utilitu Street Style: Caitlin's custom braided cowl

Caitlin Cardier has lungs that are as deep as Voronya Cave, which allow her to sing as beautifully and powerfully as a full gospel choir. Seriously. Her charisma shines on stage, as does her sincerity, self confidence and originality. She recently performed at Artisphere here in Bend while rocking utilitu! I made her a custom braided cowl with chain braided in and other chains, charm and tassle attached to the loop. Turned out super dope! I am anti-flash, so the photos didn't turn out as crisp as they would have; oh well. Here's a video from her set after the sound had crapped out - and instead of throwing up her hands and walking away, she threw up her hands and rocked it acapella!

Custom Lime Ties for Kristie & Mikee

Second round of custom wedding ties! These bright ones were for friends Kristie and Mikee, who live in Austin, TX, but got married yesterday (06.19) in Bend. The groomsmen wore the solid cotton lime, as did the ringbearer (the little guy tie on the end). Mikee had two choices: the satin solid green or polka dots. Of course, he chose the polka dots. They are a fashionable couple with great taste and it shined through in their wedding: classic car, slim cut pants with vests for the guys, different black and gray dresses for the girls and tasteful wedding dress on Kristie - cut low and strapless to showcase her lovely black and gray orchid tattoo. I hope to get professional photos from them as soon as I can... will share when I get them.

Hooded Vest: worn by my Mama

I have strong oppositions to fleece in the fashion world. BUT, my Mama is my Mama, and she loves fleece. So, she's just about the only one I cave for with requests to fashionable fleece. This was a jacket I made for her, but I just couldn't get the sleeves to fit right, so we cut them off and made her a very stylish long hooded grape fleece vest with red denim yoke and hood. She loves it and I think it looks great on her. Win - win!

So distinguished.

This is the sample tie I made first before the 6 Buttercream ones. So distinguished in a very naughty way... read the text on the tie closely.

Custom Buttercream Ties

I recently had a couple come in and have me alter bridesmaids dresses and hem slacks for their wedding. Through conversation, I discovered they couldn't find ties to match. So, of course I offered to make them, if I found the right colored fabric... and voila! I did and they were happy as can be.

Felted Wool Rug

My brother Aaron and his girlfriend Christina of nine years finally got hitched in April, and this is what I made for them. Hand crocheted, felted and stitched border. This is the first rug I've ever made; I think it turned out pretty cool, and I'm currently working on a super large one for the new house that my boyfriend Rory and I just moved into.

Custom Diaper Bag

This is a custom diaper bag for a very happy mama to be. The fully lined bag boasts a zippered main pocket and front pocket, two more pockets on the front and one on each side, as well as three in the back. The front flap unzips into a diaper changing pad, and when zipped can hold easily accessible items like a blanket or jacket. Pretty sweet little bag!

Tipi

I made this tipi for Sailor for x-mas. I took the idea/measurements from one that a woman makes in Bend and made it a little different: a bit bigger, reversible, two doors instead of one. It's not perfect, but decent for being made in a couple of hours. And Sailor loves it!

Finished Stockings

ORDER UP for one happy family in Long Beach!

Striped baby sweater

This is my friend Sheareen with Sailor, modeling the baby sweater I made for Sheareen's baby who is due at the end of January. The hood is a bit small (well, on Sailor it's small; hopefully on a newborn it will be just right), but I like the overall fit of the hoodie. I made it from a knit top I had - thought this was a better use of the fabric. Sheareen and I had a chat about zippered sweaters, and how they bug us because the little tab pokes the baby's neck - so I came up with an alternative. Buttons are a bit taboo with baby clothing, but I figure since it's for a little peanut, she won't be yanking or chewing on the buttons for a few months, and by then it won't fit. Plus I kind of hate velcro. Gotta get more snaps.

Roller Derby!!!

I am no longer a Roller Derby virgin. Tonight there was a Renegade Rollergirls bout between the Radar Lovers and the Skull Rollers. Radar Lovers kicked ASS and won their first bout ever! and I would like to think it had something to do with the uniform skirts I made for them: The girls looked so good! Neon green blurs around the rink. Sally ScumF*ck ... aka Lisa, wife of Sailor's Godfather, Spencer. Sailor had fun too - he was entranced by all the rollers. I was in awe of the fights! So crazy how many fights broke out. Ladies just pushing, tripping, smacking each other. bOnkers. Anyway, we had a fantastic time. Chances are we will be at the next bout.

Custom stockings in progress...

These are stockings I am making for a family in Long Beach, CA. I won a bid on Etsy. You can check my Etsy shop here.

Stockings!

If you are walking in downtown Bend, past TREEFORT (the coolest kids store ever) you will see these stockings in the window.