Making Clothes with Stories: Spring cleaning, when friends and family give me things...

Happy Spring!

I've been swamped with freelance projects for about the last 2 months and have spent too much time away from creating and my sewing machine! As hard as it is to step away from my design work, I look back and see that it was a much needed break. I can sometimes get burned out and put too pressure on myself to turnover new work quickly. The reality is that that is not the kind of items I make. 

 When I'm away from my workspace, I day dream ideas with the fabrics I know I have waiting for me. By the time I actually can get back to it, my mind is overflowing with inspiration and I can't wait to begin. 

It's always about the fabrics for me; finding and collecting unique textiles that inspire me, and breathing new life into them. Here's a little spring preview of some of the materials I'm about to dive into.  
  
***

Friends and family give me old fabrics and discarded clothes when they clean out their closets, and I love it! I often receive materials in the mail. I love that the people in my life take part in the work that I do, making it seem even more sentimental and interactive.



My friend friend Jessica hunts estate sales with her mom in her native Iowa, and they send me lovely little curated boxes of goodies. I love every little piece in the most recent box!
  

She always includes notes. Handwritten notes are the best, I include one with ever order to my customers. A recent favorite from her was this little silk bundle they found at the estate sale of Lois Rayman, a fifties model and actress.  

Picture courtesy of Cedar Memorial

My favorite is this painterly silk fabric 🙌. 

oh the ideas...

When friends clean out their closet and think of me... I love incorporating denim into my work, and these old Levi's from my friend William will find their way into some new spring ErinElsie pieces. 

While visiting my Louisiana hometown, I collect fabrics here and there. Sometimes from family, old neighbors, thrift shopping with my mom. It's often too much to carry back, so my mom sends little care packages and packs the goodies with fabric. USPS flat rate boxes are the best :)

These items below are from my cousin Jamie, perfect for spring.

I've been collecting a lot of beautiful vintage lace, and I want to try and work them into more modern pieces. This lace comes from a neighbor in my hometown. She owned a fabric store and has passed on a lot of beautiful items to me. 

The last care package I received from my parents came complete with a Rouse's king cake - it didn't last long!

These beautiful embroidered bits came a while back from my Aunt Delsie & Uncle Mike, and I've been anxious to incorporate them into some spring summer pieces. 

Finally time to get back to my lonely sewing machine!

Thanks for stopping by. Hoping you all have a lovely weekend and week ahead friends! Live in Color 🤗!

xo,

     Erin

Follow along the journey of ErinElsie and *Textile*Repurposed*Style.* Subscribe by email in the sidebar of my blog or sign up for Bloglovin!

*** CLICK TO VISIT MY ErinElsie SHOP! ***

Other Links:

✰ Website: http://www.erinelsie.com

✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinelsie_official/ 

✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinblank_designer/

✰Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ErinElsie/360147150720430

✰ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinElsie_Inc

Coffee Talk & Clothes with Stories

Coffee Talk & Clothes with Stories

Monday!

Hello friends. A new week ahead of us. I like to start off my week with a little positive reflection. Trying to build a creative business can be hard and this keeps me positive in the challenging times.    

***

The NYC Marathon!

Sunday was the New York Marathon. What a positive way to kick off a new week. Even though we live in this big city, I often am comforted by a collective camaraderie! From that stranger who held the subway door for me, to cheering on the marathon; we celebrate and accept our differences, support the dreamers, and come together at moments like this! Thanks for the good vibes, NYC. Congrats to the accomplished marathoners from all over the world and country- you did it! 

 

***

Clothes with Stories!

ErinElsie is all about clothes with stories. I thoughtfully select and curate unique fabrics and thrifted finds. I love the idea that I am adding to the story of that fabric by turning it into a collectable item that someone will own and cherish. Even better, is when my friends and family contribute by giving me vintage bits and fabrics. It's awesome to get fun packages in the mail that are not bills :)

My Aunt Delsie recently sent me the most thoughtful gift! She made this picture using buttons. She's so creative and crafty! The bonus is the sweet handwritten note.  

This was not the first package my Aunt Delsie and Uncle Mike have sent me and I cherish every little bit. I'm turning this vintage bit, along with some others into collectible pillows. Coming soon!

I turned some vintage blouses they sent me into these bold little summer dresses for my new baby twin nieces. My first effort into little baby clothes-making! 

I also have a box of goodies from one of my dear old friends and creative contributors! She hits flea markets and estate sales with her mom. Although we live far apart now, she'll send me a little curated box of goodies. I always love every item and I can't wait to go through this one. I'll share the details soon!

On that grateful note, have a super week everyone. Thanks Aunt Delsie, Uncle Mike, Jessica, Mom, all the friends who send me things- your inspiration keeps me going!

xo,

     Erin 

Follow along the journey of ErinElsie and *Textile*Repurposed*Style.* Subscribe by email in the sidebar of my blog or sign up for Bloglovin!

Other Links:

✰ Website: http://www.erinelsie.com

✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinelsie_official/ 

✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinblank_designer/

✰ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ErinElsie/360147150720430

✰ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinElsie_Inc

Dangle, Dangle! Hand-stiched earrings...

I hope you all are having a good week! Sometimes over the weekends I need to take a break from my larger sewing projects. When you do it all, the design + construction, it can sometimes drain my creativity. My fingers rarely remain idle though, and this past weekend I stumble onto some tinier projects. 

Earrings! Denim, leather, velvet, silk...beautiful remnants that took on a beautiful transformation! I love a bold earring, but they can often really stretch and strain your earlobes. I love the idea of these fabric earrings; a super bold look, without killing your ears! Plus, I never let really awesome fabric go to waste. 

Shop these and other one of a kind items in the ErinElsie shop!

Have an awesome rest of your week, friends! Stay tuned fore more updates and blog posts. Thanks for taking the time to catch up with me,

xo,

     Erin 

Follow along the journey of ErinElsie and *Textile*Repurposed*Style.* Subscribe by email in the sidebar of my blog or sign up for Bloglovin!

Other Links:

✰ Website: http://www.erinelsie.com

✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinelsie_official/ 

✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinblank_designer/

✰ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ErinElsie/360147150720430

✰ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinElsie_Inc

ErinElsie, Lately....

Happy fall ya'll!

 The ErinElsie blog has sat idle for a couple months, but everything else in my world has certainly not been so. As a busy holiday season approaches, I'm taking a little moment of reflection. Here's what's been going on with ErinElsie and I lately. 

***

I've moved!

I really loved our little studio apartment and felt a little sad when we decided to make the move. But despite the sentiments, we needed this! We were busting at the seams; and for our lives and businesses to grow, we needed more space and storage. After living in a tiny place, this new place feels like a mansion! As crazy as moving is, it can be a great cleansing process. I feel like at this point in our lives, my husband and I don't really have junk. Everything we own is something we need and/or it has value to us - and I love that. Also, we have a gem of an outdoor space now! Yay!      

***

Markets, Markets, Markets!

One of my goals for this year was to really start getting ErinElsie out there, especially in person! Since June I've been in several markets. Meeting customers in person and getting feedback about my work has been super meaningful. Also, meeting so many other artists and entrepreneurs has really motivated me. It's comforting being in an environment of people that understand this hustle! 




***

Orders, Orders, and Reviews!

I get orders from all over the world and I love it. What's even better, is when those customers take the time to write 5 star reviews. I care a lot about the quality and details of the pieces I make. The genuine and positive feedback gives me life!  

***

Family time!

Lastly, this month I headed to my hometown Thibodaux, Louisiana for 10 days. It was a much overdue visit full of fishing, eating, relaxing, and visiting with family over pots of coffee. It's good to check out of your everyday life and get back to your roots sometimes! I love my family, cherish it, and never take it for granted. 

You just can't beat the comforting foods of your homeland. Mom's crab stew, Dad's fried shrimp, our freshly caught fried catfish - you can't get that in New York City!


I also did some thrift shopping and bargain hunting with my mom. It's become a ritual of our visits, and per usual I had some great finds. Some great potential ErinElsie materials, and a few items just for myself :)


***

Alright, all these new ErinElsie items are not going to make themselves- I've got to get back to work! Stay tuned fore more updates and blog posts. I'm going to try and keep this somewhat regular- we'll see. Thanks for taking the time to catch up with me!

xo,

     Erin 

Follow along the journey of ErinElsie and *Textile*Repurposed*Style.* Subscribe by email in the sidebar of my blog or sign up for Bloglovin!

Shop one of a kind items in the ErinElsie shop!

Other Links:

✰ Website: http://www.erinelsie.com

✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinelsie_official/ 

✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinblank_designer/

✰ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ErinElsie/360147150720430

✰ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinElsie_Inc

Clothes with Stories: The Tapestry Scarf- bits of cashmere, pieced together over bits of time...

Greetings! I hope you all are well. I haven't been on this blog for a while, since November actually! Somehow when the holiday season arrives, time flies by. For fall/winter I had made lots of cozy items from super lux recycled sweaters for my ErinElsie shop. I then became, and still am, swamped with a chunk of freelance work and some custom design work. I love custom work, but it does take some special time and attention. I am super excited about one bridal project in particular, but I can't really share it until it's done ;)



I had to freeze work on my next ErinElsie Summer collection during this busy season, but I'm not great at keeping my hands still. Sometimes after a long day, it's therapeutic to be able still work with my hands on a little project of my own. I suppose knitting would be ideal; but until I learn how to knit, little hand sewing projects help to fill this void. I had all these colorful sweater bits lying around and most of them were super soft cashmere. 



I then had this idea to piece them together. I just sewed on it over time, here and there when I really craved some work with my hands. As the scarf started to take shape, I really love what it became. 



Much like the making of a quilt, this scarf became a sort of tapestry of this busy period of time. It kept me sane when I was stressed with freelance work, and gave me a a sense of accomplishment when it was finished! 

Colorful Cashmere Tapestry Scarf

Shop this scarf and other items in my ErinElsie Etsy Shop by clicking here!

Warmer weather ErinElsie pieces coming soon! Please stay tuned and hope you are having a lovely weekend and week ahead!

xo,

     Erin 

Follow along the journey of ErinElsie and *Textile*Repurposed*Style.* Subscribe by email in the sidebar of my blog or sign up for Bloglovin!

Other Links:
✰ Website: http://www.erinelsie.com
✰ ErinElsie Official Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinelsie_official

✰ Erin's Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/erinblank_designer/
✰ ErinElsie Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ErinElsie/360147150720430
✰ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinElsie_Blank