Phyllida the Faux Fox

I just found a fun way to use some of my leftover scrap material.  When I was younger, I used to make “rag boas” out of old bits of fabric, and I decided to try it again.  I had lots of bits of red left over from recent projects, and I had just been to the Pendleton Woolen Mill outlet store, where I picked up some gorgeous scraps of wool, including a lovely brick red, so I decided to make a faux fox stole.

          I cut strips of fabric and tied them around a long piece of red ribbon.  

         I made the head and tail out of wool scraps and used a blanket stitch to attach the pieces so it would look a little fancier. 

        Button eyes, and embroidered eyelashes, and Phyllida the Fox was born. 

          It was really easy, and required no pattern or machine sewing. It didn’t take long either.  I made it in one evening at a friend’s house while we watched Bride and Prejudice and two episodes of Sherlock.

 

Very fun!  I’m sure I’ll make another one someday.

More Regency Picnics

Yesterday the Emerald Valley Regency Society had another lovely picnic, this one at the Owen Rose Garden in Eugene.

We enjoyed an alfresco luncheon under a tree.

We had a spirited game of Bocce.

We strolled among the roses.

  

And posed for pictures under a 150 year old cherry tree.

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I just realized I never posted any pictures from our vineyard
picnic in July.  Every year (well at least for the last three) I
have my Regency friends out for a picnic by our winery.

We always practice our archery skills.

This year we ate under cover because of a slight drizzle.

But the weather cleared when it was time to go to the lake.

We had all seen the BBC’s Regency House Party and
thought that bit where they throw rocks at little ships
looked like fun.  Wonderful member Lynn made these
lovely little French and Spanish boats for us to attack.

We launched them on the water.

Then we watched as they sailed away…

…before pelting them with rocks, both thrown by hand and
shot with a slingshot (which is harder than I imagined). 
It is more difficult then one would think to sink a little
milk carton boat, but also lots more fun.

I’m so lucky that I have such lovely friends and routinely get to
escape into the world of Jane Austen’s England.  This is indeed,
as Jane would say, “good company”.



A Lovely Day For A Regency Beach Picnic

          Last weekend I went to the coast with some friends from the Emerald Valley Regency Society and we had a lovely picnic on the beach at Tierra Del Mar near Pacific City, Oregon. 

          I had a jaunty new bicorn, and with my blue dress and red spencer and cape, I looked very French Revolution.

          It was a gorgeous day for a picnic.  Saturday was warm and sunny, with just a light breeze.  We were lucky, because on Sunday there was a fierce wind and even some rain.

          As we strolled down the strand, we were enveloped by a fog so dense we couldn’t see more than a few yard in any direction.  It was deliciously spooky, like we could step out the other side and be transported to another time and place- Regency England, perhaps.

          The ocean was swirling around on the beach, creating islands and peninsulas, and lovely safe pools to wade in.

          After a long walk, a little rest was in order for some.

          How wonderful to relax on the sand with good friends and good food.  Not to mention the fun of dressing up.  It was a glorious day altogether!

         

Custom Fabric Labels

     I’ve been thinking for ages that I should have labels in the hats I sell on Etsy.  They would look more professional, and since I ship so many internationally (I just had my first sale to Japan!) it just seems like a good idea, as well as being a marketing tool.  There are several places to order labels, but they all take ages to arrive, and I would be limited to one style.  But it’s hard to design one label for all of my hats.  I couldn’t find a font that looked right for pirate hats and Regency bonnets, and sticking to one color scheme would prove difficult too (I seem to be addicted to color). 

      Well, today I had an epiphany.  It was like a light bulb turning on over my head, only this was a whole chandelier!  I have everything I need to make my own labels, as many or as few as I want, in as many colors and styles as I can think of. 

     I used Crafter’s Images PhotoFabric Cotton Poplin that I bought at JoAnn Fabrics, and printed my own labels.  Then I ironed a fusible backing on and cut each one out.  Now when I make a hat I just pick a label to match, peel off the backing and iron it in place.  Easy as cake!  And they look great on my pirate hats, bonnets, and teacup fascinators.

     They are simple and quick to make, and the poplin has such a tight weave that I don’t have to worry about the edges fraying.  I ended up with 36 labels for under $2 in a matter of minutes.  I’m delighted with my new labels!

Giraffes For Baby

A friend of ours is having a baby soon and decorating the nursery with a giraffe and lion theme, so my sister Allie and I made goodies for the little one.

I made a little stuffed giraffe with
a velvet ribbon around his neck

Allie made a sweet giraffe hat

It’s so fun to make something new and exciting, and a baby is just the excuse needed!

Unique Wedding Hats

     I’ve been making lots of fun new hats lately, and since its wedding season, I decided to make a couple of unusual bridal hats.  I love how they turned out.  Imagine how fun it would be to have a historical wedding with a Regency or pirate theme?

Regency Bridal Bonnet

Wedding Tricorn

New Deluxe Pirate Hats

          I have been making some fancy new pirate hats lately.  My new deluxe tricorns are now available in my etsy shop.  They are made out of wool felt, and have pleated ribbons and elaborate braids as well as removable peacock feather and ostrich plume pins and huge fancy ribbon rosettes.  I think the brown one looks very steampunk.  I’m really pleased with the way they turned out!