Me in my new shoes

Yep you guessed it… me in my shoes… and a dress that I made.

Summer is here…. so a girl needs a new pair of shoes or two.

Yep, I'm going gladiator on your ass.

So I bought these shoes… they were a splurge.  I see it kind of like a hey good work on the play present to myself.  I also needed some sandal for our big trip in July.  But it’s me so…any justification will do.  I also bought some flip flops because I know how good they are for my feet.

shoe store in Cote D'Ivoire (from a moving car)

 

Speaking of shoes… my sister-in-law is in Cote D’Ivoire, Africa for work.  And my brother is in Argentina.  I am getting the MAJOR travel bug… and I don’t think that Colorado will scratch the itch.  I am feeling some anxiety due to this- kinda trapped- although I know I am not really.  I am hoping the Gates Foundation opens up a job for a highly trained costume designer deep in Africa somewhere, for a job that will save the planet (ahhhhh!)

Solstice Update: MacBeth 2009

So doing this play was an extreme amount of work but so invigorating and inspiring.  There is just something magical to seeing a play build from concept to stage.  I just really love being in the theater, but know that it can also lead to burn out real quick.

MacBeth… yep I said it, is a really deep and dark play but mystical and alluring none the least.  Theses actor are all really amazing right down to little Issac (MacDuff’s son),  it was great to glimpse in on there process and have that inform what I ultimately do- the shirt has to be able to move with the broad sword or the shirt will shred- not the sword. 

Good lessons were to be found at every turn.  For instance: Lists are essential to this process- the couple of times that something did not  make it on the list it was forgotten (much to the frustration of the actor/ director).  Another beautiful lesson to learn early: teeny- tiny-micro budget= lot of thrift store time.  The cheapest white fabric you can find is sheeting at the thrift store on a 1/2 off day and women pleated skirts make great kilts (much to the dismay for my male actors ).

All in all a great experience!!

If you are in the Seattle area and want to see the show (one weekend left!) click here for more info.

Jay Chen Photography -

MacBeth at Magnuson Park Theater

So here is the reason that I have not blogged in over a month….

Its going to be Hurly Burly!!

I have been eyeball- deep in eleven century Scottish dress.  The show will be brilliant, with awesome fight scenes, lot of blood (which is poison to my costumer ears), and a gaggle of witches.  Please come and see it!!!!

Things I love, things I hate, and things I am guilty of.

petit papillon!

First…. Butterflies.  We went to the Pacific Science Center couple of weeks back to see the 3D Under the Sea.  So we had to go to the Butterfly room!  It is the first time that I had been in the room (even though I live like six blocks away) and it is really amazing. 

So before my father “went in” we got to have the holiday season.  We send him hand made things (half-finished) and stuff with fish on it and he send us gift cards to Nordstroms.  So I bought these shoes a couple weeks back… and I love them:

My new kicks!

They are Japanese Onitsuka Tiger designed for Asics- Japanese street clothing is something I have been inspired by recently.  I have a dress for etsy that is what I call “cavity driven”, meaning lots of pink, ruffles, and lace.  I don’t wear this kind of thing but I have a lot of fun designing it.  It is not done yet… but soon.  The shoes are just another way of expressing this inspiration.  Thanks Dad. 

 

Here is a before shot of the "photo studio", stay tuned for the after.

I really want to start silk screening… I hate when I get new tools (like the silk screening kit I got for X-mas) and don’t use them.  I was all motivated on the 26th of December until I got to the part about needing a completely dark room… I just could not get over that hump (no space for that).  So this last week, me and Dave started to convert part of our office space into a photo studio, and one of our storage closes into a dark room.  At least now I feel like I am getting closer to PHOTO EMULSION takeoff! Exciting steps in the right direction.

And finally, I am guilty of buying the fabric I said that I did not buy… should not of bought… but could not resist.  Hello, my name is Angela and I am addicted to fabric.

And so, my spring has sprung into action!

I have just taken a  costume design job that I am excited about, I will be designing a period (11th century) MacBeth for a June production.  Also, I am commissioned to a “Jolly Green Giant” costume for a private client as well.   Just like that I am BOOKED until June or July!   I really don’t know much more about the production until Saturday, when I meet the director. 

Michael Kors can eat me!!

In other news I have taken pictures of new stuff for my Etsy site, so that will be trickling up on to the site over the next couple of days.  I will also be taking more photos on Monday, so check it out.

… these are a few of my favorite things.

This weeks favorite things… has to start with every thing from the last post.  The beautiful pile of wool, the machine…. SHEESH! I am really still in complete shock.  But we’ll move on.

 

Amazing aesthic. Great layering. Perfect colors.

2) Gudrun Sjoden.  Swedish Design.  So beautiful.  I don’t even really know how to pronounce this women’s clothing and home decor company but I have been getting their catalogue for just over a year and I am completely smitten.  Of course, if I could convert EU’s to dollars I would prolly realize that I can’t afford anything, so I just use it for inspiration.  Even the catalogue is beautifully designed.  They are layering masters.  AND they are totally committed to sustainability and organic certification.

cleaning noses since 1500 BCE.

3) The Netti Pot.  This ancient invention is my modern saving grace.  Nasal Irrigation is (in my opinion) super important for us textile enthusiast because there are lots of fibers floating around.  It is kind of odd getting started, feels weird but once you get the hang of it it’s addicting.  There are many how tos on YouTube, here is one.

raw goods.

4) I HAD to buy some of the trim two or three week ago.  It is from Anna Sui.  It is an amazing $6 a yard- for embroidered silk organza.   Had to.  Now I have been petting it like it is a cat of something.  It makes me smile!

scrum-diddly-umptious!

5) This is something that I did not buy…. but totally lust after.  It is a cotton from Italy.  It has a beautiful hand and subtle shadow stripe seersucker.  I thought I was going to be able to buy some wholesale from a dealer in NYC but it fell through…. and I don’t think I want to pay retail even with my discount.  I am cheap…. sometimes… at least.

Dude…. I just won a $3500 dollar sewing machine!!!!

Yes... I am fully addicted.

O. K. so every year Nancy’s (my day job) goes to the Puyallup Sew Expo put on by Washington State University and held on the Washington State Fair Grounds.  We are a vendor and we sell off lots of fabric… mostly stuff that is on sale.  It is the biggest Sew Expo in the country.   It is definitely not my crowd, but it is different then my usual work day so I like to go.  I call it the SEA of quilted vest with to much shit tacked on the surface, mullets, and sparkle pins declaring “I love to sew”…. yes gross but good for people gawking.  I just wish I could turn off the flash on my camera phone so I could inconspicuously post some prime examples here but I am technically deficient. 

There are a few vendors that I look forward to see.  Pendleton brings out there wools.  I don’t do southwestern themed blankets but their plaid are freakin’ amazing and good price.  For the first time EVER I saw an Eco- friendly Eco Wise wool that was actually Cradle to Cradle CERTIFIED.  I have read a lot about this type of sustainability certification but had never come across a piece of cloth that measured up to the standard (I have a whole blog planned for this topic but need to do some more research.) Very well done Pendleton!! 

I also get drawn into The Wool House from Toronto.  They are A) really good sales men and B) have amazing cashmere.  Point made.

I also like Vouge Fabrics from Chicago…. but I did not buy anything from them this year:(

AND FINALLY….

on Sunday ’bout 4:30 I get a call that I don’t recognize so it goes to voice mail and about 10 minutes later I check the message.  “Well hello Angela, this is your lucky day.  You just won the Sew Expo Door Prize- A Brother Sewing Machine….” I really don’t hear anything past that as I turn to a co-worker and scream, “I just won the door prize.”  I race over to the Door Prize booth to discover that I freakin’ WON a $3500.00 dollar Brother sewing machine donated by Quality Sewing and Vacuum.  I cannot fully believe it…. holly sh–molly!   It is the brand new Porsche my world.

Will someone just pinch me!

Bryant Park fantastic.

So… it is the time of year again.  Fashion Week (that last for the month) started in New York.  Of course I am addicted to Style.com right now because of it.  So I have never really liked Tracy Reece before but DAMN I just want one of each from her fall09 rtw. 

Great high waist!

Simple and very wearable.

Yummy pants, great silhouette

 

I also like the Diesel Black and Gold show…. of course, it fits right in my not so prim and proper aesthetic.

I love the layering!!!!

slightly steampunk for your enjoyment.Again, great layering.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM,MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, good!

Stay tuned for more… or don’t, whateves!

…these are a few of my favorite things.

So this week’s Favorite Things have sort of a antiquated, androgynous, pirate flavor to them:

 

Serious Jewlery right here folks!

1) It starts with… well… a little purchase off of Etsy , what else.  It is this ingenious recycled cuff that I have had my eye on for a while.  After selling a few things, I can really justify anything …and that is very dangerous.

 

yummy!!

 

2) I have been looking at this picture for the last six months.   I really love it.  I know nothing about Poiret… but when my boss gave me this I found the jacket vest combo was inspiring.  It has been at the top of historical file of inspiration (kind of like I have for fashion)… I keep stuff in there for research and for interesting shapes and details.  I was going to enter a make it in wool back in like October, with a motorcycle jacket/ vest peeking out the bottom a la the picture but … just not so good with dead lines.  I could not find the right zippers in time for the contest (damn zippers).  Well, I have been making good process this last week.

3) Here is a close-to-finished motor cycle jacket (not pressed or top stitched).  It is made out of a B. Black wool from a couple of years ago.   My favorite part is the AWESOME skull printed silk charmeuse lining!   I (think) I like the shorter length of this jacket and I really don’t think I would go peplem like in the picture, so it is got a 21st century up date.  That nice big collar is yummy.  My own look has a more steampunk feel to in then the Poiret picture*

 

4)  Here is the vest I did.  I really wanted a vest that looked good open or shut.  And had the length of the vest in Poiret picture.   The result is rad and now I want to make it in a couple of different fabrics as well as create a graded pattern for it to sell.  Vest are really simple to make and don’t take a lot of fabric…. NICE.  My friend Jessica said that the vest reminded her of a gun holster…. So I guess it’s my gun holster vest.  I wanted it to feel like it a tank top that dipped under my arms when opened and then looked like a fitted vest when closed. *

I am stronger then this slip!

5) I am going to end with something that I did NOT buy on etsy.  I think that balance is good… and so is refraining.  Although this cute slip make me evoke Veruca Salt: “don’t care how, I want it now!”  I don’ t need it.  I am happy with out it.  Actually, I am happier with out it.

  

*These pics are just sneak peeks.  I want to try to recreate the Poiret picture when I am done with the clothing so better pics will follow.  So stay tuned…. or don’t whateves.