That's a photo I shot in Chelsea when I was in NYC in 2007. It's one of my favorite window photos.

As you might surmise, I haven't been posting or commenting much because I'm sewing. But I AM reading you, so don't try to slip anything by me. I'm like Santa that way. Or a mother. Or a Compound dog when someone's in the kitchen. Or the Talamasca. (Hi, MGH.)

Enough with the similes. Right now, one of my models is posed in front of me wearing a design I just finished and she's SO FREAKING ADORABLE. I'm having a lot of fun with this collection because I'm making myself take on new challenges. I know that some of my readers are not into the doll stuff and the fashion; others of you will see it, evaluate and comment on it, then move on and forget it. For me, however, there has to be a reason to do this beyond just making doll clothes. I have to learn something from it or take something from it that I can use in the future.

To wit:

I begin with raw materials. The doll comes first. Then I choose fabrics after much consideration of color and texture. Once I've settled on those, I begin to create a context that includes structure and form. I create new patterns or modify old ones to cut my design pieces. Then I start putting the pieces together. Very often, this involves a lot of frustration. I make false starts. I do things wrong and have to rip them out and redo them. Sometimes I throw everything away and start fresh. Eventually, I have a look. Then I choose how to accessorize it, enhance it. Sometimes it all requires research. Sometimes I need another pair of eyes for praise, criticism, or input. Sometimes I need help doing something I haven't tried before.

Finally, where there was nothing, there's suddenly something!

For those of you who create in the visual or performing arts, I don't know how much of this is relevant to you. But for those who have asked what my writing process is, go back and read that paragraph.

I always begin with a character. Like each doll I work with, my character becomes my muse. Everything I'm going to develop in terms of plot, setting, point of view, or theme, for example, is structured based on who that character is. Conflicts, career, relationships--these are how I accessorize and enhance my character. And writing has all the same frustrations: starting and restarting, deleting, talking through some snag with someone who understands my writing style. For each new work of fiction, I have to try new things, meet new challenges, to keep the process from feeling stale.

Finally, where there was nothing, there's suddenly something!

It's possible that I've begun to forgive myself for my year of not writing. It's possible that all this sewing and painting and photographing things were ways of refilling my creative well. It's been kind of crazy to have a fully-formed character in my head for several months now, to wake up thinking about her and figuring out more things about her life, to even talk about her and her story to other writers, and STILL not be writing. I guess she's just not posed right in front of me yet, looking SO FREAKING ADORABLE that I can't resist her.

Thanks to everyone who commented and e-mailed about my runway post from Monday. I do need to clear up something. I didn't make a lot of those clothes. They are vintage and new Mattel (or Mattel knock-offs). I'm going to put some thumbnails behind the cut of exactly what I did make. Because I'd never take credit for anyone else's work. Except maybe, you know, Tim's. ;)

( Click here to see what I did sew if you're interested. )
The Hump Day Happy post will be up later! Thanks for your patience.

Tonight, Runway Monday has put together a runway show at an undisclosed location to feature this season's final collection by Becks. You've been checking out her looks for the past few months. Now she's accepted the final season-six challenge of Lifetime's Project Runway to create thirteen looks in a cohesive collection.

I'm your pre-show host, Heidi Gunn. It looks like we'll have a full house tonight.

( And a post full of photos behind this cut. Click here if you want to see more. )

I think continually of those who were truly great.
Who from the womb, remembered the soul's history
Through corridors of light where the hours are suns,
Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition
Was that their lips, still touched with fire,
Should tell of the Spirit clothed from head to foot in song.
And who hoarded from the Spring branches
The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms.

What is precious is never to forget
The essential delight of the blood drawn from ageless springs
Breaking through rocks in worlds before our earth.
Never to deny its pleasure in the morning simple light
Nor its grave evening demand for love.
Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother
With noise and fog the flowering of the spirit.

Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields
See how these names are feted by the waving grass
And by the streamers of white cloud
And whispers of wind in the listening sky.
The names of those who in their lives fought for life
Who wore at their hearts the fire's center.
Born of the sun they traveled a short while towards the sun,
And left the vivid air signed with their honour.

Stephen Spender


Photos 1996, my personal archives

Spotted cat getting sun in a second-floor window.


Was spotted back.


Cat showed utter disregard for camera and photographer.

Just a silly bonus cell phone photo because it makes me laugh and may do the same for you.

Not sure if she'll see this, but a very happy birthday to Kathy M today. Here's a little present. I spotted this in the sky on Sunday while I was out. All I had was the camera on my cell phone.

On the most recent episode of Lifetime's Project Runway, the three finalists left L.A. to go home and work on their final collections. Tim Gunn did home visits to check on their progress. Later, the designers headed to New York for Fashion Week.

Meanwhile, in Houston...

( What happened? )

I am a big dork who managed to forget that since Greg was going to be in Houston for a signing, it might be a good idea to order a couple of hardcover copies of his new title. Of course there were paperback copies available at Murder By the Book, and Tim and I each bought one there to give as gifts, because we'll always support our local independent bookstore. But when Insight Out makes special-edition hardcovers available, we indulge ourselves. Anyway, as you can see, they arrived today, so the next time we see Greg, we'll get them signed. As Greg has pointed out, the cover photo is clearly from the French Quarter, whereas the title informs us that the murder is in the Garden District. Vexing to an author, but very few of us have input or approval of our covers. And as Greg also pointed out at his signing, at least it's not a Chinese takeout cover on a novel that has nothing whatsoever to do with Chinese takeout. Our writer fiends friends never tire of mocking our poor Three Fortunes cover.

Here are a couple of photos from Greg's signing:

Writers Gavin Atlas and Greg Herren; me with Greg and Timothy J. Lambert

This past Thursday, we not only didn't have Survivor night (which I still haven't seen, although it's recorded), but I didn't get to see the first episode of the Project Runway finale. We were attending Scout's Honor Rescue's Movie Night and Silent Auction. The Epicure Café provided space for the auction, and California Pizza Kitchen was the site of an after-party. It's always fun to see a movie at the historic River Oaks Theater, and I'll admit that I giggled all the way through Beverly Hills Chihuahua. It's amazing how the Scout's Honor volunteers put such a great night together, and how many donors contribute art, sports memorabilia, culinary treats, jewelry, wines, and other items to the auction. The event is underwritten by the fantastic Don Puryear of Happy Tails Dog Spa and RE/MAX Metro.

More photos from the evening:


Tim and his boss point out some alluring auction items and guests.
The Big H is obviously exhausted from her hard work.


Lindsey, Rhonda, Kathy, Tom, and Tim
Tim holding one of the gift bags given to all the guests



I've been working a lot on the setting for my Runway Monday final collection, but I wasn't willing to start designing and sewing until I saw what challenges/guidelines the Project Runway contestants would be given. I have a theme and some fabric and was thinking I'd be doing five, maybe six, looks. Imagine my surprise when we watched the recorded episode Friday night to learn that the designers were expected to do twelve looks! Then, at the last minute, they were told they'd be doing a thirteenth! Some of the eliminated contestants came back to assist them, but I don't have any cutting and sewing elves. However, last year's runway judge Michelle Hors scoffed at the idea that I couldn't design a dozen-plus outfits. She's right; I can do it. But I can't promise when they'll be done. The PR designers get several months. I may need at least a couple of weeks, but I won't let you down. And neither will my own version of Mood. Wish us luck!

This photo made me oddly happy when I saw it:

Picture from Yoko Ono's web site

John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono; George Harrison's widow Olivia Harrison; Stella McCartney, daughter of Beatle Paul McCartney and the late Linda Eastman McCartney; and Barbara Bach Starkey,
the wife of Ringo Starr

Last night in New York, the three Beatle wives presented designer Stella McCartney an award as one of Glamour magazine's Women of the Year 2009 for her fashion label and her commitment to animal rights.

Tom and I have been gradually giving The Compound's main residence a thorough cleaning over the past two or three weeks. I knew Greg was coming for his signing this past weekend, and my sister was hoping to visit Bobo Butterbean with her dog Harley at Thanksgiving. I wanted everything to be in order before their arrivals.

I THOUGHT I'd taken care of all the dust. But then Tim's boss dropped by to do an inspection, and you can see by her expression that I missed a spot. The Big H is so relentless about these things.