Leah Greengarten

What's On Your Agenda?

2011-01-07T19:58:00.000-08:00

This is a long post way overdue. Since last year, I have been writing for this super cool website called, The Agenda Daily. It's a daily spurt of what's hot and happening around town. So if you're suck for what do do this summer, check out some of these recent posts. If you like what you read, why not sign up!

New Year New Job

2011-01-02T16:32:00.001-08:00

Out with the old and new with the new. And, as we all know, with all new things, come new challenges. So 2011 is looking like a rocking year for change. I don't remember the last time, I was so excited for the year ahead. There is a new job in play, new apartment and maybe new love (who knows!)

I'm super excited to announce that I am the new (and first) NSW Director of Australian Poetry. Amongst other things, my job is to make poetry cool and take it to the people.

So watch this space!

YES PEAS

2010-11-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

Feeling rather crafty this Sunday, I got cutting and pasting and made this cute "Yes Peas" banner. Next is the name of my unborn sister's baby - just one week to go before she hatches. Woot Wooot!

2010-10-30T00:49:00.000-07:00

I thought it was about time I got myself some business cards. Feeling a little quirky I went for these..something different and in my view, the "bees knees". I can't wait for them to arrive in the mail!

Origami!

2010-09-05T05:29:00.000-07:00

I've gone made for Japanese cranes. On a recent trip to the city of Geisha's - Kyoto, I was taught how to make origami. Since then, I've been leaving a trail of cranes behind me. Here are a selection of my first ones.

I've got a fair way to go before I fold 1000 cranes - according to Japanese legend anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish. Gulp. Only 960 to go!

The (Sydney) Magazine

2010-09-02T23:04:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across a really lovely story..

To see the whole article, click here

A Light House in The New York Times

2010-07-26T18:59:00.000-07:00

Photography: Sonia Mangiapane

I had the pleasure of meeting Architect, Tim Hill a couple of months ago at his charming home in Kensington, Melbourne. After chatting to Tim, I discovered he's giving a whole new meaning to what it means to live in a Light House. To see the whole article, click here.

WHAT A WEEK!

2010-06-26T22:36:00.000-07:00

The launch of The Modern Woman's Anthology was a crazy, wonderful and surreal day!

To see more pics of the big day, click here

Poster Exhibition

2010-06-26T22:25:00.000-07:00

A few months back we launched a competition to find the front cover image for the Modern Woman’s Anthology 2010. After receiving entries from all over the world we chose a beautiful artwork from Los Angeles-based photographer, Brion Topolski.

The quality of entrants was overwhelming. The idea that the competition had spread far and wide and from one corner of the earth to another was enough motivation for us and This Is Ikon to curate an exhibition, saluting these artists and their talents.

Libby Hathorn in PEN Magazine

2010-06-26T22:15:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, I interviewed Libby Hathorn for PEN magazine

Contributors Page!

2010-06-13T00:40:00.000-07:00

My first, but not my last - Contributors Page!

The Way Words Travel

2010-06-09T23:58:00.000-07:00

It recently came to my attention, that my Paddock to Plate article originally printed in The New York Times had been syndicated to a couple of other media outlets. So I thought I'd share in the success of the little piece.

To view it in the Boston Globe, click here.

Or, to see it in the Australian Financial Review, you'll have to dash to the library to see it, as it's only available in print format, edition: May-21-23 L4 in the Life & Leisure section.

And, then all the people that tweeted about it, here.

Enjoy!

Ideas worth Spreading @ TEDxSydney

2010-05-22T21:40:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was like a dream come true. I was part of the small TED community which gathered at the inaugural TEDxSydney event at CarriageWorks. It was a superb day, with inspiring talks, visual spectaculars and old friends (I bumped into an old high school friend).

Five highlights;

This fantastic stop motion video, Bathtub IV

Upular a remix from the Disney-Pixar film UP

The talk by Andrew Kuper from LeapFrog Investments

The idea of Collaborative Consumption

Mr. Percival. I need not say more. The man is a genius. Would it be wrong to one day ask him to sing my wedding song? Now, that's collaborative.

A Good Night Kiss

2010-05-05T05:29:00.000-07:00

Crafty creations ii: " A Good Night Kiss" farewell present for our beautiful friend Shell who moved to London last week. Every night her head hits the pillow - there is a kiss from us - her girls in Australia.

In memory of my Grandparents

2010-05-01T00:10:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have posted inspired ramblings or crafty creations. So this week is dedicated to both. Enough said. Actually, a bit of background information might be good. After foraging through my parents old shed, like a mouse looking for food, I discovered my grandparents old dinning room table from Vienna. The same dinner table they ate from in the mid-1940's, just after the war. My dad even remembers eating at it. He would have been only two at the time.

** I had them reupholstered in different colours, just because.

In the throngs of editing

2010-04-17T22:58:00.000-07:00

We, at The Modern Woman's Anthology are deeply stuck in the throngs of editing. And what a wonderful place it is! It is sheer an unadulterated pleasure. The woman have balanced their stories with personal perspectives and professionalism.

Our website has also gone live - super exciting. Not long now..

Farm Fresh Down Under

2010-04-10T17:25:00.000-07:00

I LOVE writing about FOOD

California-Style Living High Above Sydney

2010-04-06T04:26:00.000-07:00

A recent article from The New York Times and the International Herald Tribune here.

100 Greatest Australian Gourmet Experiences

2010-04-02T23:34:00.000-07:00

As a travel writer, for me there is no greater experience than loving something and sharing it with others. Point in case: The Aire Valley Guest House. Last year, my sister and I took a sisterly eco-road trip and made it as 'green' as possible. We hired a Toyota Prius, stayed only in eco-type accommodation and even wore eco-clothing. After all we are the GREENgarten Girls. We had the most wonderful time and I even wrote about it later for the lovely Australian Traveller magazine. I was privileged enough to be invited to the launch party for the issue (redesign), which was held at the Observatory. The highlight of my night, was meeting Peter. Russell. Clarke. A total flash back from the 80's. God love the man, he must be in his 70's, but boy is he a flirt! He had a gaggle of woman in their 20's surrounding him, reminiscing on his early days as a chef. As I left, I heard him say "G'day mate" to someone - Needless to say, I left smiling.

The Modern Woman's Anthology 2010

2010-04-02T23:28:00.001-07:00

As promised here is some information on the MWA 2010. Just because my friends and family really haven't heard enough about it...

The Modern Woman’s Anthology is a literary project that raises money for mental health. Twenty high-profile Australian women have submitted a chapter on the universal concept: What it means to be a woman in the modern world.

All proceeds will be donated to the Black Dog Institute, a not-for-profit, educational, research, clinical and community-orientated facility offering specialist expertise in depression and bipolar disorder.

The writers include: Australian Athletic Hero Cathy Freeman, Award-Winning Children's Author Libby Hathorn, Media Savvy Dr. Cindy Pan, Chairman and Executive Director of Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation Dr Gene Sherman, Australian Local Hero & Oz Harvest Founder (2010) Ronni Kahn, Freelance Journalist Nicole Madigan Everest, Business Woman Jen Dalitz, Author & Media Personality Kathryn Eisman, Adventurer Kate Leeming, Trespass Editor Olivia Hambrett, Bush Personality Jane Grieve, Artist Kathy Ulpar-Altman, Short Story Teller Rebekah Clarkson, Speech Pathologist Annemarie Laurence, PR Personality Kate Engler, Acting Teacher Kate Ellis, Studio Executive at Sony Pictures Entertainment Stacey Kalish, Opera Singer Rosa Krel, Real Estate duo Pauline Goodyer & Debbie Donnelley and Author Juliet Darling.

The Anthology will be launched by Therese Rein and Professor Gordon Parker at Customs House in Sydney on 22 June. Attendees will include all the contributors, media representatives, politicians and writers for the 2011 edition.

Back from the blogging dead..

2010-04-02T22:25:00.000-07:00

I've had an epic break from blogging - and my excuse, terrible but true, I forgot the email address I used for this blog. I'm so much a gmail girl now, that when I first logged onto Blogger I used my hotmail address. In the midst of all this identity crisis a lot has been happening. So shall I start at the beginning...

1. I was eventually published in The New York Times (and continue to get published, thank you Editors)
2. After my writers retreat, I created something called The Modern Woman's Anthology (more on that later)
3. I got my first 'contributors page' (one life goal down, that was up there with the social pages)
4. I've started a regular writing gig at The Agenda Daily.
5. And, most recently I was (or shall I say, my furniture) was rejected by the Salvation Army. But, more on Beggars CAN be chooses later.

I'm sure there is a lot more I've missed, but all in good time/s.

Varuna Writer's Retreat

2009-11-08T20:10:00.000-08:00

More on this one when the article is published...

A Cup of Goodnes Called Jo

2009-10-06T15:29:00.000-07:00

I've just cyber stumbled on the most lovely blog. I'm using a different computer today and the settings are linked with Erin's favourite pages. I was having a nosey around and found A Cup Of Jo . It's just delightful and inspiring. I've done a little research and turns out she is Blogger Extraordinaire - her blog is "ranked by Technorati as one of the top 500 blogs in the world". I don't know who Technorati is but they seem to know what they are talking about!

A Couple of Travel Pieces

2009-10-04T02:48:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd upload a couple of travel pieces..

Some stories from the International Herald Tribune, click here and here

To see a story on Ningaloo Reef click here

Tree of Life

2009-09-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

Having recently turned 28, my folks very generously brought me an Electra Tree of Life bicycle. I'm picking it up tomorrow and can't wait. I couldn't help but blog about it before it happened. I have so many plans for my new baby. I already have a modelling career mapped out for it. It will star in a photo shoot this week and then spend the summer up in Pearl Beach. It's going to be a busy little bike. I've decided to call her Jane, simply because I'd like one day to have a dog called Tarzan.

Then I can tell my friends that "Tarzan and Jane will be coming!".

Jane was concieved at Bike Depot in Enmore. Ask to speak to the lovely Chris.

Green Blog - New York Times

2009-09-19T01:19:00.000-07:00

When I started to write this piece for The New York Times, I didn't realise what a big deal it was. As far as I could tell, no Australian media outlet had picked it up. Which, in itself was a worry. As I did the research and the phone calls, it dawned on me - what are our elected Ministers actually doing? We as citizens, elect a Government who are supposed to serve and service our country. But when I tried getting a comment from three different environmental ministers, not one of them would comment! This is a HUGE environmental issue, yet no one had anything to say...

New York Romance makes it to The New York Times

2009-09-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

Image: Jack Atley

I recently had an article published in The New York Times real estate section. However, the most charming part was their 'meeting story'. Below are some of the wonderful moments that happened in the interview but didn't make it to print.

...When a little pop-up chat box appeared on Alex’s computer screen in a Williamsburg loft in New York City of October 2003, little did he know he’d be married 10 months later.

At the time, Alex was working towards his PHD and had a thriving social life, but wasn’t meeting the right type of girls. Alex remembers “It [JDate] was perfect because I was really busy and JDate was time effective. It was so easy I could set up an experiment and plan for it to finish by 6pm

Romy and Alex’s internet relationship began with emails but soon blossomed through the wires and they would sit and chat to each other for hours. Alex says “we were like pen pals – there was no romance, we started off as friends”. At the time they were both dating other people. After the phone calls started to exceed 5 hours, Alex thought, maybe it’s time to meet.

Alex looked online to see the cost of tickets to Australia – but they were expensive. All the cheaper ones were going quickly. In fact, by the time he went to his wallet to pay for one, it had already disappeared. So when another one came up, he bought it without thinking twice. It then dawned on him that I hadn’t even discussed it with Romy! He thought “Oh no! What have I done?” This was Alex’s first big international trip outside of Israel.

Alex left a message on Romy’s phone saying he’d booked a ticket to Australia. Romy listened to it about “5 or 6 times” and thought “What am I going to do with this guy?” She recalls the wild situation saying “all my friends thought I was mad. My best friend thought I was an idiot”.

Alex flew half the way round the world for their first date – an expensive one at that –but it didn’t take him long to realize what a treasure he had found.

From the beginning it was comfortable and organic. After a month together, Romy decided to go to Israel with Alex. They spent their first Passover together and went to Paris for a few days.

By the time they returned – they were both head over heels – and Alex proposed.

Alex thought it was either “we would get married or say goodbye and I wasn’t ready to say good-bye” .

The fairytale was just beginning. Romy went back to Melbourne to pack her belongings. She quit her job, sold her car and moved to New York.

Alex found an apartment in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn and Romy quickly found a job at the New York Post in the IT Department as a Project Manager.

After 3 years in the City together, they started to find New York draining and not uplifting anymore. It was taking more than it gave. They both decided that Sydney was doable with an easy lifestyle and an amazing energy.

The Time Line

October 2003 – Start chatting on JDate
Feb 2004 – Alex arrives in Melbourne
March/ April 2004 – They both fly to Israel
June 1st 2004 – Romy moves to New York
August 3rd 2004 – Married
Dec 2005 – Visit Australia
Jan 2006 – Arrive Back in New York
March/April 2006 – Decide to live in Sydney
Dec 2006 – Move to Sydney (The day before Alex submits his last thesis for his PHD)
August 3rd 2009 – 5th year marriage Anniversary.

Street University

2009-08-03T17:21:00.000-07:00

In December 2008, the Ted Noffs Foundation and the University of New South Wales launched Australia’s first ever Street University. While on international tour, famed hip-hop group ‘Public Enemy’ performed at the launch party and cut the inaugural ribbon.

The Street University is a place where young people are able to walk in off the street and take courses in anything from basketball to biology. Housed in a massive converted warehouse in Liverpool, the space has several classrooms decked out with top of the line Mac computers, recording studios, a basketball court, a graffiti wall where individuals are encouraged to express themselves, a prayer room, a library and a cafe run by young people and their families.

Last week students from the Street University marched in protest to the Liverpool Council to show their dismay against the possible closure of the Casula Legal Walls.

Many students from the Street University use the public creative spaces to depict their experience, their dreams and their hopes for the future.

The council has deemed these walls as vandalism and thus is threading to close them down. No only will it be a loss for young creative individuals, it will take away the community atmosphere that the youth have created in Liverpool.

The Street University educates young people who are at risk of being involved with drugs, alcohol, crime or homelessness. The marginalized youth are able to re-educate themselves surrounded by scholars, experienced teachers and caring individuals.

The Street University and its family of volunteers provide a new way of thinking and learning to those who would otherwise be turned away. It is a place of discovery, determination and opportunities.

The Street University is total goose-bump territory. I'm so proud to say that we have something like this in Sydney, Australia.

Blessing in Disguise

2009-08-02T01:50:00.000-07:00

What do Thomas Edison, Tom Cruise and Walt Disney have in common?

They are famous, well accomplished, influential and Dyslexic.

As individuals they are the personification of success in their beloved professions, colleges are named after them, they have engravings in the Hollywood Walk of Fame and holiday destinations linked with their personalities. There is nothing backward, nor disadvantaged about them.

It’s been 10 short years since I graduated from High School. When I received the reunion invitation - I realised I hadn’t thanked the teachers enough for their kindness, educational support and encouragement. I set out to write each teacher a thank you letter. Many of the teachers were from my primary years. As I wrote the letters it occurred to me that these teachers were the mentors and leaders that led me through my most challenging educational years. I was slow to read and even slower to write. I couldn’t spell to save my life and my times tables were a simple guessing game.

I was lucky. My parents were both well educated, medical savvy and had the money to spend on outside educational tutoring. I was very sporty, so my afternoons were spent playing tennis, swimming and running. After these activities my mother would schlep me from me tutors address to the next. By the end of the week I was exhausted from brain overload and physical fitness fatigue. I think I had the same amount of tutors as teachers at one stage.

After taking many IQ tests my family and I realised I had something called Dyslexia. In the late 80’s it seemed very little was known about it. I remember my parents earnestly coming home from learning seminars and talking to me things like I was a moron. I remember my mother clapping a lot and my father talking slowly. This didn’t last long, as they knew I was smart, creative and thoroughly involved with all my peers. It was just when someone asked me my left from my right, I didn’t have an answer.

My primary years swung by and my high school years shot past. Once I graduated high school – in the top 10% of the state, I finally proved to myself that Dyslexia was not a wallowing wound but rather the greatest blessing in disguise. I worked harder, longer and smarter. Naturally, I compared myself to my peers and when they were doing better – I competitively strived to outshine them. My best friend was probably the smartest person in the grade. She duxed Art and Drama and got a total score of 99.6% in her HSC. So my standards were high. I was at a private school too, so generally it was competitive but by that stage I didn’t mind. I was thriving.

The profession I chose is surprising to some, considering my spelling is shocking. But thanks to spell check and several sub-editors - I’m a confident writer and journalist. Sometimes spelling mistakes slip though the lines and I get told off. But I live with it. Just as those that have asthma and have to put up with it, I too live with – Dyslexia.

I used to be embarrassed to say that I have it. But most people guess once they see my scribbled writing and back to front letters. Now, I joke about it and find that’s really the easiest way to be. After all I have made something out of my life and used my small struggle to accomplish all that I have wanted to (and more).

Last week, The New York Times tracked me down and requested an article. Not quite an engraving in the Hollywood Walk or Fame or a destination named after me, but in my own small way –I’ve made it!

**I've just started giving talks through an organisation called Circles of Learning

Me on 3

2009-07-30T19:44:00.000-07:00

Nothing more can be said - this is my ABC3 Application

Chic and Cheap

2009-07-30T17:51:00.000-07:00

Sydney put on a beautiful display of weather yesterday. Not a cloud is site; the harbour was calm, charming and begging to be played with. So what better activity to do, than paddle a kayak to Nelson’s Bay and down a couple of beers and bite into a burger. My friend, Mat a visitor from overseas was ready and rocking for a ride in the harbour. We set out from Rose Bay, renting the kayaks from the boat shed. Our original idea was to paddle to Watson’s Bay, but by the time we made it to Milk Beach (40 minutes) we thought our exercise for the day was done. We hid our kayaks under a tree and walked to Nelsons. It’s a beautiful 15 minute coastal walk to the next beach. At the local café we had the most delicious lunch. The seagulls were squawking, mums and bubs walking the promenade in bikinis and tourists jollying along. We sat and watched the waves splash effortlessly against the sand. When the day was over, it felt like we’d spent an afternoon hanging out by the French Rivera. It was a little chic on the cheap.

Sketching the imaginary

2009-07-27T21:20:00.001-07:00

Being missed is a wonderful feeling. What isn’t wonderful - is missing a delicious dinner with best friends. Although, this happened some months ago, I’m still incrediblely touched by what my best friends did. At the beginning of this year, only weeks after returning to Australia, I logged onto Facebook to see I had been tagged in a photo. When I opened the link I was startled! There was a drawing of me. It was the most beautiful gesture anyone has ever done for me. The image was just like me, with coloured in blue eyes and pink lips. My good friends from the International Herald Tribune had cooked a feast and wanted to include me somehow. Even though I was a million miles away. There were photos of me at the table, eating desert and drinking wine! I felt like I was part of the action. At the time I was looking for a job in Sydney. So I spent many hours sitting in cafes jazzing up my resume. Every waiter that brought me coffee was privy to seeing these photos on Facebook. One guy liked it so much, he asked for my number! I want to thank my smart, generous and funny friends who truly are the best a girl could ask for!

My Girls! Me, Rosa*, Ciara.. xox

* Lil Rosa is out blogging herself at a rate of two - obviously all about food. That's my girl!

** Cuddly Ciara is a staff blogger here

Breath Taking Moments

2009-07-21T18:37:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like waking up to goose-bump good news. The moment Barack Obama was elected it was like the world changed forever. It was a moment in time that needed to be stored. Interning at the International Herald Tribune in Paris at the time, it allowed me as an Australian to appreciate the experience on an entirely uplifting and unique level. I was surrounded by Barack Obama loving Americans. It's not often that news breaks which sends Reporters, Journalists, Copy Editors and Bureau Chiefs into complete and utter bubbling excitement.

In an attempt to treasure this moment, I had the newspapers from this historic day framed. One day when I'm old and gray they'll hang on the walls in my study and I'll say to my grandchildren "I was working on that paper the day the world changed forever!"

A couple of days ago I was looking through my diary from my first few days at the International Herald Tribune. I thought I'd include a snippet below.

"Entering The International Herald Tribune, on first glance is like entering a home of aging geriatrics. Grey haired men, with slopping bifocals are hunched over their computers, tapping away on keys like their life depends on it. One particularly old man with a protruding bump on his bald head - sits in the corner, coughing loudly. I’m waiting for a nurse to pop out of a door and bring him his medication. But, this I discover is not rare here at the IHT. Through the summer months of July to September, ‘Summer Soldiers’, retired employees from the New York Times voyage over and work at Parisian head quarters, while the ‘usual suspects’ take vacation.Over my couple of weeks here at IHT, I have come to adore these old men. They bring a rich journalistic history to the paper, which I probably wouldn’t have been privy to otherwise. Nor, would I find a younger editor with the time to tell me the stories these men share. One of my favorites is Irv Molotsky, an endearing man in his mid-70’s, who reminds me of Mr Beaver from the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Irv gushes with delight when I come to give him the paper ‘dummies’. He’s been retired for 12 years, and been a ‘Summer Soldier’ for most of that time. A visit to him downstairs is like a trip back in time, hearing snippets about journalism life as a young man in New York city. But IHT isn’t all about octogenarians and random observations like the A4 size picture of George Clooney on the notice board reading the International Herald Tribune on his yacht in the South of France. It’s an experience like no other – a learning curve so high that I’m scared to jump off. With each day, new surprises and circumstances arise – they hit me like a hurricane, with just enough time to stand up and recover, there is already something new to learn. With barely enough time to catch my breath, I’m on the next stage of my 6-month internship here. Each day starts out at 3.30pm with half an hour to get prepared for the official news meeting for the day. This meeting pretty much determines what the paper will be producing over the next 5 hours. May I add the tightest deadline I have ever had to work to. The meeting starts with Marty Gottlieb (usually) giving an encouraging speech and raising the moral of the team. I’ve sat in on a few news meeting rooms before, but I have never seen a Global Editor like this who has such respect and admiration for the people he is managing. The feelings are obviously mutual. I noticed this when recently one of the News Editors retired and throughout his farewell speech he kept glancing at Marty and tears where in his eyes. Marty is warm, friendly and a quintessential New York Editor. He comes to work every day looking like he's walked out of the film All the President’s Men. He makes the perfect team, working along side Alison Smale, the Editor. She was declared by the Times as one of the most influential Editors in Europe. Her experiences as a journalist are unbelieveable and ore inspiring. Her resume spans the documentation of the fall of Communism in the Soviet bloc and the Czechoslovakian revolution that made Vaclav Havel president, to name just a few. Just being in these offices is special, from seeing how the pages are churned out and from watching how last minute changes can determine an increase in sales for that day. It’s exciting, yet raw and real. Although I have not had the opportunity (nor the time) to write (yet), I feel that I am in the right place and stand in good stead for when the time is right. There are parts of the web, which interns are encouraged to contribute to and the younger employees (yes – there are some!) are really helpful and optimistic. It’s great to be in a place that really has its finger on the pulse and some of the best writers/editors in the world working for it."

** I eventually wrote for the IHT and now freelance for the New York Times - yay!

*** The newspapers were framed in Sydney by Alex Holden (www.funktionpictureframing.com) who was lovely to work with and professional. Plus very reasonable! Thanks Alex.

Rocking Chair

2009-07-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

I recently had to fill out a couple of forms and was asked “What was my most precious possession?”. It didn’t take me long to realize my most prized possession was the rocking chair my grandmother left me. After she passed away in 2007 I was left with a few of her belongings. One of these was this very rocking chair. After reupholstering it in a crème and sailor blue coral print purchased from France, I rediscovered my love for the chair. At the moment it sits in my parents lounge room with some of their most prized possessions. In a room filled with beautiful furniture it seems that someone always finds their way to my grand mother’s rocking chair – and I just know she’s looking down from above.

The Chuppah

2009-07-15T04:10:00.001-07:00

I created this chuppah for my sister and her husband Rob while I was living in Paris last year. I was inspired by the beautiful autumnal colours of France. I purchased all the fabrics from La Pigalle, which was luckily around the corner from my apartment in Montmartre. The chuppah symbolizes the home and life the couple will build together. For this reason I wanted to use the tree of life as a metaphor for something that will continue to blossom over time. I loved creating the holy canopy and bringing a personal touch to the day. I showed it to my sister a week before the wedding, but Rob only saw it on the day. I will always cherish the moment he looked up and lost his breath. Every month spent sewing, quilting and sourcing fabrics was worth it!

(This is one of the lovely warehouse type stores I purchased from http://www.tissus-reine.com/)