Flea Market Finds

Just a quick post today to share a flea market find. I found this dress on an early morning trip to the market. I had originally spotted it for fabric. It sat in a bag for about 6 months until I took it to be dry cleaned. When I brought it home I really looked at it...And discovered it was in much better shape than I thought, and it appeared to be closer to my size than I would have guessed. Actually it needs to be taken in. I also need to replace the buttons and repair the smallest tear by one of the button holes. But I love it! I think it looks fab with my capelet that I wore alot last spring too! Another successful flea market find, that cost me about $10.00.

Health, Happiness and Love

My wishes for all of my lovely friends in "blogland" for the New Year. The holidays seemed to pass by so quickly. Baking, decorating, shopping, wrapping, celebrating with family. Then it's January. But trust me, I am not in a "slump." I find this is one of the most exhilirating and inspiring times of the year. It holds all the possibilities of new beginnings. New design work, new challenges and lessons. Very exciting if you ask me. I have been busy at work in my studio. Finally finishing up some pieces that have been patiently waiting for their time. I have so many ideas running around in my head, bursting to get made!

Hubby and I went to see Avatar last week. Crowded but definetly well worth dealing with the large groups of people. I was mesmerized for the whole thing (IMAX 3d). But my point here is that they showed a coming attraction for Alice in Wonderland! I can't wait! I am a huge Alice fan :) So expect to see some inspiration from that! Fun, fun, fun. I did purchase a lovely vintage pocket watch from BlackSheepYarns. I have some big plans for it!

Also during December mom and I went to a huge craft fair that is the highlight of my Dec. every year. I go to buy from one particular woman. I took some pictures of the lovely mix media, paper work she does. Absolutely lovely. Now, if I can just get her to open an Etsy shop I won't have to wait a whole year!

Happiknits Gets Illustrated

So exciting! I did a collaboration with Holly from Holly Illustration. I think it came out awesome! I approached her with the idea and a photo of a new capelet, and she really captured the essence of my designs. She has inspired me to create a capelet similar to the cream/lilac one in the photo~~it's almost finished! Thank you Holly, your work is amazing!

Creating a Mood

I was inspired for my latest design by a picture in one of the knitting magazines I read. I saw the picture and fell in love with the colors. So I tried to create a mood board. We have been doing the mood board thing for the FDL challenges. This way everyone has a visual inspiration in addition to a theme. I had purchased (yes, I know, should not be buying any yarn right now) some new yarn~just 3 little, bitty, skeins... and felt the need to make something with one of them just to see how this new yarn knit up. Beautiful in a word. Soft, stretchy, fun. And when I received the wholesale order of ribbon the wonderful ladies through in a bunch of samples of beautiful colors. So after playing around with the ribbon and finishing the capelet, I put my new "board" to use. I love the yellow and black. Matches the studio perfectly. So I leave you with the finished capelet. I found this awesome vintage sparkly piece in one of my button jars, it added just the touch of bling I was looking for!

Finding Inspiration

Confessions of a serial Etsy shopper will continue next friday~

I have been feeling as though I am in a bit of a slump as of late. Maybe it's a change of season thing, but I was feeling a little uninspired. To the point of...(gasp)...not wanting to even knit. Goodness I never thought I would hear myself say those words. Mr. S said maybe I'm just burnt out. I think he was right. I took about a week off from going non-stop. This is what I do. I always have. The yoga training has definetly helped, alot. I do wake up in the middle of the night, ideas swirling around in my brain. Wide awake. I use my breathing exercises and I'm sleeping in no time. Anyway, back to the slump. I decided to just chill. I think it worked. Yes, it worked well. I had gone on a hunt for some vintage lace and hit paydirt. So...I started to use some of it. I will tell you I was inspired by Altered Couture and Bonzie's beautiful tattered jacket. Talented ladies! I love the look of the vintage lace mixed with vintage findings and a sort of reckless abandon look. So you are listening to my inspiration music(sorry, no sarah on the playlist!), a bit of Sarah Brightman. I had this on the Ipod while piecing together and sewing the capelet .