SAVANNAH BLEU

sketches

2011-01-02T22:03:00.001-07:00

sketches by SavannahBleu featuring choker jewelry

Happy Birthday to Me!

2009-10-26T08:49:00.000-06:00

Never one to be shy about celebrating my own birthday I took it upon myself to bake myself a cake. Who else knows better than I the perfect consistency of carrots, raisins, moistness and creamy cream cheese frosting? Well apparently now my dear yellow lab Gemma knows also! She was doing some serious taste testing yesterday afternoon. . .I think it got a bit carried a way don't you? Note that there are crumb sprayed onto the back wall, the paper towels, there were even some on the tea kettle which was TWO FEET AWAY! Oh to have a video of this!

So, on this lovely blustery Fall day here in Montana I will set out to bake myself another cake. A nap may also be in order this afternoon as Gemma was up ummm several times last night. . .upset tummy maybe?

2009-10-12T16:26:00.001-06:00

About two weeks ago I had the occasion during a layover at SeaTac airport in Seattle, WA to stop for a visit at Butter London , which is a fabulous little oasis amongst the hustle and bustle of the C concourse. The glossy exterior in black and gold beckoned me in and the faint yet lovely fragrance (which I could only describe as green tea/clovey) told my soul to sit a bit and relax.

As they don't take appointments I put my name on a list and was told it would be about ten minutes, (the perfect amount of time to zip up to Starbucks and indulge in my favorite vice). I was skeptical as to what could be done with my sad little nails which I had recently removed the acrylics from. I should not have feared, in about 20 minutes I was admiring my sparkling tips now coated in Prince's Plums, a deep purply shade with just a touch of iridescence to it.

What is it about newly painted nails that just makes you feel 'together'? And goodness knows we can all use that feeling once in a while.

A Dress for Amy

2009-06-21T20:03:00.003-06:00

Commissioned by a friend to make a dress to wear to a wedding. She picked the color and basic style. Accessories: peep toe black platform pumps, jet earrings and necklace. Hair up. Perfection.

Signature Style

2009-05-28T09:22:00.004-06:00

Signature Style. It sounds so chic, so sure, so like a woman who simply knows who and what the is. Think Coco Chanel, Jackie Kennedy, Katherine Hepburn, Madonna, and a fairly specific 'look' comes to mind.

Do you have a signature style? I think many women do without even knowing it. Others seem to struggle and make it harder than it needs to be. It doesn't have to be confined to a one word description: preppy, bohemian, sporty, classic. Few can be defined so simply and many change from year to year or even season to season.

If you're having trouble figuring out what your signature is here is a fun project: You'll need a glue stick, blank book, and a pile of magazines (the more current the better). Pull out pictures of anything that catches your eye. It doesn't have to be logical. . .pull the picture of the $3000 handbag if that is what makes you smile. Paste each picture into a collage on the pages. You can organize the pictures by type if you like i.e. dresses, skirts, shoes, etc.

When you're done you will undoubtedly be able to look through the book and clearly see an overall trend or theme. Think of this book as you shop for yourself (or even take it with you) keeping in mind what works for your body and lifestyle. That red satin ballgown may be a favorite of yours but since you have no formal invites in the near future find a fun full red skirt that you can pair with a tee and flip flops. It's all about making it work for you. . .because it is IS yours, your signature style!

The Frogs Have Been Affixed

2009-03-30T09:17:00.008-06:00

Done. It would have been done a lot sooner but I had to wait for the frogs to come in. If you don't know what frogs are in relation to clothing and sewing, they are the little black swirly buttons on the upper right shoulder of the garment. They are often used in Asian inspired clothing. This blouse turned out beautifully. It is even more striking in person. Ginger is planning to wear it when she gives a presentation at the Craft Brewer's Conference next month in Boston. Oh how I wish I was going to that. Boston, beer, fun!

New Duds for Ginger

2009-02-16T17:19:00.006-07:00

So, week before last, an old friend of mine made the excursion all the way from Ames Iowa to visit. She is the owner of Snap! Creative Works She brought her lovely canines Belle and Hops, her brewmaster husband Larry (comes complete with keg) and a box full of fabrics for me to stitch up some new creations for her. We all had a jolly good time, cooking, eating, reading, shopping, eating, playing games, skiing, eating, etc.

One of the items she has commissioned me to make is shown above. It has been months since I have sewn anything but bags and I am excited to have some fun with clothing. Who knows, maybe it will be the push I need to finally design that first clothing collection.

Swoon

2009-02-15T20:24:00.009-07:00

Oh. My. Goodness. This is what makes a lazy Sunday afternoon of browsing the internet in your sweats while sipping a latte (your third of the day) worthwhile. . . finding an exquisitely lovely site that embraces all that Savannah Bleu stands for and more.

The English Department is a boutique in Portland, Oregon (which is where I grew up). I was randomly admiring the number of links on Posy gets Cozy and when I clicked on this one. . . well, you'll just have to click for yourself. It is great to see that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in that lovely, rainy city and that the true art of dressmaking is not yet lost.

There are people that would say it is counterproductive to have sites that are potentially 'competition' listed on your own site/blog. I thoroughly disagree. I think that we should all celebrate each others fabulosity and then bask in the good karma inevitably created.

Becoming a Knitwit

2009-02-06T16:35:00.013-07:00

Inspired by the fablous array of yarns featured in the new Vogue Knitting, I sought out some yarn at Stix Yarn in Bozeman, Montana and inevitably came away with not only two wonderful skeins of Twinkle's yarn in a beautiful celadon but also this wonderful book. This is NOT your grandmother's knitting book. It is chock full of stylish knits that are screaming to be created and the best part is that they all feature super chunky yarn which knits up fast and is easy to correct mistakes in, and goodness knows that with my limited experience in knitting that there will be plenty of those.

UFO's in my Studio

2008-11-06T10:25:00.004-07:00

It's official. The studio is completely OUT OF CONTROL. There are UFO's (Un Finished Objects everywhere, four stacks of mail, three stacks of mending, two knitting projects, and a partridge in a pear tree. OK there is no partridge, at least I haven't seen one yet, but the way Beatrice the Bassett is nosing around there may just be one hidden somewhere in this disaster. I must act now before FEMA comes and takes over. Surely they would trash half of the stuff piled in here.

I have come to the slow conclusion that I have project ADD. I know ADD is a serious thing and I am serious when I say I have a very very hard time focusing and FINISHING something. It is one of my greatest challenges but I am determined to overcome it with DISCIPLINE, something else I have little of. Baby steps.

Here is how it goes. I'll start with the knitting: Mind says: I really want to knit better, grandma was a great knitter, I should learn how to cable, I'll start with a scarf, scarf half done, this is easy, should make a sweater, never made sweater before, make simple sweater first, start making simple sweater, this increase/decrease stuff is easy, should try harder sweater, buy Vogue knitting, AMAZING sweaters, find amazing website Ravelry, find new harder sweater, buy yarn, very excited to start new sweater, first sweater 3/4 done on studio table next to 1/2 finished scarf. . . . and on and on.

Two Little Beasties.

2008-05-19T10:16:00.004-06:00

Here is a picture of the 'Girls'. Beatrice the Bassett and Gemma the Yellow Lab. Gemma is actually now quite a bit bigger than Bea now, much to Bea's disgust and Gemma's delight. These are the first two dogs I have ever owned. I have always been a bit of a cat person. OK I am a huge cat person. I adore them, I can relate to them. Their quiet solitude, their mysteriousness, their nonchalance, their independence. They mirror many facets of my own personality. Now the dogs. . .Gemma-remember the girl in high school. . . THAT girl, blonde, long legs, bubbly, vivacious, cheerleader, homecoming princess, everyone loved her and all she wanted was to please everyone . . .that is Gemma the Lab. Beatrice. . .Beatrice is the honor student, the one in advanced philosophy, art history, the one who was attractive in her own way despite the long body and short legs, the one who was soooooo bored with the whole high school gig that she took extra classes so she could get into Brown early. . .that's our Bea. It is fascinating to watch their whole little social dynamic. If you have never had a dog before, I urge you to make room for one in your life at some point. They aren't always easy (8 pairs of chewed shoes anyone?) but they capture your heart.

Victoria Returns

2007-12-31T09:57:00.001-07:00

Many many years ago my mother brought home from the store for me a magazine. She often did this when she was out grocery shopping and I was in school. I would come home to find this little gift of a new magazine and a bit of candy or a new shade of nail polish. I was always delighted to find these little treasures.

The particular magazine of which I write of was Victoria magazine. Romance, grace, serenity, and charm are how it is described. For me it was an escape from the 'ordinary' magazines filled with $5000 couture coats that I would most likely never wear. Victoria was also hugely inspirational. There were always women entrepreneurs featured in each issue.

I keep notebooks full of things that I find beautiful and that inspire me and there are many many pages from Victoria magazines in there. But alas, several years ago I received a notice that Victoria would no longer be published. It was one of those moments where you remember exactly where you were standing when you heard the news. There was a letter that was sent and I was allowed to pick another magazine to fill in for the remainder of my subscription. There was simply no other magazine that would fill the shoes of Victoria.

Apparently I was not the only one to feel this way. Victoria is back! Not only is it back in print but it has a fantastic web presence which can be found here.

Enjoy.

Twice Can be Very Nice

2007-10-18T08:54:00.001-06:00

So, Fall for me is new clothing time. I miss the days of getting ready to go back to school and spending an entire day shopping with Mom to buy new EVERYTHING because you had outgrown all of your clothing over the Summer. New underwear, new bags of socks. Remember cable knee-highs? Every year this time I get the same craving for NEW. Thankfully I haven't outgrown my old clothing. . .it just bores me, this year more than others. Do you every look in your closet and find that everything just seems. . .WRONG. Not only do the trends change slightly, it's as if there is a part of YOU that just shifts and suddenly what you have isn't the reflection of you that you wish it would be.

So, the past few weeks have found me perusing local shops and online stores for some new and different pieces. It was at a fabulous local shop that I found my two new most beloved pieces. I decided last year that I wanted to start collecting some cashmere sweaters. The catch of course is that cashmere, good cashmere, is expensive. Toodling along through the quaint boutiques and antique dealers in our little downtown area I happened upon a ladies re-sale shop a.k.a. USED clothing. It had previously been an antique store so I was surprised to find it filled with clothing and almost turned to leave until a little voice said. Stop. I have never been a fan of used clothing. It has its place in costumes and funky coats but for everyday wear . . .I guess I am a snob. No longer.

I discovered two beautiful CASHMERE sweaters. TSE cashmere which if you look up is VERY expensive. I paid $30 each for a chocolate brown crew neck sweater and an oatmeal hoodie with a little front pocket. $30, EACH. You can't buy cotton at Old Navy for that price. I am sold. I told the owner I was delighted with her shop and would be back. . .SOON. Goes to show you that you have to look outside the usual sometimes.

Things

2007-07-16T13:20:00.001-06:00

A slightly worn body form, an old steamer trunk stashed at the back of an attic, an untouched notebook with a pen lying beside it, bolts of wondrous fabrics. All things that have always made me swoon and until the other day I didn't really realize why.

They are all things that are rich with possibilities and mysteries, both of which I love to ponder. What could be, what was, what could have been?

A body form. . .used by a tailor. seamstress. someone's vision came to life here. a wedding gown. a riding suit. an entire trousseau. conversations discussed here. secrets between friends. tea. a rainy day spent inside sewing. an Easter dress to herald the coming of Spring. what will be made on it now? will it become decorative in a shop window, spinning tales in the minds of others?

A steamer trunk. . .what lies inside. what secrets does it hold. what far away places has it been to. what was it purchased for. a trip abroad. a honeymoon. a long train ride across the country.

A clean, untouched notebook. . .what will its pages hold. the story of a life. love. sadness. hopes. dreams. lists. stories. or will it remain empty, to the great dismay of the person who happens upon it someday in an old steamer trunk.

Bolts of fabric. . .oooohhhh the possibilities here. dresses. gowns. simple. elaborate. the creating of the three dimensional from the one. Endless, endless. A gown to be stored away in a steamer trunk.

Funny how they can all relate back to each other. All things intertwined.

The End of April

2007-04-30T11:53:00.000-06:00

Where does the time go? I remember my mother telling me when I was young and it seemed that my birthday, or Christmas, or the end of school or the end of Summer would never come, that time would pass more quickly the older I grew. She was, as mother's often are, right. I would give many things to simply have one more day every week. But, tis not to happen. Time is rarely on our side.

Speaking of 'one more day' I am reminded that this April marks the second year since my grandmother Eva passed away at the age of 88. I can't believe she has been gone that long and I wish dearly that I could have 'one more day' with her.

She baked the most perfect little cookies,
and lemon meringue pie.
Her yard, her house, was always beautifully kept.
She smelled of Oscar de la Renta or occasionally, Chanel No. 5
She dressed up to go to the grocery store,
or for an appointment.
She refused to wear tennis shoes for anything other
than working in the yard.
Her nails were always impeccably polished.
We wore the same size ring, a 5.
She loved clothes, and her closet was filled
with things she had not yet worn.
Her linen closet smelled like a summer day.
She loved cross word puzzles.
She emailed her friends and family.
She was afraid of flying, boating, and ever being
a burden on her family when she grew old.
Time took her from us quickly, leaving us in shock
and leaving her in the dignity of being able to
care completely for herself until the very end.
She loved the holidays and sent cards for every
one of them.
She wrote Thank You cards, always.
She loved to read, to feed the squirrels and birds.
She loved to knit.
The Matriarch of our family, the last of her
generation, her death marked the end of an era.
And the beginning of a new one with the addition
of our beloved Paige 5 months later.
She would have been the proudest great grandma ever.

After her service that day a neighbor brought over a pie
from the store, lemon meringue.

We love you and miss you dearly Grandma.

Fall Cleaning of the Studio

2006-09-03T16:18:00.000-06:00

O.K. first of all I want to tell you that I KNOW it isn't officially FALL. Second I want to tell you that to ME September IS Fall which is also to me the beginning of the year. It has always meant new wardrobes, paper, pens, snuggling in for the cold days ahead even though it is still 85 outside.

A lazy Sunday afternoon and I finally decided to undertake the daunting task of going through my magazine pile. Make that piles. I love magazines. Anyone who knows me knows this. It is an obsession in a way, or perhaps just a hereditary flaw. My mother is the same way as was my grandmother.

I currently have subscriptions to Health (one must take care of oneself), Bazaar, Vogue (never hurts to dream about $2000 shoes), Lucky (so I know what to buy that will look like the $2000 shoes but not require financial acrobatics), Country Home (a slough of ideas that are inspiring and practical), Veranda (the Vogue of home magazines) and probably a few others that escape me at the moment. Remember too that magazines cost around $12 a year, $1 an issue for so much entertainment!

Why the obsession? They are a wealth of inspiration, motivation, ideas, and dreams. They can educate you, entertain, you and transport you anywhere you wish to go. They can also pile up and collect dust. When I have spare time (never) I go through them and pull articles and pictures that may do any of the things listed above for me. As a designer I often pull articles of other inspiring designers. Ralph Lauren's name amongst the top billionaires of the world was of particular interest to me as was the top trends for 2007, these were pulled immediately to the bulletin board.

As a female I find issues on women's health interesting even though I have finally come to realize that just because you subscribe to SHAPE magazine doesn't make you IN shape (who knew). As someone who loves to entertain I need recipes (I know I'll make them someday) and decorating ideas are simply too precious to throw away. "How many years of Martha Stewart do you NEED?" someone once asked. "Many" I believe I replied.

Travel always interests me as do book and to a lesser extent movie reviews. Yes, I know this is all info. that is readily available on the internet but I have always been a tangible person. My TO DO list is written on a piece of paper daily despite the fact that my computer would be happy to generate it for me.

And so, I greatly reduced the piles today. I gave myself a half hour to go through them and pull what I wanted and the rest. . .o.k. MOST of the rest went to recycling. I'll get through those other two piles soon. . . .

The Evolution of The Studio

2006-03-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

I suppose the evolution of a studio is an on going thing. You figure that anyone who needs a 'studio' in the first place is a rather creative sort of person and, well, a creative person is by nature, constantly creating right?? I had had this idea for quite some time in the back of my mind. . .to draw/paint something on the wall.

Now while I love to paint things like furniture and walls and such I am not very artistically inclined to draw/paint an object. And, while I was never at a loss for talent when it came to developing concepts and sewing them into reality, the fashion sketching aspect of design eluded me even in college. SO, when it came time to attempt to put my ideas literally on the wall I hesitated. Brush in hand and loaded with paint I hesitated. I felt like a small child listening for mom's footsteps coming down the hall. "What are you doing to the wall??"

What if it was a disaster?? Paint CAN be a disaster. BUT alas, it is only paint. As long as I kept it on the wall the worst thing that could happed would be. . .I would have to paint over it. So I put brush to wall and voila. I am happy with the results. It is the first thing you notice as you enter the studio and to me it is inspiring. And THAT my friends is what a studio of your own is about.

Spring is Near?

2006-02-23T09:52:00.000-07:00

East of the Rockies the change between the seasons is sometimes a bit blurred. . .as is seen in the photo here. I awoke this morning to about an inch of lovely snow (I truly DO love it) and, while sweeping the walk, (as clearing the walk is the correct and polite thing to do when you live in a neighborhood) I happened to look down at my flower beds and noticed. . .Spring.

Although not my favorite season (that love and adoration is reserved for Fall) it promises to be full of surprises this year. The former owner of this home was obviously an avid gardener as the yard is full of tiny plastic stakes proclaiming a wide variety of foliage that should be bursting from the winter hardened earth any day now. If the snow ever goes away. . .

Fall 2006

2006-02-14T16:54:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right. Fall. The collections were shown this week in New York. They are actually the last of the bunch to be shown with the European shows done and over. Most people are still wondering when Winter will be over for their region and here these fabulous designers have not only developed the collections we will be wearing next Fall but they have had them sewn and shown along with all of the styling and planning that goes with them. I am always utterly amazed by this. They can be viewed at http://www.style.com. My favorites are Ralph Lauren (how does he always just nail it??) and a few pieces from Chloe and Kors.

The mother 'load' of fabrics

2006-01-14T09:27:00.000-07:00

This entire weeked is going to be dedicated to the re-decoration of my studio and planning new designs for the year. My design inspiration is runnning incredibly high right now and I need to tap it while it is there or I will wake up one of these days and think to myself "what colors did I want to do for Fall 06??"

To spur my inspiration further I was given a box of fabric samples from a friend who works at a furniture store here (see photo above). They are discontinued fabric patterns/colorways from various furniture companies and they are WONDERFUL. I use a lot of upholstery and home dec. fabrics because the weight and durability is perfect for bags.

As for the studio, after obsessive consideration of a variety of color pallettes I have finally decided upon Icelandic Poppy and Burning Umber. . .from the Ralph Lauren paint collection. Are his color names not half the fun of it all? I will have to post before and after pictures as it all comes together.

It's That Time of Year Again

2005-12-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

No, not that time, that is just about over. It is that time of year when we reflect on the joys, sorrows, accomplishments, and sometimes failures of the past year and set up a nice neat little plan for the upcoming one.

I can't remember the last time I have had such an eventful year in my life. I: lost a grandmother (I miss you SO much), was blessed with a niece, bought my dream home, expanded my business Savannah Bleu. Things I would have liked to do more of: travel, write. There will be next year for that.

For today I will finally have time to sit down and get out those Holiday greeting cards that have been mocking me the past few weeks. I used to think it was so funny that my mother would make out her Christmas cards while waiting for trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Now I know why she did it. I have already pencilled them in on my 2006 calendar. Maybe next year friends and family will receive them BEFORE Chrismas!

Cheers to a Fabulous New Year!

languages

2005-11-27T12:32:00.000-07:00

You Should Learn French

C'est super! You appreciate the finer things in life... wine, art, cheese, love affairs.
You are definitely a Parisian at heart. You just need your tongue to catch up...

What Language Should You Learn?

Winter has Arrived!!

2005-11-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

I awoke this morning to a winter wonderland of about 6 inches of snow!! One of the things I love the most about this area is that we have true seasons!! Makes for a perfect day to sit home and drink hot toddys and sew.

The fashion industry is a constantly moving and evolving thing. I told a friend the other night that I was planning in the back of my mind for NEXT holiday season. What most people don't realize is how much work and how many industries are involved in the production of a line. . .Especially mass marketed ones that you purchase in stores.

The planning begins at least 12-18 months in advance if not more. Factories have to be secured for production, materials have to be MADE or acquired. Which affects everything from the chemical industries for synthetic fibers to the cotton and wool(sheep) growers/ranchers, etc. etc.

Did you know that the apparel/textile industry is the second largest industry in the world? Agriculture is first of course. I always throw that one out there when people ask why I didn't go into something more 'cerebral'. Apparently they have never ran a business before. . .

Here is a fun quiz I took on www.blogthings.com

It was funny to find out that I am considered more traveled in Europe than areas of the US. Better get to packing.

Your Travel Profile:

You Are Well Traveled in Southern Europe (47%)

You Are Somewhat Well Traveled in Western Europe (36%)

You Are Somewhat Well Traveled in the Midwestern United States (25%)

You Are Somewhat Well Traveled in the Western United States (21%)

You Are Mostly Untraveled in Canada (20%)

You Are Mostly Untraveled in Latin America (20%)

You Are Mostly Untraveled in the Southern United States (15%)

You Are Mostly Untraveled in the Northeastern United States (14%)

You Are Untraveled in Africa (0%)

You Are Untraveled in Asia (0%)

You Are Untraveled in Australia (0%)

You Are Untraveled in Eastern Europe (0%)

You Are Untraveled in New Zealand (0%)

You Are Untraveled in Scandinavia (0%)

You Are Untraveled in the Middle East (0%)

You Are Untraveled in the United Kingdom (0%)

How Well Traveled Are You?

New Designs. . .the making of a pattern

2005-11-14T13:47:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh, where does the time go to?? Here we are almost halfway through November already. The past few days I have been busily sewing away on bags and other orders that have come in, making menus for holiday parties, scouting out decorations for the house (it is going to be soooo fun to decorate for the holidays!).

I have also been working away at drafting some new bag patterns. The basic two that I have been doing are great, work very well, and fit nicely on an even amount of fabric. . .I can usually get four out of a yard. But alas, the line needs some freshness and I am also attempting to do something a bit different from the other bags out there.

I regularly check other websites of designers to 'un' inspire myself I guess. If I have what I think is a great idea I scout around and make sure that either no one else is doing it or very few people are. It is amazing how minds can think alike. When I first started the bag venture I had not seen many bags quite like what I was doing. Then I came across not only ones that were almost identical but ones that were in some of the very same fabrics that I was going to buy!! Needless to say I found some new prints.

To make a new pattern you of course have to start with an idea. Next I make a rough sketch of a life size bag on paper. From there the pattern is divided up into pieces: innerfacing/lining/fabric/contrast bottom/pockets/handles, etc. etc. The next step is called trueing the pattern. This is where you essentially make sure everything that is supposed to be straight is and that it all fits together properly. The final step is constructing an acutal bag from the pattern which is of course the true test of your skills. If all goes well you end up with a beautiful handbag in the end.

My Beautiful New Home

2005-10-18T21:56:00.000-06:00

O.K. it really isn't NEW, better yet it is 80 years old. The type of home I have always dreamed of owning but somehow never thought I would. They can be a. hard to find and b. very expensive. But alas, all things come to those who wait and now I am basking in her beautiful structure. Attached are some pictures of my new baby. I'll post more as the decorating comes along.

My First Show

2005-10-17T22:12:00.000-06:00

The What Women Want Expo. was this weekend here in Montana. Over 100 vendors signed up to promote their wares and services for this second annual event. I was one of those vendors. I was up until 2 am the morning before the event and had absolutely NO idea of what to expect. Add to that the fact that I had signed up to participate in it at the end of August. . .as I was moving from my apartment into a 3000 sq. ft. Victorian, going to see my brand new niece for a week and a half, preparing for a corporate visit at my full time and 'mortgage paying' job . . . .and making as many hadbags as is humanly possibly in my spare time. Excuse me. . . what spare time?? Anyways, I managed to pull it off in a reasonably fabulous way. I made double my booth fee and got my name out to hundreds of women. In addition to that I learned a ton and have already begun planning for next years event.

I will post pictures of the event and some new bags!