What Will You Create Today

Two years ago, I took a year long break from my sewing machine. I was over it. That year long break turned into two years and it might well have turned into three years, if it hadn't been for Julie. Julie asked me to be her partner for a competition promoting Ottawa Street here in Hamilton and I said yes. Yes because Julie is my home(town) girl and because it was time for the sewing machine and I to reconcile.
Julie and I were given $200 to spend on Ottawa Street and we were told to use our purchases in a creative way to demonstrate the possibilities of Ottawa Street. Ottawa Street wanted to know What Will You Create Today or, in twitter friendly terms, #wwyct... Julie and I went the fashion route for this competition, because we're full of surprises like that.
It all started with a couple yards of white cotton from one of the many fabric stores along the street. Which turned into a circle skirt. Which turned into two nights of hand painting dye along the hem of the skirt (circle skirt = plenty of hem = plenty of patience = glasses of wine). We found a vintage dress at a consignment place which we altered to be a top and added a clutch and a pile of vintage rhinestones from Antique Avenue (incidentally the store I bought one of my favourite dresses from) to complete the look.
I think the outfit we put together is the perfect merge of what the identity of Ottawa Street is today. For years Ottawa street was seen as 'the place to buy fabric', and indeed during the time that I was making many wedding and bridesmaids dresses, I was there often. Recently however, Ottawa Street has also seen a big increase in consignment and antique shops, adding a new dimension to the area.

And here's the part where I humbly ask for your vote.
I always told myself I would never ask for votes from people who were reading my blog...  unless it was for a trip to Europe, or for a car that actually starts in the rain (unlike mine, no big deal....) or to win a date with Tad Hamilton... I am grateful I never made that vow out loud, because the prize for the WWYCT competition is not a reliable automobile but it's pretty cool nonetheless. The winners of WWYCT gets a $1000 donated to the charity of their choice!
It was Julie who suggested our charity of choice be the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Society. I honestly was humbled by her gesture. If you have followed my blog for a while, you might know that my father has Alzheimer's and that the disease has shaped our lives for the last few years.
So we would be thrilled if you could take a moment to vote here. It was a lot of fun for Julie and I to create something together for the WWYCT and it would be pretty. freaking. cool. to have our work win some money for a cause that hits way too close to home.