So glad it's snowing tonight! Cold winter nights are super for late night sewing, and it's time to take my couture school project off the back burner. I finished the linen exterior in class, but I still need to insert the silk lining. And finish hand stitching beads on the lace. Oh and the buttons, alledged to be Chanel. Here are some scenes from the beginnings of making this jacket at Susan Khalje's Couture School back in October. Yes that was months ago. I know, it's time to finish.
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 On the sixth and final REBOOT week I traveled home.
Home is a journey, and the answer is in journey.  REBOOT week five was spent in a dreamy sort of unhurried way. It was my great honor to be in the House of Khalje for six days of Couture School with a fantastic collection of students, twelve in all, dedicated to learning the time honored traditions of couture. This house in Baltimore was peppered with accents literally from all over the world. And while we came from different places, we all had one thing in common: fabric dreams.
We all dreamt of fashioning fabric for the body and soul. Throughout the week, we shared our dreams and stories of life events - past, present, and future. Directing our fabric fantasies, Susan Khalje seemed to go about the art of passing on couture techniques with seemingly effortless grace. I may have only come away with a taste of this world of couture, but I can now begin to imagine what it might be like to apprentice under a master couturier in a Parisian fashion house. This week was memorable and remarkable. This week was pure. Couture!  Loved receiving this card in the mail from my neice Kari, who is a textile student at NC State University. It has cute little pattern pieces all over, and I have been knee deep in patterns this week.
REBOOT week four has me finalizing my couture project for Susan Khalje's Couture School next week in Baltimore. Our homework assignment was to make and fit a muslin, or toile, which is the essential first step for any couture project. I am working on a jacket pattern and I'm a little frantic trying to get everything all packed up. But luckily my Mom helped me baste the muslin together. On REBOOT week three, I unplugged on Ocracoke Island. I learned to appreciate daily sunsets, to look for the harvest moon, and to know what to let go of. Edwards of Ocracoke provided classic accommodations, perfect for my relaxed classic style. The cottage was on a quiet less traveled street, offering the original charm of the village atmosphere.
 REBOOT week two finds me cleaning out the workshop, and taking time to replace the canvas on my worktable. I love a blank canvas. This week I also found time to attend
Raleigh Little Theatre's production of "Art" by Yasmine Reza. Central to the theme of the play was a controversial white painting with white lines, but there was so much more to the story, and that is the art of maintaining close friendships and the consequences of letting them wither. I've always thought my friends have color. Raleigh Little Theatre "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Chapter 1 of the Reboot Your Life book begins with this quote that I love so much. It's been a great REBOOT week one. I took time to watch this butterfly as she struggled to unfold her wings before she took flight.   I've been counting down and it's time. My six week break officially begins September 1. So how will I spend my time during the break? I will spend more time with my family. And I will contemplate my place in the universe on an island. OCRACOKE ISLAND  And I will attend the Couture Sewing School in Baltimore. SUSAN KHALJE Fashion enthusiasts travel from all around the world to attend. Six intensive days are devoted to creating a garment using the couture techniques and details Susan uses in her exquisite designs. Now I must choose a project and begin sketching out designs. Off to the drawing board.  Today is my birthday. 50. And it's time for a REBOOT. Earlier this year I received a super cool book from my good friend e. REBOOT YOUR LIFE co-authored by the Sabbatical Sisters: Catherine Allen, Nancy Bearg, Rita Foley, and Jaye Smith. The message of this book is "By taking time out to reboot, personally and professionally, you too can live the better, richer, fuller life you've been seeking." Since I am self-employed and will need to self-fund my Reboot Break, I may be looking for some creative gigs for in between. But that's OK. Mama did teach me about squeezing dimes out of nickels. I will spend lots of time this summer finishing up my slipcover work in progress and planning for my break, which will officially begin on the first day of September. Technically six weeks, or until my money runs out, whichever comes first. Good that the best things in life are free. Are you a woman who has taken a reboot break? If so, I would love to meet with you and hear your story. The first drink is on my nickel! For more information about rebooting YOUR life: REBOOT YOUR LIFE  |