It’s not unusual for people to need a bit of adjusting for the clothes they buy from me. Sleeves might be too long or too short. We may decide to take it in a bit or let it out. Some people like a snug fit, other loose. So usually, for a week or two after a show, I’ll take some time for altering.

I’ve cut back on special orders, but there are still a few that I do. Like this one. A customer asked for a jacket in black and white. What a cool idea! It’s finished and ready to ship.

I’m thinking I’d like to revisit this style again.

Below, a snap shot of the sleeve sections in process.

It’s not just altering and special orders, because, as I finish up from the show, I think about new work. I lay out fabrics that are calling to me.

These gorgeous fabrics are inspiring!

I’m also wanting to make a beaded jacket. This pretty blue shibori silk will be the base. I lay out beads of different colors, shapes and positions until I land on one that looks right.

I ended up with this, with the beads clustered towards the ends of the leaf shapes. A photo helps me to remember how I’ve laid them out.

And yes! Always a good idea. A break! Away from my studio for a short trip to one of my favorite places, Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia River.

For this trip I was determined to focus on being there. “No photographs!’ I told myself. Just enjoy the moment.

But I could not resist the scenes down by the river front. This place is magic.

The mossy remains of piers. The miles wide Columbia river. The enormous cargo ships.

The ships wait for their turn to go up river to deliver and/or pick up goods from cities all along the river.

As I walked along the water front, I snapped a photo of a couple of coast guard boats heading out. Because the Columbia River Bar is so treacherous, the Coast Guard’s National Motor Lifeboat School is stationed here. It’s the perfect spot for people from all over the world to come and train for water rescue.

Check out this photo I downloaded from the Coast Guard website. Can you imagine the challenge of rescuing someone out of this?

And this excellent article in the New York Times about their water rescue training program.

Amazing.

All vessels engaged in foreign trade, like this one heading out, are required to employ a Columbia River Bar Pilot. The Bar Pilots guide the ships from the ocean to just past Astoria and back out again. Check out their website here.

I mean, the coast guard folks, the bar pilots, … Yow. I am beyond impressed. You guys.

It was only for a few days, but this trip was the perfect way to clear my mind, think about something completely different, change my focus, look in a new direction and start something new!