kara-lines

april makes twelve

twelve years in business for tumbleweed, that is

we plan a little celebration every year to thank you, our lovely customers, for all of your support

and kara always outdoes herself with an amazing kara-line anniversary collection

this year she's designed several new styles that will be unveiled soon

her inspiration this year:

and a sneak peek at the lovely fabrics you'll see transformed into the collection:

we'll keep you posted...

storefront takeover!

if you didn't make it into the shop for our event last evening, you may not have seen our beautiful window yet

students in the fashion marketing program at the art institute of portland arranged our window display last week as part of the storefront takever: art students unleashed project hosted by alberta main street

barrie and sally, the two students who worked on our window, did a beautiful job drawing inspiration from a new kara-line fabric:

stop by and see it in person...

 

inspiration...

sometimes comes in a pile of pretty fabrics on a studio floor:

getting ready for march's kara-line collection...

behind the scenes

last week we were in la for a quick buying trip

in less than 48 hours, we:

flew into lax and had a breakneck taxi cab ride to the fashion district

met with reps from lots of our favorite lines to place orders

found a few new-to-us lines that we're really excited about, like the super pretty saivana

saw more stilettos (on other buyers) than you could shake a stick at

ate yummy fish tacoes

flew back into lovely pdx

now we can't wait for the goods to arrive - great pants for spring and summer, cool stripey tops, beautiful dresses...

 

forever...

it has been crazy hot here in the nw...it reminds me of when i lived in Georgia, and met my dear friend Amy.

she is one of those people that could see the good in you.

i appreciated Georgia but it was not the right place for me...

but all of the experiences and places we go make us who we are.

Amy is the one who encouraged me to do what i do...

make dresses.

the new karaline dresses are here just in time for the hot summer days.

throw one on...

 go to the pool

eat a popsicle

ride a bike

pick blueberries

have a yard sale

eat peach pie

enjoy a breeze

some people

there are some people in this world that drive me crazy like driving through a parking lot way to fast...with out a care in the world...not thinking of if a kid were to run out because her hands are full of groceries...or the customer who speaks to my employees as if they were just ....employees...

but then there are those that totally amaze me...
like Abby...
she works so hard...has to listen to me try to make decisions...helps me try to make them...
and then she goes home to be even more amazing

i am so lucky...to have so many wonderful employees...this one is a rare find.
http://abbytrysagain.typepad.com/

thanks ruth

so art is very personal...right.so i wont say much and let others just check it out...
http://www.ruthshively.com/

this is my personal Ruth Shively that i bought site unseen a few years back... still love it every day

photo shoot

lucky me to have such an amazing and talented employee such as Abby Thompson Powell...
i met abby in the check out lane where she worked...i begged her to come work for me...begging works...
i had no idea how at that point just how talented she was...
abby took her camera and a few of other employees out to snap some shots...amazed.thank you abby.
http://abbytrysagain.typepad.com/
like i said lucky me...

rain

for those of you that do not live in Portland, we have been incredibly lucky to have had an amazing fall...crisp sunny days...with blue skies...
most of us are used to the weather up here...last night the rains moved in the sky was heavy and dark
on the horizon just before dusk you could actually see some where off in the distance a hint of the sun setting...but it was almost like say good by to our lovely fall.
it poured all night.  I could hear the neighbors gutters overflowing...well i guess i will start working on that spring collection next week.

fabric i just can't cut

so people are always asking me  "where do i get my inspiration"
well for me ...its in the fabric...the styles of my dresses are simple...
but its the fabrics that make me so excited...mixing different prints...adding layers
the kara-line dresses i make are timeless.
these fabrics are liberty prints..they just make me so happy...someday i will get the nerve to cut into it.