While going through my usual morning routine I was pleasantly surprised to see an email from Alex Cohen (YES from All Thing Considered) of KPCC. She got my info from Sonja, founder of UniqueLA, and wanted to get a preview of my workshop during the Unique LA show. So of course I was very happy to meet with her and here's the link from the interview and a picture of the card holder made by Alex Cohen herself. 

BTW she was lovely and made me feel so at ease during my first radio interview. 

Let me tell you about one woman's inspiring story. Jeanette Truppe walked in to CTS about 6 months ago just to check it out. After finding my industrial machines in the studio she was inspired to start sewing again. Having grown-up in the garment industry as a child in Europe, surrounded by her mothers work she was familiar with the studio set up. Though it had been a long time since using these machines, she was inspired to create something for herself. Using just the overlock machine, she made an easy to wear jacket out of cotton fleece. After wearing it around her neighborhood it caught the eyes of a local boutique. Immediately they wanted to carry her jackets! It's been months since this jacket had its debut and they can't seem to keep it in stock. Since then, Jeanette has received orders from another boutique adjacent to her neighborhood and it has spread to NY. She now has expanded her line to knit tops, dresses and vests. I see Jeanette 2-3 times a week for hours at a time working at turning this hobby in to a successful business. Now this is NOT her full time gig, she's a hairdresser by trade. I'm amazed at her dedication as she drives from Sherman Oaks after or before her salon appointment. 

I'm sure if you've been in my studio in the past few months you have met her, she's the most friendly person, always greeting people w/ a big warm HELLO! Jeanette you are an inspiration, it's exciting for me to be a part of your new business. Continued success....

What a great country we live in... THE President came to CTS to learn how to sew. If that doesn't make us cool I don't know what else I can do to impress you. We had a great time shooting the video. 

Check out the video... and enjoy! http://vimeo.com/obamacomedy

My close friends know I'm not a huge fan of decorating for every holiday OR any holiday. I will never be organized enough to be that mom who has labeled boxes in the attack for each season/holiday. I'm lucky if I can keep my desk organized... I attribute this "quality" to my creative side.  All to say that I had to decorate my store, to keep up w/all the other stores on the street. :) I was very hopeful when I started, there was Christmas music playing in the background and I was determined to get these lights up - happy to be "in the spirit"! (picture #1) After about an hour of fidgeting w/these lights I gave up and thought to myself "this is why i don't have a box labeled Christmas!" (picture #2)  My intern Larisa gave her best shot only to be defeated by these lights as well. Luckily my friend Riel happened to be in the store for a class and offered to put them up for me. ( picture #3) I have to admit there are some jobs men are just better at. I say let them do it.... I'm just happy to have them up because I don't want to look like Scrooge of Mission street. (picture #4)

Happy holidays and I hope your experience is better than mine. 

(Picture 1) (Picture 2-right side)

(Picture 3) (Picture 4-right side)

It's always sad when you find or have a clothing item that is not the right shape but you love the fabric or stitch. That was the inspiration for this project. I found this giant sweater downtown, great stitch but way too big and not cute. It's a very easy project to do and only takes about 2 hours. So start digging up your old sweaters and transform it into something new.