Retro Peters

If I were to describe my style, ‘retro’ would not be the first thing to come to mind.  I don’t think I’m ‘retro’ at all.   But, given the definition of retro- “modeled on something from the past such as a style of fashion or music”- I think I fit the category! 

I am the proud owner of a shirt that once belonged to my Dad - circa late 70’s.  I found the shirt in my Mom’s sewing room in a pile waiting to be donated or re-purposed.  I’m not really sure what attracted me to the shirt- the colors in the plaid, or the fact it was from the Gap, or maybe because it looked like it might fit me (as I type this I think that might not be something to own up to- my dad and I wearing the same size? Yikes!).   Whatever the reason, I grabbed it.  I’ve worn it.  And, I really like it!   

Guess this give a whole new meaning to recycling clothing!  Thanks for the shirt Dad!

Circa 1981- can you guess who that little lady is?

Same shirt, circa 2012

 

Mondays with ‘Mra-Ma’

One of the best things, hands down, about living where we currently do is that my Grandma (‘Mra-ma’ as little man calls her) lives an hour away. Growing up I would get to see my Grandma once, maybe twice a year, so I’m loving living so close. 

Going to Grandma’s with the little man it a real treat for me. It isn’t because we do anything extraordinary, but it is about the time I get to share with my Grandma; time that I always look forward to, time that I haven’t had in the past, and time that I enjoy. I really do treasure our discussions – even if I hear the same story for the third time.

But as much as I love it, I think my little man might love visiting Grandma even more. The excitement that appears on his face when I tell him we are going to see Grandma Louise is pure joy! His little three-year-old self has no idea how lucky he is to get to spend these days with his Great-Grandma. I truly hope he will be able to remember the times we share as he grows older.

Usually our time together consists of going to a park and then getting lunch at Panera. And, don’t even think about taking little man somewhere else. If we go to the ‘big playground’ we go to Panera. The kid is all about routine. 

Fun times at the 'big playground'

Knowing that our time living close by -less than a year left- (sniff, sniff!) will soon end, I want to make the most of the time with my Grandma.

I think ‘Mondays with Mra-Ma’ might need to become our Monday routine. The little man will get to do what he loves and I will get to do something that I love- spend time getting to know my Grandma and learning a bit more about my heritage! 

Grandma Louise and I - Can you tell we are related?!

‘Elsie’ Clutch

Meet ‘Elsie’ - the newest addition to the HankOrange bag collection!  This clutch is named after my Grandma, Elsie Mae. 

‘Elsie’ is a mix of functionality, class, and personality, all packed in a little package- just like my Grandma.

The houndstooth is classy and timeless and the bright pink flower adds a little kick of color and personality. 

The clutch is large enough to hold all your ‘essentials’ yet still has character and a little bit of sassiness! 

You can order yours here! 

Colorful 2012

It is a new year.  I have goals and new ideas for HankOrange, but I haven’t been especially motivated to act on anything.  Until now. 

I found some inspiration - Kaffe Fassett!  His work totally enthuses and excites me.  I’m fascinated by his work.  

Kaffe is a man of many talents, but what I’m most drawn to, naturally, are his fabrics.  The way he uses brilliant bright colors and big bold pattern is totally stimulating to the eye!

Wednesday night I had the privilege of attending a lecture by Kaffe.   He presented a slide show with various photographs both of his works and of various things that have inspired his creations.  Oh Wow!  The man is amazing.  His personality and sense of humor made the hour-long presentation entertaining and totally inspiring!  

I left feeling re-charged and ready to be productive.  I left with a new admiration for bright colors and bold patterns.  I found a new appreciation for using simple shapes to create amazing patterns.  

I’m ready to do something bold and brave!  Thank you Kaffe for the motivation I needed!

Hopefully I can keep this enthusiasm and let it be the driving force for new HankOrange creations this year!

New Year.  New ideas.  New inspirations.   
Think bold.  Think big.  Be brave and be daring.  
Here’s to a colorful 2012!  

Giveaway time!

HankOrange is being featured on another blog! 

Karina from K Tobin Video is hosting a HankOrange giveaway on her blog! 

Karina is a long time friend of mine and I’m so excited to be featured on her new blog!  

Check out her blog and the amazing review she wrote about HankOrange.  I’m sure I couldn’t have paid her to write a nicer review of HankOrange!  My Oh My, is this a nice review.

I’ve had the privilege of creating various things for the little ladies in Karina’s life (her beautiful little girl and her two adorable nieces).  Which she highlights in her blog post.  So fun!

Go check out K Tobin Video blog and ‘like’ her page on facebook.  Enter the giveaway!

Smarty Pants

Wednesday, I took the little man to the fabric store. The poor kid has become quite familiar with this place, he is a regular! I do try to go without him when I can, but yesterday I really wanted to go and it had to be during a specific time. Kaffe Fassett was at the local fabric shop doing a trunk show and signing autographs. My Mother had mailed me a book of hers to have him autograph (can’t disappoint Grandma- at least that reason worked on the little man!) so I had to go!

The place was PACKED!  Of course, since I was there I needed to grab some fabric for a specific project I’m working on. Maybe not the best decision. The line to the cash register was about 20 people deep. Since we were the youngest (myself included) in the shop by at least 20 years, we stood out and all the sweet ladies standing in front and back of us made it their mission to get the cute three year old to talk to them. He wanted nothing to do with it.

After about 15 minutes of waiting, however, he started to come out of his shell (and started to loosen the death grip he had around my neck and waist!). He never did talk to anyone except me, but he did start acting more like himself. He was pointing out various shapes and objects on the bolts of fabric near us. He was telling me what the colors were and how many bolts of fabric were in a row. He was telling me stories about the alligators and why there was only a ‘Daddy’ and a ‘baby’ alligator picture. The ‘mommy alligator is in the water’- and that is why she wasn’t pictured. Obviously.

Then, all of a sudden, “Target Store!” he screamed, “Mommy Target store!” The ladies surrounding us all laughed! What did he see what looked like Target? I realized he was looking at a fabric. A solid red fabric with white dots with smaller red dots in the middle- resembling the Target store ‘target’ logo.
Brand recognition at it’s finest!

He comes up with some random things, but he entertains me for sure. And, he entertained all the ladies in line as well.
My trips to the fabric store with my little man are always an adventure!

Flag Banner Tutorial!

Need:  Fabric (as many or few patterns as you choose!)

           Scissors

           Thread

           Sewing machine

           Ribbon (I used 7/8” grosgrain)
           Triangle Pattern- I made a ‘pattern’ so each triangle would be cut the same size

Ready?  Lets go!

I cut out the triangle shapes from the selected fabrics.  Two triangles per flag. I used the same fabric for each side for the triangle.  You could use different fabrics for each side of the flag if you wanted, which could be fun because then the flag banner could be reversed and have a completely different look!

I then sewed the triangles together, right sides together.   I used a ½” seam allowance, but I suppose it doesn’t really matter.  :) 

I trimmed the ‘point’ of the flag as close to the seam as I could.  (One thing you can do on those points, is put fray check so that they are less likely to fray when you reverse them)

Turn the triangles right side out and press them flat.  

Measure the ribbon to the desired length of the flag banner.   I added about a foot on each side, for hanging purposes.  

Cut two pieces of ribbon the desired length.  I used two pieces of the same color grosgrain ribbon- one for the back, and one for the front.  This allows you to cover the unfinished tops of the triangles!  This also allows the banner to be reversible.  If you want the banner to be different when reversed, you could use two colors of ribbon- one for each side.   I’m going to try that next time!

Pin the ribbon on top of the triangle pieces, making sure the distance between each triangle is the same (I left about 1.5” between each). 

Sew the ribbon together, securing the triangles between the two pieces.  I recommend sewing the bottom side together first, because it will allow you to secure the triangle pieces in place as well. 

Sew the top of the length of ribbon together. 

Cut ends of ribbon to desired length (if one side is longer than the other).

Voila!  You have a fun triangle flag banner to hang!