A Day at the Pond

This weekend Paul and I spent some time at his parents' house out in the country, in Mt. Pleasant. I always love going back there. In only a 45-minute drive from the city, we're transported to a quieter, simpler existence, as we watch the landscape outside the car window go to green. 

We spent most of our time outside, since it was one of those last cool days of the dwindling Spring. There was time under the trees in breezy hammocks, bottles of homebrew, backyard ping pong games, and fishing at the pond. We also smoked up some chicken, salmon, and pond fish for lunch over a pile of hickory sticks, with an armful of lemons thrown in for a smoky lemonade with tea-infused whiskey.

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If you are a country girl at heart, like me, here's a little list of inspiration to create your own day at the pond...

1. a pair of shades

2. a good read

3. a cool hat

4. a breezy skirt

5. lots of cold beer

6. a tasty dinner with the day's catch

Introducing... Allman, a men's line

My great-grandfather on my mom's side,

William Lewis Allman.

I always called him "Papa."

(Pictured below: Papa with my mom, Janet)

"Allman" is a project that I've been working on for a long time. I've dabbled here and there in menswear, making a few things that I'd take to craft shows to sell. But finally, I've sat down long enough to put together a one-of-a-kind collection just for men, all inspired by my great grandfather, William Lewis Allman.

I was lucky enough to grow up with two generations of grandparents on both sides of my family, but I spent the most time with my mom's side who lived just a few minutes down the road from us. After my grandfather died when my mom was just 15, her mother's parents moved in with her. The three of them lived together - Aileen, Granny, and Papa - forever after.

Many of my summers and afternoons after school were spent at their house, playing in the yard, watching TV, and helping out in the kitchen. Papa would always be waiting on the porch for me when I got off the school bus, and most days, we'd walk to the post office together to check the mail and to Moose Drug for a cone of ice cream. We'd pick up pecans in the back yard and on the weekends, walk to the auction house with Granny.

My mama has always told me that Papa loved me more than anybody, though I have a strong feeling he really loved her the most. She got to know Papa in a way that I never did. Papa lived just until I graduated from high school, so I was lucky to have him for quite awhile, but Mama got to know the much younger version of our grandfather. She knew the man who was a machinist at the cotton mill and fixed radios and TVs in his backyard shop in his spare time... the man who raised roosters and hunting dogs and kept bees.. the man who helped build the Baptist church.

When I look back at old black-and-white photos of Papa, I see a young man that exuded such a masculine confidence, an ease of being, and downright coolness. I love imagining what he must have been like back then, back when my mom was growing up. And I love that I can create something that brings this mood and that era of his existence back to life. Recreating this vintage clothing helps me to recreate him, and I am so happy to share that with the people who will end up wearing it.

Below is a preview of the collection, which features men's button-ups, sweaters, jackets, neckties, and hats. You can expect to see much more in the coming months as I continue to photograph the line. And each piece comes with a handmade tag featuring a reproduction of one of those old black-and-whites. My great-grandfather is the one pictured on the far left.

Favored Fall Accessories

Here's a round-up of my some favorite accessories for this fall, all found on Etsy. Based on a recent poll on my Facebook fan page, the scarf takes number one as the favored accessory of most. But thanks to all the creative crafters out there, there are many more options to add some interest to your wardrobe for the season. Take a look at what I found!

Spats by Merry Be

Fabric Necklace by Vadjutka

Turban by Leilanni Land

Chevron Necklace by Amira Jewelry

DIY Necklace by Snug Studio

Rose Ring by From Paris

Belt Buckle by Flight Path Designs

Chanel at the Mint

My best friend and I recently visited Charlotte's Mint Museum to view a bit of fashion history. The museum on Randolph Road currently has a exhibit featuring the iconic haute couture designs of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. Her design sensibilities are so interwoven into our present-day fashion culture, that as a redesigner of vintage clothing, for me, this exhibit was a must.

Coco Chanel was a pioneer of women's fashion in the early 1900's, leaving behind the corset for designs that were more comfortable and casual, yet still elegant. She is known to have popularized many modern staples, including women's trousers, suits, and the little black dress. Taking notes from menswear beyond just the pant, she was also the first to design using knit jersey, at the time used only for men's underwear. 

The exhibit highlights designs dating from the 1920s to the present-day house of Chanel and includes clothing by the designer, as well as costume jewelry and her signature perfume. My favorite piece was a black and white dress suit made between 1925-1929 and constructed by Coco Chanel, herself. I love the a-symmetry of the button placement, the geometric print of the fabric, and the drop waist. It has such a simple elegance and, in my opinion, looks modern, even for today.

Chanel: Designs for the Modern Woman will be on view through December 31 2011.

My favorite design of the exhibit(jacket not pictured).

Other selections in the Mint Museum's 

fashion collection not to be missed!

Addicted to Appliques

If you like appliques as much as I do, then you'll love today's post that I wrote over on the Goodwill blog! See my ideas for updating your own thrift store finds with a simple DIY applique process. Click the Goodwill link for your reading pleasure. :)

One of my new Scrappy Tanks for the spring, 

available in my Etsy shop. 

I used a simple applique process to create this look.
Earlier this year, I also wrote a little review of Kayte Terry's new crafty manual "Applique Your Way." This is one you may want to add to your own bookshelf for more inspiration on updating your look with handmade embellishments.

Inspired by Handicrafts

The spring sunshine has been filling my sewing room, illuminating my coral colored walls and breathing some inspiration back into my work. I am so happy to see flowers popping up roadside on my walks and little bursts of colors clinging to the trees. The sewing machine (aka, Gertie) is feeling rather good too; with all the bright threads running through and light floral fabrics, she's happily chugging along with a spring in her needled step.

Working on new clothing for the Spring, I have been inspired by vintage handicrafts and have been incorporating these into my work. I have a box stored away in my desk with nothing but little bits and baubles that I've been drawn to and collected over the years. Many of them are now finding a home on new looks for Verabelle. Here's a peek!

(L) I found this piece of doily at the Scrap Exchange in Durham. This is the back of a new top, almost finished!

(R) This lovely little piece came from Paul's mom. She cut up a piece of tapestry-like fabric and added a lace trim. Now it's on a butter yellow sleeveless shirt.

This little chain of crochet is going to find itself on a dress very soon. (I also recently purchased a hand crocheted rug, which you can see in the background.)