froo*gal

Cute As A Bug's Ear

2011-09-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

I am not sure where that expression came from because bugs don't have ears and if they did they could not possibly be cute...but I have heard that expression used in my family for years and that is what came to me when I saw this French vintage piece of signed, original art collage from the mid 60's. The colors are bright and still vibrant against the layers of vintage French newspaper, very unusual. This piece and another by the same artist, Francois are available here in my Ebay store.

Whimspirations

2011-08-18T16:00:00.001-07:00

It has been a long "time out" but I am ready to return to the Land of Blog! I am emerging as a weekly feature called "Whimspirations"....I love names not found in the dictionary.

My goal is to bring you inspiring photos of vignettes that I put together from my Ebay store...Whimrose Projects.

I have recently tapped into a bottomless pit of treasures and will put them together in interesting combinations to hopefully inspire you to mine the fields of Ebay for the best kind of recycling...BUY vintage!

New Year

2011-01-03T08:57:00.000-08:00

The Swan

Did you too see it, drifting, all night, on the black river?
Did you see it in the morning, rising into the silvery air -
An armful of white blossoms,
A perfect commotion of silk and linen as it leaned
into the bondage of its wings; a snowbank, a bank of lilies,
Biting the air with its black beak?
Did you hear it, fluting and whistling
A shrill dark music - like the rain pelting the trees - like a waterfall
Knifing down the black ledges?
And did you see it, finally, just under the clouds -
A white cross Streaming across the sky, its feet
Like black leaves, its wings Like the stretching light of the river?
And did you feel it, in your heart, how it pertained to everything?
And have you too finally figured out what beauty is for?
And have you changed your life?

Mary Oliver

Find Your Sparkle

2010-12-18T08:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!

"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake"

Sir Francis Bacon

The Darker Side of Santa

2010-12-07T07:02:00.000-08:00

Looking for a gift for all those naughty little boys and girls in your life?

I have found the stocking stuffer....coal soap in a personalized bag available from PoofyCheeks Etsy Shop

We have all heard the threat used by some parents at Christmas time in an attempt to make naughty children behave...."If you don't do what Mommy says Santa will leave "coal in your stocking."

That phrase originates with someone named Belsnickle.
In Pensylvania Dutch communities, Belsnickle is a mythical being who visits children at Christmas. If you have been a bad boy or girl you will find coal or switches in your stockings.
The Belsnickel was a creature to be feared, well loved only by parents wanting good boys and girls....you better watch out...no pouting allowed!

And if that doesn't make you a believer meet Krampus.I wonder what it says on the back of this card...."Merry Christmas, Peter. This is what happens when you talk back to Mommy...enjoy the ride!"

Krampus is part of Austrian folklore. If you have been a naughty child, instead of gifts at Christmas, you may be subjected to a beating with a switch, or God for bid, a rusty chain! How evil is that? It gets worse...if you are really bad he might pop you into a sack, and throw you into the river!

And then there is the lesser of these two evils....

Zwarte Pieten
A much more tame character popular in the Netherlands. No abuse for misbehaving by Zwarte Piet...Piet will just confiscate your Christmas booty and tote it away in his huge dufflebag to Spain...Spain?...whats that all about, must be politically inspired.

So you better watch out, you better not cry or you may get a visit from the darker side of Santa.

Just in case you didn't know...there is also an Evil Easter Bunny

Paper Doll Obsessed

2010-11-26T20:08:00.000-08:00

My son recently purchased several lots of paper dolls at auction. When he went to pick them up at the auction house the guy said..."looks like your Mom went nuts with the paper dolls".... wrong...my son just has a keen interest in ephemera and thought these looked pretty interesting. I happened to be out of town at the time, other wise I would have been bidding against him to win some lots for myself..not to sell, to collect...woe is me, like I need one more collection.

This is one woman's collection which is always a joy to find because it covers a wide range and always possesses some rare and sometimes unseen beauties. What I am showing doesn't even scratch the surface....there are hundreds that will all be listed in the next week so do your self a favor and go hereto view a unique piece of history.

(Wills new logo designed by Mom)

It seems like a good time to announce the official split of this mother and son business. My son, Will has grown the business from 700 sales to nearly 5400 in 3 years and was ready to make it his own...he was also ready to dispense with such a girly name like Whimrose...imagine handing that card to one of your "bros".
I am ready for a fresh start and will be opening the new "all about girly", Whimrose Projects Ebay Store Monday, November 29.

Mcloughlin Brothers, founded in 1828 was the largest manufacturer of paper dolls in the United States.
Daisy was part of a series made by Mcloughlin around 1860.
I love these French fashion dolls complete with front and back views. Wouldn't this look great framed for a little girls?.... or even a Big girls room!This bride and her trousseau were produced by RaphaelTuck , one of the better manufactures of paper dolls.

In 1919 Photoplay magazine presented Movy-Dolls featuring Movie Stars of the silent screen complete with the costumes they wore in their movies. Here is one of Norma Talmadge.
Paper dolls were also available in many different types of venues like this circus.and even adult publications like Vogue Pattern Book with paper doll cover
And if you were real lucky you may have found this paper doll house under your Christmas Tree.
If your dolls needed a place to fulfill their culinary dreams there was the GE Pop-Out Kitchen, (electric on paper only)!
This scenario seems suitable for framing or dreaming of what could be...one can always hope!Maybe you could build the perfect little cottage in the woods on your living room floor
and decorate with all the furnishings...including taxidermy, Native American rugs and stone fireplaces.I am fascinated with the male paper dolls, they are more rare and so serious... begging "Please don't put me in that ridiculous Uncle Sam outfit!"My personal favorites are a series called Polly's Paper Playmates, a newspaper feature from 1910. Polly and her friends had quite the social life

Visiting brother Percy at West Point

Driving in the country
Attending Christmas Parties
And Art Shows
and of course...Churchand a proper Tea

Who couldn't get lost in an afternoon fantasy on a living room "magic" carpet ride into the past...ahhhh... s l o w and dreamy like the "olden days".

Fabric Bead Cluster Necklace: How To DIY

2010-11-12T13:13:00.000-08:00

If you have not seen the November Anthropology catalog, find one! The art direction is magical. I save back issues of Anthropology because I find it so inspirational. How do they keep coming up with such fantastical creations?cute pin cushion idea

On page 49 there is a llama...yes, a llama!...wearing the cutest necklace, well actually 3 necklaces, as you can see they have very long necks.This necklace happened to be one of those "I can do that" projects...and here's what happened next.

I made a quick trip to Michaels and found some big chunky beads with large holes that would accommodate a wide piece of fabric. I rummaged through my fabric stash and found a piece of vintage silk and ripped a piece 6"X 36". I gathered the beads, the fabric, some plain wood beads in 2 sizes, some waxed linen thread (regular thread would work just as well) and a darning needle.Starting in the middle, I wrapped the fabric around one large bead then secured it by wrapping the base with the linen thread.
Then I popped in another smaller bead and wrapped it, keeping it close to the other bead. Then I added a wood bead next to the fabric covered bead.Next I attached one of the large glass beads by drawing the length of fabric through and pushing it down towards the covered beads.Continuing adding as many or as little beads as you like.I mean...how easy is that!

It's A GIVEAWAY!

2010-11-08T09:53:00.000-08:00

The winner will receive their choice of

Liberty of London Fabric Bead Necklace Kit
or a Liberty of London Fabric Packet
The giveaway is being sponsored by the multi-talented Jen Price who writes this blog

Jen also writes for todaysmama.com.

Jen and her family are living in Texas while on sabbatical from a mission to South Africa where she has been living for the past few years helping to build housing for orphaned children.

Jen shoots stunning photographyand knits the cutest little diaper coversand she sells them in her etsy shop here

The giveaway is being offered worldwide.
Here are a list of the RULES and the ways that you can enter:

Visit Whimrose Projects
then leave a comment about your favorite thing on Jen's blog
I Believe In Love

To get additional entries you can:
1. blog, facebook or tweet about the giveaway and be sure and tag your tweet @jenprice77 and come back to Jen's blog and leave a comment
2. Become a follower to Froogal if you are not one already
3. Become a follower of Jen's blog if you are not already

Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each action. Giveaway ends November 16th at 9 PM Central time where random number generator might choose YOU!

Woven Hair Jewelry...A Victorian Boondoggle?

2010-11-06T06:56:00.000-07:00

Weaving hair.
I'm not talking about the popular practice of adding 5 inches to your already existing tresses. I'm talking about the art of braiding long strands of hair that have been removed from your head into intricate designs and worn as jewelry.

If you are unfamiliar with Victorian woven hair jewelry you may find the concept kind of creepy.

Strands of hair woven into a braided pattern not unlike those plastic coated strands that we braided into lanyards at summer camp. You can find these and many other interesting craft kits for kids here.

Did you know that these are actually called boondoggles?...an often heard word from my husband to describe a scheme that wastes time and money...used in reference to many of my crazy (to him) ideas!...I digress...

I recently acquired a small collection of these beautifully woven works of art and was curious to find out that they were not only woven to commemorate the passing of a loved one (the creepy factor) but were also kept or given as a token of affection.

Understandable to me who has lovingly taped the tiny locket of hair from my son's first haircut into his baby book.Is saving a hair a weird thing or a loving gesture?

How about saving hair for a practical purpose?

A hair receiver was a very common item up until the early 50's. Adorning a ladies dressing table, it was used to collect the hair from from ones brush.Many fine examples are available on ebay. The lovely one above can be found here.

The hair was deposited through the hole in the top and saved to be used in making a something called a ratt (now THAT is creepy and there will be no pictures)

A ratt was made by stuffing the collected hair into a hairnet until it was the size of a potato to be used to create a hairstyle like this (this may look a little TOO rat like!)
Collecting locks of hair was a popular Victorian pastime not unlike scrapbooking today. A ribbon was tied around a strand of hair, the hair was then snipped and placed in an album much like this:
Jewelry made with hair is dated as far back as the 1600's. The hair was woven using a special table with a hole in the center and weighed by bobbins. It was woven much in the same way as bobbin lace.
It was sometimes placed in a locket like thisor fashioned into earrings. These were worked around a mold.With the addition of gold fittings, woven hair was made into braceletsand ringsThese stunning examples are available for purchase from the informative website of Jane Haley Clarke owner of Morning Glory Antiques. Thank you Jane!

There is more to hair weaving than getting extensions!

To see the watch fobs that inspired this post visit Whimrose Projects Ebay Store

The Simple Beauty of Antique Butter Molds

2010-10-31T07:02:00.000-07:00

Being a lover of antiques I am especially fond of aged wood implements that have acquired a patina from being held in the hand while preforming a task. I love the beauty of the natural grain and feeling the warmth of the wood that has survived for generations links me to the past.I am currently selling these beautiful antique butter molds in my Ebay store and thought it might be interesting to give one a try and see if I could transform a mound of softened butter into a small work of art to grace my Thanksgiving table.There was a time when having butter involved hours of labor using many different wooden tools in the process....the cow was milked the cream was separated the butter was worked into a mound of lusciousness and packed into a crock that looked like this If you wanted to make a special presentation after all your hard work you had the option of using a wood butter mold with a motif carved inset and a detachable handle for plunging the molded butter unto a plate.
Most butter molds were made of maple and readily available for purchase for 8-30 cents from the Sears catalog.

Popular designs were a wheat sheaf floral
pineapple

and my personal favorite the acorn and oak leaf
The process is very simple. Soak the wood mold in cold water. Do not dry the mold before adding the butter, use it straight out of the soaking bowl. Soften a stick and 1/2 of butter for a 4.5" mold. Unscrew the handle from the stamp and spread the softened butter across the design until it is covered completely. Place the stamp in the bottom of the mold. Pack the butter tightly into the mold, filling to the top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm. Screw handle into top of mold and push butter unto plate.

If you are interested in finding out more about butter molds and all kinds of interesting things pertaining to the history of dairy visit www.dairyantiques.com
Want to make your own butter? It is easier than you think. Find out how easy it is here.

Antique Mouse Penwiper Pincushion DIY Tutorial

2010-10-16T14:19:00.000-07:00

Following are the instructions to make this whimsical little mouse who leads an interesting double life!

If you are interested in purchasing a kit that will include all the supplies you will need, please leave me a comment and I will put one together in your choice of colors for at a very reasonable price.

Supplies:

wool/felt scraps
2 small beads
black embroidery floss
fiber fill or other filling for mouse (I used ground corn cob, flax would work similarly)

Pattern:

I scanned the pattern 8.5X11.

*Cut 2 pcs of wool/felt fabric for mouse body
*Cut 4 graduated circles using pinking shears

*Stitch 1/4" seam on mouse body leaving 2" opening for stuffingTurn, stuff and stitch seam closed*Fold ears in half and stitch to body
*Fold tail in half and slip stitch to long edges together and attach to body
*Sew beads in place
*Sew embroidery thread for whiskers knotting close to snout and leaving 1/2" tail/2 on each side*Place circles of fabric together and stitch through all layers with 3-4 stitches*Anchor the mouse on top with additional stitches and secure tail in place

The Mystery of the Penwiper

2010-10-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

I recently was able to unravel a little mystery in a chain of linked events that I would call serendipitous
ser·en·dip·i·tous[ser-uhn-dip-i-tuhs]lucky in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries
A few years ago I found a pin cushion on Ebay that I wanted to purchase for a friend that collects antique pin cushions. The pin cushion was very primitive and featured a tiny felt mouse with bead eyes sitting on top of pinked edge circular cut wool...just like this

1.com.... very sweet and appealing to someone that treasures handmade "folksy", primitive type items. Unfortunately and quite shockingly, the price climbed to over $250.

Being the crafty person that I am I decided to reproduce the pin cushion using hand dyed wools from my collection.

I made a little pattern and tucked it away in hopes of making one for myself someday.

and then...

Last week I was following a live auction online when I saw something called a penwiper. I took a closer look at the pictures and realized that what I had thought was a pin cushion was actually a penwiper from 1862.A penwiper was used to clean the ink from a dip pen or a fountain pen.

Here are some of the whimsical images of these ancient useful treasures that sold at auction for between $500-900.
Too precious to mess up with indelible ink...don't you think?The pig...not so much.

Cats and kittens, then as now, a favored theme.Peacocks waiting for their writing plumes.

(Courtesy of Nostalgic Impressions)

A favored pet must have been a friendly companion while doing ones school lessons, ....seated in front of her inkwell, dip pen in hand, blotting on her penwiper before practicing her cursive...imagine ink stains on those pretty little white dresses.

Alas!

No Tide with Stain BustersWalter MacEwen(1860-1943 American)

(Courtesy of I am A Child(children in art history))

and then....
While researching this post I actually found, 5 years later, the EXACT same mouse (shown above) that I had bid on, for sale, at VandM.com!

Googling further I found this booklet.
Victorian Pattern eBooks

On page 18 there is a pattern, dated December 1862, for Mouse Penwiper.
The circle is complete.

Serendipitous

...don't you love when that happens!

The House Bound Traveler

2010-10-07T10:20:00.000-07:00

Destination: Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset, SW England on the Bristol Coast.
I recently purchased this sweet little souvenir vase at a local antiques market from the booth of neighbor and friend Beth.
She said it had belonged to her mother who was a German war bride.
It is a tiny little 4" pink lustre transfer ware vase with a scene entitled "Weston-Super-Mare From the Encampment" and is stamped Germany on the bottom.
I loved the colors, the beautiful little scene drew me in and for $15 you don't have to think twice.

I brought the vase home and placed it among some other tiny treasures on a shelf in my bathroom.Every morning I would look at the vase and wonder about the little town with the funky name...(sounds like an inexpensive hotel for horses).

With those three little words my ticket was purchased and away I went...you gotta love Google.

The facts:
Weston-Super-Mare is a typical English seaside resort on the shore of the Bristol Channel, in the traditional county of Somerset, approximately 25 miles south west of Bristol, 35 miles west of Bath and 20 miles north of Bridgwater. The main attraction, Weston Bay, has miles of clean sandy beach and traditional seaside attractions.

This sea side town has a long history as a tourist attraction that began in the middle of the 18th century when visitors would come for "the cure" prescribed by doctors. Bathing in the salt water was extolled for its health benefits.During the second world war it served as a refuge for evacuees from London. Large areas of the town were destroyed during the blitzes. This area also played a part in the preparations for the Normandy Landings hosting large numbers of American troops prior to shipment to Omaha Beach. Could this possibly have been when a US soldier purchased the souvenir vase for his soon to be German bride?...I must check with my friend Beth for more details!

It appears to be a very unpretentious town with 85 pounds being the most expensive lodging available. This charming B&B is only 45 pounds a night!

The Wassells Bed & Breakfast Located on the fringe of the town of Cheddar famous for its gorge, caves and ...what else, cheese!...what might you expect to accompany some good cheddar?

Visit the home page for travel information to Weston-Super-Mare.

Flying By the Wings of My Thread

2010-09-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

Who wouldn't want to buy thread that was advertised as having wings...it some how makes it more magical, hinting at the sky being the limit to what you could accomplish,

although I am sure the intend of the Victorians that offered up this advertising gem was that your thread would fly through your fabric with the greatest of ease. None the less it is an endearing symbol and done in beautiful detail on a lowly box of thread, isn't that just like the Victorians.

The more serious box cover engraving featuring the Willimantic Linen Co in Willimantic, CT....then and now...In 1898 they became The American Thread Co.

There was large competition between thread companies as witnessed in these dueling advertisements from J & P Coats and American Thread Co. Prior to 1864 and the invention of the sewing machine thread was produced for hand stitching and made of three cords twisted together. Thread had a glazed finish and was too uneven to run smoothly through a sewing machine.

In 1884 George Clark developed a six-cord, soft finished thread. This thread, the first ever suitable for machine use, revolutionized the sewing industry, and therefore he called it "Our New Thread." This became known as O.N.T.
Apparently finding a thread spool with this logo is very rare according to Alex Askaroff of sewalot.com.
Alex has a wealth of information regarding antique sewing machines and related items that you will find interesting and amusing.

Let your wings take flight and
SEW!

Pin "Fasten"ation

2010-09-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

What is this curiosity? Why... it is an antique pin cube!

Fueling my passion for all things antique and sewing related are these interesting little boxes that were at one time sold as "pin keeps". There was a time when these were a standard item in a woman's "toilet". In the 19th century the word toilet was used to describe the act of dressing or grooming ones-self and pins were often used as fasteners.

I love them for the novelty, the cute little cube shape and of course the lovely antique graphics. They are actually quite rare, made of cardboard not too many survived. I can imagine the appeal for young children with their building block quality... or a young restless and bored child mindlessly poking pins in holes to create infinite designs... not unlike my own son many years ago who loved making designs with the pins in my pincushion while I sat in front of the sewing machine. Later when I would reach for a pin I would see a smiley face looking back at me from my sawdust stuffed red tomato.

Pin keeps also were made from celluloid like this French variety featuring a courting couple. They were also commonly used as a means of advertising...here is a small "piece of the rock".I was also surprised to find this set of pins labeled as "office pins"...hmmmm...must have been used in lieu of paper clips....or to tack up the fallen hem of your petticoat that was stepped upon while hanging the gallery show!

Liberty of London Fabric Bead Necklace Kits for Fall

2010-09-11T06:50:00.000-07:00

Layer it on!

I have two new Liberty of London necklaces and fabric bead kits for sale at Whimrose Projects and also in Whimrose Etsy Shop.

This is the purple and blue range with purple grosgrain ribbon.

...and this is the plum and green range with Army green satin ribbonalso available in DIY kits!
...and I have relocated Whimrose Wedding Boutique invitations to both shops.
I am not sure if that makes sense to combine the two but because I am so busy right now it makes sense for me. I plan on opening a new Etsy shop for invitations, cards and stationary but in the meantime since changing my whimrose url I needed to put them somewhere quick.

The Rewards of Labor: The Gospel According to Ann

2010-09-06T09:19:00.000-07:00

When my best friend Ann came for her annual visit in June she declared that she "wanted to try some gin"...gin being my drink of choice on most Friday evenings otherwise I am a wine drinker.
What better place to introduce my friend to a Friday night cocktail but this great little bar in Chicago called Tiny Lounge.

Tiny Bar makes a fabulous drink called a Lakshmi named for the Hindu goddess that is the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm....perfect for Ann who encompasses these fine qualities.This wonderful elixir of the Goddesses is made with Hayman's Old Tom Gin (truly the best of the best gins)The recipe encompasses these unlikely pairings, St Germain, a French elderflower liquor, Berentzen Pear, and sparkling wine. Needless to say one is about all you can handle... and that is a good thing because of the LARGE price of a drink at TINY.

It seems I have opened the door to the world of gin for my friend, who by the way, happens to be in Campus Ministry at a Catholic school. Ann is a devout Catholic and a devout wine drinker, but it seems gin has "stirred her soul". Recently she confessed that she had been adding a bit of gin to her glass of wine on those stressful days in the ministry!

My first thought was...what??? that sounds sort of icky...I had forgotten that the elixir had in fact included (sparkling) wine and gin....hmmmm she may have something here.

....and then last Friday night I looked at the gin bottle and there was just a smidge left, maybe a shot... and I looked in the frig and I spotted a bottle of Woodchuck Pear Cider and a nice bottle of Boogle Sauvignan Blanc. I filled a wine glass with ice, then poured equal parts of pear cider and wine and thought...what the heck and threw in a shot of gin....

What can I say...I am a convert...converted by my dear "sister" Ann...hence the name of this new concoction:

Sister Ann's Confession

Tomatoes, Eggplant & Mint...A Fairy Tale Love Story

2010-09-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a girl who loved eggplant. However, she shared her table with an eggplant ogre....until one day she discovered Fairy Tale Eggplant...and a special elixir that could persuade even the eggplant ogre to love this much maligned vegetable...

Diminutive, deep violet and magical....these sweet little babies hanging from Fairy like skirts caught my eye at the local farmers market recently. My husband is not a fan of eggplant so I am always looking for recipes that may persuade his taste buds. I think I may have found a recipe that even an eggplant hater will love.

The recipe came from my favorite vegetable cookbook,
Verdura: Vegetables Italian Style by Vivana La Place

This book could turn a devote meat eater into a vegetarian!

Chocked full of delicious and unusual preparations for vegetables like Carrots in Basil Cream, Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Dressing, Leeks in Pink Mascarpone Sauce, Zucchini and Beet Greens Soup and Lettuce and Sorrel Frittata with Herbs.

Tomatoes and eggplant, that's a given, but who ever heard of MINT with tomatoes?

The recipe calls for fresh tomatoes but I was anxious to try my latest batch of canned tomatoes (sublime btw, in fact I may just take on another day of canning this weekend because I am afraid that I won't even make it though October with the 15 quarts that I put up.)

This happens to be one of those dishes that is even better the second day, if you happen to have leftovers.This is an excellent brand of pasta.

Spaghettini With Eggplant-Flavored Tomato Sauce

8 Japanese eggplant(I substituted Fairy Eggplant) about 5" long
3 oz caciocavallo cheese cut into 24 pieces
4 garlic cloves, sliced and 2 chopped
1/2 bunch of mint leaves
olive oil for frying the eggplant
4 T extra virgin olive oil
1 onion finally chopped
2 1/2 pounds tomatoes, peeled seeded and coarsely pureed (I used canned tomatoes)
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound imported dried spaghettini
freshly grated imported Pecorino Romano cheese

Using a sharp knife, make incisions in the widest part of each of the eggplant. Gently insert a piece of cheese into 3 of the cuts and a slice of garlic and a mint leaf into the other 3.
Place enough olive oil to measure 1/4 inch in a medium saute pan. Brown eggplant a few at a time over medium heat until slightly soft, about 5 min.

In a large saucepan, combine the extra virgin olive oil, chopped onion and garlic. Cook over low heat until onion softens. Add tomato puree and season with salt and pepper. Raise heat to high and when sauce comes to a boil reduce to medium and add the eggplant along with the minced mint leaves reserving a few for garnish. Simmer partly covered until eggplant are tender and sauce has thickened. Using a slotted spoon transfer the eggplant to a serving dish and sprinkle with reserved mint.

Meanwhile cook pasta until al dente and toss with tomato sauce. Sprinkle with Pecorino Romano cheese.

La Place recommends serving the pasta as a first course and the eggplant as a main course but I tossed it all together. I found that the eggplant has a way of almost melting along with the cheese into the sauce (in a good way). The mint lends an interesting and fresh change from basil and gives this dish a unique flavor...semplicemente squisito!

Tomatoes, eggplant, mint

.....and they lived happily ever after.

Strawberry Needlepoint Bracelet

2010-08-24T06:34:00.000-07:00

This was a small needlepoint experiment done on 14c needlepoint canvas. It is far from perfect as most experiments are. I call it an experiment because I decided to break the rules!

I must admit to being the kind of person that likes to do things "my way"...many of my crafts have been self taught because I don't like to follow the rules, it is too confining. I also like to do things that others say "can't be done"...hmmmm.....what does that say about me?...either I have ADD which is a possibility, or I don't like to be confined by rules...which is also true, what ever the case having this personality trait has defined many of my most interesting and successful designs.

Many years ago I decided that I wanted to set antique buttons in sterling silver and was lucky enough to find a teacher that shared many of my traits and was willing to teach me and allow me to experiment ....she liked to use the expression "running with scissors". Taking on this challenge led to a successful jewelry design business and even landed me in a book on button crafts.

When I started this project it was only the second needlepoint project that I had tackled. I began by drawing the design on 14 ct needlepoint canvas and then I free-styled the stitches...this is something that is a "rule breaker"... not usually done. Needlepoint stitches are always supposed to go in the same direction, slanting to the right, mine are willy-nilly, "flying by the seat of their pants" kind of stitches..I like that about them, I mean, how else are you supposed to achieve those fanciful, twirling curves! When my design was complete I proceeded to fill in the background around those crazy stitches. I am not sure that I would attempt this again, but I don't think it turned out to awfully bad.

I finished it off as I did my cross stitch bracelet, backed with vintage fabric and closed with a crochet loop and antique porcelain button.I have started collecting antique samplers that have provided me with inspiration and a whole slew of motifs to be worked...what rules can I break next?

Great Lakes Agate and Pearl Necklace

2010-08-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

I finished stringing the Lake Superior agates I purchased on my trip to Glen Arbor. I added some fresh water pearls and the frosted pale blue stone which is jade. I could not resist adding the jade because it reminded me of the beautiful blue of Lake Michigan.

I have a strong connection to the Great Lakes. My Grandparents were both born and raised on the shores of Lake Superior. The steamship drawing above was done by my Grandfather. It was drawn on the inside cover of his Health Primer dated 1885. He was born in 1890 and probably made this drawing around the turn of the century.

The Primer is an interesting piece of history with chapters on alcohol, tobacco and opium... that was once used to.... sooth crying babies?!...YIKES. Love the skeleton lurking in the corner. I envision my Grandfather busy sketching instead of listening to the ills of fermented grape juice and instead, dreaming about a life sailing the Great Lakes and beyond, much like the Merchant Marine that he would later become.

Insights & Outsights

2010-08-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

No, this is not the Caribbean...its even better...because it is salt free and an easy scenic 6 hour drive from Chicago.

There are no shells on this beach, just a beautiful assortment of rocks, like unakite, feldspar and
....agates...these were found at a rock shop in Leland, Michigan, already polished, drilled and waiting to be strung.

There was not much time spent stitching, I was too busy swimming in the Great Lake and lolly gagging on the beach picking through stones.

These activities are also conducive to contemplation.

My thoughts on blogging go something like this...

*Is anyone listening? ...what is the sound of one hand clapping?
*What does recognition have to do with creativity?
*If a blog is an online journal why is it important to have comments?
*Blogs are work.
*My blog is a way for me to keep a record of my projects.
*I have never been a journal keeper.
*I like to keep track of the projects I have accomplished.
...so this is gratifying to me.
*Do I care that no one seems interested in commenting on what I do?
...I guess so, otherwise I wouldn't be contemplating whether I should continue the process.
*Has it helped create interest in my shops?
....questionable.
*I like the idea of having my shops, I really like the creating of shops...that is always fun.
*And I like collecting and designing items to sell in my shops.

All of this thinking is giving me a headache,
I think I need a dose ofQueen of Meadow
(found in antique store in Empire, Michigan)
Along with some other interesting remedies.
...all with the instructions..."Dose, a wineglassful 3-4 times a day"

I wonder if that means with or without WINE?...next I think I will try some Wahoo Bark.

Enid Collins Rooster Needlepoint

2010-07-24T08:13:00.001-07:00

It has been a long time between posts. I have been working my "on call" job at Neiman Marcus but I have not been with out my projects.
I am still obsessing over needlepoint and this is my latest Enid Collins inspiration along with a tiny sampler I have been experimenting with.
...as I stitch I contemplate....lately there has been much contemplation about blogging and internet shopkeeping.
I am leaving tomorrow to go back to one of my favorite places for some R&R.Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, Glen Arbor, MI

There will be lots more stitching and probably much more contemplation and maybe when I return, with a little help from Jupiter which turned retrograde yesterday, I will have found some new insight, inspiration and project ideas.

Enid Collins Inspired Needlepoint

2010-05-31T16:10:00.001-07:00

My first needlepoint project is COMPLETED!

This was a great learning experience...and like all learning, came from mistakes.
This is what I learned....

10ct needlepoint canvas should be worked with 3 strands of tapestry wool (I used 2)
selvage should always be on the right or left not top and bottom
basket weave stitch will keep the canvas from distorting

With that being said...

Creativity is WELCOME!

I am off on a 2 two week hiatus visiting family and friends, reading good books and putting more stitches to canvas...
see you soon with more projects!

One Stitch Leads to Another

2010-05-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

...and before you know it an addiction begins.

It started with a simple cross stitch. I was completely entranced when I picked up a piece of unfinished embroidery a year ago. I love how all those tiny little stitches accumulate to make a picture. I love it for the same reason I love cross word puzzles...it keeps you guessing until the end.

My biggest issue with those tiny little stitches is just that...they are so tiny and my eyes are so bad and I need perfect lighting and all of these things conspire to make it a bit stressful....

Enter the needlework canvas!

I decided to teach myself to needlepoint and purchased a piece of canvas with 10 holes to the inch...10 big holes, easy to see, and after realizing that the continental stitch is actually just half of a cross stitch, I was off and running.

My design was inspired by my Enid Collins handbag.

Vintage Fabric Pincushion Kit

2010-05-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

I have raided my vintage stash and put together one of a kind vintage fabrics, buttons and trims along with complete instructions to make this patchwork pincushion. I currently have 4 different packets that can be purchased at
Whimrose Projects

Please come and take a look and get inspired!

*SPECIAL OFFER*

The first 5 people to make a purchase at Whimrose Projects will receive a 20% discount!

My Biggest Creative Project

2010-05-10T07:40:00.001-07:00

Will.....Thanks for making me your Mom.

Mothers Day 2010

2010-05-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

Today marks the official opening of my Whimrose Projects shop.

After weeks of working on my IWeb application to design a website I read about bigcartel, an online service that provides an instant customizable store to sell your goods. It is extremely easy to set up and navigate and with in a couple of hours everything was in place and I was ready to start listing my stock...so yeah...I took the easy way out, and I am very pleased with the results...byebye IWeb hello bigcartel!

Now that I have the store in place I can begin to concentrate on my "inspirational creative endeavors".
In need of some inspiration?
Whimrose Projects

Liberty of London Craft Quilt Project Packet #2 - Eyeglass Case

2010-04-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

I just posted a new kit in my etsy shop featuring Liberty of London fabrics. The kit includes everything you will need to finish this fun patchwork project. The patchwork is done on a fusible template that allows you to press the squares unto the template and then fold and stitch, no messing around with tiny squares getting eaten by the feed dogs...in case you are wondering what that sinister feed dog is...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feed_dogs

The kit!

Cross Stitch Cat...RIP Sasha

2010-04-12T11:25:00.000-07:00

My friend Jeanne recently lost a 21 year companion...her name was Sasha and she was a very lucky kitty having been rescued by two young boys from a dumpster in the city of Chicago.
Jeanne was on her way to the dry cleaners when tiny mews were heard, she turned and looked to see a little heart shaped face peeping up from the boys arms. They were on their way to the Anti Cruelty Society but instead she went home in the arms of her new Mommy, Jeanne.

The two have been together through many highs and lows including the addition of two more strays. Sasha has lived a long life and hung in there like a trouper being hand fed by Mom for the last year. I believe she survived so long because of Jeanne's dedication to caring for her...she was old and tired but it was hard for either of them to say good bye.

Sasha passed away while I was working on this little cross stitch project...still trying to hone my skills...I was inspired by a 19th century needlepoint. What started out to be a black and white tiger stripe kitty transformed in to a tortoise stripe Sasha. I am surprising Jeanne with it tonight.

Hunting and Gathering

2010-03-30T13:18:00.001-07:00

I thought I would give you a sneak preview of some of goodies that I have been collecting for my new website. This is just a small sampling of the types of things that I will be offering.
Last week I brought moved an antique dresser up from our storage space to accomodate my "stock" and was able to move the boxes that have been lurking behind the living room sofa.
Yesterday I took a bag full of antique embroidery scissors to the hardware to be sharpened. I have been laundering boxes of vintage fabric and antique lace and searching for all types of special tools and accoutrement's.

I would love to know whats on your wish list and what might inspire you to be creative.

26 Small Knitting Projects One Skein at a Time

2010-03-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

In the process of making room for new projects I am letting go of 28 skeins of novelty yarn and a wonderful book, One Skein by Leigh Radford.

Just like many of my passions, collecting being the biggest, knitting took over my life for the last 10 years. I am not saying that I don't knit any more, because I manage at least one or 2 projects a year.... but there was a time when I was turning out 1 or 2 projects in a month! During this time my other passion, collecting, kicked in and I was unable to pass an interesting skein of yarn with out snatching it up.

For at least 5 years this basket full of yarn has been a fixture under my worktable, quite honestly, I really liked looking at all those wonderful colors and textures. A couple of years ago I purchased this book to encourage me to work my way through the stash.
...alas no needles were put to yarn.
In case you have not been following my blog, a new passion has taken hold...embroidery and needlework...and I am off...collecting and filling baskets and there is no room for my feet under my work table!

You can find this wonderful array of projects just waiting to happen in my Whimrose Projects Ebay store

Check out this cute little drawstring pouch
How about a cute pair of fingerless gloves...its still cool enough to wear them in Chicago!
Love this pom-pom scarf!Darling little throw pillow
Frosting for a cupcake?Just add needles and knit!

J Crew Inspired Bib Necklace

2010-03-15T20:29:00.001-07:00

When I received my Spring JCrew catalog a couple of weeks ago I fell in love with this necklace designed and modeled by the very talented Molly Carey. I immediately remembered a bag of vintage enameled flower brooches that I bought a few years ago and I was off on the search...trying to locate those brooches probably took me longer than it took me to make the necklace...When I finally uncovered the brooches tucked deep in the recesses of my stash, I literally dropped everything and began creating my own version.
I started by fusing a piece of felted wool with a piece of hand dyed silk to give sturdy service on which to place my jumble of goodies. I layered an antique linen collar on top of the wool and attached 2 ties made from 2X15" pieces of antique kimono silk that I had ripped, leaving the edges frayed. Next I gathered assorted pins, and buttons, attached the pins and hot glued the buttons in place. Then I, very carefully, cut around the edge of the bonded fabric and VOILA!...a JCrew Inspired Bib Necklace.

Liberty of London Fabric Bead Necklace Kit

2010-03-05T13:20:00.000-08:00

When I began blogging two years ago, my third post was a "how to" entitled Louis Vuitton "Knock Off" Fabric Bead Necklace. Two years later I still get comments on this post. In fact that post has brought more comments than any post to date (I really would like to change that...I am envious of those bloggers that get tons of comments..I guess I am still trying to find my people and I am not giving up on that quest!)

A couple of days ago I received a convo from my Etsy shop asking "When are you going to put together those kits?"...you see I have been talking about "kits" for a couple of years. It has been one of many ideas brewing on the back burner of my mind for quite some time. I think the universe is calling my name on this one because in the last couple of weeks I have had more than one person talk to me about "kits".

If you have been following my blog recently you know that I have been hinting about my new website and "kits" are certainly going to be part of this creative project but in the mean time while I continue to build the site I would like to introduce my first DIY Whimrose Project!

Liberty of London Fabric Bead Necklace

The kit will include everything that you need to put together your own necklace.
11 wood beads
2 yards of Midori double face satin ribbon
13 pre-cut Liberty of London print fabric
blunt end stainless steel needle
glue stick
complete instructions

I don't think you will find these at Target when they premiere their line of Liberty of London print merchandise next week!

ps....I will personally select fabric and ribbon colors of your choice.
You can find the kits here

Coming Soon!

Whimrose Project's
A Design Source for Artisans of Stitchery

Reflection of a Rainbow

2010-02-15T10:03:00.001-08:00

doppio arcobaleno
double rainbow

I am headed back to the Land of Enchantment, home of big sky's, howling coyotes, green chili's and double rainbows.
If you are in need of sunshine there is a nearly 80% chance that you will have it every day of the year in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Don't quote me on that but I would say, having lived in Santa Fe for 5 years, it is fairly close to being true.

When I lived in Santa Fe I craved rainy days (crazy right?) but rarely got them. The sun would shine even when it rained producing some of the most spectacular rainbows I have ever seen.
Double rainbows are a common occurrence. A double rainbow is formed when the light is reflected twice. The colors are inverted in the reflected rainbow and because it is a reflection, the second rainbow is not as bright.

Having "big sky" certainly enhances the rainbow experience....and also enhances the ability to reflect...and that is what I am hoping to do on this trip back.

I am taking the slow climb to the high dessert on the Amtrak tomorrow. I doubt that I will see any rainbows this time of year but it is assured that I will see some beautiful sunsets!

Where do you reflect?

Slogan Bracelet "How To"

2010-02-09T12:43:00.000-08:00

One of my readers requested that I show how the Slogan Bracelet was finished. Here is a brief "how to" guide.

Come guida

1. Measure a piece of embroidery linen to fit around your wrist and the desired width to incorporate your slogan. Add 1/2" to the lengthwise measurement. Center your slogan as desired and cross stitch.
2. Cut a piece of fabric the same size as the linen. I used an antique piece of wool that I had in my fabric stash. Any type of fabric that has some body would work.
3. With right sides together machine stitch one long edge and each end.
4. Turn and press, pressing under 1/4" on the unsewn edges.
5. Slip stitch lining to embroidered linen.
6. Make a chain stitch loop on one end and sew button in place.

The button I used is an antique stamped china button also from my stash.

....and speaking of "stash" if you don't have your own personal "stash", and don't have the time or inclination to try and unearth and collect these little treasures, don't despair Whimrose Projects is coming to your rescue with a new Internet shop featuring just these types of interesting and hard to find items that will personalize your creations.

I have lots of new ideas that I am working on and plan to bring together under the

Whimrose Projects banner....

a design source for artisans of stitchery!

Mysteries

2010-02-05T10:32:00.000-08:00

braccialetto trasversale di slogan del punto
Cross Stitch Slogan Bracelet

Last year while perusing an ancient Ladies Home Journal in search of images for a collage I was working on I came across an article on Negative Capability.

A theory expressed by poet John Keats in a letter to his brother, Negative Capability is

"when man is capable of being in uncertainties, Mysteries, doubts without any irritable reaching after fact & reason."

That concept struck a cord for me.... getting comfortable with the unknown. One of my favorite songs by folk singer, Iris Dement is "Let the Mystery Be"....we don't have all the answers and we can't always make sense of things. Instead of getting hung up on those questions I would like to embrace this idea, make it my motto.

I like the idea of having a slogan or a motto and wearing it on my sleeve so to speak. This is my personal version of "What would Jesus do?", or Lance Armstrong's "Live Strong", or that famous little red string (what does that mean anyway?). My motto will help remind me to stay in a place of equipoise and ward off the "whys and what ifs".

...so for the moment this is my motto, my slogan...and I love the idea that I can make a whole slew of these bracelets with different words, different slogans...and when my thoughts, ideas and aspirations change all I have to do is change my bracelet...it is easier than removing a tattoo!

What would your slogan say?

Healthy Addictions

2010-02-02T13:18:00.000-08:00

filo di seta del ricamo
embroidery floss

Embroidery floss is my new drug of choice and the good news is...it only cost $.39 a fix! Imagine being able to purchase everything you need for a project and not spending more than $10...you may even be able to get away with spending under $5.

Standing in front of the DMC Embroidery Floss display is like standing at the bottom of a pantone rainbow....your creative juices take flight and before you know it you have dropped 25 tiny bundles of color in to your basket and you have not even spent $10!

When I got home dizzy from my fix I realized in my floss infused high that I had left out the basics...black and white!
...and guess what my next project is?
I had to go back to my dealer for some crack I mean BLACK!

Keeping up the Practice

2010-01-28T09:38:00.000-08:00

un uccello testa rossa

a red head bird

It has been a challenge to find time every day to devote to my New Years goals. I keep my embroidery in a basket close to my desk for impromptu stitches. The other day I stitched this little bird during a fifteen minute phone conversation....
....and speaking of phone conversations.
I had a most rewarding phone conversation/consultation with
Stacey Cornellus of thestudiosource.com.
Stacey writes a creative marketing blog that will help you "manage the business side of your creativity." She is warm and approachable and offered me great advice on how to market my talents and take the steps that will help me establish myself and my brand in a very competitive market.

Stacey's blog is full of helpful suggestions and interesting ideas. For the self employed creative business person The Studio Source offers a place for sharing information and improving your business sense....Thank you Stacey for providing that service...CHECK IT OUT!
...and with that being said...there are winds of change in the air and exciting new ideas ahead!

Cross Stitch Fruit Basket

2010-01-23T08:39:00.001-08:00

Cesto di frutta punto croce

cross stitch fruit basket

Resolution #1, Project #1....Antique Embroidery Inspiration....tiny 2X4 inch fruit basket motif cross stitch..Mission Accomplished!

After many hours of frustration stitching tiny crosses through tiny holes, trips to Joann's for bigger needles and linen with bigger holes, Internet research on making the perfect cross stitch, I have finally found my embroidery groove...YIPPEE!
Through the power of perseverance, confusion turns to understanding and the rows begin to roll out one by one, designing as I go...25 red stitches become an apple, 58 yellow and you have a pear, the orange and grapes unfold before my eyes!
Looking back over my canvas I see mistakes I made, on the pear I decided to switch direction and in so doing the stitches picked up a different texture. This mistake taught me that you could create texture and that may give me the ability to mold my next image. I will always look back as this piece of cross stitch as my FIRST piece of cross stitch and in so doing will be able to see how far I have come. It all about the process.

How Much is that Doggie in the Window?

2010-01-18T09:45:00.000-08:00

dolce cagnolino

sweet little dog

I have been trying my hardest to part with this little velveteen dog but it seems that she has worked her way into my heart...and there she sits as if she has just jumped out of this folk art painting that also worked its way into my heart....parting with "things" can be such sweet sorrow...and that is a problem when your purpose is to buy and re-sell "things". The sweet part of the sorrow is the possibility of doubling your money....sometimes "the thing" wins!
I am not a hoarder by any means. It is very easy for me to rid myself of the unused and greatly used household items and clothes I have grown tired of. I love to clean my closet every season..it is so refreshing.
....but I am a sucker for anything quirky, well loved, the right shade of blue, pink and gold, Staffordshire, pin cushion, antique litho anything, small wood handled tools (more about that in another post), ancient patchwork and embroidery, ephemera...have I covered it all?...OH!! I almost forgot ...buttons, trim, fabric (vintage and antique of course). My collections inspire me and feed my passion for "the treasure hunt"...you never know what you may find around the next corner or on the next page of Ebay listings...somehow that always keeps me going.

What is on your treasure hunt map?

Green Lentils

2010-01-11T13:46:00.001-08:00

verde lenticchie

green lentils

I have been searching for green lentils, affordable green lentils, forever. I have only found them twice in the last couple of years and both times resisted buying them because they were $5 a pound and when you are staring at the plain old ordinary brown lentils for around $1 a pound...I am afraid the less exotic variety wins out.

Recently we went on our annual pre-Christmas specialty grocery store shop and when I spotted those expensive green lentils on the shelf I threw them into the basket so fast your head would spin, you see I was feeling rather flush with my Neiman Marcus holiday pay in hand.

I knew that once I tasted the difference that there would be no turning back...and I was right!

My first taste of French green lentils was of course in France. They provided a luscious base for a mixed grill of baby goat..another thing I am not likely to find anytime soon.

The other night while trying to come up with a good alternative to potatoes, rice or pasta (husband is on the no carbs kick again) I decided that green lentils were the perfect match for a lamb stew.

I consulted my new kitchen bible:

French Provincial Cooking
by
Elizabeth David

Her basic recipe is very simple...soaking the lentils for an hour helps but is not necessary.

For 1/2 pound of lentils
Cover with water and soak for one hour
Drain and put into a saucepan
Add 2 1/2 cups water
Bring to boil
Simmer for 1 hour 15 min or until tender

At this point you can use your imagination. She suggests adding a cup of stock and continue to simmer until it is absorbed. I added a bit of pan drippings left from sauteing the lamb along with some beef stock. She also suggests serving with the French classic, Maitre D'Hotel Butter, which is basically 2 oz of butter that has been worked together with 1 T of finely chopped parsley and a few drops of lemon juice. This can be made a head and kept chilled.

assolutamente delizioso!
absolutely delicious!

The next night I used the left over lentils as a side for roasted Italian sausage and sauteed rapini with garlic, once again adding the pan juices from the sausage to liven the lentils.

paradiso
heaven!

The taste of green lentils is not quite as earthy as brown lentils, a bit fresher tasting and worth every penny spent!

Lentils are my new food passion...do you have any recipes to share?

The Stool

2010-01-07T14:53:00.000-08:00

lo sgabello
the stool

This is the needlepoint stool that I bought on Ebay. I am in love with the bright cheerful pattern. Around the edge is embroidered:

Ruth Emery
Feb 1973
Mulberry Drive

The seller listed this stool as an antique dated 1873. The actual stool I am sure is an antique, the needlepoint obviously on closer inspection is not but the two pieces make a perfect match. I believe the stool is quite old judging from the nails and type of construction...and if I had that Appraisal Certificate I could have my own personal Antiques Roadshow moment.

You can see how inspiring this little work of art is and I think the antique silk shoes purchased from Big Fish Lil Pond, the Etsy shop of my niece extraordinaire, Natalie, complete the picture.

Gray Grey Grigio

2010-01-06T17:58:00.000-08:00

fredda e grigia
cold and grey

Not a good day for picture taking....or as it turned out... anything else that was not a CHORE!
You can start the day with such good intentions and then as my Mom (by way of John Lennon) always says...Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.....so besides:

1. packing and shipping 22 Ebay items including a 17 pound accordion (don't ask)
2. cleaning up after a sick dog...room to room including bottom of shoe
3. attempting to "easily" pay a bill online with a forgotten password...20 minutes later no bill was paid
4. rearranging the storage space to fit the Christmas decorations back in...I thought there was an empty shelf there?
5. meet husband down front with the cart to bring up the groceries...well at least I did not have to go to the grocery...whew...
6. trying to explain to my Mom why I have not finished her friend Helen's quilt

ahhhh...what was I talking about?????

Goals tomorrow:

make some cross stitches
finish Helen's quilt
learn how to say "This is fun!"...in Italian

What kept you from your one hour of creativity today?

Antique Embroidery Inspiration Project #1

2010-01-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

I adore cucito.
I adore needlework

I love this little fragment of antique embroidery and have decide to make this my first counted cross stitch project...well...I guess I should say I will "attempt" this project. I have been practicing all week on a scrap to try and develop my rhythm.

Over the holidays I made my first attempt on a fine piece of Zweigart Swiss linen that I bought on Etsy with no idea how to even do counted cross stitch and nearly gave up. I made a trip to Joann Fabrics and found a sturdy piece of linen with holes that were much easier to see and also...the key...a magnifier..and now I am on a roll.

The needlework underneath is actually a tiny little antique footstool that I found on ebay the week that I was on vacation (am I the only person that peruses Ebay while on vacation?). My mind was full of needlework ideas once the bug hit. I will post more pictures of the stool tomorrow...it has a bit of a mystery behind it.

Resolution #2 Underway

2010-01-04T11:59:00.000-08:00

Fa molto freddo a Chicago!

Its very cold in Chicago

With the help of my new friend virtual friend Marcello, (you can find him here):

http://www.oddcast.com/home/demos/tts/tts_tran_example.php

I am going to start learning Italian! My plan is to introduce a few words and phrases a week. Last week I learned Vorrei una tazza di caffè...."I would like a cup of coffee". Forget Rosetta Stone...I have Marcello and he is FREE....Sono così eccitato!

(Sorry... I tried to create a link to Marcello but it wasn't working so you will have to copy and paste the link to find my man)

Nuovi anni di risoluzioni 1.1.2010

2010-01-01T13:11:00.000-08:00

Ahhhhh.... the sound of crunching pine needles under my feet on the living room floor can only mean one thing... the tree is dead and 2009 has bit the dust...and for those two things I am very happy.

I have maintained, for a number of years, that my favorite day of the year is December 26th and my next favorite day is January 1. I love fresh starts. I love clean slates. I love setting goals and dedicating space for those goals in my everyday life.

Last year my goal was to devote an hour everyday to collage a 6X6 square as part of a daily visual journal. It was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done mostly because it became a meditation and helped me stay centered and think inward. There was no outward goal just an inner satisfaction. I stayed with the practice until September when I made the decision that I wanted to take that hour that I had set aside everyday and turn it more outward and open my Etsy shop, something I had talked about doing for a couple of years.

I think setting aside time and disciplining yourself to stick with it will help grow what ever passion pulls your heart strings, whether it is personal or business inspired...making time is key. So with that being said I am setting aside my one hour a day this year to explore 3 things:

Embroidery
Learning to speak Italian
Getting a Certificate in Appraisal Studies in Fine and Decorative Arts

...and I will let you know how that goes...what are you going to do with your hour?

Harvest From My Silk Garden

2009-11-29T11:39:00.000-08:00

Last week was an action packed week with the addition of Thanksgiving and my holiday gig at Neiman Marcus but I managed to find time to weed my silk garden and vintage button stash so that I could add some more gifty items to my Etsy shop

Where's Pepper?

2009-11-25T09:39:00.000-08:00

My son, Will bought this darling oddity at auction recently.

At first he thought it was a hat pin holder...makes sense...baby crying because pins are being impaled on its sweet little head...but when he turned it over there was a cork and when he removed the cork out poured the salt.

Will has done his usual research but has not been able to come up with any information on this piece of porcelain. There is no makers mark just a set of numbers that would indicate German or English origin...surely Victorian and most definitely tugging at my heart strings ...and maybe it will turn up under the Christmas tree if it doesn't sell on Ebay!

I would love to know what pepper looks like!

Wearable Art Collage to Silk Scarf

2009-11-14T14:45:00.001-08:00

I recently found a company that can transfer your art work on silk. I am so happy with the results. They printed 4 different versions using silk, a wool and silk blend and a very fine light weight wool that is really soft and lends itself the the dreamy quality of the transfer.

The company requires your art to be in a digital file in a 1:1 ratio. Since my collages are all 6X6 I had the challenge of having to enlarge and rework the piece a bit in Adobe Photoshop. Although I am really pleased with the results and I LOVE working in Photoshop I think next time I will planning to do the original art work in the actual size of the scarf.

Because this first batch was a test I kept the size small 20 inches square. It is a nice versatile size to knot around your neck. The hems have been hand rolled which gives the scarf a nice touch. My next order I think I will try an oblong scarf in the wool. The entire process was so easy and gratifying.

If you are interested in printing on silk check out Lyma Products here
The service was great and Al was a great guy and very helpful in guiding me through the process.

I am offering 2 of the scarfs for sale at Whimrose Projects Etsy shop

to view my original art work go here

Lanvin Silk Brooch Knock Off

2009-11-11T12:47:00.000-08:00

Don't you love the title of this page torn from the November issue of Bazaar Magazine...you have got to be kidding??!...$360 for a few scraps of silk... they call this Smart Shopping?

The REAL smart shopping can be done at Etsy this year. It is remarkable the unique, handmade offerings that you can find for under $50 ....including my "silk corsage" for $20, finished with a vintage rhinestone studded Lucite ball button... beautifully wrapped and ready for gift giving...and I am even offering free shipping! I will also take special orders if you would like specific color combinations.

Hand Dyed Wool Felt Shoulder Pouch

2009-11-07T11:13:00.000-08:00

I have found a new home for my vintage pin badge collection! My newest addition to the Whimrose Projects Etsy Shop line of patchwork wool is this 6X10 inch hand dyed wool shoulder pouch...of course I would be remiss to give up my little collection of pins so I will have to make another version of the bag with perhaps some vintage buttons or Bakelite doodads. I lined the bag with a piece of vintage floral fabric and made the strap using 3 torn pieces of wool felt that I braided together. I am planning on having this listed on Etsy tomorrow. I need to get the shop tricked out for the holidays before I start my seasonal gig at Neiman Marcus.

Antique Civil War Era Fabric Miniature Quilt

2009-10-31T15:02:00.000-07:00

Last week I came across this tiny miniature quilt in a box of unfinshed projects...(I swear I will finish all of these one day). The quilt is just 8X8 inches and is made from 19th century fabric that I have been collecting for a number of years. Many of the scraps have been taken from old quilt blocks that never ended up in a quilt...(I guess leaving unfinished projects is nothing new).

All that was need was a bit of hand quilting and the addition of a binding. I used a prized piece of rare antique toile on the back..luckily I have 2 more pieces of this left. It is so hard to part with all these lovely old scraps and making miniatures is a wonderful way to preserve a collection so that it can be enjoyed and not stuck in one of my "treasure" boxes under the bed...I guess you could say that unfinished projects are ALSO treasures.

....and of course you can find this little keepsake here.

Victorian Love Bird Silk Cluster Medallion Bib Necklace

2009-10-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

I just finished creating a couple of these medallion bib style necklaces for my etsy shop. I love grouping little treasures to form a wearable collage type collection. I think the raw edges on the silk give it "Chanel-esque" vibe. I have added long torn pieces of vintage silk kimonos to be used as ties and help make the necklace more versatile...it can be worn long, medallion style or wrapped close at the neck and tied in a big bow in the back or it could also be worn as a belt! As you can see I am parting with some of those wonderful Crackerjack charms that my son gave to me.

Patchwork Felted Wool Bag Version #2

2009-10-11T12:12:00.000-07:00

The first time I wore the felted bag, with in an hour I had lost my Boy Scout pin!!... boohoo I decided that the pin collection on the bag was not very practical and have replaced it with a big blossom made from wool scraps and a vintage button...and I think I am liking this even better...I am still not done with the "Chanel pin encrusted bag idea", I just think I will try a different design.

Patchwork Felted Wool Hipster Scout Bag

2009-10-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

I just finished designing my new fall bag! I used my favorite Vera Bradley bag, also called a "hipster" as inspiration. The size is perfect for my needs. I really like having a small side sling type bag for running around the city, keeps my hands free for grocery bags, getting on and off the bus and digging for keys.

I raided my stash of hand dyed wools and quilted it together with Liberty of London floral for the lining and interior pockets. I fused together a piece of wool and a scrap of Liberty to make the perfect little pocket on the back for my blackberry...no more digging around for that! The strap was made of 2 pieces of wool fused together, stitched along the edge and then cut with pinking shears. The finishing touch was inspired by the cutest little felted wool bag encrusted with military pins and badges from the Fall 2009 Chanel handbag line. I purchased my vintage badges on Ebay...I love that Boy Scout logo...BE PREPARED, and the British Woman's Association pin that reads...FOR HOME AND COUNTRY.

I will be offering one-of-a-kind bags like this in my Etsy shop.

The Romance of Estate Sales

2009-10-04T13:23:00.000-07:00

It starts with our weekly log on to estatesales.net. Hundreds of photos are scrutinized, picking and choosing, until we have narrowed it down to at least 3 sales that are in the same direction..which is only 3 directions in Chicago seeing that the only thing east is the lake. My friend Beth and I target an area where we think we can find "a lot of stuff, the good stuff". When an agreement has been reached the plan is set in motion. We meet in front of the building early the next morning.

If we are lucky one of us had printed out a Google map and hopefully not left it behind. We set off on our weekly adventure, Beth behind the wheel, me the willing accomplice, Waldo in his doggy seat and "Queen" Greta in one of our laps...(Waldo and Gretta being Beth's long haired dachshunds). We have stashed the treat bag that contains fruit, nuts and cheese away from hungry little dogs as we set out on our journey.

We are not in a mad rush. We are not the highly competitive dealers that stand in rain, snow and sleet at 5am to get a number, wait in line for hours to finally make the mad dash, pushing and shoving through doors, up and down stairways...not us, we are the more leisurely buyers who like to arrive late after everything has been picked over when we are left to quietly poke around at the tidbits that the vultures have left behind...the bones have been picked clean but in most cases there may be a piece of sweet meat left behind.

Besides enjoying the joy of the hunt (which for one of us, moi, is also a job)...we like the adventure. We like the trip to the country. We like the discovery of a cute little town that we never knew existed. We like to look at neighborhoods and gardens, pastures and barns. We find the beauty in sweet little unassuming houses and balk at the McMansions as we both agree that having lived in big houses we now feel most comfortable in our cozy vintage condo in the city...although we also both agree that we miss our gardens.

Last Friday found us in Woodstock, Illinois in the simple yet lovely home of an artist, craftsman, cook, reader, collector and world traveler, someone not unlike myself.

Everything was neat and orderly, well kept and categorized. The basement had shelves covering nearly every wall, floor to ceiling, with books of every sort, bound magazines, fabric, pickling jars, jigsaw puzzles and games. There was a wonderful little work/tool room and a large part of the basement that had been devoted to framing. There were frames of every shape and size, old and new, mats, glass and antique prints waiting for a new home. I am sure the frames had been picked over but there were still hundreds left. With out too much trouble I found a perfect little 8X8 inch square to frame one of my Scrap Paper Monologue collages.

According to the organizers, the shelves of fabric had been gone since the first hour of the sale, but believe it or not, behind a box I found a small roll of French cotton...if there was any fabric left I would find it! I also scored some vintage McCalls Needlework and Vogue Knitting magazines. The woman was a prolific knitter evidenced by the boxes of completely knitted sweaters that were never sewn together, some had been partially sewn with only the neck edge left to finish... I am talking about at least 20 sweaters! It is hard for me to believe that you could put that much work into a sweater and not finish it. I do admit to one unfinished project in my knitting closet...but it haunts me because I tend to be a "finisher of projects."

Upstairs I found the most adorable antique stuffed spotted velvet dog...how did that get left behind?...some beautiful old beads the color of a Robins egg, a sweet floral linen lace edged collar, a hand thrown art pottery bowl, a Victorian velvet pouch, an old hankie (I still use these) and a large glass scent bottle with a sterling silver stopper...and eclectic mix from an interesting lady who didn't finish her sweaters. Some of these treasures are making their way into my Ebay store tonight!

As I was paying for my purchases I said ..."this looks like the sale they will have when I have passed away"...only my sweaters will be finished!

Patchwork Felted Wool Pincushion

2009-09-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

This is a large 7X7 inch felted patchwork wool pin cushion backed with velvet and filled with sawdust. The pincushion is adorned with a velvet embossed oak leaf and a wool felt acorn. Many years ago Martha Stewart offered a set of large leaf shaped rubber stamps in her magazine with instructions on how to make these velvet leaves. Two pieces of velvet are bonded together using an iron on bonding material. The velvet is placed on top of the rubber stamp thenplace a pressing cloth over the velvet and apply a hot iron. I think at the time Martha had made a wreath with these leaves. The acorn was made from a large bead that I covered with bits of wool felt. As you can see it makes a darling perch for a vintage pin collection. This pincushion including the 2 vintage owl pins is now available in my etsy shop.
www.whimrose.etsy.com

Felted Wool Eyeglass Cases on Etsy

2009-09-28T13:04:00.000-07:00

I have just added my felted wool patchwork eyeglass cases to my new Etsy shop!
www.whimrose.etsy.com
Next up are my large felted wool patchwork pin cushions that are sharing the photo above...I will even include a nice little collection of vintage pins to go with.

Custom Heirloom Applique Quilt Project

2009-09-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

Two years ago when I was packing for my move from Santa Fe back to Chicago, my mothers friend Helen commissioned me to make a quilt for her using some beautiful pillow cases that her mother had embroidered. She was interested in having an heirloom that she could pass down to her children, some thing that would incorporate a piece of her past. When she handed me the pile of pillowcases she told me that there was "no rush", she knew that I would be consumed for months with the upcoming move.

The pillow cases languished in my fabric cabinet reminding me every time I opened the door that a challenging project was waiting for me. After a year went by every time I saw that stack from Helen I was consumed with guilt. When I mentioned this to my Mom she said..."Helen will understand, just wrap them up and send them back to her and tell her you don't have the time."

One thing that I am not...is a "quitter"...and my Mom knows that!

Last Winter I decided to unload my enormous quilt stash. At that time I considered wrapping those pillowcases up and sending them back but one day I pulled out my box of antique fabrics and suddenly was inspired to give this challenging project a whirl....timing is everything!

About this same time I made a new quilting friend in Australia...we became friends because she was responsible for purchasing the bulk of my fabric stash on Ebay! Isn't that ironic...just when I thought I was through quilting...she drew me back in! Meredith, my new pen pal, sent me a pattern for a center medallion quilt and that became my jumping off point to make this quilt. She gave me the encouragement that I needed during a creative dry spell.

Most of the center applique is done in antique Civil War era fabrics, many of them were tiny scraps that I have saved for years. Helen wanted a blue and white quilt but I convinced her that we needed that touch of pink to really highlight the pink in the embroidery. I was afraid that it may look too busy (even though I LIKE busy) but I think it really hangs together. I will continue to build this quilt out from the middle adding as much antique fabric as possible to give it a real heirloom quality. I will keep posting pictures as my work progresses.

Vintage Decorator Fabric

2009-09-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

I have some wonderful vintage fabrics listed on Ebay this week. They are all in unused condition and there is yardage!.....4 yards on the crewel printed linen second from the top. The print at the top is hand screened and has a William Morris look and I believe it may be from Liberty of London. All of these and more can be found in my Ebay Shop Whimrose Projects: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Whimrose-Projects

I have plans for recovering an antique slipper chair that is in desperate need of an "upcycle". I found some vintage fabric that is SO cute ...it is dark green and has chairs on it...I know it sounds awful but trust me it is so cute. I will post a picture and share the experience when I start the project.

Announicing the GRAND OPENING of Whimrose Projects Etsy Store!!

2009-09-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce (after months of saying "I should")...the one and only Whimrose Projects Boutique on Etsy featuring many of the items featured on my blog...no, I don't think you will find canned tomatoes...but possibly a tomato pincushion!

I have all of my Liberty of London fabric bead necklaces listed for sale and will be happy to custom make any of the necklaces to your specifications....Also I had so much fun designing my banner that I just may offer banners for sale. I have loads of ideas for new and exciting designs so stay tuned to my blog and Etsy to see what's to come!

and here is the link:

http://www.whimrose.etsy.com

Making Good Use of My Canner

2009-09-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I bought a 1/2 bussel of big fat juicy tomatoes for just $10 and made 4 1/2 pints of chili sauce and 10 of all purpose tomato sauce. Once again this is not a big money saver but the taste does not compare! I decided to make 1/2 pints so that it would go further. I think even if you add one cup of the good stuff to a can of Del Monte you are going to get a much better flavor.

Tory Burch Purple Suede Loveliness

2009-09-10T18:34:00.001-07:00

Lets talk about purple suede shoes...ahhhhh yes...I wanted these so BAD that I actually convinced myself that they fit...well mostly because I was working the Christmas shift at Neiman Marcus and had an employee discount...who could resist...and then they sat in my closet...first I had to wait for the horrid Winter weather to end..and then the rainy Spring...and then the first time I wore them and walked 15 blocks, I knew I had made a mistake...I had to stop into Nordstroms to buy a pair of footies just to get my poor blistered feet home...so there you have it...I "shopped" and I did not "score" so these little size 7 beauties are being sold on Ebay and here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390092262057&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

...did you know that purple is the hot new color trend for Fall ????...and if these fit you they would be extremely comfortable

Another Pickle Harvest

2009-09-08T11:38:00.001-07:00

The canner was purchased and was put to work fast before my 5 pounds of "organic cucumbers fresh from the farmers market" spoiled in the frig. It is amazing how five pounds translates to just 4 pints of pickles. We have already polished off a half of a jar. From a froogal point of view canning fresh organic produce is not a money saver but the results far out weigh store bought.

The Jewels of Summer!

2009-09-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

Our farmers in the mid-west are having a harvest that is 2-3 weeks later than normal because of the unusual brief cool summer that we have had. This week has been the most delightful surprise with perfect temperatures and sun shine for nearly a week.

On Wednesday I found a beautiful array of colorful vegetables to make this Winter Pickle Salad. One grower had a head of Romanesco cauliflower which is neon green and shaped like little cones...so cute. I also found a miniature variety of carrot that was streaked with red , some tiny yellow patty pan squash, red, orange and yellow peppers, and green beans...the jars look like a sea of jewels!

The canning process is something that I have never tackled and found it to be much easier than expected as long as you have the proper tools assembled before hand. I purchased a canning kit at Target that included all the utensils needed and used my stock pot for processing. Things went so well with this first batch that I have decided to invest in a canner which can be purchased for around $25. I want to scoop up as much of summer as I can before our l-o-n-g winter sets in!

Winter Salad Pickle

2 c cauliflower florets
1c peeled pearl onions or onions cut into squares
1c thickly sliced celery
1c sliced carrots or small baby carrots cut in quarters
1c thick sliced zucchini or small patty pan
1c yellow or green beans
2 medium red, yellow or orange peppers
3c white wine vinegar or herb vinegar
1 1/2 c sugar
1 1/3c water
2 tsp pickling(coarse/Kosher)
1/8 tsp paprika

Before you begin preparing vegetables place jars and lids on a rack in a large kettle or canner that will fit the jars comfortably and allow enough room to cover jars with 1 inch of water for processing . Fill with water, bring to a boil and turn off heat.

1. Combine cauliflower, onions, celery and carrots in a large bowl. Combine squash beans and peppers in a separate bowl.

2. Combine vinegar, sugar, water salt, and paprika in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Bring to a full boil over high heat. Add cauliflower, onions, celery, and carrot and return to a boil. Remove from heat and add squash, beans and peppers.

3. Remove vegetables from liquid with a slotted spoon and pack into jars. Pour liquid to within 1/2 inch of rim. Clean rim of jar with a clean cloth or paper towel. Lift lid from hot water and center on top of jar. Apply screw band until fingertip tight

4. Place jars on a rack in a large stockpot, kettle or canner that the jars were sterilized in and fill with additional water to cover by one inch.

5. Cover pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes. turn off heat and remove lid. Allow jars to sit in kettle for 5 min. Carefully left jars out and place on a heat safe work surface. Do not touch seals or dry jars. Let cool for 12-24 hours. Check jar seals, sealed lids turn downwards.

This recipe was taken from:

Small Batch Preserving
by
Ellie Topp & Margaret Howard

Summer Menu

2009-07-10T10:13:00.000-07:00

I continue to be inspired by the possibilities of the Liberty fabric covered beads.

While visiting my brother in Michigan we stopped in in to see some dear friends that have a lovely old farm house complete with a barn that is being renovated and beautiful gardens that produce massive amounts of vegetables. We took home the first crop of tiny radishes and a handful of chives. Later we served them with sweet butter on grainy bread and a touch of coarse salt....YUM!

I was admiring the vintage tablecloth that was spread on the kitchen island and my friend and I talked about how we both collected them. I no longer have an outdoor patio or a kitchen table, for that matter, now that I am living in a high rise condo. I offered to keep a look out for any inexpensive gems . Two hours later I found this cloth at a local antique flee market......so with much regret I am passing it on....along with one of my necklaces... these colors are right up her alley.

....my swirly plate is full of possibilities for another braided or charm necklace! I better hurry...summer is nearly half over.

Clare Potter... Vintage Perfection

2009-05-16T12:54:00.000-07:00

My recent fascination with vintage women's magazines has led to this charming new addition to my Spring wardrobe featured below.

While browsing the pages for fashion illustrations to add to my collages I came across this article on Clare Potter...one of the first ladies of American sportswear. After a Google frenzied search I came up with little information about Clare Potter's career but surprisingly...on Ebay(where else?)...I actually found this stunning little linen jacket up for auction from a seller in the UK...and shockingly I won the item for under $20. It fits me perfectly and is in beautiful condition. What makes this jacket special is the attention to detail. The collar is ecru satin with a sage green velvet trim and the buttons are covered in a pale gray satin.

I like the addition of this 50's star burst brooch..also an Ebay purchase for $9.99. The jacket looks real cute with another one of my spring bargains... gray silk, pleated cropped harem pants that I found on a a double markdown +coupon at Express for $15.99.

........ the great froo*gal style is workin'!!!

Happy Mothers Day

2009-05-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

Truthfully, I have always hated Mothers Day, I think my expectations have always been too high and we all know when your expectations are too high, there is no where to go but down. This year I am choosing to go with the flow and see what transpires...the idea of my husband and son cooking in my kitchen has always induced some stress but if that is what they want to do then...have at it...I will just "show up" when the dinner bell rings!

Fuel

2009-04-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

Life is ironic........as soon as I thought that my quilting days were over and the bulk of my fabric sold on Ebay, what do I decide to do?....Go to the International Quilt Show! That was all it took to suck me back in...well that and the fact that I had taken on a commission to stitch a quilt for a friend of my Mom two years ago, when I was leaving Santa Fe....yes that's right...2 YEARS AGO...I unearthed the remnants while cleaning out the stash.

The quilt show refueled my interest and gave me the spark I needed to get the ball rolling on this project. I came home with one small bag of fabric for the quilt and one tiny bag of treasures for me (featured on the plate above).

All those little treats, with the exception of the felted beads, came from a dealer that was selling "dead stock" from a jewelry factory in Venice, Italy...one of my favorite cities. Doesn't it all look yummy!

Victorian Collage...30 Minutes for Creativity

2009-04-20T08:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a little 30 minute creative project I did last week. I came across an old book that I bought a few years ago in a used bookstore...a great place for inspiration...the book, Book of Collage by Gloria Vanderbilt, one of the original "craft maven's extraordinaire" is full of wonderful and simple ideas for putting together keepsake Victorian style collage but also features many of Gloria's wonderful fabric collage works of art that are very contemporary in look.

I was able to put this piece together quickly because I had just finished sorting through a box of ephemera that I was going to list on ebay. The box I was about to list was an accumulation of odds and ends that I have gathered over the year from box lots that I have purchased at auction. As I was looking at the pictures that I had had uploaded to the listing I started having second thoughts but went ahead and listed anyway. The very next day while I was in the bookshelve I stumbled on the Gloria book and immediately ended the listing (this is not usually a good idea!)and that afternoonI snatched out these elements, grabbed some fabric scraps from the now "highly edited fabric stash" and there you have it...all it needs now is a nice little frame (or not)...I am on my way to the auction house tonight and will surely be able to find a frame in another one of those box lots!

Liberty Print Fabric Bead & Button Necklace

2009-04-04T06:46:00.000-07:00

I am really pleased with my version of the Anthropology fabric, bead and button necklace!

This necklace was amazingly easy to make and requires very few skills, if you know how to braid and sew on a button you got it knocked. I was going to share instructions on how to make this necklace but then I had what Oprah would call "an aha moment"....I am going to sell DIY packets! I have been contemplating an etsy shop for over a year now. I just need to DO IT.

Most of the projects that I do are unique because of all the collected elements that I have to work with. It takes time to hunt down a collection and a certain eye to put together the pieces...and that is my specialty!

Until I get the etsy gig working I would be happy to take orders so send me an email and I will put together a kit with your color choices.

Signs of Spring

2009-04-02T11:35:00.001-07:00

I have spend a lot of time recently weeding out my fabric stash. It has been a long and arduous process but it was time to let go of some things and get down to the bones...keeping only what I really like and only what I will really use. My rule has always been if you haven't worn it, looked at it or used it in a year you never will....for most of my fabric it has been more than one and nearly seven years. I also believe that in order to make room for new growth to bloom you must weed the garden.

While sorting stacks of potential lots to be auctioned on Ebay my mind was already a buzz with ideas and little piles were starting to form...this is one of the piles. This pile is about to become a necklace like the one pictured above that I saw in an Anthropology catalog.

Now that I am out from under the "ground cover" of my fabric garden I can finally see the little heads of crocus peeping through!

Liberty Print Charm Necklace Part 2

2009-03-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

I thought I would have a second look at this necklace today to see if I could improve on it but decided that is was great just the way it is! I did however add a couple more charms that my son begrudgingly handed over...these vintage crackerjack charms represent dollar signs to him. Last summer he purchased an enormous lot of these treasures at auction and has been reaping the rewards on EBay ever since. Every time I went to his apartment last Fall I would snitch a couple. One day I was caught with my hand in the Crackerjack jar (so to speak)and I thought the gig was up but much to my surprise a little bag stuffed with these beauties showed up under the Christmas tree...YIPPEE! I am eking them out for various projects...the next one will be a knitted bracelet.

Assembling this necklace is very easy. I snipped and tore 1/4" strips from 1/4 yd lengths of Liberty fabric leaving the edges raw and frayed. I then gathered together some of my fabric covered beads (see tutorial in January 2008 post) vintage beads, buttons, Bakelite and charms and threaded everything on the fabric strips. I made 4 different strips and tied them together. I held all the strands together and rearranged the elements to fit and then tied all 4 strands together in a knot so that I could wear the necklace at any desired length.

Liberty Print Fabric Charm Necklace

2009-03-04T10:54:00.001-08:00

This is a necklace I have been working on using my fabric covered beads with the addition of vintage buttons, pieces of Bakelite, old enamel earrings and vintage Crackerjack charms. I saw bracelets made from torn strips of Liberty of London fabric on the Liberty website and thought making a whole necklace loaded with charms and beads would be a fun project. I started this a few months ago and it has been hanging on my door knob all winter. I think it is time to take it out and play around with it a bit more. I will publish the results after some tweekage!

Couture Knits for Blythe

2009-03-01T06:44:00.001-08:00

Blythe's sweater dress was knit on variegated sock yarn using #2 needles. I used a Barbie doll pattern as a loose guide for binding on stitches but then I went "freelance" from there, fitting as I went.

I love knitting on small needles but it can be daunting if you are making a full size garment so this was very satisfying. The jacket is a strip of fringed wool that I hand stitched into a little bolero with a tiny felted flower.

I am wondering why I have waited so long to take on this fun little project.

Blythe Couture at Target

2009-03-01T06:26:00.000-08:00

It seems that Alexander McQueen and I are entertaining the same muse these days!

When I opened the March issue of Bazaar, there she was... sporting an original designer frock...at Target no less...(one of the froo*gal's favorite places to shop). I promptly picked up my needles and finished the couture ensemble that I had been working on...I didn't want my Blythe to feel left out.

PS.....if you can actually buy Blythe at Target for $14.99...that is a REAL bargain!
PSS....I am liking those bangs...I may have to send her back to Michael for some fringe....I just hear a little scream from the other room!

Sock Darning to the Rescue

2009-02-23T09:23:00.000-08:00

After holding my breath to pay my bills I decided to darn my socks....see a complete "how to darn" February 14, 2008 blog entry. Do you want to know how long it took to preform this task...seriously...3 minutes! These socks were not even old socks, they were maybe worn a dozen times and I probably paid $8 for them...so there you go!

Knitting For Blythe

2009-02-22T12:06:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, while living in the desert, I became obsessed with "Blythe"....obsessions were common place for me in the desert....no friends and a lot of time on my hands.

I had an Ebay customer that send me a picture of her Enid Collins handbag collection, something that we shared in common. Propped up against one of the handbags was a Blythe doll. I googled Blythe and was enthralled! To make a long story short I spend the next few months scouring the Internet for one of my own. The dolls are made in limited editions and the prices can rise high on Ebay. I managed to find one in my price range on Amazon...the only problem, (for me anyway) was that she had pink hair. I had read many articles about customizing these dolls and figured that I could make a few changes by enlisting my hairdresser Michael.

...and that is when Blythe cursed the day she ended up in New Mexico.

My hairdresser was probably my only real friend in Santa Fe and I love him dearly. We share the same offbeat sensibility so when I approached him with the idea of taking on a "vinyl diva" he was up for the challenge....it was not until later that he confessed to a pile of "skinned" Barbie dolls in the closet of his youth! (the hairdresser prodigy that he was).

Apparently when I went to pick her up he had to fish her out from under the back seat of his car...he had put her there because she had basically turned into "Chuckie" after he made a mess of the dye job...her eyelashes fell out and she was covered in black streaks! He was not quite sure how to break the news to me since I had high hopes of her becoming "The Next Top Model" for my own personal line of Blythe fashions.

....well something was lost in this whole process(but not my hairdresser). I dressed Blythe in her store bought clothes, wrapped a ribbon around her head and propped her up on my work table, sans eyelashes...and that is where she has stayed until recently when she has decided to forgive me for the "wrath of Michael"....I think I owe her a new dress.

Birthday Girl

2009-02-18T14:18:00.000-08:00

While I was putting together my patchwork monologue entry for today I thought about this quilt that I made a few years ago and drug out another dust covered box from under the bed to retrieve it. This project was part of a quilt group challenge that I participated in. The challenge for this particular piece was to use the ugly green fabric that can be seen in the skirt. I was also experimenting with other techniques like curved lines and digital printing on fabric. I am not sure how this ties in with today..."my day of days"...but it reminds me how much joy creativity has brought into my life for 57 years and even when my venue changes my innate style remains the same.

.........my horoscope said this is my lucky year...maybe I will win that dream house!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

2009-02-13T18:03:00.000-08:00

I am headed to Austin, TX today to visit my best friend Ann...YIPEE!...I'm thinkin'....margaritas, Texas barbecue, shopping...resale shopping, and some much needed "talk til ya drop" therapy!

Patchwork Monologue will be on hiatus until Tuesday when my creative juices will be flowing over.

"Misti Alpaca Tunic Sweater Vest"

2009-02-13T08:51:00.000-08:00

I finished my tunic sweater knit on circular needles and I am very pleased with the results! I have to admit I was "winging it"...sort of a "design as you go" project. I used 2 different patterns as a jumping off point, one for the top and one for the bottom. I have knit handbags in the round before but this is the first time that I have knit a sweater. Circular knitting is great for the "knitting while you do something else" projects, also there are no seams to finish so when you are done, you are pretty much done and that is always exciting!

I have a set of Denise Circular knitting needles that have inter-changeable tips and ends so when I finished the bottom I just snapped the needles off and put the plugs on the ends to hold my stitches. I worked the top pretty much "free style". I found a pattern for a top down knit vest and used that as a guide for how many stitches to cast on. I had to work out my pattern so that I would end up with the same amount of stitches left on my top needles as I had left on the bottom stitch holders. I transferred the stitches to straight needles

I joined the top and bottom with a "three needle bind off". I had used this stitch before when I was making handbags and thought it was so cleaver I wondered why you don't see it used more often.

To do a three needle bind off you hold the needles with the 2 pieces that you are joining side by side in your left hand then using a third needle you place the tip through the first stitch on each needle as if you were knitting one stitch only you knit the 2 together as one. You knit a second stitch, the same way as you would for a regular bind off and then put the first stitch over the second and proceed with the remaining stitches.

Using this method leaves a beautiful smooth seam front and back!

Workin on it.....

2009-02-08T16:50:00.001-08:00

I have started the "top down" loose turtleneck for my tunic. This yarn knits up real fast on size 13 needles. It really flows and those little felted leaves just pop right through. I think I will just knit until I run out of yarn, in ever increasing rows, and then see what happens next!..I love this kind of knitting..... I am thinking just one odd stripe and then more of the alpaca before I join the top and bottom.

Knit Tunic Project

2009-02-03T14:35:00.000-08:00

I started this tunic vest on New Years day. I saw this knit sleeveless tunic in a shop in Sutton's Bay, Michigan last summer. I have a picture of it on my Blackberry but have not been able to download my pictures with any success but I will keep trying. It had this nice big soft turtleneck that was slouchy and knitted with an interesting variegated yarn. The bottom was slightly flared. I found a pattern that was close to the same shape and I used that to knit the bottom on circular needles. I am using "Misti Alpaca Baby Chunky" yarn. I am close to the armpits and have decided to start the turtleneck on different needles and work from the top down. I have a really interesting idea for joining the top and bottom so we will see how that goes and I will post my results. I am going to work in this really cool novelty yarn that I bought in Venice, Italy 4 years ago...as you can see the colors are perfect together!! YEAH!

DIY Purse Organizer

2009-02-01T06:24:00.000-08:00

How to make the purse organizer:

Supplies:

2 pieces of template plastic 14"X4"
2 contrasting pieces of fabric 29"X4.5"
1 piece of fabric 29"X9"
1 piece of quilt batting 29"X4.5"

*Layer the two contrasting fabrics and right sides together and the quilt batting on the bottom.
*Stitch 1/4" along one edge.
*Press seam towards batting. Fold in half and press.
*Trim 1/4" off the raw edge of batting.
*Place layered piece on top of the 29X9 piece of fabric.
*Measure the areas you want to divide for the items that you carry in your purse and mark with pins. Make sure to give a little ease so that your items will fit in comfortably and stitch through all layers to create pockets. Back stitch at top to reinforce.
*On one end turn the batting filled piece under 1/4" and stitch through all layers.
*Fold larger backing fabric over and line up raw edges.
*Stitch 1/4" along edge and along the end that was not folded under.
*Turn right side out and slide in the 2 pieces of plastic template.
* Turn in 1/4" on raw end and stitch closed.

Voila!...Purse pockets!

"Purse Pocket"

2009-01-31T18:43:00.001-08:00

As the winter sun is setting my bright yellow bag has a new custom made purse organizer!

I will post the "how to" tomorrow.

Yellow Bag Project #1

2009-01-31T11:19:00.000-08:00

The problem with this yellow bag is the inside...there is no lining....its like a black hole...no real pockets or compartments.

Last fall Oprah featured a handbag organizer on one of her "favorite things" show. My Mom called me hot on the trail for this item that was only available at the Container Store...poor her, no Container Store in Santa Fe. I headed over there and snagged the LAST one...and then had to decide if I should be a good daughter and give it to my Mom or keep it for myself...Mom won.

The "handbag organizer" is just what this bag needs and it looked really easy to make... plus I get to make my own fabric choices!

...........so that is my Saturday afternoon project....finished product coming soon....

Yellow Bag

2009-01-29T08:44:00.000-08:00

I have an idea for a project and it involves this new yellow bag...that I bought 1/2 price from JCrew. More later.

J'amie le verre de blue francais

2009-01-28T18:27:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite collections!

I have been formulating a plan to move my quilt journal to either a new blog or a folder on this blog and revive the essence of froo*gal because that is where my heart really is and my ideas are starting to pop again...I feel like I needed the quilt journal to kick start my creativity.

I have such an urge to continue my love of fashion and design and feel that the universe is calling the froo*gal spirit in that direction. It may take a few days to move things in that direction so bear with me.

Belated Christmas Gift for the Girl That Has Everything

2009-01-17T20:51:00.000-08:00

I must confess that Christmas came and went in the twinkling of Santa's eye. As I mentioned in my last post, I worked at Neiman Marcus for the holidays AND continuing my Ebay business. I was wrapping gifts for customers until 5pm Christmas Eve...needless to say not a whole lot of holiday cheer left my house this year so on the 16th of January I was busy making a gift for my college roommate and long lost friend who is part of the higher echelon of a most famous retailer...I won't name names but the background of my photo should give you a hint

....so what do you give the girl that has diamonds at her fingertips...for me I have always chosen to "craft" my dear friend a gift!

J. Crew had these cute little bug pins in their holiday catalog that caught my eye and I just knew that I could improve on the design and add my own touch. This little pile of fabric and beads had been on my work table since November and finally came together yesterday and will be winging its way to the "Big Ap" next week....I hope I will be forgiven my tardiness!

New Year New Juice Old Projects

2009-01-16T14:27:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading a comment on my last blog entry from Jennspiration and it was just the jump start that I needed to write a new entry...sometimes I spend too much time thinking about what I will write and end up not writing at all.

Since September I have consistently read cjanerun (who btw just won the Weblog Awards for Best Major Blog) I have realized that I don't always have to have a purpose or a goal for every entry...I just need to DO IT after all cjane has a baby under a year old and has taken on the care of her sisters 4 children after her sister and her husband were badly burned in a plane crash.... if cjane can find the time to write witty and uplifting blogs nearly every day I can certainly find the time...how about if my goal is writing an entry everyday with a picture... it can even be 1 line or paragraph, I just need to be consistent...OK! I have verbalized my intent...or should I say "blogalized"!

I have been thinking a lot lately about "unfinished projects" and yesterday I dragged a dust covered box out from under the bed and when I opened it this(see picture above) was on the top.......this is a block for a quilt that I started 3 or 4 years ago, at a time when I had hours every day to devote to creative pursuits...sadly it doesn't look like that will happen any time soon with our economy failing and the bank account dwindling...so the challenge now, for me personally, is to try and find a few minutes each day to give myself some JUICE!

Creativity has always been my form of meditation and relaxation. I have come to realize that starting this blog last year, one of the busiest years of my life, was an attempt to hold a place for myself in my creative world and in many ways I was able to achieve that goal...however, the "not buying anything new" goal?...that is another story...one that I don't care to focus on now...I failed to make it to the end of 08 but I did make it until August....WOW!!!

Then....it all slowly came undone...but not in TOO bad of a way and to be perfectly honest I think I have always been a froo*gal, I just needed to stop using credit cards...like millions of other Americans...so onward and upward....believe it or not I actually ended the year working at Neiman Marcus so you can imagine the temptation there...30% discount (a couple of times even an EXTRA 30 off already marked down merch!!!!!)...try NOT SHOPPING in the Emporium of Style with that incentive...anyway...I digress.....

......so....about the daily creative activity that will actually WORK for me...you know the "middle of the night idea" I had...so this is it......

A QUILT A DAY...I am not talking a bed size quilt here, I am talking about a 16 patch...I am also not talking about stitching...I am actually trying to come up with a way I can make my quilts... easy to assemble, small, paper or fabric glued to paper, in a book, journal style, with NO LIMITS only that I have to document each day on this blog with a tiny quilt.

The goal is to CUT & PASTE 16 tiny squares into a journal every day.........let the journey begin.

HOW TO Make Your Own Designer Medallion Necklace

2008-11-02T13:27:00.000-08:00

Mission accomplished!.... and I am thrilled with my new one of a kind designer inspired necklace....and this is how I made it:

YOUR OWN DESIGNER INSPIRED NECKLACE

It helps to have a "stash" of treasures, but if you don't you can find everything for this project on Ebay ( if you need help email me!)....for me, hunting for the treasure is part of the creative process and is what will make your necklace truly unique to you. I did a search under "antique applique" and that is where I found the most beaded pieces that will work for this project. You may also try "bullion patch" or "vintage sewing trim".

When you have found the centerpiece for the necklace you will need a base to attach it to. I used a scrap of felted wool. You could also use a piece of felt. I cut 2 pieces about an inch bigger all the way around than the beaded patch. I fused the 2 pieces of felted wool together using Heatnbond which you can find at Joann Fabrics. I then hand stitched the beaded patch unto the felt.

When the bead work was in place I carefully cut around the edge leaving about 1/8th inch border. I have a large collection of antique cloth buttons(which you can also find on Ebay) and I selected three and sewed them to the top of the medallion.

I had this beautiful scrap of vintage silk kimono fabric that I have held unto for years because it was long and narrow like a ribbon and it had a beautifully frayed edge. I was never sure what I would do with it but I knew that someday it would make its way into one of my projects. I wide silk ribbon would work equally as well.

I made crochet loops on each side of the top edge of the felt and knotted the strip of fabric to each loop. I then threaded 2 fabric covered beads that I made(see instructions for Fabric Bead Necklace from January blog entry) onto the strip of fabric and knotted each side, I then added 2 vintage wood beads above the fabric beads. I had a small piece of the kimono fabric left so I gathered it into rosettes and stitched it to the back of the felt. The finish touch was the purple silk ball that I attached to the bottom....and within a couple of hours ....VOILA!...my very own fabulous chunky, centerpiece, one of a kind, beaded medallion necklace.

New Inspiration for Fabric Bead Necklace!

2008-11-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

I clipped a page from October Vogue magazine that featured a beautiful fabric and bead necklace designed by Roseanne de Pampelonne. I immediately remembered a lot of vintage beaded medallion's that I had purchased at auction recently and was inspired to created my own version of this $675 necklace.

Yesterday I dragged out boxes of vintage kimono silk, antique fabric covered buttons, hand dyed felted wool and metallic seed beads. I have allowed myself the luxury of an afternoon project that is long over due.

I recently was asked to have my Louis Vuitton Knock-Off Fabric Bead Necklace featured as a holiday gift idea on a wonderful website www.sewmamasew.com.....check it out! (Thank you to Beth Wilson for returning my attention to my true passion.) I would also like to post an easier solution to stringing the fabric beads that I discovered.

I am hoping to post pictures of my afternoon project sometime in the next 24 hours so check back for results!!!!!

Signs of Re-Entry

2008-09-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

This is what creativity looks like ...I know, kind of a mess but for much of the last 4 months this workspace has been CLEAN except for packing and shipping supplies for the ever growing Ebay business.

I recently returned from a short trip to Santa Fe, NM, the place I called home for 5 years before moving back to Chicago a year ago....to be honest it was somewhat of a reluctant trip, although I was excited to visit my Mom who still lives there, I had no great desire to return to the place where I always felt disconnected. But you know a surprising thing took place....everywhere I went I knew someone...I was in fact....connected....people asked "where have you been?"...as though I had only been gone a couple of weeks! It was really comforting to know that I had been "visible" to so many people and that I had in fact been "connected" even when I felt like an alien.

The other revelation I had on that trip came from wondering around my Mothers home..a mini museum of my creativity.... the quilts, the art work, all the little treasures I have crafted for her reminded me what I am all about. I had a sudden pang of homesickness...not for a place but for a part of me that has been sadly neglected in the past few months.

And now my mind is a buzz of ideas....so many it is hard to focus on one, but it will all come together. Right now I am writing a pattern for a vest that I plan to knit, designing my nieces wedding invitations, working on my own interpretation of a Marni necklace I saw and planning the quilt for my bed....and there is WAY more to write from the "confessional booth" in regard to falling off the "froo*gal" wagon...I am not looking forward to that but the story must be told ...."My name is Kathy and I am a clothesaholic"....at least when I indulged it was'nt campagne.....it was beer!

Long ago, in a far away place.......

2008-06-21T11:38:00.000-07:00

Hello my friends!!

I have been gone but hopefully not forgotten!

The other day I stumbled upon a disc entitled Kathy's Projects and found this collage that I did a few years ago for an art auction to benefit the arts council where I once lived. Seeing it again gave me a much needed shot of inspiration. I have had an idea lurking around my brain involving some old t-shirts, some photographs and a printer and it may even involve some Kool Aid...hows that for a summer taste sensation!

...all these ideas came together when I saw this collage with new eyes....it reminded me of the yarn that I dyed at my last Craft of the Month Club which seems like months ago and come to think of it it was...that is where we experimented with Kool Aid as dye!... and you can see how lovely it turned out...I just happened to lay it down on top of a book my Mom left behind from her visit last week...I had not really noticed the title until I took the picture and then I picked it up and read the back and it it must be an omen....This Charles Dickens novel is "a brilliant defense of art in the age of mechanism...England as it struggles with the massive economic turmoil brought on by the Industrial Revolution"...sounds like a tale for todays world....hmmmm..maybe I should read it.

I am on my way to buy some Kool Aid.

NO NEW CLOTHES.....The saga continues....

No I have not buckled yet...nearly...a couple of times but...alas...I have been saved of disaster and ruin....I owe it all to my dear friend Wendy who is getting married this weekend. She presented me with a gift card to Nordstroms in lieu of payment for invitations that I designed for her bridal luncheon....after hours of deliberation I ended up with 2 very sensible clothing decisions....an "everyday" pair of black flats and a fashion forward long slouch cardigan in a neutral taupe with a fleck of gold...a great seasonless investment for this unpredictable weather we have been having lately.

and the RESALE RACKS have turned out some interesting ingredients for my summer wardrobe. I have decided I like the idea of a cotton blouse instead of a tshirt...don't get me wrong, tshirts are still high on my list but blouses seem fresher, and here is what I found:

a mid century print blouse by Marni...$5
a green gingham check blouse with a tiny ruffle and puff sleeves by The Gap...$8
an all over rose print sheer cotton blouse by Express nwt...$14.99

and I also found a pair of mens seersucker bermudas...like I said before...I am loving the fit of mens pants better than womens right now..and I am on the look out for a tiny floral print blouse to wear with these..I would love to find a Liberty print...but so far no luck.

and the search continues...

froo*gal

Four T-Shirts and a Confession

2008-05-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

Okay...I"M BUSTED...I caved, and for $34 at Old Navy I could not be happier.

The truth of the matter is, when you are as busy as I am you don't have time to SHOP...let alone look in the closet and try and figure out which t-shirt doesn't look like a dust rag... untidy and ungroomed don't work well on an over 50ish woman.

The whole idea of "upscaling" an old piece of clothing can look fun and hip on a young woman but can look really tacky on someone my age. So I have decided to rethink the concept behind my New Years resolution and the creation of this blog. I want to come up with ideas that can really WORK for a woman that cares about fashion and personal appearance but also wants a creative twist. I will not give up sharing my PROJECTS because that is the key for me and was the inspiration behind froo*gal but its time to break some of my self inflicted rules....I have always hated rules anyway!

T-shirts are like underwear...hard to buy at the resale shop...I know because I have tried for the last 3 weeks to find ONE decent t-shirt that wasn't piled, stained, stretched and too short...that is when I threw my hands up and went to Old Navy(always my very FAVORITE for good quality great selection and price when it comes to t-shirts) because t-shirts are like underwear, they are the foundation of a wardrobe.

Who can beat $35 for 4 t-shirts and they made me feel SO GOOD everyday this week when I put a new one on...the BEST!

froo*gal

The "It" Bag and Riffs on Life

2008-04-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

To tell you the truth....I am very discouraged...I have, on more than one occasion, in the past month thought about throwing in the towel on this whole idea. It did not help matters when my computer, like myself, decided that it was overwhelmed and bit the dust. So on top of everything else I am having to relearn updated versions of all my programs including how to get my pictures on this blog vertical...why did this work so easily before???...isn't newer supposed to be easier and more efficent?

First of all, the highlight of starting this blog was to be about "me being creative" , well in order to be creative you need TIME which is something I have very little of these days...you can't buy, list, sell, pack & ship 50-75 items a week on Ebay and have any time left.

You have to be somewhat STILL to effectively create...you have to get in the the FLOW...it can't be just, "trying to get something over with so you don't have to look at it any more". I need STRETCHES of time...I need DREAM time....and right now I NEED shopping fulfillment...according to Eckhart Tolle, that may have something to do with my "painbody"...if I just had another hour in the day maybe I could keep up with "A New Earth" reading and find out what exactly a "painbody" is...oh well...

So here I am wanting some wardrobe perks...how shallow is that?... and very frustrated with trying to find something worthy on the "resale' racks....the good news is I did find a very cute NEW Gap dress/tunic at the thrift store in my NEW favorite color of blue..COBALT!

Oh and btw...in case you didn't notice I did finish the "IT" Bag in a feverish pitch last weekend...I had one hour...and guess what...it wasn't fun...it was WORK. so for the time being ALL projects are on hold...I don't need anything else, especially self inflicted stuff, hanging over my head.

....and I still have not surrendered to the retail shopping urge...in many ways... because I HAVE NOT HAD TIME!...okay, I feel much better now....whew!

froo*gal...wiping her brow

PS....when I am in a better state I will give you the details of the bag construction...but don't you love the addition of the Marimekko coin purse?

Spring Fever....

2008-04-09T11:40:00.000-07:00

The last couple of weeks I have had the fever...the shopping fever, in a BIG way. You know that feeling where you can't wait to rip that #@$% scarf, hat, gloves, boots and ALL heavy clothing off your body and trade it in for a light weight, itch free NEW frock?...the key word here is new...I really miss shopping...like an old friend. Shopping "resale" is a lot of work and can be very uninspiring....but I have to admit, I am hanging in there. The very best reward is not seeing credit card bills in my mail box! YIPPEE! and....

Yesterday I wore the Calvin Klein skirt pictured below with a gray sequined cardigan that I bought last year at a thrift shop in Santa Fe and I had 3 people that I didn't know tell me how cute I looked....now that is the real pay off.

So...my goal this weekend is to finish the "IT BAG"...Yes!!!...I am begging myself for 2 little hours at the sewing machine...you may even see that reworked man's shirt on Sunday.

..and oh, I forgot,...my latest inspiration. While I was digging through the resale racks a couple of weeks ago, I gazed a pair of 32X30 mens trousers in a fine Italian wool crepe... the light bulb went off! Men's trousers unlike women's are made to be altered. There is this easy to open seam in the back of the waistband...BRILLIANT!...they have been hanging on the door for 2 weeks waiting for sewing time...more to come on that project.

If you have not already started watching The Sartorialist blog www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com/ you should check it out this week. There is a photo of a girl that is wearing the cutest outfit made from Marc Jacobs childrens clothes..yes, you have to see it to beleive it!

froo*gal

Inspiration!

2008-03-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

I was on a search the other day for just the right little scrap of yellow fabric when I came across a box of vintage kimono fabric that I have collected over the years...it was like finding a little treasure all over again.

Over a year ago I packed up my studio in Santa Fe in preparation for our move back to Chicago which was a serious downsizing..and I mean serious! I had organized everything in plastic containers before packing everything in moving boxes so when I arrived all of these plastic containers where taken from the packing boxes and went straight into the only available space 9 feet up in the hall closet.....all I can say is I am so glad I didn't sell this stuff on ebay(I had actually had a moment of temporary insanity) because with each box opened there is a renewed sense of inspiration!...YES!

...also....I thought I would give a sneak peak of my "IT" bag that is under construction!

froo*gal

Getting The Goods

2008-03-15T13:47:00.000-07:00

Another week has flown by without a post...whew!

Life just does not seem to let up. The husband and dogs left a week ago in search of warmth and sunshine..I must confess...I had no desire..my only desire was one of pure selfishness...peace and quiet, no demands, no meals to cook, no one to think about but ME!

Well I have had plenty of quiet but I am afraid that after a record breaking week of sales in my ebay store..there was no peace and plenty of demands...I found no time to stitch on my shirt project but I did manage to duck into a couple of thrift shops and brought home some prizes!!! YEAH!

That got me thinking...I need to be more organized with my commitment of no "new clothes" purchases so that I can see my progress and keep a tally. I have also done some thinking (usually in the middle of the night) about this.....

Okay...so you decide that you are no longer going to make NEW clothing purchases..but does that mean you can just go hog wild in the thrift shop...just because its a bargain? Shouldn't the goal be to have less? and how about the amazingly tiny new closet I have?...I have already started filling a bag of stuff to go BACK to the thrift shop.

Okay so with that in mind.....TADA! Here are my latest finds. All of these items were from a resale shop except the Missoni which was from a charitable thrift shop and that is reflected in the price:

Missoni Cashmere tunic sweater $3
Calvin Klein floral cotton skirt $18
Banana Republic cotton voile tucked front blouse NWT $16
Club Monaco silk pleated skirt $10

I am going to figure out how I can keep that list of purchases running on a side bar.

.......and I could not let another day go by with out some kind of "hands on project", so last night at 9PM I started wrapping beads to make another Louis V necklace and I think it may be my most favorite one yet!!!...I would also like to add that these are all LIBERTY OF LONDON fabrics. These really are the best fabrics for this project. I realize that these fabrics are not easy to find. I just went on ebay and bought a small collection of 50 different prints in 4X4 inch pieces. If you are unable to find them let me know because I am thinking about putting together kits for the necklace.

froo*gal

PS...I forgot to mention the cute brooch on the Banana Republic blouse. That was a gift from my niece Natalie. It came from this cute shop where she works in Holly, Michigan called Laundry(one of many jobs)...she is the "thrifter extraordinaire"....she will even dance for you in her thrifty duds!+ she makes a superb scone..all while talking a mile a moment!...love ya Nat!

BLUE Birthday Shoes...YIPPEE!

2008-03-04T15:13:00.000-08:00

Lucky me!...my Mom sent me a gift of $$ for my birthday (understanding her daughters need for a shoe purchase)...I know... I said it before...buying used shoes is a challenge that I am not sure I want to take on, although my feelings about that could change as summer approaches and the poor girl has NO NEW SHOES...what a pitty!

In the meantime I took that birthday money in my hot little hands and headed straight back to Turley Road Boutique where the fabulous Raven necklace was spotted....and also...tada!...a pair of BLUE shoes...in my size...one pair....and guess what?...they were still there...and the best news yet..comfortable..YEA!...and here those little beauties are....how cute with SKIRT 1.1.08....they have a little 2.5 inch heel...a little "witchy"...hey, with the Raven necklace I could get a little upscale "goth baby boomer" thing going.

Still working on the blouse..more to come.

froo*gal