An easy way to alter clothes...

Sew on new buttons!  

 

This vintage-inspired sweater (from Target, a few years ago) had some very pretty pale purple flower buttons, a few popped off and ran away as buttons love to do.  Instead of matching the existing buttons, which would have been easy enough, why not switch to some cool vintage shell buttons?  And why not choose some brighter colors that coordinate with the pretty yarn embroidery.

From the top: purple, white, yellow, green, blue, brown, magenta and white again.  This sweater makes me happy every time I wear it!  (and I know - I really should have ironed the sweater first)

Something that doesn't make me happy is something really kind of silly, but...


Yes, I'm a girly girl and I love pink, but aren't there maybe, somewhere out there, some men who might like to learn how to sew a button too!  I haven't read this book yet, but it does look pretty good, despite its gender stereotyped cover.

For a manly approach to sewing buttons, check out this video.  It is a little corny, but does the job.

Threadbanger also has a great tutorial on How to Sew a Button. 









And, in case you were wondering, I do have a few more "button" focused altered clothes to share. 

My sister's black and white jacket

Altering clothing doesn't have to be hard.  Sometimes the simplest changes can transform a garment from a bench warmer to a starting player.  (A sports metaphor - where in the world did that come from?)  

My sister's beautiful jacket from White House/Black Market had a covered hidden snap that was placed right over the beautiful embroidery.  It was totally functional but didn't enhance the jacket at all, in fact it kind of messed up the symmetry of the front.

Solution:  Sew on a basic frog clasp.  The nice black trim accents the embroidery and both jacket edges are clearly visible. 

Notice the rough frayed edges  - very cool detail!

Self-Portrait Saturday #3

*New and Improved* 

with makeup 

... and clean hair!

Moosey says...

"Happy Birthday to my niece!"

have a beautiful day!

Accept the Universe...

with all its mysteries 

and 

contradictions.

There is joy

to be found

in the mundane

and the sublime.

This painting hangs in my studio, opposite my desk, always in view.  I developed the saying when I moved to Oregon - it was a huge life change - and the painting took almost a whole year for me to complete.  The start of the saying was inspired by one of my college textbooks, Accepting the Universe, by John Burroughs.  Going back and re-reading it I realized it was even more powerful that I remembered.  Burrough's reaffirms my belief that everything is connected.  The idea of living holistically, that all your decisions are connected and express your values and your spirit. 

What do you want to say to the world today?

Self-Portrait Saturday #2

This week flew by, mach speed.  Wow!  This coming week is Spring break... of course, we will be going abroad, lounging on the beach.... NOT!  But even though fancy vacations are not in the picture, I love school breaks.  I love letting the kids sleep in, I love having somewhat more free days, away from the 8:30/3:05 grind, I love the potential of getting some projects done. (wish me luck!)   I hope to work on a lot of photography this week, clean my house (unending), and do some fun activities with the kids, maybe go rollerblading.

Me, Saturday morning.  What is that awful thing I'm wearing?  That is my "woogie," technical term, you know.  It's an ancient fleece hooded cardigan that is my at-home robe/sweater/uniform.  It is not at all stylish, but it works for me.  I try really, REALLY hard not to ever wear it outside the house, but sometimes I forget. 

Anyone else doing the self-portrait "thang"?  Leave a link so we can encourage each other to keep it up! 

I am not at all used to having my picture taken.  I've never felt that I was photogenic, so this is a difficult task for me.  But doing what scares you or makes you uncomfortable helps you grow and learn - many other people have said that so much more eloquently, but you get the drift.

have a great weekend everyone. 

Self-Portrait Saturday

Not my original idea, tagging along here with the wonderful Nina Bagley, whose blog Ornamental is a constant source of inspiration.  The idea of posting a photo of me, taken at sometime during the week, can't guarantee it will be Friday or Saturday (I'm just not that into schedules), really makes me kind of nausaeous.

So this is me, late afternoon, no makeup, happy.

Making a new pair of earrings to wear to the Stephenson School Auction tonight - tiger eye, jade and pearl maybe.  

have a great weekend

Green man Giveaway...

and the winner is  Erin.


Thanks so much for all of your entries and comments.

I hope to do a giveaway every month.  Although they say a woman can never have "too much" jewelry, when you start to make your own it can quickly become too much (unless you have one of those super fancy house size closets with huge flat drawers and fabulous cases for storing everything... alas I do not).

I dreamt about closets last night... no jewelry storage though.  It had pretty hanging space for all my scarves.  Lovely dream.

Another giveaway...now with photos

OWOH was so much fun, I can't wait to do it again next year, but that is a long, long, long time away. Not really! But let's do a another giveaway anyway... this time just for followers of debvandet designs.  There aren't many of you (yet) so your chances of winning are really good!

On Sunday, March 7th, I will give away my Green Man microscope slide necklace and coordinating earrings.  Hopefully if the USPS cooperates the lucky winner will receive them in time for St. Patrick's Day.  No special reason why St. Patrick's Day, it's just the next holiday, and the Green Man necklace goes with the theme and needs a happy home.

 

The Green Man necklace has a soldered microscope slide pendant with Dover transparency of Celtic/Medieval man with sword and peacock, the back glass is frosted and embellished with green, gold, and silver alcohol inks. The double strand chain (approx. 20 inches long to top of pendant) and bail- accented with a faceted peridot bead -are made of assorted green seed beads with a silvery box clasp.  My husband loves Celtic design, mazes and labyrinths.  He always encourages me so I thought I'd create something a little less girly (okay -it really isn't, is it?) in honor of him.

  

The coordinating earrings have flat green glass beads stacked with 2 green seed beads, a silver bead, and a faceted "peridot" (it might be real peridot - lesson learned on documenting my materials here) on silver french wires.

The rules are so simple:
1.  You have to be a follower of debvandet designs
2.  You have to leave a comment saying count me in or something to that effect,
3.  If you're are selected as the winner you have to send me your mailing address ASAP so I can send out the necklace by Tuesday, March 9th.

have a happy day!