Thriftshop Thursday: Marry Me Ragnar

Well I was very inspired by the Bunad show I attended with the family and my passion for designs of my Norwegian heritage and of course my hot warrior Ragnar from the Vikings show on History Chanel ;-).

I was not really looking for a project but when you are not looking, of course it shows up.

There it was this beautiful blank canvas of inspiration in the photo below...a plain Jane waiting for some lovin.

100% Linen and actually well taken care of all mine for $5.00

it's long its probably from the early 80's but it is a classic.

In order to get those beautiful embroidered ropes on there this garment had to be deconstructed by choosing a side to split open and lie flat for hooping.

I also chose to use regular surger thread for the design to keep the mat look with the fine linen.

This dress was hooped 16 times in a 17" hoop to get the simple embroidery design on it as a repeat pattern.

This project took about 6 hours if I added all the time blocks up. It takes a fair amount of focus to keep everything in the same spaces and lines the music of choice when I work on this much "brain work" is a wonderful site

focus at will for creative or big thinkers

this is what I listen to most of the mornings too. Here is the process narrowed down for you.

There is a lot to be said about very simple one line designs used in the proper format, they offer so much variety and they almost always add a very sophisticated look to nice fabrics.

Sometimes less is better when you are working on projects....and sometimes you just feel

the need to go "whole hog". Now if I can talk my husband into taking me to 

the Minnesota Renaissance Festival this would be the place to wear it!

Embroidery design provided by: http://www.theonlystitch.com/

Thanks for visiting!

Carolyn

What can I make for you?

Bunad Bonanza at Mall of America, You Betcha!

 Ohhhhhh boy what a visual extravaganza of fun! I was lucky enough to catch the Daughters of Norway Bunad Festival this month at the Bloomington MN, Mall of America with my mom, sister in law and niece.

I took waaaaayyy to many blurry pictures to post and was trying to listen and shoot at the same time...not a good thing for a visual person!

All of the ladies were so very nice to stop and let me take a photo of their fine crewel work and the many different designs that were represented. Each region in Norway has a traditional costume done in specific colors and flower/abstract designs. The groups shown here are very proud of their authenticity and workwomanship (my new word) I did stop a few women where under the "certain age" that deems a Bunad owner/wearer these ladies were wearing their mothers Bunads in memory of them as some have only been worn one or two times by the original owner it was a very personal moment for some of them and they were very proud to wear them in memory of their mothers. 

A Bunad is a personal and financial investment and can cost up to 2000.00 dollars, never mind the amount of time invested by the "creator" it is truly a labor of love.

I will not give to many facts on regions as this time as I myself am just learning and I want to be correct in the true regions, styles and like good Norwegian if you don't know EXACTLY what yer talking about then ya better just keep it to yourself , here is a link for you to go investigate and see just how involved these garments are 

A good link to Bunad regions and costumes

I am in awe, as a professional machine embroiderer I love the handwork and was surprised that machine embroidery is never used on these garments...it must be that stoic Scandinavian thing...

nothing easy comes with good reward: "Earn It" lol.

daughters of Norway

Thanks for visiting!

Carolyn

What Can I Make For You!

Thriftshop Thursday: TASTE! Donation...if you are giving it away then love what you give.

I get a lot of inquires for donations to causes and I think they are a very good way to get your work out there and test your creative juices. I personally like to make something that uses all the things I have ON HAND like all the bits and pieces of fabrics that I pick up here and there at thrift shops and designs that I purchase on a whim because I think they are pretty darn awesome.

I also feel that if you are going to donate, then donate with your talents that you are selling, donate what you do and what you know your recipient can use or cannot buy over the counter in a unique way.

Maybe I'm off track but I love to just "pull something otta my _ _ _" for donations because well...I work well under pressure ;-)

Thanks for Visiting!

Carolyn 

What Can I Make For You?

Thirftshop Thursday: that skinny bitch get's all my clothes.

Ugh I am on a quest for about 4 months, all because of Thrift shop Thursdays. I find clothes like crazy on the dollar rack that are stellar in construction, material and color....but all in sizes 10 to 12 weeeellll what the heck that skinny bitch mannequin is getting to wear all my great clothes. That's ENOUGH of THAT! 

So I now have a lot of options to goal towards...I'm getting there, slowly but surely I will.

Linen tulip skirt with side buttons embroidered in my favorite go to design by Erich 

get his designs here: http://www.theonlystitch.com/

Thanks for visiting!

Carolyn

What can I make for you?

Thriftshop Thursday: dollar eShakti dress

A while back I purchased some pretty fabulous clothes off the dollar rack at the local thrift shop.

This number is an eShakti dress that has such good "bones" and is a perfect fit for embellishing. I have a few more things I might enhance on it with some specialty quilt cottons but...sometimes less is more so I might just wait a while then add to it after wearing it and seeing how it "feels".

With a little help from Urban Threads designs and some fun colors I believe it has a new life and I hope I can find the perfect place to wear it. Never underestimate the dollar rack and its possibilities, heck for a buck you can play all ya want!

Thanks for visiting!

Carolyn

What can I make for you?