Douce à Paris!

Sweet Paris Apron! I adore this sweet, vintage-y, lady-like Michael Miller fabric. The colors are bright and happy, fun with not a hint of childishness, features gloved ladies with their 50s hats. This petite apron has a pocket with French advertising script featuring delish Parisian pralines I embellished with my favorite City Paris labels and buttons - fuscia & rhinestone studded gems.

Perhaps too pretty to wear whilst slaving in the kitchen, put this pretty one after the mess! If you're a local follower, the fabrics are available at Loom Exquisite Textiles in the Strip. I get lost in their embellishments and fabrics... you will too.I'm linking over at the French Cupboard - stop by and see more French inspirations!

Fabric Wristlet Cuffs and a BIG update!

Vintage barkcloth, clothing labels, buttons, baubles and beads... an alternative to a bracelet, plays nicely with jeans and t-shirt, or a romantic blouse for work, bohemian, gypsy chic style, romantic prairie style...

This leaf trim is very delicate - from a vintage necklace, handstitched onto the barkcloth, trims, bead, elastic closure with a great old button. I also handstitched some faux mercury glass beads to give it a bit of sparkle.

Brown denim and lace, a vintage label, a millinery flower from an old hat and a vintage upholstery button. Ties closed around the button - and strands of ribbon hang from your wrist and add movement...

So my BIG UPDATE is two-fold... first you may have noticed, I just announced that I was too busy with the softball schedule and apologized for neglecting my blog again. And I was really unsure about why I should keep making more stuff than I could ever use when I really didn't have a good solution to sell my stuff. And bottom line - I am not a salesperson. I love to make stuff. I find it painful to sell stuff. I feel like I'm apologizing the whole time. And, I'm not doing shows with a group which means full vendor costs and WORSE - no one to man (WOman!) the booth for bathroom/shopping breaks. So, in a moment of clarity last weekend I packed up my station wagon with as much inventory that I could squeeze in and headed for the local flea market...Not, THE major flea market which is only on FRIDAYS and an insult to us M-F creative souls who are stuck in offices. But, this is the one I go to for vintage earrings and baubles without an inflated price. My stuff was greated enthusiastically especially with the rock bottom give-away prices.And then I complimented a customer on her cool Madonna/religious icon (not pop star!) belt buckle and she approached me with selling at her store in one of the busiest retail blocks in the city of Pittsburgh. One week later, I visited her shop which is one of the most fabulous stores I've seen between here and France - not your big name retailer fabrics - hand-picked with a discerning eye for her trendy location and clientele, decadant trims and tassels, kitsch and, let me tell you, it is worth the trip just to see the unique touches. Yesterday she purchased more of my stuff and I'll be using her fabrics in my new projects - how cool is that!! So, I get to do what I love - make stuff! And not worry about the selling aspect - wahooo! Next week I'll bring my camera - her website is under construction and doesn't show some details I know you'all will enjoy! If you're a local follower, her shop is in heart of the Strip district at Loom! Can't wait to share more! Off to Father's Day lunch at Ditkas for my Dad...

I know, I know...

I always start back to this blog with a vengance, and then life sneaks up on me. I guess working f/t and having both girls on different softball teams is a good enough reason. The last month or so has been a flurry of kiddo activities. And the community pool opened last week. Nothing conducive to crafting. Lately I've been more concerned with locating batting helmets, dinners at the concession stand.

So, I will be back when the dust on the field settles... 'til then, happy crafting and creating, enjoy the little stuff in life... and take care! Kelley