2020 Summer Sewing

I have been working on a collection of outfits for my 
2020 Fall Fashion Fiesta

The collection will highlight the theme of the Roaring 20's with a a bit of Art Deco included. I am pretty excited about what I have already been able to work on, since spending so much more time "en casa" these days... 

My closet "stash" of outfits ready and waiting is slowly growing. About a week ago, I went and looked through all of the hangers... and there were actually things I already had forgotten that I had made!

Today I thought I would share a post about how I re-design an outfit. 
"Follow-Along-While-I-Work" 

I found this beaded silk top on Ebay.  Ordered it. 

When it arrived it was even more beautiful than I had expected.

However, the neckline was way too high. 

Besides looking dated and "old" I imagine it would also be uncomfortable and scratchy, too.

I decided to remove the high neck first. 

I remembered that recently 
I received a donation of some fantastic pieces 
of jewelry. I sorted through what 
I had over at my studio, 
and came back with a few 
that may work.

Then, started messing around with the necklaces. 

Not bad. 

Then I tried this one and I think this is it! 

Perhaps it is too "blingy" bright, tho.

I turned it wrong side out and the gold is muted a bit. 

Yes. This is what I want...

and, it will look great with the colors in some of my other designs! 

A few hours of hand-sewing later, 

an almost finished top. 

 The next step will be designing the skirt which is being created from a set of drapes that also were a donation from one of my clients. She thought the fabric was too interesting to just throw away when she replaced her window coverings.

I agree. . . And, I LOVE it when people think of me! 

Tomorrow I will tackle the skirt. 

Hmmm.  Maybe I will add sleeves. 

Stay tuned to get more details about the Fall Fashion Fiesta. 

November 2020  /  Rocky Point, Mexico

P.S.

Will you be in town? Interested in modeling? 

Well, when you return to RP this fall, bring a pair of shoes that have a vintage flair to them... 1920s style or any "Mary Jane" style shoes.

See you soon!  

      
 

 

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

Festival of Spain Fashion Show - March 20, 2016

This Fiesta called the Festival of Spain and its first ever Fashion Show,

"Moda Flamenca"

was held at the Phoenix Center for the Arts.

I spent weeks getting things ready for the show. 

Russ and I set up a booth on Sunday morning to display some of my things. 

A few of my friends (along with some of their friends)

all gathered on Sunday afternoon at my booth. 

I had dresses that I was hoping would be right for each of them

and I had made up some flower hairpieces, too. 

Everyone was ready . . . (we dressed really fast because the 

dressing room area was really hot and stuffy!)

It was air conditioned in the hallway...

And so we waited!

  

There were great dance presentations on the stage outdoors.

Finally, we were lined up and ready to go. 

Each of our faces showed a tiny bit of stress or nervousness, I think.

Each dress has been Re-Created from other items. 

 First off, I will show you the dress that sold before it could be modeled.

It is a great example of how I take a few pieces of clothing 

and then add some detailing and remake them into a new dress. 

Ok... Now on with the Fashion Show

Note:  Some photo collages will also show what I started with. 

 

 

 

 

 Two of the dresses were from prior shows and 

so have been modeled previously.

 

  

After the other designers had also shown their designs, 

we were all invited back to the stage. 

What a fun day! 

We all had a fun "finale" moment... stomping our feet - flamenco style!

Thank you to my fantastic volunteer girls!
Thank you to Angelina at Flamenco por la Vida for inviting me.

Thank you to my great friends from Penasco who came up, joined the audience 

on a warm Phoenix afternoon, just to cheer us on! 

Thank you for the great photographs, Jam Sani Photography.

PS I guess I will have to show you my dress.... 

I really love it and the fabric is fantastic! 

~ it turned out pretty dang "classy" ~

A web page that I did all about Flamenco:

http://mexiconaomi.blogspot.mx/p/flamenco-passion.html