I just got back home after attending an amazing house concert last night. Musicians Coco Love Alcorn and Ian Sherwood entertained and charmed a (literally) packed private home in Beach Meadows, Nova Scotia. More on these incredible artists soon, I’m just too darn exhausted to gush right now! :)
The photo below is one I took to show the proximity of the audience to the talent. This certainly put the intimate back into intimate and interactive.
When it comes to my clothing, I tend to be quite practical in my choices. A great deal of that comes from my job (art teacher), as well as the deep-seeded desire to be able to run, jump, or….. paint at a moments notice.
I’ve never been a graceful girl – more gangly than anything. I’m relatively tall with less-than-delicate size 10 feet, so heels have always been a general no-no. While I adore skirts and dresses each morning usually find myself grabbing pants or jeans and then accessorizing my way to interesting.
Perhaps it is due to the scent of impending warmer seasons that lately I am completely smitten with 1950′s day dresses. The idea of owning (and wearing) “frocks” has become so tantalizing that I’ve caught myself giggling over images in my favorite Etsy shops. Here are just a small few of the frocks which are actually causing my heart to pitter-patter a little faster…
The two following dresses can be found at Firefly Vintage (my favorite frock shop)
This gorgeous dress is at DearGoldenVintage
I feel like I need to have a fabulous party for this dress from ForeverLovelyVintage…
Just in case you’re feeling a little over-Ga-Ga’d lately, I believe I have the antidote. Last night I heard the single “Aerobics in Space” by Toronto artist Maylee Todd on CBC3, and within 15 minutes had purchased her album online.
Maylee is quirky, Canadian and indie which makes a combo I have a bit of a weakness for. Her latest release is entitled “Choose Your Own Adventure” and the artwork is great. The video for Aerobics in Space is super-campy and tongue-in-cheek, channelling the funk-groove vibes of the 70′s complete with a classic Batman cartoon-inspired storyline.
I will admit that I was disappointed that there weren’t more of the upbeat tracks like what first got me hooked on Maylee, but the album is still fantastic to listen to. Check out the plethera of ordering options here.
Perhaps the “VS” was a little harsh. :) The Penny Blossoms episode of the Big Bang Theory is one of my favorites, and it was on as a re-run this evening. Interestingly enough, it came on while I too was on my couch in my apartment/studio surrounded by fabric, leather, jewelry supplies and blossoms which I’ve made. Sadly for me, however, I do not have adorable and quirky nerd guys living across the hall to propel my “Rita” line into 1000-order overnight success. That’s okay, I’ll do it the old-fashioned way. :)
I’ve been happily losing myself in the crisp pages of the March issues of Vogue and Elle (both US and Canadian) over the past week, which is essentially my “groundhog” sign that spring is on it’s way. Not that I’m a “Spring Person”, but I am ready for a period of refreshment.
Design-wise, I’ve finally just produced a few new key pieces for Rita S/S 2011. You would not believe how luxuriously soft the suede that I’ve started working with is. Not to mention how lightweight, and the colors! Delicious hues of turquoise, coral red, purple and natural. Perfect for anytime, but especially with the big trend this season being 70′s boho.
These necklaces are available now in my shop, and more to come soon…..
Many of the S/S 2011 looks on the runways lately have been incorporating bright, bold colors and huge flower blossoms. Sometimes I feel like rockin’ out the full flower-power and other days I feel more wall-flower. I admit, I’m moody. :)
That’s why I’ve incorporated my fabric flower brooches into color-theme clusters. You get up to three individual pins so that you can group them together or separately to create any kind of statement you wish. This combo is available in my Etsy shop now, however, the quantities are quite limited as some of the fabrics are vintage and once used, are gone. Hurry!
I found some beautiful, semi-sheer ikat fabric and have been using it for my latest flower blossom shoe clips and brooches. A seller on Etsy, laylaloustudio, found them and including them in this unique little treasury: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d613905919f6d918200e013/ikat-got-your-tongue
My “real” career is as a Visual Arts teacher, making items and selling them provides me with an immensely satisfying outlet to do what comes naturally – create.
I’m now channelling my lesson-planning skills into project tutorials. All of the instructions and images have been put together by me based on processes which have proved successful. The steps are all laid out and I’ve photographed each of them, from what materials are needed al the way through to the final product.
My first tutorial is how to make Spiral design felted beads using wet felting, and it’s been formatted as a 6-page pdf. Check it out here…
You heard right! I designed these totally outrageous paper doll ornaments from the actual dolls themselves. I drew each piece by hand and then scanned it into my trusty Mac where I added color. All of the make-up is completely accurate. Mine hang out on the shelf with my collection of Vogue magazines. :)
I sell them here as a simple full-color pdf download so can print and assemble them yourself at home – so easy!
I’ve been expanding my designs lately with a re-launch and re-branding of my line. Currently “Cotton Candy Cupcake” has been transitioned into a signature line “Rita”.
My latest creations have been these gorgeous little shoe clips! I’ve been using wax-resist-printed batik fabrics in delicious colors to make flower blossoms. My vast bead collection is being put to good use with these! :)
They’re all listed in my Etsy shop.
