so why create a Design company in the midst of an economic crisis

….so people alway ask – why did you create this company, and I thought its time to answer this question. – Why create a company like this one in such a crazy economic time….It’s quite simple really……

We created it for you……

You – who have lived through just wanting to pull something up over your hips and over your head that wasn’t $250. You – the person who lived through the horrors of an all black ’90s and a Riotously Floral new millenia. And the you that deserves a company that realizes that people need new clothing but shouldn’t have to deal with the pollution from the ever growing dumps full of unused textile ideas to get it.

This company is a testament to the principle that all things are possible. That no one can block your prosperity because it is Yours and Yours alone to tap into and enjoy. With just a breath of inspiration and hint of creativity, some brash initiative and the belief that “Ask and ye shall receive” doesn’t mean “only if you are tall enough, rich enough, light enough, bright enough” but it means you should just ask.

By “Just Asking”, we have developed into a fashion brand and not for profit that has resources throughout the East Coast. No longer “dumpster diving” designers, we have extensive contacts throughout the interior design and fashion industries that reach out to us to pick up their unused textiles. Throughout the NY area we have been contacted by families to archive their vintage fabrics and transform their trims and notions. Our supplies, tools and notions have been gifted from the springs of life itself and we are grateful!!

But……that’s because we are doing this for You…..

We have wonderful ideas for this company. Ideas that the clothes that people wear can allow them to shine in ways they had never thought possible. That a great fit and vibrant color can increase confidence and allow for truer expression on all levels. Imagine all the colors of the rainbow – available in YOUR size, when YOU want to buy them, regardless of season – Vibrant Greens in Winter, Warm Golds in July, Brown all through the year.

And crochet – Crochet that can be creamy and soft. Crochet masquerading as rich brocade, carrying colors that reverberate strand by strand with the light. and Tailored crochet, with buttons and waistbands – as skirts, coats and jackets. Wonderful stuff , full of character and longevity.

And so I now turn to you – our beautiful customers. We create each of our pieces with you in mind. When we receive our fabrics, we have you in mind. How to make a beautiful colorway shine the brightest. How to accent the line of a stunning men’s pinstripe and play off of the concept – straying into women’s wear (and playful women’s wear at that)

We are doing this all for You –

Come an’ get sum!

Obama elected president | 11:01 p.m.

Obama wins California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington, giving him 324 electoral votes to McCain’s 124 (AP). He will be the 44th president of the United States.

After a tight battle against Republican Sen. John McCain, Obama has become the first African American president in the history of the United States.

Obama is set to address his supporters from Chicago’s Grant Park.
Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware will be accompanying Obama to the White House as his vice president. Biden made his first unsuccessful bid for president in 1988, and again this year before dropping out. A six-term senator, Biden is the chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office comes on Board!!!

In the beginning of October, I had the unique pleasure of meeting Chief of Domestic Violence for the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Ms. Deirdre Biallo-Padin.

When she called, I was thrilled and hearing of her position, went immediately into our 10 minute “shpiel” on Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. – how we started, how dynamic the organization has become and our upcoming events…….

Only to discover that she had seen our flyer, was an avid knitter and was interested in getting YARN!!!! (LOL). Well we got the particulars, both myself and my husband went to the DA’s office to present a the yarn and meet Ms Padin. She had encouraged five of her staff to come on board also and work on items with us. She then gave us a tour of the recently created Family Justice Center. For the first time, women who are pursuing legal recourse for their domestic violence situation can get the assistance they may need regarding a variety of family issues ALL ON ONE FLOOR.

In 1990, when Charles J. Hynes took office as District Attorney of Kings County, he vowed to place a great emphasis on domestic violence. He had a vested interest in this issue – his mother was battered and he experienced the damage done to his own family first hand.

In November 2001, New York City residents voted to amend the City Charter to establish a permanent office that would comprehensively address issues of domestic violence. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg appointed Yolanda B. Jimenez as the first commissioner to head the new office, which is one of only a few government offices in the United States focused solely on the issue of domestic violence.

The Family Justice Center has disposable phones, clothing for those in immediate need, Safe Horizon offices, offices for immigrants from Haiti, Russia and Eastern Europe, South East Asia and India and for the Hasidic community. There are legal services for immigrants and social service offices for those needing housing. And a wonderful children’s playcare area.

The staff at the Family Justice Center was really enthusiastic about this type of organization. Working in the service industry for survivors of domestic violence can be quite stressful. To our surprise everyone looked forward to having this way of giving back that was creative and relaxing. They received a full box of yarn and knitting needles to create beautiful items for women who have made the first step towards change!

A powerful ending to DV Awareness Month at Women’s Survival Space

The Center Against Domestic Violence is the umbrella organization to three domestic violence residences one of which is Women’s Survival Space. On October 29, 2008, Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. collected all of our donations and caravaned them over to Women’s Survival Space for their annual commemoration for the residents of their facility. It was an amazing and powerful event (pics will be posted soon!). I want to take a moment to gratefully thank some wonderful men and women without whom this would not be possible. First I would like to thank my husband Babafemi who with amazing patience and overarching enthusiasm is the driver, IT tech, message taker, co-director and consoler throughout this whole process!! (and he can COOK too!) Next is the amazing Chief of Domestic Violence at the Family Justice Center located in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, Ms. Deirdre Biallo-Padin. Not only is she a silversmith extraordinaire, but she encouraged FIVE of her staff to come on board to assist in creating beautiful items for the women of Women’s Survival Space. Next there is Jenny Femia and her cousin Brandy Mui. These women are cable stitchers who can knit their butts off with beautiful cowls and shrugs – YEA YOU!!!. Ramona Kearns came back this year with a matching wrap and hat set that disappeared in seconds. I would be remiss if I did not mention my cousin Pat Sweeting – in a beautiful connection that was stimulated by conversations about our ancestors, my cousin created innumerable scarves that were warm and functional (and she wondered why she had begun knitting scarves a few weeks before!) . Dr. Mary Ann Clark brought in the West Coast flavor with wonderful scarves from Colorado. And with the generous donation of Sofia Negron, we were able to transport all these items to the residence on Wednesday night.

Beginning with a solemn poem read by one of the administrators, the women attending heard of a woman who “received flowers today, even though it was not my birthday, or mother’s day”. As the poem was read, the reader walked through the dining tables slowly recounting ever growing tales of abuse, which invariably ended with “and I received flowers today, even though it was not my birthday”. With each slap which grew to a hit, each kick that grew to being thrown, the reader continued “but I received flowers today….”. As she walked throughout the dining room, she got to the rear, where two assistants lifted a cloth revealing a coffin – at which point our reader stepped into the coffin and lying down, while sharing that she received flowers today, because today was the day of her funeral!

It was POWERFUL and there was not a dry eye!

She asked us all “Do YOU want to receive flowers today?”
We all responded – “NO!”

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The evening was resplendent in Purple and White and the support and love directed through Director Hermine Bowens was felt throughout the evening. The event featured poetry, song, and children’s performances. And wonderful wonderful food.

Finally, our organization spoke to the women present about our experience creating this event and about the women and men involved in this work. Then we began fitting and styling the women of the residence with the beautiful sweaters, ponchos

At final count we had
3 full sweaters
5 mesh shrugs
30 scarves
4 hat sets with scarves
3 hat sets with wraps/purses
5 hats
7 ponchos
2 baby blankets
2 cowls
1 vest

as well as over 200 assorted ceramics.

It was yet another amazing night. Wonderful for women and wonderful to see that hands, all hands can help to create change.