October and into Autumn, 2019

Looking back, our summer was not entirely what we planned. 

We started a garage remodel and were pretty excited about it. 

From our (way cool) "dance-moves" video... be glad its just the stills.

 

However, you know there is a saying, 

"It's all fun and games until somebody... (in our case it was) falls off the roof."

Yes. So, Mr. Black took a fall coming down off of the roof
when the ladder decided to go one way and he went the other.
That considerably changed our summer.

After almost 6 (long) months, he is close to 100% back to "normal"!

HOWEVER

We got to spend some time with our family - kids and grandkids. 

And, that is always the BEST part of Summer! 

The best way for a grandpa to recuperate!

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This summer we also did a fun photo-shoot over at the shop and the garden. 

The models and photographers are from Honey and Sage Photography 

and I think we all had a fun afternoon. 

 

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By August, we were on the road over to the Baja Blues Fest. 

This was the second year that I reserved 2 booths. 

It is always a great event. 

Baja Blues Fest 2019

We spent a few days in the Valle de Guadalupe (Baja's Wine Country) 

extending the time away from the Heat and Humidity of August!

Overlooking the Pacific near the Bufadora in Baja Norte

 I set up with the local artists on the malecon a few times this summer, too. 

Tianguis Cultural 

Always a fantastic view! 

 Then, one last little roadtrip with my parents to visit part of "Old Route 66" 

...I think we nicknamed the "eating" trip. 

Met up with our daughter and had a bit of fun with the grand-baby

(who isn't so much of a baby anymore.) 

Well, that was my summer... more or less.   

Now. Back to work! 

My Off the Beach Studio and Workshop is open this Friday

and we are back to the "On Season" schedule. 

Open every Friday from 10 to 5. 

Hope your Summer included some Ocean time.

See you soon! 

    

 

Spring 2019

It is March already! 

And, we have had a week or so of really fantastic weather - after a really long and wet winter. 

I guess it is Spring Break this week; and, I heard a funny new term.

Spring is the time for the annual "Bikini Hatching". 

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I always get excited to announce our 

Pirate and Mermaid Extravaganza. 

There are more details on the website 

www.mermaidsmarket.com

I will share the poster here too.

We have a fun COSTUME CONTEST with great prizes.  

Most of our vendors will be dressing "on theme", too 

 

www.mermaidsmarket.com

Fall Fashion Fiesta 2018

So, I got this crazy idea to do a poster with PEOPLE on it. 

Which in itself was a pretty good idea.

PEOPLE.... as in one of them is me?

(Geez. Did not think this one all the way through!) 

Somehow, I forgot how much I DETEST posing.

For the "photo-shoot" each of us wore something 

that we had designed and brought a second item 

as a work-in-progress for the mannequin.

Dalia and Adry were great! 

 

Well, here is the finished photo

for the 2018 Fall Fashion Fiesta poster:   

I had a few other ideas. . . 

Thinking it might be cool to see us all hard at work, we 

each grabbed sewing tools and came up with this pose: 

And, finally after all that hard work

we opened a bottle of wine: 

It is a little stressful smiling and posing repeatedly. Ugh.

But, I am pretty sure that Manny (our photographer) 

had the most difficult job of all. 

He was super patient with our crazy ideas 

and somehow he made the photos work!   

Thank you Manny! 

Let's just call it August.

Here in Sonora, the humidity has hit. 

It is almost August and we can look forward to 

about two months of hot and humid weather.

sitting under the air conditioning is the go-to daily activity. 

Get the outdoor work done early in the morning and evening. 

I am happy to have an indoor project to get busy with! 

    

Last year (2017) I didn't organize a fashion show because 

our first grand-daughter was due in October. 

She just turned 9 months old and is a little sweetheart.  

 

O. And, I was also planning a very special family event -

A 55 year anniversary party for my parents. 

SO...

We are already more than halfway through 2018 

. . .time to start planning! 

Check out the FASHION SHOW Page on this Website 

to see photo albums from all of the past shows.

Stay cool this summer.  

"Sewing Forever; Housework Whenever!"

And, it is already 2018

 So, I guess you could say 

that I have been just a bit 

distracted lately.

There was the anxious awaiting 

for our first grand DAUGHTER to arrive.

She arrived early 

and is our latest LOVE Affair!

  

Then, a second distraction

was getting all of the seemingly "last minute" preparations made for the SeaShell Museum.

This is the latest addition

to the Off the Beach Workshop property.

It is now open and

I am nick-naming it the "Friday Museum"

to remind everyone that the hours

for the museum are Fridays from 10 to 5.

Of course, just like the Workshop/Studio I will always try to accomodate any

requests for appointments on other days.

So, here are a few of the latest ideas that

I have been working on...

Inspired by the new baby, I think.

 

The taco and tequila themes 

are - of course - pretty popular

here in northern Mexico! 

 

Salty Pirates

and Mermaids

...another proper theme for us.

Still working on a few t-shirt re-designed 

dresses and tunics.

I especially like this one with its

bright. colorful traditional looking Mexico colors.

O. there in the background is my

Flamenco Dance poster...

A souvenir from Spain.

Ole'

A couple more re-Creations.

My friend told me these look 

a lot cuter in person.

I am just a horrible photographer.

They are pretty cute with some

fun detailing and pockets.

(Everybody loves pockets).

Russ is still making his

Re-created lights.

Here is one that is a
Havana Cuba cigar box.

Made into a vintage look lamp.

Check out that super cool old switch.

Plus other great little gifts. 

I am always working on a few 

items for the "Sea Debris" collection.

A few embellished mermaid frames.

And, even though she is a new mom,

Bethany continues to provide us with some great little oil and watercolor paintings.

These two are a set,

simply lovely, delicate seaweed studies.

Framed up in authentic rough wood 

frames we purchased in Tonala.

So, that brings you up to date on my 2017-2018 Winter 

 Check out the Seashell Museum here: 

www.seashellmuseum.com

AUTUMN 2017

We had a busy Summer traveling to a few 

Vintage Art Shows and Music Festivals.

 

 Also, over the summer we started an addition project.

The SeaShell Museum which we will continue working on 

and hope to open late December or in January of 2018.

Planted a bit of a garden on the property, too. 

A few grape vines... which surprisingly did 

really well throughout the hot, humid summer!  

 A sneak preview of the new museum space. 

It will be a great addition to my workshop & Studio!

I am super excited about this. 

www.seashellmuseum.com

Still working on the garden space behind the studio. 

But, we spent a few evenings here 

just enjoying the new spot! 

 I don't have any photos, but I also emptied out the shop 

and worked like some kinda demented, old construction worker 

laying tile in the main room. Trying to "class" the place up a bit.

(Geez. That was tough on the ol' knees and back)

I think the space is looking pretty good and ready for today's 

re-opening for the new season! 

Today, Friday October 6th. With new slightly extended hours. 

Open FRIDAYS 10 am to 5 pm s

Summer "vacation" is over. 

Back to work! 

See you soon! 

Mermaids... in the Fall

Betcha didn't know that Mermaids 

Thrive in the Autumn months? 

 

October brings the return of the Mermaids 

to their outdoor venue. 

This Saturday the 17th  you will find us 

at the Shrimp Plaza in the center of town. 

From Noon to 3. 

See you There!

DETAILS:

www.mermaidsmarket.com

Mermaid Treasures to be Found! 

"Look at this trove - Treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern (or, Shrimp Park) hold?
I've got gadgets and gizmo's of plenty
I've got whozits and whatzits galore.
You want thingamabobs? . . .I got twenty!" 

Summer in a hot, humid beach town... What's a girl to do?

Keeping busy . . .  with a bit of air conditioning and the hum of the fan!

Well, most of the time...

Searched online for a picture using the words "hot seamstress"
(Yep. That was a mistake...not exactly what I was thinking.) 
 

 Oops. 
That is NOT me sewing.

When I thought "hot" -  I was thinking more like this:

 Oh well.

My new motto is "I do what I want!"
(That is just a summer extravagance, I know.)

So, when I get the energy... here are some of my ReCreation Projects.

So, here on the left, I started laying out some of the different clothing pieces that 

I have collected, between donations and my thrift store finds. 

On the right, is the 

ReCreated Tunic. 

Then, I had this super small outfit. 

But, it had some great embroidery.

So, I added a man's hawaiian shirt another gauzy blouse and a long sleeve t-shirt to come up with a new dress that I absolutely am in love with.  This one is just waaaay to lovely. 

 

I also have been doing some painting on natural fiber clothing and it is turning out pretty fun. I have another batch since this photo, too.

And, all of these, also have the quote added,
"Live in the SunShine,
Swim the Sea, Drink the Wild Air."  

A few more t shirt skirts.
Next on the list, is a new style t-shirt dress.
I have 3 sizes of a pattern to try out for those.
And, about two dozen black t shirts to get busy
on after that.

Another fun special order project that just got finished are these t-shirts on the left... basically, there were about 7 or 8 of the square, basic no-shape-what-so-ever t shirts, and they are now transformed into scoop neck, cute style t shirts with a bit more shape and shirt tail hems.   

Oh yeah, did I mention the flowy Re-Created cruise dresses?
These just have to be favorites...

They are fun, summery dresses each Re-Created for a new life.
(And, I think the "new life" should definitely be on the dance floor.) 



The detail work on the purple one was a kinda
a long-term project... The flowers were hand-cut
and each hand-sewn before being attached along with 
the beadwork. But, oh!
My favorite colors....  

Here is another project in the "Idea" stage.
I have 4 pieces.
And, the plan for this to be a funky cowgirl dress.

I pinned it on the dress form just to see what would happen.... Well, like I said...
this one is still a bit of a mess.
By fall, it will be something pretty cute to wear with a pair of cowboy (girl) boots.

Added to the shop...

Shop my Etsy store.

I am trying to get things added...

But it is a slow process. 

www.etsy.com/shop/SeaDebris