A Monarch No More- Create Fab Yard Art

About 8 years ago, I happened upon a giant metal butterfly at OldeTyme Pottery.  Somehow, my mom and I got it home and I painted it as a monarch butterfly. Faithfully, it guarded my waterfall and flowers, but lately had begun to look a tad tired.  The orange, yellow and black were fading and pieces of the original metal were showing through. Atlanta summers can be really hard on outdoor art! It was time for an upcycle- for my favorite pal in the garden!

Enter some inspiration from unlikely places.  First, I came across a fun gift card at Target in an intriguing set of colors.  It was also in the shape of a butterfly, so it was easy for me to connect the dots.  Follow that up with the perfect recyclable bag at my local TJ Maxx- again in a similar color palette- and I was convinced!

With a quick rinse from the hose and a return to a solid color--- courtesy of Rustoleum 2x Cover Satin in Aqua (found at my local Home Depot), I was in business.  With some artistic help on color from Nikki, it took about 10 days to complete a new and improved addition to my garden.  One that I will enjoy for years to come!

Career Collage for Girls

For years, when I meet new people, they eventually get around to asking what I do for a living.  I typically begin to list the jobs I've had--- accountant, acquisitions coordinator, analyst, asset manager, author, now artist and apparel designer/upcycler-- and conclude by telling them I haven't yet made it out of the "A's".  So, it seems a natural evolution that I've had an epiphany as I have been talking to my daughter about what careers she might choose someday.  With a variety of interests and abilities, who says she has to pick just one?  As I began brainstorming, my Serendipity series flashed in my mind and blended right into the mix.  Why couldn't I write a book, illustrated with my Paper Doll series, that offered suggestions to savvy girls about what they might consider? Over the span of a week, my kids and I started writing down all the careers/callings we could think of alphabetically and the idea started to come to life.

To take the concept "out for a spin",  I started with Gigi (on left), one of my initial Serendipity pieces, now pictured as a costume designer.  With photoshop, I removed a little of this and that and then started adding words to the piece-- in varying fonts.  I love the fun of reading them all the choices and think they must be defined- maybe in a glossary.  Perhaps some may even used in a poem for opposite pages.  The idea is still percolating in my mind.  Your thoughts are welcome.

If you enjoyed this post, I humbly invite you to follow me on Twitter at braitzatl.  You can see other art pieces at www.bridgetteraitz.etsy.com, and the real fashions at www.echoclothingcompany.etsy.com

A New Take on the Old Hoodie Classic

Hoodies have been around for years.  Recently, you can even see them cropped and sleeveless.  So it was when I found two---both in pristine condition- with great design elements.  As an upcycler, I like to pay homage to the original designer by complementing and advancing the best elements of a garment.  In the first instance, I was honored to be playing around with an Ed Hardy sleeveless hoodie.  It was super soft and had a great print.  So, in order to put my spin on it, I added plaid shoe string ties to allow the wearer to close it but not zip it, so that what they chose to wear underneath would show.  I also added a complimentary button on the back so that the wearer could keep the hood up, displaying the cool print on it.




The second hoodie was short-sleeved and had a great pink camo print.  The original designer had put great  navy accents on it so I left them undisturbed.  Instead, I added oversized skater shoestrings to tie it shut---once again eliminating the need for the zipper, and another hood button.  Now both are updated and will allow the unique wearer to feel like they the one-of-a-kind creation they truly are.













If you enjoyed this post or want to see more designs, I humbly invite you to follow me at braitzatl (on Twitter) or visit www.echoclothingcompany.etsy.com

Bowling Anyone?

I think bowling shoes are kinda fun. If you can get past the idea that someone has worn them before, you can really enjoy their geeky coolness.  So, when I spotted a teal cardigan sweater with cool periwinkle paisleys and swirls, I started to get the deja vu feeling on bowling.  Go figure?

I liked the trim- a chartreuse and periwinkle stripe, and wanted to incorporate it somehow in my new design.  By carefully trimming it off the sweater around the perimeter, I was able to seal the edges with a zigzag stitch and then re-attach it as trim.  Kinda fun.  I was even able to use the buttonhole and buttoned edges as the front trim.

I now envision this sweater with a pretty periwinkle or chartreuse tank, some white jeans and.....some snappy bowling shoes.  Or, I guess you could just wear it out to the movies, to dinner or to the office.  Boring!

If you enjoyed this post or would like to see more creations, I humbly invite you to follow me on Twitter at braitzatl or at www.echoclothingcompany.etsy.com

Meet Phoebe-Time for Daydreaming

I'm sure I am not alone when I say I wish I had more time for daydreaming.  Sitting on the curb in the summer dreaming up adventures, lounging in the tub, or staring at the clouds and seeing fun shapes seems like a luxury out of my reach.  As I get older, it seems some of the time to just "percolate" evaporates.  But not for Phoebe, my latest creation.

She began in a relatively elaborate setting-- compared to her other buds in the Serendipity series.  I designed a wrought iron chair in front of a wallpapered wall---perhaps too ambitious a feat in paint and paper.  But when color inspiration struck and I wanted her her chair to be blue, my layering was suddenly all wrong.  Joyfully, mixed media is a medium that allows for major renovations with creativity and a dash of daring.

Phoebe has finally emerged----sitting pretty in her chair with giant bun feet.  She is quite adored by all of her bird friends as she daydreams the time away........

If you enjoyed this post, I humbly invite you to follow my feed on twitter (braitzatl) or visit my website at www.echcolothingcompany.etsy.com to see other creations.

Latest Paper Doll? Meet Casey in the Aspens

I am going to confess.  I love aspen trees- especially as they turn yellow and "twinkle" in the fall.  It's a magical combination against a western sky---and nothing along the East coast, except maybe for a flaming red maple, comes close.  So, as I continued my Serendipity series of grown-up paper dolls, I added Casey in the Aspens.

Working on this piece allowed me to literally peel the paper bark off the trees and put it back on again using various archival handmade papers from my flat file.  So fun!  And Casey watches it all, in her boots with skirt, hair and bow blowing in the breeze. (Gave me a momentary memory of Marlo Thomas in That Girl throwing her hat up in the air.) So much fun.  Can't wait to start another and really wish I could just snap my fingers and borrow that skirt tomorrow......

I humbly invite you to follow me on Twitter at braitzatl

Too Soon for a Tutu?

I have to admit---- no matter how old I get, I still love a tutu.  Whether it's on a teeny little spinning girl, or a grown up lady who is young at heart--- love, love, love them.  So, when I discovered this great floral sweater that reminded me of my childhood bedroom (all periwinkles, lilacs and soft blues), I envisioned a matching tutu-like skirt.  Only problem?  Couldn't find one.  So, enter a little ingenuity and Target!  I found a fun triple tiered skirt in the girl's department.  Snatching up a roomy XL, I headed to my local fabric store for inspiration.  Found it in the form of two shades of tulle- a lavender and a lilac. (Even the colors sound fun!)  On the right below is a pic of the beginning of my tutu vision.




For the bottom layer, I added diamonds of double layered lavender tulle every 1.5" or so along the gathering of the original layer.  By turning them diagonal, they added some fluttery interest at the bottom.  I left the original purple layer in the middle alone, as it matched the top well.  For the top layer, I added tulle by repeating the bottom layer concept, only with lilac diamonds, slightly closer together.  

The end result is an Easter outfit I can't wait to sport. Spring has come early in the ATL, so I don't think it's too early to take my new skirt out for a spin. Add a little black bolero sweater and some ballerina flats and I am ready to twirl.  Happy Spring!