Button Art

I just stumbled across these crazy funky button coated tights over at Burda Style (tons of great free patterns there).  They're certainly conversation starters, and you must be a brave, confident soul to wear these.  I appreciate the time that went into these fancy pants-y tights.

Colleen Atwood- Amazing Costume Designer

Colleen Atwood has designed many of the costumes for Tim Burton's films- from Sweeney Todd to most recently, Alice in Wonderland. I think I mentioned before how much I loved the costumes in the film, and I just stumbled across this video that shows a lot of the detail on some of the costumes:




Who knew there was even very detailed embroidery on the costumes?!

Knitting a Pleat

I've seen a few patterns that I thought were quite cute that had pleats in the knitting. I've never knit something with a pleat in it and kind of wondered how you'd do it. Here's a great video I happened upon that shows how to do it. It makes me want to go design something pleat-y!

A Squirrel to Make My Day

The featured Etsy seller right now is TsuruBride , and she has one of the coolest purses I have ever seen:

(Orwell Clutch Gold Squirrel Purse)

I am obviously quite partial to the squirrel and all things squirrel-related. If I saw someone walking around with this, I would instantly want to be their best friend and would probably scare them with my enthusiasm. She has tons of other really great stuff in her shop too, and I'm glad that Etsy decided to feature her so I could be graced with seeing her super quirky designs.

(Geek Love Vintage SLR Camera Card Holder)

In her seller interview she also mentioned the all-too-familiar feeling of talking about something like "making a purse shaped like a snake digesting an elephant" and people looking at you, "like you have two heads." I often feel this way when I talk about making double-headed birds with crab claw beaks...it is certainly nice when others are doing similarly eccentric things.

Thanks for the inspiration, Meghan! (photos all from her Etsy site)

Ode to the Shy Button

Dear Button,

You are nostalgic, sweet, plentiful and harmonious. You blend in with a crowd, but you have no qualms when it comes to showing your pretty feathers. You are like a little treasure buried just beneath the sand-- your adorable nature oft goes unnoticed. You are good at the things you do. Your variety and quirks are hidden in plain view. You morph and blend yet still remain the same. You bring me quiet enthusiasm. Your charms are truly endless.

You are as cute as a button.

-Natalie

(Poppalina)

(l.ona)

(shagpiledesigns)

(krisiewalter)

(westcoastcrafty)

(iwantvintage.co.uk)

(ButtonFlowers)

(kellwood)

(siennaorlando)

Not Much of a Shopper, But...

I am not one for doing much shopping. I like malls for people watching and gathering ideas, but not so much for buying. I can never justify buying something when I could just make something instead...or head to the Salvation Army/second-hand store. But, these socks make me feel like a material girl...
(From Anthropologie, Pattern Pal Socks)

Buttons, Buttercup!

I have buttons on the brain. Today I think I'll try stamping some vintage buttons I have into some clay to see if it gets a nice result. In the meantime, I've been looking at some great vintage buttons on Flickr. Here are the highlights of my trip through the pages:

(green and brown-intage by button candy)

(Celluloid, Bakelite and Lucite by lorimarsha; love that one on the left!)

(Vintage Buttons by mame*)
(Vintage Lightening Button by Britex Fabrics)

(it-just-makes-me-happy by button candy...me too!)

(Owl Collection by Betty Jo Designs; how clever!!)

(An assortment of green by teaoclock)

Super Clever Awesome Lady that Stitches with Electronics

The title of this post is so ridiculous--I was hoping that might get some people's attention.
Anyway, another awesome article pointed out to me by my wonderful boyfriend, Nick: "Home Crafts Get Wired"Alison Lewis makes really clever things like a pillow that you can hook your iPod up to and lie down on (so your headphones don't jab into your ears--come on, you know what I'm talking about here). Some of her other cool ideas include a garment that "sports an LED-embellished plastic heart — the more pats and hugs its wearer receives, the more colored lights ignite within its heart. 'It’s about building tender moments and bringing people closer, which is my whole thing,' Ms. Lewis said."


Check out the slideshow for more. These teacups signal the TV to play different videos when they're turned over on the mat underneath. I **LOVE** it!

Here's her website: I Heart Switch
Her house sounds amazing too. I would like to visit. And, I'm wondering why didn't they film it?! Ok, I'll back off, NY Times; I know you're more of a "print" resource. Want me to do it? Yeah? Call me. After the Dan Phillips story, I think they owe me one (totally kidding--thanks for letting me borrow your photos :]).

Today's Featured Seller: larimeloom

Yet another Etsy shop with gorgeous creations! larimeloom makes beautiful handmade clothing and hand woven naturally dyed shawls. Check out a few of her items I selected here:

Here is her "Purplish naturally dyed handwoven shawl:" I love this color and that it's naturally made!
Her "Tulip Dress" is also great...I love the chiffon detail at the bottom. What a great touch!
Her "gold naturally dyed handwoven scarf" is also stunning...

Stunning photographs with great lighting...she's really an inspirational seller! Thanks so much, Lucia, for letting me share you creations here! For more information visit her shop.