Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Today I am...



wow.
i think it's going to be the best year ever.

(image borrowed from cokeisit7 on flickr)

Thursday, December 17, 2009

I'm so GEEKED

I really had no issues with Project Runway moving from Bravo to Lifetime, I'd watch that show if it was on C-SPAN at 11PM on a weeknight. It seems though this move to the new network is making them very productive, they just wrapped season 6 in September and season 7 cast has been announced with a premiere date of January 14!

http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/12/16/photo-project-runway-season-7-cast-revealed

Yay Project Runway. Thank you for taking me back to the days of Fashion Plates.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Bird Bird Bird Craftster Swap

It's been awhile since I participated in a craftster.org swap, but I needed to feel inspired and challenged...and there's nothing like a theme with a deadline to do that. This swap was called Bird Bird Bird, and I like birds so that seemed like a good fit! I tried something new this time - a mini art quilt - and I didn't buy anything new, I only used materials and supplies I had on hand.


The whole box - I used pattern paper for packaging, my favorite way to recycle! I tried to make a package that I would love to receive myself.


Mini art quilt/wallhanging. Measurements are about 8" high by 6" wide.


Back of the quilt with my alberta alberta label.


A close up of the fabric print I made using a stamp, inkpad, and some heavy cotton. This was 1 of 3 lavender sachets i made, the other fabrics I used were remaining scraps from the quilt.

I can't wait to try another mini quilt, and making my own prints again too!

-M

Thursday, August 20, 2009

I'm so freaking excited...



I can't help it, I've been waiting for this since the last one ended.

http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/project-runway

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Doll Project, Part 2




Here is the finished project! The four dolls together, and with their happy recipient :)

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Doll Project, Part 1





Awhile back, my youngest sister Laura and I decided to combine crafty superpowers and make a gift for our 4 year old niece. We decided on the idea of a soft doll set, in the style of Russian nesting dolls (we were inspired by similar dolls on etsy and craftster). We picked a color palette and had a basic design but since Laura lives in New York and I live in California, we did everything by phone and internet (fabric shopping via camera phone, sketch ideas via email attachment). When we met up in July for our sister Kellie's birthday party, we were able to give the dolls to our niece in person, and see how our project came together - I'm so happy with the end result!
Here are some in-progress photos...I'll post the finished product soon!

Pirate Party!






I made some decorations for my sister's recent pirate-themed birthday party. I tried my hand at making a bunting, and it was so much easier than I thought it would be (I definitely took some shortcuts!) but I might make another one for myself, maybe for my craftroom? I also made a treasure chest (a painted cardboard box) filled with pirate loot (mardi gras beads and gold sparkle foam cut into coin shapes), and a pirate flag (I added a skull and crossbones to a preprinted bandanna).

Friday, July 24, 2009

slowly but surely...


above image by diathesis on flickr


percolate/
[v. pur-kuh-leyt;]

–verb
6. to become active, lively, or spirited.
7. to show activity, movement, or life; grow or spread gradually; germinate: Interest in the idea has begun to percolate.

it's been far too long i know, but i'll be posting some updates for you very soon.
thanks for your patience!

-M

Thursday, May 28, 2009

purples and pinks







a few weeks ago everything was yellow, everywhere i looked i saw yellow...but i kept forgetting my camera. now everything is pink and purple and i remembered to take pictures :) i must've taken 30 pictures on my walk home from work, it was hard to choose but i think these are my favorites.

-M

i may have jumped the gun...



i left the others in a little longer :)

-M

Friday, March 13, 2009

woohoo!



I'm feeling great today - lots of good things are happening and I will catch you all up soon!

-M

(above image by Kristine May on Flickr)

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Australian Bushfires and what you can do to help


Handmade Help


Last summer a huge part of the Midwest was devastated by horrible flooding. My hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa is still working to rebuild, it's going to take a really long time. Seeing the images from the fires in Australia right now made me think of the flooding again, and made me wonder what I could do to help.

I came across a great website accepting donations from crafters and artists with all proceeds going the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. I donated an item from my etsy shop and I'm sure they'd gladly accept more items.

Please check out the link below and if you are so compelled, buy something, donate something...help if you can.

http://handmadehelpsout.blogspot.com/



-M

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Featured Artist - Dolan Geiman




Welcome to my newest blog feature! Over the next few months I will be showcasing an artist who makes me sit up straight and blink a few times. Someone who inspires me to run, not walk, to my work table. Dolan Geiman is such an artist. His honest answers were so much more than I expected, and made me feel like I was looking over his shoulder while he worked. He couldn't have been more gracious. My favorite part of the whole interview is in the final paragraph, where he talks about working with his wife and business partner Ali Walsh - that's the kind of collaboration we all hope for. 
I hope you will check out more of his art at: http://dolangeiman.com and dolangeiman.etsy.com

January Featured Artist - Dolan Geiman

aa: I see something new every time I look at your work. One piece in particular, the rescued work construction "Red Valentine" in the 'Lovebird Series', it has a wooden spoon in it. Such a great use of reclaimed materials. How do you decide, or know, when a piece is complete?
DG: That is a great question. Well, usually I will work on about 5 or 6 pieces, or more, at a time. This keeps me from getting antsy, and it gives me more time to look at my work in progress. Usually, when I get tired of working on something, I shut it down! I don't really have a set time frame for working on each piece, but I can usually stand back from the piece and notice if it feels balanced or not, or if it needs one more little splash of paint, or another screw. I guess it's kind of like cooking. If you make pies all the time, you figure out how much butter is enough, and how much sugar you need to add to get the right taste.
aa: Do you sketch out your ideas or do you just dig right in with your materials and see where they take you?
DG: Well, it depends on the piece. I usually dive right in and just start working on something. Some larger pieces require more thought, so I like to have a little bit of a plan, but it's a real balance. I don't like to plan too much with the actual piece. My planning exists more in the tools, like making sure to have proper brushes and paint...so I can create the proper vehicle for creativity. Art shouldn't be like science and math. You shouldn't have too many formulas if you want to really tap into the raw aspect of creating.
aa: I noticed your use of leather and twine. Do you ever work with fabric?
DG: Sometimes. It just depends on what I want to create. I used to make clothing, and that led to some interesting sculptures. I even made some cool flags at one point, which I gave out to people on the street.
aa: Do you prefer working on a large scale or a smaller format, or both equally?
DG: I love working larger in the spring and summer, because everything is busting out and growing and birds are chirping and flowers are mating and all this weird stuff is going on, and everyone is excited because we survived the winter. I feel like the appropriate scale for those emotions is REALLY BIG. I started working small, and always love the intimacy of a small scale collage or drawing too. Now that I have a larger studio, I'm lucky to be able to work on large scale pieces as well as the small stuff.
aa: When did you realize you could do this exclusively, or did you just know there was no other option than to create full-time?
DG: I think I've always just been stubborn and had the idea that I could be full time. I mean, I never had a choice about it really. I can't go anywhere without thinking about making art. I can't really do anything else. Not because I'm not skilled at other things, but because my mind is full of ideas that make me restless. I knew that if I had to do something else I would go nuts. Life is always too much for the creative mind. We have to know more, explore everything, translate all things into paint or pen. There is no rest for the creative mind, right? When I met Ali and she said she'd help me, it was like making a deal with the art gods. They gave me a partner, and I agreed to make art til I die. Pretty simple.
All featured works are property of Dolan Geiman
Image 1
Lovebird Red Valentine Fifth Year Anniversary
Rescued Wood Construction - Lovebird Collection (2009)
Mixed media assemblage with salvaged wood and found materials
Image 2
Musician Country Fair
Country Fair Box Print
Archival reproduction on wood; limited addition
Image 3
Folk Guitar II (New Orleans Queen)
New Orleans Queen - Made in the Shade Collection (2008)
Recycled paint with salvaged wood and metal

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

2008 I hardly knew ye...


I'm having a hard time reconciling that it's already the end of January. The end. Like, a full month ago it was Christmas! Sigh...how time flies once you pass 30 :P 
That being said, I am really excited about this year so far. While it's already brought some surprises (or annoyances, depending upon which week you ask me) I'm looking forward to what the rest of 2009 will bring. I have my hands and head in a lot of stuff, stay tuned for new projects and some new blog features...

-M

Friday, January 16, 2009

Canvas Project - Patty Griffin Lyrics


I just finished this canvas set for my best friend's birthday. It's based on one of her favorite Patty Griffin songs - we are both are huge fans - called "Carry Me" (from the album Flaming Red).
I took lines from the chorus and broke them down into separate ideas...and then created a fabric collage for each one.

"fading into the tall grass"

   "slipping into the twillight"

  "carry me over the ocean, over the sea"

I added a handmade tag to the back of each canvas :) 

-M