A New Toy {and more coming!}

For my birthday, I got an E-Reader, this was for a variety of reasons: I wanted an easy way to carry reference pictures, I needed a central organization station, and I want to read more old books. So, for the birthday craft swap I am in, I asked for an E-Reader cover. I received it today, and now I am very excited to be able to carry it around with me!

Made by A2K (on Craftster)

I also received some crocheted slippers from another member, which are very comfy. I also used a gift card I received at Christmas for Chapters to order Sailor Moon Vol.3 and Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus Vol.1. I am pretty excited to be able to see Sailor Zombie (or would it be Zombie Moon?) in print. ^_^

(I don't know/ think that this is actually in Sailor Moon Vol.3 however...)

xoxo

Tired.

This is what happens when a computer is too tired:

the.. orange... screen of death?

Currently finishing a swap package, trying to find some extra room to keep working on my BJD, and attempting to organize the entire house… While working two jobs.  Why do I do this sort of stuff to myself?

Yesterday, I worked from 7:30-2, and then 4:30-8-:30.. today is a bit better (7:30-10:30, 5-9:30).  But I am exhausted, and with one more shift to go!  So, this post is a little bare, but I think I deserve a little bit of a break.. right?

 

Staying Productive {craft swaps, forums and the internet}

I am easily distracted.  I frequently think that looking online for three hours is considered “inspiration” or “research”.  I don’t give myself enough time to do the stuff I *actually* need to do (organizing, crafting, diy-ing, cooking… gah). Controlling my internet time and usage is a BIG part of my 2012 goals.  Despite trying to pare down internet time, I still post on Craftster, and I still love to do craft swaps.

Currently, I am doing an on-going Birthday swap (since my birthday was this month).  This type of swap is different, in that you pick people to make gifts for, and people pick you to make gifts for (based on a list you make and your communication).  I have already sent out one gift, which was a cell phone case:

Teal wool felt, with rich brown accents, and bright yellow stitching

It was made based off of these cases, originally designed and made by Etsy seller Hine.  I felt a little weird about making something completely based off of a product someone else makes and sells, so I made sure to create something that still my own.  I used some 100% felted wool for the main casing, and used eco-felt as the liner and for details.  This made it a bit thicker and heavier than the originals.  It is kept closed with Velcro. It has a slot on the bottom for head phones and a small pocket on the back (much like the originals).

Check out the Craftster thread, showing off all of the January birthday gifts here.

I am also signed up for an OTT (one tiny thing) Anime swap, and am already started on that project too.. so expect another swap update in a few weeks!

What I love about craft swaps, and about posting on Craftster is that it really pushes me to create.  With swaps, I get to make something that I otherwise would probably never make.  Being able to post projects is also really great, a lot of people will respond with feedback and criticisms, helpful tips or ideas.  Craftster just released their “best of 2011″ list and.. my “IT Came From Beneath the Sea” silk screen actually made it on!  See my fancy new badge on the side there?  This makes me pretty happy, I must say.  This reminds me of the fact that I have about 15 of these prints sitting in my portfolio.. maybe its time to pull them out and sell a couple of them?

Thanks for reading, as always

xoxo

Staying Positive {beating the winter blahs, and micromanagement}

Like most people, my moods are negatively affected by winter.. but did you know that there are ways to beat the winter blahs? Both my partner and I notice it every winter, and so, last year we decided to implement some changes in our home. We have added full spectrum light bulbs to certain rooms of the house, and although experts don’t agree whether or not they help with SAD, it *does* make me happier to have a bright house inside when outside is so gray. Also, having house plants has made a bit of a difference too (maybe it’s just having something so bright and alive). But, of course we will have to wait and see how the rest of the winter plays out.

reach for the sky sporophytes!

I have finally realized the *right* word to use for my new years resolution(s), and it is self micromanagement.  So far, I am happy with my progress and what changes I have been able to make so far.  In order to keep the house tidy with minimal effort I have made these three changes (and wow what a difference they make): making the bed while Jerry is in the bathroom in the morning, dealing with dishes before bed, and simply putting things that are lying around in the living away before bed.  All together, these three things take about 15 minutes (but probably less) and I have noticed a severe difference in how the house looks overall at any given moment.

By the way, I love my new job.  I am learning so many new skills, yesterday I learned how to cut glass (amongst many other things).

Stay positive, make the changes you need to be happy, and at the end of the day.. you will be happy.

xoxo

Doll Restoration {one from the patch of cabbages}

This story starts a long time (and by long time ago I mean, about 21 years).  I was only three years old, and it was a few days after Christmas.  Now this is where the story is a little muddy:  I was upset because I was not allowed to go play in the snow with my older siblings, and so, naturally I needed revenge.  I sneaked into my sister’s shared room, and with various markers and stamps, completely ruined all of their brand new Cabbage Patch dolls.  My one sister was particularly upset by this, she was the youngest out of them (at the time she was nine years old), in fact, she had never forgotten about that doll and used this terrible deed against me (albeit in a *somewhat* joking manner).

Fast forward to last year, with the help of my parents, I decided to replaced her Cabbage Patch doll as a surprise at Christmas.  My parents found this doll at a thrift store, and she was quite dirty, and her hair was tangled.  I have been learning a lot about doll making and restoration over the past six months, and so was very excited to have this doll to practice on.  I think she turned out lovely, and my sister was pretty surprised when she opened up this doll.

The always wonderful before picture.

(I am always terrible at taking before photos, I get too excited and forget to take a lot of good befores)

But, as you can see, her body had a lot of dirt and stains, and her vinyl head had a few black spots (possibly marker?), and a mess of hair.

The exciting after photo!

Much better now!

How did I do it?
This doll took three days to clean, and about 5 hours of actual work. I was lucky with this doll, she did not have any rips, frayed seams, and her painted face was in perfect condition.

First, I spot cleaned the body: I used a spray bottle mixed with water and a little tiny tiny bit of Shout stain remover. I gently massaged the bad stains and let it sit.
I used a soft sponge and I washed her face and neck. I used an old toothbrush to get into the tiny crevices of her mouth, ears and neck seam. I only used water. After, I used a Mr.Clean Magic Eraser to get some of the tougher marks off of the vinyl. Then, rinsed her face and neck again (to get rid of any Magical residue).
After than I started her hair. I carefully took out her hair elastics (some of them were already broken but tangled in her hair). I was unable to brush her hair at this time. I then prepped a big serving bowl with warm water and baby hair conditioner, and propped the doll’s head into the bowl (so that as much of her hair was submerged as possible without getting her fabric body wet).
She was left over night to soak.

The next day, I used my fingers to gently untangle her hair. I put some conditioner on my hands with water to make it easier (plus it added conditioner more evenly to her hair than the soak did).
I used a spray bottle with only water, and misted her entire body. I gently rubbed out any remaining stains on the fabric.
Then back into the hair soak for another night.

The next day I took her out of the soak and this time completely (and very gently as always) brushed her hair out. I rinsed her hair twice (for good measure), and left her to dry completely.

Once her hair was dry I styled it back into her original hair-do. I also rubbed her body with baby powder to make her smell nice.

The clothing was sourced from my parent’s basement.

Thanks for reading,

xoxo

White Catopus {hand sewn original collectible plush}

{2011 PROJECT}

My sister Amanda has supported my efforts and small business from the start.  She was my first “official” customer.  At the time of her first purchase, she really wanted to purchase a catopus, however I only have four finished and it was only a few weeks till Shock Stock.  I promised her I would make her a unique catopus after Shock Stock.  Well, as life usually goes, her catopus was delayed.  After Shock Stock, we found out about our sick kitty, and we needed to raise money for his operation.  I had no time to sew, as I worked extra hours serving and trying to sell the left over merchandise from Shock Stock.  Amanda even bought a few items during that period to help us too.  I wanted to make sure that her catopus was extra special, and so I present to you my newly adjusted Catopus design:

extra long tentacles, a slimmer face, and longer neck

Thanks for looking!

xoxo

{about being brave} A New Job!

I am a shy person, and ultimately I try to avoid change, confrontations and awkward situations.  I think that this has held me back previously, from pushing myself and trying for opportunities that would make me happy.  But, in reference to this inspiration post here, if you don’t like your job, quit.  In order to quit my old job, I need to have a new job.  I need a new environment, I need new challenges, and I want to be working in my desired field: art.  So, after my previous blog post I decided to take some initiative with my resolutions and look for another job.  Finding a new job in London can be very difficult, we have an unemployment of 9.6%.   I have looked for jobs previously, handed out countless resumes, to no success.  Honestly, I didn’t have much hope of finding a really great job any time soon, and I thought I was wasting my time even looking.  But, dedication certainly pays off!  I applied for framing associate at Michaels (a craft store), and was actually called on the same day.  The next day I had an interview, and  I was kind of nervous.  I had not done an interview in years, let alone an interview that actually asked questions that relied on my art theory background!  After the interview, they said I was hired, and my first day was yesterday.  I’m really excited about this new job, I think that being in a creative environment will inspire me to create more at home too.  Oh, and did I mention I get a discount?  Hell yeah.

I know that when I was younger, all of this would have been far too terrifying to actually do.  I would have sabotaged myself somehow, being too scared to ask a cashier where I should go for my interview, having the confidence to give a great interview (that was actually relaxed and enjoyable), I would have found some way to get out of it.  Some credit though, I really must give to the book I was reading at the time: Coraline (the graphic novel adaptation by Craig Russel).  The story follows Coraline’s development, from being scared and running away, to forcing herself to be brave, until she simply was brave and was no longer afraid.

So be brave, as Coraline says: “when you’re scared but you still do it anyway, that’s brave”.

In an attempt to include a photograph in every single post, I offer you a cute kitty:

Stay classy.

Thanks for reading!

xoxo