karen pasacreta

Zip It Good

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 11:20:00 +0000

I've been working on different design color variations lately. What do you think of this hot pink anchor on navy? I am really into pink & navy these days! It's pretty happy. I switched things up and added a zip code instead. How 90210 of me.

And now, all my pillow designs feature hidden bottom zipper enclosures!

Pillow catalog, featuring pillow back options

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 13 May 2014 12:52:00 +0000

Hi all,

Things are going really well! I'm super busy keeping up orders for stores in Cape Cod and CT and will soon be in San Diego stores. It's exciting for me.
Here's an updated version of the catalog to include pillow back options like chevrons and polka dots. I love providing options.

New designs I am working to come: mermaid, oyster shell. Can't wait to show those.
Happy Spring!
Karen

Palmettos and Lilly

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 02:12:00 +0000

I love the way this pillow came out. There are actually two of them. An old coworker from my marketing days asked me to duplicate the SC Palmetto. There was a bit of a challenge for me. The room is a beautiful robin's egg blue and she thought she might want the pillows to be blue, too. But as I kept thinking about it, I thought they might fade into the walls. We definitely wanted them to pop. So we agreed on tan for the palmetto against a white background. I used "Aqueous" for the embroidery (POP!) and the same Robin's egg wall color for the back. That was such a fabric find. And I finished it off with this sage green and blue patterned fabric I found in my stash for the custom piping. It all came together in a Lilly Pulitzer kind of way. Who doesn't like Lilly? Her fabrics just make you happy. These pillows just make me smile.

Updated Catalog of designs

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 17:05:00 +0000

Waiting for Spring...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 21:43:00 +0000

And this baby girl's arrival. When she gets here, a bouquet will be waiting for her!

Canvas and quilting fabrics,
hot pink polka dot custom piping and back!

Join in the Facebook discussion here!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=635029133230275&set=a.570928652973657.1073741844.393087517424439&type=1&theater

Monograms!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 20:39:00 +0000

Pom Pom madness

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 21:04:00 +0000

Who doesn't love pom poms? I was a cheerleader in high school, so I dig the pom pom. Mine were plastic, so this one's much nicer. :)

So feminine, so sweet. Perfect for a baby or a little girl room. Like this little girl, Anabella Rose. Beautiful name, right?

Join in the FB discussion here! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=631806890219166&set=a.393091127424078.89764.393087517424439&type=1&theater.

Pink chevron and toile with pom pom trim!

Getting it together!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 16:08:00 +0000

Hi all!

It's been a long time since I've posted in my blog. I mostly post directly to FB. But now I have something to share here--My Town Pillow Catalog! It will have all sorts of fabric samples in it.
I'm new to this, so let me know what you think.

Thanks!
Karen

Selling Local

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 02:50:00 +0000

Ah Fall. I think it makes me even happier than summer. Probably because it's my birthday month. I read somewhere that you tend to love the season your birthday is in. I'm full of silly, fun facts like that. And it's been smelling so great outside! The other day the lawn service came and almost weren't going to cut the lawn. I had to beg him that it needed a cut, just so I could have that freshly cut grass smell in crispy October. It's the little things that make me so happy. Like what's happening for my little pillow company. My pillows designs are now featured in two stores! There is a brand new downtown Milford, Connecticut, boutique called Sophie Claire's. It is the cutest, sweetest store for many reasons. Milford residents might remember it as the former Wanda's Sugar Shack, a place of very delicious proportion and incredible childhood memories picking out penny candy before heading over to a double fe I wish Amy many years of SWEET success! Her Grand Opening is this weekend with lots of fun and exciting events going on. Be sure to go straight to her page and "like" it right now!

A display of my pillow designs at Sophie Claire's in Milford, CT

I am in love with love.

I did my middle daughter's bedroom in this color and paired it with yellow, lilac and greens.
It is so cute!

Polka dots are a big seller. They are all over my house and look great with any color.

My pillow designs at OCEAN SPRAY INTERIORS in Milford, CT

My whole house is done in white with accents, much like this photo.

This seashell print is so beautiful in person. And it looks great here with all the different color blues. If you haven't been to Ocean Spray Interiors, you need to make a day trip.

I am also featured in quite possibly my favorite nautical store EVER, and it happens to be in my hometown! Ocean Spray Interiors is right across from the Green in Milford, Connecticut. another fun fact. Milford boasts the LARGEST Green in Connecticut. A great reason to visit us here! This store smells so incredible. Just walk in, and it's an instant happy. There are a lot of wonderful things to do and see here, and new things are popping up all the time. so I truly hope you come and check it out. #buylocal!

Red Sox Devotion

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 14:12:00 +0000

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY HUSBAND, THE DEVOTED RED SOX FAN!
HE's NOT SHAVING UNTIL...WELL, WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK ABOUT IT. SUPERSTITIOUS!

This is my husband, John, a devoted Red Sox fan. He's from Massachusetts and says he's been a fan ever since he was born. John and I met at work in Connecticut. I wish I could say I sit alongside him and watch every game on TV, but I can't. And it's not because I am from Connecticut. Here's a little clue: I almost wrote episode instead of game. So that should tell you something. I don't follow professional sports. How am I going to find time between Homeland, The Good Wife, re-runs of Downton Abby, my Book Club book, and schlepping my kids around?

But, sports are John's life. And the Sox are his favorite. In fact, he calls them "his family." After us, of course. The whole concept seems kinda funny to me, and we love to endlessly joke with him. I mean, how can this be your family when members are constantly being kicked out and traded for new members? Where is the loyalty?
"What kind of a family kicks you out?" I always ask.
"You're too literal," he says. "It's baseball."
"Whatever. It's not real."
"Yes. It is."

All I know is my husband is sporting a beard. And it's getting very hairy. And he is hoping he is not shaving anytime soon. And since it was his birthday, I decided to make him something special for good luck. So he can sit back, watch the games, and let the beard grow. Fingers crossed, of course.

www.etsy.com/listing/165740636/red-sox-pillow-b-logo-in-red

Our Pillow Back is Navy Polka Dot. But that's just us.

This is how it looks in my house.

Every Pillow Tells a Story

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 13:56:00 +0000

Nautical Flags

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 03:20:00 +0000

I don't own a boat. Though I thoroughly enjoy going on one. Years ago, when I was a little more single—no husband, only one child—friends would invite us boating. One had a motor boat and his slip mate had a sailboat. We'd go out and they'd tie the boats together and we'd just boat hop, eating and grilling and drinking. Boaters drink a lot of alcohol. I cannot hold my alcohol which is why I could never keep up. It was a great summer, filled with open sea fireworks, food, friends, and that damned alcohol. Then the summer waned, the leaves fell, and friends went back to work full time, saving the rest of their vacation time for Christmas. We'd meet up every now and then at a bar, but I couldn't drink if I was driving. So that waned, too. But I never forgot that feeling of the wind on your face and on your back, and how good it felt to be one with me, my thoughts, and the closest thing to God I have ever experienced. It was peace and contentment, and bliss. Now as my life is filled with so much chaos, I long for that feeling of peace, though I suppose I have it in other ways. I may not be alone or sail anymore, but I do feel complete contentment knowing my kids (there's three of them now) are healthy and happy.

Sweet, Sweet Lydia Turns Five

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 23:29:00 +0000

Lydia, now 5, holding her special Strawberry Pillow Mommy made just for her!

When my oldest daughter Michaela turned 5, I remember I started having different expectations of her. I mean, she wasn't a baby anymore. She was in kindergarten. So why couldn't she help me a bit? Was it too much to ask that she do the dishes and fold her own laundry? Ok, it wasn't that extreme, but I did treat her differently. I didn't follow her to the bathroom anymore to help her wash her hands, and I started to ask her to dress herself. But it was too much. I think it added to her stress level and one day she broke down. "It's like when I turned five, you just started expecting me to be different!" She actually said this. It broke my heart. For so long, it was just me and Michaela. She was like my little friend I could take places and she was always willing, with a big smile on her face and a big spring in her step, she always wanted to know: "Where are we going next!?" But a five year old is still a five year old and you are still the parent. You really aren't the friend. You are the mentor. I learned this.

It's different now. I am no longer a single mother. I have help. I have more kids. And I have more experience. Except, I have no time so I better make better choices. So when Lydia, my middle girl, turned five, I swore I would do it differently. But the secret truth is, I am expecting my girls to grow up a bit and help out. Surely they can at least clean up after themselves! It's my job to help them do this for themselves. That's what parenthood is all about. We are the catalysts to help them move themselves along. And the learning part is a process. It's day by day. I learn from them as much as they learn from me. So let's see where I am when Nora turns five in two years. Hopefully, I'll be a pro. By then, I better be better at something! :)

Daddy and Caitlin, Lydia's "fairy Godmother"

Sweet, Sweet Lydia needs a Sweet Pillow.

Pillow Detail.

Back and Front.

Block Island

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 21:34:00 +0000

Here's an oldie but a goodie. Go here for Block Island-Inspired pillows. www.etsy.com/shop/karenpasacreta?section_id=13773550

"This year is the 350^th anniversary of the settlement of the island."

Stepping off the ferry and onto Block Island is always the same. A gust of sweet sea smell rises up to meet you—and like a first date with that guy you immediately know is the ONE, you feel like you’re home. That’s the way it was for me, so many years ago, and is still. I've been back many times since, sharing it with friends, boyfriends, with just my oldest, and now with my husband and little ones. Incredible things happened to me on the Island.
But you never forget your first time.

It was 1989, and I was a senior in college staying up for the summer to take a class, but mostly to maintain my freedom. A girl living off campus was doing the same thing, and we became fast friends on the prowl for fun. We were newly legal and single. Why not? So, when she suggested going to BI for a night, who was I turn a good idea down? There was a bunch of us staying up that summer, girls and guys, which made for many beach trips and a few bar closings.

stock photo.

It was the Fourth of July weekend. We landed in Old Harbor to the cutest little parade—beautiful bronze-faced kids proudly waving the American Flags while sitting atop a convertible yellow VW bug. These kids seemed to be everywhere, walking with parents, roaming with friends. Block Island is that kind of place—there's little you have to worry about. It’s for families, it’s for friends, and it’s for old and new relationships. You may not know a soul when you arrive, but you become fast friends with everyone by the time you leave.

And that’s the truth.

We stayed at the Gables Inn II back then and couldn’t even afford a bathroom in our room. A hardship for some, but when you're on the Island, who cares? You are all there for the common goal. Like those little bronze beauties, everyone has that sun-kissed look of too much of everything. Too much food, drink, walking, bike riding, mussels (on the deck of the National Hotel), and sea smell embedded in your hair. During the day, we rented bikes and took them uphill to the Southeast Lighthouse, then on to Rodman’s Hollow. If you’re exhausted and thirsty like we were, chances are a bunch of those kids are selling lemonade and cookies. And we got lucky. That night we hit Captain Nicks. We waited in line! People were dancing everywhere on the floor and the balcony to the coolest music. I think there was a band, but I can’t be sure. We befriended a nanny who lived on the beaches every weekend. If you're looking for Mary Poppins, that's not what you'll find in BI. She was caretaker by day, Deadhead hippie Friday through Sunday. She was all granola and sunrise. There are a lot of college kids like nanny that come to the Island for the summer to work and hang out with other like-minded college kids. Just like how I never studied abroad, this will also be a regret of mine.
After many drinks with nanny, we ran into our best male college friends, and we all decided to take the party to nanny’s weekend “house,” and off we went to Mansion Beach. It's not far, so we walked. The moon was so large that weekend and just kind of guided our way. When we got there, we all jumped into the water. I don't know whose idea it was but some were with clothes, some were without. And that's all I have to say about that. I remember being thankful someone had a blanket. It was over 20 years ago, but the youth of it all really seems like yesterday. We and the guys hit the blanket hard, just listening to the slight ripple of the water as the waves billowed up and crashed ashore. No one made a sound.

I got my first BI kiss that night. The next day we all boarded the same ferry to Pt Judith (nanny stayed on the beach)—and by the time we were home, everyone seemed to forget the magic. But it’s hard to forget something so right. It’s still with me now. I dated that BI kisser for a long time, then it was time to say good-bye. We wanted different lives. Sometimes I wonder how he's doing. Though I have to confess, I haven’t thought about the nanny until now.

A Block Island Retrospective

1994: Pt. Judith Ferry

1994: Me and my girlfriends bike riding on the Island.
The roads were lined with
blackberry bushes, and we would stop to fill up!

1994: Stopping for water. This place is all uphill!
We took a ride to Rodman's Hollow onto
the Southeast Lighthouse, then down, down, down
wooden steps to the beach. And had our pictures taken on a huge rock.

Southeast Light House. Stock photo. My friends and I were there the last time it was moved.

And this is why it would have to be moved. Stock photo.

The National Hotel. Sit on the deck, eat mussels, and people watch. At night come back for some beautiful acoustic guitarists singing old favorites. I can't tell you how many times I requested "Eyes of the World." Stock photo.

1996: I can't tell you how many times I stayed here with my girlfriends!
Great breakfast muffins, btw. There's Kate and Debbie on the front steps. This hotel is a great location: right on the main strips, steps to the beach, shopping, nightlife, and the ferry at Old Harbor.

2009: My beauties at the Manisses Animal Farm. We saw a kangaroo and a camel!
And, if you are in the mood for some truly breathtaking views, keep on going straight past the farm to the Spring House Hotel. Kick up your heels and enjoy a drink on the deck.

Llamas at the Manisses Animal Farm.
For young and old alike!

2010: Me and my daughters on the bench at the North Lighthouse.

Another girl on the way!

2009: We stayed with friends for a night at the houses on Crescent Beach. Beautiful.

Scenery on Corn Neck Road.

Spring House Hotel. Stayed here twice: With oldest daughter
on a Mommy and Me trip, and recently with hubby. Perfection.
That deck has the most beautiful views. Getting married on the Island? Many are booked here.

BI Historical Society. So worth the $5 donation.

More scenery on Corn Neck Road. Look at that sky. It was about 7 a.m.
By 11 a.m., it will be crystal blue.

2011: New London, CT, ferry woes.
People got up at 4:30 a.m. to make a ferry that wasn't coming.
Hey, Pt. Judith: all these people are headed your way!

2011: Cushman House. You can only get here by Corn Neck to Ministers Lot—
a long, winding, one-way road. Our taxi driver was 13th BI generation
and still had to call the police dept to ask for directions!
This was the site of our friend's wedding!

Wedding decorations. The bride made them all herself. Table arrangements were adorned
with driftwood highlighting the couple's favorite Island spots, hurricane lamps filled with sand and flowers, and shells and beach glass were scattered around the tables. Look up and you'd see blue and white paper balls in the tent and in the tress. Stunning display.

This was by far one of my husband's favorite weddings because you could have a beer while the bride and groom were saying their nuptials. And I could go barefoot. BI, we love you!

Me and my hubby at the wedding.

The groom wipes tears after seeing his bride for the first time.
That dress affected everyone. Gorgeous!

2011: The year of the Bruins. The Statue of Rebecca, adorned with helmet and

Stanley Cup—the handiwork of a taxi car driver's daughter. (I texted this picture to one of my friends whose son just got drafted to the NHL!!)
Check out Rebecca's story at the link—she was first erected in 1896 by a women's Christian movement in hopes of curbing alcohol consumption. On Block Island...really?

Me, gazing at the North Lighthouse, Block Island.
The year was 1997. We were biking and stopped for a much-needed break.
I was in the first trimester with my oldest, Michaela, and I was exhausted.
She was born February, 1997, by far, the biggest light in my life.
You never forget your first.

Silver Sands Beach, Milford, CT

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 05:41:00 +0000

Growing up, my sister and I spent so many afternoons beach hopping from Gulf to Silver to Walnut beach. Some of my best memories are at Gulf, hanging beach-side with my best friends chatting about all the fun things we were going to do that summer. Oh, did we have fun plans! One of my bucket list of things to do was to walk the Silver Sands Beach sandbar. I would be in my 30s before I was in the right place at the right time. I saw it was wide open and made my move. I found the best sea glass that day! So, I kept coming back for more. My collection grew and so did Silver Sands. Now there is a beautiful boardwalk people flock to all year round. It truly is a marvel. I take my kids there all the time and snap endless pictures. I am so thankful for this beach and the time I am now spending on it with my family, that I decided to create a piece of sewn art out of an illustration I did from a photograph I took. It was about 2005, right before the connecting boardwalk happened, when it was still a rumbling...

Duck cloth on white canvas, various embroidery colors

What a Hoot

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 03:14:00 +0000

Owls seem to be all the rage right now in home decor, mostly with children's nurseries. But, if you just like whimsy as much as I do, then you can put them anywhere you want. There are no rules. It's your house, right? When my sister-in-law got pregnant, I racked my brain trying to come up with something for the baby's room. We searched fabrics together and found the cutest owl print. So I made balloon curtains, an owl doll, and because we were on birds, a birdie door hanging. Then, my husband's friend asked me to make her an owl pillow. It was inspired by something she found and I did my owl interpretation. This guy and/or gal truly is a hoot of a pillow.

Pink, orange, and brown

Yellow, green, and blue

White front/off-white back

Double trouble!

Turtle Time

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 03:14:00 +0000

This is Nora. She is sweet, funny, and completely mischievous. When you aren't looking, she'll crayon your new sectional or grab the dog's private parts then tell you, "Puppy's squeaking!" At least she tells you.
Nora loves turtles, but after seeing how she is with our puppy, we are going to wait on getting her one. Instead, I made a pillow. "I love it!" She said, with her teeth clenched. I don't know any other two year old that talks that way, but I love it. I love when she sits around the table with her sisters and says: DUH! Then they all chime in and I love that she wants to make me coffee right now just so she can put the K-Cup in the Keurig. Her eyes get really big and full of excitement over the littlest things. Like her new pillow.

Holy Holy Heatwave

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 03:13:00 +0000

It's a heat wave here in Connecticut. I mean this is hot. Disgusting. Oppressive. Keep the dog inside weather. Our home is super old (1800s) and we don't have central air, but we have units and even they are not enough. And Irene and Sandy took away trees and bushes—and shade. Waah. Keep hydrated out there. Today, we are inside and waiting it out til the sun goes down—and dreaming about being on Island time. Can you feel those cool breezes? I need that.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/156719124/large-block-island-pillow-blue-and-green

https://www.etsy.com/listing/157315206/sand-dollar-pillow-in-royal-blue-fully

Photoshoot with Lydia

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 03:12:00 +0000

Me: "Lydia, Will you help Mommy photograph my pillows?"
Lydia: "Sure!"

First Shot

Lydia: "The sun's in my eyes! I don't like it."

Me: "It'll just be a minute. Pleeeeaase?"

Second Shot

Me: "Now let's do one without your hands on the front of the pillow."

Third Shot

Perfect!!! Lydia ultimately got very tired and bored. She found more exciting things to do with her sister Nora. But, here are some more photo views for you to enjoy. Feel Free to find these pillows (not Lydia) for sale in my ETSY STORE!

Peace and Love

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 19:37:00 +0000

As much as I'd like to fight it, I'm approaching that middle age range. Things that you think only happen in your parent's generation are starting to happen in your life. Like you start knowing people who pass away. It starts reminding you of your own mortality and sheer panic sets in. Great, I keep telling myself. Now I am never going to sleep. I worry about my kids, my mortgage, my husband, my dog and my now-half-eaten NEW couch, and I worry that I actually stayed up worrying and lamenting about a couch. Seems silly when I am now at the age where people are dying. Deep breath, Karen. Breathe in. Breathe out. Anyway. I created a L-O-V-E pillow to remind people (by people, that's me) that the only thing that matters in life is LOVE. And yoga. And a large glass of wine to get me through.

PREPPY LOVE

LYDIA's PILLOW: "Fuzzy Wuzzy Love"

PEACE AND LOVE

GRATEFUL LOVE
...for the people who have contributed so much to our lives continue to live on in our hearts.