And so it begins. 2011, that is.

a place for everything, and everything in its place

There is something about this time of year that makes me want to clear my mind and clear my work space.  During the rush of the holiday season, my mind is cluttered with shipping deadlines, product stock, custom orders, and lots and lots of emails.  In past years, I have woken up after this chaos to a mountain of fabric scraps, shipping label sticker backs,  and a very fuzz-filled sewing machine.

This year is different: my first professional holiday season living near my mom. She is a great studio manager, and takes care of those things that I often put off; She refolds fabric after cutting it (what?), sweeps nearly every day after she is finished working (what is that?), and organizes all those little trinkets that my children like to mix up.  Best of all, she keeps me company and makes "going to work everyday" something to which I really look forward. Unfortunately, she left last weekend for Key West, where she will live on a sailboat for a good part of the winter.  Aghh!  What's a girl to do? 

Well, I'm working. Hard. Usually January brings with it a slower pace.  Sales slow down, special orders are not as urgent, and people are generally calm and less chatty.  This year, however, something is in the air!  I received a wholesale order last week that I'm rushing to finish and ship to Australia. The Mississippi Children's Museum has me working on some new goodies.  I've been asked to make some adjustments to several felt crowns so they will fit adults (who knew?), and Nickelodeon's ParentsConnect asked me to run a special promotion this month for their readers (bring on the sales, people).  No breaks for me!

Sooo.... my resolutions this January:
Remember to sweep.
Remember to sleep.
Remember to call my mother.