Grinch me

I almost forgot this one in my below gift ideas.....you really can't go wrong with this, right? By amazing artist Jason Edmiston

Some of my favorites for the Holidays

1. Violet Pie

2. Imagine Studio


3. Ditzy Redhead

4. Babes in Vintageland


And, for more fantastic finds for the holidays you can check out the rest of the Etsy Treasury here...

Scrap Materials: Project 4: Floral appliques (puffy heart leftovers)

Ok, so once you have completed your puffy hearts you will have something that looks like the above left over from your scraps. I wanted to somehow re-use this also (always thinkin'), so the below is what I came up with. It is almost a pin-wheel looking thing.


You just overlap and pin as you go to get a sort of flower look and then sew. The leopard-style one I sewed a heart cut-out on for the center. I also started fooling around putting flower on top of flower to see what kind of effect I might get and that also looked cute (not pictured). This idea makes a cute, unique brooch pin, add to a hat, sew onto clothes...whatever!

Scrap Materials: Project 3: Puffy hearts

Pretty cute, huh? I am a sucker for recycling, upcycling - whatever you want to call it. Anything that I can make from scraps, or something left over, I will do it!! I hate to see anything go to waste. These little cuties have been made from some material scraps, stuffed with more material scraps!





Now actually, some of these are not stuffed too. You can do either way, but I just like to use my scraps somehow. It is the most fun to be able to use two different, but similar - or, if you are bold, two totally conflicting fabrics. It just adds some pizazz to your design. Be sure to check this blog for my next post to see how I use the scraps from the left over fabric from the heart cut-outs..


***Box or hearts can be purchased here and here...

How to: Slipper Stool - Hot Glue

So, here is a project I took on a few years ago for a contest I entered...this is the finished slipper stool that I up-cycled, using - wait for it - a hot glue gun! I saw this home design show several years ago with Todd Oldham using a hot glue gun to re-upholster a couch and I ran wild with the idea.

Above are the supplies I used: fabric scraps, scissors, glue, gun and Popsicle stick. This is for pressing down the fabric on top of the glue so as not to burn your little fingers. The larger sticks work well too.


This is the horrible shape this piece was in prior to my working my magic. Ripped, stained. etc.


Up close pic of the results. Really, just lay out your fabric how you think you might like it to look, this may change, and start gluing away. (See in-process photos below).


A good part of it is knowing where to bend the fabric together so that it appears to look like a seam. Tuck over in areas that cover other fabric and press until the glue seams set (see edges framing the top).



I can't say that all areas are completely "clean" from the glue, but this was my first try at this! Give me a break! All things considered, it turned out pretty good. Oh, and the hottest setting worked the best. I actually did a whole chair like this, but it got a little "sticky" when I was tucking and gluing in the seat of the chair...

Ok - another b&w...

Another photog of my pretty friend...

Now, I'm not a photographer or anything, but.....

I think this turned out pretty good. My friend posed for my vintage clothing store and I started fooling around with the black and white. (BTW - hair/make-up done by meeee...).

Seriously, ridiculous

These are just some of the things that I have been working on for the last month - for a local boutique: 10 gypsy scarves, 6 boxes, a few pieces of jewelry and tiny canvases. Very thankful for the business. This is what has kept me away from blogging lately, but I will be resuming my more regular posts next week and my BlogFrog connections too!

A Peek at Something New

I have been working away on some of my inspiration boxes for a client that is going to put them in her boutique near where I live. I have such a love for vintagy-style boxes, flowers and birds and love to paint them in a lot of my art work. I may do a line of these for my ditzyredhead shop on Etsy also. Enjoy!

What do you think?

Whew! Been away from my blog for awhile....well here is a section of my office/studio/closet/exercise room. I am trying to make it a nice little work space, with what little space there is. This is an area above my sewing area (did I forget to mention that one?) that I was able to atleast make cute. Hubby promises my sun/art room after September...we'll see.

Nest

So recently, hubby went out to his truck in the morning only to find this itty bitty birds nest. I had to keep it! Last year at Spring time, I found two blue empty robins' eggs. It would make a nice arrangement of some kind. Of course hubby says to Lysol it or something because he thinks there will be all kinds of disease, etc. in it. Hmmmm...

Beauty: Nail Polish

Ok, so here is a little bling added to my already funky purple nails below. I loved this glittery purple by L.A. Colors Color Craze. If you can't read the name, it's Glistening Purple. Have some fun with some shocking glam color!

Beauty: Nail Polish

So here is my latest beauty find. Not for the faint of heart or the demure. I love this funky purple - thought it was too bright when I first got it but have since come to really like it. It is by L.A. Colors Color Craze: Fun in the Sun. I have included a pic of how it appears in the sun, which is really important.









Now, I will be added some bling to this color in my next beauty post so be sure to check back. And did I mention this was only $1.99? Yeahhhh. That's what I'm talking about.

What do you think?

I made this for a friend's birthday this weekend, hurriedly. I didn't have time to get her something, but wanted something unique. I kinda like it. She seemed to really like it. Do you think I should carry this in my shop ? Please, let me know what you think?

It's a 2.5" x 3.5" canvas painting(by me!), vintage ribbon, vintage earring for a pretty way to hang. They would have different inspirational words, images painted.

...More of fabulous finds

I feel I must share what I have found..at my local Council Thrift Store, I might add! Oh the wonderful things I can do with these...


....vintage and new scarves, all colors and patterns...



....and this is the diamond of my finds. This amazing beaded belt or scarf. So many things I can create with this. Some of the best items I have come across, I have found at my local thrift, second hand stores, garage sales.





Often, people do not realize what they are giving away - their trash my treasure. Most of the items in my shops are used with second hand, found materials of some kind. Check out your local neighborhood. You never know what you can find...

My recent vintage purchase

I had my "vintage field trip" yesterday to look for some items i needed for my shop, and came across some really fantastic finds: vintage pastel ceramic roses in blush and a violet in yellow; millinery flowers and a lace scarf. Can't wait to find a purpose for them!!