R.I.P. Muku

1996?-1/6/2009


I am beyond sad, and have a huge hole in my heart right now. I feel lucky that I had almost 10 years with him. He was so amazing that he doesn't almost seem real. We did several years of volunteer work together at a care home, and I don't think I will ever stop missing his sweet little self cuddling with me every night.

Happy New Year!

I don't really have too much new or exciting stuff to post. I've been working on my Spring/Summer collection. No photos yet, since I'm still doing samples. Being snowed in for over a week really put a damper on me getting anything done. I've also had family in town, a very sick Muku (think good thoughts for him), holidays, and not driving for 2 weeks since I don't know how to drive in the snow/ice.

I made some custom garments for the most lovely jewelery designer I met at my last trunk show. I got a fabulous bow necklace from her. Check out her website if you have a moment.
Jene' DeSpain

Happy New Years!!

Mercury Online Charity Auction

Bid now, bid often. It is for a great cause, the Portland Women's Crises Line. One of my No Muffin Top skirts and a bunch of other neat stuff is in the Hey Pretty Lady Auction. Right now it's the "Hot Auction". Check it out!

Mercury Online Charity Auction

P.S. Holiday dresses have hit stores, get one now!

RIP Pops

When I was in high school I worked at a drive-in movie theater in the snack bar. It was/is amazing. Pops (Robert Francis) ran the ticket booth. Cranky as hell, and a full of piss and vinegar. He was the quintessential cranky old man. He would chase kids with flashlights, and never took any crap from anyone. I believe that I was hired there solely because he liked my car, a 1961 Bel Air. I have many fond memories of visiting with him when I would warm up his coffee during the feature. On slow nights he would show me part of his car collection. My favorite was a 1965 Cherry Red Impala that he had purchased brand new.

Working at the drive-in theater made me a lot of who I am today. Growing up in a small town there aren't a ton of people who are into vintage aesthetic. The drive-in was built in 1954 and is all original. Also, it was there that I learned about work ethic, and taking pride in the work that I do. It is a family run business, and every job is important.

On Saturday I learned that Pops had passed on. It is a very sad end to an era. Today I attended his services. RIP Pops, you are sorely missed.

Robert Edward Francis
FRANCIS, Robert Edward 1929-2008 Robert Edward Francis was born the son of Ted and Grace (Heater) Francis in Newberg on Tuesday, July 2, 1929. He attended Central Grade School, graduated from Newberg High School and from Linfield College with an associate degree. Robert had a natural athletic aptitude for sports and played football in high school and college where he was full back and received an All-American award for his football fame. He served in the U.S. National Guard and became a sergeant; then worked for Western Electric. In the summer of 1954 Robert met Betty Jean Aust at the Miss Oregon pageant at Seaside. It was love at first sight and they were married in Portland on May 29, 1955. They made their home in Newberg where they raised their three children. She preceded him in death in 1994. He worked with his father as a boy and teenager and later became the president of Francis Enterprises. In 1967 he bought his first dog, an Irish Wolfhound, which began his successful dog showing career. This led to him becoming a true fancier of Irish Wolfhounds. He was an old car buff, owning several. He had a big heart for abandoned animals and financially supported organizations that worked with animals. On Sunday, Nov. 17, 2008, Robert E. Francis died at a Portland hospital when he was 79 years, four months and 15 days of age. Surviving and left to honor his life are two sons, Michael and Brian, both of Newberg; one daughter, Doria Bouneff of Tolovana Park, Ore.; four grandsons, Malcolm, Riley, Christopher and Alex; and those who have come to know and appreciate him as he has lived and worked in our community. He was preceded in death by his brother, Stu Francis; and one grandson, Adam Bouneff. His celebration of life gathering will be Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Attrell's Newberg Funeral Chapel, a Golden Rule Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Hospital for Children or Dove Lewis, c/o Attrell's Newberg Funeral Chapel, 207 Villa Road, Newberg, OR 97132.

alysonclair.com updates

My website is ever so very pretty. Check it out!

alysonclair.com

I love pretty fliers!

This one is for the one I'm in! Yeah! Come see me.

Upcoming Trunk Shows in PDX!

I know I haven't posted in a while, but for good reason. I have been sewing up a storm finishing off the production of my Winter/Holiday line. I have a trunk show next week at Pin Me Apparel, so I'm excited to be almost done! Here are some upcoming events that you should check out too.

May Tee Trunk Show 11/21


Lucia Trunk Show 11/22

Clair Holiday Line

Thank you to my most lovely model Boni Dutch (hair/make-up), and Ron Hope for photography.

Delivery for all items is Thanksgiving week!

Interfacing

As you may or may not know, I am not a huge fan of working with wovens. Last season I had my first ever woven in a collection, a skirt. For Winter I have a few more wovens, which for me = INTERFACING. When I was in school, I would just iron on the interfacing to my already cut out pattern pieces and peel it off the ironing board (much to some of the other students horror). I found this the quickest and most efficient way to get it on there. Then I would just cut away the excess. This came in really handy when doing tiny pieces.

I am still using this method for my production now. It goes way quicker then laying another marker of just interfacings. In factory production, we often interface the fabric on a drum press and then cut. Since I neither have drum press, or 60" wide interfacing, I am opting for this:


I find the quickest way, even though it is likely not the "correct" way to do things. I'll keep doing it too, until those waistbands learn to do it on their own.

Right now I am about knee deep in Winter production. Just trying to get everything cut, so I can deliver in about a month. My back injury is unfortunately slowing me down a bit, which can be frustrating at times. I also have some other exciting ventures I am beginning work on (top secret for now), and I am also going to start working with PDX Fashion Synergy. Very exciting!

I just need 36 hours in EVERY day.