intricate - illustration friday

verbal teardrops...for illustration friday's theme intricate! hand drawn in ink, then digitally colored. i love illustrating quotes.

NEW recycled hand knit rag toys!

They are made up of recycled cotton flannel strips, ripped and tied into yarn, then knit by hand and stuffed with more recycled cotton flannel. Every toy is one of a kind, particularly because I do not use patterns (but I am working on making them up for a knitting pattern book one day!)


I like to think my place is like a garden for the toys, starting out as something entirely new from older times- a place to come to germinate, grow and get ready to go on their next adventure!
These creatures are the bunny rabbit, the birdy duck, and the giraffe.
I'm certain to try out a butterfly next. Also planning to make other scrap fabric yarn toys....
how about 100% recycled silk, or funky upholstery?? yummy.


hit up my shop for more details and lots of photos!

my favorite Handmade dress Makers

All courtesy of etsy! This handful of artists are just a sample of the amazingly talented independent clothing designers out there that I love, particularly for dresses. These are all handcrafted clothing shops, perhaps offering new product with your custom measurements, or inventively re- and up-cycled from vintage pieces galore! Many of these products are very eco and environmentally friendly too!

gaiaconceptions.etsy.com
ArmoursansAnguish.etsy.com
CrowsCloth.etsy.com
econica.etsy.com
kimenna.etsy.com
hollystalder.etsy.com
malphi.etsy.com
trapperjane.etsy.com
missbrache.etsy.com

find designers who's taste and style you love, but also keep in mind your body type. We all have our own unique figures - show it off the best way you know how! Dresses are so much more forgiving than pants - you will never have the dreaded muffin top with a dress, I assure you. Also, ask yourself if the frock you pick out can be used in more than one season- whether it is seasonless, or through layering! I like trends as much as the next girl, but when it comes to clothes, I like to keep 'em simple, stylish and modular. I find working trends with layers or accessories tends to be a little less painful on the wallet.

Friday Fun Links

Friday not going fast enough for ya? spend some time on one of these links - a few of my favorite places to visit for inspiration right now!

Coraline the movie - the site is just a taste of how amazing the detail and craftsmanship is in this movie - stop motion, everything handmade. How inspiring this movie will be for artists and hand crafters alike!

Design*Sponge is a daily website dedicated to home and product. Grace has some of the best taste around, I don't offer that lightly. Her growing compendium of ideas, contacts, design, textiles, DIY's...you name it, they will drop your jaw, and expand your mind into new, more gorgeous design levels... or whoever is looking over your shoulder. I bet you will forward Design*Sponge to a friend.

Josh Spear I have been following for years it seems. Keeps me on the cutting edge, Josh IS the very meaning of trendspotter. Very modern design, amazing technology - great ideas on sustainability particularly with furniture, clothing and accessories. Always makes me feel good visiting the site, and offers so many fantastic designers and points of view around the world. Again, I bet you forward one of JoshSpear's posts to someone else you know MUST find out the Awesome too....and they will appreciate it!

Etsy. Be forewarned, this place will take up your life with all its creativity and amazing shopping potential. You will hear this name in both Design*Sponge and Josh Spear for good reason - some insanely awesome artists and crafters reside at Etsy, selling their wares! Truly one of those places you will get lost in for hours searching for the perfect robins egg blue jacket, recycled from tupperware containers, or start selling your handmade knit dog sweaters and homemade macaroons.

Next Friday's links will be all Etsy crafters to check out!

Enjoy your weekend!