Inspiration

Shortly after my griping about the snow ended (the very next day, to be exact), my husband agreed to watch the rugrats so I could get out for a bit.  I had to go get buttons for a new little girl's jacket I was making, and (of course) I can't get within half a mile of M&J without stopping by.  Turns out it was exactly what I needed.  Inspiration for spring!  Take a look.

 The picture doesn't even really do justice.  The wide pink grosgrain ribbon is so incredibly supple and soft, unlike most grosgrain.  (And yes, it has the price tag to go with it, but if I'm making hair clips I just buy one yard.  Then I can justify it - I think.)  The blue and green is a grosgrain, too.  Just as soft, and with yellow, bright pink and orange woven in tiny dashes across the blue.  And who could resist a pink lobster?  The one made with chenille and a yarn fringe, along with the green picot edge, is actually for next fall, but everything looked so nice together.  (I'm one of those people who love the Martha Stewart paint chips, just because the color combinations are pretty.)

So here's the rest of what inspired me.  A neighbor left some magazines outside the apartment, in the recycling bin, and being the secret dumpster diver that I am, I had to scoop them up and bring them in to see what was there.  Turns out, she's in the garment industry.  We've been neighbors for years, and I never knew.  So New York.  Well, two of the magazines are a Japanese/English couture publication.  This one was from 2005 - ages ago when you're talking fashion, but filled with so much pretty stuff.  These pictures are from Alexander McQueen's line.  Very fanciful and over the top (no surprise), but just beautiful!

 At this point, while taking the pictures, my three year old son came over to see what I was doing.  "I like this one", he says.  "How 'bout this one?  Take a picture of this one."  "This one is pretty, Mom."  Okay, thanks Bud.  Go play with your cars - you're making Daddy nervous.  Here are the rest.

So I got myself going and finished the girl's jacket, although I need to re-do part of the liner.  Here it is, and as soon as I get the other pictures done, I'll list it in the shop.  These ultrasuede flowers are stitched on the back of the jacket and are set into the waistband.  Hmmm... looks like the camera washed this photo out a little.  Another re-do before listing, but I'll get there!