What's With All The Crazy Weather?

All week it's been pouring rain. We've had road closures due to mudslides and fallen trees bringing power lines down with them. More rain was predicted for today but not the snow we are getting. It does snow in the mountains so it's not unusual, it just doesn't snow often or stay for long. But this snow is falling fast and furious and it's sticking! When I walked outside it was crunchy under my feet, not like icy crunchy but that rubbery sound, cool. I know people who live in snowy climates are thinking "what's the big deal" but for people who don't see snow often it is amazing. Those who live "down the hill" don't get snow and often times they load the kids in the car to drive to the mountains to see the white powder and we'll see them pulled over on the side of the road making snow balls and sometimes even snowmen. But the last couple of years the sheriff's department has closed the road just below our house to prevent people from driving up and getting stuck.


The weather predicted for the weekend says we may get 12 or 13 hours of sun and then more rain. This is winter in Central California. Friends keep asking "are we okay?" and I appreciate this, we are, we are okay. We're prepared for the power outages and having to stay home if the roads close. We have a small generator to run a few things, we have wood heat, and stock up on food, we have Coleman lanterns if we can't run the generator for lights. It gives us that pioneer feeling and while at first it's interesting after days and days of it I go a little stir crazy and realize how much we rely on power.

The snow is still coming down.

Taking Pictures of Treasures on a Rainy Day

It's a chilly, blustery, look out at the fog and rain, rain, rainy day. The third day of rain and wind and it's not letting up. the power has been out since 6:00 this morning. We have a small generator that can run the fridge and a few lights (the computers of course or I wouldn't be writing this) but anything that heats up sucks the power, including the coffeemaker, so those items are at a limited use. The wood stove is cranking and the tea is on. I'll put a pot of chili on the gas stove top soon and make grilled cheese sandwiches to go with for supper. Since my studio has no power it's too cold to work in there and I was bored so decided to photograph a few of my treasures earlier today before the light began to fade into the mist.

A Victorian dress bodice I picked up from an antique shop in Missouri of brown moire silk and seafoam velvet with whiskey brown metallic glass beadwork and sweet little hand sewn French knots of metallic thread. I'm sure there was beading around the collar that has been stripped and there is only a part of it around the back neck edge. I am guessing it is from the Victorian era because of the structure sewn into it and also the size, the waist is 23" as women used to actually have a waist that size.




I don't remember where I got the little tattered handmade book with the innocent looking girl on the cover that someone filled with cloth pages and hand sewed crocheted lace pieces onto.








An old cardboard picture frame from a vintage album, gold embossed flowering vines line the cutout to place the photo.




And three "wayward angels" my sister created from old spoons and jewelry pieces I received for my birthday.



I thought the colors and the old timey, nostalgic, feeling of these item all went together.

I'm going to post several pictures of the dress bodice to show the intricate details of how it was made. Look at all the boning and stays, the hook & eye closure, and the handwork involved.

Upscaled, Reconstructed, Altered Vintage Clothing?

When my friend Jennifer and I began taking vintage slips and bedjackets and "doodadding" them up I wasn't sure how far I would go with it. Now I am taking old linen jackets to recreate as well as interesting shirts as you see in the photos. I am still not happy with my options to photograph without a model. I laid this on the floor and I think this method has potential if I get a neat piece of cloth to lay it on (not the wrinkled sheet I used, geez)! I am also going to start making a plaster cast that I will be able to use to drape clothing on.

Now I'm seeing other people who are reconstructing vintage and old clothing who are calling it many things ~ altered, upscaled, reconstructed, recycled, redesigned, eco-friendly, and restyled. I have never known which I prefer that conveys what the garments are. I know the term "doodad" is not professional but I always felt like that says what is being done. Here's what Mawed Recycled Fashions says "It’s a fashion trend that has been labled Eco Couture / Cast-Off Couture or Trashion. It’s SUSTAINABLE STYLE – and it makes a statement."

I do have a name for my line of clothing and sewn stoles which is "wayward threads" but to elaborate on what they are calls for more terminology. So which term do you prefer?

Margaret Harwell Art Museum in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

The reception given for my friend Sharon and I at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum in my hometown was a hoot! Tina Magill the director displayed all our garments in such a delightful manner. We were so thrilled! Tina also made all the yummy food and made sure the show was well advertised. I saw lots of old familiar faces and was a little overwhelmed since I hadn't seen some of them in over 30 years! I wanted to be able to visit with several of these old friends but my visit was short and I spent most of the time with my parents. I'll go back in Nov. for another visit and possibly give a workshop through the museum.

OOAK necklaces from friends

When the mail came and there was a box for me from my friend Jennifer I knew it was a birthday present. When I opened the USPS cardboard flat rate box and saw this lovely wrapped package I knew it would be something fabulous but what?

After opening and discovering it was a necklace of a feather carved from pipestone I purchased at Taos Pueblo this summer I had to smile. I had sent the feather to her a while back and asked her to make me a necklace from it someday and then sort of forgot about it. She has done all the wire work by hand, connecting the beads with loops of copper wire and even the closure is so perfectly done by hand. She has included some of my dyed ribbon and the colors are perfect for me. Thank you my friend!



Night Bird ~ Taos Pueblo


Another gift I received from Connie when I was in Kauai last month was another labor of love (or determination?). She has been experimenting with PMC and this time she tried brass clay, instead of the usual silver, which turned out to be difficult in the firing process. She had some successful pieces though and I am the proud owner of one of them!



Here is a final piece I cherish that I got from Lisa Call when we roomed together in Portland in Oct. for Art & Soul. I have always had an attraction for acorns. Why is unknown, maybe it's just the simpleness of their shape. I collect them from all sorts of oaks and have acorn buttons and other adornments. Lisa made this little acorn from PMC and she also made the little flat palque which she stamped related words on.



"acorn ~ fruit of an oak ~ seeded"


I treasure my artist made jewelry pieces from my dear friends most. I am fortunate to run in circles with so many talented people who become friends and inspirations for me.

I have to pack now, wrap my scarves and garments for the trunk show in Missouri in tissue paper, pack very warm clothing for the frigid temperatures there now, and worry about the weather and the security screening at the airport. I'm told to be sure and where nice underwear??? LOL! Oh boy what next?

BLOG WINNER - Brenda win! reticule full of goodies!

I used Random.org number generator but I could have easily closed my eyes and chosen from a hat since I had a total of 12 people leave comments. But the winner is ......... Brenda Bliss! Brenda I will be sending your loot in the mail on Monday! Congrats and thank you so much for the comment.

DJ Pettitt online Photoshop Workshop - Image/Editing

I am signed up for DJ's "Memories and Manipulations" online Photoshop workshop that begins on Monday. I believe you have a couple of days to still sign up. I dabble in Photoshop but am anxious to learn more, especially the manipulation and enhancements that DJ is so skilled at! If you are remotely interested in learning Photoshop imaging I encourage you to sign up for the class, here's the link. If you are not familiar with DJ's work please visit her blog.