American Artisan Festival - Nashville, TN

I'm thrilled to announce that I got into the American Artisan Festival in Nashville, TN this Father's Day weekend, June 15-17. I'll be at the Threads of Change tent, where you can see all of the latest bags, laptop cases, accessories, home decor items, belts and skirts (yes, skirts!) that I've been working on all year.  If you happen to be in Nashville, please stop by any one of those days, and tell your friends!

See more maxi skirts like this one, at the American Artisan Festival, June 15-17

Cell phone cases

Yesterday I had a booth at the Ventura Street Fair, and the biggest seller by far was the cell phone case. These cell phone cases were designed for the iPhone, but they fit most current devices, like the Blackberry and other smart phones. The exterior is made of African wax print, and the interior is a padded suede moleskin fabric. You can buy them here, for $15.

Using a Kimono in a Bathroom Remodel

A new client found me (thanks to this blog)! She commissioned me to make a custom kimono for a bathroom she was remodeling for a client. It was to be hung on a bamboo pole and suspended above the tub area. This was my first foray into the world of kimonos, and she found a pattern from the 1970's for me to use.

See the "before" and "after" photos below.

BEFORE

AFTER

Pretty dramatic difference! The green and white fabric I used (a print with little birds on tree branches) blended in beautifully with the green tones she utilized on the drawers and on the ceiling. I love how the room looks so much larger, and the kimono really works...

Only after I was finished with this project did I realize that my new client is the amazing Susan Lane Wertheimer, who once owned an enormous bridal sewing business in Toluca Lake and clothed many celebrities. (Glad I didn't realize that until later!) The icing on the cake is that I made a fabulous new friend!

The new website is up!

Thanks to the tireless work of Rhion Magee and Marina Perrone, the new Threads of Change website has landed. And it's beautiful! Check it out:

http://www.threadsofchange.org/

Don't forget to place your Christmas orders soon...!

iPad Sleeve to featured by Rachel Bilson in "In Style" Magazine!

Rachel Bilson loves our iPad sleeve!  Check out the candid (paparazzi) photos of her last week, while she was out and about in Beverly Hills.  That's my protoype she's carrying........
Rachel is a contributor to "In Style" magazine and she's going to feature it in the January edition!!  The iPad sleeve can be ordered now on our online Etsy shop for $55...Click here:  Threads of Change on Etsy

This iPad sleeve was designed by Rhion Magee and Laura Pursell (yours truly) for the Threads of Change Ghana project.  How exciting!

Awning for a Garden Swing

Just in time for the end of summer...! Last week, I sewed this custom burgundy awning for my sister's outdoor swing. Her old awning was ripped and weather-beaten, and she wanted a new one to match the new cushions. This waterproof outdoor woven fabric was purchased at Joann Fabrics (with a 40%-off coupon, of course). I finished all the outer edges with a 4-thread satin stitch on the serger, using matching burgundy thread. Inner corner pockets hold the awning to the metal frame.

I have to give credit to my brother-in-law, however, who did a fantastic job of measuring and cutting! I'll have to recruit him for my next project....

"Threads of Change" - new Etsy store

All the bags, purses, belts and other products I've made for Project Okurase (out of African fabrics) are now on ETSY, an interntational online shop dedicated to handmade items.  We have named the shop "Threads of Change".  Check it out and mark your favorite item!