Crazy Quilt -- Mexican Cotton Yarn Dye Stripe

My absolute favorite skirt. I wore it until it fell apart in the 80s.
Made in Mexico, I snagged it at a church sale for maybe $1.00.

It came to a point at center front.
It had 16 gores.
It had pockets.
It was great for twirling.
It most likely was made in the 50s for the tourist trade.

When a senior in high school, I tried to replicate the fabric by hand loom. Not a success.

Jone Pasha, in Providence, thought maybe I could find the fabric in San Miguel d'Allende. So in 82, while on a huge road trip throughout Mexico, San Miguel was a required destination. They almost had it.

While sorting through my piles of fabric, I noticed some more recent acquisitions that come very close.

Almost... but not quite.

I would show you the other two textiles, BUT
Severo's Wall of Stuff is too daunting -- they're still stored up in that little loft area.

Someday...

Highly Visible @Guess x @MarieClaire Event, part 2

Guess and Marie Claire hosted an event at South Coast Plaza that included
a live DJ, free manis, mini makeovers by NYX, and sweets and libations.

I showed you my sketches, here are the photos.

First, my outfit:

haha -- you weren't expecting Elvis, were you!

We won't say anything about the drive from West LA to the South Coast Plaza
except that it was the height of rush hour and took 1.75 hours to go 46 miles.

upon entering Guess, I was offered some water -- much needed!

we were also given a key, with the chance of unlocking a $200 gift card!

consolation prize

handsome gent with libations

handsome gent with cake pops

DJ

the mani station

the NYX makeover station

the products that Gabriel used on me

"I feel pretty, oh so pretty..."
with Gabriel

NOW WHAT? All dolled up with no place to go!

Bloomingdale's Missoni window was a good photo opp
(I like those dotted purses!)

I gassed up at Costco -- and coordinated too!

Finally, I took loads of selfies at home on the back porch under the florescent light.
This is my favorite of the bunch.

Once again, I'm an inept reporter and completely missed the Marie Claire promotion.
I think Guess was also launching a new perfume and I overlooked that too. Oh well.
I loved my NYX makeover! Thanks Guess, Marie Claire, NYX and Gabriel!

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday
Go see what the gals are up to over there!

Crazy Quilt -- Homespun African Print

I traced the sewing pattern for this off of Hester's Nepali top.
I still have both the pattern AND my top! 

I have no clue why this item never got purged, I'm happy that I still have it.
Concord Fabrics designed and manufactured the yardage,
the print is clearly inspired by Korhogo cloth from the Ivory Coast:

Korhogo cloth [source]

Insane handmade button loops -- looks like I rebraided the string.
The buttons are olive wood beads that I also used in macrame projects back in the day

This top is now in the repurpose pile. The print is too great to languish in the closet.

Speaking of snakes,
KUNG HEI FAT CHOY! ~ HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The Year of the Snake starts tomorrow!
"2013 is the year of the black Snake begins on February 10th shortly after the New moon in Aquarius, the humanitarian of the zodiac. This 2013 year of Snake is meant for steady progress and attention to detail. Focus and discipline will be necessary for you to achieve what you set out to create. The Snake is the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal Signs. It is the enigmatic, intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of the Animals Signs. Ancient Chinese wisdom says a Snake in the house is a good omen because it means that your family will not starve." [source: Hanban.com -- click for further info]