Keeping Up

     Keeping up with blogging is already more difficult than I thought!  I just realized it's been about two weeks  since my last post (in a long time!).   Being a mom is definitely more challenging than I imagined...managing time is interesting.  My son seems to be the boss!  I told myself that when he was born I would be right back to doing things...yeah not as easy at it sounds!  He is perfect, it's the fatigue and deciding what I want to do with time when not sleeping or feeding.  And no I don't do what nearly every person has told me, "Sleep when baby sleeps".  If one more person tells me that I will scream (Not out loud of course, inside..lol ).  When baby sleeps, mommy designs and sews. Woo!   That is one thing that keeps me grounded and happy.

Photo by my sister Patti! 

      I mentioned in my last post that I had worked with a surface designer, Dee Wilkie, on several projects and we even had a line together called ADRARA.  We are currently working on a new project for a photo shoot that my sister will be shooting!  I'm so excited to do this.   Dee made some gorgeous fabrics last year and some were featured in Atlantic Fashion Week.  I was a little sad that I couldn't make it there but I had a pretty good reason....I gave birth about a month before.  Although, the thought did cross my mind to put a line in! It took a lot to talk myself out of it lol but I did have to be reasonable.    This year however, I've already started thinking of my line ;)  I have never felt as creative as I have since the birth of my son.  I am constantly sketching while I feed him and sewing while he naps.   I have an amazing family that helps out too.   I have soooo many designs, I don't know where to start!  Well, I did start with a couple for this upcoming shoot.  My sister is not a professional photographer  (I think she totally could be!) but loves loves loves to take photos and so Dee and I thought she might want to give fashion photography a shot.   We are all excited to do this and have a great idea for it!

In progress!

Stay tuned!

My sister took this photo of my husband and I for a little preggo shoot this past summer.  I think it turned out really nice!  We wanted something fun that represents us.  He loves his motorcycles and I made my top.  And yes I made it checkered to stick with the motorcycle theme!

      Meeting Dee has really changed me as a creative person.  It has pushed me to think outside the box but stay true to myself and my style.  I had never worked with silk prior to meeting her but would not back out of a challenge.  At times I may have wanted to cry because it can be a finicky fabric but now I am more comfortable and make it work for me.  I always look forward to seeing her new creations!   We met for the first time two years ago after two people recommended we work together.  It was meant to be.  I wanted unique fabric and she needed a designer.   We started with a photo shoot with a young model who is now sort of like our muse, Athenaïs.  Her and her mother are the kindest, sweetest people and Athenaïs looooves modelling and is so very professional (She's also amazing at it!).  We also worked with a photographer, Lance Kenneth Blakney, whose photography is fantastic!   It was a great collaboration for sure.

Collaboration with Dee Wilkie, Lance Kenneth Blakney and Ahtenaïs
Surface design: Dee, Fashion design: Me Photo: Lance

Surface Design: Dee, Draping: me and photo by Lance

Some of the designs from our ADRARA collection.  I will talk more about this in another post otherwise this one will be uber long!

 I so look forward to the next time we work together.  I couldn't be happier with all the people I have been meeting who share a passion for their art!

Fashionably Yours,

Adrienne :)