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2012-11-12

What Will You Create Today

Jentine_Julie_WWYCT_FINAL

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.

wwyct7
wwyct2
wwyct1

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.


62 comments :

Melissa said...

That skirt is to die for! I voted!

FutureLint said...

That skirt is insanely beautiful! Excellent work! I love that I didn't have to register or do anything special to vote -just click, so EASY people!

FancyFree said...

This is absolutely beautiful, Jen! I voted for you and hope that you win! :)

Audrey @ Putting Me Together said...

This is amazing, Jentine! I just voted!

Unknown said...

I LOVE THIS!! You are brilliant - the skirt is AMAZING GREAT job ladies! and I voted!!

Le living and co. said...

My vote is in! You both did a wonderful job. The skirt is absolutely beautiful. Good luck :)

Sarah said...

Well done ladies! I voted :)

Melody said...

Voted for ya! So glad you're getting to support a cause that has hit home for you.

sbk said...

You are so creative! And I love the chalkboard background for these shots. I voted! Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

http://twolittlebells.tumblr.com/

Gwen said...

I voted for you! You guys rock! :)

Sue @ A Colourful Canvas said...

More please! I'm thrilled that you have dusted the sewing machine off, and created this magnificent outfit. I love upcycling, and intend to do more of it myself. I voted, and hope you win!

Sue xo

www.acolourfulcanvas.blogspot.com

Sweet Laundry said...

I just voted and noticed you girls are way ahead! Go for it! This skirt is beautiful!!!

amymom24 said...

Excellent work, LOVE the skirt:) Hope you win!!

amanda said...

gorgeous skirt!!!!!! wow. i am all kinds of impressed. and i was VERY happy to vote for you :)

Anonymous said...

Freaking awesome post. Voted!!

Anonymous said...

That skirt is absolutely gorgeous! I could imagine wedding dresses with similar dying - wish I'd had one.

I hope you win!

Bri said...

You're skirt is absolutely beautiful, I knew you had to of made it since it's such a unique piece! Of course the whole outfit is top notch and how fun to of been able to take part in such a fun competition.

Your friend was so very considerate about the charity choice, my grandmother had Alzheimer's (but no matter how bad things got my grandfather always made sure she had her jewelry on just so and that her hair was done!) so I understand what you and your family must be going through.

Amanda said...

love the cause and the dress.. i voted for you guys!

Cheers!

Amanda

gleeps said...

Gasp! Stunning skirt, stunning outfit. I voted for you - you and Julie are way out in front!

Julie said...

The outfit is strikingly beautiful, just like you! (I just voted.) I also just read the post about your sweet dad. You're so young to be experiencing that so closely. Praying for your family today. Asking God to send you more moments of encouragement and joy in the midst of a pain situation.

Simply Bike said...

Wow, I LOVE what you guys have created! You look stunning in that outfit, the skirt is to die (dye? har har) for! Would love it as part of my closet. I will definitely vote for you guys not only because the outfit is fabulous but also because I love that the prize money is going where it's going. Jentine, why didn't I know you when I lived in Hamilton? :)

S.

Hilda Heikamp said...

Love the outfit and love Ottawa street! Great cause - hope you win!

mos steph said...

vote. ed.

Kristin said...

THIS is freaking awesome.

VOTED.

Unknown said...

Absolutely stunning! I love how the hem turned out...such a creative way to dye it!

Frannie Pantz said...

I absolutely voted for you and totally support you. This skirt is just gorgeous, and so are you--inside and out--from what I can tell anyways.

Rachel B said...

Apparently you're the only one on WWYCT with a blog - right now you have way more votes than anyone else. Or maybe it's just that your project is the best :)

Jennifer Vincent said...

I voted and man, you are ahead by a landslide.

I will also say that I laughed out loud in this post - not because it was funny but because my browser first only showed you from the waist up and then i scrolled down to the see the skirt and it totally made me laugh because you are all busines up top and party on the bottom. The iconic fashion mullet of the day!

Tia said...

Stunning skirt sassy sista (see what I did there ;-P). I voted for you and I hope you do a tutorial post on how to dye the skirt the way you did. I hope you took some pics along the way to show the process!

Anonymous said...

You totally have my vote and don't have any cause to be humble about it! It is just plain awesome, awesome, awesome!!! Mrs. H

Keira Lennox said...

Voted!!

I was waiting with bated breath to see how this skirt turned out after seeing a sneak peek (maybe on your Instagram?) and holy, WHOA! This is stunning, Jentine!

tania@theclassicteeblog.com said...

You look gorgeous! The skirt is stunning! You got my vote! xx

Natalie said...

I voted for you with pleasure! You look stunning in the pictures, and the outfit is to die {dye!} for. So glad that it is bringing together everything you love...sewing, thrifting, friendship, and a cause you can humbly relate to and support wholeheartedly. I really hope you girls win, and if not, the effort was amazing and well-appreciated by this blog reader :-)

Life etc... said...

I voted! Oh my goodness you guys did an amazing job with that skirt/dress. It's fabulous! And I love the backdrop here too :)

Life etc

Sarah said...

OMFG!

At first I was all...I want that skirt, where do I get it? Then I was all..."girl's got S.K.I.L.L.S" THEN I was voting. Wonderful job you two. I am green with envy & wishing you win.

Jill said...

I voted! Your outfit was stunning your pose incredible your generosity broke my heart. Alzheimer's is a disease with no cure. It robs everyone involved. Yen I cannot THANK YOU enough for choosing Alzheimer's as your charity I pray one day there will be a cure.

Linda said...

Goodness gracious! Yen you have outdid yourself. It is a beautiful skirt and reminds me of a galaxy (far far away) or a nebula.

Of course I will vote for you! Alzheimer's affects our family as well, and I admire how you have shared your father's story with honesty even in the most difficult times. Good luck Yen!

Unknown said...

Thats the most gorgeous skirt! great job on the colors and altering the top. I voted and hoping you win!

Anonymous said...

Love the whole ensemble...but that SKIRT! I hope you'll share how you did it because that is gorgeous. Happily adding my vote. Great prize.

Anonymous said...

Voted! The skirt is just beautiful. Looks like you are winning in a landslide right now!

Jennifer said...

Um, this skirt is stunning!
Good luck!

xo Jennifer

http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

Unknown said...

Okay, that skirt? I am in LOVE with that skirt. And I am going to vote for you RIGHT NOW.

Kimmielovesparis said...

The skirt is fabulous...actually the whole outfit is. And I am really loving the blackboard wall with city scape for the back drop. Sew creative you are!

I just love Ottawa Street! The fabrics, the vintage shops, other interesting shops to buy hand-made one of kind items plus the restaurants....it's win win win!

Good luck with the contest. I've voted and see you're well ahead of the rest.

Cheers.

Secondhand Stella said...

You did an amazing job! GORGEOUS skirt!!!!!

Nastassja said...

This skirt is soooo amazing. Well done! I really want to have these kinda skills.

www.mrsrogero.com

Heather K. said...

This perf! I voted. Not just because you asked me, but because it's really awesome. (You did inform me though ;).

-Heather
{www.heatheringheights.com}

Chelsea, Tea Talk said...

Voted! You look SO lovely! XO

Daisy said...

That skirt is gorgeous. You are gorgeous. You've got my vote!

Anonymous said...

Stunning skirt! You should action it and raise even more money!

Roxanna @Wholesome Hedonist said...

Okay, can I just say that I NEVER do these things. I hardly even comment. I'm more of a lurker. But I saw that skirt and thought right away, that is the MOST AMAZING THING i have ever seen. Really, it would win on Project Runway hands-down. Even against Mondo.

THEN I read that you guys made it yourselves!! THEN I read that the prize goes to the Alzheimers Association! How could I not vote? (even though it seems like you don't really need it!)

Anonymous said...

A long time (mom aged) reader, I voted and was honored to do so for your creative, stylish entry and your cause. I sew, and I'm impressed you live in a city that still has real fabric stores. Lucky you.

Kathleen

Caramel Latte Kiss said...

That skirts is all kinds of beautiful, and you look gorgeous in it.
I'm off to vote now!

Veronika Novotny said...

Um, ok, wow!! That might just be the prettiest skirt I've ever seen, great job lady! And you bet I've voted!! Best of luck. xo

Anonymous said...

Your outfit is gorgeous! I voted for you!

Anonymous said...

Wow, 'Tine, so far you're just blowing that contest out of the water!

Henk

Anonymous said...

That first photo is the most stunning photo I have ever seen. I love it.

Orchid Grey said...

Holy cow, lady! The skirt turned out amazing (i saw the "work in progress + wine" shot in instagram)! I love the concept behind the whole look, so beautiful. (I voted!)

Anonymous said...

Woman!!! I don't know you, but that skirt needs to put into mass producation NOW! Wow. It is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!!
Angela

greenbean said...

wow! you have my support anyway, but damn girl, this is amazing! you better win.

Rebecca Jane said...

I think your creativity with this look is impressive, but for such a worthy cause I will absolutely vote, and very much hope you win! My Grampa also suffered from Alzheimer's and so in addition to rooting for your entry, I"m also really hoping the $$ will go to such a worthy cause.

nicole said...

I'm sorry, what?...you made that skirt?! And for your dad. That's ah-mazing. You should probably auction it off (for Alzheimer's) if you haven't grown too attached already. I'd place a bid in a heartbeat.

Megan said...

I don't often comment on the blog's I follow, but girl, YOU LOOK AWESOME! And that skirt is out of this world! Love the look, congratulations on winning the contest! Best of luck now and in the future with your rockin' blog.

Megan