Denim DIY giveaway

All month I have been following the wonderful denim based crafting creativity over on MicheleMadeMe. Beautiful craftmanship, industrious ideas and the unexpected have rolled out for every budget and ability. Even though I couldn't carve out the time to stitch myself it didn't dimish my sharing in the fun, the enthusiasm and my denim plans for the future! Now, in typical Michele fashion, she has a denim crafting give away like no other, with a pile of treasures for two lucky people. Quickly go over and put your name in the pool!

Drop-Dead Denim DIY

Michelemademe is devoting the month of September to denim crafts. She and her crafting pals are sharing all kinds of creative ways to make everything desirable out of old denim -- from toys to jewerly. Visit her blog to follow all the fun and discover what can be re-cycled and up-cycled in the most charming and ingenious ways. Michele is full of the unexpected which makes this month a most delightful denim month.

Antique denim quilts

Pig -Pen (1945-55)

These beautiful quilts, are part of an eclectic group of "Improvisational Quilts" (from The Henry Ford), created by Susana Allen Hunter from the 1930s - 70s. She was an Alabama sharecropper, and old worn denim found it's way into many of her quilts. With imaginative craftsmanship, she mixes the denim with other fabrics, creating different moods and memories. Strip Quilt Pieced Quilt 1950/55

Nine Patch

all photos: The Henry Ford

I discovered Susana's quilts here, on Elizabeth's blog, where she has also posted a cool denim bag.

Denim as art

A British artist, Denimu, who lives in Sweden, uses the beautiful, intrinsic qualities of denim, to express his thoughts and visions of the world. Follow him on twitter, facebook, or his blog.

A 17th century, European painter (name unknown), who worked in Italy, painted the poor, dressed in their old, worn denim, with the same dignity and honor as a court painter would have bestowed upon a rich patron. The paintings respect the character and one can't help but look beyond the misfortune and be inspired by the denim, and how it adapted so practically.

The paintings are currently on exhibition at the Didier Aaron in New York until February 14th.

Berry n' Bird Denim Beret

MicheleMadeMe has captured nature - in all it’s inviting glory - with her berry n’ bird denim beret. Imaginatively stitching together all kinds of textures, patterns with great skill, she created this cozy, reversible, and beautiful beret! And … thereby, reinventing my glitzy poet’s beret (from Denim Revolution) in a delightfully different, spirit. Read all about it in her post, here. I hope it inspires you as it has inspired me!

DIY a charming Fascinator

Swedishloveaffair, has cleverly used this scrap of denim as a sturdy base, to make a charming New Year's Eve Fascinator. Click here for her super super easy and clear tutorial. All kinds of variations come to mind when one follows her lead -- from combining pinecones or pretty twigs from the garden (left natural or painted unexpected colors) -- to tiny bulbs mixed with feathered denim scraps ... hmmm ... Whether you will be at home, curled up in a pair of comfy jeans or enjoying a big bash, why not take a few minutes, to create your own accessory to ring in the New Year --and surprise us and yours, with your special, individual style!

With her natural and delightful imagination, Antonia shares on her blog wonderful advise and thoughts about fashion, style and handmade. Thank you Antonia for the great tutorial!

Wishing all my fellow bloggers a year of peace and happiness.

Enjoy the last days of 2010

and all my best wishes,

and hopes are with you for 2011!

xxxooo

Nancy

Pucci patched vintage jeans

photo: Jane Aldridge

This image, from "Sea of Shoes" expresses all the power of the individualism of the 60s. It looks like wonderful scraps of various printed Pucci fabrics (which could be printed on cotton velvet, silk or light weight wool jersey) have been wonderfully patched on those flared legs! What a delicious way to re-cycle a stained or torn, but beautiful scarf or blouse ... .