Hello, my name is...

Hey guys! My name is Bridget Crowe and I am thrilled to tell you that I am going to be Ambatalia's new blogger!

You may have seen me around before on this blog because I have known Ambatalia for quite a while now. I grew up in Marin County, California and one day in 2006 wandered into a dreamy fabric store in downtown Mill Valley. This fabric store was called Ambatalia. I had just started high school and for the next three or so years I interned and helped out at the store. When I left for college the fabric store had just closed, but Ambatalia was extremely busy doing lots of other exciting things. I always stayed in touch, checking in on what interesting things were happening.

Check out this old post to see some fun photos from the closing party we had for the store. 

It has been seven years since I first walked into Ambatalia, and now I live in Chicago, Illinois. I recently graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with an emphasis in Textile Design and Fashion. I love to weave and to print my own fabrics.

I will be posting once a week to share with you what Ambatalia is up to and also explore what other interesting people are doing as well. I look forward to getting to know you. I can be reached at bcrowe@saic.edu if you ever have any questions or input. I will be posting our first article about Ambatalia's trip to NYC tomorrow, so check back!

One of the first photos I took of the store.

The store circa 2007.

Molly and I six years ago.

Molly and I a week ago in NYC for NY Now.

Ambatalia officailly Closed.

Ambatalia was blessed with Anna dancing goddess Oshun for me

Ambatalia, the fabric society closing party was given to me by Ashley Helvey and Bridget Crow. I felt so loved and so celebrated. My heart and soul went into this 4 year run. Such a small endeavor for some, but so huge to me. It's difficult to write about the depth of this experience for me as a woman, a wife and a mother of three. I found an artist inside of me, but I found a need to create community around me to share and explore sustainability in everything we do to connect us in a deeper way. I've met so many wonderful people along the way that brings fulfillment to my life beyond measure. The day was blessed with a trunk show from Natalie " Alabama Chanin". It was so inspiring to meet a woman that has built a business model with such integrity. Please take the time to thoroughly enjoy her site and the hand stitch of her art work . It brought such an elegance to my party. My friend Patricia said it best" It would be a privilege to were her clothes. Because I knew she was coming two days before, I pulled together my partially finished "Making Happy" bedding. I was so inspired my Obama's slogan "YES WE CAN". With every stitch of my reclaimed linen strip quilt. I said Yes We Can. I presented it at my party with joy and to celebrate those words for our community and our world.

Kids are our peace teachers

Adam and Me Man ( very Scruffy) but still drop dead gorgeous

SWEET , SWEET BRIDGET

Natalie (Alabama Chanin)

My Mom and neighbor Danial (drunk), JK

Best place to be

My dear Cara ( sister)

With out these two gems, I would be in the drunk ward

Bestest friend Anna ( since I was 12)

My Mom

One of my incredible sisters Susanna

Bro and Sis ( 2 sisters and 2 brothers not in shot)

Break dancing at it's best

Dancin, inspired by the kids

Molly and sweet Denise

My friend Aron always up for a sleepover

Annabel and Sasha pretend sleeping

The party continues into the night with candles and laughter

We decide we will spend the night in the "Yes we can" bed

Covered in a well used crazy quilt from Nottingham England circa 1830's

Annabel and Bridget waiting for breakfast in bed

A thank you to all of my customers and friends that brought

joy and creativity to my days.

Ambatalia has not died , just moved on to less overhead, leaving a beautiful space

I will be forever grateful and I am sad. I will miss this time

Please keep in touch, All my love, Molly