"I Need Pets Like You Need Art"

I have had the pets discussion on lock down for a while now. Whenever my beloved brought up pets, I would reply with, “I cannot fathom taking care of one more living creature!” There is a lot involved in caring for a special needs child, let alone two. I can't even care very well for a plant these days, lol. 

However, today I heard him.  I listened and really heard my husband loud and clear. He continued to tell me how he grew up with pets, how much caring for God's creatures helped him to be a better person, to learn about himself, how wonderful it will be for the kids to care of another living creature, etc. This all helped me to understand. 

But really, what really got me to listen was the above quote. Whenever you tell me you need something like I need art, well, I’m all ears. He finally spoke my language! 

He and my older son came home with a pet today... a snake! I'm fine with it. It's in it's own tank and I don't have to do a thing to care for it. 

Since the purchase, some have questioned why I would rather say yes to a snake, a pet that requires live mice feedings once a week, rather than a cute, cuddly dog?" Good question. My answer? A snake won't jump on top of me and lick me, I already have one of those and it's not a dog. I also don't have to walk the snake or feed it, I made sure my husband and son agreed to that term. So having the snake works for all of us. Perfect compromise...and I got my husband off my back for at least a month until he starts asking for another pet.   

T-Shirt Refashion: Regular "El Bar Rio" T-Shirt to Bat-Wing Draped Pocket Top

My latest t-shirt refashion!

The "El Bar Rio" (El Barrio) t-shirt started out like this. It is designed by Luis Cordero, Founder of PRIDA. Cordero is a graphic artist and photographer, among other things. He also designs, produces, and sells his own line of t-shirts with Native American Taíno and other Puerto Rican cultural icons. You can purchase his tees here. 

PRIDA stands for Puerto Rican Institute for the Development of the Arts, a Project of Comité Noviembre. Their mission is to promote and provide support for the Puerto Rican artist and the arts. I happen to be a proud member. You can find out more about PRIDA here. 

Okay, now back to how I redesigned the tee. The first thing I did was to separate the front from the back, sleeves and all.  

 Next, I separated the graphic and cut it into this shape. This is all that I used of the t-shirt itself. 

I had this long black 2X dress which I used for fabric.

I used the fabric from the dress for the sides, back, and pockets  of the new top. There are no side seams, just one single seam in the back middle.  

 I then added the pockets on the sides and professionally hemmed the neckline, bottom, and sleeve openings with my handy dandy hem machine (did I just say handy dandy? lol)

 And here it is. The neck line is wide enough that I could also use it as an off the shoulder top. 

I really love it and so glad I decided to add pockets.

 Here's a side view

I love these tunic-like tops and the "El Bar Rio" (El Barrio) graphic really pops. What do you think? Would you have done anything differently? As always, I appreciate feedback and respond to all comments. 

Have a great day! 

Enjoy Captivity

Since it's my 7th year as a creative entrepreneur, I have been thinking a lot about this life. I am an entrepreneur, an artisan/artist, and I am a special-needs mom. These are all lonely ventures and sometimes, being the social person that I am,  this can be quite hard to deal with. 

Lately, however, I feel that God has been asking me to give in to the lonely, to "enjoy the captivity" as Austin Kleon says. There are things that you can only do if you have long blocks of solitary time. 

The other day, I got a call from Dan's school that he was throwing up and needed to be picked up. He's much better now, but, I'm not going to lie, it totally messed up my day! I was supposed to have breakfast with a friend, sew a couple of refashions, take some pictures, possibly work on a new collection... things I can only do when Dan's not around. I had to redirect. When he's sick and clingy, the only thing that brings him comfort is to sit with me on the couch or computer chair, so that is what we did. This is not self-imposed captivity, it is very much imposed upon me, I would not choose it for myself. However, if Dan had not been sick, I would not have worked on this here index card project that has been in my head for a while. I'll tell you more about it soon. 

index card project that has been in my head for a while. I'll tell you more about it soon. 

So there you have it, sometimes you have to give in and "enjoy the captivity."

Nelesc Designs Seventh Aniversary Equals Free Shipping!

Last Thursday was the 7 year anniversary of Nelesc Designs! I opened my Etsy shop on that fine and fateful day of May 28, 2008. I remember it like it was yesterday. 

So celebrate with me and get free shipping on all domestic orders from the shop until June 13 ! 

Here are some of the items I still have available. 

Feminist T-shirts at www.nelesc.etsy.com

I also have some "Pelo Bueno" shirts and cuffs. I am already receiving orders so check the shop to make sure I have your size in stock. 

Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement!

Wardrobe Refashion: Brown Dress to Kimono Wrap Top

Hi Folks! So here's another refashion; big brown dress + coral infinity scarf = kimono wrap tunic. 

 All photos were taken by my older son. 

I bought this dress at a thrift shop and knew right away it was too big and would redesign it. I was actually hoping the reconstruction would translate into another dress but I didn't have enough fabric. 

I also had this coral infinity scarf which, by itself, was fine but I decided to use it to break up the brown color and add interest to the dress. It was also long and wide enough that I could fold over the neckline and not work to hard to create clean edges. It didn't work as good as I thought it would, though. 

All in all, I liked the way it came out. The only thing I would change would be to line, or double the fabric, on the ties. The edges are not finished and this presents a problem if I don't tuck them in on the torso portion where the ties fold over.  

Front and back 

Okay, I'll take off the glasses! 

Here I am in my best cat walk face, lol. 

I actually wore it to a friend's house yesterday.  

Que piensas? What do you think? 

Men's Shirt Refashion

Here's my latest refashion! The challenge? How to refashion hubby's shirt into something cute, wearable for work and play. 

BEFORE AND AFTER

I endeavored to make the original shirt even more un- appealing with my glasses, hunched-over stance, top bun, and crazy smirk. Did it work? 

This time I did not draft the pattern but got a little help from this baby, McCall's 6605. I have had this one in my stash for a while and I thought it would be great for this project. 

I had enough shirt material to possibly use for the entire project but since I love color blocking, I added this black cotton for the effect. 

A couple of more points to share: The material for the tie portion was taken from the sleeves and I simple transferred the buttons from the original shirt onto this shirt. Also, it's important to note that the sizing for the pattern was a little off. I cut the pattern at the smallest size and still had to take the final version in at the side seams immensely to look like this. I also cut a lot off from the sleeves. It's a already a loose-fitting shirt, I needed next to no sleeves so it didn't overpower me. 

I love the results! I can wear it to work with dressier pants or dress it down with jeans, as seen here. Hubby has since donated a couple more so I'll be figuring out what to do with them in the coming weeks. 

 By the way, all photos were taken by my older son :)

Autism Awareness Day and the NYC Craft Entrepreneurship Program

April 2, almost three weeks ago, marked Autism Awareness Day. The official color for this day is blue so my sons and husband were all sporting azul on their way to school and work. I was still in my PJs (they were not blue) since I didn't have anywhere to be until later that evening. 

That evening, I would be attending the graduation ceremony for the first group of students I taught from the  NYC Craft Entrepreneurship Program. I didn't know what I was going to wear to the event, "should I wear blue?" I thought. I didn't have any blue clothes. It's not my favorite color and I don't really buy or make anything blue. This event was not autism related, I didn't have to dress the part but, with two on the spectrum, autism is a HUGE part of my life. I wanted to stand in unison with my community, even if quietly, to myself.  I decided to take a second look in my closet. As I was rummaging through my clothes, I spotted a blue and white dress my husband gave me (like I said, I would not have bought it myself.) It was perfect.

When I got to the graduation venue, I began to greet my students when one of them, Daysi, commented, "oh, you're wearing blue for Autism Awareness day right?" I am glad she acknowledged it. I had forgotten that I always mention this at the beginning of each of my classes. It is, in fact, the reason I decided to open my  Etsy shop. Now there were two people who knew why I was wearing blue. I blurted out a resounding YES! and we went on with our celebration. 

Dan would definitely be the one in orange, invading M's space

Some of the students gave me gifts, their own hand made creations that they sell. This, I was not expecting. It was so generous of them! One such gift were these beautiful handmade dolls from Mio Mucaro. I opened the package, on the train, on my way home. Two super hero dolls, both boys. I am sure they were to represent my two sons, both on the spectrum, both my heroes. Perhaps now three people knew why I was wearing blue. 

Right there on the D train, I cried silently. On this Autism Awareness day, while I thought I was quietly celebrating it by myself, there were people all around me who were kindly, sweetly,  acknowledging it. Erika Nazario, owner of Mio Mucaro, is a beautiful quiet soul herself but her gesture, and her dolls,  spoke volumes, loud and clear. 

As I share my story, my community continues to expand, way beyond those affected by autism and I am grateful.  

My beautiful and talented students who graduated from the NYC Craft Entrepreneurship Program. From left: Daysi Fernandez, Carla Giannina, Erika Nazario, me , and Lilian Fernandez

Want to know more about my students and view their work? 

The beautiful, whimsical dolls made by Erika from Mio Mucaro can be found by clicking on her Etsy shop,  here. 

Carla from Hatmade makes exquisite, non-traditional bridal accessories and fine headpieces. For her Etsy shop, click here, 

Daysi from Daysi Collection creates head-turning fashion, some inspired by African prints. Click here for her FB page. 

Lilian from GYLKEY Collection makes gorgeous crochet garments and accessories. I own one of her beautiful infinity scarves and will blog about it separately. Click here for her FB page.