The CAVU story

Please note, as of January 1st, 2024, CAVU Creations is closed. Find details here.

While CAVU is no longer, this is information I had on the CAVU shop website. I've re-posted it here for those interested in the background of my previous business.

Clear Above Visibility Unlimited (CAVU)*. It’s a term used often by pilots and others in the aviation industry to describe clear skies with unlimited visibility, even if it's above a layer of clouds. Aviators will often refer to a great day as a "CAVU day." Blue skies, sunshine, and endless possibilities. The adventure of launching off the aircraft carrier on a gray and cloudy day, then bursting through the clouds into warm sunshine and crisp blue skies always left me in awe. In my former life as a US Navy jet pilot, I was fortunate for those, and so many other amazing experiences. We'll call them my personal “roaring twenties,” and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Except, of course, my family! I’m now onto an entirely new (but equally challenging) adventure in life: motherhood and being a small-business owner. It's crazy, fun, exhausting, and it's all incredibly rewarding.

After years of moving while on active duty, we're so happy to have set roots here in the Pacific Northwest. Inspiration and adventure surround us in the form of mountains, trails, water, trees, clouds, and the giggles of children exploring it all.

I've been sewing since my grandmother taught me as a little girl. I've also enjoyed dabbling in graphic and surface design over the last 10 years, and thanks to wonderfully helpful online tutorials and lots of trial and error, I've been able to create some pretty fun prints :)

I truly enjoy designing and hand-crafting the items I sell. Most importantly, indulging in this passion while working from home allows me to cherish more time with my kiddos. Everything at CAVU Creations was either handmade by me, or printed with my exclusive original designs. You can learn more about my process and sourcing in the FAQs.

All of my creations at CAVU originated from projects I initially made for myself, my children, or for friends and family and their little ones. I am a perfectionist at heart, and I take pride in putting a lot of time and energy into designing and creating items of quality workmanship and charm.

Have an amazing day and thank you for learning more about CAVU Creations!

- Helen
Owner / Dreamer / Designer / Sewist
CAVU Creations + CAVU too Designs
<< and now >> Three in Kind

*This is how I learned the term, but some learned it to mean Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited. Either way, to most any aviator, it means a perfect day to suit up, strap on an airplane, and take a spin in the great blue yonder.