Sunday, April 29, 2018

Ambulatory Portfolio at a College Reunion

Yesterday I attended a 50th year celebration of the first college I attended,
the College of Creative Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
[reactment of outfit, one day later -- forgot to ask someone to take my picture -- 
what kind of fashion blogger am I?] 
IF I had stayed in school, it would have been my 40th reunion.
But at age 20, I was too much of a smartass, and moved to NYC instead.
However, I think it all worked out in the end!

I planned my outfit deliberately -- for starters, I wanted to wear one of my custom prints and my 52 Blogger scarf.
Genius idea: wear the repeat I made from a piece I did AT SCHOOL!
"Reflection", Lithograph, silkscreen, watercolor on paper, 1976
The scribble leggings and silkscreened bag were last minute additions.
While chatting with someone, I realized I was wearing an example of every Print on Demand site that I use!
I was a walking advertisement for myself!
Spoonflower fabric
Redbubble scarf
Society6 leggings
[I get a small commission on all sales]
I had a good laugh at that!

Here I am, with my reunion carpool buddies and classmates Lani and Stanley:

I'll be writing up more about the reunion itself over on my newly fresh art website that, yes, has a blog. (Blog #8?)

Meanwhile, linking up with Patti's Visible Monday
and Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Local Color

Happy Earth Day!
Here is some local color from "downtown" Mar Vista and the Mar Vista Farmers' Market, including me!

Linking with Patti's Visible Monday
Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike

Saturday, April 21, 2018

DIY Yarn from Old Tees with Frau Fiber

Last week I finally had my first Frau Fiber experience!
It was GREAT!
I'm all excited about turning reject garments into yarn that I can use to make new fiber creations.
(I'm leaning toward weaving).

The event transpired at the California African American Museum coinciding with the Shinique Smith exhibition Refuge (more on that, if I can find the time). Some people upcycled tees into tote bags. I made yarn.

Here's how:
Cut off the hem. Turn tee inside out, fold so you see both seams (if you have side seams).
Cut across the tee through the seam CLOSER to you. DO NOT cut the other seam.
Closeup of cuts.
Pull tee apart so you can see remaining seam spine. (Some did this on their arm).
Cut DIAGONALLY from one cut to the next across the "spine".
This will give you a continuous strip of "yarn".
Pull the "yarn taut to get it to curl (only works with jersey. Not interlock, I discovered).
The "yarn"!
 Do the same process with the sleeves, or cut in a spiral after you cut off the hem.
My tee yarn and leftover bits.
I also did the same with lounge pants:
One leg's worth of yarn.
Two balls of yarn and the leftover bits.
Here's the start of what I'm making (pay no attention to that cat):
He's lying on a stripe that will match nicely. It was in a random pile in the living room and caught my eye.
Linking with Catherine's #SaturdayShareLinkup
Shelbee's Spread the Kindness

Sunday, April 8, 2018

Blogger Meetup at Poshmark Live LA

On Thursday, March 22, I met up with Rena of Fine-Whatever.
We attended the Poshmark Live party at the SLS Hotel. It was a low admission fee ($10) and we went hoping to learn some new tips for selling out of our Poshmark Closets.

Small bites were offered on trays, we made a toast with these guacamole-filled trumpets:
There was going to be a pep talk with Poshmark's founder, Manish Chandra, in one of the ballrooms.
I planted myself in a chair (still freshly gimpy from my vacation fall) and passed the time sketching.
Most of my muses are in the blurry background!
[photo by Rena]
The talk was very, um, peppy. (Yes, I'm a jaded ex-corporate worker bee).
Was it worth it? Well, I guess it was worth $10.

Spending time chatting with Rena was, of course, priceless.
We both admitted guilt of impulse buying off the site -- there are flash sales that encourage this sort of thing.
Here are some of my failures (mostly fit issues) that I'm now reselling:
Don't ask about the Brown Shoe Obsession. I have no explanation for you!
It's not all bad buys, I HAVE found some great items on Poshmark --
shoes (Fluevogs even), scarves, Lularoe items.

Links to our Closets (sorry, US purchasers only) (you may have to sign up to see items):
I sell lots of weird vintage garments and accessories, many that I got from friend Larry's stash.
I also have a boatload of earrings and necklaces yet to list that I made in the '80s, from vintage glass beads.
Rena's Closet (Finewhatev) is more practical (like Rena herself!).

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday.

Are you on Poshmark? Leave your Closet Name in the comments!