Create 365 - The Angel Wing Peter Pan Collar

Here is my first creation!  As mentioned in my previous blog post, I plan to create something new every day this year (ambitious, I know..I hope you'll all keep me on track ;)  I've decided to call the project "Create 365".

I woke from a dead sleep this morning to draft the pattern for this angel wing peter pan collar necklace and purchased the supplies on my way home from work.    It's made from white felt, white feathers stitched on in rows, a vintage rhinestone button and it closes with a silver chain.  Looks like the creative process is already working!

Hugs and Smooches,
D

First Love

I'm passionate about vintage.  I love the stories behind the garments.  I love that it's unique.  I love that it allows me to dress each day to suit my mood.  However, it is not my first love..

The Gatsby Necklace

My first love has always been creating.  It doesn't matter if it's sewing a new dress, painting, knitting, or writing.  So long as it goes directly from my imagination and comes straight to life in my hands.

For a long time, while my children were young, I considered it an indulgence.  I forgot how happy it made me just to putter around with a paint brush in my hand, or to be able to whip up a new top when I got tired of my old ones.

The Moulin Rouge Necklace

Recently, I've had the pleasure of being able to rediscover that happiness, and to share it with my girls.  I've started making things using my old skills, sewing dresses or sketching, and I've begun learning new skills, like creating jewelry out of mixed media.

The Birds of a Feather Necklace

And I am oh so happy.  When I'm making something, I sometimes catch myself humming a cheerful tune under my breath, or smiling to myself.  I can't wait to share some of my new items with you all in my shop.  I hope they make you smile too :)

Hugs and Smooches,
D

Signature Style Project- Shopping Safari!

The advent of the camera phone is a beautiful thing.  I am a very visual person and I LOVE being able to snap a picture of something that inspires me so I can refer back to it later!

This especially comes in handy when you are trying to build a signature look (and it's a fun way to spend an afternoon without spending a lot of money!) 

The idea is to head out to some of your local shops, the mall, even craft stores and collect inspiration!  If you see an outfit that's been put together in a shop display, take a picture.  If a fabric speaks to you, take a picture.  If you see something that seems totally unrelated to fashion ( a book cover, a color, a piece of furniture) but something about it appeals to you, take a picture!  You can decipher the information you gather later ;)

Here are a few of the photographs I collected on my last shopping excursion:

Cute addition to a cardigan, especially with a grouping of other "like" items.

I liked the detail of the metal, but not the plastic "jewels".  I plan to pop them out and cover them in different fabrics, then replace them in the bracelet so you can see the fabric through the pattern.

This is an old victrola horn, but I love the colors and shape..  Might be fun to do a trumpet skirt along these lines.

Colors!

I like the concept of these scarves.  Would be cute to do a valentine scarf with heart shapes..

This was a fun quilted mini dress with big pockets..of course I bought it ;)

Loved the texture of this vintage cardigan.  Might weave a burgundy velvet ribbon through it as a trim and change the buttons.

I buy vintage lingerie every time I come across it..

..and then I dye it ;)

Not a fan of the hat, but love the decoration.

Like the idea of a cluster of these like a "corsage" on a dress

Would make a pretty addition to a hat.

Love this trim..maybe as a headband?

Hugs and Smooches,
D