Papi's Mami

RENEGADE # 3

2007-06-20T21:27:00.000-05:00

Well, Another Renegade Craft Fair has come and gone. It was a fabulous weekend, and even though it was hotter than hades, so many great people came out to support. Some of my favorite crafters were there, including Heidi Kenney of My Paper Crane fame, Marilyn Patrizio, Maggie and David from Bang, and some new friends. I finally bought a poster from one of my faves, Strawberryluna, Gorgeous!! The guys next to us from Daydream Silkscreen really added to the fun. Please enjoy some photos of Papi's Mami and Cowboy Vs Petunia's Renegade booth...

Little Confections! OR, RENEGADE, Here we come!!!!!

2007-04-07T15:32:00.000-05:00

Here are some super cute new coin purses I whipped up for Renegade!!! Put it on your calendars, June 17th & 18th 2007 at the McCarren Pool this year! If you have never been to or heard about the McCarren Pool, aside from their website you can also listen to an amazing radio documentary about it, where else? On This American Life.

GRILLZ, GRILLZ, GRILLZ!

2007-03-11T10:47:00.000-05:00

I don't think there's much to say here...

Doggie-DO!

2007-03-05T16:22:00.000-05:00

Saturday evening was our monthly Chihuahua meetup. Myself and Petey's mom are the organizers - we meet once a month so that our little loved ones can mingle, play, fight, hump, dominate, pee, poop, eat, drink, growl, and cuddle together. The last few months we have been meeting at Kikis in Clinton Hill Brooklyn. The folks are cool and the pups are fabu. We put this group together with the help of Meetup.com - if you have never visited, it is really interesting. Want to find other people who play chess? French Horn? Knit? You can find others to do it with! Some of the groups are a little scary, obviously, but hey - freaky weirdos need friends too!

SNIFF ME AND I'LL SNIFF YOU BACK...

MIDNIGHT AINT HAVIN THAT...

PAPS THE DOMINATOR...

PETES N PAPS

DOGS GONE WILD!

CUTEST NEWCOMER IN TOWN, IGGY!

PEOPLES N PUPPLES

"KING" OF THE ROOM

NEWCOMER PEEPS N PUPS, WELCOME!!!

CULTURAL SATURDAYS!

2007-03-04T12:41:00.000-05:00

The Doctor and I made a pact to go and do new things in this great city of ours each and every Saturday. We got the idea from our friends Mike and Jen who had their own UNIQUE THURSDAYS. We don't have a theme song yet like they do, but maybe they will write one for us.

On Sat Feb 17th, we went to the The Transit Museum I had always wanted to go there and it was quite fascinating. My favorite part was the old subway cars with all of the old ads in them. The seats on the old cars were even hand-caned rattan! There were people whose job it was to just restore the worn rattan. Unreal. Check out this cool photo of the great men who built our incredible transportation system.

Then, on Sat Feb 24th we went to see our friend Fran Pena (wife of Broad Noodle Jesse Pena) perform in a Latin ballroom dance competition. It was a little complicated keeping up with how the competition was run, but it was great to see little tan Fran shaking her bon-bons out there in her delightful slinky dress plus mile long fake eyelashes! I myself have started to look into Swing Dance lessons... more to come on that later! I finally figured out where to go the next time I need a rhinestone encrusted bra or super glittery pair of panties. The competition was held at The Roseland Ballroom and once inside, I realized the last time I had been in there was in around 1982 when I went to see Adam Ant in concert. Damn I'm old!!

On March 3rd we went to The Cloisters If you have never been up there - it is hard to imagine this exists in the city of Manhattan. Basically it was created in the 20s to be a showplace for rescued Medieval artifacts, architecture, and art. It is quite a sight to see although not cheap to get in ($20 a head) but incredible and beautiful. Some of my favorite things were the Spanish buriel wood carvings, and the French wooden gate/stairway that was rescued from a torn down house...

Since we were up in that hood (INWOOD) I wanted to check out the
The Dyckman House. I had always wanted to go inside and it is once again open to the public. At more than 200 years old, it is the only remaining Dutch Colonial farmhouse in Manhattan. It is such an amazing contradiction - this old house standing right up on Broadway and 204th. Really cool.

FRONT OF HOUSE

LOW CEILINGS BRING THE BEAST OUT!

BACK OF HOUSE WITH BUSTLING INWOOD IN BACKGROUND

THE DR AND A HESSIAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR CABIN IN THE BACKYARD OF THE DYCKMAN HOUSE

We Heart Freebird!

2007-03-01T13:48:00.000-05:00

Check it... Freebird has posted my craft classes starting next Sunday March 11th. Come and join in the decoupagy fun!!!

Up Your Nose with a Rubber Hose!

2007-02-07T17:30:00.000-05:00

I know, I don't really know what to do with myself either. I can't believe I own this! Any suggestions on what I should make with it? It is VERY thin, I was thinking sofa pillows?

She's Crafty, & She's Just My Type...

2007-02-07T17:10:00.000-05:00

Oh Yeah!!!

My annual 'anti superbowl' party was a huge success! See pics of the cute ladies making decoupage picture frames up in the Treehouse on Sunday. We had loverly Siri from Treehouse, adorable Amy S from the fabulous 31 Corn Lane, and another friend, Abby T who came all the way from Manhattan in the freezing cold just to craft n kibbitz with us.

Amy working her decoupage magic...

Decoupage fixin's

Siri seriously working on finding fabu imagery

The beautiful and hot (pink) finished product!

Doll Head and Butterfly madness!

Abby's juicy Pomegranite Goodness...

It's The New Style...

2007-01-19T20:59:00.000-05:00

It's my new pouch! I think I will call it the school pouch.These beauts are headed to Fred Segal on Monday...

A Treehouse grows in Brooklyn

2007-01-14T08:34:00.000-05:00

DECOUPAGE AT TREEHOUSE BROOKLYN!!!!!

Sunday, February 4th, 2-5 PM
Please join Dari Litchman of Papi’s Mami up in the branches of Treehouse Brooklyn for her very first craft class of 2007! We will be decoupaging our hearts out, just in time for V Day! This class is held in Williamsburg Brooklyn, to find out more about Treehouse go here
This class will fill up quickly 'cause we can only take about 8-10 people. If there is a high demand, we will add another class in March...

You can also check out their blog here
Where they mention yours truly...

Keep checking back for updated classes information, and I will be updating my website soon as well - will keep y'all posted!

DECOUPAGE WITH PAPI’S MAMI!
Hey all you crafty peeps! Have you ever wanted to learn to decoupage? What is decoupage you ask? Why, it is: the art of decorating a surface with shapes or pictures and then coating it with vanish or lacquer, according to Dictionary.com. And this is good enough for Dari Litchman of Papi's Mami who will be leading a decoupage workshop at Treehouse on February 2nd from 2-5. Raw wood picture frames will be provided, and you just bring your sweet self, along with color copies of family photos, magazine cutouts, rhinestones, foreign language newspapers, old maps, old books you don’t mind cutting up, decorative papers, glitter, bits n pieces, whatever tickles your fancy! Even dimensional puffy paints are great for decoupage, and permanent markers in fun colors, stuff like that.

If you would like to decoupage something else, bring it along. Examples might be a hat box, light switch cover, plaque, photo/storage box, wooden stool, etc. I just ask that if you bring something with you, please make sure you have already prepped it by lightly sanding and painting it. I will supply the mod podge, funky scissors, and wherewithal, not to mention stimulating conversation.

HELPFUL HINT: It will save time if you spend time at home cutting out images that you would like to work with so they are already ready for you to start decoupaging!

Come on down to Treehouse and chat, drink coffee, listen to music, sit back, relax, and craft it on up.

Dari Litchman is a jack-of-all-trades craftsperson. Her crafty ways include: decorating, cooking, printmaking, sewing, knitting, mosaic, beading, and bag making. She is the owner and operator of Papi’s Mami where she makes one of a kind bags from her vintage fabric collection. You can currently see and buy her bags at Treehouse Brooklyn, as well as on her website www.papismami.com. Dari was featured on Style Network’s ‘Craft Corner Deathmatch’, and is a graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and Chihuahua, Papi.

I was wrong, and I am sorry!

2007-01-13T19:06:00.000-05:00

Age: About 13
Year: About 1981
Occasion: Halloween
fake mustache: check
Curly cue: check
newsboy cap: check
thermal shirt: check
purple tiger stripe T shirt from Woodstock: check
tattered jean vest: check
RIDING CROP: check
spiked leather bracelets: check
tight black pants: check
GAY LIB pin: check

It was wrong of me to dress up as a gay man for Halloween in 1981, and for this I apologize. It was in poor taste, and I am working on forgiving myself. Maybe shaming myself over the internet will help... stay tuned.

Nice Cock!

2007-01-13T17:49:00.000-05:00

Today, I recieved more cock than I know what to do with! I mean, I love cock and all, but all this? I don't know that I can handle so much of it!

PAPICOCK!

Up in the TREEHIZZLE!

2006-12-21T17:21:00.000-05:00

Here is a swell pic that the Dr took of me stuff up in Treehouse the other day. Soon, hopefully I am going to be starting craft workshops over there as well as my residency at Freebird. More news to come on that!

A quite unusual sighting...

2006-12-17T17:08:00.000-05:00

Today in Long Island City I spotted a PAPI'S MAMI BAG!!!

Oh, and I think that's Bigfoot...

Spamalot

2006-12-13T21:54:00.000-05:00

OK, so, SPAM is very popular in Hawaii. Apparently, the Hawaiins did not have enough salt, pork, or nitrites in their diet, so they adopted SPAM as their state meat. Hey - when in Rome... I was told more than once that the bottom photo looks like I am eating my own tongue. My own tongue is not 1/2 as salty as that mess - but also not 1/2 as delicious!

The top and middle photos are something called Spam Musubi, which is literally a piece of sushi - but instead of a piece of fish it is Spam. I did not try it, but it is there for sale at the point of purchase in every supermarket! The woman working the register was very amused at the prospect that I was amused by the Spam Musubi. She is the one who took my picture, Mahalo!!!

AND AWAY WE WENT...

2006-12-10T11:11:00.000-05:00

OK, This is gonna take a while, while I collect and organize my photos. I just felt I needed to post these pics - since this was hands down one of the crowning moments of my life. Yes, this was Karaoke. Yes, I was singing "Like A Virgin". I was drunk. I changed the lyrics. A little bit. I substituted "touched for the very first time" with "f'd for the very first time". It was really fun. More to come!

And AWAY WE GO!!!

2006-11-07T23:23:00.000-05:00

Wedding prep land, that's where I live. And it's 10 days away and counting...

Here is the pile o' stuff that we have to bring over to the hall. Included in the pile is the 'money box' that I craftily made last weekend. Also disposeable cameras, guest book, mini polaroids (for guest book ), china lanterns, christmas lights, my undergarments, our favors, chinese slippers for sore feet, and some more stuff I am sure...

Not to mention the cake topper that yes, is vintage, yes is made out of sugar, yes is from the 30s, yes was $100. I LOVE this god damned thing. God DAMN it. Yeah, those are doves.

Kids craft day at Freebird!

2006-10-08T20:22:00.000-05:00

Today was kids craft day at Freebird - we made "stained glass" candle holders and/or pencil holders. Three lovely young ladies showed up and enjoyed making their projects, petting Timber, and eating Oreos. I hope to make this a regular gig - I enjoyed it immensly, and my young artists did a great job! THANKS LADIES!!!

Our table of very important and yummy supplies

Violet vociferously working on her masterpiece!!

Tianna the quiet and thoughtful worker

Snuggle Break! The cutest snuggle EVER between Tianna and Timber - This will probably win Snuggle of the Year 2006!

Artists hard at work with their parental helpers - mom and dads!

Sofia taking a much needed Oreo break

HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE NEXT YEAR!

It's All in the Packaging

2006-09-22T10:16:00.000-05:00

This is some of my all time favorite packaging. Usually the Latino foods are so beautiful - specifically the Goya stuff. I just LOVE this chicken packaging - I would love to blow it up, frame it and hang it on the wall. Oh, I guess I could do that!

A Most Amazing Mural

2006-09-15T09:32:00.000-05:00

I have seen this mural in DUMBO a few times and knew I had to get some pics - it is SO incredible, and I am definitely going to email this woman to let her know... And here she is...Pasqualina Azzarello. And also here

Chexican Food... and Chinglish!

2006-09-11T10:03:00.000-05:00

The best TORTILLS in Dyker Heights!!!

Treehouse Brooklyn!

2006-09-11T09:44:00.000-05:00

Just look at the lovely ladies of Treehouse. Siri and Rebecca - so sweet, crafty, pretty, and now proud owners of a very hot shop on Graham Ave in Willy B. You can even buy Papi's Mami items there if you are so inclined! They are having a fall preview opening on this Thursday the 14th and I am very sad I won't be able to make it.

Funky light box window inside the shop...

This is my new favorite thing in the whole world. I will probably not take it out of the packaging even though I would love to wear it, I can't really bring myself to do so.

One of the greatest places on Graham Ave - first go here and get your iced coffee - the only place in NY who can justify charging $4.00 for a large cup. They will advise you to sip without a straw, and the inside of this place speaks of an amazing time more than 30 years ago when the shop opened. Worth it to come to Williamsburg just to check this place out. No kidding. I was lucky enough to use their bathroom - first they had to "tie the dog up", then I was led down a paneled hallway covered with Jesus paintings and into a tiny coffin-like closet where I was given a flashlight because the light was out. AMAZING!

September Chihuahua Meetup

2006-09-10T21:43:00.000-05:00

YES it seems cultish. YES it is a bunch of people meeting for the sole purpose of getting their Chihuahuas together. Am I a convert? YES. But I have one thing to say - I really love it! If you have never checked out Meetup.com, you might want to find your own cult to join!

LIC

2006-09-09T11:28:00.000-05:00

The more time I spend in Long Island City, the more I like it. Last night I went to meet the Doctor as he was wrapping up a job at The Foundry. Whoa, what an amazing place! It can be rented out for parties, weddings, photo shoots, etc. He was working on a commercial for a diabetic pen. A plant company has their headquarters there - so it was filled with incredible plants on this rooftop deck that I could have easily slept on - last night was so breezy and there was this orange full moon...

Then we went to eat at one of our fave spots in Queens - Elias Corner For Fish. OMG, you need to try it, NOW. I always feel like I am in another country when I eat in there, and last night there was what looked like a Greek Orthodox priest with a long white beard and a black robe sitting in there - I desperately wanted to take his picture but the Doctor thought it would be disrespectful. :o(

Feelin' Coiney...

2006-09-08T16:57:00.000-05:00

And also some coin purses - These little guys are perfect for coins, bills, cell phones, lip gloss, cigs, and ipods.

And more clutches too... for good measure...

Clutchy Clutcherton

2006-09-08T15:37:00.000-05:00

I have been a busy bee since I returned from my crazy Labor Day weekend - these clutches will have new homes at both Catbird and Sodafine - both in Williamsburg Brooklyn.

They come in like a Lion, and go out like a Godzilla

2006-09-05T13:12:00.000-05:00

Here they are Ladies and Gentleman...BROAD NOODLES. Born of Planet Coney Island - not for the faint of heart. Get out your asthma inhalers and give a listen. To smell some more, go to their website.

Look at how handsome the guy with the yellow shirt is!

What's Black and White and modeled all over?

2006-09-04T21:15:00.000-05:00

Just got back from an amazing Labor Day weekend in the Catskills. Chaired a huge alumni reunion of my dear camp at Frost Valley YMCA. These are some photos from an activity that I ran called the Newspaper Fashion Show. I think these gorgeous kids are giving Project Runway a run for their money! The great pic on top was the clear winner - I think she was so excited she may have worn it to bed that night!

Never Wake A Sleeping Dog...

2006-08-29T22:40:00.000-05:00

This is Papi maxin and relaxin with his new friend Vegas and her toy 'bed bug'.

What A Peach!

2006-08-29T22:29:00.000-05:00

I was walking down the street in Long Island City last week and came across this little shrine in an overgrown little lot - directly to the left of the shrine you see a PEACH tree - so beautiful, so very unexpected! In LONG ISLAND CITY no less!

Goin' To The Chapel...

2006-08-25T18:54:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was at my friend Chris Cantley's studio in LIC printing my invitations! I was printing from 11 AM til 7 PM and let me tell you, I could barely get out of bed today! I am so proud of these, I think they came out beautifully and it felt good to be silk screening again. I don't think I have touched a squeege for 16 years! Well, it was like riding a bike.

FRED SEGAL OR BUST!

2006-08-23T22:20:00.000-05:00

Well, I can't believe I finished. These little cuties will ship out to FS early next week. I feel very proud and now I am a pro at sewing these buggers! Let's keep our fingers crossed that this will lead to bigger and better things... my hope is that Paris Hilton will squeal with delight when she sees them, tote one around with her, be photographed and put into STAR MAGAZINE with it! A girl can dream can't she???

Snobby Bear Arrives

2006-08-23T22:14:00.000-05:00

Here is Snobby Bear in his (her?) new home. Thanks to Marilyn Patrizio and I promise you will have your cherry bag VERY soon! And I love the stickers too!!!

I'm totally in a CLUTCH...!

2006-08-22T12:42:00.000-05:00

Here are some of the clutches for the Fred Segal order - I am so happy with them, I finally got it! These are the medium size, and now I have to make 10 small ones. These five took me about FOUR hours today!!! But I'm getting quicker...

It's Nuts Man!

2006-08-21T20:32:00.000-05:00

I am pretty sure this says it all...

It Puts The Kitty In The Basket

2006-08-20T08:52:00.000-05:00

I think Henny Penny likes my new fabric basket!!! Last night the Doctor and I went to hear my friend Crystal spin at the Hanger Bar on 3rd St. I can't believe it myself, but as we were leaving, I spotted ANOTHER Papi's Mami bag on the street! The Doctor was there and witnessed the whole thing! More major Serendipity!!!

Did you happen to see the most beautiful tablecloth in the world???

2006-08-19T14:25:00.000-05:00

This tablecloth is too beautiful not to share. In my cleaning frenzy today, I must have lost my mind because I friggin IRONED the dern thing. I really could not help myself. These photos are in honor of Marilyn Patrizio, purveyor of all things cute and appley.

Flower Power

2006-08-19T11:01:00.000-05:00

I just had a very exciting last two days working with my friend Kerri Silvestri of Allow Me. She does AMAZING floral design and a whole bunch of other incredible event planning. She's got the eye, man! We also spent the time doing a lot of girly bonding, very fun! I hope she will let me help her some more!! Here are some examples of her gorgeous work, which was featured in a wedding last night at the Oheka Castle. This place is incredible, and Kerri's creations made the place look that much better! She will also be adding her artistic flair to our wedding in three short months! Can't wait...

Centerpiece - YES those are lemons!!

Thee Centerpieces - Pink n Green, OOH LA LA!!!

Flowers waiting their turn to be even more beautified by Kerri...

Small bouquets for the pews -

Street Art

2006-08-19T10:56:00.000-05:00

The other day I came across this in the city around 3rd Ave and the 40s...

It says " Once I saw a James Bond film on TV and I copied the film, just the plot summary and Jesus, the most obvious racism was apparent which you really wouldn't think of if you watched the film"

New Samples

2006-08-15T18:33:00.000-05:00

I guess I really did get some stuff done today, even though it felt like I did a lot of sitting around. These coin purses and clutches are part of the new samples that I am going to show a bunch of new stores. Tres exciting!!

What a MOTH-er!

2006-08-15T18:30:00.000-05:00

Today this crazy huge moth just sat on the edge of our elevator all day. It is probably still there - it is about the size of my entire hand...

Ca-RASHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

2006-08-15T18:27:00.000-05:00

Check this out - these two cars have been sitting on the side of Prospect Park on PPSW for weeks now! My guess is that a tree fell on them, but man! They REALLY look messed up! It was scary to think they had been in an accident...

It's a Dog-eat-Dog Park!

2006-08-15T09:44:00.000-05:00

Here is another world where I spend quite a bit of time - the DOG PARK! Prospect Park has a great off leash dog park, tons of dogs, tons of people, barking, fights, flying fur, lots of action! Usually it's mostly lots of big dogs, but yesterday the small dogs were out in FULL FORCE!

Summer Salad

2006-08-15T09:22:00.000-05:00

This is my favorite meal of the moment. It is SOOOOOOOOO good.
Ingredients:
romaine lettuce pieces
one large very ripe peach cut into chunks
blue cheese - preferably a nice firm one cut into little chunks or you can buy the crumbles (Gorgonzola works well too)- around 1/2 cup
red onion - sliced thin
toasted almond slivers - 1/4 cup
***easy to make yourself! Just spray a nonstick pan with cooking spray, put the flame on medium, add your almonds, and as soon as you hear them cracklin', start turning them. Don't walk away from them - keep turning and they will be turning golden brown. Take off heat and add a little salt - keep turning for a minute 'cause they will keep cooking even off the heat.
Dressing is olive oil and white vinegar to taste, salt and pepper too!
If you want to eat this as a meal, add chicken breast chunks, I am telling you this is the best salad EVER!
Kudos to my friend Kris D and Real Simple.

Knittin Up A Storm

2006-08-13T21:04:00.000-05:00

Check out the great pics of the wonderful knitting group I had today at Freebird. Specifically, check out Emma, the 7 year old who out-knit all of us! Everyone did a great job, and I realized that teaching knitting is really tough! It is the kind of thing you have to just keep doing and doing - but it is REALLY hard to EXPLAIN it.

All Day I Dream About Sex

2006-08-12T12:58:00.000-05:00

Not really, but, I just wanted to show off my brand spanking new Adidas. Aren't they the shizz?

It's ETSY, baby...

2006-08-12T12:18:00.000-05:00

I am now a proud Etsy seller. Check out the shop at: papismami.etsy.com
Hopefully, it will bring some traffic to the site, and some sales! Tell your friends!

I'm Hers, She's Mine, Wedding Bells Are Gonna Chime

2006-08-10T19:20:00.000-05:00

This is the OTHER work I have been doing lately - the design for our wedding invitation. I am thrilled with how it came out - I am having the screen burned tomorrow. It is based on and inspired by the Alexander Girard heart below:

Go here to see some great Girard repros and design.

My My, Hey Hey

2006-08-10T19:13:00.000-05:00

I got the NICEST email today from Taryn Hipp over at My My who posted this on her blog:

1 woman + 1 dog = Papi's Mami!
It's true, who knew it only took one lady & her pooch to create such a fabulously designed website full of brightly colored bags?
Dari & Papi (a girl & her chubby chihuahua) make pretty handbags, clutches & change purses using all sorts of great fabrics like this totally vintage looking bag called "Prepster" (which has a matching yellow lining - awesome!)! With such great prices & an easy to navigate website I'm totally won over by Dari & Papi!

Please check her out here to read more fabu stuff and don't forget to check out My My also - a crafty online marketplace. SWEET!

It's Been A Very Pheasant Day

2006-08-09T20:56:00.000-05:00

Another one finished - look closely for the pheasants! Another fabric that has bitten the dust! It's amazing how some of these fabrics grow on me - sometimes I will let one sit around for years until I pull it out of the pile and give it a new eye. This pheasant fabric is one of them - I love it now but I used to not even give it a second glance. Now I have to regroup, make up a bunch more samples to show to shops again and git my ass out there! I have recently heard from Sodafine who also wants to carry Papi's Mami products!!! Then there is a shop called Catbird, also in Willy B who has expressed interest. All this is very exciting...

Oh Wee Oh Wow

2006-08-09T15:06:00.000-05:00

Some really cool things are happening - I am waiting to hear back from Fred Segal to find out what they are planning to order!! The buyer already told me they are going to, she is just working out what/how many...

Yesterday I was standing in a salon in Manhattan and I saw a woman walk by carrying a PAPI'S MAMI BAG!!!!! I couldn't believe it! In New York EFFING City - I never thought that would happen! It was from like 4 years ago, totally worn in and dirty - like she loved it a whole lot! I not only could not stop smiling, but I just felt like it was another jolt straight from the universe pointing me in the right direction... I tried to find her but she had vanished!

This bag is one I made for a friend today - the last of this fabric :o( but I am really liking that snazzy outside pocket - I would put them on all of them but it does take quite a bit of time to do...

Pocono Weekend

2006-08-07T10:08:00.000-05:00

Beautiful Pocono weekend at Chris & David's - - -

OMG

2006-08-02T21:25:00.000-05:00

Today something amazing happened. The buyer at FRED SEGAL emailed me back and said she wants to see samples of my bags. This is like, being nominated for a Grammy!!! I am basically speechless. This has clearly been one of the more amazing days of my life. Of course I made these up today to send out to her tomorrow - O.M.G... I really do not know what else to say or do... Fred Segal does not have a website but you can check out Fred Segal Beauty and Ron Herman...

Camo-Fly

2006-08-02T12:44:00.000-05:00

I just finished this lovely camo clutch!!! I keep forgetting something or another - this one is missing its strap. Oh well! I really like it - - - I have a lot of work to do today.

Lil Cutie II

2006-08-01T18:18:00.000-05:00

So, I am getting into the groove of this now. They are totally too small, but the next one will be bigger. Now I seem to know what I'm doing! It is time to go outside into the hot outdoors and walk my little guy. He has been waiting all day. He keeps asking me to take him out but I have refused. I feel sad enough to do it now. Poor Papi!

Lil Cutie

2006-08-01T16:51:00.000-05:00

YAY!!! My pattern came today, so now I know how to sew a zipper into a clutch! WOO-HOO! I am really excited. Now I can bake up a batch of them, and I can use some of the amazing fabrics that I only have a lil bit left of. I did not want to use the kind of snap that I did, but I didn't really know what stage to put the snap in cause the pattern doesn't call for it. Next time I will be all set!

You can see my bulletin board - on the left are my 'Terms of Endearment' Puffy Stickers. One of my favorite posessions. I also have The Police, Duran Duran, and other puffy stickers. Genius. To the right is my 'Coffy' poster - She IS the Godmother of them all, actually. There is also a little mini print made by one of my all time favorite artists - Brad Simon. I love his work, I hope to be able to buy some more of it soon.

You can see my pen container which is a Goya Guanabana Nectar can - I just love Goya's packaging - there is so much incredible things to look at on the shelves of the supermarket. I guess I should bring my camera with me next time I head over to the Fairway. I especially adore foreign packaging with other languages and alphabet - it is SUCH eye candy.

Oh what the heck - here is another one - an Asian drink called "Hapi" - it is really good! Orange drink with lots of pulp! It makes me Hapi to drink it!!

Hawaii Here We Come!!!

2006-08-01T13:27:00.000-05:00

Here are some pics of where we are staying in Maui - I am SO excited, this spot is so beautiful - you can see more at: http://www.liamselwyn.com/churchweb/

This is the spot in Kauai - Again, I am so psyched about this place I can barely see straight. I guess that is what happens when you have all the time in the world on your hands and can spend hours looking for the perfect spot to stay! More here at:http://www.kauai-cottages.com/

I Think I'll Stay Inside

2006-08-01T13:16:00.000-05:00

I have been holed up in my apt for days - afraid to go outside and face the heat. It does not do a lot for my mood - I am really starting to feel the strain of not working. It is such a double edged sword! I managed to finish this beach bag for a friend - love this fabric!! I need to get Papi out but I think I'll wait until the sun goes down! It is supposed to go up to 101 in NY today. Dang!

I've got the Wedding Bell Blues...

2006-07-28T22:31:00.000-05:00

Not really, but the song is in my head. Actually, I am having FUN planning our trip to Hawaii, and also making the art for our wedding favor which is a CD of love songs. The back will have this fun collage of us, taken like two years ago!

Another Day, Another order filled!

2006-07-28T11:05:00.000-05:00

Six nifty totes

Med Totes

Beach Bags

And the ALL NEW magnetic snaps and coolie key rings! Woo-Hoo!

These are a few of my favorite things...

2006-07-27T13:03:00.000-05:00

I took these as I was having more of my cleaning frenzy yesterday.

Disco Fever! Everyone's getting it!

Go Gay hairspray - use with extreme caution.

Not a good pic but it really is a Charlie's Angels wallet. God damnit!

I call these the Polynesian Twins. I bought these at a house sale for like $1. They don't look as beautiful in the photo as they truly are in real life.

Bits -N- Pieces

2006-07-27T12:56:00.000-05:00

I am putting together the order for Sub Division in Long Island City. I am always surprised at how long it all takes! I looked up at the clock and it is almost 2 PM and I haven't even eaten anything today! Everything is cut and interfaced, now all I have to do is sew. I got my snaps yesterday, so those will go in this batch as well as some key rings. Next I am going to have to figure out how to sew a zipper into the clutches, I may need to get some help on that...

Such Sweet Charity!

2006-07-26T11:01:00.000-05:00

http://www.sweetcharitynyc.com/localartists.html

Jennifer from Sweet Charity in Park Slope added this sweet blurb to her website, so nice of her! I think she will be posting pics of my bags soon as well. Props to her shop which is beautiful and colorful and filled with delicious eye candy...

Cleaning Frenzy

2006-07-25T15:22:00.000-05:00

I finally have a day to pull my act together and CLEAN my apt. It is smelling mighty good! I collect and LOVE vintage sheets and afghans - as you can see! Seeing this photo makes me realize that I have to get something to hang over the bed - it is so barren! On the bedstand is an antique Charlie Tuna lamp that I have had since college - I love that damn thing. On the left hanging on the closet doorknob are my beautiful antique beaded purses that are so incredible - I think I am going to use the white one in my wedding - it belonged to my grandmother's cousin who died a couple years ago.

To Coin A Phrase...

2006-07-24T22:14:00.000-05:00

WELL... I am finally finished with my first order. These are coin purses. UGH. It always takes much longer than I think it's going to. Ironing, putting on interfacing, ironing on the labels, ironing, sewing in the zipper, sewing, ironing. I am proud of the finished products though, they look good! Tomorrow I take them to Sweet Charity and she will hang them in her deliciously colorful store.

Just Tilin' Around

2006-07-24T08:29:00.000-05:00

These are the final projects that my lovely crafty ladies finished yesterday! Once a month I hold a craft salon at Freebird Books, yesterday was the grouting part of the mosaic workshop. Look what a wonderful job the gals did! I am SO proud! Also, the Doctor videotaped the whole thing 'cause DIY is asking for video submissions for one of their shows. Pick Me! Pick Me!

Clams on the Halfshell, and Rollerskates, Rollerskates!

2006-07-23T22:23:00.000-05:00

This was my first Gotham City Roller Derby Bout. It was SO great, except for the heat! WOW those Queens ladies were firecrackers, even though of course I was rooting for Brooklyn. Some of my favorite names were "Leggs Luthor", "Beyonslay", and "Raggedy Animal". I thought of a couple of good ones too - "Betty Rumble" and "Grumblestiltskin". Check out my favorite Cheerleader in the photo with the red bandana - she may have been my favorite part of the night!

Mei Dick

2006-07-23T10:13:00.000-05:00

This is one of the Doctor's favorite NY facades, I cannot take any credit for this but it is one of the things that made me fall in love with him a long three + years ago. This is my homage to Dr. Donald Brief.

You Shall Be Caused With Bad Fortune!

2006-07-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

L to R: Teabag Variety Hour - - - !!???, Baby Turtle Baby Turtle Baby Turtle (am I the only one who thinks this is MEAN?), The best sign ever, Assorted demonic toys, and the best dern Shanghai dumplins in NYC!

I'm Just a Shell of a Woman

2006-07-22T13:11:00.000-05:00

Finished with the six bag shells - now I just have to do the linings and voila! They are done. Notice how well the bags coordinate with my kicks - I especially heart my Crocs and my Pink n Green Adidas.

Tonite the Doctor and I are going to see the Gotham Girls Roller Derby - check out some of their names, it is hilarious!!

We are going with Joanne of Sugar and Spice Glass Company and her beau Eric. First we are going out to eat in Chinatown, one of my favorite digs called Sweet n Tart. A strange name for Chinese Food I know but the food is mmmmmmm mmmmmm good! They have AMAZING Shanghai dumplings.

Lick It Up

2006-07-22T10:12:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my friend Stephanie came over with her adorable little chubster and her Chihuahua Max. Papi decided he wanted to eat the baby, so he licked and licked but never got down to the bone!!!

All The Pretty Fabrics

2006-07-21T10:54:00.000-05:00

I am about to start sewing the bags for Sweet Charity - I love this assortment. Next I have to cut all the linings, then iron on all the interfacing. I have gotten a really great response to the clutches, so once the snaps get here I will start on a big ole batch o' clutches. First, I will have to figure out how to sew a zipper in, but that's another story. YAY! Thank the lord for Howard Stern online, that's all I can say. I don't know about you, but I cannot get enough Riley Martin.

Ever So Gracefully

2006-07-21T10:49:00.000-05:00

This is one of my favorite facades in NYC. #1. The name of the place #2. The fact that the building looks like a Miami Hotel! Those big yellow blocks are actually tiled, it is really beautiful. I think it is just a big Asian Bodega - but I don't think I have actually ever gone inside. It is located on Ave A & 3rd St, right next to our favorite Sushi restaurant Esashi.

Pounding the Pavement

2006-07-19T13:01:00.000-05:00

This is a grouping of coin purses.

Today was SO exciting. I went to FOUR shops in Brooklyn, and they ALL want to carry my bags! They are all wonderful places with great products. They are:

Treehouse - GREAT new shop in Willy'B! www.treehousebrooklyn.com owned by two LOVELY ladies...Siri and Becky Lee

Sweet Charity - Really sweet shop in Park Slope - she has excellent dishes and pillows and tons of eye candy! www.sweetcharitynyc.com

Subdivision (in Queens) http://subboutique.com/ A really cool looking store on Vernon Blvd. Sells mostly local indie designers - she also makes her own stuff and they have an art gallery as well! Very cool!

Red Lipstick - amazing shop on Vanderbilt Ave. She is a craftista herself AND has a Chihuahua to boot! You should see her knit bikini tops! www.redlipstick.net

Everyone was so nice and enthusiastic about the bags. I will be smiling AT LEAST til I have to go on my next interview for a *real* job. Harrrrumph.

I have ordered some magnetic snaps and keyrings so I will be updating the bags soon!
ALSO, today I realized that I can do the links if I naviagate Blogger through Firefox instead of Safari - I really am excited about that. I was so stifled before! I can actually BOLD now!

Shrooms man, SHROOMS!

2006-07-18T21:36:00.000-05:00

Just finished my shroomy clutch - I am so excited, it is ALMOST perfect, I forgot to add the Papi's Mami label and I neglected to sew the strap in until late in the game, but I still think it looks fine! I used velcro as the closure since I am having a hard time finding those magnetic snaps - they are super expensive too - I may end up just using regular ole snaps - not sure yet. My next venture down the road I think is going to be diaper bags - we shall see. Tomorrow is exciting, I am going to meet with one of the shops who wants to carry ze bags! It is called Sweet Charity on 7th Ave in the Slope. www.sweetcharitynyc.com. Check it...

They Call Him Flipper

2006-07-18T07:53:00.000-05:00

On Sunday we went to LI to the Doctor's aunt and uncles place. I call their pool The Grotto, since it has stone waterfalls. What you see here is Papi swimming for the 2nd time in his short life. The first time was by accident. He did not really protest, but he seemed kind of sad. The doctor was a great swim instructor. The funniest was when we would hold him up out of the water, his little legs were still automatically flipping - please note the doctor's mad farmer's tan.

She Cleans Up Well

2006-07-16T07:46:00.000-05:00

Ahhhhhhhh, just look at those glorious fabrics. They were in quite a state so I had to refold and organize. Henny Penny likes to lay all over them OF COURSE, but he seems to favor the fusible interfacing to any of the more psychedelic patterns.

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you...

2006-07-15T20:41:00.000-05:00

This is the lil clutch that happened after I tried to make the one from Lucy's Bag Book, but the directions were NOT clear so I was tres frustrated with that. Then I found the pattern for this one online, and it was VERY helpful and the directions were incredibly clear! This one could use a snap and a wrist band - but it is very cute and fits in your hand really nicely. I am just relieved that now I know how to do it. I wonder where I can get those magnetic snaps cheap? I just bid on some but there must be a good resource for these...

Lucy's Bag Book

2006-07-15T10:16:00.000-05:00

This book is where I have gotten quite a few patterns. I think I got it on Ebay after doing a search for 70s bag patterns. I love that font! The book is amazing, and every time I look at that sad little dog wearing the big ole saddle bags, I feel twinges of both sadness and tenderness. I am about to try my hand at the clutch you see pictured - the denim one with the yellow horizontal band.

The Greatest Photos on Earth

2006-07-15T10:06:00.000-05:00

Today I am going to try my hand at making clutches which I have tried in the past with some luck but now I am really going to focus. First, I must share one of my most prized posessions, the photos below. These are indeed of my mother, the color ones are circa 1966. If you saw the photos from my earlier post Art School Shit, you will see that I was trying to emulate the black and white photo. My mother grew up in Belleville NJ, and from what I gather there was a photographer there who had all of these wacky backdrops in his studio. What I wouldn't give to get my hands on some of those!

She Shoots, She SCORES!!!

2006-07-15T08:37:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I called/emailed about 15 Brooklyn shops - and I have already heard back from two who want to carry my bags!!!!!!!!!! It is really exciting because the shops are AMAZING. My chest is VERY puffed out right now.

I just keep digging through photos, I highly recommend doing it once in a while. Since we are having our HUGE camp reunion in September, I am trying to dig out all of my old camp photos. I found these two last night:

This one is from 10 years ago at least, when my hairdresser in Philly at the time wanted to use me in her portfolio - I was a hair model!!

This one is from my senior prom. It was 1986, and I was wearing a vintage black and pink taffeta dress from the 50s. My date was my boyfriend, Ian, can you believe how amazing his hair was? I wish I could find him, I have been searching for a couple of years now, I have no idea where he is. This was just the start of a LONG, drug filled evening. Good Lord.

TEN TOTES!

2006-07-13T15:41:00.000-05:00

TEN TOTES!!!!! This one is called Queen Anne. There is no more of this fabric left, and it is so great, it reminds me of those photos that you do when you're a kid, where you lay the ferns down on the photo paper and let the sun expose it - you know the ones. Well, this leads me to the next stage - the daunting task of 'getting myself out there' - I need a spiel and a set of balls. I feel silly walking around with all of my goods, trying to convince people they should carry them - even though I have had good responses in the past. People just don't want to be bothered - and they usually blow you off because people bother them all the time... I guess if I owned a shop I might be that way too, but I like to think I would be a little more understanding :o)

Heidi Litchman

2006-07-12T17:58:00.000-05:00

More old photos. How adorable is this? Look at this friggin outfit! The gorgeous paisley skirt, the TIE up swiss dot top, the LACE-UP and the frilly sleeves and collar are just too much to bear really. We won't even go into the knee socks and red patent leather shoes - What upsets me the most is that hairdo! What is that? My mother was constantly trying to fight the curls out of my hair, I guess that's what everyone did in the 70s.

9 Down, 1 to go...

2006-07-12T17:45:00.000-05:00

I can't think of a name for this one, but it reminds me of India, and also Lotus flowers. The fabric is really heavy and the print is kind of faded - it is kind of like a denim or a heavy chambray - with a heavy weave of white throughout which makes the fabric look very washed out - I am not sure what this type of fabric is called. ONE MORE TO GO - I am thinking I must do it tonight! I have to say, Howard Stern being broadcast over the internet is SO genius.

Tennis, Anyone???

2006-07-12T10:14:00.000-05:00

Bag #8 - this fabric is so cool, it reminds me of crossed tennis racquets, although they are really clovers or something - it is an allover embroidery pattern - and the inside is yet another lovely Hollie Hobbie print that I love. I am having the world's largest love affair with This American Life - I hope the Doctor doesn't get upset - this morning I listened to the summer camp episode - how apropos of my own life! Today I have to go into the 'real world' and meet with the 1000th headhunter I have met with, in the hot summer humidity I must pound the NYC pavement to try and enter the working world of cubicles, bosses, paychecks, and late late hours once again...

Marigold Madness

2006-07-11T13:01:00.000-05:00

I have never used this fabric before, I am trying to pull out all of the fabrics I have never used or really looked at - they all look SO different when you cut and sew them. It's really great, and it's got this really cool weave to it. I love the colors too - that's usually how I can tell a vintage fabric - the colors and the quality. They really do not make things the way they used to. Seven down, 3 to go! I have now taken to downloading This American Life and I am completely obsessed. I am currently listening to the Julia Sweeney episode, and I CANNOT tear myself out of the studio. I guess that's good since I get a LOT more work done that way!

What's Cooking?

2006-07-10T13:39:00.000-05:00

Well, my get up and go is really in a state right now. I did manage to squeeze out another tote (I have six out of ten ready to go now for the purpose of shopping myself around) and I just could not resist this fabric. It is so out of control, I know. I am especially enamoured of that cat... It's linen and I believe it was made for some Good Housekeeping contest or something, because it does have a Good Housekeeping stamp on the selvege edge... The fabric itself is called "Chef's Special" and it truly is beautiful and marvelous. I also need to say a few things about an album I recently got - The Rolling Stones "Their Satanic Majesties Request" - I somehow missed out on this record when I was younger and now I am so glad to have it - I have been working to it today, and it is very magical. Also as I mentioned the other day, I recently found a CD at my dad's house that is a double CD, Best of This American Life - which I had given to him as a gift for his 70th Birthday. It was still in its wrapper, so I didn't feel bad taking it. It is GOOD. VERY GOOD.

Turtle Power

2006-07-09T09:51:00.000-05:00

A delicious red corduroy with white turtle print - this fabric is really special. I lined this with a fabric type that I refer to as Hollie Hobbie, since there is SO much of this type of stuff from the 70s and it was popular at the time of Little House on the Prairie and Hollie Hobbie, then in the 80s I am reminded of the Gunne Sax dresses that used all of this stuff. Wow - I would be really into a Gunne Sax dress now! ( Could not find a pic - I guess I should look back at my Bat Mitzvah photos )

Something's Fishy

2006-07-09T09:41:00.000-05:00

Last night went to Willy-B with the Doctor and friend Chris C. Had YUMMY Thai-Japanese food at Planet Thailand. I HIGHLY recommend this place! I know a lot of people are against Williamsburg, but I must say that I FULLY embrace and love it there. After all, I am truly a hipster at heart.

Sexy Time Explosion

2006-07-07T22:47:00.000-05:00

I saw this while walking in the village tonight and I cannot WAIT for the Borat movie. The Doctor and I may have to postpone our wedding, I hear it comes out in November... I TOLD you he looks like my dad!!!

Folk Tote

2006-07-07T16:54:00.000-05:00

YAY! It is 5:55 PM and I finished another. I really like this one, it is also a different shape from what I usually do - I am glad I finished it and even took a break to eat lunch and watch 1/2 hour of My Sweet Sixteen! I am in total awe of this CD that I am listening to which is a double CD of the best of This American Life, one of my all time favorite things in the whole wide world. A very cool thing also happened today - someone signed up for my mailing list on my website who I DIDN'T know - ( I THINK )!!! Off to Thai food...

Techno-Flora

2006-07-07T14:09:00.000-05:00

Well, it is 3 PM and I already finished one bag - The Doctor named it. I am really happy with the shape, I made the bottom a bit wider and I am digging it as a beach bag/carry all. The fabric is out of control - I have enough left for another bag at least. Going to the city to meet a friend for Thai food tonight . Should be yummy! I GOTS to get back to the sewing machine. Hopefully, another bag later!!

Flora-delic

2006-07-06T19:34:00.000-05:00

Another kind of productive day. One bag in one day is not great, but it was all I had in me today. I really love this fabric and this is all there is left! I am starting to compile stores in Crooklyn to approach, even though I am not looking forward to the process at all. This morning Stanley Steamer came to clean the sofas and I didn't realize what a big to-do it was going to be! Our living room is in total disarray but it sure smells fresh in there! Then the doctor fixed a two day clog in the bathtub with his manly self. Tonight I made DELICIOUS Gazpacho for dinner, and some yummy parmesan risotto. I wish my Strangers With Candy DVD would hurry up and get here so I had something good to watch on TV!

Borat's Daughter

2006-07-05T21:32:00.000-05:00

When I was showing all of these photos to the Doctor, he pointed out that my Dad in the 70s looks like Borat. At first this was bothersome to me, but I am now embracing it - here we are circa 1971

I love this photo of my mom, my uncle and grandparents. They all look so snazzy, and my mom is so pretty. My uncle looks like a hipster-nerd, and my grandfather looks something like Orville Redenbacher - !?

Tastes Like Chicken

2006-07-05T18:03:00.000-05:00

Papi's all time favorite toy is this FILTHY rubber chicken, he has eaten the asshole out of it (delicious!) where there used to be a noise maker. His game is to bring it over to you and put it on your leg so that you grab the feet so he can growl and fight you for it. He ALWAYS wins.

I Love A Parade

2006-07-04T21:41:00.000-05:00

Doctor and I went to NJ for a family filled fourth - first the parade in Montclair which was a little disappointing this year, but still had the BBQ at my mom's which is always an interesting cast of characters. Then went to dad's for MORE food and fun! Now I am sure the kids setting off the firecrackers right outside the house will keep us up all night as Papi is going crazy! Anyway, more great photos that were dug out of storage:

AMAZING PHOTO of my great grandparents Kittie and Herman, probably in Atlantic City or Coney Island, I have NO idea what year! It's my maternal Grandmother's parents - just look at Kittie's bathing suit! And those shoes!

OK, What the hell is this? It's me, looking like an inflate-a-baby! I can't believe how much I look like a big beach ball in a dress with arms and legs! The photo is circa 1968 - Good Lord!

Art School Shit

2006-07-03T21:07:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we went down into our storage unit and I hauled my old trunk upstairs that is full of my life in photos - man, what a trip it has been going through these! These photos are circa 1988, we would always dress up in vintage clothes and my friend took the pics - there were also a group of nude photos of myself that I used for a project - I look DAMN GOOD in them too! I am so shocked at how different I look, I was about 20 I guess, and at the time I HATED my body! I ended up using these photos in a silkscreen, I was a printmaking major at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia at the time - - - more old pics DEFINITELY to come!

July Fourth July Schmourth

2006-07-02T18:09:00.000-05:00

This is one of my all time favorite photos - I wish I could remember where I got it! I find it very Mr. Rogers-esque, or something. I LOVE pictures of old food, especially from the 50s - 70s. It is grotesquely beautiful - all of those insane jello molds and hot dog casseroles! You can see more for yourself at sites like this: http://www.lileks.com/institute/gallery/ Pretty slow and mellow July 4th weekend. Last night visited with the Doctor's friends in Shaolin, today tried to figure out what life is all about, took the Paps for a good walk, now we are deciding where to go to dinner - Chinatown? Queens for Greek? TBD.

JULY 4th Weekend - FRIDAY

2006-07-01T16:03:00.000-05:00

Last night the Doctor and I went to see TV on the Radio at the Prospect Park Bandshell - all summer long they have free concerts, you can bring a picnic, a blanket, and chill on the grass while listening to some good old fashioned rock and roll. A bunch of friends met up with us and the weather was glorious! Afterwards we went out for Thai food - a lovely summer's eve!! I really love the band but was a bit disappointed with the live show :o( I especially love the guy with the crazy hair - and the cutest part of the night was when in between the middle of totally rocking out, he brought his little daughter up on stage to give her a hug. Today was a bust, did a little shopping and toenail painting, otherwise just dazed out to weekend VH1, MTV (Made!), and UNWRAPPED on the Food Network. Tonight we party in Staten Island - - - WOO HOO! More EXCITING Independence Day Weekend Shenanigans to come...

A Semi-Productive Day

2006-06-30T15:23:00.000-05:00

So, even though it is the Friday before July 4th and the world seems DEAD outside, I have made the first beach bag of my new series. I LOVE this fabric, it is so 70s and the colors are so crazy - when I bought it I didn't even like it! I have really noticed that the whole botanic thing is really a big deal at the moment. I decided to use a heavier interfacing in the bags which has made a big difference. I am making TEN bags, and my next step is to GET OUT THERE and go to stores to see if they want to carry them. That is the hardest part, I will start with Brooklyn.