Scandalous Book!

You might remember my glowing review for the book, Imagine, a couple of months ago. I thought it was really insightful and fascinating. In the vein of Malcolm Gladwell and Freakanomics geared toward the creative set...First he had been under some suspicion for plagarizing himself and recycling his own ideas, which I didn't really think was a crime, but then further digging brought out the fact that there was some controversy regarding some quotes the author used and attributed to Bob Dylan that he never actually said. I can understand why the publisher pulled all the books from stores and the electronic copies, but it's a real shame because there was some good stuff in there. Not to mention the beautiful cover art!! ;) So now you'll just have to scrounge at your library or ebay to see what all the fuss was about.

Anyway, I wonder if there will be a James Frey-esque road to redemption in the future.

Captivating Trend

After noticing 2 blogs that I follow (le catch & chic steals) mentioning the silver cap trend on flats on the same day, it sent my crafty senses all a-twitter.

I already had the perfect pair of flats that needed some help, and I was just recently introduced to the greatness that is aluminum foil tape. A-mazing magical tape!! The makers of it were more genius than they ever knew when they called it 'multi-purpose' HELLO.

I already used it on the cigar box makeover here. But now for the unveiling....

I made a template using a post-it note to get the right size for the toe cap (the before one on the left's patent leather toe isn't so noticable) then I cut out the same size from the foil tape and burnished it on the shoe smoothing out the round parts to make it look fluid. :-)

Olympic Fever

It's probably a good thing I didn't know about this site Olympic Logo A Day until now, or else my olympic obsession might have kept me from crafting this past year. ;) But this is one of those cool 365 day sites...so much fun to see the video!

C@FB - July 2012

It's that time again, the Olympics! The summer oly's, which are really my favorite, just don't tell the winter oly's that I said that.

I'm addicted to the Olympics, and to make me feel better about said addiction which leads to marathon tv watching (which isn't an olympic sport--I checked) I like to work on something super crafty, so far I've made a super simple dress for my youngest niece using this pattern...and I'm on something of a sewing tear...good thing I've got a machine. {insert laugh here} And of course, I am also going to make something for her 2 older sisters as well, but sewing for a toddler who hasn't yet become a fashionista has an upside. ;P

I've haven't made any clothing from scratch in a loooong time, and my track record in that department hasn't been so great, but I'm giving it another try. I've found lots of tutorials at Dana Made It, and she's got some great ideas and insights. I'm a DIY'er at heart, but I'm slowly learning that a little research can save a lot of mistakes when I'm learning something new.

What are you going to make next??

Summertime

Hey Reader

Sorry the posting has kind of fallen off this summer...however, it does not mean that the crafting has slowed. If anything, it's just my computer that has slowed down, because it can't keep up with all this craftiness... I think I have a pattern of silver emerging here...

for just a sample of the silver, here's a cigar box I decorated with aluminum tape (usually reserved for the hardware store) pretty chevron-alicious if you ask me....

and the imperfect widths was totally on purpose. ;)

C@FB - May 2012

It started with those Sally Hansen salon effects nail strips...they all looked so tempting yet one time use-y and a little intense for my everyday look, rocking the part of a cubicle drone. ;P So I continued to  crush from afar...

Then...I found out about this nail stamping craze innocuously enough...I saw a flyer for some 'as seen on tv' product, and while the DVR has taken the wind out of my infomercial viewing...I was surprised this one got by me. So naturally, I consulted the interweb to find out that before this mass marketed one hit every major retail store in the land, there were others...and I zeroed in on the Konad one because it looked like it had the best design choices.

I usually never paint my nails b/c the chips drive me bananas, but what I loved about this is that I can stamp on my barenaked nails and the chips don't show so much, in fact, it looks like an intentional french manicure...woo hoo. Granted, this was just day one, but I was pretty pleased w/ the results. It took a bit of practice to get the technique down, but it was totally worth it. Much to my chagrin, I hadn't bought polish in a looooong time, but I found this super old bottle of sally hansen chrome pink, and it worked like a charm. And all those fashionistas out there that recommend using an old credit card instead of the Konad scraper? They were so right on.

Have you tried these stamping systems or nail strips? What is your fav?

I HEART THIS!

Hey ya

I must start by saying that I cannot believe April has flown by, and nary a post from me, for shame! However, in my (weak) defense, I throw myself on the mercy of the craft court, a kitchen renovation can really take it out of you, even when you aren't the one doing the super heavy lifting.

(not incidentally what drew me to the book was the amazing cover art by Yulia Brodskaya)

Anyway, I was reading this amazing, awesome, and inspiring new book by Jonah Lehrer called Imagine and although I'm only about a quarter of the way through, I had one of those huge light bulb moments when I came upon the following quote:

"There is no such thing as a creative type. As if creative people can just show up and make stuff up. As if it were that easy. I think people need to be reminded that creativity is a verb, a very time-consuming verb. It's about taking an idea in your head, and transforming that idea into something real. And that's always going to be a long and difficult process. If you're doing it right, it's going to feel like work."

And I was pretty floored by it, so naturally I had to google who this person was...which in turn inspired me to make this...(on my doodle buddy app)

In homage to Milton Glaser, the person who said it. Because not only had I never heard of him (darn my business degree!) I never knew about his contribution and impact on the world, he's attributed to be the one who came up with the iconic I heart NY ad campaign. One of the greatest graphic designers ever. (which has always been a Walter Mitty type dream of mine, to be a graphic designer) Now I'm looking forward to watching this documentary film about him ... 
Now, I'm no professional creative type, but I totally get what he means. And I agree creating things  feels like work, but it also feels like something I just MUST DO! 

What do you think?

Book Clubbing

In celebration of spur of the moment crafting, I decided to give faux hot fix crystals a spin under the guise of sprucing up some of my little nieces outfits to add some sparkle for fun. Little did I know how addicting this little endeavor would be. I had my trusty versa tool from Micheal's and crystals from Hobby Lobby, and of course, an earlier project, a tote from blogpast!!!

And don't miss the video at the end! I'd like to think that our totes had some hint of inspiration for it! (Yeah, right!!) ;P 

first pass with gems

the crystals!! teeny tiny

The versa tool(box) and tweezers...couldn't have done it w/o those!

Voila!!!

Tough to get a good shot of them and their sparkly goodness



Village Quilt Part 2

The quilt top...just about ready for the batting/backing...

There is a whole world out there about batting and backing fabrics and then the quilting itself. D'oh!! Quilting is actually when you sandwich those layers together....oooooh!! Then you have to decide how you are going to stitch them together (there are entire books written on this, I kid you not) I was about ready to give up, there were just too many choices and variables and how was I going to do all that on my basic sewing machine? but then the more I looked at the quilt (top!) I knew I had to finish it, so I did some reading, a LOT of reading, (This fabulous book was a big help!) and consulting, and settled on 'stitch in the ditch' quilting. Which is when you top stitch (quilt) the sandwich together by following the lines where the fabric meets. I started with off white quilting thread, but it was proving distracting when my lines weren't perfectly straight, so I switched to clear plastic mono filament thread, and it was pretty much gravy from then on in. But of course I couldn't have even gotten that far had I not used an even feed foot or 'walking foot' as those in the know call it. A special foot for the sewing machine that helps push the quilt sandwich through evenly. Then, just when I thought the sewing ordeal journey was over, (I kid!!!) there was one more skill I had to learn, which was how to make binding and then sew it on, by hand. All I can say is, THANK YOU, YOUTUBE!!!! Once that was done, I was pretty thrilled with the results. I think I'd love to make another quilt (top) if I could just find someone else to do the rest of it! :-)

"even feed" foot

All Done!!! About 60"x60"

The flipside...you didn't think I forgot, did you?
I went with a solid gray so the stitching design would POP.

Village Quilt...

So, in the back of my mind, I've always wanted to try making a quilt and even more so since going to the IQF in 2010 & 2011, but I never actually took the steps necessary, like choosing fabric and settling on a design. And, true to my crafting habits, I like to dive right in, and not read ahead, that would be less fun!! (ha!) Anyway, when gobs of precut pretty fabric landed in my lap, from my friend who doesn't have a problem giving up hobbies like I do...it kind of got me thinking that I'd actually try to make one someday. Flash forward 3 months, and I was struck by inspiration out of nowhere when I saw the bright colors sticking out of their bag and thought that it had to be made into something pretty, ASAP. I played with the strips & colors, without a grand plan in mind, and before I knew it, I had assembled a panel of 12 strips in graduating colors.

Then I looked more carefully at the stash and I realized there were 4 strips cut in each of the 12 colors, so I went ahead and made 3 more panels. Then I was even more puzzled, because I didn't know how I could join all these together to form something cohesive enough for a throw, and I went back to the stash... there were even more precut strips that I had passed over before, and these were shorter than the original long strips I had made into the panels.

After playing with the colors and shapes, my quilt (top) had taken shape! I had a nice, square-ish design. I thought, wow, that was cool, thinking I was pretty much done. Never really having given any thought as to HOW a quilt comes into BEING!

Since you've been such patient readers...here's a sneak peek of the plan thus far...

Silver Surfer

Hey ya!!

Thanks for returning for another edition of 'what did she make this time'? This will be brief but I assure you, well worth the wait.

I've been inspired by so many fashionista DIY'ers out there and their upcycling (reusing, reducing, recycling into something new) and I've become obsessed with the shoe makeovers. I had this sad pair of black 'edgy' ballet shoes that needed some oomph, so I of course jumped into action after realizing that I had everything I needed, shoes I wouldn't mind sacrificing for a greater cause, and a can of spray paint, masking tape, and newspaper. Somebody gave me the silver and kept the gold for herself, so that is what I used... What is that song, make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold. Too true.

But I digress, here is the part we've all been waiting for.

yes, 3 unnecessary buckles make them edgy. take my word for it

Before....

After

Crafty humor

Happy February!!

I love offbeat comedy like Portlandia and when it intersects with crafting....well, let's just say you better watch this clip...I'm feeling inspired to make something awesome!

Gingerbread Madness

As with most crafting adventures, this began innocently enough. The company I work for was hosting a gingerbread house (gbh) building contest for the holidays, this was back in December. The stakes were high: winners would have $500 donated to their charity of choice.

Never having ever made a gbh before, of course I thought it was a great idea! And it was! But only because I had my colleague Miss V, who is an expert baker and cake decorator on my side! Together we brainstormed ideas and came to a conclusion, we wanted to win, and we didn't want a run of the mill gbh. This one was going to be worthy of architectural digest. (if they had them for gbh. not really, but go with me)

We had about 5 days to pull it all together and thank goodness for the Internet, we had a game plan in place. V painstakingly found a great recipe for sturdy gbh's and baked the pieces from scratch so perfectly that construction was a breeze. All the ingredients were edible, and it smelled really good if you weren't spending all day with it like we were. ;P

V's cake expertise really came into play with the fondant and cookie cutters and all the glorious tools she's got for making fondant look like anything you want! It was like having a grown up set of play doh tools & gadgets at my disposal. TOO MUCH FUN!!! :-)

So we got to be the architects, builders, decorators, and even electricians on this project. Needless to say, our gbh won for 'best house made from scratch' :)


We've got the gb couple, Rudolph and his gf and of course a sleigh...go ahead and take a peek inside the gbh!!



The indoor tree with presents! The floor is wood grain too, so there's that red rug to warm things up...



You can see the fireplace with the roaring fire and stockings, and of course the brick work!



Bear-y Special Baby Shower Craft

I was helping with a baby shower for my cousin, and when the bear theme was chosen, I knew right away that I wanted to make these sweet little drawer sachets as part of the favor bags. My sister had received one of these as a favor many moons ago, like in the 1900's! I know. A long time ago. So naturally, I  had to punch it up for the millennium. The colors for the shower were pale green & yellow to keep things gender neutral, so I set off to find the perfect fabric thinking this must be a popular color combination. I found one that was passable at Hobby Lobby, but it the print was too large. Then I looked, and looked, and looked at Jo-Ann's to no avail. That is when I finally yelled uncle and revised to just go with the pale green and accent it with yellow accessories. Looking back, I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner! D'oh!

They were pretty easy to make, cut out a square of fabric, add a golf ball & and half's worth of stuffing, and gather with needle and thread. Plus a few drops of your fav essential oils to give it that sachet-y scent. Then came the pom poms each one needed 9 at varying sizes for the paws, head, and of course tail.




one false move, and the bear gets it

When I got to the eyes & nose, I was in a jam trying to find the right beads which would stay stuck, and after consulting with a local bead expert, we came to the conclusion that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. So thankfully since I am obsessed with crafts of all kinds and find them difficult to give up, I had some (read: a bunch) polymer clay that I rolled into the face parts, and since I didn't actually have the color black, I intended to paint them or sharpie them. My rusty poly clay skills actually helped me here, since when I went to bake the clay, I burned it, and they turned the perfect black on their own. Gotta love it when that happens!! Crafty coincidences. woo hoo.

Here's the final product... :-)

Ugly Sweater Party

For our bookclub holiday party this year, the hosts came up with the idea that is sweeping the nation...the ugly sweater party!! Unfortunately, this gem of crafty goodness was thrown in with my other crafts in December and due nearly on the same day!! But how often do you get the chance to make something truly, madly, ugly...on purpose?! I tried to go the ugly route, but I couldn't do it, something in my crafty genes wouldn't allow it. So instead I found my inner Gaga diva and went for tacky. If a little shine is good, a WHOLE lot of shine is great, right?!?

The party was a blast, and those who participated, ahem, really turned it out. The other participants were more old school with their approach and went with things that had been actually worn/made by someone without the intent of irony. Not so with my disco ball approach to sparkle it up. I even went the extra mile to make a hair accessory. Watch out project accessory, if you sponsor a "tacky" challenge, you might have competition in me. Of course, I had to stay true to my roots of reusing whenever possible, so...I found this sparkly cardigan and sewed on a swath of RED stretch sequins along the front all the way around the collar and back down, and then both cuffs.

The part that made the sweater had to be the glittered poinsettias I scored at the dollar store. I had 3 but the sweater was so small, I really couldn't find a good place for the 3rd one, which is why I made it into a hair accessory...

Quilt Fest 2011!

Hey Reader!

I know for some, just reading the word "quilt" makes people want to sleep under one. But HELLO, those people aren't reading my blog. :-) If you are one of those people, take a no-doz and soldier on.

Last week, Houston hosted the International Quilt Festival, the largest show of its kind in the U.S., insanity!! This insightful documentary captures some of the awesomeness that is the IQF. But, in the same way that you can't put Baby in the corner, you also can't fully capsulize the world that is IQF in a mere 72 minutes, but you sure can try.

So naturally, my friend Selina and I had to go and check it out for ourselves...for a second year in a row! Thanks to another friend, Elizabeth, who has friends in high places, we were hooked up with tickets, although, truth be told, we would be just as happy to fork over the $10 for admission if we had to!

This fest takes over the convention center from end to end, taking up (seemingly) every last square foot of the 1.2 MILLION there. Hey, quilts take up space, and quilters need their elbow room. To my untrained eye, it seemed as though there was a general 70% of the space dedicated to companies selling their wares and 30% which was the display space of the entrants that made the cut to show at the IQF. Shopping and a museum all in one. Shopping until you drop, which we also did.

And I am crazy for pictures, so here are a couple of my all time fav's from this year...





Electric Faerie of the Getty Garden by Sheila Frampton-Cooper

 I love the way the colors just POP against the bright white.

And this one was my all time fav... I can smell the cheery cherry blossoms!!

Sakura Sakura by Hiroko Miyama



The detail is just amazing!!



Price Points

Price Points by coralsaver featuring yellow gold jewelry

Just a little something I made drawing inspiration from the fab CheapChicas' Liliana Vasquez who has a recurring feature on the Nate Show.... Bank or Bargain. :)

I didn't mix it up like she does, but you get the idea. I have the patience to browse the web, but there's no telling how long it would take me to find it in real life like she does.