Mini Top Hat!

A friend of mine came up with the brilliant idea to make top hats from recycled pop can boxes, and styrofoam plates!

I covered them in batting to hide and smooth out the lumps and bumps.

Then stretched and covered them with fabric and trim.

I added a coarse tule to the bottom underneath of the hats, right where they sit on the head. Then I took bobby pins and pinned the hats like crazy to the heads of my models!

Dragons!

These costumes were created for two amazing aerial performers. They represent scales on a dragon. 

Typewriter

I gave my brother the task of taking apart a typewriter he asked me "do I have to put it back together?" : ) 

I am planning on using the pieces for various art projects. 

Game Pieces & Buttons

Here's a sample of my display for the bracelets I've made out of buttons, dominos, and scrabble game pieces.

Skirt to toddler top

I was given this skirt from my niece in hopes of turning it into something different. I made into a cute little toddler top with grey leggings and matching ruffles on the bum. So cute!

Toys!

Going to the thrift store is such a thrill for me. I love finding such strange objects. My favorite is the bags of miscellaneous toys. I grabbed some of these last time in hopes of drilling holes (with help from a friend) and making jewelry. I'm really happy with the results!

Trash to Flower

I've collected colorful bags from chips, onions, lemons. Thinking I will use them somehow. Well the time has come.

Skirt to Top

I took this cute but short (to me!) skirt and transformed it into a top for my toddler. I kept the zipper closure in the back, pinned it to fit, hemmed it, and added shoulder straps. Easy and cute!

I added a pair of leggings I made from a vintage thrift store fabric. The ruffles on the bum and the straps on the top are from a men's long sleeve shirt.

Cute as a button!

Alphabet Nursery Art

I made this for my niece. I used a large cut of felt, a dowel rod, and scraps of lace and vintage trim. I made a layout before I started, which I think was the hardest part! To make sure I could make all the letters fit and look appealing. Then I shaped each row at a time, adjusting according to the thickness of the trim. It takes more visual guessing and less measuring when doing each row. Then I finished the edges with bias tape, lace casing on top for the dowel rod, and wrapped (and glued) lace at the ends to hang it with.

(this is the first one I made for my daughter)

RAW Artists Showcase

Sketchbook Pro for IPad

 When I first got my IPad (for christmas a few years ago) I really wanted a sketchbook type program that was simple to use (not too many options, becomes overwhelming) and responded well to drawing with my finger. I never got used to using a stylus tool, they were just so bulky to me. I like how fine a pencil or pen can be. Now I know my finger is not like a pencil (who's is?) but I can at least feel where I am drawing.

 These are some of my sketches. They are of a variety of children's clothing that are inspired from vintage 1940's styled garments and toys.



I like to sometimes use the mirror feature on the Sketchbook Pro, sometimes not. I think it really makes the drawing look more like a picture with the mirror feature on, but as you can see with the bunny apron it looks pretty cool freehand. I think that says a lot about me. I sometimes like to be artistic/off balance, and sometimes I like to be exact/clean finish.

This little shorts jumper was sketched using the mirror feature. It really helps when you have an idea and you want to see more of a technical type sketch. (a technical sketch is used in fashion design to show the exact seaming, topstitching, proportion, and notions used in the production of the garment)

These two sketches I made into little toddler dresses and sold through my children's line called Octopus Robot. The top dress is made from a newer flower print and a second hand men's plaid dress shirt.

 I utilized the buttons as closures in the back.
The lower dress is also made from a men's dress shirt and a newer floral print. I threw in a vintage Packman sheet at the waist if you didn't already guess the pattern!  : )







I had a lot of fun creating these dresses from the sketches. I don't usually work like that. I just like to find 2 or 3 different patterns that look pleasing to my eye, then work with a vintage pattern for the basic shape.
I sometimes add trims, buttons, and appliqués to finish off the garment.



There are so many different ways to make a garment from idea to final look. I was taught in home ec how to do things one way I didn't know all of the possibilities out there. I actually was quiet bored with sewing for several years till I was inspired again to just do what felt right to me. I didn't have to be judged or graded on what I was inspired to create.

Craft from the Past

I sold these super cute cherry pins at a local shop in Seattle WA many years ago. I used the floral craft wire that you can find at Joanne's Fabrics to twist and shape until I made a cherry and stem shape.
I wrapped the wire with second hand green yarn for stem and fuzzy maroon/red for cherry (left over from a scarf project). I also had a collection of vintage leaves (used for hats and brooches) that I twisted into the yarn, then finished it with a pin closure on the back. Super Cute!

Museum Day

One of the last days in Tacoma WA. We went to the downtown Farmers Market and the Tacoma Art Museum, really great museum! Really tasty market! : )

Summer Fashions

 I went to the thrift store and just looked at the brightly solid colored tee's. It was better to pick the bigger ones so I had enough fabric to make more than one shirt with it. It's funny when you focus on one thing to find at the thrift store it's like they just glow from the rack. I love setting limits like this, to focus on one style of something. 

So I put the shirts on the dress form and started cutting away and pinning other colors together. I let the tee do what it wants, I just pin it in place. Depending on the feel of the cotton you can mold it too. The hardest thing with this method is making sure that you have a structured piece that's not going to stretch out of shape. So I added a little clear elastic here and there to help with that. 

 

For the skirts I hunted down vintage sheets and combined them together so I could make a few of them. It's a wrap skirt so I could make one for a variety of sizes, for a better fit. I cut apart some toddler dresses and I used the bodice backs for large vintage style patch pockets. I laid the bodice backs on the skirt with the center backs horizontal to the floor so the back armhole is the pocket opening.

Maternity Top transformed into a Toddler Outfit

I did a series of children's clothing made from adult clothing. This little top and pants combo is made from a women's maternity top and vintage poly pants. The little top has an octopus appliqué. The line is called Octopus Robot

Oatmeal Almond Butter Cookies

Mixing and baking cookies with your little ones is the best way to teach them how they can do things for themselves. We are making Oatmeal Almond Butter cookies. Gluten Free and sweetened with Agave!

Ingredients

• 2 medium ripe bananas
• 2 flax eggs (2 Tbsp flaxseed + 5 Tbsp water)
• 1/2 cup natural, salted almond butter (crunchy or smooth)
• 2 Tbsp refined coconut oil, melted (or canola oil)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 Tbsp agave nectar (or sub maple syrup, or honey if not vegan)
• 1 1/2 cup gluten free rolled oats
• 1/2 cup oat flour (ground from GF oats)
• 1/2 cup almond meal (ground from raw almonds)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• pinch sea salt (add more or less depending on saltiness of your AB)
• 1 cup of chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl combine flax seed and water and let rest for 5 minutes to achieve “eggy” texture.
3. Mash in the bananas until well combined, and then add almond butter, baking powder, baking soda, melted coconut oil, agave nectar, salt, vanilla and stir.
4. Add oats, almond meal and oat flour and mix well.
5. Add chocolate chips and stir until well combined. Refrigerate for 5 minutes to harden.
6. Drop cookies by spoonfuls on a lightly greased baking sheet – they won’t expand much. Also make them as uniform in size as possible to ensure even baking.
7. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until the cookies are slightly golden brown.
8. Let rest on baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. After completely cooled, store in an air-tight container to keep fresh for up to a few days. Refrigerate or freezer for even longer storage time.