minnesota pre-spring

minnesota winters are a bit of an unusual event...we almost always have snow on the ground in march, when many states are welcoming spring tulips and gentle rain. as an occasional store owner, i am torn between creating minnesota appropriate displays or following seasonal trends. march is a challenge. so my compromise is felted wool sweater flowers. using scraps from sweater mittens created by my very talented friend and neighbor, kris, i have designed a garden of repurposed sweater and fabric flowers!!! come check out the full effect during the occasional event at dancing goat studio this coming march 8, 9, 10!!!

february occasional sale - red hot!!!!

i LOVE romance. i love poetry and love songs, hearts and flowers, candy and cupids, and i absolutely LOVE valentines day!! everything from the shape of hearts and the color red inspire me, and so without a doubt, february occasional at dancing goat is RED HOT!

a fire-engine red, vintage bike hangs from the ceiling at the dancing goat this month. setting the stage for valentines day and hinting at a season of warmer weather, knocking on our igloo doors.

re-purposed fabric is in the spotlight again this month with thrift store clothing that have been re-designed into fabulous re-versable pillows in a variety of colors and textures; such as boiled wool, cable-knit sweater and leather.

book-page heart garland offer a sweet and simple "green" decorating idea alternative and crochet heart ornaments are available for multi-use valentine kistch.

nothing says "be mine" like white chenille letter heart pillows and scrabble tile magnets, which literally spell out your sentiments on a favorite chair or a metal tray chalkboard.

artful heartful valentine giftables are ready for february 14th giving. red velvet cuff bracelets have antique lace detail and romance novel book text quotes to heat up the mood. fabulous jewelry re-mix is all glitz and glamour with rhinestones, hearts, keys and steampunk style aplenty.

and as always, altered book purses are ready made and available for special order, to accessorise your favorite little black dress or gift to someone special. so have a "red hot" february with cheeky style found at dancing goat studio.

quirky pillows with pizazz

a winter wonderland and some colder weather has finally settled in over minnesota. mornings have found me admiring the hoar-frost on my backyard trees and has triggered an instict to sew. any other time of the year, sewing seems a bit of a waste of time. projects are only completed as a means to an end. but for some reason, winter allows me the luxury of being able to sew, simply for the sake of sewing.

earlier this winter i had the great pleasure of discovering a new clothing-only thrift store in downtown new london. sponsored by an area church, the store has lovely volunteer staff and piles of colorful clothing ready to be up-cycled into something fabulous.

earlier thrift store projects included; sweater pillows, sweater votives and sweater covered lamp shades. i later discovered some gorgeous wool and leather jackets begging to be purchased and re-purposed. the red pillows pictured above are created using an old wool blazer and is embellished with mismatch fabric covered buttons. the pillows also feature jacket pockets still in tact. the other photo allows a sneak peek at projects in process and a view of my messy fabric stash. sooooo many possibilities.

this post is a reminder to myself and my readers, to slow down this winter. allow yourself the luxury of creativity. open your mind to the creative use of new/old materials.

and remember always, to re-use, re-purpose and re-cycle.

"baby it's cold outside"

almost on cue, minnesota's weather changed from an un-seasonably warm 50 degree tuesday to a "something below zero" wind chill wednesday, just in time for
the january sale at dancing goat.

AND baby it IS cold outside.

dancing goat is rockin the winter blues and snowy whites, with painted furniture and lamps. eco-chic accessories warm up the cool mood, with up-cycled sweater decorating accents.

you will find sweater vases, sweater pillows, sweater lamp-shades and sweater scarves, in shades of beige, aqua and cobalt blue.

skates, ski's and sleds add a touch of winter fun to the decorating landscape, while sweet heart pillows, created from a well worn chenille bedspread, leave spelled-out sentimments around the studio.

as always, the jewelry re-mix display is overflowing with glamorous baubles to dress up your winter day and the book purse selection is well stocked for that special gift buying or splurging opportunity.

foxy crafting with emily

spent a wonderful evening crafting with daughter emily. i went to bed at 10:30, but she stayed up until after midnight (to finish a second fox) i think she may have just caught the crafting bug. this week i carried home a a stack of new (old) thrift store clothing to de-construct and re-cycle into something new and FUN!! and so the journey begins...

december occasional sale

more sneak peeks for december occasional sale. open december 8,9,10 from 10am-5pm.

all that glitters for the holidays

dancing goat studio is putting on the glitz for the season filled with christmas and new years parties. silver and gold, cream and white and a glimmering array of brights and lights, all with a hint of whimsy, fill the shelves and corners of the studio this week. open for december occasional sale thursday, friday and saturday december 8-10 from 10am-5pm.