Posts tagged Moni

The month of December has flown by. No, wait; the whole year of 2009 has flown by and all I have to say is I LOVE YOU ‘09.It’s been a fantastic year for the sew MONI team. In only a short time we’ve grown from a team of 2 to a team of 5! And, we have met some of the most wonderful people in the process too.Thank you for all your support and well wishes.Happy Holiday!XO Moni

The month of December has flown by. No, wait; the whole year of 2009 has flown by and all I have to say is I LOVE YOU ‘09.

It’s been a fantastic year for the sew MONI team. In only a short time we’ve grown from a team of 2 to a team of 5! And, we have met some of the most wonderful people in the process too.

Thank you for all your support and well wishes.

Happy Holiday!

XO Moni

I was recently mugged and assaulted in Brooklyn. I know. I felt violated and scared and the experience left me jaded for a few weeks. Also, it happened at 2:30 in the afternoon, in broad daylight! Is that even allowed? Luckily, a few people witnessed, heard my screams and actually came to my rescue. They helped me, picked me up off the ground and took care of me until the police showed up.

Even though our economy stinks and I happened to be a victim of the increased crime rate due to the economic slump, I’m still happy to be living in the US. I’m so blessed that strangers were there for me and their efforts proved to me that city people are kind.

Coincidentally, much of my sewing inspiration is derived from America. The two horse prints above are Robert Kaufman fabrics and I LOVE them. Horses remind me of Texas and all things patriotic. And the print with the flags perfectly moving in sync while horses gallop in glory gives me a sense of comfort. 

On a similar note, this week marks a huge gallop for sewMONI. We are bringing on 2-3 part time employees! It’s important to me that our small company supports employment efforts in the USA. All of our goods are handmade in the USA one stitch at a time with much care. Our newest employees are quite talented and I am anxious to see what new things will be generated within the next few months.

Enjoy your weekend!

XO Moni

Photo Credit: Robert Kaufman

Today I’ve been thinking about Elvis. Don’t know why but I have!

My parents took me to see Graceland when I was about 10 years old. Exploring Elvis’ mansion and witnessing multitudes of women cry as they strolled past his grave site left such an impression upon me. So when I Googled “Elvis fabric” and learned of its popularity, I had to post and write about my findings.

I’m not crazy about the prints I discovered but the idea of commemorating the King via fabric is stellar. Now if I can only find fabric with silhouettes of Edward Norton.

XO

Photo Credit: Elvisly Yours & Etsy

I’ve always been a fan of Toile or fabrics that connotate history. Toile came to life in the 16th Century and is French for “web” or “cloth”. It’s quite popular within the home decor markets and among Provencial interior designers. I dig its complicated and harmonious print scenes. My initial introduction to Toile was via my Mother and her many country Toile home decor projects. Toile prints from soft pink to primary black were always in the mix at my home in Texas. I’ve begun to incorporate Toile for sewMONI Spring 2010 in light pastels and steel grey colors. I love the way it makes me feel regal in taste. Also, having a bit of Toile around [in home decor or personal accessories] reminds me of time past and new adventures to come! XO Moni
Photo Credits:House Couturier & Pillow Outlet

I just returned from watching Julie & Julia and WOW! I’m literally speechless.I left the theater genuinely inspired and happy.  I didn’t forsee my admiration at all nor did I expect to be so enthusiastic about a per se chick flick!  Even at my disgusting Bermese dinner before the film, I noted to myself that the movie would most likely be okay, and that there was a 90% chance I’d regret spending 12.50 USD to see it.  Plus, I knew we were going to a theater with uncomfortable seats which always lends to an off night at the movies.  Boy was I wrong. [Wrong about the movie but right about the seats :)]Julie & Julia was a straight forward and sincere delight. Julie’s quest for vindication was real and quirky. It made complete sense why she needed daily tasks and a final deadline to feel focused. I fight deadlines all the time and struggle with finding purpose in my every move. But after tonight’s boost of energy I feel a 2nd wind.I desire to create, eat, laugh, be romantic and live!But first sleep.Goodnight.XO MoniPhoto Credit: MovieBlog

I just returned from watching Julie & Julia and WOW! I’m literally speechless.

I left the theater genuinely inspired and happy.  I didn’t forsee my admiration at all nor did I expect to be so enthusiastic about a per se chick flick!  Even at my disgusting Bermese dinner before the film, I noted to myself that the movie would most likely be okay, and that there was a 90% chance I’d regret spending 12.50 USD to see it.  Plus, I knew we were going to a theater with uncomfortable seats which always lends to an off night at the movies.  

Boy was I wrong. [Wrong about the movie but right about the seats :)]

Julie & Julia was a straight forward and sincere delight. Julie’s quest for vindication was real and quirky. It made complete sense why she needed daily tasks and a final deadline to feel focused. I fight deadlines all the time and struggle with finding purpose in my every move. But after tonight’s boost of energy I feel a 2nd wind.

I desire to create, eat, laugh, be romantic and live!

But first sleep.

Goodnight.

XO Moni

Photo Credit: MovieBlog

I’m always asked which web-sites I use to gather information about fabrics. Below are a few that I surf almost everyday or at least once a week! Purl SohoJoAnnHandcock FabricsAlways ModIf you are looking for fabric shops in your area I suggest Googling Quilt Shop Locations. This may sound like a “no brainer” to sewing fanatics but to beginning sewers, maybe not. My absolute favorite quilting store is The Quilt Cottage located in Corpus Christi, Texas. They have an incredible selections of cotton fabrics. They also have a nifty online shop and online orders are shipped out rather quickly.XO MoniPhoto Credit: Always Mod

I’m always asked which web-sites I use to gather information about fabrics. Below are a few that I surf almost everyday or at least once a week! 

Purl Soho
JoAnn
Handcock Fabrics
Always Mod

If you are looking for fabric shops in your area I suggest Googling Quilt Shop Locations. This may sound like a “no brainer” to sewing fanatics but to beginning sewers, maybe not. My absolute favorite quilting store is The Quilt Cottage located in Corpus Christi, Texas. They have an incredible selections of cotton fabrics. They also have a nifty online shop and online orders are shipped out rather quickly.

XO Moni

Photo Credit: Always Mod

  During the growing stages of SEW Moni I’ve been praying about a social mission for our company. My initial thoughts were to support a mission abroad. Maybe a mission in Africa or an effort in the now devastated Haiti? But then, I realized that there is so much need right here in the USA.Last week on our walk to lunch we witnessed a kid being caught and pinned to the ground. Scary. This week, I’ve seen way too many homeless people in shorts or bundled up like ice cubes in 20 degree weather. And, after exchanging a conversation with a fellow co-worker who as a single mom, adopted her abandoned little one, my throat felt shallow.I’ve always felt fortunate and loved. I’ve never gone hungry or without a place to rest. I have a family who is completely supportive and such influences definitely kept me out of trouble. But not many have these things, not even one. And in the given economic climate, many, many more are suffering.It’s wild for me to even think about such circumstances and nor do I feel as if I could personally relate. The closest I’ve ever been to suffering was when I worked as an HIV counselor in a state clinic down south. Our daily influx of patients and counseling of test results was hard to swallow. I suppose the emotional anxiety I experienced, and the worry that someone would survive beyond their diagnosis is my closest taste of strife.While I don’t have a billion dollar charity fund or even a thousand dollar offering for many of the needs of our country,  I do have knowledge in what I love to do: sewing. And with that knowledge I intend spark a movement to create and craft for those that need it the most.During the months of March, April and May I am asking that you join us in a push to craft for people. Maybe there is a kid who’s never had a doll or a boy who does not have a blanket. Or maybe there is a shelter who needs more sleeping blankets and pillows. Honestly, I do not know who and where these people are but we’ll find them together. We will! Please stay turned for more on this effort. I intend to put the word out here in Brooklyn, NY. It’s my hope that there will be a week if not a month dedicated to weekly sewing groups in your neighborhood, a unified effort to share hope.XO Moni

 

During the growing stages of SEW Moni I’ve been praying about a social mission for our company. My initial thoughts were to support a mission abroad. Maybe a mission in Africa or an effort in the now devastated Haiti? But then, I realized that there is so much need right here in the USA.

Last week on our walk to lunch we witnessed a kid being caught and pinned to the ground. Scary. This week, I’ve seen way too many homeless people in shorts or bundled up like ice cubes in 20 degree weather. And, after exchanging a conversation with a fellow co-worker who as a single mom, adopted her abandoned little one, my throat felt shallow.

I’ve always felt fortunate and loved. I’ve never gone hungry or without a place to rest. I have a family who is completely supportive and such influences definitely kept me out of trouble. But not many have these things, not even one. And in the given economic climate, many, many more are suffering.

It’s wild for me to even think about such circumstances and nor do I feel as if I could personally relate. The closest I’ve ever been to suffering was when I worked as an HIV counselor in a state clinic down south. Our daily influx of patients and counseling of test results was hard to swallow. I suppose the emotional anxiety I experienced, and the worry that someone would survive beyond their diagnosis is my closest taste of strife.

While I don’t have a billion dollar charity fund or even a thousand dollar offering for many of the needs of our country,  I do have knowledge in what I love to do: sewing. And with that knowledge I intend spark a movement to create and craft for those that need it the most.

During the months of March, April and May I am asking that you join us in a push to craft for people. Maybe there is a kid who’s never had a doll or a boy who does not have a blanket. Or maybe there is a shelter who needs more sleeping blankets and pillows. Honestly, I do not know who and where these people are but we’ll find them together. We will! 

Please stay turned for more on this effort. I intend to put the word out here in Brooklyn, NY. It’s my hope that there will be a week if not a month dedicated to weekly sewing groups in your neighborhood, a unified effort to share hope.

XO Moni