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We had a great early run, but now host our own blog at www.stitchtacsew.com. Please visit us there!
Thank you!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Get Crafty with your Closet
I'm not only a crafter, but I'm a fashion/shopping enthusiast. I believe fashionable does not mean trendy, style is something few are blessed with and can execute easily (I am not one of them), but like all hobbies and possibilities in life, it can be learned!
Some of my favorites shows - "What Not to Wear", "Project Runway", "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style" and "Top Design" all celebrate being creative and taking risks. But "Guide to Style" and "What Not to Wear" help explain some tried and true techniques that further explain looking your best makes you feel amazing, not looking like someone else, or being a fad-follower or having the most expensive clothes. It's about what you look good in, what you feel good in and what you project of yourself that really defines your 'style'.
Listening to a local radio station this morning, Mix 102.9 with Tony Zaza and Victoria Snee, they did a special segment on 'Star Style' about how to recession proof your closet. I thought this was one of the best segments I've heard in the longest time. Each step is one in the right direction of getting to know your closet personality and learning steps on how to shop for your lifestyle, not the pages of a magazine.
Here is what Mix 102.9 had to say:
Some fabulous books I highly recommend:
I wrote a speech for college about 3 or 4 years ago for the first book listed: "I Don't Have a Thing to Wear: The Psychology of your Closet". Thankfully the only person that had to listen to it, my dear friend Stephanie, hung in there. The book is really a great read and is an incredibly helpful tool in taking a good look at your shopping habits and learning to change them.
Some of my favorites shows - "What Not to Wear", "Project Runway", "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style" and "Top Design" all celebrate being creative and taking risks. But "Guide to Style" and "What Not to Wear" help explain some tried and true techniques that further explain looking your best makes you feel amazing, not looking like someone else, or being a fad-follower or having the most expensive clothes. It's about what you look good in, what you feel good in and what you project of yourself that really defines your 'style'.
Listening to a local radio station this morning, Mix 102.9 with Tony Zaza and Victoria Snee, they did a special segment on 'Star Style' about how to recession proof your closet. I thought this was one of the best segments I've heard in the longest time. Each step is one in the right direction of getting to know your closet personality and learning steps on how to shop for your lifestyle, not the pages of a magazine.
Here is what Mix 102.9 had to say:
Star Style 11-4-08
Tuesday 11-04-2008 6:37am
WAYS TO RECESSION PROOF YOUR CLOSET!
RHONDA ROSS WITH RETAILER CHRISTOPHER AND BANKS GAVE US SOME GREAT WAYS ON LOOKING FASHIONABLE AND STYLISH WITHOUT SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY. HERE ARE HER TOP FIVE TIPS TO MAKING IT HAPPEN!
1. Focus on fit. Fit is just as important as price. If it looks good on you, you'll feel good in it.
2. Use "Cost per Wear" when shopping. "Cost per Wear" can help rationalize your spending on important and not-so-important pieces. Everyday jeans you'll wear at least 50 times? They are worth $110 or the $2.20 per wear. Cocktail dress you'll only wear once? Do you really want to spend $70 or more on just one event dress?
3. Limit trips to the dry cleaners - Dry Clean at HOME! Avoid dry-clean only products. Check labels or tags before buying.
4. Learn to sew and/or find a good tailor. I cannot emphasize this enough. That old pantsuit? Turn them into Bermuda shorts and a crop jacket. Sweaters piling up? Cut 'em up, felt 'em and make a blanket like Vickie Howell on Lifetime. Waste not, want not, refashion your closet!
5. Follow the 70/30 rule. 70 percent of your closet should be classic pieces that don't go out of style, a great white shirt or a pair of pants with the right fit technology. Then the other 30 percent should be fun trendy items like scarves, funky skirt, etc. Cost Per Wear comes into effect, don't waste $ on trendy pieces you rarely wear.
TO LEARN MORE, CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.CHRISTOPHERANDBANKS.COM
Some fabulous books I highly recommend:
I wrote a speech for college about 3 or 4 years ago for the first book listed: "I Don't Have a Thing to Wear: The Psychology of your Closet". Thankfully the only person that had to listen to it, my dear friend Stephanie, hung in there. The book is really a great read and is an incredibly helpful tool in taking a good look at your shopping habits and learning to change them.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Project Update
I have been so overwhelmed with work (both the day job and crafting) that I have had little time to work on this blog lately. The good news is, an entire redesign is in the works thanks to lovely Jess @ Delicious Design Studio and stitch.tac.sew will officially be moving over to Wordpress as a blogging platform. Blogger has been a wonderful starting point but Wordpress offers the design and archiving options I've grown to love on my personal blog.
Currently I'm about about to update a few new items on Etsy! I'm also prepping for the Jingle Bash that I am not going to be a vendor at but will be attending. Etsy Dallas is full of amazing crafters and designers, this should definitely be your first shopping stop this holiday season! Be sure to pick up a grab bag at the front door. The first 50 attendees will receive them full of complimentary swag from Etsy Dallas contributors (like me!).
Project Make has kept me extra busy even though this is our off-week. I have just finished a kimono-inspired top. It isn't perfect, which is hard to get used to, but I'm learning to embrace imperfection and if I spend too much time trying to fix all of my mistakes it will drive me crazy. Instead I share with you the first glimpse of my finished top:
Currently I'm about about to update a few new items on Etsy! I'm also prepping for the Jingle Bash that I am not going to be a vendor at but will be attending. Etsy Dallas is full of amazing crafters and designers, this should definitely be your first shopping stop this holiday season! Be sure to pick up a grab bag at the front door. The first 50 attendees will receive them full of complimentary swag from Etsy Dallas contributors (like me!).
Project Make has kept me extra busy even though this is our off-week. I have just finished a kimono-inspired top. It isn't perfect, which is hard to get used to, but I'm learning to embrace imperfection and if I spend too much time trying to fix all of my mistakes it will drive me crazy. Instead I share with you the first glimpse of my finished top:
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Skele-Groom
Just in time for Halloween I finished a Skele-Groom to pair with the Skele-Bride I made a couple of months ago.
This little guy will be meeting his bride as soon as I ship him off to his partner who resides with my sister-in-law Andrea a few hours away.
This little guy will be meeting his bride as soon as I ship him off to his partner who resides with my sister-in-law Andrea a few hours away.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Crochet Today - Crochet Coat
About three weeks ago I began working on a Crochet Coat from Crochet Today Magazine. The pattern is from the November 2007 issue and was so much fun to work on. Luckily the coat was worked in about five pieces before the collar and edging were added so it appeared to work a lot faster than one continuous bodice.
I am very pleased with the results and I look forward to wearing it whenever it gets cold in Texas (maybe for about 2 weeks in January). In the mean time here are some photos:
The Original Photo/Pattern:
Me wearing the new coat:
I am very pleased with the results and I look forward to wearing it whenever it gets cold in Texas (maybe for about 2 weeks in January). In the mean time here are some photos:
The Original Photo/Pattern:
Me wearing the new coat:
Friday, September 26, 2008
Freshly Sharpened Pencils
Autumn, is by far, my favorite season. I would say winter due to it being the only time Texas sees even a hint of cold weather, but Autumn truly has to be the most beautiful time of year in Texas.
In "You've Got Mail", characters Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly discuss Autumn and the beginning of the school-year by alluding to a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils. I have always loved this metaphor and my first thoughts of this season normally have me thinking of that movie and its vibrant representation of seasons and holidays.
Autumn brings with it several months of family events, my husband's birthday, and three awesome holidays in a row. My goals over the next few months (besides finishing all those handmade Christmas gifts) are to restock the shelves of www.stitchtacsew.etsy.com with new scarves and holiday ornaments as well as make some new home decor.
Project Make begins next week, Sunday. I am very excited to indulge in sewing, screen printing and pattern making over the next six weeks. In addition the Urban Street Bazaar is on October 11th and the Jingle Bash on November 22nd. There are definitely exciting things happening every weekend for the rest of the year in Dallas!
I also recently started a personal blog to share non-crafting moments with family and friends.
Unfortunately I think the Autumn season passes by the quickest, with full schedules and excitement to enjoy the beautiful weather it is all too fleeting and soon enough February will have us day-dreaming again of the time we could almost wear sweaters in Texas.
In "You've Got Mail", characters Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly discuss Autumn and the beginning of the school-year by alluding to a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils. I have always loved this metaphor and my first thoughts of this season normally have me thinking of that movie and its vibrant representation of seasons and holidays.
Autumn brings with it several months of family events, my husband's birthday, and three awesome holidays in a row. My goals over the next few months (besides finishing all those handmade Christmas gifts) are to restock the shelves of www.stitchtacsew.etsy.com with new scarves and holiday ornaments as well as make some new home decor.
Project Make begins next week, Sunday. I am very excited to indulge in sewing, screen printing and pattern making over the next six weeks. In addition the Urban Street Bazaar is on October 11th and the Jingle Bash on November 22nd. There are definitely exciting things happening every weekend for the rest of the year in Dallas!
I also recently started a personal blog to share non-crafting moments with family and friends.
Unfortunately I think the Autumn season passes by the quickest, with full schedules and excitement to enjoy the beautiful weather it is all too fleeting and soon enough February will have us day-dreaming again of the time we could almost wear sweaters in Texas.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Saturday w/ the NSC!
This past Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a jewelry class hosted by Jennifer Perkins of HGTV, DIY and NAUGHTY SECRETARY CLUB fame! Jennifer was a special guest teacher at MAKE in the Bishop Arts District.
Along with a few suitcases of wacky beads and inspiration, Jennifer provided the basics of beading (such as beading boards and tool kits) and plenty of how-to's. The class used funky findings from the open bead collections we poured through, as well as jewelry findings such as heavy weight jewelry wire and crimp beads.
Each creation was just as loud and fabulous as Jennifer's recently published book, The Naughty Secretary Club:
Visit Jennifer's Blog for details on her upcoming classes in Austin or other ways you can get your hands on a fancy signed copy of her book like us lucky fans did.
Meanwhile here are some photos of my fabulous necklace creation inspired by Jennifer's magical collection of beading's and findings:
Along with a few suitcases of wacky beads and inspiration, Jennifer provided the basics of beading (such as beading boards and tool kits) and plenty of how-to's. The class used funky findings from the open bead collections we poured through, as well as jewelry findings such as heavy weight jewelry wire and crimp beads.
Each creation was just as loud and fabulous as Jennifer's recently published book, The Naughty Secretary Club:
Visit Jennifer's Blog for details on her upcoming classes in Austin or other ways you can get your hands on a fancy signed copy of her book like us lucky fans did.
Meanwhile here are some photos of my fabulous necklace creation inspired by Jennifer's magical collection of beading's and findings:
Friday, September 19, 2008
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