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?

Sewing Makes My Heart Happy

I didn't really love sewing when I first started learning, but as I got better and learned about pattern making I was kind of amazed how my skills came together and now I can come up with things as soon as inspiration strikes. When I realized how amazing it was that I could come up with a sketch and make it into a wearable piece of clothing or huggable stuffed animal I was hooked!

That's how this drawing came about, it celebrates the fun, creative spirit that comes with sewing. All you sewing enthusiasts know what I'm talking about ;)

I'm glad to finally have this in the shop :)   Free shipping & $10 off Duvet Covers until Aug 10th

What's your favorite hobby?

Show & Tell- week 3 & 4

It's time for Show and Tell again! I've talked about past projects here . Sometimes there are unforeseen hiccups in life like illness or exhaustion, so we had to finish our projects within a couple weeks instead of just one. We decided that the goal would not always be to completely start and finish the project within a week but more importantly we would focus on making good progress on our projects and goals. I still feel like I have the momentum and drive to get more done during the week than I used to so I'm counting that as a small victory!


My friend Jenn has come up with really cool ideas lately, quilted initials. These are large oversized pillows with her kids initials that match their quilts!!! So freaking cute and adorable and customized and amazing! Custom orders are a possibility and stay tuned her shop is gonna have some great new goodies!!!

I worked on some drawings and brainstorming on how I could make them into stuffed animals.
Like my Valentine's Day take on a dapple dachshund, like Elsie's little sweetie Dolly!

photo from ABM

Dapple Dachshunds have swirls of black and gray and brown and are simply adorable!
I added heart shaped spots for a whimsical look. 

plush version

I used my fun fabric for the printer and did better on clipping my curves but I would like to make a larger version like 3 x the size so it's big and snugly :)

I also finally drew a sloth for a sweet coworker who loves them. This was a quick ipad sketch, I'd like to do another version and flesh out the details a little more. What projects are you working on?
Happy Friday!!!

Show and Tell- Week 1

My friend and I decided that we would start working on projects during the week and then have a "show and tell" on Friday. I don't know about you, but I always love to see what other people are working on, it's great for inspiration and you never know what will come from bouncing ideas off each other. My friend came up with this cute pillow cover with an X & 0 pattern just in time for Vday! I have been in a rut lately, but this challenge has really made more driven during the week even when I'm tired I'm pushing myself just a little bit harder to get a little more done each day.

sometimes thin mints help too ;)

Last week was our first week and I had a special child's bday coming up so I had to make them something fun! Of course I wanted to make a cute little plush creature, that's my go to gift for kids. I found some fabric that I had put to the side and just started sketching a pattern on the fabric, I knew I wanted to use felt legs like I had in the past.  I drew the face with fabric markers and sewed her up and completed the plush all in one night.  I also included a little notebook to record adventures with space to draw and lines to practice hand writing and story telling :)

Meet Ollie the Owl

What projects have you been working on lately? do you have any crafty friends to share progress and frustration with? Happy Weekend to you!

Candy Corn Cutie

In anticipation for Fall, I've started thinking about Halloween drawings and creatures, and I was playing with the idea of a cute little candy corn.

I was thinking about how playful and fun she looked with appendages but at the last minute decided to go against it when I whipped up my plush prototype.

This was my first experience with printable fabric, it feels like a canvas type material. Just print, peel off the paper backing and your ready to sew. I'm so glad my friend, let me have some of this fabric to experiment with. I think I'm kind of addicted now, and I'm thinking about more creatures and animals and maybe seeing how things come out on Spoonflower, for better wear and tear and color representation.

I used some candy corn fabric for the back side, I got on clearance a few months ago at Cabbage Rose, they have a great selection of everything, I love to go there and explore and dream about possible projects.

back view

Anyway I'm excited for Fall and for Halloween, what Fall projects have you been working on lately?

Bunnies on the brain

Whenever I get stressed I typically go straight to bunnies, they are fluffy and happy and they make me smile.

I starting thinking about bunnies in cute little outfits for the first day of school maybe.
I haven't gotten very far, but I enjoy the process. I like to give them each their own little personality and details, it makes me want to write a story about them.

bunny leggings

I've also been toying with a patterned softie, and of course its gonna be a cuddly bunny. This is what a bunny looks like without ears, limbs and a mouth....lol

bunny in progress

I saw this floral fabric at a quilt show and it spoke to me so I had to get it to make a stuffed animal.
I hope to get more done this weekend, trying to get back into my crafty groove after being sick and super busy with work.

What projects are you working on? What always gets you inspired to create?

stuffed animal pets

Sometimes creativity comes from excitement and happiness, sometimes it comes from grief. That was the case when I made first stuffed animal after my dog passed away a few years ago.

My little cutie pie :)

I didn't really know anything about how to make stuffed animals but I learned a lot from my first attempt, I love the vintage bunny fabric, I think it's better to be whimsical than realistic sometimes.

My friend lost her sweet little dog this last week and I just felt compelled to do something for her kids, so in a late night mad dash I attempted to make a little fleece dog, I wanted to play with the face layout and put the entire face on the front side.

He kinda turned out like a cross between a hippo and a dog creature

I guess it's good he looks kinda cartoony since he's for a little boy.

He kinda reminds me of Spunky the dog from Rocko's Modern Life.....I miss old cartoons.

For the older child, I wanted to experiment with other soft fabric, fleece is soft but not always fun to sew, I bought some soft wool herringbone fabric and I set it aside for a special softie and this weekend it called to me.

I drew a better pattern and made a wider seam allowance--- always important to accent angles and shapes.

he's a happy little Yorkie

He kinda looks more like a scottish terrier but he's a happy little guy to snuggle with and that's all that really matters. I love to make animals because I love to make people smile that's really all their is to it.

 

Things that make me smile

I was inspired by post by Emily over at Cupcakes and Cashmere. It's a list of things to remember and laugh at when you are having a bad day. I sent to all my coworkers and they loved it so I thought I would do a post about the things that are making me smile these days.

Jason Mraz in his cat T-shirt

this pic was taken from his fb page

My striped colored zinnias have finally started blooming. I love their happy faces.

The steering wheel cover my sweet friend Jennifer made me. I love the awesome quirky and colorful bird fabric, it makes me smile every time I'm in my car. She's a pretty awesome seamstress.

So happy and colorful

A nice apple pie. It's been awhile since I have baked for myself and nothing makes me happy like apple pie warm from the oven.

Pretty colorful paintings. Like those by Carly Allen Martin. She was featured in our local Dallas paper, and although at first glance, it seems simplistic or chaotic in form. It has a soothing and engaging quality too. She has inspired me to start painting again :)

picture from carlymartin.com

What makes your day a little brighter this summer?

1 year blog-iversary

Today is my 1 year blog anniversary! The time has definitely flown by, it's crazy how things become a part of your everyday routine.

I wish gummy bear balloons actually existed

 What a wonderful year its been. I wanted to have a creative outlet to share my artistic side and other stuff I'm excited about like crafting, baking, and fashion.
I really love to write about things I'm passionate about and I love seeing what all is going on in the blogosphere. But my main goal was develop my drawing style and open a shop and while I was just enjoying the creative process and make things on a regular basis. But now I need to see my goals through to completion. I finally made a list of things I want to focus on.

1. Using Spoonflower to make detailed illustrations on fabric.
I love drawing I love fabric it was only a matter of time before someone came up with tools to print your own designs. This is happening very soon!

I love floral prints

2. Do some illustrations inspired by songs. I love music, I can't work without it, it makes me happy, relaxed and focused. What could be a better inspiration than that?

3. Create my own T shirt designs. I've always been interesting in screen printing, I found a really great company and I'm coming up with a swirly, colorful explosion something awesome that I can wear to work. This is a doodle, don't take it seriously lol

I love stars and purple

4. Create and explore characters. I love to explore animals with human nuances and I love coming up with random wild monster creatures too. I'd like to see where this could go if I gave it the right amount of attention.

I am very excited to see where these projects will take me, maybe I will come up with other ideas along the way that I love even better.
I hope to focus more on my art projects but also discover and discuss more food, fashion and DIY this year. I hope you continue on this journey with me :)

Lately

I have been doing pretty good, on my New Year's goals. I baked my Grandmother's cookies, I have been trying to make them correctly for a couple of years now, unsuccessfully I might add. And now I finally know why! I was leaving out a cup of flour, I copied the recipe down wrong from the original but this time they turned out fluffy and happy. They are a chocolate cookie, subtly sweet with nuts, vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles: rainbow sprinkles are a must. Getting these cookies right finally......makes me really happy, and seeing them look like they should reminds me of all those Christmases with my Grandma and her amazing cookies.

you can't eat just one :)

I even starting a sewing project, I need to buy some gray thread though, why is it whenever you start a project you never have that particular color of thread. I'm so glad I got Joann's gift card for Christmas now I can get whatever color thread I want, baking stuff, paint stuff and FABRIC!!
I am very happy girl.

I hope it turns out like I want :)

I've also been painting, I started with the background, and then got nervous about messing up the face so I scanned it to have a back up and then I thought about experimenting with an actual paint and then computer drawing on top of that; kind of a digital mixed media. I used paint brush tools to draw the details of her outline too.
I am pretty happy with how it turned out, for a new experiment anyway. I want to do more stuff like this see what I can come up with.

I made her skin pale so the brushstrokes would show through

I want a little happy bird on my shoulder :)

 This year, I really want to make a point to challenge myself illustration wise.
 Her blue hair is inspired by Kate Winslet's charater Clementine from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

one of my favorite movies ever!

What's new with you. Are you busy with new projects?

Back to the drawing board

So I mentioned awhile ago that I was going to work on making a bunny plush, well it started out ok and then I had a problem with the ears. Then I can up with an ear solution, but still ran into problems.
It's still not turning out like I want, but out of that came more concept sketches so I am excited about that. I'm still going to play with some ideas this week, right now I'm thinking about koalas and platypuses lol

bunny attempt #1

close up of the face

bunny attempt #2 he looks like a neon tater tot lol

I finally got frustrated enough to switch gears and start working on drawings again. I finished my scarf owl and I'm happy with how he turned out. I tried some different techniques on the tree bark and the background.

 I also got some new pansies, I really love pansies they are my favorite fall flower, with their happy little faces, pretty color variations and pleasant subtle fragrance.......what more could you want from a flower?


My Thanksgiving was wonderful watching the parade, cooking and hanging out. I was so happy to see the Kaws balloon in the parade. See more about the balloon and the process here.


The leaves have really started to turn finally and it makes for a beautiful back road drive.
I did pretty good Black Friday and got some pretty good deals online, will have to do a fashion post soon :)

Craft Show Roundup

Here's my craft show excitement, as I said in my previous post I had been to Funky Finds before and I was happy to see some of my old favorites.

First off, Sharen Chatterton does really amazing and vibrant watercolors. I love flowers and her painting are so happy and bright. The first year we saw her we bought a bookmark and started following her newsletter. This year I'm happy to report, I got this wonderful pansy print for my Mom.
I love pansies, and the gardening items mixed in.

Another one of my favorites I was happy to see again is Gypsyharte. Three years ago I really didn't know anything about needle felting but her creations were just so cute and personable I bought a felting kit determined to created little creatures of my own. My mom has more patience and does well at it. Three dimensional items are a little more tricky, but  I think we feel a little more confident so this year we got a pumpkin kit! Look how cute Gyspyharte's little pumpkin is! She is very talented.

I love her little mushroom toadstools and birdies :)

photo by gypsyharte

i love her little owls

Another fun shop I saw was Fuzzy hippo I love the 3-D texture in solid color, and the ones that make actual shapes are fun too. The wedding stuff is cute and they even have furniture too, perfect for graphic geeks :)

I love texture and color together

It's fun to mix art with useful things

 And I finished my 3rd octopus. Her name is Ruby and her favorite color is purple (as you can tell by her bow). She loves to play dress up with her friends, and practice her hula hooping. Her favorite snack is chocolate pudding cups. She will soon be in the shop :)

She is made out of Fuchsia fleeces with purple accents and hand stitched facial features, including her eyelashes.

I think she turned out pretty cute, and I can't wait to make a little blue guy with a bow tie, inspired by my sketch.

Ok hope to post more soon, hope you are having a marvelous Monday!