Renotta's week of creative miracles

Hi R and other friends out there
A week has passed since I arrived back from Wisconsin - so it is time I revisited R's 'One a Day blog' to see the miracles she has achieved in that time.

You can admire the creative energy but you can also wear these pieces.  Contact Renotta on her website http://www.shopatnextdoor.com/  .
As I have said before, it is lucky that there are more hours in the Northern Hemisphere!
I especially love seeing the pewter work as this was R's project at the time so I was there at the creative coal front,  and actually produced a piece myself!


Clara's Valiant Effort

 Proudly Clara



















 Wearing a Wire...November 5th

Part of my Pewter Jewelry Collection for the Art of the Table Marketplace at the Milwaukee Art Museum November 18th - November 21st












Lace Up...November 4th

Button Up...November 3rd

Woolrich...November 2nd

Woolworth...November 1st

Spooktacular...October 31st

Fallen Leaves...October 30th

Needlework...October 29th

Throw Your Hat in the Ring...October 28th

Keep the Ball Rolling...October 27th

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Aussie Granny shops for skinny jeans

"I shop therefore I am" - a new twist on an old saying.  I have been doing my best to kick start the American economy given that our dollar is stacking up so well.  R's beautiful store 'Shop at Next Door', stocks an extensive range of jeans with fabulous tops and accessories. 


I have been learning all the ins and outs of how to wear skinny jeans - with boots of course but because we are coming into summer, also with killer heels, flats and flip flops.  R says that the worst mistake you can make when taking ups jeans is to make them too short - flared jeans need to be almost to the ground  but skinny jeans are a little tricky to get right.  Have them as long as you can make them without cupping the bottoms too much; a certain amount of cupping however is necessary for the look and with summer jeans you can fold up the bottoms for a casual look.


This is what she says on her site http://www.shopatnextdoor.com/  - click on Jean Scene at bottom of Home Page.


'No, you do not have to be skinny to wear skinny jeans. It's all about how you wear them that makes the difference. Going into a Wisconsin winter, we all know how great it is to throw on your favorite skinny jeans with a pair of boots and a big oversized sweater. It's the one time that living in the frozen tundra makes fashion fun as well as practical. But thankfully that is all behind us for another seven months or so. So now what? Well a picture is worth a thousand words. Wear skinny jeans with killer heels, your favorite flats, barefoot if the moment is right and of course your favorite flip flops. You can wear a skinny jean scrunched around your ankle or cuffed for a casual look. That solves some of the length issues, which is nice for us as well as you. Of course we'll always shorten them for you if need be.'


Off now to help take up some jeans - I am learning how to do a professional job but am under threat of dire conscequence if I devulge the secret.  Sorry!
Clara
ps - watch out for me G, at the airport - I'm the one in the skinny jeans.
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Creative scarves bring cosy warmth to Wisconsin



Getting ready for the photoshoot

 Hi there

An amazing creative day in Wisconsin which took me back 30 years, as R and I worked side by side in her studio.  Well, she did amazing things whilst I absorbed the ambiance of a wonderfully creative environment. 

We have kept tabs on each other's work via email and blogging, so it was great to connect the dots and actually be there at the creative coal front.

As you know, Renotta has pledged to photograph something she creates every day for a year so here I am witnessing this actually happening.

What I have learnt is that there are not more hours in the Northern Hemisphere but that I could get up earlier. Damn!

Creatively

 Clara
Visit Blog - http://shopatnextdoor.blogspot.com/ for Renotta's One a day blog.

Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au
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Hats off to fall fashion

Hi R
My hat's off to you.  I am inhatuated with them.  You will have to be wearing one of your wonderful creations when we meet after 30 years in Chicago next week. 
Thanks Roberto!!!!!
ps - love your photography - vibrant vibrant vibrant. 
An Apple a Day...October 2nd

Inhatuation...October 1st

I'm Making Great Headway...September 30th

My Hat's Off to You...September 29th














Knit Hat with Embellishments

Hat a Girl...September 28th

Hat with Tapestry Leaves

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Autumn hydrangeas reflected in felted wool wraps



Now that's a wrap  - Sept 27

 Hi R
I know you showed these pieces a few days ago. 
They are beautiful! 
You said -
'What I love about felted wool is that it's a win, win situation. No one is "harvested" for the pelt, harmful synthetic chemicals aren't necessary for the faux and my friend the sheep goes happily on with his life. Baaaahhh...that's sheep talk for Gooooddd!'


Clara - Baaaaahh is my language - (being a New Zealander before an Aussie.)  So many concepts combined here - as is so, of course with most of your concepts.  There is an ethereal quality, combining the compact nature of felting with a certain transparency. Then the blending of colour resembling antique weathering. 
Similar to the weathering of my favourite flower, - hydrangea - which I am lucky enough to have growing in the back yard.  I see in the photos, the autumn hue which is my favourite.
 
Go Hydrangeas! One day I will somehow, creatively express your essence.
Clara


Felt like felting


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Casual cosy wraps & shrugs to welcome Fall

Hi R
I don't have to ask what you have been doing - you are truly amazing!
 Shrugs - a great word for casual warmth, is my favourite, along with textured wool wrap and continuous alpaca blend scarf.  Love these casual comforting warmers.


Clara


White Out...September 23rd

Textured Knit Wool Jacket

Morning Wrapture...September 22nd

Textured Knit Wool Wrap






















Wrap Star...September 21st

Knit Continuous Scarf in Alpaca Blend
























Shrug It On...September 20th

Wool Knit Shrug






















Rock Star...September 19th

 

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Faux fur - jury is out but we love it - just don't overdo

Clara's choice from fashionscene this week -
LA made Leno tee is timeless, ageless classic T style.  Looks great with the bold neckpiece.
Faux Fur - I have to admit to being a lover of a bit of fur - soft and indulgent.  Of course I agree not to wear more than one piece at a time.  (Even though I have been known to overdo it, I would never never do that!)
Clara

This next one takes a bit more of an innocent approach to the look, while still giving you the desired effect. (I don't know about you, but this comes across to me as church-worthy or frigid-mother-in-law-acceptable)





Top: LA Made Leno tee in night $60

Jeans: Miss Me boot cut $98

Necklace: RRT Design $110



Well, I didn't think as soon as I posted something about fall it would turn all frigid outside but... it gives me an excuse to speak to you about JACKETS, chunky sweaters and layering! I'm seeing a ton of faux fur from a lot of fashion lines this fall/winter. Although a lot of the models on the runway are decked out like a coon hunter in the wilderness, I would suggest just wearing one accent piece of fur. I'm sure that's pretty obvious to you. Honestly though... if you have fur on your boots, no furry hat, or furry gloves or purse. You get the idea.

This outfit just screams for the mannequin to be holding a Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte!


Vest: BB Dakota Faux Fur in Brown $84

Top: Dex Scoop Neck Sweater in Sangria $74

Shirt: C&C California Deep V short sleeve in white $36

Jeans: Citizens of Humanity Amber Medium Rise Bootcut Faith $178






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Vests and wraps to wear with skinny jeans.

Hi R
Vest assured that I continue to be amazed at what you achieve!  Love the wraps and scarves especially 'Sheep to Shawl'.  Is it a Mobius Scarf? 

My favourites though are 'Poncho Viva' and 'Bring out the Vest in you' since they remind me of the blending of colours we achieved with our weaving back in the 70's. 'Vest Assured' and 'Just in Time' also are reminiscent of the beautiful pieces which were woven with hand spun wool, some of which you spun from the fleece of your own sheep.  The variations in the wool create the fabulous variations in texture.
Clara
Grapes of Wrap...September 18th

Poncho Viva...September 17th

Sheep to Shawl...September 16th

Faux Fur For Fun...September15th

Bring Out the Vest in You...September 14th

Just in Time...September 13th

Vest Assured...September 12th


















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 http://www.babyboomerconnections.com.au/

1970's woven garments rise again

Hi R
The 70's is where I came in to the Niddy Noddy where we used to weave ancient patterns to create new looks.  These unstructured garments are timeless and always stylish.

Wonderful times / fabulous creativity.  Have our daughters / young women  the opportunity to explore and embrace their creative side?  Perhaps this aspect of life will return to give them the same satisfaction it gave to us.
Clara
ps Is this the Monarch Butterfly?
Capeable...August 31st

This cape is a simple oval with two holes cut for the arms. We used to weave these back in the 70's. The pattern is ancient.

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