Fall 2016 Collection

I was feeling quite nostalgic when I began my Fall 2016 collection and looked to my high school days for inspiration. I was an orchestra nerd/debate/FHA/skater/cheerleader hybrid with interests all over the spectrum. I used that background to build a collection with some prep school, grunge, athletic, and Gothic vibes and I'm pretty thrilled by how it all came together!

I got to shoot with some incredibly talented people: Jeremy McDougle and Marianne Liljenquist of Lunatic Fringe Salon. Their magnificent creative abilities made this shoot so fun and inspiring! We goofed around, exchanged lots of ideas and opinions, and in the end, came up with a beautiful collection of photos. So without further adieu, here is my Fall 2016 collection:

Look 1

This set is made from a buttery-soft, rayon/poly slub knit and subtly glittered organza. It features raglan sleeves, a deep V back, and a pull-on waistband that all contribute to the sexy, comfortable feel of this ensemble.

Look 2

Vintage lace, chiffon, and PVC pipe make this look both sweet and edgy. This is my favorite combination of pieces from the collection because I'm partial to the baby-doll look.

Look 3

I can't lie: I do have a bit of dominatrix inside me, waaaaay down deep. This top strikes a balance between naughty and nice with a mesh inset in front, a velvet collar, and a subtle-yet-delightful print of the tiniest wildcats. I like to think that I'd wear this top under a jacket so just a peek of that awesome harness could peek out.

Look 4

I originally bought this fabric 16 years ago and waited to use it I thought of the perfect application for it. The lace on top is deliciously soft and the finish on the bronze skirt is so seductive. It moves like a dream and definitely conjures up a slinky, sultry vision of molten metal. I also experimented with sleeve length and shape, creating an elongated, slim fit to draw the eye downward.

Look 5

This look is a collaboration of ideas between me, Jeremy, and Marianne. They were involved in the bodice design, draping, and styling and I feel like it's such a dream! Layers of tulle, lace, and velvet combine to create daring movement, bold lines, and lots of volume.

I have a few other pieces that didn't make it into this shoot that I'll post later; but I'm so excited for these looks to go live. Leave a comment and let me know what you think of these five looks.

The Wild West, Mountain Men, and Fashion Inspiration, Part 2

If you read Part 1 of this series, you'll know that I currently have Utah history on the brain.  Here's another look from my mini-collection inspired by the Wild West, Utah's mining industry, and the beautiful mountains that surround my home here in the Beehive State.

You may recognize this lace; it's from the same Gunne Sax dress that I used to make a a skirt for myself.  You know me...if I can recycle, I will recycle! I am really excited about the combination of knife pleats and box pleats in this look.

The diagonal darts as well as the selvage edge trim turned out really well, I think; I love the way all the different lines work together to form some fascinating detail and were inspired by Stewart Falls, one of my favorite hiking stops along the Mt. Timpanogos summit trail here in Utah.

The very best part of this ensemble is that it cost me a whopping $3.75 since the lace was free (found in my mom's basement) and the stretch denim for the top was a remnant (and I used a coupon for extra savings). Ah, bargains...you complete me.

Stay tuned for one more installment in this series and have a wonderful day!
 

The Wild West, Mountain Men, and Fashion Inspiration Part 1

My two daughters have both studied Utah history this year in school which means that I have also studied it by default (why do my children's homework projects always end up being a 95/5% split among me/them? I'm trying to do better at relinquishing control!). Additionally, I've been obsessed with the AMC TV series "Hell On Wheels" which captures the building of the Transcontinental Railroad in gripping historical fiction. As you likely know, the Transcontinental Railroad was completed high in the Wasatch Mountains at Promontory Point, Utah in 1869 and I really love living in the shadows of those beautiful mountains. The mining, trapping, railroading, and homesteading history of Utah is fascinating and I'm glad to be learning more about my home state since I'm originally a transplant.

While frantically trying to design and create a few looks for a big project I'm working on, I decided I may as well run with the thoughts I already had in my brain and use Utah's interesting history as my inspiration. I couldn't stop thinking about the amazing natural resources that the Beehive State has to offer, so I got to sketching with silver, ore, coal, fur, ice, snow, water, and aspen trees on my mind. I'm thrilled by the results and feel an unusually emotional connection to some of these pieces because they represent everything I love about Utah.

This evening look was inspired by Provo Canyon where the pristine Provo River meanders between jagged granite deposits and the dichotomy between hot and cold (a constant struggle here in the high desert!).

  I added a large, antique brass clasp to the back of the shrug to add some contrast between the heavy, structured shrug and the slinky slip dress. 

 I love the way this photo captures the essence of Utah's mountain terrain and climate; cold and mud require boots!

I'm excited to share with you the other looks in my historical Utah mini-collection! I hope they inspire you to find and celebrate the beauty in your surroundings.  Have a wonderful day!

Everything Is Turning Up Green

Spring is in full force here in Utah and it makes me happy! My trees and flower beds are blooming, birds are chirping, and I love feeling the sunshine on my face. From as young as I can remember, spring has also brought with it a tradition of new Easter dresses for my mom, myself, and my sisters and I've tried to carry on the same tradition with my daughters. Some years we buy the dresses but most years I let them choose the color and fabric, and we always have a fun time coming up with a great design. My daughters share my love of watching seemingly mundane materials become something fantastic.

I found a bit of green rib knit on clearance at Joann Fabric a few springs ago and I could not resist the beautiful, verdant hue.  I knew it'd make a comfy top of some sort so I used a coupon to buy matching satin and came up with these gorgeous gowns.  I love the lines of the deep V and sash in the back and my daughters love the stretchy knit top and swishy, twirly skirt. The best part of these dresses is that each one cost only $7 in materials!

 These gorgeous and comfortable gowns turned out to be some of my daughters' favorite Easter dresses.

 They are playtime friendly and machine washable, which gives them top marks in my book!

 One daughter prefers sleeves and the other doesn't, so I added a small pleat on each side of the shoulder to add a touch of interest to the otherwise simple sleeves. 

I really adore the long, breezy silhouette of these gowns. 

May your world bloom quickly and beautifully this spring and bring with it an exhilarating sense of hope, new life, and possibility.  Happy Springtime!

Please check out Rachael Nelson Photography for more beautiful images or to book an appointment.

No-Cost Embellishment for Cotton Blend Garments

You all know that I like to save every penny that I can when I create, so here's a great way to add pizazz to your garments without spending an extra cent.  It's quick, easy and I love the results!

I also used this technique on a chambray top that I made the other day. I think the subtle fringe finishes off those edges perfectly.

Photo by Rachael Nelson Photography

 

If you noticed that amazing turquoise jewelry and fell in love with it like I did, be sure to check out Kotah Bear Jewelry and marvel at all the handmade goodness they have to offer.

 

I'd love to hear how you embellish your garments, especially if your methods are pennywise. Have a wonderful day and happy sewing!

Hello, Again!

After being on a major hiatus, I'm happy to say that I'm back and so excited to share my latest projects with you. Stay tuned for great ideas on sewing, decorating, and cooking on a budget!

Recipe: Brown Banana Bread

Lazy cooks, rejoice! Here's a wonderfully simple recipe for banana bread that'll knock your socks off. It's a rich marriage of banana, browned butter, and nutty whole wheat flavor that comes together in just one pot (fewer dishes to wash...hooray!) and will fortify your love for the beloved, comforting quick bread. Be prepared to eat the whole batch yourself.



Brown Banana Bread

1 stick butter
3 large, very ripe bananas
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut butter into eight pieces and add to a Dutch oven over medium heat. Let butter melt, crackle and foam, swirling Dutch oven occasionally to brown the butter. Watch it closely because it burns quickly. Let butter cool, then pour half into a measuring cup. Set aside.


Add bananas to the cooled butter in Dutch oven. Mash with a fork until almost puréed. Add eggs and sugar and stir with a wooden spoon until thoroughly incorporated.



Add flour, salt, and baking soda and stir gently just until combined (avoid over mixing batter as it will make bread tough). Spoon batter into a greased 12-cup muffin pan or loaf pan. Bake muffins 13-16 minutes or loaf 45-50 minutes.



Remove from oven and let rest in pan for one minute.



Remove bread from pan to wire rack and immediately brush surfaces with remaining browned butter. Let cool slightly and devour.



Banan apetit! Hahaha. Sorry! I couldn't resist.

J'adore Glitter

For the last project in my glitter trifecta (check this out), I was so excited to have an excuse to make a glittered phrase to hang in my sisters' bathroom. They have a darling Parisienne powder room (they are super stars, after all) that is so gorgeous, but it is plagued by a bulkhead right above one of the mirrors. I thought a little French bling would be just the thing to turn an eyesore into a dazzling accent.




It's just poster board sprayed with adhesive and dipped in a whole lotta glitter. It doesn't get easier than that.




They adore it and so do I. Ooh la la!

More Friendship Gear

You saw the cute BFF bracelets Amber and I made earlier this week. Well, since my daughter are 15 months apart, it seems there's never an item that isn't wanted by both of them. Karli just started kindergarten and said she needs three friendship necklaces for her new crew of gal pals. She didn't want them to say "BFF", so we settled on some cute little flowers.


I made them the same way I made my keychain charms, and threaded them onto some black satin ribbon for an easy, adorable set.


I love them...


Karli loves them...

...and they were super easy and quick to make. Friends forever!

I'm linking this project to the Krylon Glitter Blast giveaway at one of my favorite blogs, Tatertots and Jello.. Check it out.

Glitter on the Brain

I'm just going to come right out and say it... I made three projects this week specifically for a chance at winning some Krylon Glitter Blast paint from Tatertots and Jello (one of my very favorite blogs). The requirements include glitter, so of course I was all over it. What can I say?... my cheerleader-pageantess-girly self can't resist anything sparkly. So bring on the twinkle!

I lost my keys a month ago, including the sweet keychain my six-year-old daughter made for me. Ever since, I've been sporting a LAME jump ring with three boring keys on it. Boo. So...I made myself some cute keyring charms.


I started with chipboard tags and used Mod Podge to adhere glitter and scrapbook paper to them. Once dry, I applied a little vinyl star and gave both tags a healthy dose Glossy Accents to give them an epoxy-like shine. I stuck a few rhinestones in the gloss and let them dry overnight. A few jump rings later, I can't wait to show off my new keys!

...And here's hoping I win the rockin' giveaway. I definitely need more glitter in my life.

BFF Bracelets for Amber

My six-year-old Amber is having a hard time making the transition into first grade. She cried every day at school for the first two weeks and I was beginning to be concerned. It delighted me, though, when she came home from school beaming and said, "I almost cried today, but my new best friend Thailynd helped me be strong. I want to get friendship bracelets for us!". Ah, the power of a good friend. I got all choked up.



After scouring the racks at Justice and Target, Amber just couldn't find a set of bracelets she loved. I had a cute idea in my brain, so we made some instead. Amber was thrilled with the result and I felt like I had finally arrived as a crafter because I had everything I needed to make the bracelets on hand (Amber even told me I had an "awesome bin of craft stuff"). That never happens! I think the little blingy bracelets are adorable and unique and best of all, both girls love them. Would you like to make some? Here's how:

Supplies:
2 chipboard or wood tags
Craft paint
Letter stickers (or vinyl cut on a machine)
Dimensional Magic or Glossy Accents
2 or 3 mm rhinestones
2 large jump rings (approx. 8 mm)
2 eye pins
Fabric (2" wide by 14" long)
Two sets of snap components

Tools:
Needle nose pliers
Scissors
Hammer (or snap setting pliers)
Sewing machine

Paint both sides and edges of the tags and let dry (you can also decoupage with scrapbook paper and Mod Podge).



Add letters to spell "BFF" or any other sentiment you choose. Burnish them with your finger to ensure a solid placement.


Use a dimensional product to flood the top surface of one of your tags. If you want to add rhinestones, only work with one one tag at a time so the gloss won't dry before you finish applying the stones. Start by outlining the hole, then outline the tag, and finally fill in the center with an even layer of gloss.





Use a pin and a steady hand to pop any bubbles that may form in the gloss. Then use the pin and your finger (lick it to make a rhinestone stick to it) to place rhinestones all the way around the edge of the tag. Leave a small gap right above the hole to allow space for the eye pin later.


Flood the second tag and add the rhinestones. Try not to get giddy when you see how adorable they look!


Let the tags dry overnight for best results. Meanwhile, fold your fabric strip in half with long edges together and right sides facing each other. Sew a straight stitch down the long edge and turn the tube right side out. Iron the tube flat with the seam going down the center back and cut the tube in half.


Thread a large jump ring onto the center of each tube.


Follow the manufacturer's directions on the package of snaps to set the prong half of the snap at one end of the fabric tube. Wrap the tube around the wrist of the wearer and measure enough length to overlap the snap prong completely. Trim off the excess and set the socket half at that end. Check the fabric tube to make sure it's not twisted when the snap is fastened. If you accidentally twist the fabric like I did, use a butter knife to pry apart the snap components and try again.


Place the eye pin through the hole in the tag. Pull it through until about half of a centimeter of pin below the eye remains above the top of the tag (the tag in this photo isn't painted; sorry to cause confusion!).


Bend the pin so the bottom points up.


Twist the straight end around the half-centimeter stem right below the eye.


When the coil reaches the eye, snip of the excess with wire cutters on your pliers. Bend the cut end around the stem and straighten up the eye so everything looks nice.


Now take your fabric tube and find the opening in the jump ring. Pull it open with your pliers, slip the charm on, and bend it shut.












Strap your bracelets on two BFFs and watch them smile all day long!

You Won't Know it's Kinda Healthy Chocolate Cake

It's the lovely time of year when zucchini seems to take over the earth and frankly, I have never really understood the phenomenon. Everyone I know is always trying to get rid of their zucchini, so why don't they just plant less? I don't get it, but in the mean time, here is a great recipe to make the green stuff a little more palatable.






Dense, chocolatey, and deliciously moist, this cake boasts two cups of zucchini and 100% whole wheat flour. It definitely becomes more fabulous if you let it ripen for a day, so if you can make it in advance, do so. My kids are crazy about it and it doesn't taste like it's healthy (you know, as far as desserts go), which gives anything high marks in my book. Even my vegetable-phobic dad ate a few helpings and was stunned to discover the wholesome ingredients. So if you have oodles of zucchini on your hands, grab that green garden monster and bake up some goodness!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

1 cup vegetable oil
1 3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 t salt
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1/2 cup skim milk
3 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1 T vanilla
2 cups peeled and grated zucchini
Powdered sugar for dusting

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine oil, sugar, and eggs in a large bowl. Add dry ingredients all at once and mix. Incorporate milk and mix well. Melt chocolate in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring between each, just until melted. Blend chocolate and vanilla into batter and fold in zucchini. Pour mixture into a sprayed 9x13" baking dish and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool and dust with powdered sugar.

Serve as is, with sliced strawberries, or some great ice cream. You won't be disappointed!

Faux Sliced Agate Pendant

I hit Nordstrom Rack the other day to find a dress and for the first time in my adult life, I walked out with a complete ensemble: dress, some a-ma-zing Dolce Vita stilettos, and jewelry. That never happens 1) because I am jewelry-inept and never know which accessory to pair with anything and 2) because I always have at least one child with me and by the time I've tried on 38 dresses and 22 pairs of shoes (these numbers are not hypothetical), they're fed up. I almost always bypass the jewelry section but on that day, something really fabulous caught my eye.

It was an antique brass chain with a large slice of polished blue-green agate hanging from it. I immediately fell in love with the hippie-chic vibe and thought that layered under a cool multi-strand necklace, it'd be the perfect foil to my dress. Since I only had a $100 budget (oh, how I love the amazing deals at the Rack!) and the agate necklace would've put me over by $20, I snagged the multi-strand number for $7 and headed home with a plan to make myself that glorious pendant. Here's how I did it:

I set out for the woods behind my in-laws' property and found a gnarled branch that fell off of a scrub oak tree. It was about 4" in diameter--perfect. I brushed the bugs off and carried it to the garage.



I used my father-in-law's miter saw to slice several 1/4" cross sections from the branch. It was very brittle, so I knew I'd need lots of backup slices. Don't forget safety glasses if you try this at home!



I then used a 1/16" bit to drill holes near the top of each slice. I broke 4 slices in this process, so it was nice to have several spares.



I sanded them with a power sander and dusted them off with a damp rag. Then the real fun began!



I got so carried away with my paint brushes that I forgot to take pictures, but I mixed up four or five hues and went to town. Start with the darkest hue in the center and work your way out, making concentric organic shapes. I referred to a photo of a real agate slice, but from the looks of things on Google Images, anything goes in the realm of geological artistic license. Just have fun!

I painted the rough, bark-covered edges with a blue-black shade and washed it with black once the first coat was dry to give it some depth and realism.

Once everything was dry, I broke out my new favorite product:



This is like Plaid Royal Coat Dimensional Magic which kind of has the same effect as resin. It's so easy to apply and it gave me the perfect smooth and glossy finish. I carefully trace around the edge of my wood slice with the product and the filled in the outline with a thick layer. After a drying time of about 12 hours, it was solid. My wood was very porous, so I applied two more coats of Glossy Accents and allowed to dry between each one.



Then, I added an eye pin (scroll down to find out how) and attached it right to my multi-strand necklace with a jump ring.



I love how it turned out and got lots of compliments!


This isn't the dress I bought, but I love that this necklace is versatile and funky.

I made another pendant the same way, but i didn't paint it. I simply applied three coats of Glossy Accents to the bare wood and i love that one, too.



Just slip an eye pin through the drilled hole and bend it up.


Twist the tail around the stem beneath the eye.


Continue twisting and trim off the excess.


Ta-da!