Hollywood.

Seriously.  Hollywood.

That's where these pillows and bunnies are headed.  To join a sweet set of twins.

Who live in Hollywood.  Seriously.  :)

Key West Anyone?

I grew up in the Midwest, but am positive that in some previous life I must have been an Island Girl. I have such an affinity for anything tropical or ocean-related. So of course when I decided to make some pillows for my own home, it was a given there would be palm trees and flamingos involved. And the retro feel makes it all the sweeter. I love retro...

With the weather getting warmer, I thought why not invite that tropical breeze into my home? And what better time to experiment with a new style of pillow? I've been wanting to try out envelope pillow covers and decided to try them out on myself first.

Easy peasy. I think I'm going to like this new method. And the really nice thing is the covers are removable and can be washed. A couple more trail runs for the home front and I will be ready to put them in my Etsy shop. :)

So crank up the blender, blast the Jimmy Buffett, throw out the tropical pillows and let's get ready for summer! :)

For the Love of Fabric. And Flamingos. :)

I love fabric.

I can spend hours in a fabric store. (And a chunk of change.) The colors. the patterns. The textures. It makes me dizzy. And oh so happy. I credit my Mom (as usual). She loves fabric, too.

I also love flamingos. I have no idea why. I grew up in the Midwest and live in the West ~ neither of which are exactly flamingo territory. For years I collected them. I had to buy every single flamingo-related thing that crossed my path. Then I went thru a decluttering stage and either packed them away or gave them away. But every once in awhile I just can't resist. So when I came across a slim bolt of this very retro-looking fabric today, I had to have it.

The other day I stood on our upper landing and looked down into our living room. I saw a lot of brown. Brown is a nice background color, but holy moly - we need a punch of color!! Especially coming out of a brown winter and into spring (my tulips will bloom soon!) ~ it's time to bring some life into the house, too. I have a feeling my couch may be sporting some retro flamingo pillows soon... and once I get started, oh boy. The fun is just beginning... :)

Winters are long. Don't you just want to add some color to your life, too? :)

Pink Elephants and Such...

It is a common site to see a toddler walking along, cuddling his "blankie" ~ tripping over it, dragging it thru the dirt and subsequently refusing to give it up to be washed. (If this sounds like the voice of experience speaking... um... you're right.)

What may not be so common, but I know to be true ~ some little ones like to carry a small pillow around. One that is just their size, to fit in their tiny hands and rub against their little cheeks thus providing a unique form of comfort.

I've had this project in my head for a long time and am just now taking a bit of time out to present a few in my Etsy shop ~ 8" x 8" pillows with appliqued designs ~ small little guys for small little hands.

Unless, of course, you would like to give the pink elephant to your girlfriend who may have had one too many cocktails the other night and swore she saw one walk across the road... *wink*

A Programming Note...

So you may have noticed some changes in my online presence (and eventually my "in life" presence) as I make the transition from "freckles & friends" into the new phase of "cmh design."

I eluded to changes on the horizon here and with the help of my IT guys (translation - husband and son, IT consultants by day; bribed family members by night) we have taken steps to make everything consistent. (I'm big on branding and consistency...) Over the last couple of weeks much designing and coding and all sorts of crazy things ensued.

So now my blog, my Etsy shop, my Facebook business page (I will be begging you and reminding you to join me on that new page because unfortunately I have to start all over!), my labels, my business cards, on and on and on... will all be switched over from "freckles & friends" to "cmh design." Bear with me.

Because my line of handcrafted merchandise is growing, "cmh design" seemed to be a good idea to incorporate a broader base from which to work. I have a new website acting as a central location to link you all to the various spots my products can be purchased - both online and brick 'n mortar. My new site will also serve as a spot to quickly check in and see what's happening behind the scenes and how to keep up with the latest creations and fun tidbits in general.

So now, (drum roll) here it is!!!! cmh design Log on and take a stroll around. And check back often for updates on new projects, new merchandise and new venues! (And maybe a chuckle or two...)

Thank you SO much for your patience as I transition ~ and thanks for making all this growth possible. It is all too. much. fun!! :)

Everything is Ducky. Super Ducky!

My Dad was a man of few words. Very few. So when he did say something I remembered it. There are two comments he made during my adult life that I distinctly remember.

One was:
"You sure know how to make work for yourself."

And:
While visiting one summer he watched from his chair in front of the TV as I ran up and down stairs many times. He said, "Cindi. I get tired just watching you."

Obviously I take after my Mom. ;-)

So deciding to add a line of applique pillows to freckles & friends has created a lot of work for me. But soooooo much fun as well! An incredibly delicious amount of fun! I'm having a blast and just two days in have started receiving special orders. I am planning to specialize in simple, whimsical designs for nurseries and children's rooms. (But I'm not adverse to designing for adults as well!) I am thrilled that all of the beautiful gift shops I partner with have requested supplies. A few pillows will be making their debut at On A Lark's 2nd Sidewalk Fair this Saturday, July 17 from 10am - 2 pm. If you're in the area, stop by and check them out for yourself.

If you're not in the area, stay tuned because they will soon be appearing in Stoopher & Boots in New York City and Modern Mouse in the San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda), as well as in my Etsy shop . :)