Journey Into The Microphone, Atlanta, June 2012

You might call it a Come-Back

For several months I have been without internet at home. But I am proud to announce my return to the internet, and not just the world of infinite webs, but mostly to my blog. Blogging keeps me writing, even when I don't have pen and paper- or time to edit. And It lets my readers and friends free-read my writing, without me forcing it upon them in a five part text message, or having to send emailed attachments out to everyone individually.

So, hello blog!  Hello internet!  I am back!

Incidentally, I had time and a pen earlier, and I recorded a moment of real life that I thought, if properly worded, could launch me back into writing.
So here you go, the mostly un-edited moment of my day that made me stop and think, and then stop and write.

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"You finished your Mother's day shoppin' yet?" A woman draped in a purple linen scarf entered my store. I noticed the black turban style hat she had so naturally wrapped around her hair.

 "Mmm." I replied with a closed smile, reminding myself to call my Mom later.

"Well, just give that a read, you may want to add it to y.." I wasn't sure if she trailed off or if I missed the last few words. She gently handed me a poem, printed on stationary and stretched between two wooden rods reminiscent of an ancient scroll.

 The mind criticizes, the eyes dash, and I grin.
The letters "MOTHER" fall singularly along the left side, beginning each line. Familiar words, speaking of the love and power of a mother, something I know well enough not to need another hallmark-card to tell me.

"Did you write that?," I delicately ask, she nods, "It's wonderful!" I add, in compliment. 

I passed the scroll-poem back to her.

She moved, with a grace that given only to wise women, saying, "I'm introducing her to the world."
She looked me in the eye. I felt her deep, in that part of us which sisterhood lives, and my smile warmed to show teeth.

"I think it's about time." She stated, firing up the part of me where feminism grows.

Quickly, I reply, "I think the world is ready for it."

Looking at me, she softly nodded in what felt mysteriously and mutually understood.
She continued down the side walk with poem in hand, moving strong against the slow and steady breeze.

Starting a Line (And the journey that is fashion.)

This photo was taken by a local fashion blogger/photographer, Cameron Adams, known for the blog Atlanta Street Fashion.

These are taken by myself.

All of the hats are made from felt bases, hand sewn into shape and covered with fabric and embellished. And all of the fabrics I use are recycled scraps, and many of them match our garments in the store! I love that...

I would normally start a success story with "When I started out...", but that is the thing, I'm writing as I am starting out. Having the chance to show the world what I  can sew through a busy display window is awesome!
It doesn't end here, I'm moving. Moving up and on with my life but also literally moving to a new apartment a few streets down. There I will resume sewing. And creating. And writing about it.

Vintage Fashion Photos

I am expanding my vintage collection...

 I found these scarves at goodwill! Only like two dollars I think... awesome!
The gloves below were also a goodwill find.

This hat is a real vintage "doeskin" hat, I bought for 20 bucks in Illinois at a store in my hometown that I discovered was full of vintage hats and clothing. What's weird is that when I was at goodwill leaving I saw a hat that was nearly exactly like mine but white. Faded from time but still fabulous.
I'm working on posting some hair clips I made out of vintage bow ties on my etsy, so check those out and show your friends!

Garden Spider

 We have three small tomato plants in a large pot on our doorstep and there aren't any more tomatoes growing on the plant right now but we did find a new addition to our garden today.

Eat those bugs, Spidey! This same kind of spider makes an appearance around our door every year, but the first year one was in our door frame! Too close for comfort--so we moved it with a stick. Then there was a large web the next year under some decking. But I feel honored to have grown a plant worthy of hosting a small growing spider.  I hope it sticks around and eats lots of mosquitoes! And I was wondering if what appears to be a ball at the base of the spider (which is actually at the top in the pic cause its hanging upside-down), is an egg sack... If so, will it get bigger? Will I be able to see babies?
Questions without answers.

Fourth of July "Post Rain"

We celebrated the Fourth, by taking some awesome pictures of our surroundings which happen to be Freedom Park (no joke!)... some wildlife, some domestic. All very summery! There weren't too many fireworks, because it was raining very hard. But we still had a lot of fun, and here's what we saw...

look a Lil guy!

I call this "Tree-foot with rain puddle"

    YAWWWNN!!!! Oh, so tired! Enough red-white-and-blue beer, time for bed!!

Vintage Inspired Hats Anyone?

I will now be sewing hats featured at my work in Little Five Points, Atlanta.  The store is called Rene Rene because Rene owns it, and designs all the clothes! She has prompted me to make hats, which is good for the both  of us. Recently with the royal wedding and derby, women have been out shopping for cool hats. And since our shop features vintage styled clothes, and fashions. I figured I'll put that vintage look into these hats and they're sure to match the store. Besides, I'm already making more!

Here is the first picture of my hats being featured in the store. They're at the front counter. My two are up on hat stands. Don't worry, more to come.

Back from a Birthday Break!

I am now 22, thank you, thank you. It wasn't easy but I've accepted the fact that I'm not 21 anymore. And I've decided to mark the change with a cute hair cut make-over and new outfit! Partly because I have a sweet new job that I cannot resist getting a piece of the designs from, and partly because I was specifically given money to get something to wear to work and to one of my best friend's up-coming wedding! Here's a sample of what I've done to celebrate my 22nd year of life!

this dress is beautiful for an outdoor wedding!

At Paris room At Paris on Ponce

Real mermaid figurehead from a ship over 200 yrs old, @ fernbank museum

The Dragon and I at Fernbank

Real c. 1600's tome of natural history depicting unicorns.

My boyfriend's parents visited us for a weekend and we went to a museum to see mythical creatures from man's imagination throughout history! And we went to an antique shop with a moulin rouge wing you could rent for parties! It was gorgeous! I saw a half hat there I want to go back and buy! Then it was shopping and shopping! Sewing and shopping and Olive Garden yay!





I was going to post more pictures of the things described above.. but my computers being so slow, and bad at wi-fi that I'm just going to skip it and tell you how excited I am because I got asked at work to sell my own hat designs in the retail shop! This is such a good opportunity to show what I can do to the world!!!