Handmade Christmas: The Cards Are On the Table

DONE DONE DONE!!!!  I am finished with my Christmas cards.  I have no idea how it happened.  I also didn't even realize that it DID happen!  I was bored and decided that I would write my little message inside of each card and start loading the envelopes and checking off my mailing list.  Next thing I know, I run out of people and cards at the same time.  YAY! 

So here are the final cards I made.

I made some simple wreaths.  I traced the circle using a little kiddie cup and then I cut it out with craft scissors-- saved money by not buying an expensive punch!  Then, I used a smaller circular punch I already had to cut out the center of the wreath, but if you don't have one, gently fold the circle in half and use craft scissors again.  That's what I would have tried.

I made some snowflake cards.  These are layered stickers.  I always bulk up on winter stickers and rub-ons.... and it seems like, for the most part, winter lasts for so little time here.  Between all the Fall harvest decor and beautiful colors and Spring... I just don't ever use any of my winter embellishments.  So!  Yeap!  Another *FREE* set of cards made with more things I had lying around.

These are just a few gingerbread men that I drew on some cardstock and cut out.  Then, since I don't have one of those fancy dye things for the edges, I just layered the gingerbread men on some black cardstock and cut the whole thing out.  I think these are my favorite ones of all.

The cardstock that I used to make the gingerbread men says "chocolate".  Cute!

 

I also made some ornaments. They are drying in this picture. I used the same circle stencil I made for the wreaths and just cut out some circles from pretty paper and embellished the paper with flowers, glitter glue, and ribbon.

 

I wasn't expecting to finish the cards so soon.  I was just getting discouraged last night, thinking I had about 25 more to make.  I was about to give up because if I spent any more time making cards, I would not have time to get on with the hand made gifts.

 

Problem solved!  The cards are signed, put away into their addressed envelopes.  I am just waiting another week or so to mail them out. 

 

I also have to admit that I was a little bummed out because I am trying for perfection.  I keep having to stop and tell myself that THAT IS WHAT HANDMADE IS ALL ABOUT! 

 

Those tiny imperfections that signify that THIS was HAND-CRAFTED by a HUMAN with a CARING HEART and all the wonderful IMPERFECTIONS that make her UNIQUE! 

 

Do you ever have to pep talk yourself into believing that you are worth all that you are?  Man!  I have to do it all the time.  Without realizing it, I can really be hard on myself.  It's no fun when you are your worst, and sometimes only, critic.  But I am learning to change this, day by day, and project, by project.

 

As for tonight, even thought it is really late, I am going to start on my next project.  I am making some things for a girl  that is on the cheerleading squad with My Little Darling.  She is having a birthday party, and after spending $1500 on Black Friday and another $400 on Cyber Monday, I am going to have to make something phenomenal out of whatever supplies I have on deck!  And, trust me!  I am sooooo Up for the Challenge!  ...  T minus Two Weeks until the birthday party.  Wish me luck, patience and perseverance!

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Handmade Holidays: Inspo Flow!

It's really true when someone says, "You can't  have it all!"  I hate to be honest about it and face those facts, but it is what it is.  I can't have the best of ALL worlds.  My week has been FULL of crafting, shopping and gift wrapping.  I have to slow down and remember my priorities....

At this point, my apartment looks like a fucking crime scene:  Laundry piled higher than the head of my soon-to-be six year old!  Disorganized piles of things for work, holiday crafting, mail, to-do... and whatever.  We have NO FOOD in the house-- how the hell have I been finding time to cook so much???  My kiddo's home school lessons haven't been planned for the next week.  My hair is on top of my head, looking like a crazy piece of hell! And on top of that, I have been getting 2-4 hours of sleep per night. 

In case you were wondering what my priorities are:  Self-Care (preserving my mental health and physical wellness), Domestic Responsibilities (being a good Mother and Wife), Financial Gain, and then comes Arts/Crafts.  As of right now, I am living my priorities backwards--  I have been arting more than anything.  Then, I have taken on lots of responsibilities at work, and I spend time at home tackling that mess I created.  I am totally slacking in the area of all things "domestically related".  And I haven't been eating or sleeping well at all.  So yea---  tonight is not about art.  It's about getting my apartment scrubbed, my hair combed, my feet pedicured, and making a menu/grocery list.

Don't you hate it when reality slaps the shit out of you??  IT SUCKS!  I just wanna have FUNNN!!!  But it really is no fun when you can't focus on what you enjoy because the more important tasks have not taken care of themselves!

.....  BUT!!!  I did need to take some time tonight to jot down my Christmas Inspo.  Having a handmade Christmas is so much fun, but I really have to do my research!  So this is what I did today:  I went to the grocery store.  They have a reasonable magazine selection.  But I am far too cheap to make several magazine purchases.  I mean some where as expensive as $12!!!  Yea right!  So I whipped out my phone and took some pictures.  They are totally low quality, but I don't have many readers, so more than anything, this is my little "cyber bulletin board" of what would be magazine clippings if I could actually afford all of the magazines. 

Disclaimer:  I do not have all of the citation information for each photo, but I will post a hyperlinked list at the end of the pictures in case you would like to go to the store and check out the magazine yourself :)

This picture is the reason I opted for a Handmade Christmas!  I know, it's always something so small and seemingly insignificant. But I love these hand-sewn cards and so I wanted to try to do my own cards and the idea snowballed from there.


I have to apologize again for the terrible quality.  I was literally watching over my shoulder because I wasn't sure if I was even allowed to take pictures of magazines rather then buy them LOL!

This is a GORGEOUS wreath made from balls of yarn, pine cones, and jingles.  I think there are also some glittery gold foam ornaments as well.  I want to make a few wreaths this holiday season. 

Here is another wreath made with plastic berries, yarn wrapped around a foam circle shape, and felt rolled rose flowers.  I have been wanting to make a wreath for a few years... I figured, since I am doing a handmade Christmas-- there is no time like the present, right?!

 



I saw lots of examples of hand made paper ornaments like this one.  This one is special because it's the first one that I saw that was embellished like this-- LOVE ME SOME SPARKLY!  And I also really like the beading coming from the hanging wire and dangling down. These are really simple to make.  Get a paper punch at your local craft store in this scalloped circle shape.  Cut out three or four.  Embellish as you will.  Fold them in half and glue them to one another with a wire or string for hanging from the top (with a loop) until the bottom that you can embellish with beads.  I may not make a tree full of these, but I am going to give this a try!











I also saw lots of really cute things for children.  I like the idea of getting My Little Darling in the spirit by allowing her to hand craft gifts for her friends.  Like this Crayola wreath-- ADORABLE!

 

 

 I love this picture frame with all the different textures of buttons.  This is a little more detailed then I would prefer for my daughter to work on, but I think the idea is cute and something that would be fun to do with a child as a joint effort for a gift.

And last, but definitely not least, a Christmas tree for a Little One.  My Little Darling has requested her own tree.  I would love to get her one, but I am still torn about the ornament situation.  I am not a big fan of having glass in the room of someone under the age of ten.  Ya just never know how that might turn out.  And My Little Darling is a WILD CHILD!  But I can do something like these adorable, easily crafted felt ornaments.  And I can make them WITH My Little Darling!

 

I am sure the layout of this post is a little crazy, but it's all good.  I just wanted a place to put all my handmade inspo.  Will you be doing anything interesting this year?  Crafting something special?  Are you attending a craft fair or will you be making just a few small sentimental gifts for a select few?  I wish I could allow people to post responses on here.  I would love to hear what others are doing and SEE what everyone is trying out...

 

Well, laundry calls!  And I am in no position not to listen! 

 

Happy Holidays!

 

 

Magazines:  Traditional Home; Country Living; Bliss Victoria;  Fresh Style; Cottage Living; Southern Lady Holidays; HG TV Magazine, Stitch/Craft Create

 

 



Hanmade Holidays: Play Your Cards Right

Weeelllll...  It is the end of Black Friday.  I have to admit that I did all my shopping from 8pm until 2:30 in the morning like some sort of psycho path.  You would think I was really out to get some awesome electronics and whatnot.  Nope!  I am all about TOYS!  Ha ha ha!  I get all of My Little Darling's gifts on Black Friday in addition to about 5-10 other gifts for the other awesome Little Ones in my life.  It's the easiest and cheapest way to get everything taken care of.

This year was a whole new experience, let me tell ya!  I was at work...with some children.  I knew it was a risk to try to do something like face a Black Friday Wal-Mart MOB with them.  I knew the risk of a kid running off with some random weirdo who wears his hunting gear full time was high.  I knew the risk of a kid inciting a riot, only due to the uncontrollable urge to innocently start a flash mob, was high.  I knew the risk of getting attacked by one of the kids due to the stress of the mania was high.  But the deals were too good to resist!  And we played our cards right, strategically stationing ourselves all over the store. I got everything I wanted.  But I can't say what any of it is......  Not until the 25th of December, that is!

I went to bed at 3am, and I woke up feeling hung over...  This past summer, I was diagnosed with reactive hypoglycemia, which basically means that sugar is now my mortal enemy and I must do what I can to avoid it at all costs.  I just don't really give too much a shit about my health when it comes to THANKSGIVING YUMMYNESS!!!!  So I had about 5 too many slices of pies and about 4 too many sodas...and countless carbs!  Unfortunately, the effect it has on me is that my body shuts down and I am completely exhausted and incoherent after my body crashes from the sugar high. 

With that said, I went for a bagel this morning, rather than the slices of chess pie I planned on eating.  I had tea instead of the large coffee with pumpkin spice flavoring and 1/4 cup of eggnog latte creamer.  I was depressed and didn't really finish my food... I was still craving pure sugar.

I spent the day running around like a mad person between stores, wrapping gifts and hiding them in my small apartment, driving to pick up my daughter and back home and rushing to work.  I meant to have all my cards done by last Sunday ...

But that didn't happen.  I had to put everything to the side so I could plan out my Black Friday shopping!  I have almost finished about half of them.  I started with some very simple cards, just cutting out rectangles from festive paper and mounting it onto the card.

Like these two.  Very simple.  In hindsight, I should have just made them all this way. Faster. Easier.  Cleaner.  But where's the fun in that???

So then I made some Christmas trees.  I figured, "If you are going through the trouble to even bother with hand making all your cards, you should at least get some fun out of it.  Try something new!"  So I did.  I love working with paper a lot, but I am not very good with making cards.  I browsed all my magazines and books on the topic.  But, as I find so often, it's best if I just let my imagination take over and do what works well for me.

I am almost done with about half of them.  I had to throw away about 20 embellishments.  I used some fabric paint....  It didn't do what I was hoping it would and I have to go back re-make all of those cards again.  I'm SO NOT HAPPY about that, but hey-- Isn't that what art is about?  Trying the unconventional?  Taking chances?  Realizing that you fucked up royally?  And starting from ground zero again and again and again?  Until you find something like contentment with what you've fought so hard to create?  Well, that's what it's like for me!  Ha ha ha!  I assume that, for aspiring crafty/artsy peoples, this is not encouraging, but let me just put this out there:  There is NO greater feeling that trying 127 kabillion times to make something, anything, which invokes a sense of pride within you.  Nothing makes you happier and feel more accomplished.

The name of the game for the next few days is to get 100% done with ALL designs, including a re-do of the wreaths & ornaments I had, snowflakes, snowman, gift boxes, gingerbread men, and even Rudolf!  Wish me luck!  I sketch everything by hand on cardstock and use it as a stencil.  I am not sure if Rudolf will look like a reindeer or an Water Buffalo! I don't have that many cards left to make, but I am totally determined to have me some FUN while I get to it! 

--Happy Crafting!


 

Have a Happy Handmade Christmas!

Well, it's the holiday season.  I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by.  I planned on making more posts this year than ever, but I guess that didn't work out. It's really time consuming to log in, comment, read, write, edit, upload, post daily for me.  It's also painful, as I have really bad carpal tunnel.

But it's the holidays and I am newly inspired!  I have wanted to do this for years, and for some reason, this year I am actually working on a HANDMADE CHRISTMAS.  Don't get me wrong, it will not be 100% handmade.  The fact is:  I am not building a dollhouse for my daughter or taking an electrical engineer class in order to construct some awesome electronic gifts.  So those will be store bought, but outside of toys and electronics, I am making things by hand.

So I am sitting in my disaster of a dining area late last night (or early this morning; take your pick) and I am working on my cards to mail out, cutting, pasting, decorating, etc.... and I think:  Why am I not blogging about this???  I know the answer.... "Because every time I post, I disappear for months on end without notice..."  Well, that and my wrist hurts really bad when I am on my laptop *Sad face!

But even if the posts are short and the pictures are of mediocre quality, I want to have some proof that I made my Christmas!

First, I made myself a holiday planner.  The picture of the cover is somehow saved in an odd angle that I can't fix, but this is the inside.  I got the idea off of pinterest randomly looking up DIY Christmas gift ideas.  I didn't find any ideas I liked, but I was ecstatic about getting organized in such a cute way!

Then I got started on my Christmas cards.  I normally buy about 200 cards, but this year, I wanted to make them, so I kept it simple, keeping the mailing list to less than 100.  If I spend the next weeks making cards, then I am sure to disappoint those expecting some creative gifts!

I cranked out about 60 envelopes over the weekend!  I am glad I kept up the hard work.  My attention span is about as short as a new born baby's. 

And then the other night, I fooled around with about 40 fonts until I found 4 that I liked the best.  I edited the text into the small cards and cut them out.

I have actually finished about half of them now, but I will save that for another day to post about :) 
I chose not to make lavish, extravagant (and time consuming cards) but I really like the cards I designed.  They are festive, cute, and simple.

More to come in the next few days, as I prepare to mail out my first batch of cards!

Happy Holidays!

 

Ground Zero Construction Site

It's a bright Monday morning here.  Loving the weather.  Loving that I will not burst into flames if I stay outside for too long.  Yes, summer has come and gone for the year.  Now, all that's in my sight are beautiful trees with colors changing and all the new fall colors coming out to play in everyone's wardrobe.  When I was younger, more brazen, and much thinner, I would prefer summer because I could parade the streets scantily clad.  Now that I am older, and I have a family of my own with a reputation to uphold, I am more apt to keep my clothes on and I have to admit-- Autumn colors really go well with my skin tone!

Enough of that though...  I am here to explain, or confess, rather, why I haven't been posting much and why there haven't been many pictures involved...  They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here is one:

This is what my art studio looked like in 2010, I think.  It was a holy hot mess, but I didn't care because then, I was working third shift and I completed most art projects in my staff office at work in the middle of the night.  MAN!  I miss those days!  Eight full hours of uninterrupted time for art projects.  Lots of desk and table space so I could see what I was doing.  But, that came to an end.  I got a new job.  I also have to admit that several projects were damaged as I transported them from my home to work and back every day.

So then, I got my shit together and cleaned it all up!  I even set up a spot to take pictures.  You can't see it, but it's behind the dress form wearing the orange loop scarf I was working on at the time.  You are probably wondering where I am going with all this....  Let me show you.

THIS is what my art room looks like now.  GAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!  <--  That is the only way I can describe my thoughts and mental state when I so much as think of going in there to work.  How did this happen?  Well, simply put:  I had a party to plan for and no time for cleaning.  EVERYTHING that didn't belong in other parts of the house were thrown in there.  This party happened in December 2011...and I have not been able to face the truth that "someone" is going to have to go back in and reorganize and clean.  I have an even harder time facing the undesirable truth that the "Someone" is going to have to be ME.  As you can see, it's a mission impossible to get from the doorway into the room, let alone to clean it.  And dragging out everything that was carelessly thrown in is...well, FUCK THAT!  It's unfathomable!  My whole apartment would be a disaster, ground zero resemblant catastrophe!!!

Or at least it was until this morning.  This morning, it hit me that my scale is 5 pounds off.  Every month, I get bloated when my Aunt Flow visits and I vow to spend the 3 weeks in between cycles working out like a maniac to lose weight.  Every month, I find excuses not to get off my ass and then, before I know it, I am laid up somewhere, bloated, exhausted and pissed off.  Now that I have officially identified my scale as an Evil Bitch with a desire to make me self-conscious about my appearance AND a liar, I have decided to live with more PURPOSE!  And I mean that in all walks of life.

From today:  No more 5 hour sprees of watching TV.  No more planning social outings/events during my daughter's school day.  No more skipping a work out for a nap.  No more late nights spent snacking and watching TV.  No more skipping meals because I am too lazy to cook.  No more eating out because I am too lazy to cook.  No more money wasted on art supplies until I clean my art room.  No more procrastinating with the cleaning of my art room.  No more avoiding Blogspot because I feel incredibly guilty about not posting due to not having a space to be creative.  No more putting off important phone calls.  And most very importantly:  No more procrastinating with opening up an online shop.  Dammit, it's been 5 years of waiting and then being afraid and then putting it off and starting the cycle all over again.  It's done.  I am done. 

Time for a change.  And I am NOT falling into my old "End of the Year Habit":  Waiting for the New Year before I make some serious life changes.  I never maintain any resolutions, so I think it's time to just get my shit together.

PROMISE:  The art room will be clean TODAY!  And new posts with completed projects will be photographed and posted about in the coming days.  Til then-- GUTEN TAG :)


 

The Truth Is....

The truth is...  I am very fearful.  I am always worried that I won't get to do things the way I want and the world will somehow know what my original intention is.  The world will know that I didn't meet my own standards and that I failed. 

The truth is...  I am always full of excuses.  No matter how you see it, if there is a reason why I didn't get around to something, I am well aware of this reason and I don't mind putting it on display.  And what they say about excuses is so Real:  They're like assholes, everybody's got one.

The truth is...  I don't really know what I am doing!  I don't know exactly what I want, and I am not sure how to get from point A to point B.  All I know is that if I am going to get away from this space I mentally inhabit, it's going to take some guts.  But that's all I've got.  I guess I need to #GOOGLE some answers!

The truth is...  I want to have it all.  Everything and then some.  I feel like I deserve a life that I never gave myself a chance to live.  But that doesn't mean I want to let go of what I have right now either.  I want all of it:  The good, bad, stinky, smelly, beautiful, colorful, dreadful, wonderful ALL.  Whatever life has to offer, as it pertains to me, I want to have it!

The truth is...  I hate to make decisions.  I don't enjoy committing to anything (at all--Ever.) and so I hate to make decisions about anything in the first place.  I feel like making a choice is like allowing a shackle to be placed around one ankle and then I have no choice but to follow through with that choice.  If I don't- Well, refer to the first sentence.

The TRUTH is... I am a wonderful person.  I deserve good things.  I am genuinely convinced that people in general, although I struggle with trust, are inherently good.  I feel that we all have a light within us that is sometimes dimmed by circumstances and situations, but I don't think this light can ever truly be burnt out.  It is that reason that I so often bask in the sheer delight of altruism.  I love to do good things for people without compensation or recognition.  Because I am good.  I see my light and I want to make you feel your light within you.

The TRUTH is... I take challenges.  Not every challenge is interesting enough to maintain my attention, but hey, I am willing to try it on for size!  I am not afraid of many things in the world- just world war, sexually transmitted disease, mold, and falling.

The TRUTH is... I am an amazing artist.  I never say this out loud because, again, refer to the first segment.  But I am!  I have great ideas.  I work hard to hone my skills.  I love to do research.  I am great at what I do, but the world is so quick to tear someone down if it seems they are too confident and content.  So I hide.

The TRUTH is...  I am great at time management.  I seem as though I am always late, cluttered and disoriented, but I am really great with planning, organizing and sticking to a routine.  The problem came when I got a crash course on sharing my life schedule with a husband and child.  Suddenly it became an expanded version with lots of personalities and time conflicts.  I learned that I have to give in at times, sacrifice at times.  I guess I got carried away with the "self-sacrifice" bit of it all, and I forgot that I have something profound to contribute:  A Daily Master Plan!

The TRUTH is... I am all or nothing!  I can either be 100% committed and pour my heart into the things that matter most to me, or I will drop it like a bad habit and keep pushing forward.  I am a creature of routine, and when I establish one, it takes everything short of electro-shock therapy to steer me from whatever path along which I've wandered.

The TRUTH is... I can fucking do this!  I needed to air my fears, thoughts, and feelings just to see them come to life, but I know I can do it!  I know I can finally work on the goals that I have set aside for the past 5 years. I know I can juggle everything.  I know that I can PRAY every single day for the strength to ward off false sentiments about my weaknesses.  I know that I am smart, funny, resourceful and talented enough to make everything work within my life and manage to fall asleep every night feeling good about the choices that I made to finally start living just a small portion of my life for ME.

Stay tuned.....  I am back.

 

'Ugh..You caught me while monologuing!"

I am not sure that I have had time to elaborate on this, but I am a movie-buff.  I like so many sorts of movies that it is a waste of time to even bother with listing.  I am just going to be making more posts about books and movies because those are more of my favorite things! 

My top loves (in regards to hobbies, of course!!)

1- art/craft/creation

2- music

3- books/ movies (these are the same since no one in the film industry is creative enough to be original)

4- dance/singing (these are the same because I am equally TERRIBLE at both! Terry-boool!!!)

So... it's late and I was craving coffee.  By late, I mean 1am, now.  If I drink coffee at 1am, I will sleep tomorrow afternoon at 1pm, and then miss my shift at work.  I  just had this damn fluffy, delicious donut that I wanted to eat and it could only be paired with coffee.  I have a Kuerig, so I brewed a K-cup, poured half of it out, brewed nothing but water, poured half of that out and drowned it all with some creamer.......did I create decaf?  Or will I be falling asleep around 10am, rather than 1pm???

Anyway, as I tried to sort out the whole decaf thing, I thought about films with the most difficult monologues.  I have not seen EVERY film since the dawn of the industry, but I can think of some of my favorites...  Imagine if you had to learn these monologues for an audition!

***  I didn't want to include videos in the post, but you can click on the scene and it will take you to a clip of the monologue!***

#1 - The Matrix: Reloaded.  The Architect Scene. 

 (Because it is unexpected and delivered in such a 'matter-of-fact' tone although it's a HUGE turning point in the film)

#2 - V for Vendetta.  V's Introduction to Evey.

(Because it is hilarious and so complicated.  How can someone be so creative in introduction, however rather than be amused and interested in him, the nature of the delivery only verifies your concern that he is INSANE!)

#3 - Down With Love - Barbara Novak reveals herself to Catcher Block.

(because I have seen this movie zillions of times and I still get confused about what she is saying.  Only an actress of great talent can breesze through something this confusing!)

I have seen all of these films 100s of times.  I LOVE them all, but I have to say that my absolute favorite monologue of them all is Down With Love.  The most complex and difficult to remember is in V for Vendetta.  I would get completely tongue-tied with all the words that start with 'V', and I have no idea what most of them even mean! 

Here is a small fact about me that I haven't shared: I think of amazing monologues all the time because my sister works in the theatre industry and I am always thinking of great monologues for her to practice for auditions.

Do you have any favorite lines from movies?  It's always so much fun to laugh and act out your favorite scenes with someone who shares the same interest in genres as you.  I am curious if there is anyone else who has a favorite monologue!

All righty.  Coffee's all done, and so is this post! But before I go, you should know that the title of my post is actually also from a movie!  The Incredibles!  yes, I love animated films!!!

  Good night......... I hope ^_^



Gratitude....

I never get to the point where I am not surprised and EXTREMELY thankful for people reading my blog.  I will be honest... I totally forget to check for comments on a regular basis. I don't blog regularly, and I realize that I don't blog about any one topic consistently, so that may also deter people from reading or following... So, I basically just use my blog as a journal and a place to share thoughts and ideas for passersby.

I used to be hung up on whether anyone was reading and it became an unhealthy obsession.  Then, I thought "Well, I guess I won't post unless I have something special to report....or unless I am starting a new project and then again when I finish".  If I continued to operate on that thought process, you wouldn't ever hear from me again.  So I took some time away from blogging and eventually, I also stopped coming on the site all together.  Well, a couple of months ago, I started checking in once a week...and then a few times per week...and well,

I REALLY MISS THE COMMUNITY!!!!

So, I just want to thank all the sweethearts who read my blog and all the Awesome new people who have started to read it.  And to all the blogs I follow (you know who you are), I just want to say I'M SORRY that I haven't been leaving comments, like I usually do. I am slowly working back into my routine the time to read, comment, and post regularly!

Right now, I am currently working REALLY hard on my first give away.  I tried really hard about 6 months ago, and I got 80% finished...and I hit a brick wall.  I couldn't figure out the last few parts of the project to complete it.  I am sure that this time, I won't give up and I won't get distracted!  I hope in either a few days or a week, I will have something to GIVE AWAY :D *Happy Dance*

Again, THANK YOU for being fucking Awesome, and paying me & my little world some attention. 

Spring Fling

I wish that I had an unlimited budget to completely devote to fashion.  And then I wish that I would be able to squeeeeeeeze into the size zeroes and twos that you have to wear in order to pull off most of the looks.

But, hey, a girl can dream!  So here are just a few of my favorite spring/summer 2012 looks.  Just a few!

L: Alberta Ferretti; R: Clements Ribiero  Spring/Summer 2012 Ready to Wear Collections

Green is my favorite color and I love dresses.  I will admit that I have never worn a fitted dress like this with any confidence.  Most of my life, I was ashamed because I was bone-thin.  Now, I gots me some meat on these bones, and I am too ashamed of cleavage and booty-meat.

Christian Siriano Spring/Summer 2012 Ready to Wear

Obviously, these aren't  clothes you just throw on before you head out to grab a few things from the grocery store...but if I lived the life of some super-rich housewife who only sat around eating bon-bons, while being fabulous as someone else did all my dirty work....this is what I would eat my bon-bons in. This is what I would wear around my mansion, while learning exotic languages because I had nothing better to do than look marvelous and sound smart!

Emanuel Ungaro Spring/Summer 2012 Ready to Wear

These are more amazing looking clothes.  You know...something that would look good with a bon-bon in hand.  Hahahaha!  I am obsessed with truffles and bon-bons tonight, I guess!  Really, these are power clothes. These are my outfits to my important business meetings and the boring ridiculous business evenings out with stuffy old men and their terrible white-collar humor.  I would pretend that everything is funny and all is well so that I could get my promotion while I wore this white gown...

I wish I knew how to sew.  I would create the most beautiful looking things for people to wear.  I will be honest, I think I would have to price my clothing more fairly.  I want everyone to have access to something this magnificent.  You know, the idea of "Fake It til You Make It" totally came from playing dress up!  Pretending to be high quality, high maintenance, well groomed and special in clothes and make up...  You can be anything, depending on your mood and the outfit you have as your accessory!

One day!  One day, I will bring some affordable outstanding fashion to a neighborhood near you!

I Put a HEX on Youuuu!

Hello!  Hello!  How's life in the cyberverse these days?

I have made some posts that haven't had much to do with creativity.....although in my first post in a long time, I mentioned the importance of CREATIVE EXPRESSION.

Well, I have been steadfast in my payment of debts, which doesn't leave me with extra money for supplies.  Normally, if I am just thinking of starting a project, I hit up the craft stores to make sure I have everything I need.  That way, somewhere part ways through the project, I don't have to find the time to buy more supplies if I run out of them.  Well, I needed to get creating again.  So I worked on my Baby Rainbows blanket, knowing that I may run out of yarn....and that is what happened!  I ran out of my rainbow colored yarn.

The good news is I have had the time and money to buy some last weekend, so now I can continue with the project.

The GREAT news is that, while I was waiting on the money and time to come together for me to make it to the store for baby rainbow yarn, I decided to make due with what I already had in my stash.  I decided to start a project for my couch.  I really need a throw of some sort.  It gets chilly in my living room because my balcony window is huge.

I love hexagons.  First, I thought about making lots of little granny squares, but then I re-thought about it.  At this point, I have started several hexagon blankets, but I have never finished any of them.   I hate that edges are all wonky.  I want them to be perfectly straight.  It's almost like the hexagons have put a hex (curse) on me, and I will never be totally satisfied with the end result.  Well, I am fighting back!!  I have nothing to worry about... I can let go of all my tendencies for perfection with this project.  It's MINE! 

Goodness!  My camera does not do these colors any justice.  Anyway, at the moment, I don't have any plans as far as design and combination of the colors/motifs, but I am not worried about that.  I know that I will need about 120 hexagons.  I know I like thos colors and I want it to be darker than lighter, with  more browns than anything else because that would look good on my couch...... other than that... I am just taking this day by day, hexie by hexie until it comes together on its own.  I like to just "be in the moment" with this project. 

I'm going to start connecting them in a few days....  So stay tuned to see what it starts to become as the hexies take on their shape into a nice little throw for my sofa!  Also, if you have  a blog and you like to make things for your home, I am totally interested, so share your info with me and, if you dare, share some ideas!

Back Attack!

It's been a long while, hasn't it?  I know!  I truly do apologize for my absence.  I always seem to back on board with blogging semi-regularly, but then I fall off the boat.  I hate that I never stick to anything, but I have been running extra short of motivation for a very long time.  I am stuck in my head.  I keep thinking of and fantasizing about all the "coulda", "shoulda", "woulda"  moments that I can't get back.  Do you know what that's like?  To spend hours per day, daydreaming of things that you want to change or make happen for yourself, but you feel like you can't?  Well, I am going to start channelling that negative and depressing energy into some art work!  I have been paying off my debts, leaving me short of money to buy art supplies for projects.  But for me not to be productive....well, that's somewhat of a death of my essence.  And we can't have that!

Dance of Dreams, Josephine Wall

I normally don't like "fantasy art", which is what I consider this to be, but I have been thinking of ways to "art" the way that I feel.



I have been in a dream state, and I am finding it harder and harder to wake myself from it.  The truth is, I am happier and more fulfilled in my dream.


Have you ever had a dream that was so great and so real that you spend so much time trying to remember your favorite parts of the dream?  You think about how those parts of your fantasy made you feel happy and you hold on to it thinking that if you focus hard enough, it will become real...

That is where my mind has been for the past 6 months.  Focused on dreams.

Three Graces, Josephine Wall

But I am now committed to coming out of that dream-state.  I want to make more of an effort to create a bridge from my mental happiness that lies deep inside of my dreams to the reality that I experience everyday.


I am such a dreamer!  Sometimes I forget that the things in my mind aren't possible in the real world.  In my mind, I can break dance (don't ask me why!) I can do all sorts of gymnastics.  I am a phenomenal artist and I work with all sorts of multi media.  In my dreams, I am a best-selling author of a graphic novel.  I am a small business owner.  I have my own clothing collection....

Ok, you get it.  I'm pretty fucking amazing in my dreams!  And in one night, I am ALL this and still a loving wife and a caring mother.

Enchantment, Josephine Wall

Now, I am shining a light at the end of my little tunnel. Rather than day-dreaming about the best moments from the dream I had the night before, I am journaling.  I am usually just a words + sketches type of journalist, but I am thinking I might need to use more ways to channel my feelings into my journal.  So I will start trying to art journal...whatever that means! 

I am also going to take time to do the things that I dream about.   If I want to have a small business...then, I better get to creating something to sell!  If I can dance like nobody's business in my dreams, then I better spend more time on my XBOX Dance Central...because that's about as close as I'll get to being spectacular!  *HIGH SCORE!*  If I am all about being an artist and having this graphic novel, then I need to spend time every night sketching and working on my characters so I can get this storyboard together.




In a nutshell, I feel like life is a journey.  Life isn't only about the experiences, but the lessons you allow yourself to learn.  I think that the best parts of life start in a Dream.  It starts with those dreams that are so real and make you feel so good that you know your life will only be content and complete when you have worked your butt off to make those special moments a reality.  So, I have been thinking and dreaming these things for FIVE YEARS.  Now, after thinking and planning, I seriously feel that I should at least give myself a shot.  I am worth the try!  So yes.... I am BACK and I will be blogging semi-regularly about a variety of topics.  The plan is to also give some peeks into my sketchbook...which I NEVER EVER do................. NEVER!  My sketchbooks are usually extremely private, so let's see if I am brave enough and serious enough about my journey to show them to the cyberverse!

FYI:  All of this artwork is done by an interesting artist, Josephine Wall.  She is a great surreal water color painter. Normally, I don't go for fantasy art, but I genuinely think that these paintings really display a visual of my internal mood.

Baby Rainbows

Good Morning!

Well, I mentioned in my last post that I have been working on a new project.  It's a baby blanket :)  Well, in time, when I am completely finished, it will be more than a baby blanket.  I can't wait to finish it.  I haven't worked on a project in Months!  Probably some time in October was the last time I was working on anything.  It was a scarf...and not even one that I planned to wear! 

I love making things for babies.  I don't know why, but as soon as some gets knocked up, I start cranking out ideas for new projects.  Lucky for me, I am positive that we are going through some sort of Baby Boom due to the economic crisis.  I have never seen so many women pregnant at the same time!  And that's good news for me because it gets my wheels turning, my mind goes into craft overdrive.  I guess there's something about creating a new life that gets me motivated.  Anything goes when it comes to kids.  Lots of colors, prints, designs.... I have a HUGE imagination, and I get to let it run completely wild when I am making things for children.

Whoa..... I just found out if you push "enter" and you aren't careful, your post will be published automatically.... very weird!

Enough babble, let me show you what I have so far... Be patient.  The lighting in my apartment is terrible, so I'll show two of each (with flash & without flash) but nothing is as true as seeing it right in front of you!

No flash

*Flash*

No flash

*Flash*

I really love the rainbow color on the outside of the flowers.  It's Simply Soft "Baby Brights".  As you know from some of my other projects, I am obsessed with rainbows.  My friend is very traditional and I think she would be more appreciative of pastel baby colors, so I worked with what I had in my hefty stash! 

I have been working on paying off my debts so that I can just start to save... I haven't been able to come up with a specific reason to save, but I am 100% committed to paying debt.  That means all of my projects will have to be very decisive.  No purchasing yarn just because I "think it would look good for a project one day".  It feels good to have to start exercising restraint and being responsible for a change.  It's been a long time since I have made a decision and followed through with it 100%. 

I will admit that I have been ...cheating.  I just NEVER EVER SET FOOT IN A CRAFT STORE!  I am running out of the off-white/cream color for the African Flowers.... I am going to have to walk into some store to get more of it.  That is when my restraint and discipline will truly be tested!  Stay tuned to see what happens....Will I sprint into the store like a maniac escaping the police, buy ONLY the off-white color I need and then run out of the store like my ass just caught fire?  Or... will I browse for an hour and leave the store with $100 worth of random items to use "for something one day"? Goodness, I really hope it's the second option! Wish me luck!!!

Happy (Late) New Year!

Well, Well..... What have we here?  Finally, my FIRST post in the new year?!  Let me tell you, I wasn't planning on making such a late post.  Back in....October or something, I came up with this phenomenal plan to start posting at least once per week.  I even thought about doing some posts in advance and having them set to show up later.  Anyway, it was such a great idea, but I feel into my "usual nasty habit" : PROCRASTINATION.

Oh my Goodness!!!!!  It is such a poison to my existence!  hahahaha  .... Oh wait, it's not funny!  From now on, I am taking my issues with waiting until the last minute for EVERYTHING extremely seriously!  I mean it.  No more waiting around.  What happens every time is I come up with a grand idea...but for whatever reason, I just have to wait for something magical to happen...for the stars to align...for me to see a meteor shower...for me to lose 50 pounds...for me to have another baby...for me to travel the entire world... and Theeeeeennnnn I start whatever plan I thought of.  But, as you know, after all that, I usually have no freaking idea what the hell I was so excited about!  Or worse, I am bored with the thought of it because I have been thinking about it like crazy but I haven't DONE anything!

No more of that.  I didn't make a post because I thought about the ideas until I got sick of it.  Then, I had some personal crazy-time nonsense that happened in my little world.  I wasn't able to think of anything creative to do or anything nice to write about.  I thought my whole life was about to go through a very serious (negative!!!) change.  I was so worried that I actually "unplugged" for a while.  No facebook.  No texting.  No blogging or blog reading.  No emails.  No snail mails.  I just cleaned my house like a maniac and tried to figure everything out in my head.  Lucky for me, my universe never collapsed, but now I know that it could very well happen one day.....

I have learned something from all that.  I shut down and shut everyone out.  I just cleaned my house and sat around inside my head.  I made it all about the negativity.  I did the WRONG thing!  Rather than turning to the arts, I shut the arts out of my life.  I never handle stress or disappointment that way.  Who have I become??  After three months of handling all the difficulties and trying to get everything back on track, I am left with no motivation.  I am just totally worn out and feeling totally lost.  I hate that feeling.  Maybe it's true that I feel  lost, but I AM NOT LOST!

Back in college, while studying fine arts, I remember speaking to a professor about my lack of motivation.  I started to struggle with depression for the first time in my life and I didn't want to do anything.  Professor (weird name I can't pronounce) told me that when I can't think of what to do, it is MUCH better to do SOMETHING rather than nothing.  I never understood that until this past weekend.  I have been sitting and thinking and pondering and planning and thinking some more.  Finally, I picked up my hook.........and I started to make random motifs.  I must admit that I don't like any of them.  The colors looked like vomit.  The designs were boring and uninspired (like me!). 

But, I feel like I am finally working again, like I am back to expressing myself.  The funny thing about it all is I realized that I am irritated with crochet, but I have a DEGREE in FINE ARTS!  I can do all sorts of wonderfully artsy things!  And then all of a sudden.... I am back doing research for new ideas, projects, techniques; I am pinning things on pinterest;I am facebooking with my friends, working on letters for my pen pals, whipping out my color pencils, acrylics, and rulers to start working on some paper project ANNNNDDDD(!!!!)  I came up with a crochet project that I really am excited about.

This year, I know what I want for myself.  Almost a MONTH later, I finally have my "New Year" resolutions!
1-- Get the fuck out of debt!  I am ready to shop and try new things without feeling guilty/ financially irresponsible!
2-- Lose 50 pounds. I've had some medical issues so it's time to drop some weight and start feeling good again :)
3-- Travel.  I have not gone on ONE single vacation in 5 YEARS!  That's so not me!  I used to travel all over the place several times a year. 
4-- LIVE FOR MYSELF!!!!!!!  I am a mother, wife, sister, daughter, youth counselor, friend........ all of those roles are draining and a lot of times aren't more rewarding than they are draining.  I need to stop being guilty about creating balance.  I am doing things for ME this year that I was afraid to before.  I am not devoting all my time to work and family.  I am taking time for ME this year that I always felt terrible for desiring in the past.

These resolutions seem simple and ambiguous enough for me to accomplish them.

So.... What about you???  How do you get back on track if you lose your artsy mojo?  How do you handle stress or being overwhelmed?  Do you have plans for reinvention for this year or will you continue down the path you began last year???  I'm always curious for a "taste" of others' lives!

........what?  A post with no pictures?  Ohhh noooo!  LOL :)  I didn't have any pics that would make any sense in this post.  I will definitely have pics to present you with in the future posts! Until then-- Happy Be-Lated New Year!