Hunger Games are On!

Nikki and I have been devouring the Hunger Games series.  She will have to read it for school next semester, so we decided to get started early.  What a treat!  We are in love with Katniss, and torn between Peeta (me) and Gale (Nikki).  In celebration of our new found interest, I put together a tricked out tee as an homage to the Hunger Games.  From a discounted Gap tee shirt with a boat neck (love them!), it just took some scraps of fabric and a whole lot of zigzagging.  Can't wait to wear it now, and when the movie is released on March 23rd.  "Keep calm and may the odds be in your favor."

Lime Green is the Color of Monday

With Christmas in the air, and cool weather on the way, I am thinking about warmth, cocoa and NO cooking!!! Can I get an AMEN?  But I am also whipping out scarves and sweaters galore.  Ck these recent ones out. Lime green is the theme of the day!! A good way to brighten up a dreary Monday.

HO HO HO and away I go!

Bubble Scarves are the Best!

I love anything bubbled---bubble cuffs, bubble skirts, bubble coats.  Recently, my best buddy Pam taught me how to make bubble cuffs, so I have added them to some of my recent sweaters and hoodies.  The other day, it occurred to me that I might be able to add them to the fleece scarves I'm playing with.  So, with some thoughtful engineering, I have been able to create scarves with bubble ends.  The real fun?  Being able to use extra sleeves (cut off from tees to make our flutter line) and cuffs to create some really unique pieces. For this creation, we found the perfect tie dyed baseball fleece.  Scouting about in the studio, I grabbed some super soft red polka dotted minky and started my bubbles! The result is this baseball scarf, perfect for the year-round fan.  I love being able to stick my hands into the bubbles when it gets cold!!  Fun, fun!

You can see the finished product on our Etsy site at:


 http://www.etsy.com/listing/87928330/ladies-or-girls-fleece-bubble-scarf-tie

Scarf, Anyone?

First, I want to apologize for being gone so long.  As a designer, artist, mom, daughter, wife, friend and utility player, I let my time get away without posting.  No more.  I will do better as I have some fun creativity that I want to share!


Recently, Nikki and I have been into scarves.  Maybe because we have had such a warm fall here in Atlanta, or just because we can't resist all the cool fleece patterns in the fabric stores- we are ready to wear them. So, we've been creating----both for the Etsy site and as gifts for friends for Christmas.  Ck our carwash style out, and get inspired yourself! We love this one for anytime you need a pick me up.
See it on Etsy--- we had to keep one, and made another for the site. http://www.etsy.com/listing/87050277/ladies-or-girls-fun-fleece-scarf-xxoo

It's Almost Time for Kick-Off!

Been getting in the mood for college football lately.  It's been a super long hot summer here in Atlanta. I could really savor a cool breeze, long sleeves, jeans (remember those?) and the building roar of the crowd when the first ball soars off the foot of the kicker and the game begins.  As a Tide fan, I couldn't help creating a little something that would look swell over a tank and black jeans. And no, my arms aren't that skinny.  It's just bad photography.

So, while I was dreaming, another sweater sprang to life.  From a really dowdy looking cardigan (anyone remember that word lately from Project Runway?!?), this one could also be worn over crimson, or red, or black, I guess, depending on your mood and team.   (The trim around the bolero came from cutting strips 3-stripe strips from the same material as the cuffs and zigzagging the edges to make them curl. (It was also fun to make them different on each side---anyone notice?)

Though we remain in the 90's here, the poplar leaves are already changing color---you can see them swirl on the side of the road in the afternoons. Can't help thinking that fall will be here soon....Maybe there is time for one more creation.....

Hats are Happening!

 
Yesterday, while Marietta sweltered in the mid-90's, some friends and I got together and created some fabulous witch hats.  We threw open all my ribbon bins, fabric samples, and various this and thats, and started creating.  Even with identical hat forms---and working side by side---they were all different in color and creative edge.  The top one was a frothy sensation of purples, hot pinks and black and white.  Kind of like a Halloween tribute to My Fair Lady.

These two were done by artists ages 10 and 11.  Can you believe the creativity and style from those ages?  The one on the left was cloud of turquoises and greens with some swirling funky fibers.  Very mysterious.  The one on the right was a popping mixture of lime green, orangish red, and black and white.  Both witches will be getting plenty of notice! Ck. tomorrow for part 2.  More hats will be posted as they get photographed.

Fabulous hats.  Fabulous friends.  Fabulous afternoon. 

Plums Here, There and Everywhere

 

I am not sure what the fashion industry will deem the "it" color for fall, but more me, it may be plum.  Lately, I have been finding fabulous finds in my favorite thrift haunts that remind me of a bowl of ripe plums.  (Still yearning for fall no doubt while these insane temperatures continue. 90's all week!)

Feeling like a little Napa action with this one, though the blossoms remind me of those on a pumpkin vine, when they are just beginning to form.

The one above reminds me of a cloaked figure.  Guess you could wear this as the "Plum Ghostie".

Finally, this cutie cute bolero has a pine cone pattern- but still reminds me of all things fall. Perhaps if we will just drop to the 80's sometime, I will know we are only a few short months away to that most wonderful time of the year.......

Trick or Treat T-Shirt Sacks

Several years ago, I came across an Etsy seller that made these great sacks out of used t-shirts.  In our neighborhood, the teen trick or treaters always used a pillowcase to collect as much loot as possible on Halloween night.  The only drawback? No handles on the pillowcases.  Time for a better mousetrap! 

So, when I saw her ingenious use of t-shirts for everyday items, it made sense to adapt it to Halloween use.  When I was out thrifting, I started to notice lots of used Halloween shirts. Over a short period of time, I had collected more than enough for my ArtWalk club. We had a lottery to determine who got to pick their t-shirt first. Once all the fun was done, we had some great sacks. Some of the kids' creations are displayed above.  What a great, inexpensive way to celebrate a fun, creative holiday!

Artists of the World Unite!

Sometimes, the things we work on together are the best.  Maybe it's the creative spark that rebounds between people, or maybe it's just the fun we have creating colors our view of the result.  Years ago, when Nikki was a wee little artist, her four grandparents came together to create this dream house as a surprise for Christmas.  (Ryan's motorized roller coaster is barely visible behind the house, but the hours it took to create easily matched the time spent on the dollhouse.) Both projects are etched memories for our family.  I'm betting that most people have a similar memory of making something with friends and family.

Perhaps this is why I am so excited about the first ever Halloween Hat Party coming up on 7/30.  This past week at the AmericasMart Gift show I found amazing hats--- by a great company called Elope.  One of these amazing finds may become my base, or I may have to break down and do my take on Professor McGonagall's hat.  No matter how the hats turn out---and I will post them, so stay tuned-- it will be the process of creating them with friends and family that will make them all the more memorable.

All Business....Not!

I recently found this very straightforward gently used sweater at my local Goodwill.  The colors attracted me, but the boxy crew neck shape did not.  So, in an effort to see what I could do to liven it up and make use of the color palette, I started cutting.  With some reshaping, I could see it might have potential.  With some fabulous cream and black swirled cashmere trim, it went from boring to certainly not...."All Business".

Boo to You!

Getting ready for the AmericasMart gift show beginning this week, I couldn't resist doing another Halloween tricked out tee.  It's called Bats & Skeletons.  With an asymmetrical hem of both stripes and dots, it's a little fancier than you might expect.  Check out the bat that I added which flies out of the eye socket. Fun with leggings-- especially if you could find some with spider webs! Boo!

Georgia Bulldog Halloween

Here at Echo, we are busy getting ready for the upcoming Atlanta Gift Market that begins next week.  My rep Cathy Walrath of Winc Apparel has been graciously allowed to use a friend's showroom at the Apparel Mart for an "Echo Event".  We will be clearing out our spring/summer, highlighting fall/holiday and hopefully placing orders for some great boutique owners who will want to carry our upcycled sweaters and tricked out tees.  The showroom is on the back circular hall at 11N313---at the end of one of the spokes that runs from the atrium.  The challenge?  Entice buyers either down the back hall from Chick-fil-A or from the front of the atrium to the showroom.

With this in mind, we have created some really interesting ensembles to put on several mannequins on the atrium hall with signage heading back to us.  The one in today's entry is made up of one of our fall GA color tees (UGA #1), my new black pettiskirt (moonlighting for the week) and our just finished "Black Jack Halloween Hat." Let's hope the silhouette is intriguing enough from afar to draw some of the 110,000+ buyers to us. Fingers crossed!

Football Fans Unite!

I know it is mid-summer, but pre-season football is just around the corner.....any other year.  Unfortunately, the players and owners continue their argument of who gets what share of the truly obscene money made from the sport. Meanwhile, the fans, vendors, sponsors, stadium workers, suppliers, season ticket holders and others whose livelihoods are wholly or partially dependent on pro football sit helplessly watching the temper tantrums.  Makes you want to skip right on to basketball season, doesn't it?

But for those of us who love football, this shirt is for you.  Called "Touchdown", it may be what we are all yelling if the league will get it in gear in time to open a season. Made from a Target shirt, and embellished with pieces of three others, it's meant to capture the joy of the game.  Perhaps until the season begins----if it does, we should just tailgate for fun and turn our enthusiasm and loyalty to high school and college football (can you say "Roll Tide"?!?). 

Boo Kitty Revisited

Back in the saddle from a week of cool California winds!  With a little time to play today, Nikki and I tackled the Halloween hat that complements the tee we called "Peek a Boo" (from the June 21st post).  The hat, called "Boo Kitty", was so, so much fun to create.  With 10 different ribbons in oranges and blacks in varying patterns and sizes, one little wire bird which had lost it's legs and some jack-o-lantern buttons, our masterpiece was complete.  Hope you like it as much as we do!

Baseball and Americana

4th of July has never been my favorite holiday.  But....I can appreciate the "Americana" that goes with it.  Hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, corn on the cob, fireworks, running through the sprinkler, baseball, frisbees, sparklers....... and the ever present red, white and blue.  So, when a favorite store of mine in PA, Frogkotton, asked me for a baseball tricked out tee, I sure didn't mind.  Trimmed out in Carolina blue (per request), it's Home Run!

Peanut Butter & Jelly and Other Unlikely Combinations

Ever notice how some of the most unlikely combinations are the best? PBJ's, salt and vinegar potato chips, pineapple salsa, unicorns and glitter (nod to Flo on the Progressive insurance commercial). So, when I found these very different pieces on our recent vacation, I was intrigued. Could they mix together successfully in some sort of sweater concoction? The lovely warm fall-toned sweater has a gossamer feeling and wraps just under the bust. The black and cream pima lightweight cotton skirt had an amazing black border at the bottom-sleeve cuffs? Can't wait to get out the scissors and see what I can dream up. Isn't that how the most intriguing combinations are discovered?

Another example of unlikely pairs is exemplified by this great window I saw while in Laguna Beach, CA.  What a fabulous concept! A tree swing inside a store window---alluding to the eclectic mix of things inside.  The art and clothing inside were green, well designed and interesting.  Quintessential cutting edge California.  Delightful!

Ferris Wheels and Carousels

I'll admit it.  I am a huge fan of ferris wheels and carousels.  They rock.  The movement is relaxing and exhilarating all at the same time.  So, when we recently journeyed out to Balboa Island to the Fun Zone, I couldn't resist riding the ferris wheel- twice.  (And the carousel once- which just didn't compare.)

To commemorate my joy, I snatched up a t-shirt on the way out, plans already formulated in my head to "trick" it out big time.  Stay tuned.  Anything that blissful must be acknowledged in equal measure. (On our trip, I also collected a couple of great LA shirts and one old-time Balboa Island surf shirt). Perhaps these will be the start of the spring limited edition collection of tricked out tees. We'll see.

Of course, there is nothing like a wild bungee jump.  Nikki shows the way to really get into it.  While she was loving the bounce, I was loving the island.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention the amazing houses and gardens on Balboa Island.  A gardener's paradise for sure.  The flowers were astounding-hydrangeas, lilacs, roses, petunias, geraniums all flourishing in the misty sea air.  Gorgeous eye candy. Hats off to the residents that have created an amazing ambience for an unforgettable place.

Oh, and did I mention that Balboa is also the home of the frozen banana?

Peek-a-Boo!

It's 93 degrees in June, so I am still dreaming of the cool and mysterious winds of Halloween.  Using a wonderful mixture of gently used items, I have created another tricked out tee called "Peek a Boo!"  I loved the sweet, but sassy, little cat face peeking out of the pumpkin.  Kinda vintage looking. (He comes from the front of a kids tee; the orange and black stripe trim on the sleeves and on one of the soaring bats is from a size 2 kids PJ bottoms.  A little ingenuity makes the witches brew better!)

Tomorrow, I'll be working on a hat that will keep the theme going.  Found a wonderful glittery crow today and some thistles that just might have to jazz it up. Wish me luck!

Witch Hat- Take 1

When you work in the apparel business, you are always working a season ahead. For months now, I have been immersed in cashmere, corduroy and flannel. Is it any wonder that I am ready for Halloween?

Later this summer, I will be hosting the first-ever Raitz Witch Hat Decor party.  So, in an attempt to practice, I pulled out several tubs of ribbons (left over from Nikki's bow making business) and made a fun garland for my hat (see close up below).  I think this will be just what I need to wear along with a sassy black pettiskirt and boots.  Who knew I would be finishing my Halloween costume too?

Ron Clark Academy Rocks!

This past week, my family and I were fortunate enough to attend the 8th grade graduation of the Ron Clark Academy.  It was amazing and so inspiring to see a class of powerhouse kids go on to new opportunities with confidence.  In case you don't know about the school, it was co-founded by Ron Clark (made famous by the TNT movie of his story) and Kim Bearden, both nationally awarded teachers who wanted to affect a major change in education.  We have all been blessed to visit the school, become "slide certified" (see below) and dream about the way education could be---and should be--- for our kids.

RCA accepts kids of varying learning levels, mixes them together with fabulous teachers and a code of respect and dedication to themselves and others, and produces amazing results.  I invite you to visit the website, see the videos of the school and become a sponsor. (www.ronclarkacademy.com)  When you see the change that you want in the world, you need to marvel, acknowledge it, then ACT. (Echo will be donating $5 per sweater sold to RCA each year.)

My fledgling clothing venture, Echo Clothing Company, was created on the concept of upcycling.  We define this as "taking a gently used item and through creativity and innovation, turning it into something better than ever before. " I think that the Ron Clark Academy strives for something far more important and world-altering, but similar in some small ways.  They take kids from challenging situations and look at them in a whole new light.  Through imagination, persistence, dedication and innovation, they mold kids that are sure to positively affect their world. Hopefully, as they do this, they also impact millions of educators, administrators and parents who can spread their message of hope- for students and education everywhere.

America's Game

Atlanta is a serious baseball town.  Last year, over 2.5 million (yes million) people went to a Braves game at the Ted (aka Turner Field).  To me, this game is quintessentially American.  Kinda goes right in there with apple pie.  (But that will be another posting later this summer when my cousin- Queen Kimbo the Pie Queen- will teach me how to make our grandmother's apple pie from scratch).

For now, I'll stick to my own recipe for funky fashion.  Having come across two really fun, gently-used baseball t-shirts that were either too boxy,  too hot, and too male-shaped, I started dissecting the pieces.  You saw three of them in yesterday's post called "Batter Up!" (Also in the recipe, the bottom of two other t-shirts to use as princess cuffs, one humongous blue shoe lace and some red and white stripe fabric.)   Out of the oven? A very girly creation called "America's Game".  This may be the perfect wrap for an evening game when a cool breeze delights both young and old.  Maybe it's time for some cracker jacks-- or a piece of .......apple pie!

Batter Up!

It's baseball season for sure. Time for hot dogs, a cold beer or an icy coke and yelling at the umpire. In keeping with the spirit of a summer favorite, I am introducing "Batter UP!"  Crafted from a navy blue acid burnout baseball style shirt, it makes a comical take on different pitches----all cut from a gently used kids t-shirt.  (My favorite is fork ball at the bottom. See detail below.)

It seemed perfect to finish it off with sleeves made from the bottom of a golf shirt- a nod to one of summer's other favorite past times.  Kind makes you want to take someone out to the ballpark, doesn't it?

Mini Coopers Rule!

I confess I love Mini Coopers.  They are cute, little and typically have a splash of panache.  Yesterday, Nikki and I saw the best one yet right in front of the Krispy Kreme.  It was red with black stripes and had a checkerboard roof and mirrors.  Unbelievably stylish.  We were in awe!

As an homage to the Mini Cooper, fun fashion and umbrellas- three of my favorite things, I'm getting out Black Mini, a mixed media piece from my Vroom Vroom collection.  Perhaps it's time I checkerboard the roof- or enjoyed a hot donut, straight off the line!

Split Personality

Split Personality 1

Ever feel like you have two sides to you?  Sometimes you feel one way, then another- and diametrically opposed sides comes out?  I believe that God made us complex and interesting individuals, no two exactly the same.  Sometimes, that "sameness" doesn't even flow throughout one body!

 I recently stumbled across two sweaters----the same size and style, but different patterns.  My brain erupted------I harkened back to something First Lady Michelle Obama wore early in President Obama's term that just delighted me and my mom.  It was a sweater that looked as if it had been made from several sweaters.  It had different sleeves and trims. 

Split Personality 2

With inspiration oozing, I grabbed up the sweaters, some fun trim from the studio and the "Split Personality" series was born. (Because it is so hard to find two sweaters in a style similar enough to fuse, each is one-of-a-kind and the series is very limited in number.)  But, what fun to not be the same-----even in one small sweater.

Another lesson learned.... sometimes inspiration sits under the surface for a long time (I saw Mrs. Obama's sweater over two years ago), before it is triggered and erupts into something fun.  Great reason to keep a sketchbook.

The Positive and the Negative

 It's way too hot too soon in Atlanta.  93 today--- about 8 degrees hotter than we should be.  That's the negative.  The positive?  My tropical flowers are jamming and I am enjoying the blessing of creating in my cool studio even more.

I am continuing to have a lot of fun with the tricked out tees. Just completed one called "Two Sides of the Coin" for best buddy, professional mixed media photographer, Pam.  (The great faces are from a cool tee that she wanted incorporated. I loved her play on the positive/negative image.)  The image, the polka dot bubbles and the ruffled bottom combined together in a way that harkens back to some of my earlier mixed media paintings. 

Cup of Joe 4

So the good news?  It is finished at last and she loves it.  The negative?  I will never get another image just like that one.  As an avid upcycler, though, I am convinced that the next treasure is just around the corner. 

Share the Wealth- Smartly!

One of the best ways to effectively recycle is to find the best outlets for your stuff.  Particular places or charities where people go with your item in mind.  Though it's a lot easier to just stuff it all in a bag for Goodwill, or worse to throw it in with the garbage, a little extra effort can go a long way to making sure your item enjoys another turn out there.

This morning at my house, we began the dreaded chore of cleaning out school backpacks and the mudroom.  Our mudroom in summer looks a lot different than when school is in session, so a thorough cleaning was in order.  We diligently sorted through old clothes, school supplies, sports equipment and even eye glasses.  Interestingly, there are better places than others to "share the wealth" from our morning effort than others.

For example, Buckhead Church in Atlanta sponsors a mission team that travels to Jonas House in Venezuela each year.  It's a haven created for street boys to work and live and build a better life.  They desperately need school supplies--- so ours went into a big box for them.  (Any girly supplies-not suitable for the boys at Jonas House- will head to Kids in Need, an arm of the Atlanta Food Bank that last year gave 200,000 pounds of brand new school supplies to teachers in low-income schools. For a school to qualify, at least 80% of the students must be enrolled in the federal free and reduced lunch program. There is absolutely no cost to teachers or schools. The Kids In Need facility is reminiscent of a retail store and is continuously stocked with school and art supplies for grade levels Pre-K through 12.)

Old clothes will head to either Goodwill (love their mission to put people back to work) or American Kidney Services (with their retail arm of Valu Village.)  Any scarves, gloves, hats and coats will be saved downstairs for "Housing the Homeless", a hands-on ministry of Mt. Bethel UMC in Marietta, GA.  When temperatures are projected to drop below 25 degrees at night (and highs will remain at or below freezing), this ministry provides shelter, food and supplies to homeless people in Atlanta. When they start collecting again this fall and winter, our box will be ready to go.

Finally, the eye glasses..... we researched and found that One Sight donates and delivers many, many pairs of eyeglasses to the poor around the world- saving sight and livelihoods.  My local Lenscrafters, less than 1 mile away, is a donation sight. When we dropped off the glasses today, the technician told us that people in the poorest countries stand in line for hours to get glasses when they are delivered. Makes you feel good to know you might be able to help someone see half the world away.

A little effort can make a big difference.  A clean mudroom and a bounce in my step-not bad for one morning's work!

It's an Alien Nation

I know that I am not the only one astounded by the wild weather this year.  Newsmagazines are now starting to trumpet that extreme weather conditions are the new "normal".  Between the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, record number of tornadoes throughout the country, raging rivers and 100 year flooding, wildfires, extreme temperatures, and spewing volcanoes, it's a wonder we aren't hearing about pestilence, the end of time and aliens.  But then again, I guess the latest "doomsday date" has come and gone, right just last month?

In keeping with the alien theme, the latest tricked out tee is called "Master of the Universe".  It celebrates our obsession with the idea of little green men.  I really love his antenna.  Maybe I need to start wearing some to tune into the latest forecast.