Project: DIY Pedal Board

This isn't one of my regular girly craft projects. But what can I say? I'm multi-faceted. I have my first show as a one woman band on Wednesday. My pedals, in their natural state, would be a pain in the ass to transport/set up. So I did what I had to do. I made a pedal board. Unfortunately, the only right angle patch cable I have is 3 'long  and curly. I had to use it to make the set up work. Once I get the appropriate cables there won't need to be so much space between everything, And I'll will have room on my board for at least one new toy.

Anyway, please read on. Even if you don't know anything about guitar or effects processors, at least you get to see a bad ass side of my craftiness that you've never seen before...

Chicago Craft Social

Oh, hello. It feels like I haven't posted in a little while. I haven't been particularly busy, I've just been in a period of blog/shop limbo. I'd been shopping around for a new camera and a dress form. I felt like I couldn't do ANYTHING until they arrived. But they are here now, so limbo is officially over. Expect more posts and shop updates this week, for sure.

Now, just because I've been in limbo, doesn't mean I've been completely stagnant. This weekend I had a blast leading a ribbon embroidery project at the Chicago Craft Social....

My sample project

My table mid-social

Super-fancy recycled fabric facsinator table

A finished fascinator

a duct-tape clutch

A craft social is and event where crafters get together to learn and make stuff. There were about 20 tables at this particular social, each featuring a different project. All supplies needed to make each project are provided, and everyone goes from table to table making as many things to take home as they can.

It was a really fun afternoon, but also kind of  hectic. I had a constant steam of eager embroidery students from 1 to 4 pm but it felt like the fastest 3 hours of my life. I started showing people how to make ribbon roses, and then BOOM, I look up and the whole day was over. The only bummer was that, as a project leader, I didn't get the chance to leave my table and try any of the other fun projects.

And now, to work on photos for my Etsy shop. I am so happy that I have my dress form. I can list all the vintage dresses I have hanging in my hall closest!

Thanks for reading,
xo,
D

Knit Project: Color-Work Cropped Sweater

Yeah, I know, it's a little late in the season to be knitting a sweater. But this hand-spun alpaca was calling to me from my stash. Besides, it's still snowing outside and this little number will be a staple of my wardrobe next fall.

 Have a look...

I used intarsia and stranded color work to make the little floral motif. The jacquard daisy design is from  this color chart by Jessica Tromp. Her Site ( http://www.jessica-tromp.nl ) is full of free knitting charts and patterns. I have never met her or anything but I'm pretty sure she's an angel.

Obviously, this was my first time doing stranded color work. If you compare the bottom of the panel to the top you can tell my technique improved as I got the hang of it.






The shape of the sweater is based on  Elizabeth Zimmerman's  Norwegian yoke sweater with a couple of tweaks . I shortened the body and sleeves. Obviously, instead of increasing the sleeves gradually, I increased to the total number of stitches on the first row after the ribbing. I also took advantage of the natural stretch of knit fabric and used negative ease for a nice tight but comfortable fit.  I also improvised a little with the shoulder shaping because I wanted a boat neck.






So that's what I've been up to for the past week or so. There is something very comforting about knitting in front of a fire, and that's pretty much all I've been doing lately (I have a gas fireplace. That counts right?). Oh, I have also been working on my ribbon embroidery skills for an upcoming Craft Social event (more on that later.)


Anyone else out there have any interesting projects in the works? Feel free to link. I would love to check them out.


xo
D

Another Handmade Collar, This One Crocheted

crochet collar by Wrens and Roses
earrings by Wrens and Roses
necklace: was my grandmother's, religious medal
top: thrifted
skirt: thrifted/vintage
tights: target
shoes: thrifted

So , as you can see, I made another lacy, detachable collar last week. This one is crocheted and much simpler than the knit one. It was also a lot easier to make. What do you think? I like this one much better.

I feel strange today. I put on my Grandma's old religious medal and now I miss her a lot. She raised me as a child and was pretty much my best friend all through elementary school. Towards the end, she kind of lost her wits. It was hard to watch because she was such an intelligent woman. Maybe I'll post a bit more about her later. For now, I am going to have more tea and toast in her honor

xo
D.

Spring Will Come

Sometimes it feels like winter will never end. The city is covered in snow and  we are going to have at least 2 more months of frigid temps in Chicago. Here are 5 little things i'm doing to keep my mind off of icy reality and firmly fixed on the beautiful days to come...

1. Wearing my new wooden wedges, from the fabulous Bohemian Bisoux, around the house

 vintage wooden wedges from Bohemian Bisoux on Etsy

I am in love with these shoes. They are  quality vintage, and they make my feet look cute and dainty. It would be a crime to wear them outside right now, with all the sludgey-salty muck on the streets. But that doesn't stop me from happily clickety-clacking around the house in them, just for fun.

2. Adding some cotton ribbon to the hem of my vintage jean shorts

Remember that ribbon I found on my thrift trip to Wisconsin? Well I used some of it to decorate the hem of a pair of high-waisted jean shorts. It was a quick, satisfying sewing project for a snowy day. I really like these shorts becasue they are flattering without being skin tight. I'm pretty sure I am going to be living in them come July. 

3. Painting my nails sunshine yellow

 This Revlon Top Speed polish was on sale at the drug store, so I treated myself to three pastel shades: mint, lavender and lemon (at least thats what I'm calling them. Their real names are probably more complicated and less acurate). 

4. Turning a thrifted maxi dress into a mini...

Another quick and easy sewing project that I have been semi-putting off. I bought this dress in Wisconsin too. I had been meaning to hem it for about a month. It was floor length originally. One good thing about being snowed in is finally getting around to all the little things I have been avoiding through sheer laziness. 

5. crocheting little cotton flowers...

Nothing is blooming outside but my little workspace is covered in these tiny cabbage-roses. I have a pretty good idea of what I will be using them for but I'm not tellin'. It's sort of a surprise. 

See? I've almost convinced myself that winter is a thing of the past. Meanwhile i'm still rocking sweaters, boots and multiple pairs of tights every time I leave the house. Sigh.

xo

D.

Knit Project: A Ruffled Collar

Last week, when I wasn't feeling well, I decided to design/knit a lacy, detachable collar. After a couple false starts, I completed the one above. It is completely improvised, so it's one of a kind. I can duplicate the form, but the eyelet pattern will be slightly different every time. Isn't it darling? I love how it turns a boring sweater into something unique and eye-catching. I want to put it out into the world because I'm curious what the response will be. I think I'm going to list it in my Etsy shop and see what happens. 

Oh I'm also trying something different with my hair. I have been too lazy to cut my bangs an I think I may grow them out. I have had bangs for the last decade so I am a little scared to expose my forehead. I am just going to keep pinning them to the side until I panic and cut them.

Oh and sorry about the lack of thrift tips last week. I will be back with more tomorrow....

xo
D

Yelling in Helvetica

I have been sick all weekend and it doesn't seem to be getting better. I don't know if I'm going to do an outfit post this week. Maybe I will. If I actually get dressed. But hey! Check out this cute craft book. I found it in Wisconsin last weekend but forgot share it with ya'll. I collect old-school craft books and they all have kitschy cute-covers. I think this one might be my favorite though. I love the all lower-case Helvetica title. But for some reason I feel like its yelling at me, like "Make it yo' Damn Self!" I might share some of my other craft books some other time but right now I am going to make myself some tea and go back to bed. Sniffle.