Celebrating the holidays and going international

La Petite Pilot received very good news from our national distributor AeroPhoenix last week;

Our baby bodysuits (onesies) are now available in Madrid Spain ... Ole!

In just the few short months that La Petite Pilot has been in business, we've seen our business double thanks to word-of-mouth advertising and handing out the occasional business card here and there. Looking forward, we'll be establishing a website and webstore where existing customers and hopefully future customers will be able to see examples of my work and place special orders.

Recently I was asked if all I do are aviation-themed baby bodysuits (onesies)? The answer is a loud and clear "NO" ... I'd be delighted to do items for infants, toddlers, school-age children all the way up to and including your great grandpa's Happy 100th Birthday t-shirt!

Looking for t-shirts to mark a Family Reunion? I can do that. T-shirts for your daughter's Sweet 16 birthday party? I can do that? Just adopted a St Bernard named Rosie and you wanna wear her picture on your t-shirt? I can do that too! And I can do it all the way up to a size 4X!!

I've been fortunate to do a good bit of traveling with my airline pilot husband. And I'll admit it, I'm one of those travelers who loves to dawdle in the airport gift shops before my flight. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to the day I walk into an airport in say London or Paris or Tokyo and see my work being sold there! I honestly believe that day is just around the corner!


With just 22 days till Christmas, I'm getting the last of my shopping finished and plan to have everything wrapped and the gifts I need to ship out the door by the 15th. That brings me to what I hope you dear readers will find helpful; some gift suggestions for those "hard to buy for" gift recipients;

Gourmet dipping oils ... a favorite of mine to give and receive, these beautiful to look at and delish to dip into oils are easy to find in most gourmet or high-end grocery stores, or at stores like Home Goods. Add a loaf of fresh baked French bread and you've just turned a simple meal into a regal repast!

Personal journals ... as a writer, I like nothing better than starting a new journal, and I wouldn't dream of using a plain spiral bound notebook! Journals come in all sizes with covers of velvet, felt, even wood! Personally, I like soft covers and single ruled lines, but there's something for everyone if you just take a little time to look around.

Coffee's, tea's and cocoa's ... it's hard to beat a good cup of coffee, tea or cocoa (along with a good book or a favorite magazine) and today, there is no shortage of gourmet coffee's, tea's and cocoa's available at very attractive prices at stores such as Cost Plus or even your local Starbuck's. Pick out a pretty cup and saucer, or a mug and slip in your selected coffee, tea or cocoa and you've got a gift that's sure to please!

Travel charging valet ... are there 3 electronic devices your favorite traveling man can't live without on any given day? Keep 'em charged and ready to go with the Portable Charging Valet from the good folks at The Sharper Image.

There are some wonderful companies, both on-line and brick & mortar with goodies both big and small that would be appreciated and adored by even the pickiest person ... and you don't have to break into your childrens' piggy banks to afford any of the items I've suggested here.

I hope your Christmas is merry and bright, I hope your Christmas wishes all come true, and above all, may you keep the spirit of Christmas alive in your heart all the year through!

Merry Christmas!

Lori

55 days and counting

A little birdy told me that it's 55 days till Christmas and time for me to get serious about gift shopping. If your time's limited (and whose isn't?) why not consider mail order gift shopping?

This year one of my favorite online shopping destinations is http://www.wisteria.com/, and one of my absolute must-give-gifts is sure to be their Angel Wings Mug (www.wisteria.com/Angel-Wings-Mug-New/productinfo/W2811/) along with my favorite cocoa mix or tea bags.

I'm also totally loving the Groovy Gooseneck USB Light over at http://www.delight.com/ (www.delight.com/Groovy-Gooseneck-USB-light) that's small enough to pack into a laptop case but big enough to get the job done ... and all for well under $20.

Some of the other online emporiums I turn to for my Christmas gift giving include;

http://www.fredflare.com/ (Bacon dental floss anyone?)
http://www.redenvelope.com/ (love, love love their "100 Good Wishes" candle set)
http://www.restorationhardware.com/ (the Matchbox Musicbox is an adorable find)

Got someone on your list that always seems too tough to shop for? Check out what the brilliant mind behind http://www.giftgenius.com/ has to offer. Simply choose the holiday and the recipient and the gift genius makes suggestions running the gamut from the ridiculous to the sublime.

And if all else fails ... you can't possibly go wrong with a handmade one-of-a-kind T-shirt from La Petite Pilot. Whether the gift recipient is a Vegan with a wicked sense of humor or your great aunt Grace, I can offer you dozens of design choices sure to fit the personality of even the pickiest gift recipient. Give me a call at 623-330-0301 and lets talk T-shirts today!

55 Days and counting ...

Lori

It's Totally Tuesday

And though I know I have dozens of things I "should" be doing ... I just plain don't feel like it. So instead of tackling laundry or dusting or emptying the dishwasher or mopping the kitchen floor, I sat down to revise my musical playlist (at the bottom of this blog) with some music I find both relaxing and inspirational.

It's amazing what just the right piece of music at just the right moment can do for the soul. Take Shaun Pauls' "A Path to Somewhere" - each time I hear that piece I feel myself exhale and I relax. Whether I'm dusting the house or writing or driving to the airport to pick up hubby, that one piece of music instantly relaxes me.

Or how about Allison Krause and "If I Didn't Know Any Better" ... talk about a message in the music! Ms Krause has always been one of my favorite muscial story tellers, and this song's no different. Really listen to her words the next time you hear this beautiful song and I think you'll see what I mean.

And then there's Michael Buble, or Mr Smooth as I like to think of him. Whether he's singing "Lost" or my personal favorite "Home" (hubby's ringtone as a matter of fact) his style of singing is one that seems to transcend age lines.

If you haven't created your very own personal playlist, hop on over to www.playlist.com and give it a try. It's free, it's easy and it's fun.

Have a totally terrific Tuesday!

Lori

Busy as a Bee

It's been an incredibly busy week here at La Petite Pilot with not one but TWO orders from my national distributor AeroPhoenix. It looks like my baby bodysuits "Just Plane Cute", Daddy's Little Co-Pilot" and When I Grow Up, I'm Gonna Fly Helicopters Just Like My Daddy" are gaining in popularity and sales. La Petite Pilot is also pleased to introduce a Christmas baby bodysuit featuring a cute little teddy bear in a bright red airplane called the "HoHo 1" .

I also had occasion to design some childrens t-shirts, including these two designs;

"Girls Can Do Anything" features famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart, while "I'm All About Airplanes" sports three of my own personal favorite: the Boeing Stearman (oh how I love that plane!).

Special orders give me the opportunity to go a little wild with creativity, so I always welcome the opportunity as well as the business. With the holidays just around the corner, it's not too early to start thinking about the gift recipients on YOUR holiday list.

Now's the time to let your imagination soar ... t-shirts, baby bodysuits, bibs, sweatshirts ... you name it, La Petite Pilot can make it fabulous!

Lori Lamb

Our Flyboys

Our grandsons (L to R) Devin (age 3), Keith (age 6) and Trevor (age 6 weeks) joined us last evening to celebrate (husband) Keith's birthday in style and they wore the t-shirts I made for them a few weeks ago.

Devin's t says First Officer, Keith's says Captain and little Trevor is the Flight Engineer.

Cute, cute, cute!

It's a fabulous Friday and business is good

It's looks like it's going to be a fabulous Friday, and it begins with a new order from my national supplier AeroPhoenix for another half gross of my aviation themed baby bodysuits (think onesie).

I'm pleased my baby items are selling, but I'm surprised that the one I thought would sell the best (I Belive I Can Fly ... nope, just gas) really hasn't been the best seller. That slot is held, and firmly at that, by a little block airplane, and the words - Just Plane Cute - a unisex design top seller!

On top of this second order from AeroPhoenix, I've also been commissioned by two friends to make baby bodysuits and toddler t's for them to give as gifts. Little by little La Petite Pilot is growing, and no one's more surprised or pleased than me.

If you have a new baby joining your family, or if you know of someone who does, my designs are not limited to aviation themes, and I'm always honored to fill special orders.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Lori

The Goodbye Girl

Or; why I fly 5 hours, (that's 2,133 miles according to http://www.convertunits.com/) to spend one night in a Newark, NJ hotel with my airline pilot husband, then fly 5 hours (yep, another 2,133 miles) home ... alone.

When I say I'm flying to Newark to overnight with my husband Keith, and will be home the next day while he flys off to some far off place, I'm usually met with blank stares or something like; "what the heck for?" I could say it's because I like the pizza in New Jersey (Bruno's - yum), I could say I like hotel romance, I could say I enjoy the occasional (make that rare) upgrade to First Class on Continental Airlines ... and all of that would be true. But the real reason I do it, is to spend those few precious hours with my husband.

Home life is a nonstop crush of schedules and committments, of school bells and student pilot training, of expectations and deadlines. But the 5 hours on the airplane to Newark, even if my husband is asleep in the seat beside me, and the ten to twelve hours alone with him in a New Jersey hotel room are a gift beyond compare.

For those few hours there are just two of us. There are no one elses wants and needs more important than our own, there is just my husband and me enjoying the quiet of a small New Jersey hotel room as we sip our Coke-a-Cola's and eat our pizza, and share a few hours of husband and wife talk.

Then all too soon it's over, and I'm re-packing our bags in preparation of going our seperate ways. I take his dirty laundry home with me (no sense in him carrying it to China and back), and we grab a quick cup of tea before the van takes us back to Newark Airport. My job as the Goodbye Girl is about to begin.

At the airport there is just enough time for a late breakfast or early lunch, then Keith is due in the weather room. There, as he meets the rest of his flight crew, he pours over weather reports and route charts and begins in earnest his work as the professional and dedicated pilot I so admire and respect. He will inevitably introduce me to the Captain and the IRO's (International Relief Officers) flying with him, but it's my job to stay in the background, quietly observing but beaming with pride. That man, the one discussing impending turbulance and route diversions with such experienced authority ... that man is my husband ... imagine that.

I always schedule my return flight to depart after Keith's plane leaves, so once he's through in the weather room we head to the gate where his airplane awaits crew and passengers alike. I find a quiet corner in which to wait, while Keith goes down to the plane to "load the box", a pilot's expression for loading the route and flight data into the airplanes computer.

It's not long before my husband is back at my side, asking how the loads (seating) look for my own flight, and what I plan to do whilst he's away. Small talk fills the next few minutes, but it's what we don't say that hangs so heavily in the air. That we'll miss each other. That I wish he could retire tomorrow. That I hate goodbyes.

All too soon the gate agents begin calling row numbers, filling the plane with passengers. Keith hugs me, telling me how much he appreciated and enjoyed my coming all this way for such a few small hours. He reminds me it'll only be four days and then he'll be home again. In my mind those four days might just as well be forty-four. One more lingering kiss good bye and it's my husbands back that's disappearing down the jetway. But not before he turns around one last time and using the ASL sign for "I love you" - blows a kiss to his goodbye girl.

I wait at the window in the boarding area as all the passengers board, the door is closed, the jetway is wheeled away from the plane, and the supertug begins the slow push of my husbands' beautiful jet towards the runway. One last kiss blown back and forth, one last "I love you" hand sign, one last prayer asking God to keep him safe, and he's gone.

My job as the goodbye girl is over ... until the next time I pack an overnight bag and follow my pilot husband 2,133 miles to Newark New Jersey for a few precious hours with the man I love.

Why do I do it? Because to do otherwise would be to rob us of that time together. Because my husband seems so much more relaxed when I'm saying goodbye to him in person than over the phone. Because it makes the man I adore feel loved and special. And that he is.

Lori

Why didn't I think of that?

In case you're not a regular reader of Oprah Winfrey's O Magazine, here's something interesting I came across last week that caused me to ask; "why didn't I think of that?"

Makeup artist Sonia Kashuk, the bright idea lady who brought us the uber helpful mascara with eyeliner on the other end is at it again. This time, the need for portability and simplicity has lead to her design of the Magnet Travel Brush Set ($17; target.com). This handy dandy invention contains one slender multipurpose handle along with seven full-size interchangable magnetic brush heads. Now, instead of traveling with seperate lash/brow brush, lip brush, and blush brushes you can travel with one handle and seven magnetic snap on heads.

And the whole kit and kaboodle comes in a soft silver case small enough to slip into your pocket or makeup bag. Like I said, why didn't I think of that? Travel light and easy with Sonia Kashuk's Magnet Travel Brush set!

Introducing Funday Monday ... wanna play?

It's Monday, the start of the work week for most of us, and a day few of us really look forward to. So I've decided to turn my Mondays into Fundays. And with that, I'm introducing my very first FUNDAY MONDAY. Ta da ...

So what is a Funday Monday you ask? Well it's a Monday in which you carve out a few minutes for some fun thinking.

Today's FUNDAY MONDAY thought starters are;

* Control yourself, you're about to ... (you fill in the blanks)

* The place I feel my happiest is ...

* Just the night I dreamed ...

* Oh, that blue reminds me of ...

* If my style was a book, I'd call it ...

* I get my inspiration from ...

* The sound of crickets makes me remember ...

Okay dear readers, I've given you quite a few thought starters to have some fun with. After all, not every thought on a Monday has to strain the brain!

Till next time, be kind, be happy, be healthy!

Lori

A poor excuse is better than none

Or so my husband said, when he asked if I'd been blogging and I replied: "I have a cold you know." Sadly, the world has not come to a screaching halt just because I'm not feeling well. No, in fact, life goes on even when one doesn't feel like going on with it. With my cold on it's way out, I'm feeling less and less like lazily lying on the sofa watching tv all day. Back in the saddle again!

So today as we were sitting waiting for my 10-year stepdaughter to get out of school, I said to Keith (the husband) that the clouds seemed particularly lazy today (I sense a theme here). There were all these big beautiful fluffy clouds, but they didn't appear to be moving. I remember being a small child growing up in Ohio. My little sister and I used to lie on our backs in the grass watching the clouds, finding animal shapes and faces in the sky overhead. When did I stop enjoying the wonder and beauty of clouds, I wondered aloud to Keith today? And why? Clouds are fascinating. From angry storm clouds to fluffy taffy-pulled ones, clouds are an ever changing art show right above my head ... for free.

And this all brings me to my newest project; Cloud Photography. I decided to focus my 30 photos in 30 days on CLOUDS for the next 30 days. Starting with this one;

Un-retouched and un-fussed over, this cloud photo was actually taken on Saturday on my drive back to town from afternoon tea in Carefree Arizona. I like the lone tree in the foreground, and the mountains deep in the rear. And of course I like those clouds. They were entertaining when I was 5 and 6 ... and they still capture my imagination today. I hope they'll do the same for you!

Lori

Let's hear it for the ladies who create!

There are some seriously creative ladies out there and if they won't toot their own horns ... I will!

At some point in every little girls life, she dreams of being a ballerina. Little girls dreams come to life with the terrific TuTu's made by my talented friend Brooke Schiavone. Her wonderful blog (http://schiavoneshenanigans.blogspot.com/) is a great way to connect with this gifted lady and make the dreams of your tiny dancer come true.


Do you browse craft stores looking at project after project wondereing; "could I do that?" Or maybe like me, you have boxes of photos that you'd love to turn into a beautiful scrapbook. but just don't know where to start. Start here: (http://craftasticlife.blogspot.com/) a blog brimming with crafty ideas (and instructions) from my daughter-in-law Kristin Lamb.


These are but two of the gifted women in my world. I hope you'll check out their blogs and visit often!

Lori

P.S. If you know a talented, creative lady you think should be featured on my blog, let me know!

BEWARE ... BEWARE ... BEWARE

READERS BEWARE ... there's a poacher out there.

I just googled my business name (La Petite Pilot) and one of the many links that appeared was for a blog called http://www.petiteapparel.blogspot.com/ ... whose owner is someone named "Tusum". This individual is reprinting material from my blog WITHOUT my permission.

Please be advised that this individual has NEVER sought my permission to reprint content, and has NO endorsement from me in any form.

I will do all possible to stop this individual from poaching my blog content, meantime, please be assured that THIS is the ONLY blog operated by La Petite Pilot. If anyone would like to reprint my content, please refer to my content-sharing policy, located at the bottom of this blog. Lifting my content without my prior permission is a no-no.

Thanks all!

Lori

So far ... so good

Tom Rubin over at AeroPhoenix, the marketing whiz who's responsible for my baby bodysuits being available to pilot shops nationwide, sent me an email late last week saying the line is selling well. "Well" to Tom means his customers are taking notice and ordering a few to see how they move in their particular pilot shop. But when is "well" - well enough?

Personally, now that I'm in the game, I'll feel like La Petite Pilot is a success when I walk into a major airport such as Phoenix Sky Harbor or Newark's Liberty International, and see my baby bodysuits on display. That said, the fact that a national distributor has picked up my babywear certainly isn't small beans, and I'm duly grateful that Mr. Rubin has given me a chance. But now that I've had a bite of the apple ... I want more. I want Tom's next call to say my babywear is "flying (pun intended) off the shelves".

I had a lovely luncheon this past Sunday with two members of the Pilot Wives Club (http://www.pilotwivesclub.com/) during which both ladies said they'd looked for a website for La Petite Pilot. So far, this blog is my only outing on the internet, though I know that the best bet for getting my babywear seen (and bought) is a website. Until I get there, and I'm not quite ready, this blog will continue to be the only web presence for La Petite Pilot. So far ... so good.

Below are a few of my other designs. These are just 3 of the t's I've designed for the Deer Valley Airport's pilot shop. - Lori

(double click on the picture above, and arrow right for a full page view)

134 Days and counting

It may only be the middle of August, but stores here in the Phoenix area are already filled with Halloween decor, costumes and candy ... and the Christmas things are beginning to trickle in as well. The great countdown has begun, and savvy shoppers know that the best bargains aren't what you'll find come December when you need to finish off your gift list. The time to shop is now!

La Petite Pilot offers a wide array of t-shirts (all sizes, long sleeve or short, as well as kid friendly items) plus our fabulous baby body suits (think onesies). And just because the word "pilot" is in the name, don't for a minute think you're limited to airplanes and the like.

Favorite pet? Favorite quote? Favorite landmark? Favorite hobby? There's nothing that can't be used to decorate t-shirts, baby body suits, even bibs. If you're looking for a gift for the hard-to-please, let me help. Contact me through this blog with any special requests.

Just 134 days ... and counting!

Lori

I had a grandson, then I had an idea

On the 6th of this month our family welcomed it's newest little Lamb ... Trevor Anthony Lamb. There's something about the birth of a child, it renews your sense of hope in the future, reminding you of what truly matters. For me, it also reminded me that not everything has to be a complex, big deal, too-much-thinking kind of experience. Sometimes ... simpler really is better.

My daughter-in-law (Trevor's mom) had asked that I design a trio of t-shirts for her three boys. Should it be "biggest brother", "little brother" and "littlest brother" ... hmmm ... no, that's not quite "it". Maybe I could use their nicknames; Bubba, Duece and Tre ... still not "it". When something that should be easy suddenly feels difficult, it's time for me to take a step back. So I took a day off and just let all the ideas crowding my head come to a rest. And then it came to me;

This is a family head over heels with airplanes. The boys' grandfather (my husband) is an airline pilot, the boys' father learned to fly years ago, and their mom, well she just embraces the family obsession with a sense of humor. I'd already made the trio a French Memo Board (complete with royal blue airplanes against white clouds) for their bedroom, so why didn't I see what was right in front of me? The t-shirt theme was now crystal clear;

Captain Keith Lamb, First Officer Devin Lamb, and Flight Engineer Trevor Lamb

I can't wait to see these three wonderful little boys in this new design from La Petite Pilot (wow, that's me!). I've asked my daughter-in-law (an awesome photographer) for a photo of the boys modeling the shirts, and I'll post it as soon as I have it.

So, with this project now complete, and having re-learned a good lesson, I'm calling it a day!

Till next time,

Lori

My Inspiration

Today my husband took me to see JULIE & JULIA, the long awaited Meryl Streep, Amy Adams movie. I'd read Julie's book (for which the movie's named) a year ago and Julia's MY LIFE IN FRANCE three or four years back. Talk about inspiring women!!

Both of these charming women (I'm speaking of Julie and Julia here) found themselves at a sort of fork in the road of their lives. For Julia Child it was life in France with her government employee husband, and her desire to not be just another wife sitting it out at home. For Julie Powell, it was feeling stuck in a job she no longer (if ever) found stimulating and a personal fear that she'd never finish anything.

I wish I could say I've never had an unmotivated, uninspired day in my life, but that would be a lie of olympian proportions. In fact, I think it's fair to say that since I "officially" retired in 2004, I've had more UNINSPIRED than inspired days. It's not that I don't have dozens of things I could be doing ... even our wedding scrapbook (begun in 2005) remains unfinished. As does a travel scrapbook, a half dozen childrens stories I've written for my stepdaughter and promised myself I'd shape up, add to and at least make an attempt at getting published. The mind is willing, but the flesh is weak.

On the other hand, I did recently turn my little kitchen-table hobby of decorated apparel into a real (read: paying) business. But even that project was peppered with moments of me asking myself if I really wanted to do it, had the energy to do it, even cared enough about having a business of my own - to do it. So far, I seem to be on the right track. But as Scarlett Ohara herself said; "tomorrow IS another day".

Inspiration is a personal thing. And for me at least, it's fluid. Some days I'm more inspired than others. Maybe it has something to do with thinking I've earned "retirement", maybe it's that somedays I feel downright old and tired. And maybe the answer to it all lies in simply taking a first step. Like I've done with my new business, and this blog. For me, inspiration isn't just in the "doing", it's in the "seeing". Maybe that can be an inspiration for you.

For Melinda R, the reader who asked me to post an example of my photos from my "Thirty Photos in Thirty Days" ... here you go Melinda. The baby rattle (pictured above) seemed to jump right out at me from a display in the charming English Tea room where my husband and I enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea today. Now it's your turn. Come one, give it a go, I promise inspiration is just a click away!

Lori

Where does inspiration come from?

It's a question I've asked myself hundreds of times. And I think I might, just might, have an answer.

Inspriation is everywhere. It's in nature; a flower, a bird, a sunset, the ocean waves crashing on the shore and your footprints in the wet sand. It's in the wise face of an old person sitting on a park bench. Inspiration can be found in your local garden center, on the golf course, while waiting for a bus, out walking your dog, or petting the cat curled in your lap.

The truth is, our world is full of inspiration that we "see" but don't really notice. So how DO you take notice and find your inspiration?

Here's a project I was challenged to do this month, and that I want to pass on to you - it's called "Thirty Days of Pictures" and here's how it works; for the next 30 days, I want you to keep your camera handy and take at least one impromptu picture every single day. If you can take more photos ... do! And don't skip a day just because you took extra pictures the day before. Take pictures everywhere! Inside and outside your home, on your commute (not while driving however ... safety comes first!!!), while you're waiting for your pedicure to dry, while you're waiting for the children to finish their Little League game, while you're waiting for your airline pilot husband's commute flight to arrive. Even from your hotel room window. SNAP PICTURES!

I carry a very small, very light weight Fuji Finepix Z digital camera with me at all times. Some days I'll take numerous pictures of the same exact thing at various times of the day and evening. For example, right now I'm in Houston Texas waiting for Keith (my husband) to finish up his check-ride. I'm in the Marriott Hotel at Intercontinental Airport overlooking some of the Continental Airlines gates. Yesterday I was fascinated by the ballet of planes as they were moved into and out of the gate area. From my hotel window I took several photos around two in the afternoon, and shot more photos at sunset and shortly after the sun had set.

The point of this exercise is to teach us that there's a big, beautiful world moving past us at break-neck speed and we really aren't capturing it all. By shooting pictures for the next 30 days you'll train yourself to really take in your own wonderful world. It's my understanding that this same exercise is often used to teach people to become better photographers. But my own goal is just to help me expand my personal idea of "inspiration". I hope it does the same for you!

Because my blog is new, and to encourage more of you to give this exercise a shot (pun intended) I'm going to sweeten the deal. Here's how;

Starting today (August 5th 2009) and running for the next 30 days I challenge you to shoot at least one picture every single day and at the end of 30 days (that's the 4th of Sept), to email me one photo that has personally inspired you. It might be a photo that inspired you to plant a garden, or help the homeless, or adopt a shelter animal. It could be a picture that inspired you to take up a hobby, renew an interest in a craft you used to enjoy, or simply be a happier person. Whatever it is, send me your most inspiring photo. All entries must be received by me not later than 11:59pm Pacific time on the 4th of September. Email me at lola.az@gmail.com

On September 11, 2009 I will post the picture I believe is the MOST INSPIRING PHOTO I've received and the person who submitted that photo will receive a prize. I promise the prize will be something "inspirational" and fun from La Petite Pilot.

Are you ready? START YOUR CAMERA'S!!

Welcome!

Welcome to La Petite Pilot, the home of aviation themed decorated apparel including baby bodysuits (think onesies) and t-shirts (adult/children/infant).

La Petite Pilot began as a kitchen-table hobby with the single intention of making t-shirts for my airline pilot husband. Well you know how it goes, first a friend sees as wants one, then another friend sees and wants one, then the nice man who owned the pilot shop at Deer Valley Airport (DVT) here in Phoenix saw them and thought they might sell in his shop. That lead to me making a couple dozen t's for adults plus a few kid-friendly ones and a half dozen onesies (Gerber's) all with aviation-themed verbiage and graphics.

I admit it was a shock to learn Mike Hosa over at DVT even wanted to see my designs, after all, it wasn't meant to be a business ... just a time filler for a sometimes lonely pilots wife. Now here I was agonizing over designs and colors and wondering if anyone would really buy them.

A year later, here I sit, having been picked up by a leading national distributor of aviation-related goods; AeroPhoenix, who supplies pilot shops at more than 200 airports across the United States. Yesterday, I delivered my first order for AeroPhoenix; a gross of baby bodysuits (think onesies) under my label; La Petite Pilot.

This blog is my lead in to what I hope will eventually become my website. Check back often for photos of my work, news on where my baby bodysuits are available for purchase, and news in general.

I hope you enjoy my work as much as I've enjoyed producing it! - Lori