Graphic pattern wrap skirt. Nicely shaped, simple and practical. Made from a vintage ribbed cotton/poly fabric. It feels like a cotton when touched, with a very slight stretch in it.
Graphic pattern wrap skirt. Nicely shaped, simple and practical. Made from a vintage ribbed cotton/poly fabric. It feels like a cotton when touched, with a very slight stretch in it.
These are vintage scarfs listed for sale in my shop (2 of them are Vera's):
Here is what's going on around here. With a new infant in the house I still manage to find time to craft here and there. But I definately do very poorly with blogging about it. I'll try to do better (at least with posting the pics)!
I am very happy with this blanket that I pieced together from vintage linen, sheets and floral remnants. Very generous size (34"x42"). Suitable for a child, as well as makes a great decoration piece.
These slippers are part of a bridal shower order
They are also available to order. Toscana and green/black linen slippers are available at my shop www.refinedjunction.etsy.com
Hope to be back soon.
I've been in hiding for a few month not posting even a single thing. Here is what's been happening. Baby S. (our second one) was born almost 5 months ago. Due to all the hectics associated with a newborn blogging was the last thing on my mind. Finally, I am back again.
In addition, we've moved to a new place and are loving it!
Crafting hasn't been completely forgotten, though. I did my first craft fair last month. On a bright sight, it was a great experience! Met some crafters, chat a lot, got extremely tired. At the end of the day everyone was happy it was over. On a gloomy side, it was very slow event, with a few buyers and even fewer buyers who were able to distinquish handmade from "mass-produced for cheap". Dead silk flower arrangements were the only best-sellers. Conclusion: I am happy I did it but not sure I would be willing to participate in a craft show again anytime soon. Unless it's a quality one.
I've been making some new cute things that are available at my Etsy shops:
I was excited to receive a copy of My Kids With My Crafts book (by Affa) in the mail today! Some time ago I was contacted by a publisher from China asking to submit for an upcoming craft book. I did and it all worked out surprisingly well for me. I patiently kept it secret untill the book arrived. It was the first time my work was published in a book and I am proud of this craft "achievement" of mine.
The book was published in Chinese and English languages. It features 16 artists from different parts of the world sharing their stories about children and crafts.
We are currently trying to make a move to a new home and I neglected my blog and both of my Etsy shops. So, here is a little update on my www.refinedjunction.etsy.com shop: a couple of freshly-made tunic tops you see below.
I listed these new sunny dresses at my shop today (www.creativebabies.etsy.com).
They are all made of wonderful vintage textiles and would be so perfect for a sunny day!
Finally, I found a good alternative to the nasty plastic shoe boxes I used for storing my lace, ribbons, bias tape, etc.
This basket happened to be just the right size to fit all the trims I have. I spent good couple of hours getting together all my supplies scattered all over the house. Now they are organized and stored in style!
This circus dress was also finished over the weekend. I love the unusual vintage print of the front fabric. This dress is the last of this kind; made in size 5T; and is available at my Etsy store www.creativebabies.etsy.com
Here is what I've been up to this week:
1. struggling with a routine everyday morning walks under Florida sun that inevitably switching into its summer-heat mode. Well, those walks are so much needed to release some energy. Not mine but our little one and his furry four-paw buddy (Uh, I wish I had that energy level!);
2. working on a decent-size wholesale order. It's almost finished by now. All I left for tomorrow is final ironing and tags;
3. brainstorming on how to update my Etsy shops (lots of ideas and so little time). My shops (especially the children's one) have been left neglected for a while.
4. trying out new recipes. This one is a Greek-style chicken with grilled tomatoes, oregano and feta. I found it in the latest issue of Country Living (May 2009 if not mistaken). Hassle free, quick, easy, and delicious!
5. mastering old recipes like Jamie Oliver's Moroccan chicken stuffed with couscous and cooked on a sweet potato stovie (that's how he calls it). All of his chicken recipes are wonderful but we love this one the best!
6. finding time for a quick thrift shop stop that resulted in this find
.
The South American themed fabric panel I posted earlier about has been finally transformed into this skirt:
From the very beginning I envisioned something simple, gathered on the waist, with a zip side or back opening. However, after a zipper was in place the result appeared to be disappointing. Due to a thick nature of hand-embroidered fabric the opening looked very bulky. So, I have eventually settled on an elastic waistband that in my opinion looks "just right".
The skirt is fully lined and available at my newly opened shop www.refinedjunction.etsy.com .
I couldn't wait to share the pics of the wonderful gift my parents gave me. Somehow, they managed to order these goodies from Uzbekistan, where I was born and raised until 16 (half of my life!). Here is a piece of traditional Uzbek silk ikat fabric (I noticed ikat has lately gained some "popularity" here, in the US):
. And, also this beautiful hand-painted plate, as well as a cooking book (pilaf and lamb prevail in Uzbek cuisine):
Thank you, thank you! I love them!
Also, take a look at these Vera plates I found a while ago. Aren't they beautiful?
Too bad these three is all I have (I browse Ebay from time to time in an attempt to make up to a set).
There is a ladybug logo and a citation from Alice in Wonderland on the back.
I haven't posted for a week or two being busy with my dad visiting us. Yesterday he helped me to put together the craft project I've had in mind after reading the Restoration Home book by Mark and Sally Bailey (see my earlier post http://creativebabies.typepad.com/crafty_life/2009/03/rockabilly.html). 
We attached wheels to a vintage crate I use as a fabric storage. 
Now, with the wheels attached, it's much easier to move it from place to place.
For quite some time my husband (who loves sweets!) has been asking me to find a recipe for "healthy" cookies. These are relatively "guilt-free" since they don't call for butter, sugar and white flour.
I am not big at baking but these cookies were super fast and easy to make. They are also delicious! I found the recipe here: http://www.wholegraingourmet.com/recipes/cookies/43-cookies/58-healthy-oatmeal-cookies.html
Here is my recent find:
After a few weeks of total silence I am finally ready to post about this blanket throw I made as a gift for my parents.
I used an outdated wool blanket with a satin binding. Removing the binding usually exposes some seriously noticeable machine stitching that you can creatively mask with simple running stitch or cross-stitch embroidery.
It's so easy to run even stitches at this point since all the marking has been already conveniently done for you by a machine. 
Rose applique was cut out from wool sweater scraps:
I always back my throw blankets with soft cotton (and machine-tie the layers consequently) since I mind that itchy-scratchy feeling you get when wool touches the skin.
