen it around, speak up and we'll send some business your way! 

On to part 3...  Which I suppose is really part of part 1!

I am setting up appointments for pattern orders at Quilt Market!  If you would like to order my fabrics wholesale, please contact Michael Miller.  If you would like to order my sewing patterns wholesale then contact me!  My schedule at market is currently wide open except for a live video podcast I am filming in my booth at 2:00 Friday.  Feel free to come by and pull faces at me behind the camera!  If you would like to schedule a time to come sit down and view our patterns, (or just sit down!!) send me an email and we'll get it scheduled!  Appointments aren't necessary, but will give me a better idea of the time I absolutely need to be at the booth.  Please do come by and visit us-we have been working tirelessly on our booth for a long time and I am so excited with how it is turning out!

BOOTH #2817,19

(We just had the Fed Ex freight man deliver our flooring-hooray!  Everything is coming together..)

on to part 4..

The rest of my fabric is arriving tomorrow so what do you say we all meet back here Monday morning for a full unveiling?  Another teeny tiny sneak below..

Sandi

FAQ #1

Dear Blog and Blogees-

I miss you.  I'm sorry I haven't been around.  I'm sorry family that I haven't posted pictures of Eliza's enormous birthday party we had this weekend.  I'm sorry I haven't returned all the super kind emails from you amazing seamstresses showing me places you're using Ginger Blossom.  I've read each one and gone and looked at the place you sent me to.  I'm sorry I haven't returned the emails from people kindly offering help with sample sewing. 

The "sorry" list could go on but it would take up too much time which is so precious right now.  One quick announcement that I had planned to do much more dramatically but these 4 prints are now available in Laminated Cotton!  Fun projects I see in their future.. 

Let's make a dent in those questions I had promised to be answered 2 weeks ago shall we?

A fabric designer huh . . . lifelong vision or lucky chance of fate?

A little bit of both!  My first job was working in a fabric store.  My mom pushed me into it so she could get a discount and a life long love affair for textiles began.  I remember my favorite task was when the fabric needed organizing.  All the other teenagers there hated that job and I always jumped for it!

I used to marvel at how it could all come about and when I discovered designer cotton fabrics I remember being utterly smitten.  I read an article about Amy Butler and saw a picture of her holding her fabric and thinking how utterly lucky she was to have such a cool job.  This was about 2 years ago.  Then one day, someone told me I had no talent.  (In many more words than that, but it was the general idea.)  I knew they were just saying it to be hurtful and I tried so hard to not let it bother me, but hey-I'm only human.  ;)  So I decided it was time to do something big and just show the world what I could offer.  The timing was perfect and I am now really grateful for that really crappy experience that hurt me to the core.  I really try to not hold on to hurt for very long because it really only hurts...me. 

Oh, and when might we get a glimpse of your new line of fabric?

Soon my friends, soon.  Honestly because it debuts in 2.5 weeks and I have to get the sample yardage before then!  The line was actually shown at the LA textile show a week or so ago and is being very well received and already ordered so it will be available pretty soon after I debut it on the blog!  Same deal with the patterns!  Here, take a peek at the logo, this will hopefully tide you over. 

How do you even begin the process of designing fabric? (i.e. software, hand sketching, ??)

Each of my lines were done a little differently.  Ginger Blossom was a process of trial and error.  Most of the prints began as sketches that I scanned into the computer while they were still very rough and finished them up with the Wacom in Adobe Photoshop CS2.  Farmer's Market (I've kept that quiet for so long to give GB a little time to shine and it feels so good to finally talk about it a bit!) was entirely drawn in the computer in Photoshop CS2.  It worked out very well and while I created it entirely in the computer, it must be said that I don't use graphic style methods when creating my artwork.  (using circles, straight lines etc.. to create artwork or cut shapes with..)  There is nothing wrong with this, and it creates very clean graphics I just prefer a little bit more of a hand drawn look to my fabrics.  Every now and then if you see a dot in my fabrics or obviously my stripes, these are done with shapes from the computer but I don't use those dot and stripe tools to make new shapes and artwork.  All my non dot or stripe fabrics are drawn by my own two little hands.  Clear as mud?

Do you work on more than one collection at the same time or just focus on one?

I only work on the artwork for one line at a time but will probably be working on the strike offs for the upcoming line at the same time.  This can be hard!  I've found that during the time my strike offs come, that's the only creative thing I can work on because that time period is so crucial!  I've compared it to picking out 50 paint colors at once and having them all work together.  If one is off the whole print can be ruined and you can only do so many runs.  Dustin is a trooper and cooks all meals and changes all diapers when my strike offs are in.

How many fabric manufacturers did you submit your designs to and how long did it take to get a "yes"?

Hmm..this is hard to remember honestly.  I think I spoke with about 5 manufacturers and was lucky enough to be offered contracts right on the spot.  If you're trying to get into the business and this doesn't happen for you-don't fret.  I spoke with manufacturers in person and I'm sure that sped things up.

Did you get a lot of rejections or did you have to choose which manufacturer to go with?

I was lucky enough to have choices.  :)  I chose Michael Miller for a few reasons.  Their fabrics are consistently the best quality I've seen.  At the time they didn't have any other licensed designers and I was sure to get special treatment and extra attention and training.  (which I did and it was heavenly.)  They have since added some new licensed designers all of whom I know and am very excited to work with.  One in particular as she has been my friend for a long time and is so talented!  This is all worthy of a post of it's own so stay tuned.
What kind of camera do you use? (Sorry if this is answered somewhere already)

Nikon D50-I am writing a section all for photography so stay tuned.  It will show up in the FAQ's section in my sidebar soon.

Do you have any special lighting you use or is it all natural light?

Au Naturel baby.

How do you get your pictures so bright and crisp? Is that a photoshop trick or do they come out like that naturally?

It's a photoshop trick.  Obviously the better picture you get straight out of the camera, the better end result but there are several sharpening tricks.  One is the unsharp mask which is probably the most popular method.  I am playing with a new sharpening program right now and will keep you posted.  There are a lot of photo actions that are perfect for photographers just getting the feel of editing.  I will list some of my favorites in that FAQ section I was talking about.

Graphics - have you found any program easier to use than others? I have photoshop elements and am considering upgrading - but there are lots of choices!!

Long long ago in a galaxy far away I tried out countless versions of editing programs when I was looking for the best option for editing pictures of my children's clothing.  I downloaded about 6 different programs and used them one at a time for the free trial period.  I ended up preferring Photoshop but you will hear a different story from different people.  I'm completely self taught and none of them came very easily to me, there were a lot of late nights with Google to get it all figured out but eventually I did.  When I decided to design fabric, I used Photoshop because that's what I knew.  People may be surprised to know that I have designed both lines in my kitchen on a laptop with a 6 x 8 Wacom.  It's really about knowing what you're doing and not the equipment.  I say that with a light tone-you might compare it to cameras.  Having advanced equipment certainly helps and can create a better product but someone who knows what they're doing can have a better result with less equipment than someone with all the fancy shmancy stuff.  I just say that so those of you that may be contemplating this don't run out and spend $4000 on a new computer and gear.  It can be done on less.  That also being said, I am buying this and trying out this before I start work on my next line next month.  (not to debut until Spring 2009)  I've put in my time and now I'm buying a few toys he he.  I can't wait-I'll be able to see almost a whole yard of fabric on that screen while designing!

You mention in one of your blogs the advantages/need for getting a serger. I agree. I am not yet able to buy a $500 model. What are the MOST important features I should look for? I want to especially do ruffles. and trimmed edges.

Oh please to treat yourself to a serger at some point!  Sewing clothing is so much more enjoyable with one!  I happen to have a hand me down and this is another area of my craft where I boast not needing the top of the line to create a good product.  (Lots of product manufacturers will probably be angry at me after this post, but I'm keepin' it real.)  I sewed on a $50 sewing machine and 15 year old serger every day for 3 years.  I mean, every day.  I need an endorsement with Kenmore or something because that little $50 machine still works and I love it.  I'm now sewing on a hand me down Singer.  I still have the same hand me down Serger.  It is a Huskylock 340 which I don't think they even make anymore!  I think any basic machine will do what you want.  You want to look for a machine that does the basic serge stitch and also what is known as a rolled hem or overlock stitch.  Those are the only two stitches I ever use on my serger.  I'm sure other people do more with them, but so far I haven't found the need!

Again, this is another area where I am gearing up to treat myself to a machine (sewing and serging) I pick out myself and pay some $$ for.  I don't know what I'm going to get but will let you see it when I do.  I did test drive a sewing machine a few months ago that clipped the threads at the end of the stitch for you and I wanted to make out with it right there in the store.

How do you balance home, children, design, creativeness, and church responsibilities?!

Oh boy..whenever anyone asks me about getting into the business and how to handle it all the thing I try to stress the most is having a supportive spouse.  It would not happen without my husband. 

That being said?  I'm a prioritizer.  "A" has to come before "B".  Lists are my friend.  But most importantly, I've just had to learn to go with the flow.  This isn't and industry where you can plan every detail out and expect to follow it.  You never know when your strike offs will arrive or when that sample yardage will come.  The whole family has to be truly ok with letting this world be part of your lives.  It's not for everyone.  And right now my church responsibilities are light on my load.  I am in charge of throwing a birthday party once every 3 months for all the women who had a birthday within the last 3 months!  And speaking of which..it's about time.  Hmm..

Thank you for your questions, it was fun to answer them.  If you're still reading right now, bless you.  I chatted away an hour and a half by the looks of my clock now reading 3 AM so it's off to bed and I'll try to be back much sooner.  Hopefully with real pictures of new fabric soon!