Clothing made from recycled thrift store finds and work room scraps-you won't believe how amazing this stuff looks!

 Patti Popovich, owner of S and Patti Designs, saw a sweater in a high end catalog one day and thought that instead of paying $300, she would try and make it herself! Seven years and dozens of successful craft fairs later, Patti's "reconstructed textiles" are causing a stir. She has grown her business to include women's clothing, children's clothing, pillows, stuffed toys-her famous one eared dog is a top favorite-hand made button and trims, and a lovely Blue Angel that is meant to sleep with anyone who needs some comfort in life. To really appreciate her work, you have to see it in person, but I will include a few photos here just so you can see how amazing the product is. Her products are made from 99% recycled fabrics that she gets either from the thrift store or from scraps that upholstery workrooms have laying around ready for the dumpster.

The price range of her one of a kind women's sweater are from $69 up to $200, a steal when you consider that they are hand made and each one is unique.

And it gets even better; Patti's long term vision is to use this skill to teach youths at the Conservation Core how to create their own clothing that they can then begin their own businesses with.

You can contact Patti at patti@poppydesignservice.com to find out about her next show.

                              Children's sweater made from recycled sweater and old pajamas from France

                                                            Hand made button detail

                                                        Patti at one of her craft shows

                                                                       Craft show

                                                                    Blue Angel

This year I dared to be the mom who did NOT give out gift bags at my son's birthday party!

Tired of the trend of having to give out gifts at my own child's birthday party, I did the unthinkable....I did not give any out. I even when a step further and asked for no gifts for my son either. He is four so I can still get away with it. We had a bowling party and the kids and parents had so much fun, we all forgot about gifts all together. One parent even thanked me for not doing gift bags so she would not have to bring home more useless junk that will just eventually break and be in a landfill. See if you can break that tradition too-I bet no one will think you are cheap or odd, they will probably be grateful for the "out" themselves!

The Christmas Dilemma

This year my son turns four-in a few days-which means his birthday and Christmas are just two weeks apart. I have been trying to figure out how to keep the volume of gifts down but still make the days special. What I have come up with for his birthday is one gift from me, one from the grandparents and one from the cousins and a party with friends with no presents for his birthday. Christmas is the same plus a stocking. Just wondering if any of you have an idea that seems better? Finding the balance of making the holidays fun and exciting while also teaching your child to appreciate less "stuff" is such a challenge in this commercial economy and culture!