Red Panties on Parade

The show is UP and looking....okay, I guess. Artwork that I "pin", or admire, or really, really like is so much better than mine. I feel mine is rather cartoony, which isn't a bad description considering my life is very much like the Simpsons! But, it IS mine, and for what it's worth, it's on display at the bottom of the stairwell in Courtright Library at Otterbein!


I was happy to get the Panty quilts out in public again, it's been awhile!

I do feel happy with this particular piece, Watch What You Say. The shiny bits are the inside of a chip bag. The open mouth is printed on vellum, and the old diagram lines connect to my sewn lines leading to the words "hate" and "lies", which have the big red "NOT" circles on them. Click on the photo to see it more clearly.


Lots of other words on this one, too....."mirror, mirror"; "mind your tongue"; "do you like what you see?".

I also finished the central piece in this grouping...I don't consider them a triptych, but they hang together nicely. "Redbuds" because I love them in the spring!


There will be a little reception on Sunday, April 19th 2-4pm, so if you're around, stop by! The show will be up until the middle or end of June.

A thrift shop duvet cover + linen shirt equals.....

Some cute new Gardening Aprons! Just in time for the Scioto Gardens Gardening & Arts Festival!

The reversible duvet cover was just languishing in the Art Barn, black & cream check on one side, toile on the other. A couple of linen shirts for pockets and bias trim, and voila!

I think they turned out really cute, and there are lots of times they would come in handy. I like the full coverage in the front, and the crossover back. I might need one of these when I'm painting or dyeing fabric; I don't like to get messy, and this would be practical!

a little Red Panty for me!

Lately all the Red Panty clothing has been for the shop...even the pieces I made for myself have sold! I did manage to "steal" one away, then promptly got grease on it, so it's ruined, drats!

But last week, I finally had some time to myself, and dug thru my box of thrift store finds for some cool fabrics that spoke to me! Tried out a new style for summer, and now I've got 2 new pieces for me!

I started with a Coldwater Creek linen wrap skirt, in a medium, ha! Green linen with wonderful dark pink roses in a faded out print. Almost despaired of finding something to pair with it, then, Voila! A Chico's linen shirt, also a medium, ha ha, but put them together and I have something great!

I actually tested the fit out on another top for me, from a black printed jumper, not shown here, but it's fun for summer. Straps to allow me to wear a proper bra, because no one wants me without one! Me either, though!

The pink & green number is nearly a dress, although I usually wear shorts or leggings under even in the summer: hate to chafe!

May is for Beginnings and Endings

It's May, and I'm not sure where April went!

The Red Panty trunk show at the City Art Center was a success from my point of view; lots of ladies came to check out the clothing, try it on, and purchases were made!



Trista Hill & I led the First Ladies Night ART evening at the http://www.cityartcenter.org/. We had 6 participants, and through centering, expressive movement, drawing and observation exercises, opened up our creativity! Trista & I will lead another Ladies Night ART on Friday, May 25th, so don't miss it!

Over the weekend, I spent 2 days at the College of Wooster; Friday was IS presentation day, and of course Ana was fabulous! She's so natural, you don't even realize she's reading from her notes. Then Sunday the Equestrian Team had its first ever Rodeo, featuring dressage, hunt seat, all types of stirring horse & rider drills set to wonderful music. The Western riders gave a calf roping demo, and Ana was the first to snag hers! She looked so good! I didn't get to take a single picture myself, since I was the announcer reading the script that gave the riders' bios, horse information, etc. But it was a gorgeous day, and a lot of fun!

What's up next? Well, in the next 14 days, I'll hang 2 quilt shows at work, dismantle the senior art show on graduation day at OWU, see my beloved daughter graduate from Wooster (her father is wearing full Scottish dress, Prince Charlie jacket, Wallace plaid kilt!), move said daughter back home for good (for awhile), give a talk about my art quilts to a big guild in Columbus that I used to belong to, enjoy First Friday in Delaware, try to clean, organize, sort and get rid of some stuff around the homestead. In the meantime, still trying to exercise my thumb and get it fully recovered....I had no idea it would be such a slow process. It is, however, better than BEFORE the surgery, so I don't regret it. Apparently, I am old and do not bounce back from things like I used to!

Red Panty Workshop!

Yep! I'm doing it!

If you'd like to make your very own Red Panty style garment, sign up for a 1-day workshop! Saturday, June 9th, from 10-5pm, ending with our very own little Runway Show!

I'll take you through the steps I use to create a top from recycled thrift clothes, from fabric selection, layout, deconstruction, pattern choice/making, to the actual sewing. At the end of the day, you should be able to strut down the runway looking fabulous, darling!

Sign up! you know you want to!

(I can email the flyer to you, just contact me!)

New Red Panty clothing

Surgery's over, yay! Stitches are out, double-yay! No, I did not take photos because I get a little queasy just thinking about it, let alone looking at it! I start some therapy on Monday, to try to bring the swelling down and loosen up the thumb. Right now, it's about like it was before the surgery, but this is supposed to improve from here.

I DO want to share some photos of the last piece I worked on right before I had the cutting, though: a little dress from 2 thrifted men's dress shirts! The olive green knit coordinates with the stripe in the white shirt. I've still got a few seams to finish, and I'm thinking about some sparkly embellishment for the neckline. Also trying to decide on a detail to just bring in the waist a little bit, for some figure flattering shape.

I have some more shirts to deconstruct and whip up into a couple more dresses, so those will be posted as they're finished. Using scissors right now is a challenge, they hit right where the incision was, and that's still a little tender (yes,I'm a big baby!)

Etsy Shop Expanding

With the news that Go Figure Consignment would be closing at the end of the year, I was understandably worried about what to do with all my Red Panty clothing inventory. So I've been listing it in my Etsy shop, 4 pieces last Thursday, 6 pieces yesterday.

I've already sold 3 pieces to one lucky lady, so this will hopefully bring added momentum to both my shop and myself! I need to move this stuff, people! I must make room for new pieces of spring fashion, and my rack in the studio is full to bursting right now.

Selling something to someone who likes it is definitely a motivator; I want to get in there and make lots of new stuff! Although right now, it's all about the Christmas presents I have to make....lots of them!

So try to find some peace during this holiday season, and I'll post pics of all the gifties being created in the barn!

Handmade Holiday Pledge 2011

Handmade Holiday Pledge 2011

I am pledging that at least 50% of my gifts this year will be handmade, either by me or some other amazing artist! Oh, and I'm hoping that MY work will be snatched up by others to keep the handmade holiday going strong!

Lots of ready-to-ship goodies at the Etsy Shop!

Live Mannequins wear Red Panties!

Because it's so HOT outside and so super COOL at Go Figure!

Last night was a Block Party for the businesses in the Short North between 1st & 2nd, and I worked hard to deliver a dozen new pieces to Sherri. We asked some of our beautiful friends to model, and although the original plan was to have them strut their stuff down the sidewalk and visit the other businesses, it was just too unbearable outside. So, out popped the window displays and up popped our live mannequins! They were adorable!

Lots of friends stopped by, including my Mom showing off her very own Red Panty creation (Christmas gift). Sherri & I would definitely like to do the window models again; the passers-by were delighted! As were the bus riders as they stopped at the light!

You can check out a couple very short Videos on the Red Panty Designs page on Facebook, or down this blog, through my Flickr page!

I'm hoping to take a breath or two now, before I start the next couple of projects I'd like to work on, before the Museum opens again in August (which is only about a week away, what's up with that??)

I've also been doing a little more personal, spiritual, preparation...trying to stay positive, thankful, humble, open, grateful, awestruck, and working on being more giving, forgiving, forthcoming and generous in every way. Those of you who know me personally know what a tall order that is for me, because I am not normally a nice person! But hey, change happens every day!

A Day of Rest

Ana declared today a rest day, no hiking or digging! So I ventured out to the Art Barn for the first time in 3 weeks, and whipped up 2 Raglan tops that I'd cut out earlier, and took some photos of the new Yo-Yo necklaces!


Here's Ana in one of the new tops; She's so pretty! She helped me re-discover some good thrift shop finds in the Barn that I'll be recycling soon.


Here are the new necklaces; I'm very torn, should I list these on Etsy or hold them for the Block Party in July?? Go Figure Consignment and the other businesses on the block have been feeling like the ugly stepsister of the Short North lately. Even though they're all members, they never get featured and events never seem to make it all the way north to them. And they're really not that far! So July 21st they're having a block party, staying open late, and we'll have some Red Panty Models roaming the block in new fashions! Yay!

More uses for Yo-Yo's!

Much as I enjoy making pretty yo-yo headbands, I wondered if there wasn't something else I could do with them! and the answer is....YES!


I made 2 sample necklaces and took them down to Go Figure yesterday with the new tops, and Sherri was still wearing the green one when I left! I guess I'll be making more, and also listing them soon on Etsy!

I'm a travelling Gal!

This week is a busy one; took Dear Daughter to Wooster today to pick up equipment for her archaeological dig which starts THURSDAY!!! YAY!!

Tomorrow I go to Newark to interview for an exhibit of my quilts at a lovely new art space....wish me luck!


Wednesday I buzz to the Short North to see Sherri at Go Figure, and I'm taking a few new items that I just finished today. I love the raglan pattern, it's so comfortable, very flattering!

Where are You going this week??

Careful what you wish for!

....because you might get it with a vengeance! Was it a mere 7 days ago I was bemoaning the constant rain? Now what do we have....muggy, super warm, no relieving rain yet! Oh well!

On the other hand, I HAVE received blessings on the financial side! I made another sale on Etsy, and completed a commissioned Red Panty top, too! My ebay selling has stayed solid, and my spirits are up, hoping to avoid the greeter job at Walmart!

I'm inspired to work again in the Art Barn, making more Red Panty tops for both the Etsy shop and Go Figure Consignment in the Short North. Sherrie and I have an appointment set to talk about another Fashion Show....we need a bigger Venue! and that's the tough part.

I've found some fun skirts at the thrift recently and can't wait to rip 'em apart for something new.

What are YOU having fun with?

Working for a living

ugh, after a lovely Thursday, and a promising start to today, it's raining again! It could definitely be worse; there are so many counties under flood watches and warnings, and I'm dry for the moment!

This month is starting off well; I'll be working every single day for the next 2 weeks, which means extra hours in the paycheck before the museum closes for the summer and I start to panic about how I'm going to pay my bills. I think I will have enough to pay my bills through June without having to start a summer job!

On the plus side, my ebay sales are improving: I find the more items I have listed at a time, the better I usually sell. Also, I started raising my prices a bit last month, and do you know, I think I'm selling more? Maybe it is all about perceived value; I've heard craftsmen selling at festivals say that when they raise prices, they sometimes sell more. If something is priced too low, people think it must be subpar.

Also, I sold a Red Panty top yesterday on Etsy; I feel giddy with happiness! I think my clothing are a hard on-line sell; they are all so individual, so unique, and half the pleasure comes in trying them on and seeing how they feel on your own body. So for some in Maine to take a leap of faith and purchase one of my tops really makes me feel great and nervous at the same time. Hoping they like it when it arrives!

In honor of the rain, I snapped some pics of the retaining wall behind the museum; the moss and lichen fairly glow in the drizzle, and I just think it so beautiful!

New recycled Top for ME!

I realize I've got oodles of sewing to do for my Red Panty Line, tops that are cut out and just waiting to be brought to life. However, I wasted away Sunday and realized that I needed a new top just for ME!

So I combined a big shapeless linen dress and a graphic t shirt, and came up with this!

I really love it, the linen is a sort of gold color, and the pretty lady on the T shirt needed a new home.




Now maybe I can get back to work on RP stuff. And yes, that is a new haircut.....I'm cutting out the color, and going to my natural gray....that way the Purple dye will look every so much more shocking!

Logos and Labels

Thank goodness when I hired an internet designer to create the Red Panty Designs logo years ago, I thought to pay her to own the Copyright for the design!

I ordered my Hang Tags and Clothing Labels from her, but the last time I tried, she's apparently closed her business. I had, however, paid her for the copyright to the design, so that I could use it myself however I wished and not have to pay her for usage each time!

So, here's my first try at printing out some Clothing labels myself. Not nearly as nice as the ones she did for me, but nice and servicable!

I think Spring has Sprung!

I can see pink and green buds all over the place! and I finally saw some forsythia blooming here in town.....yay!

It looks like spring in the Art Barn, too: I finished a dozen yo-yo headbands, more of the Ruffle tops, and this pretty green Raglan top....I was VERY tempted to keep it for myself! I found a top and pants from the Willow label at the thrift, they're linen, and the pants had these pockets near the hemline. Add some nice black knit for sleeves, and voila!

Spring 2011 - It's Here!

Yay! I know, it's been so long, maybe I forgot to post to my blog? I've just been busy sewing my fingers to the bone! I've got a new style for 2011 (actually, I've featured it earlier, but I'm doing it again) and some pretty spring colors, too!

Here are a couple of the spirit-lifting colors. I'm doing these in 3 sizes, too, so everyone gets to have fun.


Here's Sherri at Go Figure Consignment, when I dropped off a fresh batch....she's modelling the new Raglan styled top, recycled from a thrifted skirt. I don't think she's going to take it off, either!

Tonight I'm watching South Park and hand sewing some scrap yo-yo headbands for the shop.