Remembering and honoring

What I'm about to write might seem out of place in this blog, but I hope readers will indulge me and read on. Today is September 11, 2011. In just over 8 hours, many Americans will observe a moment of silence, as we remember the day 10 years ago that changed our lives and our nation's landscape forever.

For me, September 11, 2001 started out as just another day. I was on my way to work in my office on the perimeter of the Scottsdale Airport. I had the radio on in my car, and usual, I was frustrated with morning commute traffic. Instead of stopping at the local Starbucks, which I did nearly every morning on my way to work, for some unknown reason, I pulled into a neighborhood sandwich & coffee shop. As I walked in, the girl behind the counter commented that a plane had just flown into the World Trade Center in New York City. I remember thinking, and I believe I even said; "it's probably foggy in New York, and some guy in a little plane got lost". The shop had no tv, and I honestly didn't think any more of it. I just figured some private pilot got lost or confused, and hit the skyscraper. No big deal, right?

Less than 5 minutes later I walked into my office. The hallway was still dark, but I could hear voices. Loud voices sounding worried and rushed. Instead of going into my own office, I turned the corner into the call center area in time to watch the second airplane hit the WTC, almost as if in slow motion. Could I be seeing what I thought I'd just seen? Could a jet really hit the World Trade Center? And why? The sky looked clear. I didn't see any fog. How does a jet hit a skyscraper on a clear and cloudless morning?

And suddenly our phones went crazy. In September 2001 I worked as the director of training and development for a software company that designed, implemented and maintained crew lodging and transportation software for airline crews. Our largest customer was a US based freight company, for whom we assisted hundreds of crewmembers each day. Because we held hotel rooms world wide, and because aviation in the US came to a complete standstill, it seemed that everyone was calling us looking for help accommodating their crewmembers who'd been stranded. The callers were polite but obviously anxious and they needed help quickly.

I don't know how many calls we took that day. I don't remember who we called to come in and help us field the calls. I don't remember what time I left my office late that night. I don't remember who I spoke with that day, or even that week. I do remember someone ordering pizza's to be delivered for lunch. I also remember feeling ice cold that day and for many days after. And living in Phoenix Arizona, September's aren't cold. But I was. From the inside out, I just felt cold.

The following Summer I met a commercial airline pilot that I would eventually fall in love with and marry. He's a great pilot, a professional, someone whose skill and judgement I trust implicitly. I've often told him that he somehow becomes part of his airplane when he's in the cockpit. I can't explain that, it's just a feeling I get when I see him flying, whether it's the Boeing 777 he fly's for Continental or our little Cessna 150.

I can't say that I never worry about Keith on his trips. In our early years, when I'd drop him off at the airport for a trip to Tel Aviv Israel, I'd have to stop to get through a panic attack brought about by my fears for his safety there. Even now, whether it's a hurricane on the east coast or a frigid winter in Beijing, I worry about my husband. But weather and city safety are small potatos compared with the worries I and other pilots' wives have about the possibility of a repeat of the events of September 11, 2001.

Today my husband is in Hong Kong. He'll leave there late tonight, returning home tomorrow evening. And from the time he boards his plane, until I hear his voice shortly after landing in Newark, New Jersey - I will track his flight online and hope and pray for his safety, just as I do for every single flight he takes.

I pray that we never again experience the sort of violation our nation experienced that September day 10 years ago. I pray that no spouse, parent, child or sibling has to again lose a loved one at the hands of religious fanatics. I hope that we as a nation never take our safety and security so lightly that we become complacent and again fall victim to madmen.

More than anything, I pray that time somehow eases the pain of that September day and that we as a nation can someday watch September 11th pass as just another date on the calendar. But today won't be that day. Today we will remember, and mourn again the loss of so many innocent lives, and perhaps, our greater innocence in general.

God Bless America

Branching Out

When I first began making t-shirts and baby onesies, I honestly thought it would be temporary. I truly believed I'd maybe have one or two orders, and be done. It really didn't occur to me that there would be repeat buyers or a demand for more items. It's not that I didn't think my work was good, but I thought to myself; "how many airplane t-shirts could one person want?" It took awhile for it to get through my thick skull that people who like aviation and especially those who fly planes LOVE, LOVE, LOVE wearing t-shirts with airplanes on them. ALL KINDS OF AIRPLANES!

Four years and thousands of t-shirts and baby onesies later, I'm still surprised when people request other airplanes or gliders or helicopters, things I haven't yet printed. Of course the answer is always an enthusiastic "yes", and I immediately get to work creating their vision (with my own spin).

It's clear to me now that what keeps my business fresh and exciting for me is the enjoyment I derive from the creative side of it. I can happily sit with my laptop for hours on end creating new designs both for customers, and just for my own satisfaction.

It's this enjoyment of the creative aspect of my business that's lead me to branch out and introduce a whole new design line.

Welcome to INKRAGEOUS

Inkrageous is all about t-shirts with a little class, a little sass, a little bad ass. Inkrageous designs are sometimes sarcastic, sometimes flirtatious, always fun and colorful. And while most of the designs are for women to wear, I think men will get a kick out of them too. Well, I hope so anyway.

Though my La Petite Pilot line is sold mostly through airport pilot shops (and private orders), Inkrageous designs will be available in my soon-to-be opened Etsy store (Inkrageous) and of course, through this blog (just send me a message/comment with your email address).

It's funny to think I spent more than 30 years in corporate America and I was never as contented or happy as I've been working for myself the past four years. That old adage really is true; "do what you love, and the money will follow." Who knew? I hope you'll enjoy looking through some of my new designs. I welcome all feedback and comments.

Life is Good ... make it outrageous with something from Inkrageous!

Lori

What's new

It seems that an old and very unpopular notion about women who stay at home is still floating around; that being - that they "don't work". Personally, I don't know of any stay-at-home woman who doesn't work. Whether she's a wife, mother, or a single woman who's done her time in corporate America, I don't know of a single woman who stays home all day swilling champagne and popping bon-bons into her mouth. Not that I might not consider it if someone would kindly do all my shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, organizing and driving people wherever they need to be. And of course, they'll need to work my home-based business.

Being self-employed isn't being unemployed. In fact, I'd argue that as the owner of a home-based business, I probably spend more time working than I did when I commuted 45 minutes to an office where I typically put in 10 hrs a day. On any given evening I'm in front of my laptop working on new designs, improving existing designs, improving my understanding of Photoshop Elements (that's a biggie), blogging, social networking (including tweeting and reading business tweets), researching avenues for greater business exposure, and networking. Anyone who thinks all of that doesn't take time, well, come spend a day with me and see.

So just how have I been spending the past several weeks when I'm not actually making t-shirts and/or onesies? Funny you asked. Just take a look for yourself. And if you happen to see something you like, email me or comment in this blog and let me know. I'm always happy to welcome a new customer to the business.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and check out what's new with La Petite Pilot. Come back soon!

Off to a good start

We've been busy! Busy creating new designs and products. Busy working with new customers. Busy getting ready for the 2011 season of Fly-In's. If you love aviation like our family does, you probably plan at least a few of your family calendars around Fly-In's.

In our house, that means we check www.flyincalendar.com on a regular basis. This well organized website lists events state by state, month by month. We especially look forward to local Fly-In's like the Cactus Fly-In at Casa Grande Airport (http://cactusflyin.org) at which La Petite Pilot baby bodysuits and tee's for all ages will be available.

So what's your favorite pilot wearing this year? La Petite Pilot aviation-themed apparel has introduced several new designs for children and adults. Here are just a few;













You've just seen a few of our new designs, available on baby bodysuits (onezies), and t-shirts (childrens & adults), and NEW for 2011 - BABY BIBS!!! And we've got so many more colorful designs to offer you and your favorite Flyguy or Skygirl. See us at the Cactus Fly-In March 4 and 5 at the Casa Grande Airport in Casa Grande Arizona.

Dress your pilot in style with La Petite Pilot!

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

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!

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)

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

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