Mending Momentum

I left you "hanging by a thread" in my last post...
The rehab of the African textile into a tunic was ALMOST finished at the Mindful Mending workshop...
The next day, I used my mending momentum and took the materials to Otis with me -- I utilized the nice, big, EMPTY table  in the Otis Fashion Dept conference room:

DONE!

I was SO EXCITED that I finished, I popped it on over my outfit and took some iPhone selfies.

There was a problem, though. The textile smelled very musty and got worse with my body heat.

Then we had LOTS of rain, so I couldn't hang it outside to air out on the clothesline.

FINALLY, the weather cooperated.
I found online a suggestion to soak the fabric in vinegar to help remove the odor.
It worked a charm.

And then yesterday I was able to wear it to work:

I liked the look of the tunic over another tunic in my initial selfies, so I tried it over my denim button up.

My Indigo and Orange Symphony!

The Fluevog Enthusiasts played along perfectly.

Linking up with
Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #shareAllLinkup
Shelbee's On the Edge of the Week Linkup

On the Mend(ing)

I've signed up for a one-year mending workshop, taught by Ruth Katzenstein Souza, organized by Textile Arts LA.

Opening slide of Ruth's Power Point presentation

I haven't done a very good job at reducing Refurbish Mountain and I thought this might help me get back on track.

We met at Ruth's studio (so much eye candy!).
Our work table (a ping pong table!) was artfully arranged with sewing stuff along the center:

I made good use of some of the equipment -- I forgot a vital box of sewing gear.

I took too many items (as usual), including the huipil I mended two years ago (it needs MORE mending) at a previous workshop with Ruth. I didn't work on that though.

Instead, hoping to make something I could wear right away, I modified one of the African textiles that I bought last week. Got 2/3 done. The end of our day came WAY too fast.

I promise to get this done before we next meet in June.

It was a lovely, exciting, enriching afternoon  -- thanks so much Ruth and Textile Arts LA!

Linking up with Shelbee's Spread the Kindness

Textile and Bead Love at the Santa Monica Airport Market

As promised, the textiles (and beads) that caught my eye last Sunday at the Santa Monica Airport Market.
Sit yourself down and enjoy!

I can get ALL THE THINGS when I shop with my camera.

I did however succumb to temptation and purchased these two gems, which I will turn into tunics: