Even if I couldn't find my charcoal and pencils and sketchbook before getting there, and had to use an old handmade scrappy sketchbook and the pens in my purse.
Even if I didn't win any prizes because the artists at the event were amazing.
And because I didn't do a good job with incorporating "voodoo" as a theme anyway. (I was disappointed to find I'd already done Nona's hair and couldn't make her Marie Laveau. Instead, it looks like she's trying to feel her up. Oh boy.)
Kat at the Sew Weekly Circle did it again! She helped organize a pattern swap for members of the Circle recently, and of course I had to partake!
Sandy Vojta, of Harlem Homestead, whose Halloween costume you must go see, got my name. It was not even a week since we were to send our patterns that mine arrived in the mail! And let me say "WOW!"
The collar is mind-boggling, and the pattern is super cool! Sandy has challenged me to lower the neckline, but I'm almost imagining the collar going on that scooped back. What do you think?
I've never sewn on something so fancy, but Sandy assures me it's quite easy. Here's hoping I do it justice and don't botch it in the process. That would be shameful.
Cool part is that I have the perfect fabric for the dress and collar, I think, with that green curtain you see in the picture. My friendly neighbor gave me the curtains to use in a sewing project, so I will be happy to give it a good second life.
I must admit that I did not take pictures of the patterns that I sent to my drawn partner (the lovely Charlotte Powell-Brooks). The last time I did a swap, I took tons of pictures, but then my package took forever to arrive in Australia and I just never did a post on what I sent. To summarize, I sent her three vintage patterns roughly her size. I think I sent one each of the 90s, 80s, and 70s. But I may be wrong. I will post a picture if/when she posts one of what I sent.
I also sent her some vintage 40's fabric with cherries and rectangles on it. And some little moose/reindeer card or picture holders (they're hiding in the back of her picture). Quite cute.
And as an only slightly related statement, I must say I'm eyeing up some fancy silk over at Charlotte's Etsy shop. It would go well this pattern, too, I think.
Christmas has come a tad early in the House of Seeks.
I have to say, Shabby Apple really knows how to get me to agree to almost anything that they say. They say, "jump!" I'll likely jump. A lot.
So, when they say, "Choose your favorite Shabby Apple dress and drool over it on the internetz' public space so you can get a $10 gift certificate for our shop", well then. I'm sold. I mean, bought. Or something.
The great thing about Shabby Apple is not just that the dresses are really stylin' but that they continue to expand on their collections and selections and colors and themes and wonders. In trying to choose my top pick, I realized just how many of their collections I missed out on. I think I could spend almost as much time perusing Shabby Apple as I manage to spend perusing Sock Dreams. (That's way too much, for those unfamiliar.) So, it's hard to really choose a favorite dress and feel settled on it. My initial knee jerk favorite is this lovely:
So, I'm a huge fan of the polka dot and the pencil skirt, but I have to admit that it was really the name that got me. Not realizing that it's a reference to a huge dance festival in the Berkshires, I was intrigued by the name. Because I just got myself a Jacob's pillow of my own.
Almost a year ago, my younger brother Jacob passed away unexpectedly. A friend of the family offered to take shirts of his and make us all pillows with them (that's a lot of pillows, folks). It was just this past month that she was able to bring them by my parents' home for each of us to choose our favorite.
Here's mine:
(And as a side note: what a great refashion idea in general!!)
Funnily enough, when I chose it, I didn't think it would match my home decor, having forgotten that I apparently only have grey pillows. In truth, I had chosen this pillow almost strictly on the grounds of the awesome pockets. It seemed so cozy to me. Begging to be hugged, just like my brother--everyone wanted to hug him. Trust me, he was good at the hugging.
I would have such a lovely nap here, if only I had a cozy shirt-pillow.
In reading the description of the dress (and let's get another shot of this sweet thing), I felt like the inspiration for this dress was very much in the spirit of my brother too. The designer had gone off for a weekend of relaxation in the Berkshires, and after a classical concert came across the following:
It was a group of young musicians gathered around a camp fire--three of them with their violins out sawing away at an Irish reel, the rest making novice attempts at contra dancing, much to their own amusement. I watched from a short distance, their joy and abandon intoxicating, before someone in the line noticed me. A girl of about 20 came skipping out of the line over in my direction, and, without a word, grabbed my hand, pulling me into the dance.Abandoning all the city girl in me, I joined them, sashaying and curtsying and do-si-do-ing until I couldn't stop laughing and had to take a rest...
My brother loved the fiddle, and he and I often liked to try playing together. Neither of us were very good, but we learned quickly and fell in love with the idea of learning to play. It was supposed to have been him who would have played the processional (Pachelbel's Canon) at my other brother's wedding in May. Instead, my cousins and I performed in his place.
After his funeral, we all gathered at my aunt and uncle's and had a similar gathering as the designer describes: bonfire, fiddle music, banjo, dancing, singing, whooping, and laughing. Because that was Jacob.
All in all, it seems to add up. In time for the Day of the Dead, when I get to honor those who have gone before me, I have an opportunity to connect with my brother in the most unexpected of places. So, as morbid as it may be, how could this dress not be my favorite??
For those of you unfamiliar with one of my favorite signs of Halloween's approach, let me introduce you to Sockmonkey Drawer's Spooky Monkey collection. These are hand-sewn, highly detailed, quality sock-ghouls that come out every year. Each one is unique and amazing!
Back-chopped!
I'd spend more time talking about how much I love them, but they sell really fast. The pirate and lumberjack are already gone. So I'm posting this now. Go look, fall in love, and buy one of these amazing pieces of art!
My Favorite: Leon the Chameleon
I love his maggots!
I'll show off mine later. ;)
Again, I was not asked by Kimlan (the artist) to post. I just love her work. And these monkeys.
I have been contemplating my Halloween costume only as though it were a whiff of candy corn on an autumn breeze on a blustery day. Briefly, half-mindedly, and without much hope of coming to a productive conclusion.
But I have been contemplating getting dressed up for some friends' wedding reception Halloween weekend like I think about food: frequently, ardently, and excitedly. Almost obsessed. Because food is damn good. And so is dressing up for a worthwhile occasion.
There are plans in the works, but in the process I got to return to something I have found myself intrigued by over the past couple years: fascinators. Not the boxy odd ones at the royal wedding, but the feathery, whimsical, romantic ones that remind me of the Roaring Twenties, exotic Frazetta princesses (though I don't think any of them would wear even that much), and First Peoples.
Here are some of my favorites from my trawling of Etsy:
Ummmm, I could totally just post her whole site on here and still feel like I should show you more. But I realize that some of that is just my own obsession. Her work is neat, detailed, and tastefully constructed. The felt backings are heart shaped, the feathers hand curled. I'm pretty sure she makes her flowers by hand too, but I didn't ask. She evens knows to get headbands that don't hurt. I always get headaches with headbands, but hers are quite comfortable!
I was able to meet up with Kolleen, the artist of Design by Night, tonight and peruse her wares. First, I'd like to let you ladies know that the Etsy shop doesn't even begin to cover the work she does. Second, it's all good. And third, I've gotten my fascinator for my reception outfit. I won't ruin the surprise, as part of the fun of dress up is the reveal. But I expect pictures to be forthcoming. :)
In the meantime, you should check out Kolleen's blog with her upcoming shows, tutorials, and products! Ugh. I am so going to be spending way too much money.
And no, Kolleen doesn't know I'm writing this. I'm just giddy. Thanks, Kolleen!(I'll probably be calling you soon for another fascinator when I get paid again. Obsessed, I'm telling you!)
It got me thinking about how in love I am with Irregular Choice shoes. They have a strange mix of vintage and whimsical and loud sentiments. Like Katherine Hepburn met Tim Burton in the court of Louis XIV. And I eat that stuff up. Now if only I grew some money to keep up with my appetites.
So here's some eye/foot candy. Which is so much better than foot-mouth disease.
I feel as though in the past week or two, I've seen more string art coming up than I have seen since elementary school. I even saw a tired old string art eagle at the antique mall on Sunday, which I should have taken a picture of, but had not thought of it until now.
Either way, I love it! I cannot say I fully understand the resurgence or the fact that everyone seems now to be noticing. It's like an old slang term all of a sudden became popular again. Or should I say, "hip" again? (On further review, I wonder if it's just that *I'm* starting to notice it more, or that it's starting to show up more in the home than just art galleries.)
This past Saturday evening, I attended a launch party for GenXY Vintage, a DC vintage boutique and coffee shop. I had heard of the event through the Capital Area Fashion and Beauty Bloggers Group (DCFABB), and thought it would be a fun event to attend. And free. Free events always seem more appealing to me, for some reason. ;)
No matter how much I like these, I'd never be able to walk in them.
Now, my style sensibilities these days have been veering towards the early 20th century: the late 20s and early 30s, the 50s, and the 60s. So I was a little surprised (though certainly not disappointed!) at the type of vintage clothing that was being showcased at the event: more 60s, 80s, 90s. I think this can be one of those platforms in which we could debate what qualifies as vintage, but I have never felt the need to do so and won't partake now. I liked the clothes, no matter when they were from! In truth, the style was palpable among the guests; I felt a little dowdy comparatively speaking. But then, I suppose I'm not all that surprised: I have often found that I'm a little out of sync with much of fashion.
Amazing beadwork top!
If anything, I think it was a great reminder of just how much I enjoy the loud bright colors and daring combinations that vintage can offer. Who needs to be dowdy when they wear vintage? My wardrobe wheels are turning much more now... oh the options!
The owner of GenXY Vintage: Ashley Tyrus
It was also a pleasure to meet Ashley, the owner of GenXY Vintage: her enthusiasm and her energy were great! It was clear that she is very proud of her venture and determined to make it into a fun place to seek out in the DC area. And really, who can't appreciate a chance to shop vintage while getting to drink a nice cup of coffee? Or tea, I suppose. I'm not picky. If you can't make it to her DC shop, you can also shop her wares here! (No coffee or tea though.)
I love the range of models, and those tights, and that knit dress.
I'm such a shoe freak.
Color!!!!!
I love the bold and the class here.
I think I have a crush on that pink dress. Maybe I'll make a swing dress from a similar fabric?
Hoppin'!
My compulsive detail photo of future embellishment aspirations.
If you want to see more photos from the event, I'll post them up on Flickr. I have to say that the show gave me a great opportunity to play around with my camera; wallflowers should always carry around a camera. ;)
