Dressed to a T ...ree!

What signs of spring do you have in your neighborhood?  The grape hyacinths in my Chicagoland garden are still shivering, too cold yet to take on their role as soldiers of spring.  I've always had a few of these little purple guys, but last year I planted 200 bulbs and I'm waiting, waiting waiting for this new army of spring to usher in warmer weather. 

Last week Rita Farro and I met at the Morton Arboretum.  Lucky for us we sat outside on the Visitors Center patio to review new SCHMETZ educational materials and to discuss upcoming SCHMETZ projects. 

Over Rita's shoulder I noticed unexpected color, lots of color.  Oh my, the tree has color spots!

As we got closer we spotted clues that we were in for a special surprise. . . .

A dance of color among the forsythia . . .

Wow!  What a delight!  A dressed tree!  Someone has done some serious branching out with their crocheting!

Who could guess that even a tree could dress up in anticipation of spring? Is this the only tree dressed for the season?  I can hardly wait to find out if more trees will be dressed in Nature Unframed, an upcoming contemporary sculpture exhibit at Morton Arboretum, May 20 - November 27, 2011. http://www.mortonarb.org/

This tree reminds me of one of my favorite blogs - Advanced Style, see the link in the right column.
Be colorful . . . . regardless of the season!

Enjoy spring!

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2011 The Haute Couture Club of Chicago

Hooray For Hollywood was the theme of yesterday's annual Haute Couture Fashion Show and Luncheon featuring unique, finely-crafted garments created and modeled by club members.  The workmanship and originality of garments was remarkable.  Garments were inspired by several silver screen classics including  Out of Africia, Dr. Zhivago, Around The World in 80 Days, Devil Wears Prada.  I'm sew inspired!  Take a glimpse at a few favorite garments:


Katarzyna Grzesik
Red formal tulle dress with ruching and ruffles
Katarzyna won a 2010 Fashion Group International scholarship.



Sheril Hughes'
Ocean blue Thai silk cocktail dress 
The stunning sleeves are removal and convert into a shawl.

Brenda Rogerson wearing a wonderful rectangle skirt designed by
Rhonda Buss wearing a stunning vintage vogue dress. 



Tammy O'Connell of Peacock Patterns
Love the shimmering silver fabric!
Silver hologram panne velvet evening dress

 

Maria Curciarello
Red/beige metallic hand beaded cocktail dress
A lovely rival to the traditional little black dress



One of the joys of this show was seeing "real" women with "real" body - curvy - shapes wearing beautiful, colorful, custom fit garments. They all strutted on the stage, comfortable with themselves and their creative endeavors.  So many of us that sew, quilt or create wearable art are no longer a size 8 or 10.  Take a fitting class or join a sewing guild.  Fashion sewing is fun!  Don't let your dress size keep you from the wonderful world of haute couture. 

I'm sew inspired!  Soon I'll show you a few garments that I'm stitching up...

http://www.hautecoutureclubchicago.com/ .
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