[SEW COMPLETE]: BUTTERCUP BAG

First I crushed on this fabric I found at the local Joann Fabric and Craft store:

 And then I finally got to play 'for real' on my darling new machine!

 And here is the first bag I have made that I am actually proud of!!

The pattern is the Buttercup Bag from the very awesome Made by Rae.

The lining is fabric I thrifted at the local Unique.

Here are some of the firsts I accomplished with this project:

1. Actually cutting and preparing a project in advance!

2. Pin tucks

3. Inserting a snap

4. Making a pocket

5. Sewing a yoke

6. Mastery of attaching strap between lining and outer...

Suffice to say I am pretty happy...and although it has been quite a stressful few weeks, finishing this projected lifted so much! As much as I want to sew sew sew more, I have to crochet a scarf for my dad and rest for yet another work day! 

xoxo

CREATIVE VENTURES: WHAT I'VE BEEN SEWING

[source]

CREATIVE GOAL #???: LEARN TO SEW!

Of the many lists I like to make, one important one I have been developing is my "Creative Goals" list. I hate putting creating on the back-burner to all of life's other responsibilities, but I figured if I set goals, bit by bit I will reach them. Luckily I have friends like Cyndy and Renee who inspire my many ventures!

Being able to sew has been a goal of mine that has often been tossed aside since I was a wee-little lady. My mother always had a machine and baskets full of amazing buttons I would sift through-- but she rarely ever touched the thing and despite many promises, I never learned to sew on that old machine.  I eventually learn some basic stitches and even hand-sew trinkets and doll clothes throughout the years.

Then I got my first machine about five years ago as a gift. Suffice to say, if I have made two or three things per year on my pretty lady I would be stretching it. But I am determined! I now have a relatively functional sewing space, loads of vintage fabric ( all thanks to the thrift revolution here on Staten Island) and even more old clothes to repurpose/upcycle. I have been slowly coveting inspiration, tutorials, and overall courage. I even splurged and am awaiting this baby.

I find myself easily discouraged and often without time or energy, but I don't give up...I just make baby-steps...teaching yourself everything requires you be both a good teacher and student simultaneously, and well...I may have adult ADD when it comes to playing both roles! But here are some projects I have actually 'completed' and what I've learned along the way!

Purse Organizer

This was a gift for my lovely step-mom and although there were clear imperfections, I think she still loved it for the effort I put in. 

A lesson on materials: Because I used thick vintage upholstery fabric, it was a total waste of time to put in interfacing, which made the project so thick I broke one needle trying to sew through the layers of the edge!! Plus, I definitely need better quality thread for this type of material! I will definitely make this again though!

Zippered Make-Up Bag

This was another gift for my step-mom and the first time I tried to sew on a zipper. 

Suffice to say, I didn't totally nail the zipper business and had to rely on my trusty friend: Fabri-Tac for a few fixes, thus the decorative ribbon edge to hide some mistakes!

Messenger Bag from Cargo Pants

I immediately fell in love with this project and got cutting up all of my old cargo shorts that either don't fit or have paint etc. all over them. This project was rather ambitious for a real beginner like myself, but I took it on...and though I made a ton of mistakes, the bag is still usable!

I made my own bias-tape out of vintage fabric. (I used fabrics I wasn't too in love with for this project because I knew there was plenty of room for error!) Making the bias-tape wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be! The strap was probably my biggest issue! Having cut up shorts, it was hard to get strips long enough, so I had to sew two pieces together--luckily the nature of the material permits random sewn pieces without looking out of place!

The strap is probably shorter than I would like (it hangs to just above my hip), the flap is wider than the rest of the bag (which is evident from the awkward stitching on the back), I couldn't figure out the whole strap between the lining and exterior inside-out trick....so I awkwardly sewed them to the outside using the x-box method. Really it's a bit of a mess...but it's complete and functional...thus I am somewhat proud.

Anyone else out there finding their craft endeavors daunting at times?

QUICK DIY PROJECTS

Here are two quick projects I finished up so I felt like I did something creative over the break:

1. No Knit Scarf: inspired by Think Liz!

2. T-Shirt Recon taken from my trusty Generation T book!

Check their site for tons of great ideas!

Cute braided strap detail! Sorry for the photobooth quality!

What are people making out there? I am considering buying a new sewing machine so I can be more productive! Hmmm...

SOMETIMES I INSPIRE MYSELF...

...is that wrong?

1. My very own Glockenspiel!!, 2. reflection of silver trees, 3. St. Paul's Ave. Garden Gnomes, 4. 2005 822, 5. Door of Glass shop on Van Duzer, 6. Alice Austen House: Isadora Duncan Dance Troupe, 7. <3..., 8. At the playground, 9. Something's Hiding In Here Booth!!

I like to take pictures.

To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them. 

-Elliott Erwitt 

KARMIC GOODIES: TO-DO LIST TEMPLATE FOR YOU!

KARMIC GOODIES: 
TO DO LIST TEMPLATE FOR YOU!

I really believe I have Adult ADD...or at least when I am home. Earlier today I started a new blog post for a series I want to start and it disappeared...rather than fret, I moved on to millions of other tasks. Vacuum for a few minutes, then stop and craft, then more housework, stop and create...and so on.

So...in the midst of everything else I want/need to do, and share, I made new pocket-size to-do list pages. (Which was on the to do list for this week anyway!) There are many awesome (and free) planner pages around the internet-- like DIY Planner and Ahhh-Design-- and inspired by the latter and this great tutorial and template I made my own to share.

You can download my template and follow these steps, or just doodle like I did. Either way I find the act of using creativity for the daily rigamarole gives me incentive to actually commit to the things on the list!

1. After doodling 8 list templates on cardstock, I made a copy and got my trusty bone-folder and Xacto.

(You can use any straight edge for folds, I just love the ease and precision of the bone-folder.)

2. Fold in half lengthwise.

(If you are doodling your own, make sure to make your images facing in opposite directions so they are all even when you fold. You could measure your drawing or make fold marks with the cardstock so you know your drawing perimeters.)

3. Unfold and prepare to cut along the fold between these two points only!

Just like this!

4. Then fold all of the pages in to make an accordion.

Like this!

5. Then open the slit and fan out like a diamond.

Like this!

5. Then fold your little book any way you want!

(Notice I only put 7 lines per day, I read a study that if you give yourself only this magic number of tasks to do, you are more likely to accomplish what is on you list!)

I hope you enjoy! I left these simple so they can be colored and played with throughout the week. I already started filling mine out! I would love to see what you do!! Link up!

xoxo

Here's the LINK to the PDF! Let me know if there are any problems!

FAUX-LAROID SANTA GARLAND

FAUX-LAROID SANTA GARLAND  

  

    I have been in MEGA house cleaning and decorating mode, and since I am trying to limit holiday spending this year I put together a SUPER EASY and cute garland inspired by the lovely Elsie and a photo spread from this month's Martha Stewart Living magazine. This project took about an hour and could easily be embellished more or altered depending on what you have around the house-- but tonight was about squeezing in some late-night craft for instant gratification!

Supplies I Used:

-Martha Stewart magazine spread ( 9 santas! )

-trusty glue stick

-white cardstock (for weight)

-red crochet yarn (I used some Sugar 'n Cream)

-crochet hook ( I used a size 8 to make quick loose loops)

-paper cutter

-mini-clothespins (I happened to have some Jolee's Boutique, but these are cute!)

-red pom pom trim

What I Did:

1. Cut out santas!

2. Cut cardstock so that each piece is 3 inches wide and 4.5 inches long

3. Glue santas to cardstock leaving more space on the bottom to mimic the polaroid look

4. Crochet a long chain (mine was made making 150 chains)

5. Tie pom pom trim to chain

6. Hang garland

7. Clip on santas!

I SINCERELY HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS PROJECT!

Let me know what you make-- love the inspiration and motivation to create!

(I only had 8 mini-clothespins, so I saved my favorite to decorate my hallway!)

MEMORIAL CRAFT

In learning to cope with life, I need to create. Here is to adding to life when encountered with voids.

This paper memorial was first hand drawn on cardstock, then cut. I used clear jewelry wire to attach the cloud to a twig I found, and then used the wire to attach rain drops made from cardstock. I like the droplets from afar, though up close one can see I glued dimes in between the paper for weight. I think of the dimes as offerings so that I don't obsess over the imperfect aesthetics. Now I just need a proper home for this piece.

I made this papercut for my friend Denise who passed recently. Not only was she a living Shakespeare encyclopedia, but she is the person who propelled my love of the bard. One of her favorite plays to teach was "The Tempest", which to date is one of my own--and the play the broke my brother out of his box. The text reads: "How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world that has such people in it."

And here is a touching poem my brother wrote for our bard:

Sleep Soundly Lady Macbeth
(in loving memory of Denise Simone)

The sky looks like it's cooking up some sort of mess,
a tempest and someone isn't going to make it.
That's when I heard about what happened to you
as my tears swell up from this great tragedy
I hope you know what you did to my life
with kindness and support.
Can I wish you a Midsummer's dream
in the belly of the Fall?
My burning barge, how I thank you
you've made me into this perfect sonnet
and taught me that all's
well that ends well,
but the night brings forth shivers.
Tell me, where did you find those clipped wings?
And why did you say the looked good pinned on my back?
Walk along with the ghost of a literary father
bow out like a satisfied, underpaid actor
remembering the power of words
because sometimes "I love you" is just enough.

This papercut is for my friend Joe "Semz" who passed a few years ago. The design was taken from a well known photo of him featured in a magazine.

I drew some contour lines and made some tweaks so that I could transfer the soul of this image into a papercut.

To Joe

You were never just a name on the wall
you were a work of art
misunderstood
vibrant
your name was never you

cisco in a she-ra thermos
staring at the city ahead
ferry boats
hiding out by the water
it's so high now
our rocks are almost gone

underground universes
kicking of our shoes
new york explorers

the tower windows
even they are gone

you let me paint your nails
break into your car
you revealed your face
and i kissed your forehead

we cried until we laughed
we laughed until we snorted
and marked our territory
before we disappeared

THERAPY DOODLING

For me, there is no limit to the many therapeutic hobbies I can take up. The truth is, though my face often belies a calm exterior, I feel. A LOT. I have numerous outlets, mantras, rituals, and techniques that build me up. One of them from a very young age has been drawing, or as I like to call it doodling-- because the intention is really just about release. So recently, I have been doodling a lot for some reason...and even though I am relatively protective of my private life, I am more than willing to bare myself. Here are some recent doodles and the lessons behind them. 

"It Was The First...Always Will Be"

This doodle was made with the intention of being a papercut of sorts. The truth behind it is that I am aware that any experience you have for the first time, any milestone, will always have its place in your life, memory, and heart. There are some things that you can't change or escape. Perhaps decisions, relationships, adventures....the first is always the first. So I told myself to stop hiding from that reality.

"You Can't Go Back"

Another potential papercut, this one is both for me and my friends. The key to life is to keep moving forward essentially. We can never go back, but we can make a better future, and even at times correct our past along the way.

"Will We Ever Meet Up"

This kind of represents how I feel about men and women. It seems like we can be from opposite ends of the universe. One of my friends said it was like women were always a step ahead of themselves, and men three steps behind. It makes me wonder where we ever really meet in the cycle. Can we fully understand each other and live in balance--or we will we always communicate from opposite ends of the universe?

Hmmm...this post ended up being way serious, but as I said....it's all about outlets, being open to express and feel, and to learn from everything...to purging...

TASTY KARMA: CHOCOLATE CHICKPEA CAKE!

After trying a delicious chickpea cake I decided I had to try to make my own since I always have chickpeas on hand. Most recipes call for orange juice, which is what I had tasted-- it gave the cake a nicectartness, but since I didn't have any OJ on hand I found a recipe for chocolate chickpea cake and seriously it is so good it deserved its own post!

I found the recipe here and added a little bit of dark chocolate cocoa powder to the batter. My kitchen is somewhat short on supplies, so I used my magic bullet blender as a food processor and a large oven capable frying pan as a cake pan. I figure if I can make a frittata with it I can make a cake.

The picture isn't so pretty, but I assure you it is unbelievable tasty and looked nicer turned over. I was going to make a lemony glaze, but after tasting the cake I realized it didn't need much else. There is a richness like a mousse, yet a brownie like quality. You would never know this was made without flour-- so go to this all of you gluten free eaters!! Yum yum yum!! 

Conquering my fear of the oven!

Oh, and one question: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEW BANNER? 

xoxo

UPCYCLING @ VAN DUZER DAYS: WEEK 1

SUMMER STREETS: VAN DUZER DAYS

CELEBRATING ART, CULTURE, COMMUNITY!

Promotional drawing by Chris Sorrentino! (I believe I am the Scottie!)

    For a little over a year now, the art scene on the island has started to regain its bearings and unite in so many magnificent ways. With groups like SICOLAB and the many collaborations established through councils here, a mini-renaissance is brewing. In cooperation with NYC's Summer Streets, one part of the local "hip" or "happening" areas was closed off for most of this Saturday and became home to a wonderland of culture and buzzing creative energy. Van Duzer St. has been one of the artistic apexes of the island for quite a long time, but being in such a transitive area has often gone without its deserved appreciation. The street houses multiple antique shops, vibrant colors and architecture, the 'posh' restaurant Vida, the local haunt Martini Red, the artsy coffe-house The Cup, and a plethora of inspiring niches--this is one of my favorite neighborhoods to photograph!! Thus, Van Duzer Days-- a celebration of home that I knew I HAD to participate in!!

Van Duzer Street (facing Beach Street). As you can see, we totally lucked out with the weather!!


A Montage of the Lovely:

1. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 2. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 3. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 4. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 5. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 6. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 7. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 8. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 9. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 10. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 11. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 12. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 13. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 14. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 15. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days, 16. Summer Streets: Van Duzer Days

My Story: When the event was in its planning stages I offered to do some upcycling projects to celebrate art (Week 1's theme) and to finally break out of my invisible (though quite suffocating) shell. I went through various degrees of anxiety and procrastination but scolded myself and refused to allow myself to flake out. One of my dreams has been to be part of an arts happening. To create freely. To share share share. To inspire and teach others. But most importantly to both pioneer and participate. I was nervous and insecure...though I know I have SO MANY COOL THINGS TO SHARE. I just put something together and decided to play the event by ear and go into the entire day with quiet intention and little expectation other than to be mellow and have fun. I kept promotion out of my scope since all of this has been so new to me. I figured I would make something work and feel out the overall vibe. 

Little did I know, the day would be a whirlwind of loveliness, nearly a week later and I am still spinning with reflections,  inspiration, appreciation, and new ideas. I spent Friday in partial panic, and Saturday I spread some of that to Cristyn and Jay (who I owe the world to!) What we set up was a completely upcycled "booth" filled with paint and brushes for anyone to decorate while I tried to set up projects.

My "booth" on the corner of Van Duzer and Beach Street. Simple.

Here I am setting up shop. I made a binder of tutorials out of two file folders for people who were interested at the multitude of things to do with Cereal Boxes!!

photo by Laura Bruij Williams--whose brilliant little daughter was giving out stickers promoting my blog...I need to hire this kid!

    I had NO IDEA how popular this would be!! I was so so so lucky to have Cristyn on hand to tend to the hordes of people wanting to paint any old piece of cardboard! For a good amount of time, my area was the busiest...abuzz with pure creative expression and curiosity. I had little expectation, but what occurred was well beyond what I could have imagined.  My original intentions were to use up some of the massive amounts of cardboard I have collected (which is so much I decided that this week would be purely cereal/snack boxes and cardboard variants), share ideas and possibilities with people, make an art happening, and introduce people to the beauty that is upcycling. The reality was an all-ages union of art making on the streets. An empowering arena for free-expression and creative reuse of essential garbage.

Union of worlds through art!!

I spent most of the day behind the scenes multi-tasking and spinning in the clouds. From time to time I forced myself to stop and look around at everything happening. Words cannot describe my awe. The entire street was rife with beauty and the insane buzz around my booth--albeit overwhelming, was pure magic to witness. People LOVE painting on garbage!! And some of the work I saw was beyond fabulous!! (I kept some of my favorites!!) Here are some looks at what was being made:

    Jay with his "niece" and "nephew". I can't get their grandmother Marjorie's line out of my head: "There are the children at work and the inner child at work." Perfect. 

True beauty!!

    A mother and child in the throws of art!! I made a  little art-pad and gave it to them, in this picture I got to see awesome Mama making art inside of it!!

Aren't these amazing???

Our "gallery"!! It was beautiful to see how happy the kids were to see their work displayed! The ones that remained--that I didn't keep, I hung up on the telephone poles nearby. I was happy to see that after a storm on Sunday, by Tuesday many were still there!

   Lucky for me Cristyn maintained a lot of order, which gave me the chance to make loads of stuff for people, keep a clean area (the goal is about reusing junk and not creating more!), socialize in dribs and drabs (which is hard to do when your head is spinning), and get actual chances to embrace the festival. There was simultaneous art making and upcycling! I got to make and teach others how to make upcycled journals (my tutorials to come) and got to see children and adults marvel in personalizing their works!! 

Everyone was so focused and excited to make their own journals!!

This brother/sister duo were two of my favorites. I made them journals and they sat for about an hour decorating their journals on the inside and outside. I was amazed at how excited and thankful they were...even more so, how much they loved the simple act of creating!!

These make me so so happy!

Evidence that I was in fact involved in all of this! I am not sure if most people knew! Hahah!

Photo by Jason Siegel (who took my camera for awhile to make sure he got me tons of photos!)

Overall, I was more in my element than ever before and proved to myself that it won't kill me to step out of mystery and step up to my dreams. I now appreciate my home, friends, and even myself in such a more profound way!!

For more pictures of the day, check out my flickr set! I am contemplating another Van Duzer Days Week 1 post....either way, there is so much more in store!!

For even more information on Summer Streets Van Duzer Days: 

SILive article #1 and #2