Handmade Gifting

I consider myself a round peg. I like to make things complicated and detailed. Take this blog for instance. I haven't written a descent post in quite some time. Though, here I am about to lay down a massive post loaded with picture and links. Grab a beverage and get comfy.

Where was I? The winding roads I take throughout my crafting process gives life to the final product. It's as if one can feel the life and time that was put into an object. I think handmade is the original way of life, buying only what you can't make yourself. Making something, rather than buying something also gives me a great sense of accomplishment.

For the third year in a row, I have done a handmade Christmas. My family lives far away from me, which means I don't always make it home for the holidays. When I send a box of gifts to them, I want it to really count. I want to them to know that I think about and miss them often. I know they miss me, too. I feel that a little something made from my own two hands, helps us to be a little closer. I also recruited help from other crafters (all hail etsy!) to keep with my handmade theme. I am but one woman. hahaha!


These first round of pictures were crafted by yours truly.

Applique fun

mandala hoodie for the armanos (this is only one of them, some how i missed snappin' a pic of the other. boo.)


wall hanging for the hunter


festive repair job on my miguel's sweatpants


Cowl neck scarves
I chose the color palette and button to go with each lady's style


Soy wax candles
This was the first time Miguel and I ever made our own candles. It was super fun and easy. We scored fun ceramic vessels at the thrift store super cheap. My favorites were in hand thrown mugs.


Handmade Hippie Secret Santa gift I sent
I made this apron with vintage velours and blue scraps for Sarah of May's Playce

Repurposed "Classy Cozie" (pattern courtesy of fiber artist & friend The Peaceful Peacock)

Drink Coasters
I made these with repurposed vintage fabric from a family stool. One went to my mom and the other to my sister. This way they could have drinks together while being far away from each other.



Retro Apron
I made this sweet throw back apron for my future mother in law. It features lots of gathering in the front. I made my own bias trim and added a towel loop.

Dog Jacket
This gift was an impromptu for my buddy's dog who stayed with us over the Christmas holiday. I used repurposed fleece from a torn sweatshirt and vintage buttons along the belly closure. Isn't she precious?


These gifts were created by other etsy artists.

Hand turned wooden orb/marble stands by Wood Art and Steam Punk

Handmade natural and awesome deodorants by BathLife.

Hand printed T-shirt by dndteesandstrings

Hand thrown shave mug set & handmade soap by Soothing Suds

A beautiful hand spun & hand knit scarf by my dear Gypsy Road team leader The Peaceful Peacock

More Gypsy Road goodness
My favorite gift from Miguel was this amazing apron by my fellow Gypsy Road member Holly, of Holly Daze Creations. She does amazing applique work, not to mention her bad ass patchwork skills. You can find her etsy shop here.

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I look forward to the new year. I plan on setting realistic goals for myself. The most exciting thing about this year, is that my main squeeze and I are getting married in the fall. Planning our wedding is going to be the biggest crafting challenge I have ever done. I want lots of DIY and vintage inspired everything. It is a bit overwhelming to think about all of the details, but I have lots of people who want to help me plan it all out perfectly. Wish me luck!

~hugs~

My Summer Musical Adventures--- PaRt OnE

Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to let all my love-ies out there that I am back safe and sound at my homestead for the summer. Ha, I'm home at least for now.....I wish so badly that I could go see more shows. Darn responsibilities! How cumbersome can it get?!

Grab a cup of something tastey and enjoy reading about my travels.

My lil three day run of Phish was so amazing and beautiful. I reconnected with tons of friends and soaked of the cool northerly winds.

Let's talk about Bonnaroo first.

My volunteer experience at Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN was really great. Although checking in took what seemed like ForEvEr and we had to share a car in with our friend because we were not issued a parking pass (it was actually pretty much a nightmare, but I'm tryn' to be postive).

I refused to let those minor glitchs ruin my festival phun. Our volunteer duties consisted of getting cars checked into the grounds. It was as if we were the greeters of the festival. I loved chattin' people up and asking where they were from and what bands they were going to see. One pretty cool thing about volunteering was that we received meal tokens for each shift we works. There were TONS of vegetarian and not food vendors to choose from.

meal token

Our campsite was about a mile from Centeroo, but I didn't care. We were at a cul-de-sac of the campgrounds and had quiet neighbors. I love primitive camping, especially cookin' dinner for all my homies. I could camp all time if I had too. Though in all honesty and truth I need power because it's a necessary componant to sew, serge, iron, and communicate with all my clients.

view from campsite

rockin the Potomac -Nanner fusion

Miguel and I jam packed our schedules so that we were cutting concerts in half to see more music. We seriously danced until our legs were sore.

I was really impressed with the amenities that were becoming permanent sctructures within the festival grounds, especially the wells in Centeroo to refill your water vessels with. We also learned that all food vendors were required to use compostable cups, plate, and cutlery.

wells with faucets all the way around

recycle, compost,landfill

One thing to keep in mind about this festival is that it was scorching HOT. I was reapplying sunscreen like it was my job. They reccommended drinking a gallon of water minimum per person everyday. Though I can say that the heat let up at night so that you could get a good night's rest. I don't know about everyone else, but I need sleep especially after/before a day of groovin'.

Overall, I was stoked to rock out for TwO different nights of Phish while engulfed by even more music.

David Byrne was another amzing experience I had to keep pinching myself through. He is such a genious!! If you ever get the chance to see him live DO IT! Everything from the clothing to lights to dance moves is meticuously planned. It's really a great time.

encore de ballet tutus

I enjoyed Friday Phish alot. A few songs that I particularly enjoyed include The Divided Sky, Stash, Golgi Apparatus, Wading in the Velvet Sea, and let's not forget You Enjoy Myself into Wilson and back to YEM. It was creamy all around.

The weather {At NiGhT} was nice and cool and OpTiMum for gettin' down.

here I am rockin' my rookie hoop skillz.....those mamas behind me were AWESOME!

Saturday was bluegrass-o-rific for us. This is when the most concert boucing occured; all that music is overwhelming and amazing at the same time. Del McCoury was super enjoyable, especially their sweet guest appearances by the ever famous David Grisman and Jon Fishman.

David Grisman, Del McCoury Band, and Jon Fishman

I enjoyed Erika Badu's preformance, but more importantly the late night Nine Inch Nails was so pulsating and invigorating. I had never seen them live before and I realized what I was missing. Hopefully there will be some more U.S. shows in the near furture.

the happy couple kickin' it at the pagoda

Sunday was fun, too. I mean how can there ever be a bad day of a music festival?! It was not nearly as crowded because it was the last day of the events. We relaxed at the Sonic Stage, which entail 45 minute one set concerts. An artist I was excited to discover was Ben Solle, he has a really unique cello style that makes me wanna stitch something up. :P

my friend ashton and i rockin agreenbanana goodness

sunset while hustling back for dinner before phish

Sunday night's Phish show was phun. Bathtub Gin was especially dancy for me. Silent in the Morning rocked my soul while 'Antelope' bounced through my spirit.

It got kinda weird for us though when Burce Springsteen came out for a few songs.....I know that he's Trey's hero, but Bruce doesn't really do it for me. We didn't even go see him (Bruce/a.k.a. The Boss) while were were at the festival. We actually spent a few hours picking up/out recycleables from campsites. They had this grear trading post where you could redeem points collected per bag of recycling. The crowd really enjoyed it, but I took a snack break. :p

Phish finished up with a fun Suzy Greenburg (sometimes I feel way to much like that lil mama) and Tweezer Reprise.

classic and necessary shot

I wasn't too sad that the festival was over because I knew I had alot more miles to travel, friends to see, and Phish concerts to rock to.

I have some good friends volunteering at Rothbury next week who volunteered with us. I am super interested to see how things compare.

All in all I can say that will DEFINETLY volunteer again for any festival.

hugs!

B

meet and greet

Hi everyone! Welcome my little corner of the vast unknown.

My name is Brenna, but I also go by Banana. This nickname was born out of introducing myself to new friends...."I'm Brenna; like Banana." My favorite color is green in all varieties. Hence AgreenBanana being my label of clothing and other unique wares. I am a Taurus in every sense of the word. Outside of sewing whenever I can, I love live music, the great outdoors, minerals, animals, and dancing. I recently got a custom made hula hoop from peacebird . Everyday I get a little bit better at it.......

This blog is dedicated to the creative processes and fun adventures I find while using vintage, upcycled and new fabrics. There is never a textile I can refuse, whether it be a gently used amazingly printed bed sheet, curtains, or old t-shirts. I have always thought that everything and everyone has a chance to start over. :D

My inspiration comes from alot of places. I particularly enjoy fashion from the 1960s and 1970s. I also feel like comfort and adjustable is very important for any garment. I have been sewing since way back when I was 16 years old in Sewing I at my all girl high school in St.Louis, MO. That's where I learned a lot of basic construction and pattern alerations. I have since then been self taught through trial error. I love vintage sewing patterns and love to update them with modern twists. I have been selling my wares for about 4 years consitently over the internet. I take my craft VERY seriously and expect everything I make to last a lifetime.My sewing equipment entails a Singer sewing machine & a Singer four thread serger.

In the future I look forward to creating more unique designs for all body types. I plan to hone my applique skills to bring my doodles to life. Sustainable fibers such a hemp, organic cotton, and soy will all be a part of my path. I also am excited to dable in dyeing fabric. I am a part of the BEST etsy team ever. It's a collective of the sweetest creative anf fly mama's ever. Come and visit all of us at Gypsy Road

Meanwhile....................here are a few of my favorite things

Pablo & Lucia"criss-cross!!"

azurite-malachite
blue and green perfection

"flip"

bright and funky vintage prints

come visit my etsy shop >>>> AgreenBanana <<<<