DIY Cork Board

     Today I thought I would do a quick DIY for the home post in lieu of a style post. If you're a drinker of wine,  don't throw out all those corks, make a cork board instead! I used mine to display my postcard collection (it's also the background to my blog).  I must admit, I did not drink all this wine by myself! When I was planning to make this I got my friends and family to keep their corks, and it also helped that I worked at a restaurant, where they kept a bucket to save corks for me. It's nice to know I deterred all these corks from ending up in a landfill!
     Materials needed: corks, glue sticks, hot glue gun, and wood or cardboard for the backing. Adding a frame is a nice touch as well!

Cheers!
xo, The Rag Trade

Handy Dandy (DIY)

Really I don't dislike to cook, but what you cook is eaten so quickly. When you sew, you have something that will last to show for your efforts. 
    Elizabeth Travis Johnson 

^ My bf's too small shirt before my snipping and sewing. 

^ Ribbon that will act as waistband (I used an elastic on the black skirt, 

but since they button up there is no need for a stretchy waistband).

^ Material for skirt; this is the length I need,

 which is conveniently under the pocket. 

^ And the finished product! I'm not the best with my sewing, but for myself, it does finely.

 It is not fully evident but the skirts have tiny pleats. 

     When I began this blog I wanted DIY projects and thrifted items to be the focal point, for both are extremely helpful in reducing our landfills- something I feel rather strongly about. I went through a crazy sewing mood before November and I haven't touched a needle and thread since, but recently I started to get an itch to create something new. When my bf purged his closet and had a handful of too small shirts I jumped on the opportunity to use the free material!
    I must say I was partly inspired by women during the thirties who recreated their 1920's style dresses when buying fabric was not an option. 

    I did these by hand, I do have a sewing machine but I find I'm a multi-tasker. When I watch tv I have to be doing something else, sewing, reading, etc. So I did these while watching Breakfast at Tiffany's. 

    I still have a few more to work on, and I'm quite excited to take photos donning one of my creations. 

Until next time!

xo, The Rag Trade 

Cerise and Coal

Full beautiful- a faery's child
Her hair was long, her foot was light,
And her eyes were wild.
    John Keats 

Outfit: Skirt (Thrifted), Cardigan (Thrifted), Scarf (Gift),

 Boots (Vintage), Coat (Thrifted), Gloves (Roots)

  

  Today was another delightfully warm winter day! You'll be seeing me in a lot of black and gray in the coming weeks; I tend to go overboard in bleak colours before spring and summer. Black happens to be my favourite colour to wear; not only do I find it pairs with blonde hair perfectly, since it goes with all colours any black clothing item makes for a good member in your closet. 

Until next time!

xo, The Rag Trade