Thanks to my Twitter friends...

I'm featured in another blog, Nana's Gift Nook! This week she did a presentation on 30 fabulous fiber artists found on Twitter.



There's my Twitter avatar, with that silly Banff squirrel popping in on me. How'd he get there?! *wink*

I feel so honored to be included amongst these amazing artists. You should check them out, right after you visit my shop! *grins*

If the video moves too quickly for you, you can also download the pdf, which includes live links to the artists.

Marie Antoinette Frilly Wristlet Featured!

My little wristlet has been featured as item of the week at Sunspot Hemp Wears Blog! A big thanks to Kali for choosing it! Go check out her blog to see previous items of the week including a yummy body scrub and a crocheted purse.

One Free Week at the Vintage Pattern Archives!

I just learned about this, so I'm passing it on to you!

Want to research the roaring 20's era fashion? Are you interested in the clothing style depicted on Mad Men? You can go take a look at patterns from those periods for free!

The University of Rhode Island is allowing FREE access to their Commercial Pattern Database for a whole week, starting Wednesday, August 19th, and lasting through Tuesday, August 24th. This database contains pattern designs and, when available, small scale pattern illustrations for more than 45,000 patterns dating from 1868 through 2000.

In order to access the database for this free trial, one must login as "guest." The password is "pattern." To search the database, choose the "search" link at the top of the page and then choose your criteria from the scrolling boxes. Should you need assistance with using the database, instructions are available.

Thanks to Kathleen of Fashion Incubator for getting the word out!

Frilly Marie Antoinette Wristlet Done!

I put the finishing touches on it tonight!

You can see more photos of it in my shop. I've got to get to bed now because I'm sleep deprived, but I hope you all have a great Tuesday!

Pledge: Wardrobe Refashion

Ok, I finally did it. I took the wardrobe refashion pledge. Starting on September 1, I will not buy any new article of clothing OR ACCESSORIES, excepting shoes and underthings (as stated in the rules, below). I don't buy that many new clothes anymore, anyway, but I haven't made any in a while, either. I do have plans for a few skirts, tops and dresses. I just always feel the need to craft things for others, first! I will try to make something for myself in the next few months, and share it with the Wardrobe Refashion community. I will post there once weekly, to show what I'm working on. This may not always be something for myself, however! I do have a few bags I've promised to family as gifts which I need to get truckin' on!

The Rules

• 1.
  No buying new! (handmade is excepted; So this allows for Etsy purchases etc!!) All clothing must be Recycled, Renovated, Preloved or Thrifted, or Handmade only for the term. Employment related and special needs clothing (ie sports, school), shoes and undies are excepted from the rules, although you are encouraged to have a go at making these.
• 2.
  In extreme circumstances, maybe a special event, or the worlds greatest and most amazing never to be repeated sale that you simply can not pass up, you may use the Get out of Refashionista Jail Free card. You are able to use this card once during the 2 month part of your contract; ie 1 for 2 months, 2 for 4 months etc. Of course you need to fess up on the blog and display the button!
• 3.
  You must post on the blog at least once a week to let the community know what you've been up to. This will not only give you brag points, but inspire and encorouge others! Of course you need to display the button on your blog and have copied the pledge in at least one post, and provide a link to your pledge under the button.
• 4.
  You need to be honest and admit when you've fallen off the Refashionista Wagon! Go directly to Refashionista Jail, do not pass GO and do not collect $200! Apply for parole once there.

The Pledge

I, _Megan Harris_ pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!

Signed,

Flowers and a bag!

This past week I've been a busy girl! I sold my first bag and a few vintage patterns. *insert happy dance here*

I've also been crafting quite a bit. Last weekend, I bought Crafty Pod author Diane Gilleland's book, Kanzashi In Bloom. Her step-by step photo illustrations and concise instructions make this book very easy to follow, and encouraged me to dive right in!


Below are her book and my first two victim, er... volunteer fabrics!

Here are my first three blooms. The top (all red) uses the pleated petal technique, the dark flower is folded in the rounded petal style, and the dual-colored bloom is a mix of rounded and pointed petals.

I'm still busy finishing up a few bags, so I haven't finished and embellished them yet, but I will soon, and I'll make some more colorful friends for them to hang out with!

Speaking of which, here's one of those bags in process. I'm defining it as an "art bag." It will be a wristlet, but it's my first, and I'm making it up as I go. I knew I wanted something pretty and a bit frilly when I picked the little fabric scraps out of my stash. The flower and ribbon fabric was from a friend who was giving away some of her scraps. It's just darling, isn't it? It turns out that this fabric was actually a fabric sample from a little French Linens shop here in town. It made me feel extra good about this purse to know that I was re-using something that otherwise might have gone in the trash.



I decided I wanted to throw some purple in there, so I quilted the bottom in a harlequin-style diamond pattern. I also used up the last of the purple ribbon that decorated my SIL's purse.



The lace I recently found at a former gas station now crammed full of estate sale finds in a tiny little town 15 miles north of me. It just screamed, "Put me on the frilly wristlet!"

Ok! Ok! Who am I to say no? Sheesh!



The pearls and the ribbon wanted to be part of this particular pretty, so there they are, on the little wristlet. The pearl buttons were from a vintage lot of buttons I purchased a while ago on Ebay.

I've got to get back to it, so thanks for reading, and ta ta for now!

Patterns!

I stopped by my friend's house the other day and she hooked me up with some really cool vintage patterns!

McCall's 7854 c. 1949

McCall's 7414 c. 1948

McCall's 4302 c. 1957

Advance 9970 - Straight up Jackie O, folks

Butterick 2735 - Soooo Mad Men!

I'm still giddy over these finds. I haven't listed these in my shop yet, but you can find others!

Pack Your Bags zippy pouch now in shop!

I just put a new bag up in my shop, a "Pack Your Bags" zippy pouch. Go check it out!

(Edited 08/12/09: This bag has been sold! Check back soon for more faboo bags in the works!)

Camping, Beach & Allergies

Ok guys- I know I haven't posted in awhile. I took a vacation from my day job, and the vacation slopped over to a vacation from posting, as well!

So in the last few weeks I've been doing many things. First it was camping:

Camping at Champoeg State Park

Then we went to the beach with our friends for my birthday weekend. We stayed in Lincoln City at the Ester Lee Motel & Cabins. It turned out to be quite nice. We had a load of fun playing Apples to Apples, Mad Gab, and little pirate board game my husband and I picked up a few years back.

On the beach at Lincoln City with T, C & Tonka goggie.

No, I'm not frowning, I'm concentrating on my stitching.

Our view of the beach from the room we rented with our friends. Ok, we did splurge a bit for my birthday weekend.

In between camping and the beach, I underwent allergy testing because I am fed up with vertigo and migraines, and I'm finally doing something about it. My husband and I think the migraines may be partially due to my sinus problems, and my sinus problems most likely stem from allergies. Well, we were right that I have allergies. No, I won't show you pictures of the ginormous welts on my arms, because I didn't take any.

So, it turns out that I'm allergic to grass. I live in Eugene, which is part of Lane county, and is situated in the Willamette Valley. Guess what title the Willamette Valley gets? You got it - "Grass Seed Capitol of the World." You don't have to trust me on that, you can go ahead and google it. I'm so freaking thrilled.