Sunday, June 29, 2008

Guerilla Knitting!!



There is a trend started by people much more talented than I, to tag in a friendly way with pieces of knitted art...so I have jumped on the bandwagon and started tagging in my own town!

This is my first tag: a little knitted piece, that I attached by the dark of night to a little tree on the sidewalk in front of our local independent bookstore! My daughter snapped the photos while I tied the tails. We think some guys in the upstairs apartment across the street saw us, but as of yesterday it was still there!

I totally forgot my little cards to attach, but I'm working on another piece, so I'll use them next time!

Beautify your world!


Friday, June 27, 2008

Mother and Daughter Tattoos!!

I wrote before of my daughter's first tattoo. She got it in April, a Pueblo Owl design in honor of her spirit animal. Well, yesterday I got one to match!! This way I always have her with me. Ana's tattoo is on her right ankle, and mine is on my right arm, tucked into my tribal celtic tattoo.


Thursday, June 19, 2008

My Spring '08 Collection!




Well, this May I created a Spring collection of clothing! It all started last August, when I made about 15 tops and dresses and placed them in a local gallery here. We had a lovely little opening, then I promptly went on vacation. When I returned, I found out that the tops had sold out! So this time, I completed 50 items, and the gallery had them for the local Arts festival. I had a preview party at my home, and sold 4 tops then!

It started as an idea in the back of my head, because I'm a chronic thrift shopper. I kept seeing these lovely linen clothes, by great labels, and they were all too small for me. So eventually, I bit the bullet and did it: I took a pile of thrift shop finds, tore them apart, and used my own pattern to cut out something new. They do attract a lot of postive comments, and the best part is they are ONLY for plus sizes; skinny people have enough choices already!! I get such a kick out of taking a size 4 skirt and making a top or dress for my size 20 body!!

Anyway, a photographer friend is helping me take some photos of the clothing. Our first attempt was just to get an idea of what I want, and we've realized we'll have to use proper lighting, but I wanted to brag a little!

The Black and Tan top is a re-make of a Jumper and a Shirt. The front button placket has been rotated to go across the right chest horizontally. The Green and Yellow top uses a piece of vintage linen, plus 2 more shirts. The green part was this fabulous Talbot's jacket with pockets on either side of the button up front; I used the whole front!

I really love to watch women try these tops on; when they find the right one, you can just tell they feel pretty, comfortable, and very special!

I sew in my special Red Panty Designs label, and use cute hang tags that match. Each top gets a special name; the black & tan is called Espresso Yourself.