Banana Pants Clothes

After Thanksgiving Sale

2008-11-28T13:19:00.001-08:00

First of all, I wanted to wish you all a belated Happy Thanksgiving! I had a very nice, laid-back day consisting of eating left-over turkey at home from Brendan's mom and going to the movies.

Second, I wanted to let you all know about the After Thanksgiving Sale going on in my etsy shop.
Here are the great deals you'll find this weekend:

$3 off patchwork scarves.
$10 off aprons.
Additional $5 off all summer clearance items.

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Sale ends Sunday, 11-30-2008, at midnight Central time.

Happy Weekend!

Refocusing

2008-11-11T20:04:00.001-08:00

Well, it's been way too long since I have posted, but that's nothing new. :)

I've been focusing a lot less on making clothes lately and more on affordable gifts for the holiday season.

These patchwork scarves are so fun to make! I could've made about 20, but I ran out of materials. They're just about the only part of winter that I care for. :)

I also had a craving to make an applique last week, so I whipped up this little pouch and appliqued the leaves onto it.

Up next? More appliques, I think. :)

Pumpkin Fun

2008-10-24T15:57:00.000-07:00

Instead of carving a pumpkin this year, I decided to paint on the design this year instead.
I came to this decision after the pumpkin I carved last year rotted out in only a few days. Bummer!

Here's the pumpkin in its original state, plus my inspiration for its decoration:

After cutting out and tracing a pattern that I got for free online and a few coats of acrylic paint:

"I'm Chef, and I approve this pumpkin."

Tulsa State Fair 2008

2008-10-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, Brendan and I went to the Tulsa State Fair! This is a pretty big night-out for us, since we're sort of stingy, homebodies. :)

The three main attractions we were interested in were The Big Cat Adventures, the petting zoo, and the .38 Special concert. Despite having to drive around for over an hour trying to find a parking space, we managed to catch all three.

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy:

I got to pet this precious baby lynx at the Big Cat Adventures!

Emu at the petting zoo! He was so friendly and let me pet him for a long time.

This giraffe was gorgeous.

Apparently this sheep is supposed to have four horns. Crazy.

Brendan and I enjoying the .38 Special concert (I have no clue why we're both so red-faced).

And a small video of the concert:

Maya Mia!

2008-09-22T16:41:00.000-07:00

I'm currently sitting in a computer lab on campus waiting for my Ancient Mesoamerica class to start.

We have an all-essay test in about 30 minutes, and I have been studying like crazy.

I've got facts about the Maya ceremonial/sacrificial ballgame coming out of my ears!

I already had a test today in Theory of Personality. Wednesday I have a test in Human Sexuality. Monday I have a test in Abnormal Psychology. Over the weekend I had a test in Human Development. Yes, that's 5 tests in 10 days.

Send me some good thoughts for good luck. I'm a nervous wreck. :)

Green and Brown Paisley Apron Top

2008-09-20T20:21:00.000-07:00

This past week I got back the items that were in a boutique for consignment for the summer season. Now I get to offer them in my Etsy customers at a super discounted rate in celebration of the arrival of fall.

Today I listed this beautiful top, and two more dresses will be added very soon!

Finally a new creation! Hemp and Woodgrain Top

2008-09-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much for the nice comments on my last blog entry. It helped to get me out of my rut!

I finally finished this beautiful hemp top that I'd been working on for at least the past month! I've got to say, I'm quite proud of how she turned out. :)

The fit looks a little off in the photo - this is because this top is meant for a size large or extra-large, and my mannequin has teeny tiny proportions! I'm positive this will look amazing on a woman whose size it was intended for.

See more pictures of this top and find its measurements in my Etsy shop.

I Suck?

2008-09-05T16:04:00.000-07:00

Since I have moved, my blog posts as well as new items on Etsy have been few and far between.

There's a reason for this I suppose - I am pretty much at a total creative stand-still.

I have at least 5 half-finished projects laid out on my sewing table, and all of them I have managed to botch something on. Lately I have just been giving up instead of ripping out a seam and re-constructing it. I really need to get out of the "I suck" mindset and simply correct my mistakes when they happen! I think some of this has to do with the fact that sewing has been making me miserable lately. My old grabbed-from-the-dumpster rolly chair got trashed when we moved, so now I have been sitting in a hand-me-down chair from the neighbor that the back has fallen out of for the most part and KILLS my back to sit in. Not to mention the fact that I actually have to physically get up and move the chair to the other side of the table when I have to switch between the serger and sewing machine.

So, my goals for the month are as follow:

1) Buy a new rolly chair with my birthday money (I turned 22 on August 26th - woo!)
2) Stop constantly telling myself I suck when I make a mistake
3) List at least one new item on Etsy per week

Back to School

2008-08-23T20:48:00.000-07:00

"Oh back to school Back to school To prove to dad that I'm not a fool. I've got my lunch packed up, My boots tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight! Ohhhhhh back to school."

(Hehe. I watched Billy Madison about 100 times one summer when I was about 12 years old.)

Well, school officially starts for me on Monday. I had an anthropology workshop class for two weeks at the beginning of August, but going to campus to listen to and talk about rock and blues music for about 4 hours per day doesn't really count as real school to me. :)

This semester I am finally at the point where all of the classes I am taking actually pertain to my major and minor. I'm taking 4 psychology classes (developmental, personality, abnormal, and human sexuality) and another anthropology class (ancient mesoamerica) to count toward my minor. I have about a 30 minute commute each way, so to preserve gas and money, I had my advisor help me schedule all of my classes into two days per week - Monday and Wednesday. The bad thing about this set up is that on Monday I will have class for nine hours, back-to-back. Eek! Thank goodness I'm taking classes I'm interested in!

Brendan starts his classes on September 3rd. At the moment we are both still sharing the trusty Saturn, so we're going to have to try to figure out who gets to drop off and pick up who until good ol' financial aid comes in. (And believe me, they will take their sweet time getting financial aid to you.) This means that for a few weeks, I'm probably going to have to be at my campus for eleven hours per day on Mondays. Yikes.

Overall, I am excited about this semester. Interesting classes, beatiful new campus, nicer living arrangements. I suppose I don't have much to complain about for a while. :)

Hemp and Patchwork Apron

2008-08-13T18:06:00.000-07:00

This beautiful apron is made from earth-friendly khaki-colored hemp fabric as well as colorful patchwork composed of designer Amy Butler fabric.

Machine washable and fits a variety of sizes.

Check out more details about this apron in my
Etsy shop!

Tree Apron on Kashmir

2008-08-06T20:24:00.000-07:00

I am back from vacation, hard at work, and excited to present to you a brand new apron up for grabs in my Etsy shop. Looks great as a top, skirt, or around the house to keep your clothes tidy!

This beauty is made from 100% cotton fabrics and is machine washable. To get all of the details, please visit this apron's individual listing.

On Vacation

2008-07-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

My dear blog readers, I am happy to announce that I am officially on vacation!

I will be visiting my family in Indiana for a little over a week.

Please feel free to shop around and purchase items as normal in my shop. All items purchased now and July 31st will be shipped the following Monday, August 4th.

Thanks for your understanding and I hope you are all enjoying your summer!

(Deer outside of my dad's home in Indiana - click to enlarge)

Woodgrain and Leaf Batik Patchwork Pillow

2008-07-19T20:53:00.000-07:00

My new home has been inspiring me to create practical works of art for around the house.

This striking patchwork pillow features two different 100% cotton designer fabrics - Woodgrain by Joel Dewberry and a beautiful Hoffman leafy batik fabric.

The best part? Machine wash and dry! Your cat or pup can lay all over it (like mine do on my furniture) and you can just run it through a spin in the washer and dryer. No problem.

To find out more, check out this pillow in my Etsy shop.

New Skirt

2008-07-15T19:38:00.001-07:00

This sweet and flirty patchwork strips skirt is made from 3 different 100% cotton fabrics, has an elastic waistband that stretches from 32 inches to 36 inches, and features beautiful decorative stitching at the hem.

Check out this skirt in my Etsy shop for more details. :)

Arte Y Pico Award

2008-07-12T00:38:00.000-07:00

While catching up with the Grizzly Mountain Arts blog, I discovered that I have been given an Arte y Pico award - an award passed from one artist to another to honor their creativity! So now, I get the honor of passing it on to five other artists!

*Amanda from This Old Hen House paper crafts and Twist This jewelry.
I have the honor of owning several of Amanda's hand-bound journals and I'm truly proud to call her an Etsy friend.

*Kylee from Soap Lane bath and body.
Kylee's bath and body products are all true works of art. She continues to amaze me with the quality of her work and incredible attention to detail. I've never tried one of her soaps or soy wax melts that I didn't absolutely love. She is also one of my most beloved friends in the world of Etsy.

*The artisans at Infinite Cosmos.
They offer beautiful blown glass works of art unlike anything I've ever seen.

*Sticks and Stones Designs.
Beautiful, earthy hemp and assorted materials jewlery. I have the honor of owning the Chocolate Bamboo Bracelet, and it is absolutely gorgeous!

*Kerri from Nature All Well jewelry.
My very first transaction on Etsy was with Kerri. I traded her a patchwork apron top for two of her gorgeous rings. She was so patient and kind to answer the million questions I had about Etsy and the buying/selling process. I wear her rings all the time and cherish them very much!

Thanks again to Dave and Jo of Grizzly Mountain Arts for this great award! It means a lot coming from such talented artists. :)

Slowly re-emerging into the world of blog

2008-07-11T17:48:00.000-07:00

I know you've all been crossing your fingers to see where I've been for the past month (ok, probably not), but I'm back now and slowly re-emerging into the world of blogging and Etsy.

Brendan and I have been moving into our new place! We are totally lovin' it and livin' it up - hence my lack of much computer time lately. Our apartment is set back a ways into the country outside of a nice, small town. Still, it literally takes 15 minutes to drive from our apartment to downtown Tulsa and the million and one opportunities for fun things to do there. We pretty much have the best of both worlds here!

Here are some pictures of the new place:

The view from our balcony

Brendan and I sat on the balcony for hours a few nights ago, watching a giant storm

Our bedroom, featuring my gorgeous antique sewing machine that Brendan bought me a few anniversaries back.

It's hard to see from this picture, but my closet really is ginormous. (And for the record, yes, I really do hang my t-shirts according to color. I'm a little compulsive that way.) Brendan and I each have our own closets, which prevents more fights than you can even imagine. :)

It's a little hard to get a good picture of this bathroom because it is pretty small, but it's still awesome.

Living room - part 1. (Sorry for the poor lighting!)

Living room - part 2.

Living room - part 3.

Dining Room

Kitchen - part 1

Kitchen - part 2 (I have way more cabinets than things to put in them!)

I don't have pictures of the second bathroom or my sewing room yet. My sewing room is slowly being transformed into something like the picture of how I want it in my head. When it gets closer to how I want it, I promise to post pictures.

For those of you whose blogs I normally frequent, I'm going to spend some time this weekend catching up with you all.

A few new items should be posted to Etsy also this weekend. I will definitely update to tell you about them as soon as they are ready.

It's good to be back! :)

Flickr

2008-06-12T22:26:00.001-07:00

Well, I finally got a Flickr account. Yes, I know, I must've been living under a rock.
I don't have any contacts there yet, so if you have a Flickr, leave me a comment with how to find you over there! I need Flickr buddies!

On another note, I found this fun little game. It's a vocabulary game, and the more you play, the more ad sponsors on the page pay to donate food to people in need. You can click on the banner on the right side of this page to play, or to add a banner to your blog to help spread the word, click here.

Threadless

2008-06-11T16:08:00.001-07:00

After reading this Storque article on Etsy, I decided it was time that I checked out threadless.com

Having seen them advertised before (on Myspace I believe) something in my brain said "this is trendy nonsense, no use taking the time to check it out."

Well, today the Storque article caught my attention, and I decided it was time to see what Threadless is all about.

I was pleasantly surprised, my friends. So now I present to you my top Threadless picks:

The Rebirth of Venus - $17

My Broderie Tyrannosaurus - $17

Let it Grow - $16

A Field with a Dream - $20

When browsing through different T's, I was very impressed with their presentation of their clothes. Their models looked like real people - all different shapes and sizes, people with imperfect skin, and people that looked like you might actually know them. They seemed to avoid the airbrushed "perfection" look. Kudos, Threadless!

Has anyone ever bought clothing from Threadless before? I'm really curious to hear feedback from people who have dealt with them!

Sneak Peek

2008-06-08T13:53:00.000-07:00

As promised, I am posting the completed project made from the woodgrain fabric in my last post (please excuse the picture quality - my camera does NOT like the woodgrain pattern) :

Yeah, a skirt! I decided I wanted to explore applique more, so I added the leafy applique, made from cotton fabric I had in my stash for a while.

I also decided to give my blog readers a sneak peek at two aprons I have been working on for when my Etsy shop re-opens in July after my move:

(Cotton tree applique on apron made from hemp fabric)

(Tree applique on apron made from Amy Butler's Kashmir fabric)

Well, that's all for now, blog friends. I hope you're all having a wonderful Sunday. :)

Get a Move On

2008-06-06T20:38:00.000-07:00

I made the decision last week that I won't be making/listing anything new for the store until after we move at the end of the month. (I'm hoping that after we move and get settled in I will be totally inspired and sewing up a storm!) So, everything left in the shop is in sale BIG time. Stop on by there if there's something you've been wanting. :)

That being said, I did something this week that I haven't done since before I opened my Etsy shop in late January...I made something for myself!

I whipped something up from some of this sweet woodgrain fabric that I scored from FabricShoppe

Photos to come soon of what I made!

Nate

2008-06-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

The inspiration for the name "Banana Pants Clothes", as well as for many other things in my life, is my little brother, Nate.

He was born when I was 14, and his presence changed my life in ways I don't even know how to begin to explain. He has taught me so much about how to love and how to just be myself.

When he was 4 years old, he had this bright yellow pair of pants that he called his "banana pants." I just loved that. They weren't just "yellow" pants, they were "banana" pants. So, every time I see my shop name, it reminds me to see things in my own way, not anyone else's.

Nate is 7 years old now. However, in my mind he is still about 3 or 4 ,and every time I go back to Indiana to visit I still expect him to want to snuggle up on the couch with me and watch Bob the Builder or Dragon Tales. Hehe. Now he plays baseball and likes to fish and ride his bike. He can read and count to 100 and do all of these big kid things that amaze me.

So, thank you, Nate. For being you and helping me just be me.

Riders on the Storm

2008-05-28T05:41:00.001-07:00

Well, I have a lot to update about, but for now, I will just write a little about our eventful Memorial Day.

Brendan's mom called us Monday around noon and asked us to drive up to Wichita, KS to pick her up (long story). Well, our air conditioner was broke (again) so we wanted to get out of the house, and Wichita is only about a 2 hour drive each way, so we figured "why not?"

So, we ended up heading out to Wichita around 6:00. It had looked a little overcast all day, but hadn't stormed or rained or anything. About 40 minutes in, we stopped at a Dairy Queen off the highway. When we came back out to our car, the sky started to look pretty menacing, but it wasn't raining or storming.

After driving for about 1o minutes more, we saw wall clouds start to form. (If you've never lived in the midwest, "wall cloud" is code for "cloud that a tornado could drop out of at any moment.") So, we turned on a local radio station, and within 5 minutes the radio station was struck by lightning twice. After driving for a few more minutes, it started raining. And then hail. And then raining so hard that we couldn't see more than 10 feet in front of our car. And then bigger hail.

So, at this point, we decided it was time to pull over. Not only could we not see the other cars on the highway, but if a tornado formed, we wouldn't be able to see that either. Luckily, we were right beside an exit, and there was a little gas station there. So, along with about 50 other cars trying to escape the storm, we pulled into the gas station and ran inside. After waiting there for about 30 or 40 minutes, the storm passed (luckily without a tornado ever coming over us), and we met up with Brendan's mom safe and sound (but a little wet from running to the gas station, and me shaking like a madman because I was scared out of my mind).

Here are the pictures I managed to get from my car window before it started raining/hailing (click to enlarge):

Fahrenheit, Fun, & Food

2008-05-22T05:54:00.001-07:00

I am happy to report that I am totally enjoying my break. I even stayed strong to not wanting to burn out and turned down a few custom orders. Granted, I felt pretty guilty about it, but I really need this time off. I am also happy to report that I have almost gotten to the point where I am sleeping like a "normal" person. For the past few days my sleep schedule has been from about midnight to 5:30 or 6:00 am. That's the most "normal" sleep I have gotten in three of four years. Yay! More good news: my air conditioner is fixed in the apartment. Up until this past week, I had held strong to just opening the windows and using the fans, despite temperatures being in the low 80's. However, we have officially breached the 90's now, and it's just a little too hot not to have A/C at the peak of the day. The poor cats have been laying around with their tongues practically hanging out of their mouths. Chef has stuck to laying on the linoleum right inside of the front door because it's cooler than the carpet:

(No, it's not an optical illusion. He really is ginormous.)

Brendan and I have been having a nice time together this week. His classes ended on Tuesday, so Monday I went to his school and had lunch with he and his friends, something he had been wanting me to do all year, but it always conflicted with my class schedule. We also went out on a "date." We ate at Eskimo Joe's - a complete Stillwater staple. We then went shopping, and I picked up a new bathing suit since they opened up the pool at our apartment complex this week. I've got to say - it's a lot more revealing than I'm used to, but I tried it on and it made the girls look so hot I just couldn't resist. Hehe.

(Look closely at the right side of this photo, and you can spot some fresh cat nose.)

Yesterday we got up early and headed out to the Farmer's Market. It was *great*, and everything was pretty much the same price or cheaper than the grocery store. Brendan is crazy about fresh vegetables, so he loaded up. They're already about half gone already, hehe. We also bought homemade honey wheat bread handmade with organic flour and local honey. It's some of the best bread I've ever had in my life. All in all, we spent less than $15, got great food, and supported hard-working Oklahomans. I think the Farmer's Market is going to become a staple in our weekly routine.

When Your Art Starts to Feel Like Work...

2008-05-18T05:20:00.000-07:00

I decided that I'm taking a break from sewing.

I never intended for my Etsy shop to be a "job," but that's the way it's making me feel lately. I'm starting to dread sitting down at the sewing machine. I don't ever want sewing to become something that's completely forced - that's how people burn out. My shop will still be open for purchases, and I will be shipping as normal. I just won't be creating or listing anything new for a while.

And, you know, it won't kill me to take a week off from sewing. It's summer vacation, and I feel the extreme urge to sit around and watch tv or go see a movie or go out and hang out with friends I have been neglecting. I'm 21 years old, I shouldn't be hunched over a sewing machine all day and night for my entire summer. Heck, maybe Brendan and I will even go out on a date!

My only plans for the next few days: Six Feet Under marathon! Brendan bought me the entire series this last Christmas. It's definitely a show you want to watch in order, so I'm about to go pop episode #1 into the DVD player. If you've never watched it, check it out! (Ladies, the main character, played by Peter Krause is completely adorable.) It's one of my all-time favorite TV shows...probably tied for first with Freaks and Geeks. :)

Congrats

2008-05-15T23:36:00.000-07:00

First of all, I have no clue where this week has gone!

Brendan's award/program completion ceremony went well. He didn't trip on stage or anything and he got to get together with his family afterwards. We had dinner and Brendan had something like 4 margaritas (which is completely out of character for him). While I was driving us home, he developed what seemed to be a margarita-induced Irish accent. I was laughing so hysterically I nearly had to pull over.

Tomorrow (or later today, technically) is Brendan's cousin's graduation in Tulsa. I'm still debating if I want to go. I tend to get lost in the shuffle of Brendan's family, and I really should stay home and get some work done. This has been an amazingly unproductive week in terms of the shop. Then again, with gas prices so high, it's a very rare that we can justify leaving town. I may need to seize the opportunity to leave city limits for a few hours.

Shopper's Remorse

2008-05-14T03:16:00.000-07:00

In the past three days, I have purchased five new tops for myself.

GASP!

Anyone who knows me well can tell you this is highly abnormal. I have the worst guilt over shopping for myself. After practically breaking down in tears to Brendan the other day about the fact that all of my shirts have holes in them and all of my pants are stained or ripped, he attempted to inform me that clothing is a necessity and not a luxury, and that I need to stop being so hard on myself whenever I buy myself something.

Ok, so this is easier said than done. Sunday I bought two shirts - one for $13.99 and one for $9. Then tonight I bought 3 shirts - two for $14.99 each and one for $7.97. Now it's 4 am, and I'm sitting here thinking about how much money I spent. Go figure.

I will probably end up taking at least 3 of them back after trying them all on about a million times each. (Anyone else do this too?) The only reason I can justify keeping two of them is that I actually have a few events to attend soon that I need to wear clothes that lack holes and stains. Thursday Brendan has an award ceremony at school that he will be getting recognition at, and Friday is Brendan's cousin's high school graduation.

I know what you're probably thinking - you're a seamstress, so make your own clothes! Well, I would probably end up spending just as much on materials than just to go buy something already made at the store. Such is the price of fabric.

In other news, I have been crocheting lately! It's been a long time since I have, but I bought several of those little $1.27 skeins of Peaches and Creme cotton yarn at the store the other day. We needed wash rags, so I could justify the $1.27 to myself, hehe. Since then I have made 4 wash rags and numerous little facial scrubbies. This has been a nice break from sewing, but I really should get back to work today. I got some hemp fabric from Infinite Cosmos Hemp, and I'm just dying to make something!

States

2008-05-13T03:57:00.000-07:00

I am a bit of a statistics nut. I think it stems from working at the Bureau for Social Research last year at my university. I am specifically interested in geographical statistics. I think it's only natural, since region reflects culture, economy, etc. Yes, I am a complete social sciences nerd.

So, I decided to put together some statistics for my shop. I wanted to know what percent of my orders came from each state and which states I still had not had orders from.

Well, here's the verdict:

1 order per state/3% each of total orders: Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, Illinois, South Carolina, North Dakota, Arizona, Alabama, New York, Utah, Idaho
2 orders per state/ 6% each of total orders: Florida, Georgia, Washington, California, Virginia, North Carolina
3 orders per state/ 9% each of total orders: Indiana
4 orders per state/ 12% each of total orders: Pennsylvania

Now, this makes me wonder - what is it about Pennsylvania that makes the most orders come from that state? I really have no idea. However, Indiana coming in at second place is an easy answer - I lived there for 18 years and all of my family and friends are there. :)

I must admit, it saddens me that I have had no orders from Oklahoma. Maybe people can tell I'm not a "real" Okie, and they shun me. (Ok, so that reasoning is a little ridiculous.)

Below is a map of all of the states I have received orders from (highlighted in red). I want to, of course, eventually fill up the entire map.

Anyone else notice a trend from regions where you get the most orders? Do share!

A Story for Some Change

2008-05-12T02:01:00.000-07:00

After visiting Amanda's blog the other day, I decide I wanted one of those super-cool music playlists too. So, I made one. Then, while I was at it, I figured I may as well change my blog template. So, I did that too. :)

Speaking of Amanda's playlist, the song that popped up was "Jane Fonda" by Mickey Avalon. This made me think of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' concert Brendan and I went to last year. Gnarles Barkeley was supposed to be opening for them, but the concert got rescheduled due to a snowstorm. So, when they played the rescheduled concert, they brought Mickey Avalon with them to open. Long story short, old Mickey was not such a hit in Oklahoma City. There was hardcore booing after every song. I have to admit, I may have participated in part of it. He came off as a complete amateur, had really terrible dancers with him that appeared to be 15 years old and had their girly bits hanging all over the place, and sang a song which included the lyrics "my **** is bigger than jesus" (edited to keep this blog family-friendly) to an audience in the middle of the bible belt. When the Red Hot Chili Peppers took the stage, they weren't too happy about the booing going on after Mickey's song. In short, John Frusciante gave Oklahoma City a stern talking to and was later reported saying that they would not be coming back to Oklahoma for a long time. This makes me pretty sad since they're my all-time favorite band, but hey, at least I got to witness some history. :)

And that's my random story for the week.

Lazy and Rejected

2008-05-11T15:55:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think I am a lazy crafter. I mean, I certainly don't feel lazy, but if I think about it too much, I start to believe that I am. For instance, I see some other people who seem to create a clothing item every day. I just can't do that. I have to spread it out over several days or I crash and burn. Part of this may be due to the fact that I am a pretty slow sew-er. Whenever I sew a seam, I have to kind of slide my chair back from my desk, cock my head, and look at it for a minute. Granted, this probably sound pretty comical, but it's to ensure that I haven't done something completely absent-minded, like I tend to do.

A few days ago I put in a bid for the first time ever on an Alchemy request on Etsy. It got denied, and it made me feel like complete crap. I know that it shouldn't have, but it did. I'm thinking that I probably won't being putting in bids again in Alchemy since I obviously can't handle simple rejection like a grown woman.

Speaking of rejection, I got a letter in the mail on Friday getting rejected from a scholarship I applied for. Oh yay. The form for the scholarship had very little criteria to fill out. Basically, they asked you your GPA and household income. The form said that scholarship decisions would be based upon these two things. GPA's of 3.5 and higher would be considered first as well as "financial need." Well, I guess since I have a GPA of 3.466 and *almost* have gotten to the point where our household doesn't live below the Poverty Line any more, it means that I don't take school seriously and that I have plenty of money. I like how the letter says, "I encourage you to pursue additional financing options available through our Office of Student Financial Services." For those of you haven't been to college lately, this means "I will point you in the direction of banks that will provide you with student loans which you will be paying off for 15 years after you graduate."

Sorry to be such a complainer, my friends. Morale is low today.

Edited to add: What I neglected to mention in my self-pity laden entry is that, in case you were wondering, Brendan and I and the rest of his family were not affected by the tornados that came through Oklahoma this weekend that left six people dead and 150 people injured across the state. For that, I am extremely grateful.

Ring Ring

2008-05-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

Well, it's hard to go back to blogging about every day things after my previous post, but I feel that I need to express some hardcore gratitude.

A few weeks a go I entered a giveaway on Amanda's blog, and I won! I got to pick any ring I wanted from Allu Ring! Well, I spoke with Lori, the artist, and asked her if I could get a ring similar to this one, but with a few modifications. She was incredibly kind and indulged me. A few days later, it was in my mailbox!

This ring really is incredibly gorgeous, and the construction is a lot sturdier than some other rings that I have purchased. I definitely have a new favorite place to buy rings now. Thanks, Lori! :)

Burma Cyclone Relief

2008-05-08T15:20:00.000-07:00

After hearing about the cyclone that hit Burma, and watching the death toll rise to 100,000 lives, my heart sank. In an effort to help those who were able to survive, 100 percent of all jewelry sales in my shop (minus shipping) will go to relief for the victims of the cyclone that hit Burma. I will be donating to www.avaaz.org, who will send the money directly to the Burmese monks, since the Burmese government can not be trusted to handle donations with integrity.

"The cyclone that ripped through Burma left tens of thousands dead and a million homeless--a natural disaster made much worse by the failure of the military junta to warn or evacuate its people.

Now, the government has slowed the urgent process of providing humanitarian relief--so Avaaz is raising funds for the International Burmese Monks Organization, which will transmit funds directly to monasteries in affected areas.

In many of the worst-hit areas, the monasteries are the only source of shelter and food for Burma's poorest people. They have been on the front lines of the aid effort since the storm struck. Other forms of aid could be delayed, diverted or manipulated by the Burmese government--but the monks are the most trusted and reliable institution in the country."
-www.AVAAZ.org

If any of you are donating to the cause through your shop, or know of any shops that are, please let me know. I will be keeping a running list here for people to check in with.

I know times are rough economically here in the US, so any money you can put toward the cause is honorable.

Shops donating to Burma Cyclone relief:

Banana Pants Clothes

Lars and Addie

Stop and Smell the Roses

2008-05-07T03:41:00.000-07:00

Recently I ordered some dried lavender, roses, chamomile, and calendula from a fellow Etsy seller. Well, when I got them, they all smelled so amazing that I immediately got inspired to make sachets. I love the way they turned out, and they've made my sewing room smell amazing. Plus, at only $3.50 each, they'd make a great cost-effective gift! Yay for that! I definitely know the trials of trying to give thoughtful gifts on a tiny budget - it is no easy feat.

I also whipped up another little patchwork wallet/pouch yesterday. I love "autumn" colors, and I don't think they ever go out of season, even in spring. I tend to incorporate them year-round.

I really need to get myself in gear and get some skirts finished up, but I keep getting distracted by other things I want to make. Crossing my fingers that I stop procrastinating and finish 'em up this weekend. :)

Mother's Day?

2008-05-05T01:27:00.001-07:00

I definitely didn't get done all that I had hoped to get done this weekend. My plan was to finish up 2 different skirts that I have been working on, get them photographed, and listed in the shop. Well, none of that happened. I ended up cleaning my apartment and making my mom something for mother's day instead.

I had the hardest time trying to decide what to make for her. She really is hard to shop for or make things for. She's not really one of those people that likes super specific things. I mean, it's not like I can say "mom is crazy for yellow, daisies, kittens, and anything French, so I can find her something with one of those themes." I ended up making her one of my patchwork wallets/pouches from some of my favorite fabric remnants that I had lying around.

I need to get it mailed out to her tomorrow so it can get to Indiana by Mother's Day. Now I have to figure out what we can get for Brendan's mom - eep! At least she just lives across town, so I've got the entire week to figure it out. :)

Made in the USA

2008-05-03T16:06:00.000-07:00

In a time of such economic struggle for a country that is so flawed, but remains so beloved to me, I have been putting a lot more effort in to buying products made in the United States. Though it is virtually impossible for every single product I buy to be made in the US, I am putting in my best effort. For example: if I am at the store and debating between two fabrics that I like equally, I check the label. Is one made (or at least printed) in the United States? If so, I purchase that one over one made elsewhere.

I have also been buying handmade in the United States whenever possible (thanks, Etsy!). I see so many things I love on Etsy, but they're made overseas. I think to myself - is there an alternative to this that I can buy that is made by someone from my own country? The answer is almost always "yes." Of course, this is definitely not to say that there is anything wrong with buying handmade things from overseas. I have just made a promise to myself that in my personal life, I'm going to try to buy things made in the United States whenever possible, and I encourage others to try to do the same when they can. I know that buying things made in the US often means spending more money and that times are already hard.

Another idea to help keep money invested in my local economy is to start shopping at the local Farmer's Market whenever possible. During the school year, my classes interfered with the one that they held here on Wednesdays. However, it is now summer time (for us college kids), and I am free to head on over there every week! This week will be my first week to go, and I'm so excited. I was looking at their website, and there are so many neat things to buy there. For example: buffalo meat! Yes, buffalo meat! I have never had it before, but Brendan says it's amazing. It also has about 1/4 of the fat of beef, or so I understand. Besides being excited about buffalo meat, it's strawberry season! Man, there's really few things better than garden-grown fresh strawberries.

The thing that got me thinking of all of this is the arrival of our economic stimulus check next week. Unfortunately, most of the money has to go toward putting deposits down on our new apartment, utilities, etc for our upcoming move. I'm sure that most people are going to be using it to pay off their piled-up bills, so how much it will actually "stimulate" the economy is yet to be seen. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things will start looking up soon for this beloved country of mine.

Buffalo photo courtesy of Lonesome Prairie Bison - Morrison, OK

Smashing

2008-05-01T00:36:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night my love and I went to the store to buy beer and ice cream (I had just taken my last final, so we got treats, hehe). When we got to the store, I grabbed a cart because we needed cat food too, which I didn't feel like hauling to the other side of the store on my shoulder or something when we went to get said ice cream and beer. Well, the fold-out part in the front of the cart was stuck, so I kind of slid my hand down the side of it to pull it down. Apparently my well-meaning man didn't see that I had placed my hand there, and slammed his fist down on it to get it to go down. I could see him starting to do it, so I went to pull my hand away, but my middle finger got stuck and smashed...hard. It took some skin off and now I have a big, swollen middle finger. This has made sewing pretty uncomfortable, but still do-able, so I am relieved and grateful that it's not broken.

In celebration of being done with school for the semester, I put all of my jewelry and hand-appliqued T's on sale in my shop. I also still have one dress left, which I marked way down - $29 is a steal!

I've got lots of things in the works that I hope to get listed in my shop over the weekend or the beginning of next week. :)

Completely Awesome Etsy Purchase: Custom Journal from This Old Hen House

2008-04-29T23:40:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I contacted Miss Amanda from ThisOldHenHouse about making a custom notebook for me. Of course, being the picky person that I am, I had about a million requests when I was asking for a custom notebook. I wanted something earthy, but not cartoony and paper that was heavy enough for sketching but not too heavy. Well, lo and behold, Miss Amanda let me choose from a bunch of different paper choices for the cover of my journal and enclosed just-the-right-weight of paper between the covers. A super affordable Paypal bill and a few days later, I got my journal in the mail.

I have been using it like a madman since and carrying it with me every day to class. (Please excuse the odd usage of phrases like "madman" - I've been reading Catcher in the Rye for about the 10th time.) I am a compulsive list-maker, and it's so nice to not be constantly losing them from writing them on random little bits of paper.

I am constantly getting ideas for new projects, ways to improve my shop, improving costs and shipping for customers, etc. Now that I have my handy-dandy little book, I am finally keeping them all in one place.

I also purchased a set of the little matchbook notepads that she makes. They make such cute and unique promotional freebies to throw in with my sales.

So, my friends, I encourage you all to go check out Amanda's papercrafts shop, and her awesome jewelry shop! You won't be sorry. :)

For the Birds

2008-04-28T22:31:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make:
I hate birds.

Given this random tidbit of trivia about me, I hope you can understand why the bird CRAZE in crafting is driving me CRAZY. I swear, you could slap a bird sticker on a Kleenex, list it on Etsy, and sell it for $15 plus $4 shipping.

Don't get me wrong - some people make really amazing crafts and incorporate birds into their themes in some way or another. I'm not trying to put anyone down. Just birds...ew. I don't like them (except ducks), and I will be more than happy when this trend is over!

That being said, I really need to spend a lot less time browsing around Etsy and getting annoyed at all the bird-crafts and spend a lot more time doin' my own thing. :)

I *am* out of the creative funk that I mentioned in my last post. I'm almost finished with a new apron top, and I listed these fun little wallets in my shop over the weekend:

Creative Funk

2008-04-21T22:56:00.000-07:00

I am in one of those creative funks. I get them every so often. When they are over, I usually come out of it invigorated and making things better than ever. I just hate waiting it out.

I wanted to finish up a custom top for a customer today, but the working conditions in my apartment weren't exactly prime for creating. It seems that spring is gone and summer is here; it was in the upper 80's today and humid. To top it off, my air conditioning wasn't working. My thermostat was reading 93 degrees (inside).

It has finally dropped down to 80 degrees in here (at 1:00 am), and I can bare sewing now. So, I'm going to be up finishing that custom top for the next probably 2 hours then I have at least an hour worth of homework to do for my Native American Culture class. If I can be in bed by 4:00 am, I will be a happy camper.

My Boys

2008-04-17T22:39:00.000-07:00

This is what the male half of my household does while I am up late at night sewing. :)

Two New Mushroom T's

2008-04-16T22:51:00.000-07:00

I listed 2 new mushroom T's in the shop today.
I just love them. They're fun and funky and fresh. It doesn't get much better than that. :)

The Mushroom T

2008-04-15T23:49:00.000-07:00

Awesome addition to my new line of T's. The mushroom T! This one is a size Small and in the color "Stone."

Guest Bloggin'

2008-04-15T23:25:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let you all know that this week I'm a guest blogger for Nourish Boutique!
Some of my sweetheart style apron tops and knee-length patchwork dresses are for sale there.
Go check it out if you get the chance. :)

The Tree T

2008-04-13T17:12:00.000-07:00

The first of many more to come in my shop, I present to you...
The Tree T!

Musician Inspired Jewelry

2008-04-11T23:48:00.000-07:00

I decided to try something a little different for the store - Musician Inspired Jewelry. Each piece is inspired by a beloved musician or band. I started working on these new pieces while I was sick and didn't have the strength to sit up at my sewing machine for long periods of time. Jewelry is great that way - I can sit in my giant old recliner and work on it, even if I'm tired or not feeling great.

Goals for the Musician Inspired Jewelry line at Banana Pants Clothes:

Offer affordable jewelry to those who live on a budget but still want something beautiful. I try to keep my prices low but still incorporate beautiful things into each piece - such as real jasper, amethyst, or jade.

Express my appreciation for the beautiful music that inspires me to create.

Help my customers incorporate functional art into every aspect of their lives - clothing, gift giving, jewelry.... I still have so many more ideas that I hope to explore in the coming months as well!

Musician Inspired Earrings - Neil Young (Prairie Wind)

Musician Inspired Earrings - Jimi Hendrix (Purple Haze)

Miss Jade and Sunflower Fields

2008-04-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

I have been sick this week, so unfortunately, little has gotten done. I've been working on a custom skirt as well as a custom top that need to be done and mailed out by Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

Since I've been feeling so funky (in a bad way), only one new item got listed this week in the store. A necklace I call Sunflower Fields. I was working on it when I was up late one night, unable to sleep (which is like most nights). Having tons of creative energy is a blessing and a curse at the same time!

I think I'm going to start making a lot more jewelry. Not really as a money-maker, but more of an up-all-night craft. Sewing is not a great outlet for creative energy late at night for several reasons:
1) My serger sounds like a freight train, and I don't want to wake up my hard-working man at 3:00 in the morning
2) I sewed through my finger once when I was sewing late at night. (Here's a tip, kids - never sew when you haven't had enough sleep! It's dangerous!)
3) The later the hour, the more crooked my seams get.

This weekend I am going to try to take a lesson from my cat, Miss Jade. She is probably the most uptight and skiddish cat in the world, but even SHE knows how to relax when she really needs it!

An Overdue Thanks

2008-04-02T03:08:00.000-07:00

I owe a giant thank you to someone in my life who helps me run this little business of mine - my man, Brendan. He is so supportive of me in my artistic endeavors.

Brendan is also the main post-office runner for Banana Pants Clothes. To those who don't run an online store, that may no sound like that much. But, for those of you who do, you know it's a HUGE part of the work! This is a man who works 40 hours a week, goes to school full-time, and still never complains when I ask him to make a run to the post office after a long day so my awesome customers can get their creations in a timely manner.

So, if you've ordered an item from me and got it an exceptionally short of amount of time, please send your good thoughts to my love, Brendan - he works hard to get handmade love into your mailbox as soon as possible! :)

What to Expect from Banana Pants Clothes in April

2008-03-31T18:46:00.000-07:00

I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’d like to see in my shop for April.

Here are some of the things you can look forward to seeing in the next month:

*Plus size skirts
*New jewelry
*Patchwork mini skirts
*Lots of new fabric gift bags (stash busting!)
*Apron tops - sweetheart style and patchwork

*Functional sculpture! I’m most excited about this idea. :)

As always, I’m open to custom orders. Let me know if there’s something you want, but don’t see it in the shop. I’ll be happy to work with you to get it made. :)

Also, I have decided to stop making patchwork bags/purses on a regular basis. They haven’t been selling very well in the shop, and there’s a very competitive market for bags on Etsy. If you’d like a custom bag, I’d still love to make one for you though! You may see a patchwork bag here or there if I just really get in the mood to make one, but other than that, I won’t be listing any more pre-made bags in the future.

I hope you’ll check back throughout the month of April to see all of the exciting new items I’ve been working on!

As always, I'll be taking custom orders for skirts, tops, and dresses. Please see my myspace photo albums for ideas.

P.S. I’ve still got two dresses on sale in the store.

Check them out before they’re gone!

Procrastination Station

2008-03-30T15:44:00.000-07:00

I am quite possibly the most procrastinating person on the planet. I think I get it from my parents. Granted, I can't blame them, because I am an adult and responsible for changing my own bad habits. But, I'm pretty positive that's where it came from. :P

I have a 7 minute speech to give tomorrow about legal uses of marijuana; I haven't even started writing it. Yes, it's nearly 6:00 PM, and I haven't started writing the 7-minute speech that I have to give at noon tomorrow. I give myself credit for getting to the public library on time and getting 2 of my 3 sources. I want to focus on medicinal uses and practical uses through hemp, but couldn't find any information about hemp at the public library. In a town of 40,000 people (which is pretty large by mid-west standards), you'd think I could find one measly reference to hemp in the public library. Oh well. Stillwater is not the most progressive of towns, and resources like hemp isn't really part of the culture. I dig that. I'm just frustrated at myself.

So, it brings me to the point that when I get nervous about things (like 7-minute speeches that count as my final grade for the class), I procrastinate. How do I procrastinate? By answering emails about the store, blogging (ahem), and most of all, CRAFTING. What was I doing at midnight last night when I should have been finding web resources for my speech? Sewing. What was I doing 10 minutes ago when I should have been writing my speech? Organizing crafty materials. What have I been doing for the past THREE weeks that I've had to work on this speech? Crafting.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am a crafty procrastinator. Do any of you procrastinate doing things around the house, for your "real" jobs, or for school by creating your art? I know I can't be the only one. At least humor me and tell me I'm not the only one so I can feel better. :)

For Sale at Nourish Boutique

2008-03-29T00:28:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my pieces that will be for sale at Nourish Boutique in Athens, Georgia when they open. Enjoy. :)

Spring Break Roadtrip Scenery - An Inspiration

2008-03-22T23:28:00.000-07:00

All photos taken between Stillwater, Oklahoma and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Just click to enlarge.

Hey! Look What I Found!

2008-03-22T23:10:00.001-07:00

I found spring, and it was right outside my apartment building!

This week was spring break for my university. The weather sure did get the hint. It was beautiful! In the 70s pretty much all week. At one point on Wednesday, the bank sign said 81 degrees. Yup, that's what I'm talkin' about!

Brendan and I went on a short road trips Wednesday and Thursday to hunt for apartments. We're moving in June and I need the security of knowing where I'm going to be. Hopefully we can put the deposit down in the next few weeks. We found a great apartment in the country (yay!) that's only about 25 minutes from the school I am transferring to. I am so excited.

We also drove around the campus I'll be attending next year. The building are beautiful and it is located on the outskirts of the city. School in the country? Yeah! Well, kind of, anyways. :) Also, it will be a new start to make new friends. I have always remained so quiet, hiding in the back corner in all of my classes for the past 2 years. I am going to make a point of making new friends in my classes in the summer and fall and speaking up in class. I have good things to say; I need to let some of them out.

Huge Spring Break Sale!

2008-03-15T03:33:00.000-07:00

HUGE SPRING BREAK SALE! (I need to eat, guys and girls!) Tons of items on sale. 20%-45% off my already super reasonable prices on select dresses and skirts and 50% off all patchwork bags! Ends on Sunday, 3-16-2008 at midnight CST. Just type "sale" into the search bar at the top of my page (bananapantsclothes.etsy.com) to see all sale items at once or click on the item's title below to be redirected to the listing for that item.

Brown, Pink, and Green Sweetheart Rose Dress: Was $50, Now $40

Berries and Cream Hippie Patchwork Dress: Was $50, Now $40

Patchwork Ruffle Mini Skirt - Berry: Was $19.75, Now $11

Scrappy Hippie Patchwork Bag: Was $15, Now $7.50

Berries and Cream Patchwork Bag: Was $10, Now $5

Scrappy Hippie Patchwork Purse: Was $10, Now $5

Feelin' the Fabrics

2008-03-14T01:57:00.000-07:00

It was yet another beautiful day here in Stillwater. Today was the first day this year that I have noticed the birds chirping in the trees - always a promising sign that spring is near!

This weather does wonders for my mood and my creativity. The fabrics I'm working with to make a patchwork dress for Nourish definitely reflect this:

I love that yellow fabric! It's not often that I work with yellow, so this is a nice change of pace.

Speaking of working, I should be doing it. I'm a bit behind with my goals for the day.

Peace, love, empathy,
-Lesley
bananapantsclothes.etsy.com

Spring, Spring, Spring!

2008-03-12T22:11:00.001-07:00

Today was a gorgeous day here in Stillwater. 80 degrees, sunny, and blustery. I've got Spring fever like crazy.

Next week is Spring Break at my university. I can hardly contain myself. The next two days of classes are going to feel about a million years long. It's not that I have big plans in particular for Spring Break, I just need the time away from school. Also, it'll be nice to actually be able to spend a full day with Brendan. That hasn't happened since Christmas vacation. I will probably spend the majority of the break working on a consignment order for Nourish Boutique in Athens, Georgia. I've got one apron top completed - 4 more and 2 patchwork dresses to go. :) My goal is to have everything done and sent out by March 25 so Lylou has time to get things ready for her event on April 4th. I began cutting out the patches for one of the dresses tonight. I'll probably be up until 3 am or so finishing that up. I don't have class until 3:30 pm tomorrow so I can sleep in awhile. I'm pretty exhausted after getting 4 hours of sleep last night. Tomorrow after class I want to get the patchwork part of the dress sewn. Friday I want to put the ruffle on, get the bodice finished, the straps in. It should be all finished then.

I think that setting goals for each day in my blog will help me stay on track. Yes. Hopefully. :)

I forgot I had this thing. Glad I remember now!

Peace, Love, Empathy,
-Lesley
bananapantsclothes.etsy.com

A Sunny Day on the Prairie and a Warm Hello

2008-02-29T16:48:00.000-08:00

Hey guys and girls. I'm new to this blogspot thing, so I thought I would just do a quick introduction blog.

My name is Lesley. I'm 21 years old and live in Stillwater, Oklahoma. I've lived here for about 3 years, but my howetown (and my heart) is in Indiana. I'm a full-time student studying Psychology. My ultimate goal is to get a Bachelor's degree in Psychology (with a minor in Anthropology) and go on to get my Master's degree in Social Work. My occupation of choice after all this schoolin' is to be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker . . which is a long name for a "therapist." :) I'm still pretty early in my college career, so I've got a long road of hard work ahead of me.

Right now I live in a one-bedroom apartment with my boyfriend and 2 cats. Obviously, this leaves little room for me to work. In June, we're planning on moving to a 2-bedroom apartment - I am dreaming of my new, bigger workspace every day. I'm just trying to hang in there in cramped quarters until that happens. :) Keeping a positive attitude is tough for me sometimes, but I'm chalking up our lack of money and sub-par living conditions as a part of the whole college experience. :) This too shall pass, right?

More to come this weekend. Thanks so much for taking a look.

Peace, love, and empathy,
-Lesley of Banana Pants Clothes
bananapantsclothes.etsy.com