Category Archives: Art

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In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night

And then I made this…

It’s a birthday present for a friend. And I think it’s awesome. These are four Green Lantern superheroes. It’s very 8-bit in the best possible way.

I bought the pattern from Wee Little Stitches, who make all kinds of amazing geeky designs. Check it out.

The only change I made was to put seed beads on the for the rings instead of French knots with thread. I really like the effect; I’m glad I made the change.

I have been very busy creating all kinds of things to share with you! I hope to finish them and get them posted soon.

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Frogs and bugs and camo…oh my!

Recently, I told you guys that I was making a new quilt. Remember this fabric?

Well, that fabric doesn’t look like that at all anymore!

A few people have asked me about the process of making a quilt. I took the time, while I was frantically cutting and sewing, to take pictures so I can show you all of the steps that go into a quilt. It is a fascinating metamorphosis. Feel free to ask questions at the end! I’m sure I’m going to leave some steps out.

First you cut and piece the top of the quilt. The pattern I am using is called a Coin Quilt. It was easy and came together quickly; I highly recommend it for a beginning quilter. (If you are interested, the free pattern is available here from CluckCluckSew.) When I finished piecing my top, it looked like this:

Here’s a close up of what it looks like now. This is going to change soon!

The next step is to make the quilt sandwich. You tape (with blue painter’s tape) the fabric for the back of the quilt onto the floor. You tape it so the print is facing down on the floor. The batting – the warm part of the quilt – is laid on top of that. Then you put the pieced top on top of that with the right side up. Once they are all lined up, you pin through all the layers with safety pins.

And this is what the back looks like:

The next part is what is technically called quilting. It involves sewing through all three layers. This is free motion quilting in a stippling pattern. Here is a close up picture.

And when it’s done, it looks awesome!

You’re not quite done yet! Now you cut the excess fabric from around the outside.

For the last step, you need to bind the quilt. I pieced my binding on this one, which is a first for me. I like the way it looks!

And then you hand sew the binding to the back.

Voila! All done!

Pat yourself on the back; you made a beautiful quilt! It’s all ready to snuggle a sweet baby boy.

Whew! I hope you enjoyed all the pictures. Have a great weekend, everybody!

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The Dead Are Alive!

I bet you thought this post was about Easter. But it’s not!

My über talented friend Anthea has published her second set of short stories today. Refuge: Tales from a Zombie Apocalypse is a set of seven fictional short stories about zombies, of course, but also survival, community, and what it means to be human. I read some drafts, and let me tell you: this is some great stuff.

And you can get it right here. Normally it’s $2.99, but until April 23, you can get it free with her coupon code. If you do, please go back and review it for her. Good karma and all that. :)

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Show & Tell 9/30/2011

Today I am showing and telling differently. Instead of something tangible, I want to share with you my Tumblr.

The link is over here on the sidebar ——->

I was inspired at The Creative Connection to have more of an online presence. I decided to start this Tumblr blog to share the pictures that won’t make it onto my regular blog. I call it Outtakes, and I try to update it every day.

I am surprised at how much I love this new creative outlet. I have always enjoyed photography, and I haven’t had an outlet for it for a long time. Now I am challenged every day to take interesting, hopefully funny pictures. I do edit them, which is also something that I am learning and that I find surprisingly creative and rewarding.

I realized that the link on the side doesn’t really grab one’s attention, so I thought “Show & Tell” would be a great opportunity to share my new online presence with you. I want to share beautiful, quirky photos. Check back daily to see what’s new.

 

Have you been creative this week? Share what you’re working on in the comments. I am inspired by what you guys are making! 

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Show & Tell 9/23/2011

I am going to continue with the house theme today. I want to share my “entry way”! If you remember from a while back, I had sanded, stained, and installed  shelf near our kitchen door. Well I finally finished everything! Check it out.

I love it! I found the mirror at a local used furniture store. The frame is made of old tin ceiling tiles. When I bought it, it was a bland grey/cream color (light taupe?). I spray painted it this cheery red color. I love it! It’s a little tall, but that works best for me. :) I get to be selfish in my own home.

I made the memo board out of an old cork board that I bought years ago for $1 at a yard sale. It has had a few incarnations before this. I knew I wanted some kind of display/memo board and remembered this little jewel, which was in the back of the closet. I spray painted the frame the same color as the mirror. I added felt and then fabric, and then I pinned the ribbon to the board with pearl brads. I’m pleased with how it came out! It’s one of those projects where it really only took about 4 hours of work, but it went on over a period of about three months.

I’m happy to have this all finished! Especially now that the weather is getting yucky, and coats and boots are going to be in regular rotation.

What have you finished this week? Anything exciting going on for the weekend? Share below!

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Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop!: Living Room

Time again for Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop! This week’s theme is the Living Room. I am shy about sharing my living room, because it’s not “done” yet. But you know what – I am going to be authentic. This is what my living room looks like today. I have some plans that hopefully will be executed in the next six weeks or so. Check back to see what happens!

Here you can see the most important function of our living room: watching TV. I added the storage ottoman for extra seating whenever we have a large gathering. Also note the orange accent wall. I love the colors in this room. All of the burnt orange (in the couch, the accent wall, and the fireplace) is sophisticated compared with the rest of the house. I love this space.

The art above the DVD case needs improvement, though. I painted that sort of as a place holder until I could come up with something better. I believe that moment is quickly arriving.

This rose print? Awesome. By artist Bruce McClellan. Check out his work. I was inspired by this print to make the quilt that will be used in this room (for cuddling on the couch during the cold weather!). The quilt is currently not in my possession; I dropped it off yesterday to be included in a quilt show in October. Exciting!

This is one of the areas that needs some work. I love the mirror and the rose print above the fireplace. However, I need another … large thing … to go on the other side. And all of those little bottles are related to the fish tank. And that’s a male beta in that little box. So that all needs to be relocated to a more appropriate place. Soon.

One obvious things here: the fish tank needs fish! The Man has been working hard to get the ecosystem properly set up for fish survival in the 90-gallon tank. The time line is that we will have some fish this weekend! I am honestly excited to get it set up – finally. The background in the tank is actually blue. The lights must have distorted the color.

And then we come back full circle. I love this chest of drawers that I bought at a second-hand furniture store. It is solid and sturdy. This would have been in a shop, so the top three drawers have glass in the front to display the things that would have been inside. I am still uncertain about what to put in there. But the piece that is really missing here, again, is the art. I am hoping to find a large old map to frame and  hang above the chest. Wish me luck!

That is the quick and dirty tour of my living room. Like I said in the beginning, I can’t wait to get this room finished. I will update with pictures online as things come together.

Gussy

As always, a special Hello the folks visiting from Gussy Sews! Welcome. And a Happy Thursday to everyone. Do you have a big plans for your living room? Do share in the comments.

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What I Wore 9/16/2011

Here is what I wore yesterday. I realize that I’m a day behind, but wow. That convention was exhausting and draining in the best possible way. I learned so much and met many inspiring women. I can’t wait to implement all of the things that I learned.

This is one my teachers, an amazing artist/blogger named Kathy Cano-Murillo. She is so amazing! Check out her website, The Crafty Chica. Ay Chihuahua! Amazing. (Ugh, for some reason I can’t link to her blog right now. But check her out! thecraftychica.blogspot.com).

Here’s the breakdown of my outfit.

Dress: Thrifted (BCBGMaxAzaria)

Cardigan: Anne Taylor LOFT

Shoes: Naturalizer (nude flats)

Hope you’re having a great Saturday!

 

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Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop!: Inspiring Books

I have always loved books, and I have recently started reading ferociously. For this week’s  Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop! prompt Inspiring Books, I decided to post about the book I just finished: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

Neil Gaiman was inspired by The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling and wanted to write something similar, except in a graveyard. The Graveyard Book is a young adult novel about a boy named Nobody Owens who is raised by various spooks, witches, and other creatures. Ultimately, Nobody has to use everything he has learned from his non-living and dead friends to survive in the Living World. It’s a lovely, well-written story.

 

 This book is inspiring to me, not necessarily because of the content, but because it is such a beautiful creation. Neil Gaiman writes in the Acknowledgements that he had conceived of this story over 20 years ago. He kept that idea tucked away and went on writing, writing, and practicing his writing. Finally, he wrote this story.

I have all kinds of ideas about things I want to create. I am inspired to keep the more challenging ideas tucked away in my brain, practice my skillz for 20 years, and one day, create beautiful things. And maybe win some awards. :)

Gussy

I need a new book to read! Any suggestions?

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Links I Love 7/18/2011

Quilts! I have been thinking about these three designs for a couple of months and can’t decide which one to start first.

1) Ruffles!

2) Piano Keys

3) Storm at Sea

But I’m working on a few other projects right now, including getting some presents made for the winter holidays, so I won’t be starting a new quilt anytime soon. I need to finish a couple that I have already started!

What would you make if you had all the time and resources in the world? How come we can’t have 28 hours in a day? 24 is simply too few.