Sunday, January 23, 2011

nagging...

had a headache the last few days. nothing like a migraine, another one of which i had a few days back. this is more like a nagging ache-like someone scratching the inside of my head right behind my eyes. i suspect it's a sign i need new glasses. in which case, i'm gonna get some craaaaazy frames this time to encourage me to wear my contacts more often.

i know i'm a little late to the party but i am looooving me some polyvore.

the possibilities are literally endless. i'm not a big online or catalog shopper, i feel the need to try things on and see how the fit, quality, and cut looks before i buy and i can't be bothered to return something via the mail or UPS. so i prefer to pre-shop online and go in person to the store to see for myself. and it's kept me from making many, MANY a bad purchase.

anyway-polyvore is a fun way to dream and put together outfits without stepping foot into a store!

CHIFFON VICTORIANA BLOUSE
14 GBP - selectfashion.co.uk
Chiffon blouses »

Sportmax code skirts DENIM
138 GBP - matchesfashion.com
High waist skirt »

Enamel Coffee Pot.
jpeterman.com

Friday, January 21, 2011

-15 poppies...



it so, sooooooo, SO cold out there. how cold is it? it's so cold, our outdoor digital thermometer doesn't even register a temp! parts of MN are -30 below today. the suburbs are supposed to be about -15-18. i wouldn't doubt that one bit.

i decided to combat the cold with some GIANT POPPIES!!! i used this awesome video and tutorial from queen Martha with a few small tweaks of my own....

i used some good old scrapbooking cardstock sheets, and was able to fit four petals around the corners, i lost a wee bit of corner off the template but it's hidden by the folds anyway. and i used 8 petals instead of 7. AND, i folded the petals two at a time to save time-without using the bamboo skewer/pencil. i think my paper is stiffer than what they were using but it's the colors i was going for not the texture. it's still a good idea to condition the paper a bit before you fold so you don't get sharp creases but rather nice soft folds.

for the center ruffle-y part i folded my circle into quarters and that was SO much easier to make the fringe...for the center 'puff' i used a giant punch from ek success, drew a small circle in the middle about the size of a dime to know how far to cut, and that made cutting the 'wedges' a lot easier.....and i used my scissors to curl the pieces up like curling that ribbon you put on gifties.


these poppies are going into the studio. it's a mishmash of crazy color already so even though i tried to repeat the colors within these flowers, in the future i think i'll make the color combos even wilder!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

a midwinter lull...


95% recovered from my cold, i decided to visit my sis and bro-in-law and adorable (but sick) dora in evanston last weekend. i delayed my trip due to a storm in MN that ended up passing pretty quickly. got stuck in a massive blizzard through wisconsin on my way home. ugh. my shoulders still hurt from gripping the steering wheel so tightly.
i am ever so grateful to my boss for letting me take a sunday off-usually unthinkable when you work for a church-and thankful that the morning functioned well without me.
i love the creativity and flexibility my job offers me most days. i do miss being an artist though. it's a side of me i don't get to indulge as much.

while in chicago i got to meet aunt peaches-we shopped at uncle fun and paperboy, sharing ideas and stories. i can't wait to see what she comes up with-she bought some pretty hilarious stuff!

Monday, January 03, 2011

siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick

i have a horrible, no good, very bad cold that i believe has turned into a sinus infection. i've gotten to catch up on some trashy reality TV though so that's been good.
nothing new to report in the studio unfortunately. will keep you all posted though. happy new year!!!