September fashion screensaver

(Click here to upload or print the September 2009 screensaver)

September’s calendar is inspired by our desire each fall to update and brighten up our wardrobes. Fashion whims are discovered through our feelings about the world, our dreams and our changing lifestyles. Sketched in this month’s screensaver is a DIY, re-constructed, denim jacket with hounds tooth check (sketched with faux fur, leopard shoes and a Coco belt) cuffs and collar from, naturally, my book ... Denim Revolution. I adore this jacket which was fun and easy to make. Sewing, re-fashioning cast-offs or new finds, mending, patching, playing with shapes and materials in individual ways, is very rewarding. You can make a difference in this world by your choices, by balancing your individuality and homemaking skills with new buys from favorite designers as you update your fall wardrobe and pack away the summer T’s. Updating your wardrobe is part of the process of giving a gust of positive energy to your outlook as you take on new challenges or set new goals for the upcoming year. Follow your urges and enjoy!

Recycle household plastics into chic photo-stands

If, like me you are always collecting and gathering special mementos - like postcards, photos and sketches - that inspire thoughts and memories of events or ideas that you want to remember or reflect on, ... then here is a easy and fresh way to display them around your home ---

The 3-step 3-minute DIY Process:

--Sort through your empty household plastic or cardboard containers;

--Choose the ones in the colors, patterns or textures you love, that will also sit level on your table or shelf;

--Cut a little slit (I used an exacto knife, so this is only for adults,) slightly angled toward the back, about an inch deep, and slip the postcard through it. Finito!

Once I started I kinda went crazy with all kinds of version. At the very top image, on the library mantle, I used blue and green water bottles cut down, with yogurt and can tops; and in the image just above, from the left -- a feta cheese container, upside down; the bright yellow top of a windex spray; the top of a starch spray can; and an upside down chocolate dessert container. The photo of the model in the denim skirt, by the way, is from my book, Denim Revolution, of the diy back to school projects -- "schoolgirl charm skirt and waist cincher." The version above from the left is the top of a whipped cream container, the chocolate dessert container, the spray top, and the feta cheese container.
And here is a carton that some pears came in, with a postcard of Mark Rothko contemplating his Seagram paintings.

Sewing pattern archive is open to the public for a one-week free trial

CoPA, the Commercial Pattern Archive database at the University of Rhode Island is offering a one week FREE trial to download their extensive collection of home sewing patterns. The login is: guest, and, the password is: pattern. Above is one of McCall's Rudi Gernreich pattern's from 1967, modeled by Peggy Moffitt! Do start by reading the instructions and then just search, lots to curl up and discover.

Easy summer pizza recipe - mozzarella and arugula

If , like me, cooking with fresh, simple, local ingredients is one of your great pleasures, then you understand that vacationing in Italy is true bliss. I feel as carefree and happy as my sketch when I am gathering ingredients, cooking and sharing a meal. This menu was only pizza - one made with fresh mozzarella and halved cherry tomatoes cooked on a round of pizza dough, and then, served with a bunch of freshly picked arugula tossed on top, which sort of melts and has the most wonderful aroma. Peppered olive oil (just push some dried peppers into your jug of olive oil) and freshly ground salt was sprinkled on top to taste, which means a most generous portion of that olive oil.

And another page from my sketchook filled with thoughts, impressions, recipes and more.

Family quilts used for wedding decorations

Following on my quilting moment, click here to view an inspired wedding, where, among others, quilts made by the bride's great grandmother and aunts were scattered around adding to the festivities in unexpected ways.

A rather special French quilt

This quilted antique, uncovered in France years ago, has been pulled and put away numerous times and finally it's going to become a pillow, with a soft fringed edging of some sort, still to be decided. I think it is so lovely, the vintage printed cotton fabric, and the swirly quilted stitch, that I wanted to post it -- hoping it --

-- will inspire someone, somewhere, who is quilting something or other!

Quilt made from re-cycled men's shirtings

Men's shirts, especially white ones and blue and white ones, have always been at the top of my list of favorites. So when my sister offered to sew me a quilt, it had to be made from men's shirtings. Chambray has been used as the border and Egyptian cotton is the background. It is yummy, light and perfectly cozy as a summer blanket. And we ended up making it together in the end -- which was fun, fun!

Liberty's Fall 2009 newsy email

I really start to droll when I receive Liberty's newsletter. Starting with these brooches, gorgeously realized by Amanda Fatherazai, with her signature couturier perfection, ...

... their fall list of must-haves range from stitching classes, morning and afternoon tea included - after all it is Liberty's, Ebony and Ivory Bespoke scarves and Hermes Pour Liberty. Those four are my personal favorites of the moment. Liberty's is like no other store. They harmoniously blend their creativity with an attention to detail and style that inspires, and always delights the eye in unexpected and whimsical ways.

Pin cushion tutorial

Here is another cushy pot, and as I'm naming them, this one's called "Sugar and Cream." The base is a very old metal coffee filter and the cushion is made from vintage fabrics including an old pillow case, trims, and of course...denim.

Click the link here - and it will take you to a cushy pot tutorial.

Share your pin cushion creativity here - on flikr.

And here's still another cushy pot, this one named "Glam Pot."

August's fashion screensaver

download this month's screensaver here,

to upload it as your screensaver or to print a hard copy

August is the time for travels and renewal. Coming home with flowers, tastes and sketches from journeys, this month's screensaver turned into a collage of memories. Cuffed jean shorts seems to be the summer '09 uniform for both genders worn with breezy white cottons by foot or on two wheels. And the awe of Pisa never fades. Below are a few more images. Handmade shoes in Florence...swimming trunks in patterns and colors like one can only find in Milan.

... And I'm collecting napkins (so descriptive of the spot) from favorite cafes like 10 corso como and Princi in Milan and another one from Caffe Florian in Venice, as dreamy as ever. Happy August!

Bike culture

Bikes that have been stamped with a very personal statement are not only cheerful in a friendly way, but also more practical, because they are easy to identify and less likely to be stolen.

Hand painted furniture

Doesn't this make you want to get out your brushes and start painting some basic pine furniture?

I've been traveling around Italy and soaking up the artistry. My delightful hotel in Florence was still filled (though the main reception rooms were re-done ultra modern) with the original handpainted furniture, reflecting the beauty discovered at every turn.

The bubble - a swimsuit cover up you can sew

My first sewing machine was a Singer, and I am a graduate of a Singer Sewing class, so when I read on craftzine that Singer is offering an online swimsuit coverup competition, I decided - to sew something up, something whimsical, loose and breezy, and named it "the bubble."Here it is, worn over leggings but also perfect with jeans or naturally a swim suit. If you want to make one, the measurements are simple and super oversized - cut a big tube - shoulder to shoulder it will measure 25" wide x 28" shoulder to the top of the 5 1/2 bottom band. It's all made from knitted fabric - dots, bubbles and lime green - with the bottom band doubled over for extra stretch, and finished with a zigzag finish around the neck and cuffs. The neck is a big wide scoop opening 15" with a 6" front neck drop. Hope that it inspires you to enter the contest - the more the merrier.

Pinwheels of colors on etsy

http://www.etsy.com/color.php

Which is your favorite color?

Amelia's magazine and Shelter fundrasier

When I first saw Amelia’s magazine back in May 2006, with her smiling childhood photo on the cover, I was in awe. I loved it for the magical and witty illustrations and her uninhibited and freely roaming expression about fashion, style, music and concern about the environment and the future. It was more book-like than magazine, very personal and open, and rich in content and creativity. Unfortunately the hard copy has folded, but she continues to have a strong following and online presence through her blog (here I am.)

When I read her call for submissions in aid of Shelter, the UK charity for the homeless I had to send in a submission. I am thrilled that I made the first cut, from which she will choose 52 illustrations, all on the theme - the TWO OF HEARTS, and create a quilt. Her quilt, along with artwork by other artists and designers (including Stella Vine, Basso and Brooke and Rachel Whiteread) will be exhibitied this summer in the UK, and auctioned to raise money for the charity.

My drawing reflects my thoughts about being homeless and the enormous strain that poverty puts on a family and relationships. Hoping that a safe and secure home will help mend a broken home, I drew a heart, formed from many pieces and patched up, re-gaining it's power with a busy family in toe, named- Shelter for a Broken Heart. It's sad, it's happy, it's about life.

You can see all the intriguing and imaginative drawings on Facebook. Doesn’t it make you want to design your own deck of cards…?

A free July screensaver

(click here to download this month's drawing and use it as a screen saver,

or to print it out - it's free!

It's July, it's sunny and the weekends seem to stretch longer. It's time to enjoy a carefree barefoot dance on the beach ... dressed with a cut, cropped striped t and denim short shorts layered under a stretchy flowered mini. The drawing is rather silly, youngish and spirited this month. That's just what happened. I hope it inspires you to express yourself.

Book give-away and podcast on craftsanity.com

Jennifer at craftsanity is buzzing with enthusiasm and ideas for craft-niks. She inspired me to start making aprons, denim ones, and then, naturally, one apron developed into three, and then four.

Visit her site for a podcast with me. We speak about fashion, designing, fashion sketching, combining work and family, and naturally, sewing denim cast-offs. I loved meeting Jennifer, who is an amazing mother, journalist and online, craft trailblazer.

Jennifer also is doing a "Denim Revolution" book giveaway! Yes, it's free, just leave a comment on her blog to enter the drawing.

And, a step-by-step how to make the "Hanky Panky Cowgirl" apron in the top photo.

Which can be downsized or done up differently for little girls like in the photo below. (I've discovered it is the perfect outfit for play dates in Central Park, jumping on backyard trampolines and even as a cosy blanket for a sleepy plush puppy.) It's an easy craft project for a lazy summer day.

More homemade Pin Cushions in Pots

The pin cushions are taking over the studio! As always, I have a well founded excuse. It's just that I have so many rather useless but truly lovely containers that can now serve a purpose -- masquerading as pin cushions. And honestly, they are more often becoming quite useful paper weights with the windows open in the summer time, or, funny little decorations that just appear in the house in unexpected and humorous ways.

Posh Pin Pot

This one, held by a trio of angels, is made out of lovely embossed silk velvets, an olive silk looped cord and topped with this goregeous, chinese hand made silk button.

Orange Pekoe in the Pot

The old chinese tea tin is topped with a retro printed cotton, a polka dot jersey covers the join, and buttons are everywhere, covering joins and adding to the festive character. It looks to me like either a jewerly stand, to keep dimestore jewerly, or to stay as a pin cushion ... hmmm. What do you think!

Pin cushion on a vintage button jar

Okay, I caught the pin cushion bug! Here's another one. This time the cushion is on top of a glass container, maybe from the 30's. I've turned it into a button jar, for storing favorite vintage buttons - and the pin cushion is a patchwork of vintage fabrics encircled with a bit of bandana, topped with - naturally, some vintage buttons. Now, since it was finished, I'm waiting for someone to ask me to sew on a button ... .

Summer hearts, flowers, bees and butterflies

Spoonflower.com is where you can print some lovely cotton or linen cotton blend fabric in one of your own artistic visions or afavorite memento, or order yardage from another artists' original work. I am always amazed and delighted by what I discover there and have entered my fabric, "Sweet Charity" in their their fabric of the week contest.

My design, is centered in a fabric width 42" x 36", printed from a hand drawing by little ole me scattered with love, flowers and bees and butterflies. In the photo just above, it is on a garden table. And naturally, I used it as a backdrop for a screen saver (in the photo down below), ...but it has mostly functioned as a sunscreen taped to our large kitchen, picture window (the top photo.) When I gaze up at it, I think about finishing the edges with some lace or woven braid, or how beautiful it could look in the center of a large quilt, with a pretty floral border, picking up the black and yellow tones...or maybe adding a patched floral and gingham border to fit a larger table...hmmm... Since it is from an original drawing, it is signed once on a repeat, and it is also open to the public domain to purchase at Spoonflower. One repeat is all you need, to gift, sew or brighten up your day. Vote for your favorite fabric - and I hope it's "Sweet Charity" and that I win!

I would love to hear how you would use this cloth.