Brooches and Buttons

Hello, all!

The lovely Kezzie has been sharing some of her funtabulous brooches on her blog, and in a comment on my blog she sort of demanded that I do the same. I do have a few really nice brooches, which I haven't been wearing much lately. Summer clothes can't hold up anything that weighs more than a piece of lint. But now that lapel season is on its way, let me show you some of my pretties.

Before I do, though, I HAVE to mention that I just reopened my Etsy shop - click on the link and bring your credit card! Of course, my "chaos" brooches are listed. Please have a look and give me feedback.

Now, where was I? Oh, yes, brooches. I have posted pics of these before, and I'm probably better off using old pictures than the newer ones. This is what I accomplished taking a selfie today:

The brooch is a beautiful blue butterfly I bought from Bella at Citizen Rosebud. Here's a usable photo with a smug smile.

The butterfly was also seen here. Lovely, n'est-ce pas?

--- edited on Sept. 29, which happens to be TARDIS Tuesday, and I'm wearing blue so I shall link up with My Closet Catalogue.

This is one I made for myself using a sticker of an Edward Hopper painting and putting resin over it.

I've grouped it with some buttonflowers from Megan Gann (who used to have a blog but she seems to have quit the blogging life). The little yellow curves in the buttonflowers match the hat in the picture.

Here's a photo from 2012 with me wearing a brooch I got at a charity shop in England.

This is when Mr. S did some photography for me, before we started bickering each time (Me: Hurry up! You're taking too long! Him: You keep making silly faces!). Ah, memories . . .

And here's a micro-mosaic set that belonged to my grandmother's cousin Naomi, who had no children of her own so my mother got them. And now I have them.

 
I know I mentioned buttons in the title, and I was going to tell you about the buttons I made - yes, made - for this purple velvet jacket, which was a hand-me-over from my niece. But maybe that will wait for another post.

Linking up with the longest running link-up on the webz - Visible Monday at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style. Are you going? I'm bringing a cheese ball (his name is Guido - haha!).

PS - when I added my link, it wanted to shorten the title to Brooches and Butt. 

Val

Altered States

What must you think of me? First I did a post called SToned (the capital T was a happy accident that I decided to leave because it looked, well, stoned) and now Altered States. In fact, the only intoxicant I use anymore is wine – regularly, but not in huge quantities. Only enough to alter my mood, not my state.

But I've been altering lots of things in my closet. Since I learned to make peace with the sewing machine (and read the manual), I've been getting a lot done and making my clothes fit better. So, I've got some photos to show you, taken with my new Canon PowerShot. I wanted a better pocket camera, but I'm not sure if this is an actual improvement or not.

There's the camera and a mirror selfie. I wanted to try out the camera (I still need to read THAT manual) and I had no choice but to use it because Mr. S is on a video shoot and took the good stills/video camera as a spare. And the good tripods. He left me this wonky little thing.

It's crap.

Anyway, on to the clothes. Here's a top from Marketplace: Handwork of India, seen on my old blog here. That was a good post, too - you should go read it. ;-)

The top is meant to be boxy, but I wanted it a little less like a chopped-off gunny sack. But how to do it?

After lots of pinning and pondering, I created a seam on each side that adds an interesting detail, and with front and back combined I took in the top by about two inches, which neatly included the shoulders. 

I used a light blue thread, like is used in the embroidery. I plan to add some additional embroidery one of these days.

thrifted Levi's; sandals are Bare Traps

And I plan to get rid of these jeans that add too much heft to my hips and thighs!

I've also taken in the seams of a shirt, a tunic, and all these jeans.

 

It's not like I've lost weight or anything. They were just too wide in the legs, and it was easy to sew up the seam that wasn't a French seam (because that would be a real pain). 

But here's the piece de resistance!

The jacket was pretty cool before (seen here and here). But I've been wanting to do a real altered couture piece, and this one started rustling in the closet and whispering, "Pick me! Pick me!" So I cut up a lacy scarf and some ties that were in an obi from Megan Mae, and I just starting pinning things on.

It still has pins and bits of thread all over - another work in progress - so I still have lots of hand sewing, and embroidery to do. But I'm really itching to work with paper and glue now, and that will tie in perfectly with my next post for Thoughtful Third Thursday!

This one I'll link up with Creative Mondays at Claire Justine.

Val

Of Love and Happiness

First of all, thank you to those who commented on my last post and recommended that I jump to the end of my book, or look online. I did go online to read a synopsis of the book - it was very poorly received, by the way, no surprise there. The big secret that was going to change everyone's lives was - are you ready for this? - artificial insemination!!! That was it. Glad I didn't waste any more time on the book just to find out how unsurprising the secret was. Ho hum.

Now, February is not only the month that holds Valentine's Day, it's also the month of my wedding anniversary. Eighteen years ago on the morning of our wedding day, Mr. S woke up next to me in my parents' house (shocking!) and whispered, "Help!"

To celebrate his entrapment, we went out for a nice dinner on Saturday night. This is what I wore.

I just realized I hadn't put lipstick on yet!

Yes, it's basically my Magical Mystery Tour outfit with a few slight changes. So let me show you something new.

Smile!

The embellishments on the lapel of my Guess coat include button flowers from Megan Mae, a small brooch that belonged to my dad's Aunt Dagmar, and a button of the Eiffel Tower I bought at the Brownsville Art Association last fall.

We went to a little bistro to have some yummy pizza (smoked duck) and ravioli, and listen to music.

Emily Jensen and Tim McLaughlin

We weren't that drunk - honest, Officer.

I'll be linking up with Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style. Come join us to feel the love, or just listen to the reverend.

 

Love and happiness, baby.

Val