:: {slightly odd} musings ::

The weather has been going back and forth, forth and back, for the past two weeks. It is now starting to affect my head on a daily basis! I woke up this morning with the distinct impression that I had cotton stuffed between my ears… which has made my morning a rather muddled, and entertaining mess (thank goodness for to-do lists!)! hehe! So I apologize in advance if this post is a wee bit… well… out of it. lol.

I relaxed all weekend; which was nice after the ups and downs of the previous week. I try not to get into personal matters on this blog, but let’s suffice to say that we had a situation with an extended family member, taking up a good deal of emotional energy. Its been stressful for my parents especially, so I’ve been having to step in and “hold down the fort” as my daddy likes to say. hehe. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this week will be just a wee less dramatic. So, as a result, I feel rather bad that I don’t have a ton of exciting things to blog about this morning. But I hope you will understand…

I have been doing some reading–non-school reading! Hurrah! On Saturday afternoon, my sweet mum surprised me with my own copy of Bead Simple. Thank you, Mom!! I am now plotting what to make next… and being quite bad spending time searching through Etsy’s wonderfully-tempting bead supply category. I already made a few little purchases. hehe! But I’m trying to be a little good, and “go shopping” through my collection of vintage jewelry that I don’t wear often.

I’m also reading the utterly inspiring and delightfully-written Anti 9 to 5 Guide by Michelle Goodman (per Kate’s recommendation). I haven’t gotten terribly far in it yet, but the first chapter has made me feel quite a bit more at ease about my seeming “inability” to stay motivated working a normal job. hehe! I shall have a full review when I’m done!

Something I wanted to share with you all; a super-simple project that is perfect for adding a bit of sweetness to any outfit! Last week, in a fit of needing some new, pretty accessory for one of my “tried and true” outfits, I pulled out some antique dress trim and whipped up this little bow pin:

Its made from an antique, 1880s dressing gown I purchased years ago (the photo is of an art project that I showed last spring in the school-wide art show, in which I used this gown). Its falling apart, but the moire ribbons are still largely intact. Which means perfect for salvaging and reusing! Just stitched together and to a pin back, it makes for a quick, and interchangeable little bit of flair for any outfit! I’m thinking perhaps I need to make one up in a piece of wide lace as well–and maybe one of my favorite, vintage cotton prints (with the edges unfinished–just so it doesn’t get too time consuming and complicated!). Do you have any favorite, quick and easy tricks to liven up an outfit? Do share!!

Now for this week’s Vintage Monday feature! This is from a 1947 pattern catalog in my collection, which I am constantly referencing for ideas! Just look at the sweet ruffles and shirring along the skirt! Would be so pretty in a modern dress too, I think–perhaps with a more modern fabric or even something like a knit!

Keep an eye out for the first Nifty Thrift post later this afternoon! I’m so excited to launch a week-long thrift-love fest!

Have a lovely Monday, my dears!!!

Cheers!

[

:: hurrah! its friday! ::

First things first: Today is the last day to sign up for the Creative Cacaphony Swap! Be sure to email me by this evening (with the information outlined here) so I can add you to the list. I’ve been quite surprised by the enthusiastic response–I think its going to be loads of fun!

Alas, I still haven’t attached the ruffle to the dress. It’s turned out to be one of those weeks, where everything is just zooming by far to fast. hehe! Not that I mind, but I am definitely spending some serious time with my machine this weekend… once I finish leftover homework, that is! However, I have gotten some creating done! I checked out Bead Simple from the library yesterday (after Tricia posted a glowing review), and managed to try out a few things with my stash of vintage bits and bobs collecting dust. lol. I made this super-simple, but very pretty, necklace using some odd chain I had and about fifteen minutes of time while making dinner. I’m itching to try out a pair of earrings, or perhaps another necklace!

I must, unfortunately, keep this post short; I’ve got a to-do list nearly a mile long! hehe. Take care, my friends; enjoy the links and have a simply wonderful weekend!!!

♥ such pretty, simple garments @ nooy [ via ]
♥ how to properly rip out sewn seams
♥ an artist we briefly talked about in Design History
♥ to die-for vintage [ via ]
♥ interview with Maira Kalman!
♥ save polaroid. ‘nuff said
♥ alana davis’s beautiful photography [ via ]

Cheers!

[

 

:: the inspiration is palpable ::

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I have been so inspired lately by everything around me. Books. Music. Textures. Flickr friends. Its kinda insane; my brain is on overdrive, and I feel I can’t pull the ideas out of my head fast enough before they become lost in the jumble!

If you were to open my sketchbooks, you’d be more likely to find a mish-mash of pasted cut outs, technical drawings, letter-faces I sketch, and a jumble of other odds and ends than any fine art. (Which leads me once again to believe my art professor who told me I’d never be a fine artist–but was more suited to design. That is a whole ‘nother post though!)

I like to pick apart designs that intrigue me: be it fashion, architecture, interior design, photography, or type (just to name a few). Which is probably why I have taken to cutting out so many pictures and doing little doodles of basic ideas. It is the notes next to the images that is where I really start to think. Pattern schematics, measurements, variation ideas, trims, fabrications, paint colors, etc. come alive on the pages. The little cahier I brought home from the National Gallery trip last week has been earmarked for my latest slew of springtime fashion ideas and inspirations! Here is a wee peek at some of the pages I have been filling up:

Yes, most of the images are from Anthropologie! I have a serious addiction, evidenced by over three years of catalogs I’ve saved:

Quite, quite bad, don’t you think? *giggle*

And look what yummy-inspiring book arrived in the mail yesterday:

I have been dying to get my hands on Claire McCardell by Kohle Yohannan for years. I was really sad to find out it was out of print, and both Amazon and Alibris were listing used copies at astronomical prices. So, after bidding on a couple copies over the past few months on Ebay (and loosing), I finally got one for less than $10!! Only thing that is “wrong” with it is the dust jacket is missing. But I hate dust jackets, so that isn’t a problem. lol. Now I have a whole book of inspiration from my favorite, American designer!! Hurrah!!!

Speaking in inspiring music, I have to share this new music I discovered yesterday evening while watching a pod on CurrentTV: Radical Face is just amazing. I love the sounds, the haunting sing-song style! I am dying to dow It fits in very nicely with the rest of my current creativity playlist.

I’m off to do some productive things with myself today. And wait around for my sweetheart to call. I got a surprise phone call late yesterday night from him; after three weeks of not hearing his voice it was so good. I got that silly, butterflies-in-the-tummy feeling when I picked up my phone and saw who it was! I’m still smiling today.

Have a lovely afternoon, my friends!!!

Cheers!

[ a rather ’70s look; what do you think? (Ignore the fact that I look depressed in this photo… rofl!)

 

:: vintage inspiration… old school style ::

I promised you all I would show you my latest book treasures, didn’t I? One I thrifted the other day, and the other came via eBay; but both are about vintage clothing!! (I first want to apologize for the appalling quality on some of the photos of the books; my camera does not like taking photos of black and white photos! hehe!)

[ more photos on my flickr ]

The first is Vintage Chic by Harriet Love (1982), which I found at the thrift store for $1. More of a book about sourcing vintage clothing (which is making me drool over the still-wide selection of vintage on the market then!), it has some lovely pictures and suggestions for incorporating vintage into your wardrobe. The text is peppered with loads of black and white photos of vintage clothing being worn in fun and creative ways. I love the fact that over 25 years after publication, self-expression through clothing is more acceptable than ever before, and some of the looks are still very contemporary (at least for me; but then I tend to favor the ‘80s romantic look a wee bit!).

[ more photos on my flickr ]

The second treasure is probably my hands-down favorite of the two. I have to thank the lovely Tara who posted about The Yestermorrow Clothes Book (Diana Funaro, 1976) recently. I rarely am subject to impulse buys in the book department, but after seeing the beautiful photos Tara posted, I had to have this book!! hehe! While it talks a bit about acquiring vintage garments for your wardrobe (a “few dollars” for a thrifted ‘40s dress?! If only it were still true! lol.), most of the book is devoted to alteration of your vintage finds. I love the whole “diy” vibe of this book; and am already finding much of the advice for revamping or repurposing a piece of clothing quite valuable. Things like: recutting a sweater, different ways to take shoulders in (taking in extended, ‘80s shoulders anyone?), and even making garments from other textiles. Very, very fun!!

One of the things I really appreciate about both books is making the idea of wearing vintage attainable. So many of the contemporary books I’ve read on the subject spend a lot of time talking about how hard it is to find pieces, how to bid successfully on eBay, and buying only perfect designer garments. While there is a place for all these, frankly most of the time I want creative ideas for how to beautifully incorporate vintage into my daily life, as well as repair and refashion pieces that are less-than-perfect!

[ working on my sketchbook this afternoon... ]

I’m now thinking of new ways to thrift–since many of these concepts extend to thrifted garments too. Being a bit more adventurous when I come across a “damaged” garment, or something whose style I don’t fully like. Although I do a little bit of refashioning now, it helps to push my boundaries a bit more–and be more willing to actually do the work involved. And what better year for me to start?

[ spring wardrobe planning!! ]

Hope you are having a lovely, creative weekend!! I’m off to break out my new watercolors and do a wee bit of painting (before I must work on the dreaded Algebra homework…).

Cheers & Creativity,
♥ Casey [ email me ]