When One Obsession Leads to Another

I thrift almost every week and I keep it somewhat of a game. I have a 10.00 limit.
I always go on half price days and I generally pick up stuff that I intend on making into something else.

Thrifting for me is not a matter of being cheap .. It has to do with the thrill of the hunt and the fact that I find relics of my childhood or other treasures I can't live without...I am a highly nostalgic person, and I respect items that have previous experience.



I have been picking up these 50's and 60's sewing and pattern making books at thrift stores here and there for a couple of months.
A few weeks ago, I really found one that got me thinking...



Most of my favorite things in my wardrobe are vintage...
What If: I got some vintage patterns...
(a lot of about 20, in my size, on ebay, still meeting my 10.00 limit, if you don't count shipping)....



And, use some of the great material available these days, and made "New Vintage" clothes?

Like This Jacket that I Finished Over the Weekend!! :







I used some hoarded Amy Butler Charm Parrot Tulip fabric from my stash..

(I noticed Sew Mama Sew has it in a pink version.)

Okay, never mind that I lack serious seamstress training.. I sew a bit, but I am mostly self taught ( despite my mom's best efforts.) I have stuck to easier, more self explanitory things, like simple dolls, pillows, curtains and cutting up t-shirts.

What was I thinking??? This is a hoot.. I am learning great finished seams, new techniques for installing zippers and buttonholes, what kind of interfacing you use on what kind of fabric, and how to alter a pattern and custom fit a garment. This is my new favorite thing to do ever...
I am going to post a garment every other week until my husband takes away my fabric shopping license or my crazy stash dries up. Just you wait!!!

sigh...

I * heart * sewing.....

Love Mail

I am so glad that way back when I started blogging Michelle told me to go check out Futuregirl's blog. It is amazing how fond you can become of someone even though you have never met face to face.. What is funny is, we could have met.. She spent a month working in the same place as my brother in law. We lived in San Francisco at the same time. Apparently even missing each other while we lived close by couldn't prevent us from finally being friends.. And Alice is a great person to be friends with..

Just look what she made for me!!!

The bag is so beautiful.

And filled with fantastic goodies: tiny handmade envelopes fron an anatomy book, and a heart keychain from the Mutter Museum near her home.


The anatomically correct heart patch with delicately dripping blood...


And it already fits perfectly into my wardrobe:


And it looks just right with the new skirt Michelle is teaching me to make!!!

Thanks, Alice!!!

Gung Hay Fat Choy

Happy Year of the Piggie Everybody. As part of my resolution for the Other New Year, I decided I wanted to throw more parties.



Here is the party I have been planning.



Our Menu was:

Ginger Martinis, shrimp wraps, wonton wrapper chips and edamame, ( Japanese... I know.. but tasty.)

General Tsaos Chicken, Salmon in black bean sauce, Sesame Broccoli, Garlic Beans, Hoisin Tofu with Cabbage

Tea, tangerines, and fortune cookies



( I made these for the kids.. they are boxes I stuffed these with "snaps", confetti and a candy pig. They were inspired by some I saw at Castle In The Air where you can take a class in how to make them , it is one of my favorite places in Berkeley... and Ulla teaches classes there too..)

I did a sit down dinner for 19.. and I was a mad stir-frying fool. Almost didn't make it.



Had so much fun planning and had fun with the guests too.. But neglected to think of the chaos that would be created by having 4 dishes that had to be stir fried at the last minute in those kinds of quantities. But I had helpful guests, with a good senses of humour so we all ate, drank ginger martinis and were very happy.

Next time: Dinner will either be make ahead... or delivered!

And I am already thinking of the next shin dig..

Perhaps a garden party???? (With ALL the food prepared in advance.)

Anyone want to come?

Happy Valentine's Day

First and so appropriate today:

Thanks for all the Love from the Rice Bag. Shucks, Guys. A girl could get a great big head!! I am definitely going to make more hand bags from found items, it was so fun to do.

Here are some Love Craft Items to celebrate the day:



These were inspired by Martha.. Ya'll Know Martha, right?



These were for fun and exchange... and because i *heart * my new sewing machine.



This was from "Plush-O-Rama".. which you can get here. He is for my little sis, Amelia . Hope she like him. The teeth are a candy necklace. The funny thing about the dear little guy is he looks much happier when his tummy is full.
The design is by the famous and wonderful blogger, Rosa Pomar.. Love love love... the monster love.

The "Plush-o- Rama" monsters are a different sort of craft from what I am used to and I hope it is stretching my imagination a bit. I tend toward the detailed and these designs make me paint with a bigger brush. Stepping outside my weird little craft box, it's a good exercise and I love the crazy designs.

Gotta run... I am cleaning up for the Chinese New Year Dinner Party this weekend..
Tradition states everything is supposed to be clean.

dear god. I hope that doesn't count closets!!!!

Nice Twice with a Side of Rice

This is my Asian/Indian Fusion handbag.
Specially created for the recycled challenge for Whiplash for February.
( Category #1: Recycled standard household goods... and click on the photos.. they look better full sized.)



Burlap Basmati rice bag and bamboo chopsticks team up for a fashion accessory tribute to the food staple of billions.
"The perfect thing to carry when you scurry, for some curry."



I saved the burlap sack from a 10 lb bag of rice that it took us over 3 years to finish.
We bought the rice partially because we thought the bag was cool. I have long been a sucker for packaging , both lowbrow and high.
I have held onto the bag for 2 additional years after we polished of the grain. Apparently printed burlap holds a strong appeal for me... and clearly I won't be finishing off another bag of rice anytime soon.
I used a bit of it for a vest for a doll and I had the idea that it would also make a great handbag.




The handles are the chopsticks from my younger sister's Chinese themed bridal shower. Her home-made bridal dress was red, as are the bridal dresses of traditional Chinese brides .. hence our shower theme.



I have lots of scrap fabrics that I stripped off of backdrops while I worked on the display team of a department store.
The red velveteen used here was from a cosmetics display, stapled to cover a table top that held fragrance gift sets..
In fact, about 60% of my fabric stash has been previously stapled to something. Seasonal store displays can be a source of great riches that otherwise end up in the dumpster. Make friends with a display person. If you can work around small holes and some smudges, you can reap great recycled rewards.

The hinged keyrings, previously used as shower curtain rings, make this bag easily convertible to a sassy clutch bag. Just unhook the rings slide off the handles and you are good to go.

What was Recycled?

basmati rice burlap sack
post consumer department store holiday display velveteen
Chopsticks from a Chinese take-out Bridal Shower
hinged key rings previously used as used a shower curtain rings
express mail envelopes were used as a stiffener



What was New?

The thread and the grommets.

This was the first time I had ever made a handbag from my own pattern.
I really couldn't have been more excited, then flabbergasted,
then concerned, then excited, then proud.

Recycling rules.




PS: I wish this lovely item could be consider for the Reform School... but there is NO WAY I could eat enough rice to produce 10 of these bad boys.

Think Pink

Is it the dreary weather that we needed so badly that makes me covet bright colors?
Is it the Valentine Influence? No, I think it is my bedspread that belonged to Grandma Helen!



Look what it has inspired:


Pink Purchase, most prudent...


Pink Peg dolls I Painted...


Pink Puffy warm Fuzzys...


Pink Poppies I Planted..


Pink Paper I Purchased...


Pink Person I Posed....



Hope your days are in the pink!
and thanks for the lovely responses to my 6 things..