Etsy Store Opens!!!

Dreams Necklace by Rehcy sold in our Etsy Store

The past two days have been spent setting up the REHCY online store on Etsy.com . Took a while to figure the policies, pictures, set-up out, but I gotcha now!!!! Yeah buddy! :-)

Largely time consuming describes the store set-up process. (Maybe it would not have been if I wasn't so picky, but hey, I wanted it done just perfect or well, perfect-ish.) First I went through and set-up store policies-- shipping, returns, etc. Then came the descriptions, mottos, and introductions. Products photographed. A store banner made. Quick photoshoot with my lovely model friend Ashley Dawn. Editing & scaling down of pictures. Then uploading pics, adding descriptions, names, tags, prices...

Yes, it was a lot of work, but it's finally ready. Only a few items are listed for sale at the moment, & that's just fine with me. More will be available soon.

So go check out the Rehcy store on Etsy.com!!

Ooooh, so exciting!!!

"To be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have."

Quote from Handbook to Higher Conciousness by Ken S. Keyes, Jr.

**Accessories & Happy Trees**

Clothing is all well and good, but accessories bring in the largest portion of your revenue. Every would be designer will benefit from knowing this. Think about is, you're browsing through a store you see an amazing dress, you fall in love with it, you check the price tag, your eyes get huge, and you say, "Holy freaking crap, that's to much for my pockets!!" You quickly walk away, and on your way to the exit you see the most adorable bangle bracelet. In a few minutes you're ringing up at the cash register, all excited to wear the cute bangle with your favorite sparkly top. Sound familiar?

That dress was way to much for you to spend, but you walked out of the store happy and satisfied with the "what-a-great-find-at-such-an-amazing-price" face. Yes, many shoppers do this, and the one's that can afford the dress also buy accessories at the same time to go with it. So remember, accessories, accessories, accessories!!!! Hmmm... needs a cheer...

"Accessories, accessories,

They make me so very pleased!

Fill my tummy with happy...trees?"

Not so sure about that... well, you get the picture. By the way, don't ask me what happy-trees are because I have no idea! ha ha

This post was inspired by the fact that I am currently working on accessories for Rehcy and plan to have some posted for sale this week. Hope this post helps someone on the path to design success!!

"Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it."

Quote by Jacques Prevert


(I do not claim ownership the photo in this post)

Patterns, Patterns, Patterns, & a Little Portfolio

The past couple of weeks have been spent patterning for the 2011 collection. I've been working on some bias cut garments, which is an area that I'm pretty much a novice at. So keeping my fingers crossed...

This collection I'm hoping to be able to hire a couple seamstresses to help with sewing the garments, as this year I'm planning to do a larger collection. The biggest stress, as of late, is financing for the new collection. So I'm working on a few ideas to help with this.

On top of this, my portfolio is going through a major make-over due to aspirations of finding a great design gig that can help with financing in the future.

I am beginning to feel the stress a serious time crunch as March looms so closely to the present. Non-stop work for the coming months!!!

"Do not wait; the time will never be "just right." Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along."

Quote by Napoleon Hill

Quick Blurry Vids

Couple of quick 30 second videos from the November shoot with Travis Patterson. Now you can see what it's truly like on a photo-shoot... repetitive & non-exciting :-P

(Apologies for the blurry videos, these were taken with my mobile)

Setting Up for the Shoot & Taking Sample Shots

Travis Teaching Brittany Noel How to Pose

Ha Ha Haaaaaaa

"There's such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I'm such a troublesome person. It I was just the one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn't be half so interesting."

Quote by Anne from Lucy Maude Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables

Model Mayhem.com

Last show we had difficulties finding enough models for the fashion show. In 2011, I hope to avoid this problem, as it is extremely annoying and stressful. So the Rehcy Vonne page on Model Mayhem.com is up and running. This will help get the word out to potential models for the 2011 show. The Rehcy Vonne profile already has an announcement that we will be needing several models in March 2011.

As a bonus, photographers, fashion accessory companies, and fashion companies have been contacting me through Model Mayhem wanting to do collaborations. Some look very promising...

Stay tuned for updates!

(Photo Copyright: ModelMayhem.com)

Marketing in 2010...

Central to the success of a clothing line sits marketing and advertising. (Next to having a great quality product and the determination to make success happen.)

Word of mouth works on a small scale, but potential customers desire a more concrete source of information-- a catalogue, a website, a magazine ad... a Facebook page. We humans are visual creatures, especially men ha ha, so for your visual pleasure, I give you...

The Rehcy Vonne Facebook Page!!

Last night I spent 1.5 hours deciphering the how-to's and creating the page. Also for your viewing pleasure, the page comes complete with a couple new pictures form the Travis Patterson photo-shoot. Check them out!!

One of My Muses...

Lindsay aka DJ Spinzy

Beautiful, smart, funny, and taking over a male dominated career field,

what's not to love? Especially with those killer, au-naturale curls!

All cute, doing her thing at Club Overboard!

Be-a-U-tiful!

Goofing off with Marisa, another one of the models for Rehcy Vonne 2010

All seriousness here at Club Overboard Destin... work it, chica!!

(Photos owned by: Lindsay aka DJ Spinzy)

First Looks from Travis Patterson Shoot!!

Here are some first looks at photos from the shoot last week.

Let me know what you think so far.

Photographer: Travis Patterson

Hair & Make-up: Tiffany Park

Assistant: Ashley Hall

Model: Brittney

Location: Fort Pickens, Pensacola, Florida

Behind the Scenes of a Fashion Photo-shoot

Some behind the scenes pics from the shoot on Thursday. Hope you enjoy!!

Photographer: Travis Patterson

Hair & Make-up: Tiffany Park

Assistant: Ashley Hall

Model: Brittney

Location: Fort Pickens, Pensacola, Florida

Love this picture of Tiffany!

It was a bit windy and chilly outside, but Brittany pushed through even in the swimsuit!

All our equipment

The photographer being photographed!

Tiffany touching up make-up.

Upcoming Shoot with Travis-Whoo hoo!!!!!!!!!!

Photo-shoot set for tomorrow!!

A photographer and highschool buddy of mine, Travis, will be shooting some of the Rehcy Vonne 2010 collection tomorrow in Pensacola, Florida.

I am very excited to work with him.

You can see some of his work at

www.travislpatterson.com

I'll post updates on how the photo-shoot goes!

**Rehcy Vonne First Collection**

Some pictures from the 2010 collection.

Hope you like!!!!! :-)

(Photos by Okeye Mitchell)

Preparing for the 2011 Collections & Show

Alright, here is my tentative schedule for the next five months. We are shooting to have the 2011 Creative Ambitions show in March. Eeeek!!! Five months to complete the Rehcy Vonne & Rehcy 2011 collections!

October-

*Complete preliminary sketches

*Edit Rehcy Vonne Jeans fit

*Create new jeans muslins

November-

*Pattern & sew 40% of collection

December-

*Pattern & Sew 80% of collection

*Pull out hair & age 10 years in a month! lol

January-

*Complete 100% of Rehcy Vonne collection

*Design Rehcy accessories

*Complete 30% of Rehcy accessories

Febuary-

*Model search/auditions

*Complete 100% Rehcy Accessories

I know it's ambitious, but I've done it before!

Now let's see how it close I stick to this schedule...

Daily Concern: Why does time fly by so dang quickly?!! Sheesh!! Give me a break!!!

"Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we've got."

Quote by Art Buchwald

Getting Ideas Down, Basic Sketches, & Illustration

In this post I've placed the beginning steps to a collection made only for my portfolio.

Wanting to combat the "looking not so hot because I was in a mad rush delirium this morning" syndrome, I sketched out a collection that would look sexy, sophisticated, and go from morning to evening out but remain quick and easy on those mad dash mornings.

Two amazing dresses that I bought years ago helped inspire this collection. The dresses both have fantastic fabric that feels wonderful, and, no matter how long they are twisted up at the bottom of my suitcase, they never wrinkle!! This rocks because on a mad dash morning, who has time to iron!!! (The dresses are a polyester, rayon, spandex blend.)

OK, enough raving about my two superstar dresses...

When first designing a garment, I get a general idea of what I want it to be. Next I sketch several different versions of that idea, then pick the one that's best. Demonstrated in the two following sketches of two different dresses.

After I've decided which version I like best, I may do a quick sketch like the following one, to better decide how I want the garment to fit. At this stage, I usually do not have colors in mind, just a fabric type and garment flow. The theme of the collection is also forming at this time. The theme at this point will simply be a feeling, emotion, or idea i.e. comfortable chic.

Next I sketch out the final croquis and decide colors as shown in the first image. For this collection the base colors are navy blue, a blush, a warm gray, accented by a jeweled tone fuchsia. (Note: The colors you see on your screen may not be exact matches to the original illustration.)

After the colored illustration, flats will be created and color variations decided. Flats are either hand drawn or created in Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.

Scanning into Adobe Photoshop for final editing comes next.

Layout and background will be done last, and finally I place the collection into my portfolio.

And there you go, all the steps to illustrating a collection!!!

First Steps to a New Collection

Liv Crayola 1.5inch Binder

The binder I bought for the 2011 collection

Today I thought I'd give you the first steps on how I create a collection.

* Step 1 Each collection has it's own binder, used to keep original copies of sketches, stylists' contact info, inspiration pictures etc. This keeps everything organized and easily accessible.

* Step 2 Inspiration searching-- Internet, movies, inspiration notebook, literature, history, and people

* Step 3 Preliminary quick sketching to get ideas down

* Step 4 First cuts of sketches

* Step 5 Going through personal collection of fabrics to see if any fit in the collection, noting what fabrics need to be purchased

* Step 6 Draping or flat patterning, whichever is appropriate, the Muslin A for the first garment

* Step 7 Muslin A pattern adjustments

*Step 8 Create Muslin B

*Step 9 Muslin B pattern adjustments, decide if third muslin is needed

* Step 10 Fabric and notions shopping

* Step 11 Cut, sew first garment

* Step 12 Repeat steps 6-11 for other garments in the collection

Those are the first twelve steps to creating a collection. The next ones include sketching and creating accessories, finding a show venue, advertising, getting hair stylists, make-up artists, model auditions, fittings, photo shoots, runway practice, runway type selection, hiring set designers, caterers, selecting music...

And every bit of stress and work pays off when you see the models strutting down the runway!!

Possibilities, Inspirations, and 2011

Picture from the Rehcy Vonne shoot.

Completely unedited, but Lauren is so amazing that she really doesn't need it!!!

(Dress Rehcy Vonne 2010, Shoes courtesy of my little sister's shoe collection, Earrings from Rehcy 2010) Photography by Okeye

Entire day was spent searching the abyss we call the Internet for inspiration for the

2011 Rehcy Vonne and Rehcy collections. It truly is crazy how many hours can go by searching for inspiring pictures on the web. Wow! However, found some kick-butt ideas! So the time spent was definitely worth it!! Can't wait to get started on sketches for the upcoming collection!

Daily Concern/Note: Seeing this Silver Mercedes nail polish by Pure Ice on my nails when I'm working keeps me fired up for designing! Love it!!

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

Quote by Walt Disney

Gearing up for 2011

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Hey hey Everybody!!

I know its been forever since I last posted, so here's what has been going on...

First, I had to cancel the showing with the SBDC due to unexpected events.

Second, I have edited several of the pictures from the Rehcy Vonne photo shoot. Some of the pics are posted on the Rehcy Vonne website. www.rehcyvonne.weebly.com

Thanks again to Okeye for doing the photography.

And lastly, time to gear up for the 2011 collection!!!! Working on the themes and inspiration now. I'll keep everyone updated!!

Workin' on dreams...

"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere."

Quote by Frank A. Clark

One Step is Never Just One

Got the Rehcy Vonne photos from the photographer, Yay!!! Thanks Okeye!! So that's one step completed... oh wait... now I have to find a conversion program for the CR2 format that the photos came in!! Then convert the photos, edit the photos, load the photos...hmm, it's always more than just one simple step. I'll get photos up for you guys as soon as I get my butt to work on it!

As for the confirming a salon to do the hair & make-up for the SBDC show, still working on that. Have one interested, but the boss lady is out of town until Tuesday. Let you know how it goes. Keep your fingers crossed, hey, maybe even your toes too! I need all the luck I can get!!! :-P

"I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage. They've experienced pain and bought jewelry."

Quote by Rita Rudner

**Weekly Goals**

Goals for the Week of 23-29 of August

* Secure a salon to style hair & make-up for the SBDC show on 8 Oct 2010
* Edit collection for SBDC show, decide on any changes
* Make new black version of polka-dot skirt
* Get collection photos from photo shoot photographer

Daily Concern: Get my lazy butt up!!!

"You've got to get up every morning with determination if you are going to go to bed with satisfaction." 
Quote by George Lorimer
(I do not claim ownership of the photo in this post)

**Smooth & Simple is Key**

Hey Hey Peoples!!!

How's everyone doing?!

I had a meeting with the SBDC about the Women in Business Conference and showing Rehcy Vonne there. Jeremy, designer of Avid Ymer and a Creative Ambitions producer, was there also. (I had to utilize his fashion show production knowledge. Thanks Jeremy!) It has been decided, I will be their entertainment for the conference.

I want this show to go on as smoothly and as simply as possible. It will basically be a repeat of the last show just without an actual runway. The models will be walking through tables set up for dinner. However, a few changes will be made to the garment line up, but not many. Hopefully I can get the same girls from the last show to model again, that way there is no training needed.

Thanks again to the Small Business Development Center of West Florida for giving me this opportunity.

Now I have to find a team to do hair and make-up...

Daily Concern: Editing the collection for the SBDC show.

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes." quote by Jack Handey

The Life of an Up-&-Coming Designer

Hey Everybody! Hope you are all doing fantastically!!!

The opportunity spoken about in my last post came from the Small Business Development Center of my area. As you know, I have previously worked with them and attended a seminar hosted by the center. The center is hosting a Women in Business conference and would like me to be the designer to show my collection at the event!! This will be a great way to market Rehcy Vonne to local business owners and will also provide an amazing avenue for Creative Ambitions to network with potential sponsors for next year's show. Thank you so much K. for thinking of me!!!

However, as of yet, I have not 100% decided to sign on to do the show. I have a telephone appointment this afternoon to discuss the details. My drawbacks would mostly be in the financial arena, does the SBDC pay for the equipment, will I be expected to rent the platform, will I have to pay the vendor fees etc. Money is tight, tight!! One can not survive on a newborn clothing line alone! That baby takes care, and comfort, and never never stops crying for more!!! lol So the hunt for some supplemental income is on!!!

Daily Concern: I need to start going to bed earlier, and get my sleeping schedule back on track. Too many daylight hours waisted sleeping!

**Unpreparedness, Eeeek!!!!**

So today I was contacted about a pretty awesome opportunity, problem is, I don't know if I will be able to be ready for it in time. That's what I get for procrastinating and not taking advantage of spare time. I do not have much information about the opportunity yet, but I will post it as soon as I find out more details.

In other news, I have been revamping my portfolio in order to apply for some design jobs. (I am in need of a little more in the financial department.) One bad thing and also good thing about being self-employed is that it is up to you how much you earn, no set salary, all depends on how hard you push yourself.

Also, met a beautiful model through an acquaintance. Yay!! I super love her face!!

Daily Concern: "If you want time, you must make it." quote by Charles Bixton

Key (made-up) word- Mocketory :-P

Yes, it's been over a month since my last post. I know that is horrible, and I apologize for it. There is no excuse for this kind of behavior! lol From now on I am going to try and be better at posting more regularly.

Here's an update on everything I have been up to in the past few weeks...
*Went on vacation to Tennessee.
*Client work, and more client work.
*Had a client complain about a piece I did for them that I spent forever working on. Have to say, this was highly offending especially since I believe the piece turned out fabulously. However, that's what I get for taking on the job in the first place when my gut was telling me not too.
*Putting off working on anything Rehcy Vonne or Rehcy related because I will not do my other work if I start on next year's collection.
*Really focusing on my Spanish, working hard to be fluent by the year's end.
*Also studying Japanese!! Love love love it!!
*Trying to decide where I what city I want to take a job in. I seriously need something more stable and less annoying!! Hmmm, where to go...Miami, Atlanta, Bangkok, Beijing?
*Finally started searching out inspiration for next year's collection.
*Got the photo disk from the Rehcy Vonne shoot. Fail!! Since the disk only contained about 20 photos and half of the garments were not even on there!! Still need to contact the photographer about this. Putting it off...

And that's what I've been up too. I'll post again soon with updates, or well, random topics or something.

Lots of love...**smack**

KEY WORD used in a sentence: "Do not speak to me in such a mocketory manner!!"

Catching up on Things that Make Me Say...Ughhh

This past week I have been forced to catch up on boring work for clients. Things like alterations, portraits, and weddings. Hey, have to pay the bills, right? Due to my huge, enormous amount of boring work I have not been able to work on the clothing line like I would have preferred.

Also I contacted the photographer from the Rehcy Vonne photo-shoot we did awhile back, and now it looks like I will have to be the one to do all the photo editing! I am very disappointed at this. It means that it will be even longer before the Rehcy Vonne website has photos. Boooo!!!

After June 26th, I should have all this client crap finished, and then it's strictly Rehcy Vonne and Rehcy from now on. Well, I may have to also take on a full time design job also because funding is key!

Now back to the boring work... Ughhhhh

Daily Concern: Will the photo-editing be quick and smooth with only minor difficulties?

**Vacation Over**

Well, everyone, I've still been in vacation mode. I guess the show took a little more out of me than I originally thought. It's only been the past couple of days that I've gotten back on track. This week the plan is to get the Rehcy Vonne pictures posted on the website, speak to a local boutique that has shown interest in the line, and manufacture several more Rehcy pieces. That is the plan, and I'm sticking to it!!! No more vacation!!! :-P

**After the show, onto The Fuss**

Now that I've taken an almost two week vacation, whew, I feel so rested, and back to work I go...

After the show is said and done, and you think your stress is gone. HA HA HAAAA, yes, I am laughing at myself, because now comes even more work...

Trying to find buyers, as well as, get my line placed in local stores and boutiques.

I had been talking to an amazing local boutique in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida called The Fuss. The manager Caroline is awesome, trendy, and fun. Three things I admire in a girl! lol The boutique has crazy fantastic clothing and accessories, and they will now be selling some REHCY accessories!!! Yay!!!! Thanks so much to the Fuss, Lauren, & Caroline.

If you are in the area of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida then check out
THE FUSS Boutique
6 Watercolor Blvd Suite 101A
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
32459

In other news, I'm working on getting REHCY VONNE placed in a few boutiques. I'll keep everyone updated. Also looking into some manufacturing options for some of the REHCY VONNE pieces.

***Finished and Done***

Hey Everybody!!

The Creative Ambitions Night of Fashion was a great success! Show went on without any huge mess ups. I have posted a Flickr photo-stream on the side bar. Check it out! More pictures to come soon.

Several people and stores are interested in buying so yay, yay, yay!!! I'll keep you guys updated on everything!

As all fashion shows go, there were a few mistakes. Wardrobe malfunctions, last minute changes, the wrong lights being turned on in the middle of Janie G Couture, and yours truly tripping as I walked up on the stage! lol Of course! The biggest mistake happened when we forgot to thank Avant Garde Salon on stage during the show. So I'm saying my thank yous right now... Thank you Avant Garde Salon for all your work in making the show and making my models look amazing!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

Thanks to Tim Smith for thinking of me in the first place and asking me to be in the show.

Thanks to my friend Steve Burrows for creating the backdrop for the show, and Artesano for displaying art at the reception.

Thanks to all my models for doing such a great job! Especially thanks to one of my best friends and model, Ashley. I love you, girl!

Thanks to Caroline Smith, the Janie G Couture designer, for switching a model with me at the last minute.

Thanks to the North West Florida Ballet for doing such an amazing dance and intro to Rehcy Vonne.

Thanks to my best buddy Cole for all her help, support and understanding throughout this entire event. Love you!

Thanks to Kiesha for her last minute help.

Thanks to my family for all their help and support. Thanks Dad and especially Mom. Thanks to my youngest bro, Javan, for filming the photo-shoot, backstage, and the show itself. Thanks to my sister, Aurora, for being a great assistant. Also thanks to my two cousins, Cassie & Caleb, for assisting at the show and doing hair and make-up at the photo-shoot. And thanks to my Aunt Monique for my lovely card and gift.

Thanks to my Brian for his support throughout all my break downs, stress outs, freak outs, busyness, dragging him to model practices and meetings, and everything else. And thanks for dinner. Thanks Care Bear!

And a very special thanks to Ramal Productions' Jeremy Pinne & Okeye Mitchell all their support and letting me be a designer in the Creative Ambitions Night of Fashion!!! You two are amazing!!!! Thank you, thank you!!!!

I can't believe it's done, I am so relieved, and have finally caught up on sleep!

Love and Thanks to everyone!!

Workin' on Dreams!

Daily Concern: What to do for next year?

**Chaos the Day Before...Of Course**

Two models AWOL and one with a twisted ankle. Of course it has to happen the day before the show. Desperately searching for replacements. I really do not need this stress today! Lord, please find me a Tyra Banks in the next couple hours!!

Other than that, practice went well last night.

Just over 24 hours until we start putting models in hair and make-up!!! Everyone excited?

Business Cards, Websites, & Finances

Got my new business cards printed, Yay!!! Thanks to my "big sis" Brandi who pulled some strings at Speedee Printing and got them printed speedeely. lol Yes, I know, corny joke. :-P

Finished up some more accessories for the show.

And lastly, finished the websites for both my accessory line and my new clothing line!
Check out
Rehcy & Rehcy Vonne

Now for the bad, due to serious time constraints, I will not have time to make handbags for the fashion show. :-( So I am planning to launch those in the next collection that will hopefully be releasing in the fall.
Also, money is very tight, & because of that, some of the legal steps that I wanted to complete before the show will have to be completed after the show. Other paying projects have had to be put on hold due to the fashion show, and I have not been able to take on any new clients. So I'd better make some sells after the show, or...

Daily Concern: Finishing everything I want to finish in time for the show.

** Look-book Photo-shoot**

*Cassie doing Laura's Makeup*


*Taking over the bathroom at the Wingate Hotel in Destin*


*Some of the Makeup*


*Caleb doing Ashley's Hair*


*Okeye Showing Lauren how to Pose* lol

The photoshoot went great. Thank you to Cassie & Caleb for doing hair & makeup, awesome job!! Thanks so much!!

Jeremy thanks for styling, and keeping everything running smoothly.

Thank you to Ashley, Lauren, & Laura for being such wonderful, fun models.

Thanks to my brother, Javan, for filming the drama. lol

Many thanks to my sister for being such a great assistant!

And thank you, thank you, thank you to Okeye for shooting such amazing pictures! Can't wait to do this again soon!!

After the show I will post more background pics of the shoot and a video. Sorry I can't post it all now, but I can't release photos of the garments before the show. Sorry sorry, you'll all just have to wait...

Daily Concern: Do I have enough time to finish all the accessories I want to create for the show?

**6ft Tall feet**

Cutting out a bikini

Running out of thread because I've been serging till my fingers bleed!

Making beads

Today I tried my hand at creating a woven belt, and I have to say it turned out pretty nice. Yay!! Also been working on swimsuits all day and tweaking some of my other garments for the shoot tomorrow.

Also called a few people today to see if they could get a couple models for the fashion show because I am still short a few girls. It's starting to look like I may have to pull one of the garments from the show so that I can have enough girls. Pray that I have enough models, please!

If all goes well, tomorrow is the photoshoot, finally!! I called up two of my cousins to do hair and makeup. Now I know for sure we'll have stylist there this time. Another thing, several of my models do not have black heels for the shoot. What the heck? I thought black heels were a requirement to be a woman! I would let my models borrow some of my 70+ pairs, but their all almost 6ft tall! Just in case you didn't know, 6ft tall feet do not fit in 5'2" feet aka my baby shoes! lol So I had to run over to my friend's house and borrow several pairs. Thank God for friends that love shoes!! Thanks Cole, I'll get them back to you safely.

It really is non-stop work. I need a vacation! But that's not going to happen because I have four clients lined up for me to do projects for them as soon as the show is over. Projects ranging from painting portraits to alterations to creating wedding garments. After the show, I plan on slowing and soon actually stopping with the other projects. That way all my time will be focused on making this clothing line and the accessory line successful.

Daily Concerns:
Will I get any sleep tonight? Will the photoshoot go smoothly? I'm freaking out a little bit here!!

**WHAT?!!...Well, CRAP!!**

Hey Hey Everybody!!

Been several days since last post. Busy, busy, busy to the extreme power!! Let's see, where to start...

Wednesday, 14 April, had another meeting/practice with the models. Only four models showed up!! What the heck?! This makes me nervous. The girls definitely need to be there to practice! The models I wanted to fit were not even there, which stressed me out because my photoshoot was scheduled for Sunday, and I hadn't even seen some of my girls yet. (Still haven't) On a good note, my models Terri and Lauren V showed up, and they did great at practice!! Thanks chicas!!

Thursday, 15 April, consultation with hair and make-up at Avant Guarde Salon in Destin, FL. Met Jami & Jen, who will be styling some of my models. They were busy so the meeting felt hurried, and after leaving, I realized I had forgotten to ask if they could do my photoshoot on Sunday and also forgot to tell them a certain detail about make-up! Crap!!
That morning, met up with Okeye and Jeremy at Artesano in order to speak with Nikki about putting up art at the reception and selling tickets at the store. Also met with Steve about creating a back-drop for the show. Both were excited about participating. Yay!! I love these peeps! lol Also went for the first time and saw the room at the Emerald Coast Conference Center that the fashion show will be held in. Man, it's big!!

Friday & Saturday, 16 & 17 April, Mad rush to finish up all the final details of garments before photoshoot. Had my mother, brother, and sister help me. I think they are completely sick of me now. HAHA Saturday, my father made a great prop for the photoshoot. Thanks so much fam!!


Sunday, 18 April, Go to bed at 6:30am. Wake up at 8:00am! Exhausted, delusional!! Brain barely processing, but must smile and make great impression on everyone...Then have meeting with almost everyone involved in show, well, everyone except the rest of my dang models!!
First had consult with Sharon from the Northwest Florida Ballet. She will be directing the dancers that will perform between the designers' collections. Showed her the music I wanted them to dance to and the music my models will be walking too. She had some great ideas, and we understood one anthers' vision. So happy with that, and one less thing to stress about.
Met with a representative from the Boys & Girls club. She was very excited and happy about the show. Tickets handed out to the models to sell.
Met with The Fuss Boutique. A few garments from each of the Creative Ambitions designers' lines will be shown in a fashion show for The Fuss. This is to be a preview of the C.A. collections. The preview show will be held on May 2 at a Vie Magazine party. Vie Magazine is hosting the party as an appreciation to its advertisers.
Met with Vie Magazine representatives. Let them see a few garments from my line. They made suggestions on which garments they would like to see at the preview party. We may have some discrepancies about this...
Consultation with Steve Burrows about the show's back-drop. Of course he had great ideas and will do an awesome job!
Spoke with the D.J. about what songs I have chosen for my part of the show. The D.J. was very nice, and helpful. :-)
Lastly, fit the five of my models that showed up, and decided who I want to be in the photoshoot. Funny thing, all my garments are based off of the same dress-form, yet each model fits into different garments. What the?! My sister and my girl/ "Publicist" Cole, helped so much with the fitting. Thanks babes! Love you both!!

Then...UTTER DISASTER!!!!
Hair and make-up cancelled for the shoot!! So shoot has to be rescheduled. And yes, I stayed up all night finishing garments for no reason!! BLAH!!!!

Take rest of the day off, and go to BBQ at Boyfriend's house. I was so tired, that I ninja-ed my way in past him and his guests, and crawled into bed and went to sleep while everyone BBQ'd. He didn't even know I was there for about two hours; even came into the room where I was sleeping and didn't even see me! HaHa, I love being little-- I can completely disappear if the comforter gets bunched!

Monday, 19 April, Took the day off, however, Brian and I did go and find his suit for the show. We picked it out at Jos. A. Bank in the Destin Commons. The sales associate was very helpful and picked out great accessories for him. Now that his outfit is done, it's one less detail I have to stress about. He looks so great in it that I may not let him go to the show at all! lol

**11 April Meeting with Models**

The main players left to right...
Jeremy Pinne- One of the Designers and the event coordinator
Yours Truly
Caroline Smith- Head designer of Janie G Couture
Okeye Mitchell- Public Relations Director and show photographer




(Pics of most of the models. A few could not make it to the meeting, so I have yet to meet a couple of my girls.)

The meeting went well, though the location was changed at the last minute to the Wingate Hotel in Destin, FL. We are very grateful to them and my friend Karen, one of the hotel managers, for letting us have the room on such short notice and at such a discounted rate. Thanks so much Wingate!

Tickets were given out at the meeting to us designers. Sooo....
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!!!! Thursday before my meeting with hair & make up at Avant Garde Salon in Destin, we will be going by Artesano, the store that sells some of my art and accessories, and asking if they will sell tickets there. Tickets are also going to go on sale at a few other places, I will announce where asap.

Notes: Was informed at the meeting that my collection will be the finale! Yay!! I am happy, but also a little more nervous now because it adds a bit more pressure. But still very pleased with it! When Okeye is talking to people about me, it's so funny. I'm listening to him and laughing to myself because I sound very impressive. HaHaHaaa Thanks for the props Okeye!

Also need to add one last thank you... Thanks so much to Brian for working as my assistant for the day! lol

Daily Concern: After meeting with my models, I want to change around some of my outfits. Do I have time to do this?
Also stopped by Jo-Ann Fabric Store today; the store did not have the knit fabric I wanted in the right color. Finding the fabric I want is always a problem in this area because there are not many fabric stores here.

***Inspiration-Awaaaaaaaaaaayyy***

Last night, well actually around four this morning, inspiration struck and struck hard. I was up working until 7:30am!!! Hmmm, why can't inspiration strike at a more decent hour? But that's OK because I came up with the most amazing logo in all of logo historia!!! Yay!! Yes, the brag queen is taking over right now, but seriously, this is the most amazing logo. Can't wait to get new business cards, T-shirts, signs, stationary etc printed with this amazingness! As soon as I edit my digital version, I will post it for all my readers, yes, all three of them. HaHaHaaaa

So for today, Inspiration Awaaaaayyy!!!

Notes: Hair and Make-up called me this morning about a consultation. Must call them back before 4pm. Gotta get my hair and make-up ideas together.

Daily Concern:
I am way behind where I want to be, but with my logo finished early I think it all balances out. Hope it does anyways...

Remember, be so LEGENDARY that they have LORE about you!

Pricing Screen Printing

Finally got a chance to go price screen printing places for my T-Shirts. The town I live in is small so a variety of choices is more of a non-exist. The first place was smaller; I had looked at their website and saw that they could order some organic T-shirts for me, but there was not any information on shipping times and such. So I went there to speak with them in person, and the woman working there could not answer my questions. The owner is out of town for two-weeks (Don't have enough time to wait, and the other employee would not be back until Tuesday sooooo...

On to the next place...
The receptionist here was extremely helpful and friendly-- I think I could have hugged her! lol So now the T-shirts are priced (a little higher than expected)and I plan to place my order on Monday. They should be done in 5-7 days after placing the order! Yay Yay!!!

Note:
Tried to make a new kind of draped hoodie last night/early early this morning. Really not coming out the way I expected, almost a failure. Pray it can be salvaged because starting over would be pooper-scoopers!!!

Daily Concern:
How am I going to do the finishing on my swimsuits? I'm missing the zigzag foot on my Kenmore sewing machine, my serger will not work due to no cover stitch capability, and my other sewing machine is useless in sewing knits...

Meeting & Practices with Models

Sunday, the designers and the producers of the fashion show will meet with all the models at once for the first time. We will be dividing up models amongst us. So I finally I will get to pick the rest of my girls. Yay!

I have emailed and posted to my FaceBook page some modeling tip videos I found on YouTube for my models to watch, practice, and learn from. Several of the girls are inexperienced so these videos should greatly help them.

Model fittings will commence next week, and the following Sunday I plan to be doing the photo shoot for my collection's lookbook. I have not yet decided on each of the models I will use for this. One is decided and another girl I would really like to use lives to far away :-) to do the shoot, however, she will be modeling in the show. So far, I have decided that I will only use two or three girls, and I have also decided on the theme and style for the book. Now in the next few days I need to speak with the photographer about what I am thinking of doing. I also need to contact hair and makeup.

Other news, still working to finish up my garments for the fashion show. Absolutely can not wait until I am through with them and I can move on to accessories!

Here are links to the videos I found on YouTube that I would like my models to practice...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPpMea5Lod8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AauUshLt0s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOLoXOaLAaw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4Webr5nAac

!!!Yeaaah!!!

This week I plan on finishing all of my garments for the fashion show. I am super excited about it!! :-D Wish me lots and lots and lots of luck!

This past weekend I put my brother on helping me work on new and improved logo ideas. He's very creative and artistic, so hopefully he can come up with an ultra-amazing idea.

Today I'm working on finishing up the designs for my T-shirts that will be in the show collection. Tomorrow I plan on going around town and getting the designs priced so I can order them sometime this week. I wish I had the time and equipment to print them myself, oh well, next collection.