Inspiration: Japanese Woodcuts & Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights

Over the last couple of weeks I've been freaking out over anything in the Japanese woodcut style... especially rich, vibrant colours and the illustration style that is so identifiably Japanese woodcut. In particular, these Cartolina collaged cards (second image) and this Marimekko desktop wallpaper (top).

Next week, I'll be vacationing in sunny Cabo San Lucas and this week I've been planning my wardrobe. In order to pack as lightly as possible, I've been trying to narrow down the things I'm bringing. "Packing light" enthusiasts usually talk about bringing alot of neutral-coloured clothes (beige, black, navy, etc.) so that you can mix and match easily. But I'm going to be in Mexico. Where the warm climate and the rich culture hardly go hand in hand with neutrals. My solution? Planning a wardrobe inspired by Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights. Set in the late 50's in Havana (obviously), Romola Garai's costumes were beautiful... and perfect for my trip. Brightly coloured sundresses, here I come.

Tiger in the house..

A new project-- veneer tiger. A couple months ago I posted about some veneer wall art and how I wanted to D-I myself. (DIY doesn't quite work there) Originally the plan was small animals and some bamboo like the image shown in the post. But Mark had larger ambitions... and we went from the google image on the top, to the magnificent beast below it.

Introduction to Wardrobe Refashion (copy)

Hello Everyone! My name's Nicole and I'm currently living in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). I'm a graphic designer and an avid shopper. But no longer! Last spring I held a clothing swap and contributed 5 large garbage bags full of stuff. I recently realized that after a move this summer that I still haven't unpacked some clothing. And so enough is enough. I'm not an accomplished sewer (seamstress I suppose would be the real word) and actually I don't think I've done anything with a sewing machine in over 10 years, but I'm up for the challenge. I also taught myself to crochet (me and the internet that is) about 2 years ago and so I expect to finish some projects that I started ages ago and also try and diminish my growing yarn collection. I've signed up for 4 months and with all the amazing inspiring creations and refashions I see on this blog, I don't expect it to be nearly as hard as it's probably going to be. Guess we'll see.

Oh, I suppose this part is important- I have a friend who is interested in opening a store (boutique meets co-op) where everything being sold has been created from something already existed. Refashioned bliss! So if anyone is in the Alberta area and possibly interested in being involved, please drop me a line. Or if anyone knows of any shops that already do this, it would greatly help my research.

I'll be posting other projects of the interior design variety, more in-depth posts on the sewing projects, and links for my "to-do" list as well as various sustainable/green stuff I fall in love with on my blog here. (self-referential link!)

I will end with my first project in the works, I've started this and will be posting pics when I have something that looks like something. Happy refashioning!

Nicole

Wardrobe Refashion - 4 month pledge

I , Nicole, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 4 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoated, recylcled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftyness brings! Signed, Nicole.

First official refashions.

Parachute Tank with Ribbons (tie at the shoulders to whatever length you desire).


Tube Top with ties in back, parachutes in front.

Pillowcase Tube Dress with empire waist (courtesy of ribbon) and screened parachutes.

Screenprinting goodness Part Deux

Well our screenprinting night o' fun was last night. and we screened to our heart's content. Here are some of the "finished" products (in quotations because I still plan on refashioning from them).





The pillowcases will become either sundresses or part of a patchwork totebag. The t-shirts: underwear as the link I posted earlier suggests.

I'll post pics when I have the final creations assembled.

Screenprinting goodness

Exciting event ahead which will hopefully get my butt into refashioning gear: Love Those Clothes You Wear , a SNAP fundraiser. Artists submitting wearables get 50% of the profits. Next tuesday me and some ladies are heading to SNAP to print some of our designs onto clothing (or fabric to become clothing). I will post pics of the results.