the name game

Finally, after months of talking about it, I have committed myself to... (drumroll)


Opening my own store on Etsy! (insert cheering here)

Yep, that's right. We're taking the crazy fun online. But I need YOUR help to do it. Really. I need help coming up with a name for my store. Who doesn't like to name things? C'mon, jump on in with a suggestion!

I'll be starting with a small inventory, until I can see how things go, focusing mainly on items made from repurposed fabrics. Namely, awesome purses made from vintage tablecloths and scraps of old upholstery fabric, and even more awesome necktie skirts.

Name ideas I've had so far:
Cherry and Dill: Peace, Love, and Repurposed Fabric (getting a little groovy, baby)
The Button Box (who doesn't like alliteration? but this might be too cutesy)
Spools! (if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? but I'm kinda bored with it)
[blank] Salvage Co. (this one I like...if I could find a word or two to fill the blank)
Good Morning, Glory (does this scream 'grandma'?)
The Old Bag (makes me laugh, but not sure if everyone would get it)

Please, jump on in with an idea! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Christmas 2009!

Finally, I can display the GREAT fun I've had over the last month or so, cranking out Christmas presents.

The first four I completed were the ones I needed to ship out my to sister Andrea and her family in Tacoma. Here are the beauties, tagged and ready to box. From the left: a zip-front vest for Doug, bamboo knit lounge pants (delicious!) for Andrea, a corduroy backpack for Avery, and a hat and mittens set for Kellen.

And here are the boys, modeling their new couture on Christmas day.

I also made a vest for my dad, out of wind resistant fleece with a water resistant overlay, for motorcycle rides. I was pretty happy with the zippered pockets.

Check the sweet brocade shirt I made for my sister Kelly. Gladys didn't want to take it off, so I let her keep it on until the last possible minute.

And I took a break from the sewing to crochet my mom a rug...out of old t-shirts. It was a ton of fun, even if I'm not the most perfect crochet-er ever. That's thirteen 100% cotton large adult Ts. Yeah.

Merry Christmas!

repurposed haberdashery

My friend Lizzie appears with a box of neckties. I smell some mischief! What to do with all these neckties? Hmm. First, we'll choose our victims. Then we'll get our ties laid out in a pleasing palette. I chose (big surprise) brown/blue coordinates. Note the SWEET paisley tie fourth from the right.
Lizzie chose oh-so-stunning black and red.

Next, we'll get them washed, rip open the back seam, and cut off the skinny, useless part.

Then, we'll hijack one of my favorite skirt patterns. The result? Fabulousness!

impulse coat

So...I bought the fabric on Friday afternoon, had it washed, cut, and started Friday night...pretty much completed it on Saturday night...wore it to church on Sunday, then came home and added buttons. Whew!

Yes, there are buttons on the front. Can't see them, ey? They are secret buttons. Ooh-ooh. Of course, that makes them a pain to fasten, but I'll get the trick of it I'm sure.

Oh, and then I decided to add these goofy buttons to the back. They keep the tie from wandering overmuch.

I'm thinking about changing the front tie to a buckle, but am afraid that will look dorky. And it already takes me long enough to do up the inverse buttons. Any thoughts?