Evilneedles Blog

this blog has moved

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:11:00 +0000

I'm no longer updating this blog, please check out my new blog www.patriciavalery.blogspot.com

View an Etsy Front Page Treasury List - The Vault on Craft Cult

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 15:45:00 +0000

View an Etsy Front Page Treasury List - The Vault on Craft Cult

CD reviews April 2010

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:29:00 +0000

band, album: 3 Balls of Fire, Chrome & Fire
label: Deep Eddy
for fans of: Link Wray, the Eliminators, George Tomsco

cd review: Not quite as fast as the hot rods and speedboats on the sleeve would lead you to believe, Chrome & Water is a medium tempo, relaxed surf album that sticks to the proven formula of guitar, bass, and drums. The slow paced, undulating rhythms are very beachy and cool. This disc is all about authenticity. In the 60's you'd have never heard anything like the Reverend Horton Heat, and you wont hear anything like it on Chrome & Water. If you like Baby Moon wheels, Shag paintings and throwing tiki parties you'll like this album.

band, album: Burning Fiction, Don't Lose Touch
label: PEE
for fans of: Lagwagon, Bad Religion, Strung Out

cd review: Defying trends has always been an admirable quality in punk rock. However, there is something to be said for keeping with the times. Australia's Burning Fiction does a great job of avoiding dated, trendy cliches while maintaining a lively and up to date sound. There's no mistaking the A Wilhelm Scream and Bad Religion influences, but the band injects just the right amount of original melody and lyrics to make it their own. The production really shines through on this album as they took a clean, but not polish approach. Had they gone any more low-fi or increased the compression on the vocals it could have been a disaster, but the end result is outstanding.

band, album: Lighten Up, Absolutely Not
label: Jump Start
for fans of: Kid Dynamite, Minor Threat, Black Flag, Bad Brains

cd review: The cover pretty much says it all. Lighten Up has released one hell of a debut album. Best described as an 80's inspired punk/hardcore/thrash band with a colorful and humorous take on things, they write and play fast songs (12 in 17 minutes) for people who don't take things too seriously. It's a good formula that plays out well if you like 80's hardcore punk. Fans of the Descendents, Fear, All, and about a million other great bands will like this album.

band, album: the Nematoads, Spy Car Mechanic
label: Deep Eddy
for fans of: the Ventures, Dead Kennedys, Man or Astroman

cd review: So much more than your average six string surf album, the Nematoads' Spy Car Mechanic is surf with ample trumpet, 60's spy flick kitsch, and punk influence. I got this disc a while ago and wanted to hold it until the weather warmed up so I could really get the feel for it. People usually complain that spy/surf is too gimmicky, but the Toads do an awesome job of filtering out the filler and mixing in just enough DK/crust influence to keep it interesting. For me it was the screaming trumpet that made this album so much fun. With the same power as a lead vocalist it really stands out and sets these songs apart from the herd.

band, album: Prizzy Prizzy Please, Chroma Cannon
label: Joyful Noise
for fans of: 30th Century galactic noise rock

cd review: Fronted by a wild saxophonist that wails like Bon Scott after a route canal without Novocain, here's a band that can turn any damp basement into a space aged Twister competition. I've got a couple of discs (vinyl and plastic) by these guys and they all get played regularly. Prizzy Prizzy Please isn't the poster child for rock convention, and to further this notion, the new album, Chroma Cannon thwarts standard rock protocol by using minimal guitar. Instead you get Casio keyboards and sax. The songs are frantic and chaotic with razor sharp humor that's dark as night. Maybe the world isn't ready for this band.

band, album: Randy Thunderbird, How To Talk To Kids About Robots
label: Random
for fans of: Jawbreaker, Dillinger Four, Banner Pilot

cd review: Every month I compare at least one album to something in the Jawbreaker catalog and this month's recipient of the coveted 'it sounds like Jawbreaker' award is Randy Thunderbird's How To Talk To Kids About Robots. What makes this fictitious award so coveted is that I, like so many others, love Jawbreaker. So when I hear a band that proudly shows their influence without blatantly ripping it off, I'm happy to help spread the word. Randy and the band throw down nostalgic, 90's styled hardcore punk rock with loads of catchy melodies, rough vocals, middle of the road production, and tons of heart. Until Jawbreaker puts out another 24 Hour Revenge Therapy, this will make a good runner up. And with that, this is probably the last review I will ever write
.

band, album: Summer People, Good Problems
label: Red Leader
for fans of: you figure it out

cd review: Back in the day Crass and TSOL were pretty clever in their use of obvious aliases on each album. Those were cool bands, but the jury is still out on Summer People whose only similarity to the aforementioned bands is their use obvious aliases. Recorded live with no overdubs or studio trickery, Good Problems is a jack of all trades but master of none sort of album. There are a couple of heavy tracks, a couple of floaty tracks, a twangy track, and some filler. Most people wouldn't even notice the mile wide rift between these tracks if not pointed out to them. I't strange how this disjointed batch of sounds comes together as the songs flow nicely from one to the next. I guess you can always stick it in your CD player and pretend it's a mix tape.

band, album: Syllable Section, Linear Views
label: self-released
for fans of: post Sgt Pepper Beatles

cd review: My dad is a huge Beatles fan. A couple weeks ago he got the entire Beatles catalog remastered. He let me borrow it. I listened to every single song - all 13 albums in two days. So I've really got the Beatles on my mind. I know that most people will say everything by the Beatles is genius, and I'm not arguing that. But as a matter of personal preference, I have to say, once I got to Sgt. Pepper I kind of lost interest. I was very turned off by Magical Mystery Tour and Yellow Submarine, sadly this CD reminds me of that experience.

reconstructed t-shirt pattern with instructional video

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:38:00 +0000

Here's a sample of my new sewing instructional video. This is just a small clip from the videos I made to show you how to get started after you download and print my new easy off the shoulder pattern, which you can get on my Etsy account: http://evilneedles.etsy.com

I've reworked my most popular pattern so that it can be made by anyone with a basic sewing machine and a little practice. You can get the pattern on Etsy for only $5.00. It comes with all pieces, printed instructions and access to all of the videos.

Should I Buy This Serger? Advice For New Sewers

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:08:00 +0000

I often get emails from new sewers asking for advice on buying a serger. I've done posts about sergers before, but I've never done one that specifically addresses buying your first serger. So here it is:

First off, this article is intended for novice sewers who have never purchased a serger and have very basic sewing skills. Advanced sewers have completely different needs so this article probably wont be applicable.

There are too many brands for me to go down the list and do an in-depth review of each one - besides, I've never used half of them. What I can do is give you some advice that will help out with the basics of the first-time buying process.

I tend to over-simplify things, but the way I see it you have two options. You can either buy a new serger or a used one.

Let's start with buying a new serger. For your first serger I think it's a good idea to start off with a cheaper machine. Yes, I said it. Buy a CHEAP machine to start. Have you ever searched for sergers on Craigslist or Ebay? You know all those high-end machines you see on those sites for half price? They all say, "perfect condition, only used once." Those people didn't start out with cheap machines. The truth is, most people don't turn out to be awesome sewers right away and they're not willing to practice. Be honest with yourself. If you're just starting out do you really need a $2000 machine? If you don't like it you're gonna have to sell it at a huge loss, whereas if you buy a $200 machine you can probably resell it for $150 (a very small loss) if you don't like it.

What kind of CHEAP machine should you get?
Get a Sears machine. Don't get me wrong, Sears machines aren't very good, BUT if you pay the extra $50 for the maintenance agreement you can take it in anytime for repairs and tune-ups. I will warn you: the guys who service these things are not very good at what they do so you'll have to take it in three or four times for each repair. But it's free. The Sears machine will cost you about $200 - the same as a Target or Joanns machine. But you don't get the maintenance agreement on the Target or Joanns machine.

What about all those other $200-$400 machines, should I buy one of those?
No. The Sears warranty is invaluable. The bells and whistles on the Super-EZ-Stitch-2000 might look cool, but when they break you're sure going to hate paying an average of $75-150 to get it fixed. As far as cheap machines go, it's Sears or nothing. Think about it this way: when you get that new machine home you're going to want to play with all the fun settings, and there's a good chance you'll mess them all up. If you bought the Target or Joanns machine - forget about it. It's done. The thing will sit in the closet until you pay someone to adjust all the settings or you throw it out. With the Sears machine (if you buy the maintenance agreement) you just take it in and tell them it isn't sewing properly. They'll reset everything for free and even replace parts if needed.

But I found this really neat-o machine on Ebay and the description says it's the same as a $2000 machine, but since it's made by a sister company they're selling for $199 - and it's new in the box: should I get it?
Okay, sure. Ebay sellers are usually the most honest people in the world. Just kidding. I'm telling you - stick with Sears for your first machine. If you get the maintenance agreement you'll get your money's worth out of it. Quit trying to find a better deal and just go with a Sears machine.

What do you think about used machines?
I think you can probably score a great deal on a used machine at an estate sale. Don't be afraid to haggle on the price. But, before you go shopping, get to know the name brands because, at an estate sale or on Craigslist, you should NOT buy a cheap-o machine. You can find a high quality name brand one for the same price as the crappy one. But, since you're getting such a good price I think you should invest a few dollars and take it into a local repair shop for oiling and adjusting.

Should I get a machine with all kinds of options? More is better, right?
To start out I think it's best to go with a more basic machine. You gotta walk before you can run. Keep it simple, learn how to use the basic features really well, then worry about the advanced options later. Superfluous features add to the cost and they add to the list of things that could go wrong. Remember, you're just starting out, be logical.

Do I need a 4 or a 5 thread serger?
You really only need a 4 thread machine. The 5th thread is an added option that most novices wont need. A 4 thread machine will serve as a great starting point for most beginners.

I didn't read the article, I just skipped to the conclusion. What's your conclusion?
Don't buy a new expensive machine. If you're buying new start out with a Sears machine, but be sure to buy the maintenance agreement. If you're buying used, don't buy a cheap machine, go with a good one. But be sure to get it serviced. Start out with a simpler 4 thread machine. You don't need an elaborate 5 thread right away.

They can't all be winners: Outtakes Jan 27 shoot

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:27:00 +0000

I like to show where I'm shooting so you can see that these aren't magical spots hidden from the public with perfect lighting. Cars drive by, guys stop and stare, people honk, and the sun get in the way (or worse, it disappears). Most of this week's pics were shot on the Rollins College campus. Most of the campus looks like this: beige buildings, street lights, palm trees, and champagne colored cars. I try to use something I call the 12 inch rule. Which is to simply concentrate on an area no more than 12 inches around the model. So if there's an ugly mailbox 13 inches to the left, no problem because you're only gonna shoot (or crop the pic) to show the area immediately surrounding the model.
I was so excited about this top. Unfortunately, we ran out of daylight and all of the pics I took were really crappy. I really tried to make this pic work. Aside from cropping and resizing I don't Photoshop any of my pics. Once you start messing with the image colors you change the way the clothing looks. Here the overhead light killed us. The model's skin is definitely not that color. So this one will have to wait. I'll re-shoot it the next time I go out and hope to get some better pics. You'd never know it by the model's face, but this was a very busy part of campus. Guys were opening and closing this big heavy door right behind me and it was loud and each time it opened there was a huge gust of wind - not at all ideal shooting conditions. Also, I know the hanging moss in the back makes it look all steamy and warm. Think again! It was about 58 degrees - not tank top weather.
Again, the palm trees and pond sure give the impression of a balmy Florida evening, but it's January and 55-58 is cold when you're not used to it. Don't get me wrong, it aint like Ontario, but for us, it's cold. The lack of sun really made this pic tough. If you look at my Etsy account you'll see more pics of this dress in the same location - except there's daylight. We fought with the sun waiting for it to fall into a position where we could shoot and not blind either one of us. I actually kind of like this picture. The crappy lighting and bleak flash make it look like something out of the American Apparel catalog - funny!.
Anyway, it goes to show, things are not always sunny in sunny Orlando.

February 2010 Music Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:23:00 +0000

band, album: Damn the Empire, With Trends Like These....
label: Pee
for fans of: Down By Law, H2O, Down To Nothing

cd review: Heart and humor can really make an album stand out. I'm totally sick of the generic metalcore rat race. I remember a time when bands like Suicidal Tendencies and Black Flag could be hardcore, angry about how bad things suck and still have fun. I miss those days. Read more ....

band, album: December Peals, People Have Demons
label: Chorus of One
for fans of: Krum Bums, the Casualties, Black Flag

cd review: It's important to broaden your perspective and experience music from other scenes. I especially like hearing music from other parts of the world. December Peals is a German hard rock band. People Have Demons is the new album and it's an intense ride. Read more ....

band, album: the Love Kills Theory, Happy Suicide Jim
label: Xemu
for fans of: the Velvet Underground, Beck

cd review: People called the Velvet Underground cynics and the Dead Milkmen pessimists. They called Beck a satirist. All the good labels have been used up, so what do you call the Love Kills Theory? Read more ....

band, album: Mister Neutron, Nor'easter
label: Deep Eddy
for fans of: surf instrumentals, Dick Dale, the Ventures

cd review: This is the album that really makes you appreciate instrumental surf. The musicianship really is out of this world. The guitar picking is so crisp and clean you'd think it was built on a CAD machine. I often look for a hint of rawness in surf music as it emulates the whole 60's experience of tube amps and antiquated equipment. Read more ....

band, album: Tubers, Anachronous
label: No Idea
for fans of: Fugazi, Rite of Spring, History Invades

cd review: An album that is stripped to the bone and full of noise, it's like 13 Songs all over again. Sometimes I feel like I compare everything to Fugazi, but they're an awesome band whose impact on modern music is immeasurable. I think Tubers could be equally awesome if they keep it up - Read more ....

band, album: Doug and Telisha Williams, Ghost of the Knoxville Girl
label: No Evil
for fans of: American roots music, Patsy Cline, Justin Townes Earle

cd review: This CD has got my 2010 off to a great start. Doug and Telisha Williams play American roots music that relies on tradition without ignoring modernity. Accompaniments such as slide guitar and upright bass combine nicely with the timbre of Telisha's warm voice. Read more ....

Crappy Apartment Complex Photoshoot

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:56:00 +0000

Were these pics taken on a ranch? Maybe the park? Or maybe they were taken out in the woods next to a cute little pond? NOPE!!! This batch of photos was taken on the side of a very unattractive apartment complex on a dismal Sunday afternoon.

It goes to show that anyone can take decent pics with just a little effort and a good eye. I've noticed that lots of Etsy sellers have good intentions and try to take good pics of their products, but they fall victim to convenience. "it's too hot, it's too cold, it's too rainy, I don't have time, are all handy excuses. But what it all boils down to is: if you take pride in what you make you should also take pride in how you present it on Etsy.

You wouldn't know it by these pictures but this is the kind of place where two young girls really shouldn't be walking around with a digital camera. In fact, the reason we were shooting here was because the model lost her keys and didn't feel comfortable leaving the apartment unlocked. In addition to the bad location, it was also rainy, kind of humid and super windy. So we made the best of it.

I guess we could have shot the pics against an inside wall, but then we would have had very boring pictures. Instead we took the initiative to take a walk around the complex and find the cute ranch style fence and the retention pond. Before cropping there were crappy cars, beige walls, sidewalks, power boxes, light poles and all kinds of other ugly stuff.

As for lighting, we just had to tough it out and shoot between the clouds to get the warm sun glow. The wind was a bitch, you can even see it in a couple pics.

Don't think for a minute that I think these are professional pictures. What I do think is that they show the clothing and the model in an attractive way. They make the scene look better than it was in person. They also show that I'm proud of what I make and how it looks. I really hope that you'll be proud to wear these pieces.

Indie Design Mood Board

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:14:00 +0000

SEE WHAT HELPS ME THINK

Sometimes my head is just too full of ideas to hold everything so I use this simple board and push pins to help gather my thoughts. Here's a look at some of the things I'm thinking about for my upcoming designs and how they inspire me.
Starting at the top left corner and moving clockwise:

I like the photo of the gal leaning against the pole because of the warm sky and sand. I know it's probably colder where you are, but Florida has a way of being the coldest place on Earth (for Floridians).

Next you'll see some individual cut outs. There's nothing really sublime about any of these. I just found a few things I liked over the last few months and posted them. It's kind of like highlighting in a textbook.

The Banner Pilot 'thing' is actually a hand screened LP sleeve that was given to me by Brian at Kiss of Death records. I cut it to about seven inches and stapled around the sides and now use it to hold important papers - I took the papers out for the photo because they looked kind of messy.

Next, in the top right corner is the rotating color wheel. I don't care how well you know your contrast and analogous colors, this is a very useful tool - get one.

Below the color wheel are a couple of Jo-Ann's coupons. You never know when you're gonna need a new pair of scissors and 40-50% off will sure help. Keeping them on the board reminds me that I have them.

Under the coupons is a free pamphlet on grommets I got at Jo-Anns. It's free knowledge, why not grab one? I've also got a bunch of pins jumbled up there and a few fabric swatches from my Fall collection.

The pattern is really cool. It's from the 60's. I generally don't use patterns, but I really liked this one. I tried using it and, like many commercial patterns, it didn't fit me right. One of these days I'll make the necessary changes.

You can just barely see a postcard from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Some people like the pyramids, some like France, I like South America.

Next you'll see some sheet music. You might have guessed, from all the guitars in my pictures, that we're pretty musical over here. I've started playing the fiddle. Some people call it a violin, but I play the fiddle. The sheet music is a popular Irish jig called the Swallow Tail Jig.

At the bottom left you'll see more pics that I like. I mostly like the lighting. I'm always doing photoshoots, and am in no way a photographer, but I like to try to add a little something extra to my pics.

Finally, in the middle, you can see a set of my own illustrations. They're nothing fancy, but in school you gotta learn to do it, so I try to draw stuff out from time to time.

There you have it. That's what's making me tick at this moment. I change this thing all the time. I'm always looking for new things and ideas. If you design anything I recommend you try using one of these things.

Funny thing about burgundy

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:40:00 +0000

It seems like burgundy and olive green are the two most unpredictable colors. I've been making my rounds to the local shops and none of them want to take anything in olive green. Ironically, I think olive green is one of my best selling colors. It has also happened (more than not) that when I drop off a batch of olive green pieces (against the boutique owners' advisement) they sell out.

Even stranger is the response to anything I make in burgundy. People ask for burgundy non-stop: they want everything in burgundy, but when I give them what they want in burgundy no one buys it - go figure. Case in point are my burgundy wine dresses with lace trim. A couple weeks ago I made a run of these dresses for Etsy and they disappeared. I even had to list one as a custom listing and do a special order for another. I also brought a batch in to my local shops and they sold just as well. This week when I put a new run up on Etsy they're just not moving.

Similarly, my inbox has been flooded with emails asking for my butterfly top in burgundy. Someone even went so far as to sketch it out and ask for it. So I made a size run for the locals. They did pretty good here in town. Keep in mind, no one locally asked for these. I just made them and put them out and they sold. Conversely, they have not been selling online, despite all the requests. This could be due to the photo, but I can't be sure. I might re-shoot on a live girl to see what happens. As of right now I'm calling it the burgundy mystery. I hate to put it that way since it's such a nice color and so many people look so good in it. It really should be a sure thing.

I kinda did some poking around and found that burgundy was one of the top selling colors for cars in the 1990's - yuck! I feel like burgundy interior gets hotter and dirtier than any other color. The pigments in dark red paints fade much quicker than other colors when exposed to excessive sunlight. Maybe I should have tried selling these pieces back in the 90's.

Regardless of popularity, mystery, or anything else, I really like burgundy. I'll probably continue to work with it for a long time. If you have any thoughts or observations on the color as it relates to clothing or anything else feel free to contact me.

January 2010 CD reviews

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:57:00 +0000

band, album: Amish Electric Chair, Straight No Chaser
label: GC records
for fans of: DIY punk rock, Rancid

cd review: Amish Electric Chair is exactly the kind of band I like to promote. They do everything themselves and they do it with pride. Their new CD, Straight No Chaser came with a press sheet that says it sounds like the stuff found on the No Idea and AF records roster, but more than that I think they have a lot of Rancid influence - you know, thick melody, pronounced bass lines, and tough vocals. Read more ....

band, album: Beatnik, This Machine Kills Fascists
label: Ecovox
for fans of: anti-Bush, anti-neoconservativism, anti-war

cd review: It never happens that I find a disc that honestly knows where I'm coming from philosophically. However, Beatnik's This Machine Kills Fascists speaks to me. Granted, it literally speaks - not shouts, but sometimes pens are mightier than swords. Read more ....

band, album: Ryan Cain and the Chaotics, Cell Block Blues
label: Wild Hare
for fans of: Ronnie Dawson, Ray Campi, Carl Perkins

cd review: You could have told me this was an obscure roots/country swing band from the 50's whose catalog was just remastered and put onto CD and I'd have believed it. Ryan Cain and the Chaotics take the tried and true hollow body, upright bass, and jazz drums to a new level of sock-hop perfection. Read more ....

band, album: Daylight, Sinking
label: Get This Right
for fans of: Off With Their Heads, How Dare You, Jawbreaker

cd review: I'm surprised there's not a No Idea or Suburban Home logo on this one. Daylight's Sinking is a five song get in, get out, go home release that is good for a few spins, but might not have enough staying power to make it onto any top ten lists. Read more ....

band, album: the Hard Luck Heroes, Broken Hearts & Shattered Dreams
label: Deep Eddy
for fans of: street punk, the Briggs, Rancid, Bombshell Rocks

cd review: One of the few genres that is safe from the 'it all sounds the same' complaint is street punk. It's a scene built on high energy and good times, and how could anyone complain about that? Read more ....

band, album: Nakatomi Plaza, Ghosts
label: self-released
for fans of: Elliott, At the Drive-In, Pretty Girls Make Graves

cd review: Here's the band and album that makes it all NOT worth it. By 'it' I mean the whole experience of being a music nerd. If only I had been content with the norm, the mainstream, I'd have never gotten to know Nakatomi Plaza and wouldn't feel such a hole in the pit of my stomach now that they have left the scene. Read more ....

band, album: The Nematoads, Five Guns West
label: Deep Eddy
for fans of: surf guitar, The Ventures, Dick Dale

cd review: I have a long standing love affair with surf guitar. I grew up in a house full of flamenco and Latin guitarists and all three styles are built on similar attributes. I recently found Deep Eddy records - the warm, uncrowded beach with the perfect wave breaks of the record industry - and they were kind enough to send me some tunes. Read more ....

band, album: the Reveling, 3D Radio
label: self released
for fans of: Working class melodic hardcore, the Gaslight Anthem

cd review: The middle class is dwindling away, however, music made for this dying species is on the rise. Maybe we're all just slumming it, or maybe we've realized that the middle class really knows how to rock. Read more ....

band, album: V/A, Better than the Average Weekend
label: Deep Eddy
for fans of: surf guitar, Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet

cd review: This one isn't new, but it's gotten better with age so I'm doing my part to keep the vibe alive. Best known for their Kids in the Hall TV series theme song, Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet have made some of the most fun music ever. Read more ....

1960's Swatch Book Turned Into Recyced Purses

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:59:00 +0000

I just got my hands on a big book of swatches from the 1960's. The swatches are split between coarse burlap and light cotton shirting. Each piece is now about 10 x 10 inches - I'll get to that in a moment. As you can see from the pics they are too cool to let them go to waste - no matter how small. There are about 50 squares in the batch, and of those about 40 will work for small clutches and purses. I'm dying to get these made, but at the same time I wanted to show you that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places.

The woman who gave these to me thought they were trash. When I took them I didn't have any ideas. It wasn't until my boyfriend did me the "favor" of washing them - which frayed the edges, and shrunk them to 10 x 10 that I got the idea for small clutches.

I can't wait to get started on these. If you plan on going to the Atomic Holiday Bazaar in Sarasota this weekend Dec 12-13 look for them at my table. Otherwise you'll just have to wait 'til I get back for me to put them up on Etsy.

Holiday Shopping Ideas For Those Of Us Who Are Broke

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:43:00 +0000

If you're like me you probably have more people on your shopping list than dollars in your pocket. The last thing you want is to look like a cheapskate when someone gives you a great present and all you have for them is a calendar - or worse, you have nothing for them in return. Below are some ideas that will help you get through the holidays and keep you looking sharp and thoughtful.

OLD BOOKS
The key to giving a good gift is not in the price, it's in the thoughtfulness. Old books are great for thoughtfulness points. Many libraries have small bookstores in them and the prices usually range from 25 cents to $1.00. The key to pulling this off is that the book has to be vintage and not just an old paperback from the 90's. Just last week I found a huge stack of comic books from the 50's - 60's. They were in great shape, and the whole stack (about 100 comics) was only $5.00. For all I know they're worth $1,000. I'm not into comics and don't know anyone who is so I left them.

THRIFT STORE FINDS
Generally speaking I think thrift store's are kind of crusty. Most of what you'll find is pretty gross, but every once in a while there is a treasure to be found - especially if you're crafty. The key to giving a thrift store gift is to say you got it at an antique shop. The idea of perusing the cluttered shelves of a quaint little shop on a cute street is the total antithesis of the pail neon lights and filth of a thrift store. My best friend found an old lamp from the 20's for $3.00. She cleaned it and instantly had an antique lamp for her dad's office. When she gives it to him all she has to do is come up with a quick story about her search through the antique district and how lucky she was to find it and she's set. This principle works for yard sale finds too.

COMBINED GIFTS
Do you know couples? I have lots of friends and young relatives that are couples. Why not kill two birds with one stone and get them a combined gift. Anything from quirky his & hers towels to a bottle of wine. The idea is to find something that will apply to both of them and run with it. Last year I got my brother and his new wife a Blue-Ray player. I know it sounds expensive, but instead of me AND my boyfriend each getting them individual present we combined our funds for one big one and saved a few bucks in the process.

THE OTHER COMBINED GIFT
Go in with someone else on a present. Siblings can go in together on mom & dad's present. Co-workers or friends can go in together. The idea here is that you double your shopping power. This year everyone in my house is thinking about pitching in to get my parents tickets to Argentina. Since I have a big family we only have to contribute a few bucks each instead of $50 a piece for mom and $50 for dad.

GRAB BAG GIFT
This is a good one!! Last year my brother got my boyfriend a huge bag full of all kinds of candy and my boyfriend loved it. They stuck in a little of everything.in the bag and it was great. You can apply the same concept to anything. Do you know someone who is obsessed with a band or movie? Fill a small stylish bag with stickers, buttons, patches, and a CD. Stick in a Burt's Bees chapstick and you're set.

DO YOU BAKE?
If you're good, and I mean really good, you can give cookies, cakes, or just about anything homemade and be the star of the gift exchange. The key to success here is presentation. You'll have to spring for a cute plate or container and maybe some festive sprinkles, but it will be worth it. Remember to make lots of it so there's enough to go around. Everyone loves baked stuff so everyone will love what you give them.

HANDMADE, LIMITED, AND ONE OF A KIND
Just because it's handmade or one of a kind doesn't mean it's expensive. There's a local semi-famous artist here in Orlando who will paint a light switch cover with his trademark art for $10.00. We also have a do it yourself pottery workshop in town. For $20.00 you can make and fire your own pottery piece. There are pros on hand so you're sure to get good results.

As for limited, check out the indie record label websites for colored vinyl releases for the music buff on your list. Colored vinyl is always a rarity and it's not usually much more than standard black.

Local flea markets and farmer's markets are also great places for finding rare gifts. I found locally made art, homemade pasta, home brewed iced tea, and other locally produced things that come in clever packaging. All of these things make great gifts not only because they are inexpensive, but also because these are things people rarely buy for themselves.

Getting ready for Atomic Holiday Bazaar

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:18:00 +0000

This year I'll be setting up a table at the Atomic Holiday Bazaar in Sarasota, FL. Generally, I wouldn't do a large show or convention this close to the holidays, but I've been planning for this one. Planning is the make or break factor in running a (really) small business.

Too many people play it by ear and cross each bridge when they come to it, but they don't plan for the next bridge. I usually try to look waaaay into the future when it comes to events.

Here's what I've done this year to get ready for the show: several months ago, when I was invited I immediately came up with a plan, even before I submitted my application - think about it, there's no use applying if you're just going to throw something together at the last minute. My plan was to start saving remnant fabrics and begin using them to make limited and one of a kind pieces for the show. Normally I use solids that I buy in large rolls and combine with style lines. But for the show I thought I'd go the recycled route. I've been collecting pieces of fabric for months now. I began making samples about two months ago.

Since I'd be selling pieces made from recycled fabric I then started putting some remnant and recycled items on Etsy to help get myself out there with the kind of people I might find at the show. In a sense I have building brand recognition.

The show is now less than two weeks away and I have a huge batch of stuff to bring. Lots of it is made from the same fabrics as items currently posted in my etsy shop. This way, when people walk by my table there's a chance they'll recognize something they see - at least part of it.

Here are a few pics of the items I've recently made. These are pretty much all made from 100% remnant fabrics.

Dec 2009 CD reviews

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:14:00 +0000

new cd reviews for Dec 2009

band, album: Balance and Composure, Only Boundaries
label: No Sleep
for fans of: powerful indie rock, La Dispute, DeSoto Jones

cd review: This might be the most mature album I've heard all year; and to think the median age of this band's members is only 19, well it's mind-boggling. Balance and Composure's Only Boundaries proves that volume does not always equate power and force. Read more ....

band, album: CoCoComa, Things Are Not All Right
label: Goner
for fans of: the Trashmen, the Marked Men, Les Sexareenos

cd review: Originally composed in 1966 by members of the Remains and the Animals in a joint venture called CoCoComa, Things Are Not All Right is the sign of the time for teen angst and the culture it created throughout the decade. Read more ....

band, album: Exeter, Grey Noise/White Lies
label: Engineer
for fans of: Elliott, Failure, Weezer, Sunny Day Real Estate

cd review: Everyone else calls them space rock so I will too. Truth be told Exeter isn't as much space rock as it is a mellower Elliott or a grittier Weezer for people who are too cool to watch MTV2. Read more ....

band, album: Friends of Friends, Deep Search
label: self-released
for fans of: Polar Bear Club, Off With Their Heads

cd review: This disc came highly praised by someone whose opinion I really respect, so my expectations were very high, and I was not disappointed. Friends of Friends is from Tallahassee, but I can tell they are more than familiar with the No Idea catalog and are connoisseurs of the Gainesville sound. Read more ....

band, album: Hunters, Run!, EP2
label: Battle Standard
for fans of: Elvis Costello, Talking Heads, Gary Numan

cd review: I hope it's not too late for you to get this two-song EP. These little gems are printed in short supply and are intended for collectors. The music is arty and sophisticated, but not pompous. Fans of disco punk or the Talking Heads will probably really like Hunters, Run!'s clean cut sound. Read more ....

band, album: Krum Bums, Same Old Story EP
label: TKO
for fans of: angry punk, Lower Class Brats, Rancid

cd review: For me Austin is a music hot bed. Krum Bums are an intelligent punk band from Austin whose harsh, realistic and sometimes grim lyrics are offset by the band's overall up-to-the minute and savvy sense of humor. You know all of those things you see on CNN that make you want to scream? Read more ....

band, album: David Moore, the Hillbilly Stroll
label: Wild Hare
for fans of: Traditional Rockabilly, Ray Campi, Carl Perkins

cd review: Those of you in the roots music loop will know what I mean when I say David Moore has that Sun Records sound. If you're new to rockabilly look no further because David Moore's the Hillbilly Stroll is the perfect starting point to ignite a life long passion for clean, traditional rockabilly music. Read more ....

band, album: Nine Eleven, City of Quartz
label: Chorus of One
for fans of: French hardcore, the Hope Conspiracy, Comeback Kid

cd review: I'm always interested to hear music made in other countries. People tend to be very geo /ethnocentric, and we forget that all cultures have a story to tell. France's Nine Eleven scream their story. Their latest release, City of Quartz is highly melodic and hovers around the artistic hardcore genre more than punk or metal. Read more ....

band, album: Dan Webb and the Spiders, self-titled
label: self-released
for fans of: the Cold Beat, Dinosaur Jr, the Modern Lovers

cd review: These guys are a little off key, but I think it's intentional. The Lo-fi production, overlapped vocals, and simple constructions should appeal to fans of 80's underground punk like Richard Hell, the New York Dolls, Lou Reed, and early Dinosaur Jr - with the exception of the mediocre guitar work. Read more ....

20% anything in my Etsy shop TODAY ONLY Nov 30th

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:52:00 +0000

It's cyber-Monday, the biggest online shopping day of the year. It looks like everyone is in discount giving mood so here's 20% off at http:evilneedles.etsy.com

There are two ways to get 20% off:
It doesn't get any easier than this. make a purchase, checkout, and add a note to seller that says "CYBER MONDAY" and I'll refund 20% of the item purchase price.

OR you can do it another way

First add an item(s) from my shop to your cart and start the check out process.
Enter the code "CYBER MONDAY" in the 'notes to seller' and the email address where the revised invoice should be sent.
Complete the order but do NOT go to Paypal to pay.
You will receive a revised invoice, and a link to complete payment, via email reflecting the discount.'

Cool Etsy Find Of The Week

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:24:00 +0000

My main serger broke down on me so I've been too busy to post, but I just got it back and I'm getting up to speed. In the spirit of passing the word on about awesome Etsy sellers, and encouraging people to do all of the holiday shopping from indie sellers on Etsy, here's my favorite find of the week.

These clever thematic prints are created by kristimcmurry and make great holiday gifts for anyone with a kitschy room, house or office. At just under $10.00, this creative little pic of cops on a doughnut would be a cool idea as a gift for a co-worker who needs to brighten up their workspace.
FREE SHIPPING ON EVERYTHING!!! Limited time only! This deal will last through the rest of 2009

10% OF ALL KRISTIMCMURRY SALES GO TO http://TheShepherdsHaven.etsy.com!!!
All print sizes are in inches

Her Blog: http://kristimcmurry.blogspot.com/

One day road trip with friends

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:31:00 +0000

Sunday was my birthday and we decided to go on a one day vacation. It ended up being the best birthday I've had in a long time and the whole day only cost about $50.00. You can't buy much with $50.00 any more. Maybe the next time you're on a tight budget and your boyfriend's birthday comes around you can do something like this. Trust me, the memories of a really fun day are worth so much more than a video game, a shirt, or cologne.

We (my boyfriend and I) and our friends John and Amy, and their German Shepherd pup Elaine went down to Ona, FL to check out Solomon's Castle. On the way down we passed through lots of small rural towns.

Much of the landscape on the drive was sprinkled with old FL cracker homes. Here's one such home with horses grazing in the front yard.

We stopped by a small Spanish flea market, but I didn't get any pics because I forgot the camera in the car.

Solomon's Castle is a very unique place. I took millions of pics but the castle is made of recycled aluminum printing plates so I couldn't get a shot without tons of glare. Click on the pics so you can read about the castle and some of the art within.

Here's a pic of John and Elaine with Solomon. Solomon was at work in his workshop and we were the only ones who took the time to stop by and say hello. He was really sweet. All of the tools had my boyfriend and John drooling. Notice Solomon's shirt, it say's "Do I look like a freakin' people person?" I'll bet that would fetch a pretty penny at a Brooklyn vintage shop.

This hand built miniature replica of the Alamo is just a facade placed over the side wall of a corrugated aluminum garage. Even the door and cannon are scratch built by Solomon.

I'm not much of a nature photographer but this place has 90 acres of nature trails to roam. Out of all the pics I took these berries are the only ones that came out nice enough to post - I love the color, maybe I'll get inspired to make something.

When it came time to leave we decided to take old HWY 27 home. It follows the Orange Blossom Special railway from Chicago down to FL. Check out those ominous clouds and palm trees. This scene is very FL.

It was at this crossroads that we spotted a local guy selling used bikes. If you're a regular reader you know that I really like old bikes, so we had to stop in and meet this artisan.

Here's a pic showing my boyfriend with the bike builder. His name is B.V. and he's the big fella in the white shirt. You might recognize my boyfriend from my Facebook profile pic. For the record the pic on Facebook was taken several years ago and he's wearing the EXACT same clothes in both pics. Why are guys such slobs?

Here's a good shot of all the bikes and part he had for sale in his front yard.

We actually hung out with B.V. for quite a while. The guys all got along and talked about wheel bearings and tools. By the time they got done talking it was dark.

Our next stop was Spook Hill. Spook Hill is a haunted hill in Lake Wales, FL where ghosts push your car up hill - no joke. There's even a wiki-page, and a Roadside America article. Check out the sign below. We tried it and I can tell you that we started at the bottom of a hill and we ended up at the top.

Spook Hill is right next to Spook Hill Elementary School. They've got a funny sign out front. Most schools have a lion or a bear as a mascot, not these folks.

After our spooky, gravity defying ride we were pretty tired so we stopped into a local shop and bought some fresh squeezed O.J.. We then got a bite to eat and headed back home.

I know it's never as exciting to look at pics and read about a trip as it is to actually do it for yourself. I'm hoping that this post will help motivate you to get up and do something. For about the same price as pizza, beer, and reruns you could be out doing something that you'll remember forever.

CD Reviews For November 2009

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:40:00 +0000

band, album: Christmas Island, Blackout Summer
label: In the Red
for fans of: garage rock, the Dead Milkmen, Man or Astroman

cd review: The critics have really gone to town comparing this disc to various unnamed 60’s surf bands. However, the loose, jangly guitars, echoed production and rampant lyrical pessimism are a vibrant call back to the Dead Milkmen’s beach-y yet overtly derogatory 1986 release Big Lizard In My Backyard. Read more ....

band, album: the Gears/ the D.I.s, Rockin’ At Ground Zero and Rare Cuts! – reissue Deluxe Edition
label: Hep Cat
for fans of: punk, the Cramps, the Ramones, the Germs

cd review: Who would have guessed that early L.A. punk paraphernalia would ever become so collectible? Hep Cat Records has reissued two seminal punk albums in one package. Both discs contain piles of bonus material. The Gears Rockin’ At Ground Zero gives you twenty-three ’77 style L.A. punk tunes, including unreleased tracks and demos. Read more ....

band, album: Lipona, Pigeonholed
label: self-released
for fans of: skate punk, JFA, the Faction, Bad Religion

cd review: There was a time when skateboard videos were (out of utter necessity) low budget productions; and the music on those videos was played by low key, usually DIY, punk and hardcore bands who were happy to get their music out to like-minded people, and not just worried about royalties. Read more....

band, album: No Friends, No Friends
label: No Idea
for fans of: 80's hardcore, Minor Threat, Black Flag, Descendents

cd review: Winner of my coveted, though non-existent, authenticity award, No Friends have pressed the best 80's hardcore inspired album I've heard in years. You can expect two things to happen when you play this disc. Read more ....

band, album: Reigning Sound, Love and Curses
label: In the Red
for fans of: garage revival, the Oblivians, the Sonics

cd review: It's hard to talk about Reigning Sound without a complete history lesson. But, you didn't click on my site for a history lesson, so get ready for the here and now of Reigning Sound's Love and Curses. Raunchy garage rock may not be your cup of tea. And while Love and Curses is definitely of the garage breed, it features minimum raunch. Read more ....

band, album: Stationary Odyssey, Sons of Boy
label: Joyful Noise
for fans of: art rock instrumentals, Irepress, Scale the Summit

cd review: If genius rednecks built a trailer park on the moon, Stationary Odyssey's Sons of Boy would be to moon buggies what Skynyrd's self-titled is to Camaros here on Earth. In 2006 Stationary Odyssey changed the way I think about bands without singers. Read more ....

Vintage Hot Rod Fabric Handbags

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:03:00 +0000

What's up with those handbags?

Click here to get it.

I've been trying to use and re-use as much remnant fabric as I possibly can. I always save large cuts of fabric for later use, but it was starting to pile up. I had no choice: it was time to clear out my studio.

The fabric used to make this rockabilly rat rod tote bag is not your average scrap. Years ago, while antique shopping in South FL I found this bolt of mustard hot rod fabric that was left over from the early 60s. It was the coolest fabric I had ever seen, however, the color and hard texture made it very difficult to use as apparel fabric. I thought about making curtains, but never got around to it.

I did some poking around to see what I could find out about this golden fabric.

About four years ago I put a few yards up for auction and it went for about $50.00 PER YARD, WOW!!! People were writing, begging for more.

After selling some of it I tried to sit down and make those drapes, but couldn't think of how to make them work in my place. So I posted a couple more yards and I actually got hate mail from one of the people who bought the first cuts. She wrote, "WTF! why didn't you post this together? You didn't tell me you had more!!" - just one of the reasons I hate eBay.

I held on to a couple yards and that's what I found hidden in my stacks, and used to make these three bags.

I think I finally found what this fabric was made for. The size of the print, bright color, and tough texture are perfect for tote bags. I'm really proud of these and I think they could be the perfect accessory for the right person.

Etsy Product Descriptions: Do You Read Them?

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:56:00 +0000

This is not seller advice. This is just another one of my Etsy observations meant for entertainment only.

How important are your item descriptions when listing on Etsy? A little bit of personal research shows that how much and what you say about your items isn't really that important.

I try to give my Etsy item descriptions a little bit of flair. Sometimes I say a little about the item, sometimes I just sort of ramble on. I like the stuff I post on Etsy, and I like to write about it. So for me 50 - 100 words is no big deal. Besides, Etsy says it's a good idea to write full descriptions.

The following quote is taken directly from a link on http://www.etsy.com/storque:

"Many people don't realize that, in addition to the facts, a brief story about your handmade object can create a dramatic impression on your viewer. Let the shopper know how you picture the item being used, or tell them a story of what inspired you to create the piece. Many people who appreciate handmade items also enjoy the story behind how it was made, who created it and where the idea came from.

Of course, it's also important to inform the buyer of all the facts. Color, size, dimensions, textures, materials used, washing and care instructions, fabrication process, and allergy alerts are essential. You may also want to consider if your item is for a certain age group or suggest it as the perfect gift for a special occasion."

I read this a while ago and it's pretty good advice. However, I know that lots of people are not good writers, or if you are a good writer, maybe you don't like to write or you don't have time to write tons of detailed descriptions.

I began looking at some of the more successful clothing sellers and found that many of them keep their descriptions under 20 words. They pretty much tell you the size and materials and that's it.

But I think this says a lot more about buyers than sellers. I think serious buyers are generally interested in pictures first, then want only to know the size and price. The rest is fluff to them that they just have to skim through - if they even bother.

To test this, about 18 months ago I listed one of my best selling tops (black & gray butterfly) in four different formats. First I listed it as a "Made To Order Custom Size." In this listing buyers had to read all of my flair PLUS they had to read the vital info PLUS they had to read how to request their size.

As a result I didn't sell a single one in four weeks.

I then posted three more black & gray butterfly tops. This time I listed a small, a medium, and a large. I used the same pictures and same tags. But I slimmed the description down to the bare essentials.

Guess what!!! I started selling them right away!!

Of course this wasn't very scientific so a year ago I tried another little test. I listed two black and gray butterfly tops in the same size with the same 65 word descriptions, EXCEPT I put the line "convo me with the word 'discount' and get fifty percent off of this item." I continued to renew the two identical tops each time they sold for one entire month. I sold the top with the discount line in it twice and neither buyer convo-ed me. So it was obvious that - at least those two - buyers didn't read my description.

To summarize: if people can't be bothered enough to read a 65 word description close enough to catch a 50% discount there's a good chance they don't care what color stockings you think that shirt will go with. I've decided to cut my descriptions short and put a little more time into making clothing, taking pics, and conducting silly experiments. If you're a good reader prove it by posting a comment on this blog.

I Got Ripped Off, Read This So It Doesn't Happen To You

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:31:00 +0000

If you've been on my mailing list for some time you know that I'm always on the lookout for scams. I found one that was so obvious and out in the open that they even scammed me. I'm not the type to fall for the old "Nigerian prince has left you a million bucks" scheme. I'm actually pretty savvy when it comes to that sort of thing. But, I have to admit, I didn't see this one coming.

I have a checking account, a savings account, and an account for my business; all with the same bank. I've been with this same bank since 2004 and have had no problems. Aside from an overdraft or two during the holidays I run a tight ship. On the 20th of each month I go through all of my bank statements to make sure everything is in order for all my finances.

This month when I went through everything I found nearly $50.00 in NEW maintenance fees on my accounts.

They slipped in $15.00 charges at the end of August and September on my business account and then hit me with $8.95 in fees for each month on my personal accounts. I somehow missed the charges last month, despite going over my statements.

That's $47.90 out the window. Well, actually it's $47.90 towards some big-wig corporate's multi-million dollar executive bonus. I just couldn't let this go.

I'm not saying you should do things like me, but here's how I handled it.

The first thing I did was call in my boyfriend to examine my statements to make sure I wasn't reading things wrong or that I didn't miss anything - two brains are better than one.

Once we both agreed that there were $47.90 in new maintenance fees on what I had always understood to be FREE accounts I pulled out the paperwork from when I opened the accounts. I don't expect everyone to have this sort of documentation on file (my two best friends are lawyers so I've learned to hold on to ALL contracts). I read through all of the paperwork to make sure I wasn't signed up for some kind of promotion that had expired, that I had to keep a minimum balance, or that I was required to wear green on every Thursday to avoid fees. Nope, I was clear.

I then printed out copies of my statements from the past year to show that A) I had never been charged before: and B) show that my account balance was still current.

IMPORTANT: I took the time to write notes on my statements. I highlighted the charges in question. I noted when I opened my account. I made note of questions to ask the bank rep. I did all of this because these things are hard to think of when you're face to face. And this sort of thing pays off when a cocky bank employee tells you, "oh, well, you got charged because you were signed up for a special promotion that expired." You can then reply with, "Really? I have documentation that says the account was free for life."

The next day I went to the bank. I had to keep telling myself that the person at the bank is not the one who took the money out of my account. It's hard to keep your cool in situations like this, but the minute you get loud or aggressive you've lost the argument.

I pulled out my statements and showed the bank rep the charges. I explained the situation in as few words as possible, keeping in mind that the guy was probably not even listening.

He argued by saying that I was signed up for a promotion that expired (see I told you to be ready). So I pulled out the papers from when I opened the account. He was stunned. He then said I got charged for not using my debit card. So I pulled out my statements with HUNDREDS of debit card purchases. He said nothing, just began clicking his mouse. A moment later he said, "Hm, I don't know why you were charged."

I was calm and polite, and said, "You mean 'charged REPEATEDLY' on FREE accounts. This bank just took $50.00 from me for no reason, I can't just let that go without some kind of explanation."

I know it wasn't very nice of me to put him on the spot, but it wasn't very nice of him to hit me with those two lame excuses for being charged.

"I really don't know why you were charged" he says.

"Can you refund those charges?" I ask

"Oh, sure, we'll definitely refund you for those." He says, with an edgy politeness.

THIS IS IMPORTANT!! "Can you go ahead and do that while I'm here so we don't run into this same problem next month." You always want to watch them refund your money, because if you don't make sure it gets done there's a good chance it won't get done ever.

So I kept my cool through the whole thing and got my money back. I wish I could have done more, but at least I got this story out of it. Keep an eye on your bank accounts. These people are ruthless criminals. They WILL rip you off - it's not a question of IF they'll do it, it's WHEN.

The Little Prince Tattoo - it's about time

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:21:00 +0000

It says, "That which is essential is invisible to the eye." Turn off your iPod and dwell on that for a minute.

When I'm not making new clothing I have a side gig writing for Prick magazine (a regional tattoo 'zine). So I'm sure you can imagine I see lots of ink. I'm always surprised by how many people tattoo bands' names, boyfriends' names, scenes from trendy TV shows (like the numbers from Lost), and all kinds of other transient things on their bodies. However, I rarely see literary tattoos.

So when I see a really cool tattoo that pays homage to a book, I like to step back and admire it. A young lady recently sent me pictures of her ink depicting scenes from my favorite book, The Little Prince. It's the book you often see lurking in the background of my Etsy pics.

I wish more people were into books. Perhaps, if we weren't all suffering from self-induced A.D.D. and could pull our collective heads out of our asses long enough to read something cover to cover and understand it enough to make it meaningful enough to tattoo on our bodies, our country might not be this downward spiral.

The tattoo pictures came with an email, and within that email was something I just had to re-quote. The writer told me: "I'm amazed at how many people look at my arm and tell me it's terrible line work, they're crooked, they're not closed...etc...if they had read the book they would know that the line work is amazing!"

Why haven't more people read this book? It's about 100 pages with TONS of cute pictures and short words - after all, it is written for children. I've become a better person after reading this little book (about 200 times).

If you're interested in learning more about this wonderful book here's a link to the Wikipedia page.

Red dress work flow - start to finish

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:15:00 +0000

Today I'm working on red dresses. They are made from warm 7oz cotton for fall. This corner of my sewing room is a good example of the work process. If you look to the left you'll see a roll of red fabric with a pattern piece laying on top of it. That's where it all begins. Notice the pattern piece is made of newsprint. I make all my own patterns and I found newsprint is the best paper for the job.

If you scan a little to the right you'll see a cut piece on the back of my chair. I usually make my pieces in batches of about 24 - sizes S-XL, six of each size.

Next I take the pieces to the sewing machines and assemble them. You can see the machines are all set up with red thread. On the floor you can see my recycle tub. Those piece of fabric are too big to throw away so I save them for later projects.

Lastly you can see a completed dress on the ironing board. I actually press the pieces as I go, but you get the idea.

I hope this glimpse into today's project inspires you to make something or to maybe organize your room in a way you like.

Lizard in my photoshoot

noreply@blogger.com (evilneedles) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:54:00 +0000

Yesterday this lizard kept getting in the way of my photo shoot. For most people (not from Florida) these little guys are very exotic. Down here they are everywhere. I'm not really a reptile person, but I do think they're cute with their little toes, mouths, and smiles.

I kept shooing him away, and he kept coming back. It turns out this guy just wanted some time on the runway. I turned on the flash and let him strike a pose. After he did his thing on the catwalk he took off to the after party and we didn't see him again. I guess all that attention went to his head.