hat collection

Hello blog, sorry for the lack of updates! I'm currently at my parents log home in Pennsylvania. I came down here to make sure my dad's surgery went ok. Luckily, everything went smoothly. The doctor did give my dad a stern talking to, and told him that he needs to start going for regular check ups. Ahhh, he's so stubborn! Haha.

I've really been enjoying the nice weather here! I went swimming with my nephew, went mushroom picking, and went into "town" to go to some cute antique and thrift shops!

Here's what I scored:

1940's stiff velvet hat....It makes your head look like an apple :-)

Nice beaded detailing

Vintage sailor hat...this will be so good for photoshoots!

1950's grey felted cocktail hat

I love vintage hats. Each hat has so much personality! I recently took out a library book on old millinery techniques, and it's sooo much work to make a nice, well-crafted hat. I can really appreciate the craftsmenship that went into making them.

Hmmm, so I'll be here until Sunday, and then I'm going to NYC for a few days, and then to Long Island for a friend's wedding. Luckily there's a serger and sewing machine here...so I'll be able to get some work done, too! Anyway, I hope everyone has a great rest of the month. I can't believe September is almost here! :-(

Tree necklace

I'm always in awe of the beautiful things people create on Etsy! This awesome tree necklace is on the front page right now. Drooool! So beautiful! It's so clever and the colors are great. I love how she crocheted the little acorns! Sooo cute. Ok, I'm done freaking out now. Back to sorting mens' shirts and getting them ready for production!

Back from camping!

I went on my first canoe camping trip and just got back a few days ago. It was a very Canadian experience...we all joked that I had to do it to get my citizenship. :-P We drove really far north and ended up in a place called La Verendrye.

It was really beautiful and serene, and the water was so clean you could drink straight out of the lake! We picked wild blueberries and rasberries, yum. It was definitely an experience, but I probably won't do it again. I was surprised...I thought I would actually really like it, but it turns out I'm way too much of a wuss. I can't handle not having cell phone reception, total darkness terrifies me, and I hate cold water. Oh, and my friend got a creepy blood-sucking leech stuck on her butt! Yikes! If that won't scare you from ever going camping again, I don't know what will!

Here are some pics (stolen from my friend James Kerr!)-

Now I'm back in civilization, enjoying running water, electricity, and um, a toilet that's not a hole in the dirt. If anything, camping really does make you appreciate what you have.

I'll end this post with some shameless self-promotion. Here's a new style I'm making for the fall! I listed two shirts on Etsy. Click here to view.

Playing dress up

From left to right it's me, Angie, Amanda, Elaine, and Judy.

It's uncanny that most of my friends design clothing or jewelry...I guess birds of a feather really do flock together! Amanda suggested we play dress up to mix and match our designs.

It was so fun to document the outcome!

Here's me in a Groggy dress, a Roadkill belt, and MiJu necklace. Angie's wearing a Supayana top, and a Groggy skirt.

Here's Judy in a Groggy top, vintage hat, and Supayana skirt.

Here's Amanda in a Supayana top, and Norwegian Wood leggings. They're new and will be in her shop next week! Oooo you're getting a sneak peak here :-)

Here's Elaine in a Roadkill skirt and a Norwegian Wood harness.

Aya Kakeda

I thought I'd start featuring some of my friends on my blog, since a lot of my friends make really cool art, clothing, and etc!

My friend Aya was just here in Montreal working with the YPF on their Osheaga art installation. Not only is she a super talented artist, but she's one of the nicest people I know. Aya is originally from Tokyo and now lives in Brooklyn, NY. If you met Aya, she is exactly the live/human version of her artwork. We love Aya!

Here are some of my favorites:

Check out her website to see more of her work! It's really inspiring.

Oh and, I just listed some super cute vintage items in my etsy shop. Here's a sneak peek:

(I have way too much fun doing this little collages!)

Pretty things...

I realized I never posted pictures from this photoshoot last summer. Vanessa and Frederika are so fun to work with.

Photos by Frederika

Modeling by Vanessa Pilon

Clothing by me!

Cat nap

A few weeks ago, Brenden, Tyson, and I made our friend Elaine this cat bed for her birthday. It's made out of a vintage suitcase, vintage chair legs, and Amy Butler fabric.

Here's Elaine's kitty "Poof" enjoying the new bed.

Go to her blog to see more pictures...I promise they'll make you go "awwww".