The day I received my acceptance to Crafty Bastards I cried tears of joy. I've been applying for a while and each year crossed fingers and toes. I wanted to be a part of the show so badly, not only because I've heard it's amazing experience but because I am from Richmond, VA. Being so close to home in D.C. meant friends and family being able to come see in person what I spend all my time doing.   

Fast forward to the day I was scheduled to leave for Richmond. I was a genius working on about 4 hours of sleep a night that week and while I had plans to leave for the 13hr solo drive early that morning, I decided to put in a full work day. I know, I know, I need to work on knowing when to say when, but orders had to go out and there was still more I wanted to make. Not to mention, nothing had been tagged or sorted....

I managed to get all orders out (sorry, postman) along with print just about everything on my list. I was packed and ready to get on the road Thursday 3:30 pm... (keep in mind plan was leave at 8am #bonehead) 

I managed to get outside of Chicago about 30 miles and was in desperate need of a nap.  I called my dad to wish him a happy birthday in the parking lot of a Hardee's and wound up sleeping for 30 minutes. I woke up refreshed and ready to go! I was going to crush the next 12 hours of driving. And I did... until about 2:30 am and wound up having to grab more sleep at a rest stop. 2 hours of napping later, I was ready to go. Despite crazy fog, sleepy eyes and what seemed to be a Bermuda Triangle situation, I made it to Richmond 10am Friday.... so 19 hours after leaving Chicago. I say again, Bermuda Triangle. 

A quick nap in my childhood bedroom and by 1pm I was ready to go - I had 20 more pillows to sew, all new items to sort and tag and all the pillows to stuff (I had shipped my inserts home.) So the troops were called in. Dad (who works in Norfolk during the week) could tell I was distressed during his birthday phone call and left work early just to be a helper and my mom and sister came home right after school to get to work. 

I mean, COME ON, how great is my family. I can't thank them enough!

We got all the work we needed done and with car packed, Mom, sister Jean and I made our way to D.C..  5am wake up call on Saturday, we were the first to load in at Union Market at 6am. By start of fest, 10am, we were ready!


Mom and Jean, representing the EC brand so well. 

Like a boss.

The crowds were spectacular and so nice! I loved chatting with everyone who came by! 

Sweet customers coordinating their pillows with the outfits. 

Checking out our pillow ceiling, it's now the EC claim to fame (and was Jeanne's labor of love! - thanks sister!) 

View of pillow ceiling

Coordinating tattoos with pillow choices, I mean how awesome is this!!? #meantobe


The pillow wall


Sweet brothers and sister-in-laws paying us a visit! 

These kiddos were the best! They picked out their own shirts and then immediately wanted to change in to them. 

Teachers getting in some lesson planning in the admin area. 

Jean taking down her pillow ceiling masterpiece. 

Such hard workers!

This was such a special experience to be able to share with my family.

A huge thanks to all who came out. We had an amazing time! 

xo