Buy it or Make it: Denim Jeans

I have been the luckiest girl lately. I am back to my pre-baby weight and size thanks to a change in my diet and making time to exercise! It means that I can fit my old jeans, but that doesn't mean I want to wear them. I'm a new girl after having a baby and my wardrobe should reflect the journey. As much I love denim, I don't like to shop for it. Isn't it a chore when it comes to finding new jeans? I also cringe at the cost of Paige Jeans, $298 for a basic pair, even though they are truly a remarkable feat of beautiful engineering. I'm a mom now and budget is the word.  Thanks to lady luck on my recent shopping spree! I went vintage shopping and scored three pairs of jeans that I am in love with! As I'm not Canadian, I wasn't familiar with these two Canadian denim manufactors, but holla! Every girl in North America should know these labels. First up, Silver Jeans Co. 

{Image from Jason in Hollywood-read this blog to keep current on billboards in LA}

The Silver Jean Co. was established twenty years ago by Michael Silver. He earned an degree in Fine Arts and went to work in the fashion industry for Western Glove Works. He learned the craft of denim and was inspired to launch his line of clothing for Men and Women. I respect that he mentions in an awesome interview on creating denim fashions that he is tireless about details such as thread, fabric, and dye.

Read more awesome interviews at Denim Blog

I Love Besotted Brand Stamps!

I recently purchased a custom stamp from Besotted Brand Shoppe and I LOVE IT! I used it to create the envelopes for my daughter's first birthday invites.  Here is a close-up of the stamp. Lovely, isn't it? You can have anything written on the stamps. What would you put on your stamp?

The final outcome. The stamp on the bottom right is something I picked up years ago at Paper Source. Check out the lovely stuff at Besotted Brand while still available. And I should mention that Besotted Brand Blog is one of my all time favorite reads-so this lovely post was created from a place of love, not sponsorship!

Wardrobe Essentials: Pencil Skirts!

As I attempt to sew a new wardrobe in 2012, I discovered that I really want to wear pencil skirts! 

{image}

My New Obsession is Sewing...who ever would have guessed?

I randomly took a sewing class at The Workroom, located in Toronto. It was one of my eager attempts to get out of the house and reconnect to the world after having a baby. As it turns out, I loved the class and I swear to you I can't stop thinking about things to sew! I think this would work as a great sewing atelier!

The unexpected discovery I had was that I wanted to sew up a new wardrobe. Hello?! I swear I think it's also due in fact that I refuse to shop for clothes in my post-baby shape! I can't bear to admit what size I am, etc.... I want some time to workout and get back in shape before I buy new clothes!

Watch & Make: How to Make Your Own Baby T-shirts

With a weekend of fun, I was able to make my own t-shirt for my baby {as modeled above!}. My mom made a doodle of a bird and hated it. I thought it would look great on a t-shirt and I had to literally grab her drawing out of the trash can! I had tried silkscreen one other time and I was convinced I could print this on a t-shirt. I made a video for my side project blog, Scribbles and Books, on creating a screenprint using drawing fluid. It's super simple to do. It just requires some time to allow for the screens to dry between steps.

After my screen was all dry, it was time to print. I set up a printing station on my kitchen table. Make sure when you print to a t-shirt that you place cardboard between the t-shirt. I used the cardboard from a diaper box. Get resourceful!! I placed an old towel under everything. I ironed the shirt before I printed and after the print was dry to set the ink. That's it! Easy and the sky is the limit!