Journal

I  keep a handwritten journal about this blog.  I made it out of random pieces of 8 1/2" by 11" paper that I had put together into a spiral notebook.  Most of them are blank or with very little writing on them (to leave room for my own, of course) but are interspersed with pages made from pizza parlor menus, children's doodles, pages cut from discarded books, an out-of-date atlas and photocopies of my hands.  I saw a journal like this one at a stationary store for about $25.00 and was inspired to make my own.  Once I had assembled all the pages from different colored paper, stationary and all the other miscellaneous pieces that I had collected, I took it to Kinkos and got it made into a spiral notebook for about $5.00.  I like the way the detritus of everyday life intersects  and connects with my creative musings...

Exchanging Sleeves

This morning  I was weeding through some of my clothes when I came across two shirts that I like but don't wear very often, so I  put them in my giveaway pile. They didn't stay there long (nothing ever does).  The red flannel shirt had these unusual gathered sleeves that I really liked so I wanted to use them for something.  I decided to cut the sleeves off of the flannel shirt and exchange them for the short sleeves of the puppy t-shirt to make a whole new shirt.  I also cut the collar off of the flannel shirt and tried wearing it loose around my neck at the same time.  With scissors, pins and sewing machine I put it altogether and have been happily wearing my new creation all day!

In Jacksonville. FL

I am in Jacksonville, FL visiting my dear friend Annuel.  Yesterday we took a long walk on the beach and then hit the thrift stores in town.  This is an outfit that I got at the Salvation Army - a black polka dot skirt and a red polka dot top - one of those one piece shirt/ vest combinations - very vintage.  I changed in the car so that Annuel could take my picture in front of one of the best Salvation Army signs that I've ever seen!

Alice in Wonderland

     Dressed for the movie in a set of teapot and teacup earrings, lots of frills and pink and black striped tights!

Pippi and me

These are some new tights that my adorable husband, Jeffrey, gave to me that I am wearing  with a pair of leather boots that I got at a Goodwill in Northampton, MA for only $3.00!  Pippi insisted on being in the picture too...

Buttons

Buttons are an essential part of my creative experiments.  I put them on  everything - from shoes to dog collars. Over the years I have amassed quite a collection.  I find them at thrift stores, yard sales and junk stores.  But the best way to get buttons is to have people give them to you.  When my acquaintances see how many things I do with them they often remember an old tin full of buttons buried in a cabinet somewhere and offer it to me.  They are happy to have them used for something and I often make a bracelet or pair of earrings in return.  If you let people know that you need them, the buttons will come...

For the shoes, I glued all the buttons on with Amazing Goop and for the dog collars, I hand sewed them on with a heavy duty needle and thread.

Sunday Brunch

 

Dressed for Sunday brunch at Pecan in Tribeca.  I made the skirt and the earrings.

Pockets

I bought this plain bag on sale for $15 at Urban Outfitters but I desperately needed pockets for organizing keys, glasses, cell phone and lipstick.  I cut the back pockets off some old blue jeans in a random shape and, using embroidery floss, I stitched them onto the bag in a deliberately irregular style.  The fraying edges just add to the "folk art" charm.

 

Here is another bag that I added pockets to.  I cut off the bottom border of an already embroidered velvet scarf and hemmed the edges.  After folding it in half I used a sewing machine to divide it into two pockets.  Then I hand sewed the top edge to the bag.

Rick Rack

I collect rick rack.  It makes me smile.  It comes in all different sizes and colors and is easy to sew or glue onto anything - it even goes around in circles with ease.  Traditionally it is used as an edging, but the best thing that I ever did with it was decorate this acrylic cardigan.  I used two colors of the same size and sewed it on in a swirling meandering pattern all over the front and back of the sweater.  It reminds me of those diagrams for ballroom dancing, but without the footprints.  Whenever I wear it,  people comment on it.  I take that opportunity to ask them if they know what it is.  The over 40 crowd usually does, but the younger crowd needs to be educated.  I consider it my cause to enlighten them on its delightful moniker.  Rick rack.  Its also a good name for a cat!

This is my collection of rick rack that I glued onto a table runner and a pillar candle.