Ava Rose

Ok, so here she is, well some of her anyway, my girl, Ava Rose. Not my actual girl but you know what I mean. There's more but the day went fast and I couldn't get pics of the red colorway which I'm really excited about. Just want to say some slightly corny, drippy, sentimental stuff about the inspiration for this collection.

This really was inspired one of the three loves and lights of my life. My baby who's no longer a baby, my third and probably last child, my precious, sweet, funny, happy, quirky, amazing girl child Ava Rose. I love my precious, smart, funny, quirky, talented and kind older boys just as much but, as a designer, I'm basically all girl. Luckily, they couldn't care less that I haven't named a fabric collection for them.

I named the collection for her because in a lot of ways she is my muse. At age seven she has actual style and opinions about the way things look and what she wants to wear that reflect her own mind and not popular kid culture. She chimes in often to give me actual ideas that I often use in creative projects. But what really inspired me for this collection is simply her age. She's seven, the age where she still loves me in the infinite sort of way children love their parents before they develop their independent personalities and start to see our flaws. So different from the baby way they love you because you simply are their whole world. They now know they're separate from you and now they see you as the person they want to be like when they grow up. An amazing privilege. She wants to be with me, to be my best girlfriend, to hang out, to paint our nails together and to draw with me and cuddle at night. I know, having two older children that this won't last forever, that though their love doesn't diminish, it does change and maybe, bit by bit, it becomes more realistic. This is a good and beautiful thing but of course a poignant thing for a mother as you watch the baby that was a part of you slowly become their own person.

So, I wanted to capture the innocence, loveliness, happiness, vibrancy of my girl, my sweet, sweet girl, at age seven. Every morning when I wake my kids up for school, I take a minute to just look at them, in all their sweetness as they sleep. Often, their sheets and pillow cases are half on, half off and usually the bedding is all white because I learned a long time ago that it's wonderful to just be able to bleach out the dirt of a blanket that's been dragged around the house for some game or another. But I long to see my girl slumbering peacefully in something really pretty. It's a silly thing I know, but wrapping a child in something beautiful just feels good, like a little bit of love manifest or something. Oh sooo corny, I totally know, but it's true for me. So this is collection that I will actually make bedding out of for her and though it reflects my own tastes more then hers, it is also a reflection of my love for my girl, Ava Rose at age seven.

OK, I'm grossing myself out a little with the sappiness, but hey, once in a while the occasion calls for it. So I nervously await your thoughts about the collection which, by the way, I also think will be fab for big girl aprons, bags, porch pillows, tablcloths, etc.

Comments

[Sue]

Hi Tanya , You said it so beautifully! Not sappy at all. The Ava Rose is gorgeous , I loved the Barefoot Roses and wondered how you would top that - and you did. I hope to meet you at Quilt Market next month in Portland. And I can't wait to sew Something from Ava Rose. Sue

[Tanya Whelan]

Thank you so much Sue!!! So scary to put it out there so I so appreciate your kind comment! I'd love to meet you too, I'll be there in a booth in the Free Spirit section next to Anna Maria and Joel Dewberry. Please stop by and say hello if you have time. I'm so excited to see and meet my bloggy friends in person!

[Lynda Campbell]

Oh my! How I am dying to find this fabric to purchase, any ideas for me? And I can relate to the story. I too have a 7 year old daughter and she is my world and I love the way she sees things!

Lynda

[Ruth]

Tanya, it's just beautiful!!! I'm normally all about the pinks and greens but boy is that blue sooo pretty! Thanks for sharing the inspiration, I have 3 girls and 2 boys and know all about that sweet, sweet love...you captured it beautifully.

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

I love your Barefoot Roses fabric and I can't wait for the Ava Rose! I think it is wonderful that you named it after your daughter. I also have two boys and a girl and at age 24, my daughter is one of my very best friends. I wish that for you too!

[Tessy]

I love all the fabrics!!! I want them all!!!
Congratulations on your new beautiful fabrics!!!

I have never used so many exclamation points.

[randi]

These fabrics are gorgeous! Excellent job!

[suzy@GeorgiaPeachez]

Hi Tanya!
LOVE IT! xo, suzy

[Corrie]

I have already dreamed up some wonderful pillows and a quilt to use this fabric, I can't wait to buy it.

And you weren't sappy at all, it's lovely to hear how it came about.

[Sheila]

Your fabrics are so gorgeous they nearly make me cry.

[Beata]

I love it!!...and I love the sappiness...7 is the golden age of childhood...

[Beata]

I love it!!...and I love the sappiness...7 is the golden age of childhood...

[Katarina]

Love your work!!!!Barefoot roses is amazing line, can't wait to get some of theses too:P

Katarina

[penny]

Don't ever be embarrassed or 'grossed out' for loving your children and wanting everyone to know how much you love them more than anything in this world, after that's part of why we're here, to raise God's babes and teach them His ways! Luv, Luv, Luv the Ava Rose line, can't WAIT to see (get) it in real life.

[Kimberly]

Wow! Just lovely! Can't wait til these are in the stores. I'm really into red right now, so am looking forward to seeing what you've done! I love your designs so summery, fresh and feminine!
Kimberly

[Marie]

I love those fabrics! Will we be able to buy them over here in Europe? I would love to make a quilt out of those fabrics!

[Joan]

What a great collection of fabrics--flowers, dots, gorgeous colors! I can't wait to see the reds. Well done!
Joan

[Amy]

Just beautiful! That's the best part of living - to enjoy our family. Thanks for sharing about your daughter and converting a part of her into a wonderful fabric that reflects her!

[Natasha Burns]

wow they are all just so gorgeous and fresh Tanya! you did an incredible job! can't wait to see the red too.
I love what you wrote about your family and Ava, not sappy, no no not at all!

[paige]

what a beautuiful entry!
my youngest of 4 girls is also 7 & "she still loves me" too! wink
i do cherish those days. you're right their love does seem to change but those precious young years are just priceless.
i LOVE these yummy scrumptuous colors. i'd love to have an entire room done in this set.
xo

[Firefly Hill]

Absolutely beautiful! I love them all! I think you express your thoughts so beautifully....lovely writing about your daughter. Another of your talents!

Annie

[Cynthia]

Very pretty fabrics! Can't wait to see the red, too. I love to hear you talk about your daughter. I have a 7 year old daughter, too, and I know exactly how you feel. Cherish every minute!

[Kathleen Grace]

I think your fabrics are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen, and I dont think your love for your children is sappy at all!

[Karissa]

That was a simply wonderful story. I have a two year old daughter and you written my heaven.

[Leisa]

Congratulations, you have definately done it again - absolutely beautiful - how wonderful to create your beautiful range of fabrics inspired by your darling "Ava Rose". I can't wait to get my hands on some of that deliciousness!!!!!