crafty projects and other stuff

Hi there, I'm going to try to write more than 1 post a month starting now, so let's see how that goes

here's what I'm excited about lately :)

I went to the Arlington Museum of Art and saw a Toulouse Lautrec and other post impressionist artists it was pretty interesting and I found some new favorites. The top one called is my favorite was just amazing in size was just so beautiful and relaxing to look at, the colors weren't vibrant but still really mesmerizing. I always feel a jolt of fresh creativity going to museums and being inspired by new and fun things, it makes me want to go home and work on my own projects :)

I also got to do a DIY project that I've been looking forward to for a while! I've been pretty interested in marbling for a while just never got around to doing it. I wanted to try it with nail polish so me and my friend tried it on mugs it turned out pretty cool, we decided that it would be better to use as a pen and pencil mug on a desk since the nail polish isn't dishwasher safe, etc. I really want to try a version with paint sometime soon or maybe Easter eggs!

As far as sewing projects go I've been wanting to make a tank dress from an already made tank top and whatever kind of cotton fabric you want, I first saw the idea here.
I found the most beautiful floral fabric, and a top I'm pretty happy with. Now I'm working up to making  a practice version 1st, so I don't mess up this beautiful fabric, it definitely gives me the fabric jitters >_<

 I've also been working on my stuffed animals, my little owl girl went to her new home so that was exciting! I'm working on more animals to list in my shop soon and thinking about new ideas too.

What have you been  up too lately?

Out & About

This weekend I actually got out of the house for the first time in forever, it was so nice to be around people and doing things I used to do. Like going to a quilt/craft show! It was a little over the top, but it was nice to look around and think about different ideas I've had for a while.

My friend found this awesome DIY project, who doesn't love easy clothing accents?!
Hopefully I will be able to try this soon!

from polkadotchair.com

I also finally got to go to the movies! One that I was really excited about! Begin Again, it was everything I could have hoped for, something to completely get engrossed in. I've listened to "Lost Stars" and "Coming Up Roses" all day long, it made my Monday quite fabulous.
If you like Adam Levine's voice at all, you need to listen to this.........

And finally good old fashion on fire inspiration. I discovered this artist on a fluke, and I am quite enamored with and blown away by his work. Peter Aurisch's line work and use of color stopped me in my tracks. I always get inspired when I go to my favorite museums, I haven't had the chance to do that in months. I haven't been this blown away by someone's work in a very long time.

His drawings are really amazing to and his geometric shapes remind me of Picasso.

Anyway, it's nice to go out and about and be inspired and kind of get back to normal. What's been the best thing you've done or seen in awhile?

Happy Thanksgiving DIY banner

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
It has officially become cold and wintery in Texas, and while I was staying in last weekend I decided to make a Thanksgiving themed banner to get in the holiday spirit. I got inspiration from Sew Caroline's  Christmas tree banner that I mentioned before

I decided it would be fun to make a leaf banner with felt. I already had lots of fun colors in my fabric stash and leaf shapes drawn from my sweater weather drawing.

I made the leaves larger and used them as a template.  You could do a quick sketch, or use actual leaves for a pattern.  I chose different colors for different shaped leaves and planned out the order of the banner by color and shape of leaf.  I just winged the top stitching with my machine for the vein detail on the leaves . I did at least 3 vein stitch lines for each leaf so it looks somewhat balanced.

I didn't have any neutral cotton ribbon so I just used the edge of some muslin selvage and stitched the leaves to my muslin strand.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone :)

Halloween Recap

So we decided to have a last minute Halloween party at work. I thought about making just a regular cake and decorating it with candy corn. It turned out kinda cute for a last minute idea.

 Most of my time was spent thinking about critter shoes and how I could interpret the idea into a Halloween costume idea.

 Inspiration wasn't too hard to find, this time of year I always get to thinking about one of my favorite movies: Nightmare Before Christmas!!! I can't believe this year is the 20th anniversary of the movie, it has brought me so much joy over the years. I love the music and the story..... that we should accept that everyone is different but that's what makes us special and we shouldn't try to be something else we should be ourselves. Anyway critter shoe inspiration + printable fabric = Jack and Sally shoes!

We're simply meant to be <3

So even though I have been a huge fan of this movie for a very long time, I've never drawn the characters because Tim Burton's style is so exaggerated and complex, I knew I wouldn't be able to come close to where I wanted to be. But since I have been drawing on a more consistent basis I'm happy to say I was up for the challenge. I kinda approached Sally a little differently I elongated her and interpreted her in my normal drawing style. I kinda want to complete the drawing and add the rest of the bodies, but that's another time. So I spent a few days drawing a few versions of the couple and then printed on the fabric paper!

I love when an idea becomes tangible

After I printed the shoe appliques I cut them out and then used double sided fusible bonding and iron on the shoes. It's pretty addicting, I would say buy some shoes you know are comfortable but are cheap enough that you won't be mad if they get ruined in a creative mishap :)
What trends have you been wanting to put your own spin on?

New Year New Goals

I am taking advice from A Beautiful Mess, and making simple, achievable goals so I can implement new practices easier and be less likely to fail because they aren't complicated and lofty.

1. Eat 1 serving of fruit and veggies a day. A couple years ago, as I have said before, I went on a plant based diet kick, no processed foods, and no meat. I really enjoyed the flavors of food more and I had energy and felt better and lost weight. Since then I haven't really been planning meals or interested in cooking. I am hoping to change that in 2013. One serving of fruit is easy, I cut up an apple to eat at work later, it's filling and good for you. Then my one veggie at dinner will mean I have to start planning better for meals. We are thinking about what we are going to have in our garden so I am excited, it's always more fun to eat fresh produce that you have grown yourself. I know this will impact my life in a huge way because I have been successful before. I will eat less drive thru, and unhealthy stuff which will beneficial to my wallet and my waistline.

I like to add cute personality to everything :)

2. Set aside time to draw twice a week. I have noticed lately, even though I have been busier at work and distracted with the holidays, I have not been setting aside time for  myself to draw and just be creative. I am most creative in my sewing room, I just rock out to my ipod, there is no tv, so less distraction. I always feel creative when I am in my spot. Lately though I have been watching tv and trying to draw at the same time, it doesn't work as well. I know I feel better when I make myself separate and go to my special spot with no distractions, and my end result is better because I am focusing only on that. I know if I do it at least twice a week, it will be more of a habit and maybe I will get even more done.

Scribbly owl

3. Do more sewing. I got kind of burned out with sewing lately, mostly softie wise. But lately, I have been thinking more and more about different clothing alterations I want to do, or embellishments.
I have not wanted to sew clothes in a really long time,( even though I majored in fashion design lol)
so I am going to take advantage of that. Make my own version of things I see at Anthropologie for example: appliqued tops or embellished jeans.

sequined V neck and star printed jeans from Gap

Lace inset pullover

metallic star pullover

4. Plan for the future and enjoy the present. I really want to go on vacation, possibly to Europe this is going to take a lot of planning and a lot of saving, but I'm excited to have something I'm actively working towards. I haven't really been on a vacation since I was in school, I went to England for spring break. Life gets busy and often I don't take advantage of opportunities, so I'm going to try to start doing that more, hanging out with friends and doing crafts or having a theme party.  Just making more of a deliberate effort to enjoy every day.

I really love Dior and British cabs, I took this at Buckingham Palace

me (I'm on the far left) and some friends on a lion in Trafalgar Square

Find Joy in the small things concept sketch

two friends hanging out on a swing set, a concept I started working on last spring

5. Decorate and appreciate my space. I don't really decorate, I've been just kind of lazy and not really interested. I have done my share of DIY revamping and painting and I never really thought it was worth the effort until recently. I finally framed some prints I bought on etsy, and I'm excited to do more with my room, maybe even paint an accent wall! I have quite a few new prints from Christmas, and I'm slowly adding elements that I think will add to my happiness and inspiration. I'm also working on organization on my terms this is a slow but steady process lol.

I love Tim's Sally expressive use of color

What are some of your goals for 2013? Happy New Year Everyone!