i wear handmade {self-portrait challenge}

late afternoon with millie, 20 november 2007

estella necklace by jen, birdhouse pendant by stephanie, mitts by jmaccknit, my little black dress (in grey) by treehouse 28

hat by jmaccknit and earrings by sulu

i am enjoying bringing more and more handmade items into my wardrobe. shopping more on etsy and at art+craft fairs and less in the big box stores.

it feels more like me to wear these pieces...

i took the handmade pledge a week weeks back, which means i am giving only handmade gifts for the holidays this year and asking for handmade gifts.

so lots of time spent on etsy...i mean a lot of time spent on etsy.

some new favorites (these are all in the "made by yarn" category):

these mitts
this capelet
and this capelet
this hat
this blooming brooch
this apple jacket

one idea i want to pass on to you is to check out the favorites of other etsy folks. you can find their lists right in the sidebar of their shops or in their profiles. even if you don't have an etsy shop, you can create a profile and start adding items and shops to your favorites, and then you can share the link to your favorites with your loved ones so that they know what you might want this holiday season...go on...buy (and ask for) some handmade gifts...

posing, 20 november 2007

i took so many photos today, that by the time i posed for this one i was cracking up at the oddity of taking self-portraits...thought it might resonate with some of you...

oh and see what others are wearing here

current uniform, week two {self-portrait challenge}

when the day demands a change from flannel, you can usually find me in jeans, a sweater coat, a t-shirt, and some comfortable slip-on shoes.

i think that the sweater coat invites a sense of coziness and safety and warmth. all good things when the air is chilly and the day is winnie-the-pooh blustery.

(i can't believe that i once wore pantyhose and suits and heels to work every day. today, i am so lucky.)

see more self-portraits here

current uniform week one {self-portrait challenge}

flannel pjs and quilted patchwork scarf, 5 november 2007

the maple in our backyard has almost shed her clothing, anticipating her time of rest and renewel. the as old-as-the-house heater stirs a bit more often lately. soup, more mugs of tea, spiced cider, and roasted root vegetables become cravings.

autumn has settled in for a stay. and today, it seems that winter has begun to write letting us know of her imminent arrival.

i tuck myself in for the day in flannel pajamas, a scarf, and some other necessities.

(see what other foks are wearing here)

tea and flannel {self-portrait challenge}

After I turn on my laptop and feed the dog, I fill the teapot with water, choose my cup of the day, choose my tea (probably genmaicha), and take a moment to just look out the window until the water boils. Already in my office clothes, I brew the tea and settle in for the day.

Fall is here.

(see more self-portraits here)

connection found {self-portrait challenge}

feeling tired. a bit overwhelmed. close to weepy. i seek...i pause to notice. what is it that i need? breathing with purpose, slowly, i realize: i seek connection. i go to my altar and take a breath and open my heart to what i am seeking. my rocks. from the shores of puget sound at fort worden. i hold them tightly and remember. i am part of the water. i am tumbling and twisting on my journey. i am slicing open and breaking apart. i am shiny on the sand. i am part of the earth. i am waiting. i am open. i am found.

to see more reactions to the challenge of pattern, visit self-portrait challenge.