Busy Busy Busy

I haven't written in a bit of a while, but don't think it's because I have nothing to write about; I think we can all agree I rarely run out of things to say. It's just that I've been doing, going, making so much lately I haven't found the time to tell you all about it. Here's the summary (mostly) in photographs.

My friend, Jim, graduated from college earlier this month.

Guess which one is Jim.

Jim is something of a teddy bear wrapped in a bad ass, tattooed, bald-and-I-own-it shell. In honor of that I accompanied Emily to a nearby ceramics studio and painted Jim a pretty pot.

It's impossible to tell, but I wrote "Ashes of Passed Exams" atop my painted flames. I have no idea what will actually go in his jar,but he seemed pleased with it.

I actually missed the giving of Jim's gift (his wife kindly delivered it) because I was in San Antonio at Hava's baby shower! And oh what a shower.  I wish I'd taken photos, but, alas, I'll have to wait for them to appear on Facebook. In any case, Hava and Ryan have chosen to do Baby Caleb's room in a Dr. Seuss theme and the shower took that idea to highest possible level.  I did my part via my gift: a tummy time swanky blankie.

I suspected I wouldn't have time to photograph the finished product so I took some snaps midway through the making. Babies learn so much about the world through touch so I chose a variety of fabrics and embellishments, each with a different texture and all in a common Seuss color.

On the flip side I went with a black and white color scheme. For the first few months babies are unable to see colors, but I wanted Baby Caleb to start enjoying tummy time to the fullest right from the start; well, as much as any baby ever enjoys tummy time.

Speaking of black and white...

Okay, black and white and pink. Those are the favorite colors of my favorite high school graduate, a darling girl called Courtney. She just got her dorm room assignment and I cannot wait to show her the memo board I put together. You might recognize the fabric... Since the wall was getting some jewelry I didn't want the bed to feel left out so I made a little something for that too.

Hopefully, she's as keen on monograms as I am.

I've got a few other things in the works: a shirt for Ben (because I like to punish myself) and some placements for a neighbor. I may even do a tutorial for the mats. Ooooo. Aaaaah.

Stuff I found while looking around

If you follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter you already know that I am spending my morning with the orthopaedic surgeon having my tendon reattached. Don't be jeal.

To keep it short: My finger was caught between two large mirror fragments; the tendon is severed and must be reattached; the nerves are also cut so I'm not in much pain (yet); I finally get to live my elementary school dream of having a cast for all my friends to sign.

Since my hunt and peck finger gets worn out pretty quickly that's all the verbiage you get today. Instead, I thought I'd share some things I found while futzing around on the web. Click on the images for source info and details. Enjoy!

P.S. Any tips on how to handle my inevitable DIY withdrawal?

Fie on you, Blogger! Fie, I say!

Perhaps it is Blogger and perhaps it is the user (I admit nothing), but I am having a heck of a time composing a grand post for today.

So instead of looking at enjoyable photos from my London trip, I give you...

This is a reminder. No matter where you are in the world, no matter how cute your red pumps are,

Tights are not pants!

Good job with the stripe on stripe, though. Too bad you had to screw it up by wearing tights as pants. Which they are not. 

For every girl, a garter

May was an excellent month for design. I had a couple of opportunities to really let my imagination run.

First, I got a request from one of my favorite clients to make a wedding garter set for her soon to be sister-in-law. Then, two magical words were said to describe this wedding:

Burlesque Masquerade

Oh my gosh, sign me up, and can you get me an invitation!

Smoldering temptress

This little vixen was made with upcycled venetian-style lace from a corset given to me by a former cocktail waitress. She was named for an angel, plays with the devil, and lives like a force of nature. I had to use this lace. Had.To.

Temptation for two

The toss garter (because temptation is best when shared) is made primarily from a red silk camisole. Appropriate, right?

This next garter is one I've been splashing all over the web. Okay, just Facebook and twitter, but I can't help myself. I love it!

This was custom order for a bride who is marrying a man with a fondness for skulls. That button came from an amazing shop, Haute Button, on Etsy. I absolutely cannot wait to snatch up more buttons for embellishing garters. I may even find an excuse to make me some cute clothes so I can sport some of those babies, myself!

If I had this much fun in May, I wonder what sort of girls and garters June will bring me! Have you been having some extra design fun lately? Tell me about it!

Pinned it, then did it

Looking to vote on my Mud Crusade garter slogan? Please do so here! You might win a custom garter of your own to help us spread the word that fit is beautiful. Contest is now closed.

You guys know all about Pinterest, right? If it seems like everyone is talking about this site/electronic bulletin board, it's because they are. And they're talking about it because it's awesome.

I've been pinning for over a year now so my boards are quite developed. I have I mentioned that before? Whoops.

What I may not have mentioned is that I do more than just pin; sometimes I do, so I thought I would also share.

Pinned It, Then Did It

 

The Pinspiration

Scalloped Coffee Cozy made by Sarah Murray of Anyone Can Quilt

 

The Product

Since I don't see in color until I actually have my coffee each morning I stuck with a simple black cotton.  Well that and black cotton happened to be at the top of my scrap fabric pile.  I may try to jazz it up a bit later with some iron-on letters or a fabric applique. As far as functionality, though, it works pretty well.  I have very cool-looking coffee mugs, but the wide mouth tends to let the heat dissipate a little more rapidly than I would like - I have a vendetta against the rough of my mouth, apparently, and prefer my coffee piping hot.

Ta da!

There you have it.  I put my pinning to good use.  Now it is your turn. Have you tried your hand at anything you've been pinning.  Tell me all about it!  Send me links to your pinboards. Heck, send me photos of the pins you did!

Can't wait to see!

In the City

Today I am actually traveling again, but you guys have already seen a travel outfit. What you didn't see was my interpretation of a tourist. On Wednesday, before the cocktail dinner shindig, my travel buddy, Carrie, and I met up with the Tara Gentile for lunch at the Reading Terminal Market. Other than lunch and dinner, Carrie and I had no plans so we decided to wander the city a bit.

So what does one wear while strolling the farmer's market and artsy areas of Philly?

For the longest time I avoided wearing black with navy.  I have no idea why; it is really quite sophisticated. obviously, I am writing this before I actually leave for my trip, so I'm still on the fence about the scarf.  The sweater is a v-neck so I know I'll want something to fill in the negative space.  I'm just not sure silver is the way to go...

Yes, those are shorts and, yes, those are tights.  Again, please note that I am not wearing tights as pants. I'm wearing them under (short) pants. But can we please take a second to appreciate these sweet hounds tooth leg cover picked out by my savvy husband?

Awesome, right!?

Sweater: TJ Maxx
Shorts: Hand-me-downs
Tights:Target
Shoes: Gianni Bini circa 2009
Scarf: Hand-me-Down

I also packed some jeans just in case I was too cold to wear the shorts and tights.  I'm stylish, not stupid.

But tell me, what would you put on to tour the big city?

Represent!

It is Thursday, as in the day. I'm going to help register the Art of Earning LIVE attendees, then skip off to a day of business-centric learning. I'm so excited! Since I'll be representing Tara Gentile and Scoutie Girl as well as NPJ Designs, I checked in to see what I should wear.

"Smart casual is just fine. Dress to represent your business and your value."

Hmmm, my value...is there a dress code for "priceless?" Probably not. Oh well, I'll just have to concentrate on looking smart.

I am so digging the menswear-inspired ladies wear Ralph Lauren put on the runway for his Fall/Winter 2012 collection.

via Quite Continental

I think I might be more quirky than chic, but I'm inspired nonetheless!

My pants are pretty boss. I love the black on black stripe! I still can't believe my former boss was willing to part with these, but I am so glad she did! The fit is perfect and the cut makes me look like I have legs for miles. I wish I could afford to have all my pants be Theory.

How great is that tie? It is actually a zipper!  I was hesitant to wear it at first, because I know how to tie a tie and I don't want anyone thinking otherwise. But, come on, it's a zipper!

Shirt: Express circa 2007

Tie: Garage sale

Glasses: Anne Klein via Lenscrafters 

Perhaps this is a little too, um, hipster? for most work place events, but it's perfect for me! How do you define "casual smart?"

Cocktail Hour

My second night in Philly will be spent "working" on some of the last minute details for the Art of Earning LIVE. From what I understand I'll be meeting some of the super heroes involved in this wondrous affair for dinner at Square 1682.

Matchbook Magazine via Belle of the Ball

I was told to wear wear "something you'd wear out with your girlfriends to a swanky bar but don't get all Academy Awards fancy."

Internet, I was born to dress as though I were meeting girlfriends at a swanky bar. It took me about four seconds to pinpoint my perfect outfit.

Dress: Old Navy, Thrifted
Sweater: TJ Maxx
Bracelets: Gift (thanks, Grandma!)

I cannot stress the importance of accessories here.Those bracelets are adding just the right amount of color. They're pretty awesome, but my new boots are going to kill!

I have been coveting these Betsey Johnson boots for over a year. They were a bit pricey so I'd told myself I couldn't have them until I reached a certain number of sales. Well the time came in January, but before I could buy them I found the perfect gift for Ben, an antique valet. It cost the same as the boots (give or take $10), but I couldn't pass it up. It would be just lovely waiting for him when he got back from deployment. The very same day Ben sent me an e-mail saying he'd got me a little gift to celebrate a promotion he'd received. Care to guess what it was?  Crazy, right!?

So now I have the perfect boots for my perfect cocktail dinner outfit. It all goes very nicely with my perfect husband.

What would wear for a "working" dinner with small business geniuses?

Look, something pretty!

It has been quite a week. I'm not lacking for material to post just the time needed to make it coherent.  So please allow me to distract you with this gorgeous little black dress from Johnny Bechard.

For every girl, a garter

In the last few weeks I have been busy busy with custom orders.  And I am not complaining! Okay, I'm complaining a little, but only because my sweet clients are claiming their one-of-a-kind garters as fast as I can list them in my shop so you guys don't really get a chance to see them.

Of course, the ladies I work with have exquisite taste and I've had a lot of fun designing for them. You, my lovelies, just have to see what been flying out of the Never a Plain Jane design studio.

Remember these fab vintage buttons with their adorable anchors? Well, that post was up less than 24 hours before a sailor's wife told me to "get 'em." She wanted a garter for a boudoir shoot she's doing - a gift to her deployed husband.  I was more than happy to oblige.

Knotted rope heart and vintage button detail on "The Sailor's Wife" by Never a Plain Jane Designs

"The Sailor's Wife," a unique, custom garter from Never a Plain Jane Designs

Then there's Jenn. After 30-something years her mother is getting the big wedding she never had. Jenn asked me to help her design a garter duo as her special gift to her mom. She described a woman who appreciates pattern, color, primitives, quirky jewelry, vintage, and handmade.  The only request was that I include peacock feathers. This weekend there will be a happy bride will be wearing this thoughtful gift from her loving daughter:

"Pretty as a..." keepsake garter by Never a Plain Jane Designs

"Pretty as a..." toss garter by Never a Plain Jane Designs

This must be the weekend for weddings because I had just finished Jenn's giftable duo when I received my first rush order - less than two weeks to go before this bride said I do! I work well under pressure, though, and there was no way I could refuse when I saw her dress.

Mina Gown, interpretation of gown from Bram Stokers Dracula by Romantic Threads, Photo by Le Mew Photography

Cristina has designed a Victorian/Edwardian-influenced steampunk wedding.   Don't you wish you were going? She asked for a garter duo  that incorporated vintage buttons and plenty of drama.  She also gave me permission to "bring on the feathers." In my vast button collection I found these brass beauties that reminded me of boot buttons.  For the keepsake garter I looped the biot feathers so they mimicked the scalloped lace often used to trim Victorian garmets.

"Mina" garter duo by Never a Plain Jane Designs

Vintage brass button and feather detail on the "Mina" keepsake garter by Never a Plain Jane Designs

I love my job!

Inspiration Found: Red Wedding Shoes

Remember these fabulous shoes for an upcoming Las Vegas wedding?

Red satin pumps from Payless

Well these shoes, along with their owner's dream for a "vintage, glamorous, Hollywood, Old Las Vegas, classic, shocking and beautiful wedding," were the inspiration for a custom-made garter. 

In case the shoes weren't enough, I wanted to whet your appetite for my creation by first sharing someone else's. Jill Fontaine of Stay Calm Cupcake left a comment on my Facebook page proclaiming red wedding shoes bring to her mind...

Red Velvet Cupcakes! 

Vegan Crimson Velveteen Cupcakes via Whisk Kid

Hmmm, Jill's suggestion is pretty tasty, but I think my garter is down right decadent. What do you think?

 

Michele garter custom made by Never a Plain Jane Designs

I used 100% black and red silks upcyled from a couple of blouses scored from a local thrift store. I found the feathers here. I'm thrilled with how it turned out and the bride, Michele, is just over the moon!

Are you feeling inspired yet?  Tell me about it in the comments. And if you aren't, maybe you should contact Jill for some cupcakes.

Get your swim on!

Today I am taking Sarah and my Emily to the beach! I'm sorry you all can't come; I'm sure we'd have a fabulous time together.  To make up for it, I put together a little picture post of vintage and vintage-inspired swimwear. Enjoy!

1946 LIFE Magazine - Photo by Nina Leen via MY Vintage Vogue

Beach Blanket Bingo in red from ModCloth

Grace Kelly via Spires and Gargoyles

Fantastic find from Mountain Meadow Vintage via The Dainty Squid

Holly in Ebony& Ivory from Rey Swimwear

Black Foil Paisley One Piece from Torrid

Costa Swim Suit from Shabby Apple

Bathing Beauties via Couture and Cupcakes