Weekends with Verabelle

Warm weather always makes me want to hit the road. I try to plan at least one road trip a year (this spring, it was with three of my girlfriends to Lexington, Louisville, and Nashville), and when I have the time, I fill my weekends with excursions that are close to home. From antiquing to berry-picking to country fish fries to nights at the drive-in or the bingo parlor, there's always an adventure to be had!

This summer, I've been creating clothing and accessories that I think are just perfect for weekend day trips and summer vacations. Vivid colors, hand-dyed embellishments, and nostalgic trims add a little something special. Those peppy reds, merry marigolds, azalea pinks, and tart lemon yellows are as bright and warm as the summer sunshine glaring off your dash.

Verabelle on Etsy

If you want to hear from me while I'm on the road this summer, I'm looking for pen pals! You can get a handwritten postcard from me (or sent to a friend) and get the inside scoop on my weekend and week-long adventures. Next up: in July, I'll be camping out and volunteering on a sheep and cow farm in the mountains of Virginia. And later on, I have a hiking and road trip planned to Nevada and California. I love writing postcards about as much as I love the actual vacation!

Hope to hear from you soon!

xoxo,

Amanda Aileen

P.S. Get a snapshot of yourself in Verabelle while you're on a summer adventure. Upload it to the Verabelle Facebook page, and I'll send you a summery surprise!

a place for everything & everything in its place

Who doesn't love the promise that a new year brings? I don't think I've ever started out a new year with quite this much deliberate intention, taking the time and energy to really prepare myself and my surroundings for what I intend to accomplish. I have spent the first days of 2012 cleaning out and clearing my head, getting ready for the rest of the 365 in front of me. I've cleaned out and done away with my storage unit, filed away stacks of papers and receipts, organized bins of supplies, finished little projects around the house that I've been putting off, and given away things that have been setting around gathering dust. It's so refreshing to have a desk cleared, papers tidy, a room readied, all the what-nots and do-dads put in place, and everything I'm not going to use out of sight. 


I started realizing early last year that when my home and work space became too cluttered, my to-do list always somehow seemed more overwhelming, like my mind couldn't cut through all the clutter to just simply think. This feeling was confirmed when I read this month in Whole Living magazine about a finding by the Princeton Neuroscience Institute: "... Having a disorganized work space makes it difficult for people to process information efficiently. Objects scattered around compete for your attention and disturb concentration." Precisely! 


Last year I instated a 10-minute cleaning habit that really helped in moments when I just couldn't take it anymore. I'd set a timer and clean or tidy up something (anything!) without stopping. As long as I was moving, it didn't matter what task I was tackling. When something feels daunting, ten minutes seems manageable. And it's always amazing how much you can actually get done in those mere 600 seconds. This year, though, I'm going to try to take my initiative to a whole new level and continue to find new ways to keep the clutter under control! If you have any tips or suggestions, please share them!

a look around my freshly 

organized sewing room...

A cabinet for storing trims & embellishments, as well as smaller projects in the works. I repainted this vintage cabinet that came from a family friend and added the knobs. Lola sits on a crocheted rug I found at the thrift store.

A collection of vintage and natural objects; a painting by me, a pillow by a friend, & my grandmother's ashes

The jewelry armoire my grandmother, Aileen, gave me when I was a little girl still houses all my accessories and sits in front of one of my paintings. Photos of family: Aileen when she was a little girl (middle) and my great-grandparents, Papa & Granny

Read more...

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.

Make Good with Verabelle & Goodwill

I've got big news, folks... My Sew-It-Yourself button and ruffle kits are going to be on sale at Goodwill!!! Yes, THE Goodwill. You know, the thrift store that I've been frequenting since I got my driver's license. Squeeeee!!!!

I've been blogging for Goodwill for over a year now, sharing my tips for thrifting and how to upcycle your Goodwill purchases into something new. But the Goodwill-Verabelle partnership has recently blossomed into something even more exciting!

On September 24, I will be at the Concord Goodwill Center to lead Goodwill's first ever Make Good DIY workshop! We'll be using my Sew-It-Yourself kits so that shoppers can customize their very own thrifted cardigan. My kits will be on sale inside the Goodwill store and will remain there until sold out.

Next Saturday's workshop will start with sewing demonstrations by yours truly, and then you'll get to rummage through the racks at Goodwill (with the help of my trained eye) to choose a cardigan to recreate. You'll leave with a new, one-of-a-kind top that will be a perfect addition to your fall wardrobe.

I'll be teaching techniques for both the beginning sewer and for those more experienced. You can either scour the shelves at Goodwill for materials to create your very own ruffles and fabric-covered buttons, or you can use one of my readymade Sew-It-Yourself ruffle and button kits for a quick and easy update. 

With my SIY kits, all you have to do is pull the drawstring on your ruffle to adjust it to the length of your cardigan. Then pin it on and sew! Use your coordinating vintage fabric covered buttons on the same cardigan or another top.

And using examples from my line of redesigned vintage clothing, I'll also show you how you can apply the same techniques to other items from your wardrobe.

All the details...

What: Make Good: A Do-It-Yourself workshop, hosted by Goodwill
When: Saturday, Sept. 24 at 10 a.m.
Where: Concord Goodwill Center
What to bring: Nothing! You can participate by just watching the demonstrations, or you can shop for a cardigan on site! We will have “sew-it-yourself” kits (including buttons, ruffles and instructions) available for purchase as well, so you can get started embellishing your cardigan right away.
RSVP: To sign up, visit your local Goodwill store or send an email with your name to community@goodwillsp.org. We look forward to seeing you there!


Read more at the Wow Goodwill blog!

Dishes & Dessert

As some of you know, I work the pastry counter at Amelie's French Bakery two days a week, serving up delicious treats to Charlotte locals. I love this job for two reasons... #1: I love food. I love talking about it. And I love sharing my passion for it with other people. #2: I love people. The rest of the week, I'm working in my home studio, designing, sewing, and doing all the things it takes to run a crafty business. I love to be able to get out of the house and interact with other people for the day. It helps keep me sane!


Next week, I get the wonderful pleasure of combining my two "jobs" once again, as I teach a craft class for Amelie's at their new Amelie's Annex. Using my crafty expertise, I'll help you get that eclectic Amelie's look by creating your own upcycled dishes.


You'll have your choice of two projects (or you can do both!): hand-painting dishes or creating your own tiered pastry platter. Both projects are great for all crafting capabilities, and all instructions and supplies will be provided. Guests will also enjoy Amelie's pastries, wine, and tea while they work.


If you'd like to join me for Dishes & Dessert, just call Stefanie Haviv from Amelie's to reserve your spot and arrange payment: 704.701.0874. The cost of the class is $25, and this includes all of your supplies, dessert and drinks.


Amelie's a 24-hour french bakery that is open every day of the year. (This is seriously dangerous for people with chocolate cravings, like me!) Check out this video for an idea of what a whole day at Amelie's looks like.

A Day in the Life of Amelie's French Bakery from Justin Ruckman of CLT blog on Vimeo.

Photo at top: Tiered Plate Project

photo from ReadyMade

Give the Gift of Choice

A little news from the shop today... Verabelle gift cards are now available on Etsy! Each certificate has been hand-embroidered onto cardstock with the Verabelle logo, and I've left the back of the embroidery exposed so that you can see the work. Currently, I have the gift cards available at $15 and $30, but just let me know if there is a different amount that you'd like.

Ecolicious

There is a wonderful new shop in Charlotte that just opened, and it's right in my neighborhood! Ecolicious is a store full of environmentally friendly, cruelty-free, and locally made products that sits on Commonwealth Avenue right in the heart of Plaza Midwood. The shop is just lovely and so are its owners, Marley and Fionna. They are bringing a great vibe to the neighborhood and want to create a homey, relaxing space where people feel comfortable to hang out. This will all start this weekend with their grand opening, which includes live music, eats and drinks, and a trunk show by the Frock Shop. And guess what, guess what?! Verabelle has some goodies in the store for sale too, along with many of my fellow Crown Town Handmade crafters. Now, do you need any more reason to stop by and check it out?

 some views of the store, 

courtesy of the Ecolicious Facebook page

Grand Opening announcement

The Big Crafty

This weekend I'll be in Asheville for The Big Crafty, one of the best indie craft fairs around. If you're in town or looking for a day trip, then plan on stopping by, as the Big Crafty itself puts it, for "a lively celebration of handmade commerce, featuring local food, beer, toe-tapping tunes, and the fine wares of select indie artists and crafters." The fun happens Sunday, July 10, 12-6 pm at Pack Place and Pack Square.

Announcing.... The Verabelle Website!

I can't believe I haven't done this until now, but finally, FINALLY.... I have an official Verabelle website! Oh my gosh, can you believe it?! EEK!!!! It's your one-stop shop for everything Verabelle, from both of my Etsy shops to my Goodwill blog posts to my event calendar. You can even purchase a Closet Makeover right on the site or read all of the past press about Verabelle. So go there right now and check it out!


Oh, and I thought if I did all that, then I better just give my blog a makeover too. Check out that new banner and the fun list of past posts - "What Would You Like to Read?" 


I hope you enjoy the  new look, and there is even more more to come!

 page view of the Verabelle website's front page

For Mother...

New from Verabelle, pillows made with vintage handkerchiefs and fabrics, hand embroidery, and pompom trims. And one just happens to be perfect for Mother... 

I stitched a 4"x6" vinyl pocket onto this one for a photo of 

your mother of hers. Just slip it in the top!

I embellished each handkerchief design with hand embroidery, bringing out the colors and adding a few complimentary ones.

New housewares from Verabelle's Attic (including one giant, new surprise!) will debut this Friday, 5/6, at Greensboro's First Friday Indie Market. Stop by 4-9 pm, or browse later on Etsy.

Verabelle & Ornamentea

This weekend Melissa (of Mason & Virginia) and I traveled to Raleigh to share a space at the Designers Downtown Market. The market is held in the parking lot of Ornamentea several times a year, and is hosted by the beading/craft supply store, known for their "fine craft ingredients."

(L) beads by NC designer Elaine Ray. (R) bead bins.

It was a great day of selling and meeting other crafters,  but I was also lucky enough to make the acquaintance of Cynthia Deis. Cynthia is the owner of Ornamentea, a project that originally began out of her home 16 years ago. Cynthia first began making and selling her own jewelry designs using vintage and handmade materials and soon expanded to a studio space that also offered beading supplies and other cool collectibles. Now Ornamentea is housed in a giant apple-green metal building with space for multiple classrooms and shelf upon bin of beads and other crafting supplies.

a workroom for painting

(L) jars of jewelry supplies. (R) repose.

I am happy to say that Ornamentea also now carries Verabelle Sew-It-Yourself animal appliques! As Cynthia was browsing the market booths, she saw them and asked if I sold wholesale and said she'd love to have them in her shop. And I course, I loved that too!


If you're not in the Raleigh area, you can still shop online at Ornamentea, as well as take advantage of their long list of tutorials, which include everything from jewelry-making to decoupage. In fact, I picked up some decoupage materials from the shop to work on a Mother's Day project!

love: walls covered in vintage dress patterns.

It's a Win-Win with Elonzo Music

If you haven't heard of Rock Hill band Elonzo, then it's time you put on your headphones and do some downloading. Or... you could just do a little shopping with Verabelle for your chance to win their latest CD.


I love all things local, and music is no exception. Last month, Maggie Davis Bourdeau of Elonzo tapped away on the keys in a Verabelle Scrappy Tank and vintage accessories at Charlotte's Snug Harbor. This coming month, I honor them (and you!) with a slew of giveaways.

Maggie (with band) in a Verabelle Scrappy Tank

Here's how you can hear Elonzo's folky rock tunes:
- Make a purchase from Verabelle and automatically receive a coupon code for one free song download.
- When you buy something from Verabelle, you'll also be entered in a drawing for their latest CD, A Letter to a Friend.
- Attend one of the band's upcoming shows. They have a stop in Charlotte June 17 but will be touring in South Carolina over the next several months. And the other perk: when you purchase a CD from Elonzo, you get a Verabelle scratch-off lottery ticket to win discounts or freebies!


The tour of giveaways starts this Saturday, 4/30, in Raleigh at the Designers Downtown Market. I'll be giving away CDs to two lucky shoppers and another two next Friday, 5/6, at Greensboro's First Friday Indie Market.

We also dressed singer/songwriter Anna Bullard (left)in Verabelle last minute, and it was such a hit that she decided to purchase her outfit. Sophie's Suspender Shorts really looked great on her!

The New DIY

This Spring, I'm declaring SIY the new DIY! With this project, you don't need a hammer, a shovel, paint, or a power tool. Just grab a needle and thread and Sew It Yourself!

The new SIY kits from Verabelle come with a drawstring ruffle and a set of 8 (5/8") covered buttons, both made from vintage scraps from my fabric bin.  Instructions and illustrations provide ideas for adding the embellishments to your clothing - an easy weekend project for personalizing something from your wardrobe or an ordinary find from Goodwill.

National Park Giveaway: A Patch for Your Pack

Since most of the stops on my National Park Wish List are out west, today I thought I'd host a giveaway for the region's native - an applique of Blanche the Buffalo. During our recent trip to Yellowstone National Park, we saw many of Blanche's cousins. Hundreds. Here are two of them. Meet Pete and Freddy.

To enter the contest: Leave a comment below about your favorite national park experience (OR) leave your own national park wish list. (Don't forget to leave contact info in case you win.) You can also get an additional entry by sharing the contest on Facebook or Twitter. Just leave a comment telling me you've done so for the extra entry. On Tuesday, 4/26, I'll randomly pick a winner, and you'll get to pick the applique color of your choice.

If you win, you can sew Blanche onto your backpack for your next wilderness adventure.

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.

Craft Calendar

It's the season for craft shows and festivals, and my calendar is packed! I've been a busy bee the past few weeks getting ready for not just one, but two, craft shows this week! Here's where you'll find me for the spring and summer.


4.13   Charlotte Country Day Art Sale (CCDAS)
4.14   CCDAS
4.15   CCDAS

4.16   CCDAS/Crafty Feast, Columbia SC

4.28   Crown Town Handmade Make Out

4.30   Designers' Downtown Market, Raleigh NC
5.06   First Friday Indie Market, Greensboro NC

5.14   Outdoor Yart Market, Charlotte NC

5.19   All Arts Market, Charlotte NC (tentative)

5.20   All Arts Market, Charlotte NC (tentative)
5.21   Femme Fest, Charlotte NC

5.26   Crown Town Handmade Make Out
6.03   NoDa Gallery Crawl (street-side), Charlotte NC
6.19   Summer Solstice, Greensboro NC
6.30   Crown Town Handmade Make Out
7.10   The Big Crafty, Asheville NC
7.28   Crown Town Handmade Make Out

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.)

Clothing Meets Bakery

This past Saturday, I packed up the green suitcases and hauled everything Verabelle to Amelie's Bakery for the Valentine's Craft Attack. My two jobs met... and had a Valentine's kiss.


I was very happy with the way my booth turned out this time. In fact, I think I did the best job yet! There are still a few things I have on my shopping list (1. collapsable dressing room; 2. vintage dress form), but I am doing quite well for now, thank you. Here's a little tour, in case you missed it!