Yes. Today I shall wear red.

   Oh, the color red! I've always loved it... but rarely wore it. And then it was usually as an accent piece. But every once in a while I'll go crazy with it! Today being one of those days.
   Found the hat at the local thrift shop. Its wool and velvet, made by Scala for the Red Hat Society. Have found several from that group in the last few years, but this is the first one that I actually liked.  It has just the right amount of decoration for this color!
   As you can tell, I'm trying to photograph myself again! Not easy, let me tell you! Especially with my short arms! hahahaha    Anyway, for the whole outfit I paired old blue jeans with a bright solid red button-up blouse and then overlayed with a tunic blouse (light jacket?) in black with red florals. Added red moonglow and white rhinestone earrings and, of course, SCARLET lipstick! hahaha 
    Will have to send this one over to Style Crone's Hat Attack. I just LOVE that she does that every month!
 http://stylecrone.com/2016/02/01/hat-attack-31/

  

Another case of "What to wear with THIS?"

   Oh my! Its happened again. I saw a wonderful hat on Ebay and was successful with my bid.   Now, I knew it was impressive when I saw the photos... and more importantly FUN... but it would seem that I underestimated it.
   I knew it was colorful! Mostly red, with orange, purple  (a bit muted) and a rich saffron yellow. And it has a nice wide brim... though I was surprised at how wide. At least 20 inches across! Couldn't even find a box big enough to store it in! And trust me... I want to keep this baby safe and sound! I just LOVE it!!!
    Then the realization struck me... I don't have anything that I can wear with this! I mean, the hat IS the focal point.  I need an outfit that is solid and probably neutral in color. And the simplest of jewelry.      OK, that right there spells trouble for me. hahaha  I like fairly big jewelry... and colorful! As for clothing, I like florals!! Oh, and fabric that is colorful! hahaha   See my dilemma?   chuckle
    All I need right now is enough time to reorganize my home.... go through all these boxes of belongings... and set up a sewing area! (Not to mention space for my drawing table and easel .... and lets not forget all the stuff from the old jewelry shop. sheesh!)  Hell, I'd be happy with just TIME!!!!
    Anyway, will have to review my sewing patterns and choose some versatile pieces to make in solid colors. I saw the latest issue of Threads magazine just the other day and they had a travel wardrobe that they had put together. Looked good. I might need to go back and see which patterns they used. I think I need a classy casual look. Then off to the fabric store to see what looks nice. Black is an obvious first choice because I can use it with so many other things. White is out of the question because of the water quality around here.... clothes don't stay white for very long! chuckle   A nice cream would be an option, but it would still need a lot of extra care and effort when its time to wash it!

Freyja's Day........ Warrior brooch.

   Seriously, how could I pass this piece up?  He is AWESOME!!!
   The loops with the rhinestones look odd and out of place to me. And the backing is soldered on in a very sloppy fashion. I would guess that the molded face had probably been part of something else at one time. Don't have any idea as to what, but it really doesn't matter.   I would love to create a pendant with this. Or perhaps a substantial necklace! You know the kind with all the seed beads! Those can be true works of art.... and if any piece deserves to be part of a necklace like that, its this guy!

   I'm so impressed with the features. The seller referred to it as Genghis Kahn. I can definitely see that connection. hahaha   Will have to sit down one day and do a meditation to see what design I'm shown. Pieces like this are so exciting!

See what I mean when I said "sloppy"?
Face is 2 1/8" by 1 3/8"

 

A little catching up to do!



Well, I finally found a little red purse in the perfect shade! Yeh! Plus some more moonglow jewelry... LOVE that stuff! Also lion earrings. I've always wanted a pair of those!


   My goodness, here it is the New Year all ready! I hope everyone had a wonderful December.
   I was feeling pretty depressed during the holidays because my daughter and grandchildren didn't make it back home. I haven't celebrated a Christmas without my "little girl" in 37 years!!! (Hard to believe that she is that old! lol)   But I did have a visitor on Xmas eve!  A little puppy had been dumped in my neighborhood.... so guess who took her in? Not sure what she is exactly. Maybe part Rottie... or Dobie? Its anyone's guess at this point. Approximately 3 months old and weighing in at 16 pounds... She is going to be a BEAUTY!  Of course, I named her Merry Christmas.    Hoping to find an AWESOME home for her soon.
    So now that she has settled in a bit and all the hectic activity at the bakery is finally slowing down I'm also hoping to get more time at my computer! 
    Its been pointed out to me that I'm obviously an accessories kind of gal. hahaha  Well yeah, that would be the inevitable direction for me to head off in. #1: I just LOVE hats! #2: I spent a lot of years making jewelry. Learned it when I was a teenager in high school out in Arizona. A local silversmith was giving classes and I talked my father into signing up and going with me (I've always been shy), that led to over two decades of both of us making and selling our designs on the art and craft show circuits here in the Southeast. I certainly hope to be able to set up another silver shop soon. I love doing it and I have SO MANY ideas!!!!  :)   I want to explore some different techniques and materials and I'm in the process of gathering (even more) supplies with which to do exactly that! hahaha This is going to be loads of fun.  #3: I used to sew... a LOT.   Would like to get back to doing it. That way I can make what I want AND it will fit me!  I can also make my own purses again! (Another REALLY FUN thing to do!)       Hopefully 2016 is the year I get my creativity rolling again!
   
   

Freyja's Day.... Celluloid Kingfisher earrings.

   Oh how I love these! They're celluloid with a white coating and clip on backs.  They cover quite a bit of ear! From beak tip to extended wing tip they measure two inches and are approximately one and one eighth inch in height.
    I have to position them just right so they hang properly. They're an awkward shape but once I get them on they look awesome! I've decided that they probably are not a good candidate for conversion to pierced. While that's disappointing, I can live with it. They look that good on! hahaha

    I find the whole stunted appearance to be a major part of their charm. The wing detail is lovely! But now I can see where they bear a definite resemblance of those Angry Bird characters. How bizarre!

   I do believe these were made in Japan. If I'm remembering correctly I saw a brooch pin once that looked very similar. Wonder if I can accumulate a set someday?  :)

What is it about feather hats?

   I'm well aware I started acquiring feather hats because of memories of my paternal grandmother.... but you'd think that my common sense would have kicked in by now and I'd have sworn off of them.   Yep, fat chance of that happening!   chuckle    I mean, lets get real about this .... I live in Florida, a semi-tropical climate, and we have more insects that LOVE to munch on feathers and furs than Carter had little liver pills!  (Yes, you'll probably only understand that remark if you are of a certain age! hahaha)
    So why? Is it the texture? I have Buff Orpington hens in the backyard and I just love to sit and pet them. Feathers are such a wonderful tactile experience. But then, how many people pet their hats?    hmmm...
    Perhaps its the sheen and iridescence. The play of light and color is downright magickal!  Even with natural solid black feathers... the colors that flow across the surface remind me of rainbow obsidian. Who wouldn't want to wear something that looks like that?! Beautiful!

   Whatever it is...... I admit to being hooked!   With that said, I've chosen this attractive little pheasant feather hat to share on Style Crone's Hat Attack #29.

http://stylecrone.com/2015/12/01/hat-attack-29/
   
   It needs some feathers replaced and other areas are bare and need filled in. But the colors are the important part! These 'selfies' don't even begin to do this hat justice. When I can round up a friend with a camera I'll try for some better photos that can truly convey how lovely this really is.
   

    Hey, do I look a little bit like a mushroom? :)    I was trying to show that the inside is also covered in feathers. Not a very successful attempt! hahaha
  

Belated Freyja's Friday......... Thermoset leaf earrings for my birthday!

    Since yesterday was occupied by taking Mom to the lab for blood work and dealing with the after effects... I'll just slip this in a day late!
    As a little present to myself for my upcoming 57th birthday I found a pair of the molded thermoset earrings that I love so much. And in my favorite color family too.  Oooooh blues!!!   I'm hoping some day to accumulate a parure of this design. Of course, if I could amass sets of every color I'd be over the moon! hahaha
     Seriously, I've always loved leaf designs. I try to capture a bit of Nature and the beauty of the tree people when I wear such things as these. After all, Mother Nature is a magnificent designer!  As you've probably noticed, down through time we humans have always tried to copy her. And while we pale in comparison.... sometimes things of great beauty are created by mortal hands during the effort made.  Ahh humans, we're such an amazing bunch!  Anyway, my hat is off to the Lisner company for designing some lovely jewelry and making it affordable to our mothers and grandmothers back in the day.
     Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday preparations! Be safe and HAPPY!