2012?!! Well, hello!

well hello there long lost treehouse friends!

sewing tugs at me in fits and starts, but i haven't accomplished much in a very long time
*but* tomorrow i am taking on a new venture!

i've been making necklaces with vintage wool thread I scored at a flea market ages ago
i just love them, they are modern with a bit of vintage softness and think they will appeal to a wide array of ladies (at least here's hoping!)

for the month of December, these will be for sale alongside 50+ other vendors of handmade goodies at
The Bridge PAI Great Gifts 2012
hope you'll come by and take a peek!

Photography

I posted some new belts today in my etsy shop. That requires good photo skills and longer-than-expected editing skills. I am very limited in the amount of creativity that I can muster when doing this task. Although, I was amused by my latest product photography attempt.

I found a stack of old, heavy, cafeteria trays that are patiently waiting for that perfect inspiration. I am considering painting them, etching them, maybe I will try to do some decal transfers, perhaps decoupage them in fabric? I do want to make sure folks can actually eat off of them - can you eat off car paint? hmmm

For now, they are their tidy steel selves, unblemished. I am not sure what a belt has to do with breakfast trays, but it gave me an excuse to get out my Sesame Street Rocket mug and set up a little eye candy.

There are soooo many good photographers on Etsy, it will take a lot for my things to rise to the top.
But for now, a morning's amusement and a bit of thanks for a sunny day.

CPSIA is keepin' me busy

Greetings from Toxic Treehouse!

Although relieved the CPSIA has decided to give a stay on enforcing the regulations set forth on their new lead testing requirements, the whole issue has keep me busy reading. Perhaps I will sample a bit of my creations for lunch and live to tell about it.

Don't have a clue what I am talking about? Do a quick search on CPSIA and see what I mean. Congress passed a law last Summer that requires any children's item (for the 12 and unders) to be tested for lead and meet their guidelines for safety. This means even natural materials like wool and cotton, books, bikes etc.

Although not against making sure children's items are free from lead, I am surprised to see that they expect cotton and wood to be a hazard. Plus, the testing needs to be carried out by a 3rd party and from the estimates I have read, can be very, very expensive. Especially when you take into account that it is "digestive" testing - meaning your assembled item is destroyed during the tests. So, that's money for the test, and no product to sell afterwards. For someone like me that doesn't produce multiples factory-style it just isn't feasible. I am hoping they will decide to accept certification by the suppliers, and dismiss the need for 3rd party testing (read: duplicate testing).
Here I am on the local news - at 6 am no less - anyone catch it?
My 15 minutes were more like 3.
Here's the news broadcast.

I am currently looking into the costs associated with XRF gun testing as for now an acceptable form of trying to comply, even if it won't actually qualify as 3rd party testing. See why this is so confusing?
More to come on this issue, for sure.

Thanks for reading!

fun little finds

I am sure by now most of you have heard about the Shop Local push. Putting monies into your local businesses helps your neighbors, but can also provide you with new acquaintances!
When I need supplies for the shop, I have been trying to find them locally, either through a store, or at least a reseller. Gifts? Handmade and local is a bonus!
So when Treehouse Togs needed a new stamp, I searched Etsy for local folks and voila! I was also happily surprised to see her (and her crocheting husband) during the Holiday Market downtown. Quick business was discussed and she began her careful creation of my "thank you" stamp.
I came out fabulous, don't you think?






(all photos courtesy of Kumi co. crafts)

Besides wonderfully humorous stamps, Kumi Co. also sells crocheted, felted, plant-dyed coasters and simple crocheted bowls (made with local wool!).
A little local love. Pay it forward.

this little piggy's going to market

I will be at the Charlottesville Holiday Market selling my delightful children's clothing and accessories beginning this Saturday Nov 22 from 10-5.

We vendors will be at the end near the Pavillion.

I hope to be there most Saturdays, but sometimes it just isn't possible - you can check here for updates, or email me if you have questions.

Stop by and say hi!

Whilst I have been getting some sewing done

there is always time to look at other sellers on Etsy!

Since the Treasury feature is so so full, I made up a Sketch Pad version to share with anyone that happens by here . . .

I love love love dots!


enjoy!

Out and About

Hi

Just a wee little update for you local folks.
I will have a booth at the Centerville Pumpkin Festival on October 11th.

Never been, but the website refers to costumed llamas, so you know I am going to have to abandon my seat and take a look around.

Expect some lovely velvets, belts and embellished tees. Who knows what the studio holds in the meantime?

check me out in booth #14.

Fall's almost here!
xoxox Becca

3 months . . .

. . . to the day since my last post.
*sigh* Didn't meet my sewing goals very well I afraid.
I have laundered a bunch of fabric and spent the tedious time folding it onto bolts.
Some sewing for friends and lots and lots of dreaming.
Plus, I worked a lot at my younger sons school. A distraction for sure, but a lovely way to pass the time.



There are clay handprints from each child in the school, plus teachers, parents and various community members. Children from each age group would help out in some way, either sorting tiles for the youngest set, or grouping the tiles in chain or block patterns to the oldest group smashing and "puzzling" and gluing.
Over the last few months, I spend many full days there, happily tired by the end of school bell.
Just the grouting is left to finish. Then it will be there for.ever.

Spring Break came at just the moment we were growing weary of the task. Now that we are restored, we can give it all of our good energy again.
Then on to projects in the sewing studio. Promise.
How 'bout some pants and snappy shirts?
Okay.

xo

New Year

Happy New Year!

In the shop you will find some new additions. Collaborations with the other Treehouse Togs team member on belts and she has designed a Jupiter appliqué that will go up soon!

Otherwise, around the studio, it's a bit of a mess. Dedicating a space to sew last year was such a treat, but now I see it still needs a bit of tweaking.
I don't have nearly enough shelving to keep myself organized and my sewing time focused.
That's what I will be working on this month.
I have some projects in the wings that I am excited about. That I am working on, is that still "in the wings?" Maybe I've gotten my phrases mixed up. In any case, I can never keep away from the machine for long!
I don't have nearly enough made clothing to show off all my wonderful fabrics! I've got quite a collection going. One idea I have is to take pictures and post swatches so you lovely folks might request a custom item from something you spy in my stash.

For now, a peek at the transformation of my studio. Fancy name for converted guest room. Our guests will now be relagated to a high quality inflatable mattress surrounded by bolts of fabric. I will include the magical final shot when the magical final shot is available for shooting!



As I sew, I have a view of our wooded backyard and enough sunlight to keep me happy.

Just in case

Thought I would give y'all the heads up that the Treehouse Togs table won't be at the Holiday Market this weekend.
There are times I need to touch base with my family and complete personal projects, and this is that weekend.
But never fear Togheads! ( is that all right to call you that? I will work on another moniker . . . )
I will be present next Friday AND Saturday with belts and pants and blankets in tow.

If you need to get in touch with me, kindly check the link to my website, here, to the left and send me an email. (Plus I would be curious to know that someone is reading this!)

And of course, the Etsy store is always open.

Peace

HB's Apron!

HB's Apron!
Originally uploaded by treehouse_togs

Love this girl and this family.
And her haircut.

Girl is all decked out in an apron I sewed for her birthday. Actually managed to get it there on time as well. Yea, me!
Yes, that's tattoo flash fabric. On a lovely shade of pink. The polka dots were a serendipitous find in my stash. Perfect.
I will be making more aprons for the shops my friends. For the back, check my flickr page. Here.

goodies from afar

I have some great friends.
An email with a plethora of fabric pictures. Fabric. From Japan.

http://picasaweb.google.com/treehousetogs/JapeneseFabricFromGeorge

Then I met up with him today and got my order. Heaven!
You'll be seeing it all soon, after it's all washed and destined for an outfit.
I am sure he will be happy to have the lighter suitcase for the trip back home.

Apologies!

I was not at the Market yesterday.
The lure of my machine matched with the time to sew was too much to resist. I hope no one was too disappointed. I will be there this weekend! Really! With some New Things!

I have put together some plaid pants, jeans and aprons. Along with some new appliqued tees and retro shirts, there's lots to come peruse.

And remember, most fabric you see in one form at my table (i.e. belts), can be made into another (pants, skirt)!
Certainly inquire about custom work.
Hope to see you there. This Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23&24. Downtown Charlottesville.

xo Treehouse Togs

Thanks!

Well, I would say the first day of the Market was a success - you know who you are . . .
coffee delivered from starrhillgirl, two, count 'em two helpers to sit with me for a spell, and loads of friendly shoppers happy to take my cute new circular business cards.
I won't be there next Friday due to Other Job Commitments, but will be there Saturday the 17th and Fridays and Saturdays henceforth until the 22 of December.
Did find out there is an available electric outlet, so I mays needs to buy a portable heater. It got a little cold yesterday which made me bag a little early, and I need to show up better prepared to stay warm. Mittens you say? How novel.
I resisted the bacon grilling all-day from Babes in the Woods. But next time? I don't think I will be so strong.
Come by and visit!

Finally!

I finally finished a promised project; a buckle frame for a Montessori toddler classroom. Although I searched for buckles, it is seemingly impossible to find leather straps with metal buckles. I did find pink pleather, but. . . that didn't seem appropriate. The closest I could purchase was metal buckles and then buy and insert grommets into the strap side. Hmph. To simplify, I thrifted some belts. Part of me hated destroying perfectly good belts, but, they are actually being used. This completes the set of zippering, snapping, buttoning and buckling work. I suppose it could easily grow to include other types of buckles, velcro and hook and eyes . . .

After a week of not getting any sewing done, much less even stepping into the studio, I am feeling a wee bit itchy!
I am going to hunker down and work out some ideas that are demanding to come to fruition.
Cross over tops and wide leg pants. Tunic shirts and ruffled skirts. Belts and appliques.
I'll show you a belt I did for my son. He was allowed the pick from my stash and this is what he chose - it's a brown knit fabric with skulls that I interfaced and backed with brown denim. It's fully reversible and finished with a military style 1.5" buckle. He wears it often. We are thinking of making at least one more with his school mascot on it - a falcon. I seems like a good opportunity to do some block printing. I'll let you know!
Off to the studio . . .

Hump Day

It's Wednesday!
In RL (real life) it was my birthday yesterday! And I found that I really couldn't work well with chocolate in the house. I had to put it in the freezer lest I didn't get any work done. Or that the work I did do would bear my delicious fingerprints. mmmmm froozen chocolate. . .. I digress.

I spent the morning hemming cuffs and elasticizing the waists of more skirts and pants.
They will go into the shop once the pics are uploaded. I had to borrow a camera, seeing as how mine has wandered away. Hopefully it will be truant for only a short time.

So, if you are a fan of owls or Japanese fabrics, you will definitely want to check back. I fashioned some pockets with imported fabric featuring lovely fall colors in chocolates browns, blues, greens and lavenders. They embellish the side leg of wide wale corduroy pants. Perfectly gender neutral and also perfect for the coming crispy days. It is going to get crispy, isn't it? I am a bit tired of this Virginia heat. I assume the foliage changes now are due to the drought conditions, but the real thing is just around the corner isn't it? I hope. I've got some jackets on the horizon.

Exposure

The sewing article appeared in the C-Ville Weekly on Tuesday! Currently, there is no on-line reference, so a scan will appear here when the technology gods finish thier magic.
The project was to embellish/deconstruct/reconstruct a shirt. The four participants were each handed a slinky, form-fitting long-sleeved button-front black top.
I chose to do a large appliqued tree that starts on the back and reaches around like a duplicate rib cage to the front. I was very, very thankful for my dress form! (thanks, Jen) Since the material is so stretchy it would've been a challenge to pin it up without it. And even if the shirt had fit me, I wouldn't have been able to work on myself now could I?
As it doesn't fit me I am not planning to keep it . . . but certainly took some pictures to share with y'all.






The material is a print designed by Kaffe Fassett, who is a multi-talented guy. If you haven't heard of him, I suggest you look him up. I first became aware of him through a catalog showcasing clothes made by Peruvian women. He had designed the pattern they were weaving into scarf. Then I come to find out he has designed several lines of fabrics which are essential to his unorthodox quilt patterns. He has a great eye for color and design that he applies to weaving, quilting and mosaic. Quite the inspiration.
The other elements are felted wool leaves that were glued on (horror!). I doubt they will go anywhere, but some of the felt was so thick, and since I don't own a thimble I didn't relish the thought of sewing them on. I also used a bird photo transfer. I found an image on the internet and played around with the color in photoediting software. Then I printed it off onto high quality transfer material and ironed it onto muslin. That was cut out and applied to the shirt. It gave a nice dimension to the branch it sits on.
It was a good way to experiment and see what elements I look forward to using in the clothing I am sewing.
It has been a treat to spend time with the sewing machine and sketching out ideas. Honestly, my output hasn't been what I'd hoped for at this point. I am reminded how long it takes to sew something from scratch. But it's certainly enjoyable and I feel the momentum building!
Take care

Applique and bottom halfs

Here's a peek into what's going up in the shop next!
Shirts. Pants. Skirts.
Click on the etsy shop link to the left and take a look.

As always, I appreciate your comments and thank you for stopping by~