Special Announcement!!

Quitting your day job is not something I'd normally suggest nor encourage in our current economic climate. That being said, I've been daydreaming for quite some time of risking it all. The idea of working independently has brought out a sense of adventure and excitement in me that I'm unsure I've ever felt before. I always find great enjoyment in blogging and sewing and when I was challenged to create a modest clothing line for Renegade Handmade last December, I rose to the challenge and loved it. It made me wonder what I could do with more time and devotion exclusively to spend on my craft. After reading through the Etsy blog and finding a 152 articles in a series called Quit Your Day Job, I have been feeling more encouraged than ever.
It's my pleasure to announce that beginning next week I'll be independently working for myself and the Seablanket brand. It's going to be the most fun and the most stressful time of my life, and I can't wait to see what becomes of it. In the last month, I've been sketching and creating the next line of Seablanket handmade clothing. Currently, I'm crafting my patterns and will be fabric shopping next week. My goal is to have a shop full of Seablanket Clothing, available online in all sizes in May. I will also be stocking my Etsy Shoppe full of beautiful Vintage Pieces, perfect for your spring and summer wardrobes.
Join me in the celebration next week with a Spring Fling Blog Party full of new trends and tutorials for Spring. There will be giveaways, a new vintage Etsy update and a look inside my new Portland Studio space. It's going to be a wild ride and I can't wait! With love and gratitude, Chelsea

BLUSH : an outfit post

Springtime has finally reached Portland. All the cherry blossom trees are in bloom and all the bushes are budding. Over the weekend I was able to spend lots of time outdoors in the sunshine and even had the opportunity to travel to the Oregon coast. Granted it was a nippy 40 degrees and raining, I loved every bit of it!What I Wore: Velvet flats, free people jeggings, all-saints tank top, vintage striped sweater, pins + needles olive tweed blazer, vintage jewelry. I recently purchased this purse from Zarla at Santoki Vintage!! It's going to be my favorite summer staple!

I also stumbled upon this amazing little video the other day... all about advanced style and how fun it can be to love fashion, no matter your current age, shape or lifestyle.

There will be a special announcement coming up this week, and a few giveaways... come back for the good news! Till then friends, be well!

My Heart goes Pitter Pattern...

1. Prism London Eyewear, 2. Marc Jacobs Runway, 3. Striped Sweetheart, 4. LV Tights, 5. Louise Gouldin SS 2011

Dream Collection

I am smitten with this collection by a budding designer, for Spring|Summer 2011. Erdem Moralioglu is a Candian former intern of Diane Von Furstenberg. In 2005 he won the Fashion Fringe Award, 2007 won the BFC Enterprise Award and with every collection he evolves his signature print work.I even found a behind the scenes video, here. The hair is to die for, I'm definitely going to be wearing this look all Spring/Summer long!

Maxi Makeover - Spring DIY

Ever wonder what to do with some of your long skirts come Spring and Summer? Instead of cutting them up or retiring them, here's a fun and non-permanent way of altering your maxi skirts so they become staples for your warm-weather ensembles!
Supplies Needed: Sewing machine, black fabric, ribbon (chord or a sash will do), pins, maxi skirt
Begin by cutting two pieces of black fabric and hemming all 4 sides, my fabric was 3" x 7". Next, lay garment flat, and place first black sewn fabric 12" from the top of your skirt. It will need to be pinned down, as a makeshift belt, making sure to keep fabric ruched / pleated underneath. Once pinned securely, sew along the top and bottom of the fabric, leaving the sides open. Repeat on the backside. Use a sash or ribbon to thread between the two makeshift belts and tie a bow near the front or on the side.

Here's the Before and After:

Slip into your new darling dresses for spring and summer, and come fall and winter, simply use a seam-ripper and remove the two black panels!

Sponsor Seablanket!!

It's that time again... Ad Spaces // Sponsorship Spaces are now available! Each month, I open my side bar to a variety of shops, crafters, bloggers, artists and musicians. If you'd like to gain a larger following and raise sales, Seablanket can help!Since moving to Portland 3 months ago, I have received a 25% increase in Seablanket subscribers and the number of page views are close to double what they were before the move. To compensate for the new traffic and a more established following, I am compensating by preparing a fresh website design and store that will be launching in the next 40 days.
As Seablanket grows in followers it is my goal to continue to bring you fun, free, stylish posts full of information and tutorials on fashion, makeup and hair techniques as well as creative inspiration, but I couldn't do it without the help of my sponsors. Purchase now!!

What your purchase will get you:

-160 x 160 pix Ad Space on the sidebar of Seablanket.com for the entire month of April
-A detailed "about you" in a large monthly Meet The Sponsors highlight post, with photo of you or your shop and links to 3 of your online presences (twitter, facebook, tumblr, blog, flicker, etsy, etc.)

If you have any questions about sponsorship or details of the upcoming month, please email me at chelseablanket@gmail.com . I look forward to bringing you along into this new and exciting phase of my life. If you are unable to sponsor, make sure you visit the Seablanket fan page on Facebook! It's new and will be frequently updated with photos, inspiration and information on new posts, blogger meet ups, etc!

You Belong: An Outfit Post

My weekend was spent dreaming up and sketching the final looks for my summer Seablanket clothing collection. I'll be cutting patterns and purchasing fabrics in the next two weeks and then the sewing will begin. I'll be bringing you along for the ride with me, so hold onto your hats! I've been greatly inspired by this beautiful city of Portland and the wonderful hearts and minds that fill it. Next week, I'll begin introducing the inspiration songs/books/elements that have helped me dream up my new handmade collection. Take the creative dive with me, you belong by my side.
I'll also be making April Ad Spaces // Sponsorship available today. Please check back in this afternoon if you're interested... spaces go quickly. Sunday, I spent my day in cafes and coffee shops - here's what I wore: vintage black wool bowler hat, black silk blouse from GAP, my favorite new plaid skirt - a gift from katie, black matte tights and micro-suede black booties. My favorite vintage brass jewelry accompanied the look.I hope you all had wonderful weekends. What kind of projects are you working on this spring? Is anyone reading anything they'd like to recommend I add to my reading list or albums that I should listen to? I'd love to know more about each and every one of you.. you make my heart so full. With love, Chelsea
*Photo credit: P H Fitzgerald

Sweet Sunday Playlist

The Vanishing, They Reappear...

Jeremy Larson released his newest album They Reappear last Tuesday and has quickly wiggled it's way into one of my top listened albums of the week. Beautifully composed with insightful lyrical journeys, Jeremy's record slips you into a scene you won't wish to escape. The audio booklet is also quite a breathtaking display. Pick up your own copy for just $12, here.

The Littlest Things

Make me smile. This week it's :: awesome concert tickets, sunglasses, pretty crystals, sweet notes from far-off friends, bath time, delicious tea for the cold blustery days, netflix movies, my favorite book by dave eggers, silver 90's jewelry.