Monday, January 11, 2010



My face hurts from grinning for solid week! Belle Armoire has just published their Jan/Feb issue for 2010. Inside is an eight page interview and photo layout of their featured designer. ME! I am thrilled to no end! They are showcasing some of my womens coat designs.
This magazine can be purchased directly from their site. I have also seen it at Jo-Anns Fabrics, Michaels and Borders.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

What part of "Do Not Block Garage" were you unable to read?



Dear Everyone pulling into the parking lot.
To my horror and dismay I have developed a deep psychic connection with Tiger Woods wife. Her presence comes forth commandeering body and soul when faced with problematic automotive situations.
A good example of this would be me rushing to the garage only to find that some one has parked directly in front of it despite the fact that there is a large number of empty parking spaces available that don't involve keeping a tenant from getting to work.
I have taken the necessary precautions. I have removed all the golf clubs from the house. I am trying to arrange an exorcism but exorcists are hard to find and the good ones are really expensive.
Until I can find the means to remove this unwanted visitor who is currently channeling through me, perhaps everyone can help me from getting all Tiger Woods Wifey on random vehicles by inconveniencing a tenant other than myself.
I have placed a sign on my garage saying "Do Not Block Garage. Tenant Parking Only". Of course this does not apply to you but to be on the safe side, just pretend it does.

Thanking you in advance for your cooperation during this difficult and confusing episode of psychic woe.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Plus size pagan pirate coat

Since I have been making this silhouette for so many years, I can adapt it to fit any one. I am guilty of looking at people and not seeing a person but a pattern project. Its a puzzle to solve. Its an obsession. Its a love and its my job.
I have a passion for making plus size coats. A woman with some meat on her bones looks like a queen. They have a rump to show off and thats my job. To make things that drape off of it and frame it like the picture it is.

Its why I have Manx cats. Its all about the cute round butt.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

TotusMel's Wunderkammer

TotusMel's Wunderkammer
I found this really nice blog featuring steampunk art.
They have featured richly layered imagery from Indigo Lights. The artist is Brian Giberson who works in all mediums.
Nice stuff!!!!!

Friday, October 23, 2009

I thought it was an oyster.

Wrong.

chitsaron bulaklak

The other day I walked into a Filipino grocery store and walked out with two fried lumps of mystery meat. I asked the woman what it was.
She said. "something from the pork"
"What part of the pork?"
"Hmmm. Something from the stomach." And she carefully cradled her hands under her abdomen. I thought perhaps it might be ovaries.
I ate the first one in the car. On the second one I realized I was eating almost solid fat. Nothing like fried fat with a side of fat.
When I bit into the chewy stringy parts I stopped eating and got out the camera.
Because of the stringy veined bits I now thought I was eating a testicle.
Pinupchick on etsy identified it as chitsaron bulaklak.

Im sure my cholesterol went through the roof. But it was fun and soooo tasty. So much for eating healthy this week.....

Thursday, October 8, 2009

More fabric.


More fabric. , originally uploaded by Kristi Smart AKA ManicManx.

Once a year or so I pull all of my fabrics off the shelves. Its amazing how many pieces get stuffed behind something. I unearth forgotten treasures. Silks and velvets, Fabrics rich in texture and color. I sort and refold. I pile things according to color and potential projects. I place the accompanying trims on tops of bundles of inspiration and neatly tie them up with a selvage edge of something.
This year I got an email. "I need a coat in shades of gray that looks like a drowned pirate". I had been wanting to make a drowned pirate coat for a long time and could not convince those who want to look like the robber of the rich to go that route.
I had my bundle of gray with the ancient tattered lace waiting to be sewn up.
Perfect.

I love it when my dreams come true.