Pucci Style Urban Chic

Remember this fabric?

It's an early knit from perhaps the late 60s if I had to guess.

Loomskill Inc. on the selvage.  I had a very small piece of it.

A rather dramatic abstract that reminds me of Emilio Pucci designs.

Pucci is a famous Italian designer whose heyday was in the 50s & 60s.

I chose to lay out this wrap top with the front edge lined up on the border.

Could Pucci have designed this fabric for Loomskill?  Hmmm...

Take a look at this vintage Pucci scarf and handbag

from Retroshop Vintage and Couture and you be the judge.

Well who knows?  Maybe Pucci designed this fabric...

or maybe Loomskill was "inspired" by Pucci.

Either way... this is how I picture it being worn (click to enlarge).  Note the vintage photo of the woman driving the convertible on the bag -- she's probably wearing a real Pucci scarf!  And for what it's worth, I picture this outfit on the new superintendent in our school district!  She's got style.

Hallie pant - Kate Spade

Jenna Pump - Michael Kors

Abstract Wrap Top - Coming soon to RubyLemons

Lillian Bassman Bag - Kate Spade

Gray Pearls & Lava Rock Necklace - Rare Find Jewelry on Etsy

Black Leather Cuff - Unearthed on Etsy

Kilauea Lava Earrings - WildLifer78 on Etsy

Rings and Things

 Remember this awesome fabric?

 Wamsutta - wish they printed the date with that copyright.

I estimate late 1960s - have to.

Those rings made the layout of a vintage dress pattern a real puzzle.

 Here's how it turned out - fully lined A-line dress.

 Of course, the real action is in the back.

Here's where lining up those pattern pieces really paid off.

How would I accessorize?  Here's how.  In my dreams!

(click to enlarge)

Hairband by Kayt Taylor on Etsy

Vintage Flower Power Earrings sold by Countryartist Antiques

Mossimo Pilar Strappy Wedge Sandals

Vintage Lucite Bangle Bracelet sold by Auntie Linda's Attic on Etsy

Cutler & Gross Ridealong Sunglasses on Anthropologie

Crossover Sling Shoulder Bag by Goldia

Rings and Things Dress by RubyLemons

Ruby Lemons?

Sometimes I get asked where the name RubyLemons came from.

Honestly?  It was inspired by a dress.

A 60s A-line dress with front zipper and patch pockets.

The belt is missing.

...with red lemons on it.  Clearly red and clearly lemons.

Unusual and unexpected, but cheerful and fun.

Kinda looks homemade, but it isn't.  Step-'n-Go was a line of zip front dresses in the 60s with a slogan something like:  Step in - Zip up - Go.  I like it.

Saying Goodbye to the Girls

They've been in the family for a long time.  They've brought us many warm memories.  We're going to miss them, but it's time to let go.  They have to find their own way in the world.  At least they'll have each other.

Yikes, I'm gonna start getting sentimental for real if I don't knock it off.  The "girls" are these two chiffon dresses made up as pattern models at my first place of employment, Mary Lester Fabrics at Capitol Court - yes, Capitol Court.  I don't know which Mary Lester employee made them, but they ended up at our house and have been floating around ever since the 70s. Except, even in the 70s they already seemed out of style - and let me tell you, I was stylin' in the 70s.  Not really.

Actually, they look more 60s to me, but either way they're full fledged vintage and I'm putting them up for sale in my Etsy shop... as a set.  I have to... they're best friends.

Scarfin' it Up

No, that is not the theme of my Christmas vacation... or wait... maybe it was.  But, that's not what I'm talking about.

I'm referring to something I've been working on lately -- T-shirt scarves.  I've decided to sell them in my Etsy shop.  Everybody's wearing scarves these days - quite the fashion accessory.

At the same time, it seems in recent years every time your kid turns around in school or out, they have to ante up for a t-shirt.  From sports to clubs to contests to camps or conferences - it seems the event is always commemorated by a t-shirt.  These shirts really become childhood souvenirs in a way.  Several years ago, I saw a quilt made from old t-shirts.  It was a keepsake that I thought was pretty clever.  Not to mention, it was a good recycling project.  Since I saw that quilt, I've been saving my kid's t-shirts when they don't want them anymore.  I keep a scissors in the laundry area and I just cut off the logo or design.  The pile of t-shirt scraps has been growing.  The quilt would have been cool, but a lot of work.  Instead, I decided to make a scarf for my daughter for Christmas.  I pieced together her old shirts that were bright and more on the cartoony side.  The scarf turned out cute and best of all... she actually liked it.

This is the scarf, but this isn't Chelsea.  By the time I thought about getting a picture, she was already heading back to college.  Thank goodness for good friends and good friend's kids who are good sports.  Here's my friend Brenda's son, Trent.  He's pretty stylin' in the t-shirt scarf!

Claire's lookin' pretty sweet, too.

And here's big sister Jordie sporting a different scarf

I made for my daughter-in-law.

I swear, she should go professional.

So, I was thinking that maybe I would offer to custom make these for anyone who'd send me their t-shirts.  It's an idea.

Today I made one more out of maroon and grey t-shirts from my older kids' high school years.  Go Falls!

I like it the best so far.

I can wear it to school district events.

Here's Keaton stylin' the Menomonee Falls High School Scarf.  He's another good sport.  What other projects could we make from old t-shirts?

No Hoopla

It happened.

A couple of weeks ago I started listing things in my Etsy shop.  No fanfare.  No big announcement.  I just quietly began.  It was an attempt to actually get some Christmas items up before the whole holiday was past.  This was difficult for me to actually make the jump into selling.  I am the kind who has to have EVERYTHING in place before I pull the trigger.  I didn't feel ready, but I forced myself to get started anyway.  I mean, I could just keep thinking of stuff I still needed to do to prepare FOREVER.

I was pretty shocked when I received an email a few days later that $140 was transferred into my Paypal account.  I was confused until I realized I had my FIRST ETSY SALE!

It was a gorgeous vintage red lace dress.  1950s.  A woman from Australia bought it.  Since then I've sold some more things and I'm now up to 16 listings.  It takes a bit of time to complete a listing - photos, description, calculating shipping, etc., but I'm getting in the groove.  I still have a LOT more!

So, ok - go check it out... if you're interested.  Just click the red lemon wedge on the upper right of this screen.  I'm so happy to finally begin.

Seeing Red

I've been painting some artificial lemons red.

There was an article on Etsy with tips

on photographing items that you plan to sell in your shop.

One suggestion was to place something familiar

that everyone knows the size of in your photos to help

customers visualize how large or small your product is.

Aren't they cute?

Let's test out this suggestion, shall we?

Here are two different sized plates.

One is 8 1/2 inches and the other is 11 inches.

Can you tell which is which?

Now can you tell?  Same lemon.  It helps, doesn't it.  Even if there was no second plate, the lemon would help illustrate the relative size of the plate.  It's so important with online shopping to help your customer visualize the item you're selling in any way possible.  In this case, a fork on the plate would also have been helpful.  Everyone knows how big a fork is, right?

I like my red lemons.  I was just going to use yellow lemons, but a wise person suggested painting them red.  I didn't think a fake lemon would hold paint so well, but they turned out just fine.  Excellent suggestion.  I mean, come on... RubyLemons... they gotta be red.

Jack of all Trades

The big moment is here!  My RubyLemon business cards, hang tags and satin labels have arrived.  This means I'm just about ready to launch RubyLemons on Etsy.

It's amazing how many details have to be taken care of in order to do something like an Etsy business.  Maybe I'm just over preparing - that wouldn't surprise me.

But there are so many roles to play just to get started.. graphic designer, supply purchaser, organizer of raw materials, marketer, accountant, set designer, photographer, banker, shipper, and last but most important -- producer of handmade goods! 

So, with the arrival of these cool, sturdy, glossy, bright hang tags, labels and cards, I can check off one more thing on my long "to do" list.  Thank you to Custom Couture Label Co. (on Etsy, of course).

From Eating to Seating

Many years ago I gave this old 50s embroidered and appliqued fruit tablecloth a new life and created a pillow out of it.  I never even used it.

The checkerboard border is pieced together and the piping trim is made from a striped fabric.  How would you categorize this pillow?  Retro 50s modern?  I've always wanted a sofa where this pillow would be at home.  I picture it going on a sofa like one of these:

 

And little did I know until I found them

when cleaning out my sewing room closet...

That pillow had three brothers.  I actually made four pillow faces of that tablecloth and had forgotten about them all these years.  All that work and then they sat in a bag at the bottom of the closet!

I mean this is a nicely made pillow!  With a zipper!

Wow, I used to be rather meticulous!

And, also in the bag was more fabric, more piping, and more zippers!  I was organized!  These will be sold in my Etsy shop.  Think anybody has a cool retro sofa to display them on?