Goodbye 2014!

2014 has been a fun, wild, happy, amazing year for Lois Pearl.  

Lois Pearl found favorite new shows to attend, moved into a designated studio and retail space, and met some really wonderful customers and friends along the way.  

The women's clothing line has taken off.  This is something that I never could have imagined.  

Thank you.

Many of you chose to put your little ones in Lois Pearl for family photos, holidays, and vacations.  Thank you.

To those of you who stopped by the studio to find gifts, chat a bit, or just way "hi".  

Thank you.

I am blessed.  I love what I do every day.  You all make that possible.  

From the bottom of my heart, big hugs and thank you!!

Here's to 2015. 

May it hold lots of big happy moments!

Photo by Lisa Boncosky Photography

Moving forward!

Do you remember where the name Lois Pearl originated?  Naming my biz after my grandmother and great grandmother should tell you a lot about me.

I LOVE family
I LOVE my hometown
I'm a bit sentimental

Lois Pearl has been so blessed with opportunity this past year.  After a long winter of working from home I realized that I was just too lonely all day!  I will always choose to live in the country, but working out there by myself all day every day was not my style.

This extravert needs more interaction.

Our little town is going through a lot of change.  There is a push to "bring back" downtown Yorktown, IN.  This is my hometown.  There is a gazebo here where my dad used to hang out after school.  There is the family farmhouse where my grandmother (Lois) was born.  There is the old bank building where my great-grandmother (Pearl) used to walk.

And as I type I'm listening to the church bells ring.  The church where I went to preschool, and Hill & I were married.

My studio needs to be in this town.  I need to be a part of this town.

So here's the big announcement.  I've moved out, or up, or on.  It's a great thing.

We've spent countless hours of the last month painting, cleaning, and organizing to get the space ready.  Today I'm finally here.  It feels like my first day at a new job.  Fresh, clean, exciting.  It's making me ever so happy!

Oh, and that bank that my great grandmother used to walk to?  That's where I'm at.  The Bank space!! It even has the coolest old vault inside!

I'll share pics of the finished studio soon.  It's feels a bit empty now, but soon it will be filled with all sorts of pretty things, the sound of humming sewing machines, probably a little country music, and laughter!

I hope that you have a terrific week!  I'm headed out to the Country Living Fair in Columbus, OH for a girls weekend.  I'll be sure to post pics for you next week!

Growing Season: Starting Seeds

We were shopping the home improvement stores last weekend and I found myself sucked in my the seed isle.  The snow has finally melted in our world and spring is here!  That means I'm ready to try my hand at growing something.

When I was growing up I can remember my Dad spontaneously bringing home seed starter kits.  It meant that summer was on it's way.  Green grass, tractors in the field, sunshine!

We picked up a kit, some starter soil, and several seed packets including dill, basil and our favorite little tomatoes.

The Bug had a great time scanning the QR codes on the back of all the packets.

The kiddos had a ball filling each little cell with soil.  They then took turns choosing which seeds to plant.  We had a great time comparing the different shapes and shades of seeds.

After the seeds were planted the kiddos gave them a drink of water.  Now it's their turn to grow!

The kit even comes with a lid that you just pop on.  Instant mini greenhouse!

Update:  We found a sunny spot on my sewing table for our little greenhouse, and after about 7 days our seeds have sprouted.  Now if I can successfully transfer them to the garden in a couple of weeks it might be a miracle!

Snow Days (Part 1)

The Polar Vortex hit Indiana hard last weekend.  This snow loving girl didn't mind at all!  There is nothing prettier than a hike along our river bottom in the snow.  I can remember my parents bundling us up do the same thing when my brother and I were young!

The snow makes for a terrific playground and great pictures!

 A view of the river bottom from our backyard.  Hard to believe that it was totally flooded about a month ago!

 The backyard looking toward the big farm and cattle pasture.

 Henry the bull.

 The back of the family farm.

Huck

Miller

These pictures were taken when the snow was falling and temperatures were around 32 F.  Once the temps dropped below zero our pups only went outside for about a minute at a time.  The bull got to come inside from the bitter cold to a nice warm stall filled with grain and hay.  We're all looking forward to enjoying the balmy high today of 23!  

Perks!

I'll let you in on a little secret, there is a fantastic deal out there right now for Lois Pearl!  Check out My Perks for my deal and great offers from other local Indiana artisans.  

While you're at it, please take a moment to follow the participating artisans on Facebook.  Links to their websites can be found on Bizzy's Blog.  Items from these artisans can be found on Bizzy too!

It's a great chance to get a jump on holiday shopping or a treat for yourself!

Fall 2013 dresses are here!

Sometimes choosing fabrics can be overwhelming.  Sometimes you see a pattern, a color combination, or a design that's just "it".

When Joel Dewberry released his newest fabric line, it was love at first sight.  The hardest part was narrowing my choices down to a few bolts!  Add a splash of Amy Butler's big florals into the mix, and it made for a fun, spirited, and yet classic collection!

Brooke & Dan Brand, of Brand Photo Design did an amazing job of capturing these images.  A special "thank you" to their beautiful daughters, Natalie & Sammi for being my models.  Aren't they gorgeous girls?  Brooke & Dan are so creative and professional, I felt honored to have them photograph my dresses.  Thank you Brand Family!

The "Alice" Knot Dress

The "Amelia" Knot Dress

The "Annie" & The "Addison"

The "Avery"

You can find even more great fall styles listed here on the Lois Pearl Etsy page.  All dresses are available in sizes 12 month to 8 years.  These fabric combination can also be made as peasant dresses if you prefer sleeves.

Thanks so much for stopping in!  More fun items will be making their debut in the coming weeks!

Who is Lois Pearl?

Who's this Lois Pearl lady anyway?

I've been so sporadic about blogging that I'm probably a stranger to anyone reading this.  So, let's get to know one another a bit better.

1.  I live in a small town in Central Indiana.
2.  I can see cattle from my kitchen window.  This makes me ever so happy.
3.  Coffee is my best friend along with my two gray dogs.
4.  If you follow me on Twitter @lois_pearl you'll see lots of pictures of dogs and fabric.
5.  Some of my earliest memories are of watching my mom sew, and of sorting her scraps.
6.  Now while I sew, my little Evy sorts my scraps.
7.  We live "around the corner" from the farm that my family has lived on for 100 years.

8.  If I cook something for you, and you like it, please don't ask me for a recipe.  I probably didn't follow one.
9.  The majority of my sewing patterns were created by me.  I don't like following patterns any more than I like following recipes!
10.  My sewing and furniture refinishing business has taken over our basement, affectionately named "The Sweatshop".
11.  I perfected my sewing skills during my 10 years in 4-H.
12.  Prior to taking on Lois Pearl full time, I sold locally raised beef & pork to restaurants.
13.  I love hiking on the farm with my gray dogs, Miller & Huckleberry.
14.  Both of our dogs are rescues.  In our prior life we fostered both dogs and cats.
15.  Teal is my favorite color of the moment.
16.  Every home that I have lived in has a red front door.
17.  My favorite vacation spot is Frankfort, MI.
18.  I have 4 sewing machines.  The newest addition is a gorgeous antique Singer.
19.  My kiddos are 3 & 5.  The oldest just started Kindergarten in the same classroom where I attended.

20.  My husband is a farm kid too.  We met in college at a cattle show.
21.  We've been married 10 years.
22.  Lois Pearl is named for my grandmother & great-grandmother.  It just has a nice sound to it.
23.  Homemade granola might be the world's most perfect food.
24.  Followed closely by my mom's chicken casserole.
25.  I love organizing things in ROYGBIV (rainbow) order.

Nice to meet you!  If you enjoy pictures of the farm, sewing, and food, than we have a lot in common!  I hope that you'll stop back soon!