Two years!

Today marks the two year anniversary of my being a designer full time. It has  been a wonderful, empowering, stressful, joyful and exhausting two years and I would not trade them for anything.
I could not have done any of this without the never ending support from my wonderful (and really cute) husband Victor, my mom, our nanny Megan (I really could not get anything done without her loving care of my girls) and my friends...Sarah, Jess, Dane and Elaine I am looking at you. I also want to thank Modern Domestic for hiring me as a teacher- I just love teaching and all of the stores here in Portland that carry my work.
Thank you all!

So here is what I am working on for the next year and beyond-

*To design and produce a line of printed textiles! This is the big one and I am excited.

*To get a little bit of help. One woman is simply not enough...Anyone in Portland interested in interning for me? Get in touch!

*To have a wholesale line to offer to fabulous stores around the country.

*To work on my book proposal- a machine applique/lifestyle book with patterns, instructions, tips and   of course amazing photos that inspire.


*To be a little bit less hard on myself. I can only do as much as I can do- comparing myself to others only slows me down and bums me out.

* To work less when I am with the girls and to be as present of a mother as I can be. They are growing up so fast- I don't want to miss it.

And the most importantly a huge thanks to all of YOU! To everyone who has ever purchased something from my shop, followed my blog and supported my work. Thank you. 

Cheers!

You can also learn a little bit more about my journey here.

New in the shop!

Striped boat neck tops! With a cute button detail at the sleeve...

BHLDN, Stop it!

BHLDN needs to stop it with the shoes! They are killing me.

New classes at Modern Domestic are up!

I have new class dates up at Modern Domestic, including a new class on making applique baby blankets- so cute and perfect for shower gifts and the holidays. I would love to see you there!

My Dad, My Style Idol.

Everything I believe to be true about clothing I learned from my father- pockets are essential, leather looks best when it is old and worn, denim is the king of fabrics, you can never go wrong with a scarf, a great jacket can last you for years, and the best finds are always second hand.

When I was going through the most recent J Crew the other night I noticed that the styling was taking a page right out of the David Joyce handbook. So I went and found a few photos of my dad when he was living (in a cave) in Greece, and some more recent picture from my childhood.

Neck scarf? Plaid? Dessert boots? Yup. He had them all...45 years ago.
Go Dad! I miss you.

Angelina

Just a few weeks away from kindergarten. Where does the time go?

Death by Closet Visit

I know I have talked about the blog Closet Visit (such a genius idea!) but the actress Allison Miller is just killing it.  Her lipstick! The Swedish Hasbeen sandals of my dreams ( I would buy them in a second if there was anyway I could convince any part of myself that they worked for my lifestyle...at all.)

I want it all. This is how I would like to dress everyday- especially if I were an actress in my 20's.
I am getting out my old Coach bags as soon as the weather cools down and buying  this lipstick as soon as I can find my purse.

Yes Please.

I want this. I might buy this...

Fourty One Years

Today is my parent's 41st wedding anniversary. I love these pictures from their reception at the Salishan golf course on the Oregon Coast...My favorite is my mom playing frisbee in her wedding dress in the grass.

We lost my dad to cancer in 2003 and I am thinking about and missing him a lot today. So beautiful, no?

Anna Joyce Fabric!

I am working on designing and printing a line of fabrics to use for making pillows, scarves, applique, maybe even to sell by the yard...A very exciting new project!
Our family spent five delightful days at the beach this week (no computers!) and I did some painting inspired by some of my favorite vintage fabrics- this is the totally un-doctored raw scan of the painting. Tonight after the girls go to sleep I am going to play around with scale, color and tiling it together so that the pattern repeats.  I will keep you all posted on my progress... So far I am just excited to be working on a new project.

New work

I took four new pillows into Noun: A Person's Place for Things, last week and two sold that day! I love that. Here is one that I really like- a new design and love working on the wool felt again now that fall is coming.

Someday...

When I have a storefront/studio/show room, I want it to look and feel like this...except all of my work. Got it? Good.

Yes Please.

I am just in love (along with the rest of the world) with Rifle Paper Co. On of the 2012 calenders is on my wish list- I would also love one of those custom painted portraits, so sweet and inspiring!

I'm moving in.

My friend Cassie turned me on to this post from a German interiors blog...I could just die. This is one of my favorite kitchen nooks ever...and if I am not mistaken that is the same wall paper that threw me into a tail spin in Domino Magazine a few years ago...LOVE.

Seattle!

Pike Place Market

Breakfast at the market- coffee, fresh berries, baguette with brie and jam and a croissant. Perfect.

Our first view of the market and the water after a quick walk from our hotel.

Dinner at The Boat Street Cafe

Last night Victor and I got home from a quick trip alone up to Seattle- we had two full days and a night all to ourselves and it was bliss.  We spent the night at the wonderful Hotel Max, ate and explored all over  Pike Place Market, and had the most delicious and romantic dinner at the Boat Street Cafe and Kitchen...our waitress thought that we had just gotten engaged when we ordered a bottle of bubbly- it was really fun to tell her that, no, we had been married ten years.  A trip like that  must be done at least once a year-  remembering why you fell in love and having time to just enjoy your spouse is so important and so fun, especially if you have children. We will always have Seattle...

10 years

10 years ago today I married my wonderful, incredible, kind, talented and totally hot husband Victor. We had a wonderful time at our wedding...One of the best days of my life.  I would be lying if I said it were easy the whole time, but I would not want to do this thing called life with anyone else.

Anna Joyce on Bloesem Kids!

I was so excited to be featured on Bloesem Kids today! So fun, and I would have never known if Dane had not told me...whew! So happy to know. It is one of my favorite blogs.

A new logo, a new look...

I am making some changes around here and it is exciting. I feel like I have a better handle on what I want from my business and my design and how to get there...one of the things that I have changed is my logo- I am dropping the "Design" and just going with Anna Joyce, letting it stand alone. These are first drafts, trying things out, playing, and finding the perfect fit! Let me know what you think!