MdDS Update and New Projects

I know, I know... it's been too long! Well let me catch you up. In early December I had another recurrence. Most of my days were 3-4, sometimes 5-6. Needless to say, anytime in front of the computer doesn't help much. I did my usual stint of upping my vitamin D, and found something new. I'm sure many of you out there in cyber world have heard of the Whole30 diet? Well in case you haven't I recommend checking out YouTube.  In a nutshell, its super, severely strict Paleo. I followed it to the letter for a full 60 days, not just 30. I was late in the game, but attribute it to one of the things that helped put me back in remission. Yes, just one of the things. The other is all the walking I started doing when I got my new puppy in February. 

Isn't she just the cutest?!!!

Towards the end of April, was the last day I remember having any symptoms. I remember the exact last moment I felt any real symptoms. I was at a Business Boutique Conference and they had some flashing lights on stage that made me a bit fuzzy, but I looked away and covered my eyes for a moment and then felt fine. Don't get me wrong, my symptoms had started diminishing over the past few weeks, where I'd go a few hours without really noticing any movement, but then at night it always seemed to be somewhat present. Then after that day really nothing other than the occasional light-headedness that I usually get from sinus issues.  Honestly, after that conference I was feeling so inspired and positive, it was hard to not feel great!

Christy Wright and Dave Ramsey on stage at Business Boutique Conference 

As for the "new" projects, I'm still attempting to keep up with my painting group. This year I've only managed to complete one project thanks to my symptoms.  This beautiful zentangled piece designed by Golda Rader. "1958 Prom Dress".

Sewing projects... I've gotten only a few done, and not the ones I should be working on...

 



A princess dress for my niece Lulu...

 and one for niece P.J.











They turned out pretty cute and the girls loved them... just in time for Easter.  BUT I still have a wedding dress that needs a makeover. I've been procrastinating thanks in part to my mind going a million miles a minute thinking about all the other things I want to do..... ah... there's the A.D.D!!! hahaha!
But wait... SQUIRREL!!! Here's another new hobby I've been working on since last year...

There's more, but if you want to see them, you'll have to wait till I get them into my Etsy shop! Hopefully that will be soon. I'll keep you  all posted!  <3 umbrellagirl!

New Projects

In the painting and sewing world I'm sure we all have a "dead" zone. You know the projects that are just sitting there waiting to be completed. They pile up fast due to boredom, needing more time, space, supplies, or just life. It happens. The pile up at my house is starting to grate on me though, so I'm devising a plan to get some of my old projects completed.

For Painting:
First, while I plan to continue my membership with the Decorative Painting Society and my local chapters, I'm going to be very choosy on any new projects they offer. What I mean by that is I'm going to only choose items that I really want to do, not just for the sake of doing them for my portfolio.
Second, one of the requirements I plan to require of myself is, it has to be a project that can be completed in a timely manner (90% during the class not including prep time) and when it is finished have a plan for it.... ie "gift" it away.
Third, set aside a few hours per week to just paint and complete some of my older projects. For me this time period will be on one day per week. Wednesday sounds good. Yep, Wednesdays.

Here's a recent project I completed:

This lovely little galvanized watering can was purchased at Ikea. Pattern from Gigi Wright "Sitting Pretty" in The Decorative Painter Issue No. 2, 2013.



For Sewing: 
My biggest problem for sewing is space. I cut my patterns on my self healing mat on the floor. Sad. I've done it at the dining table, but I'm tired of the table always looking cluttered. I've got some space scoped out I could do it in, if I could get rid of a z-rack of wedding dresses. Time for some deep discounting.  In the meantime, the dining table may have to do.
Seriously, I'd love to be sewing a bit everyday. Actual sewing. Prepping patterns and cutting are the bane of my sewing existence. A necessary evil I guess. That in mind, my plan is to spend at least an hour a day, four days a week just working on sewing and design. Most likely it will be more often, as I'm hoping to make this a future source of income. (My own designs of course!)

Here's a project finished for my little niece, P.J. It's completely lined!!!! <3 <3 <3

Pattern Butterick 3762

Gerbera Daisies

This month at the Decorative Painters Society after meeting we painted Gerbera Daisies. The Gerbera Daisies are a fun project, and one I'm sure I'll do again in the future.
For this project I decided to use a 8"x10" stretch canvas, and prepped it using Deco Art Americana Paint in Midnight Blue.
Next I traced on my pattern and based the petals in Deco Art Americana Light Buttermilk.

 Next I filled in the petals using Cadmium Orange, and shaded with Napa Red and Deep Burgundy.

The center of the flower was done with Antique Gold, Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Yellow, and shaded with Raw Sienna, Burnt Umber, and Burnt Sienna. 

Going back to the petals, highlighted in Spiced Pumpkin, then finally finished up the stems with Avocado, Evergreen, and highlighted with Anita's Acrylic Craft Paint in Olive Green. (Yes, all the paints were Deco Art Americana except one!)

This project was just so cute! A number of painters in our group used Greenish Black or Black background prep and the petals turned out a beautiful reddish color, but there are lots of little changes you could make with this type of project. Next time I'm considering making my daisies in shades of pink! Perhaps on a Memory or Jewelry Box??? The possibilities are endless. 

Happy Painting!

On Healing Wings

This month our decorative painting group Heart-of-Texas-Tolers, painted a beautiful angel from TheDecorative Painter Magazine 2-2012. This is the kind of  project I want to again and again!

On Healing Wings - designed by Erika Joanne - DPM2 2012

My version (as well as most others in the group) was done with Americana Deco Art paints rather than the designer's original JoSonia paints. Next time I'll experiment with different color variations and maybe add some sparkle. This was so much fun to paint, and I was able to complete it in one day, minus the finishing varnish. Wouldn't this make an excellent gift for someone? I love it!!!

Catching Up

I realize I haven't had an entry for quite sometime. Honestly I don't have a great excuse, but sitting 8 hours a day or more at a desk job, then coming home to sit in front of the computer again is really the last thing I want to do. Soon though I will have nothing but time as my job is ending at the end of the month. Initially I was kind of sad about that. I've been there for over 4 years. Now, I'm actually looking forward to all the new crafty time I'll be getting. At least until I decide what to do next.

So... What's been going on? I've continued taking classes at the Fashion School, and I've found a ton of inspiration from the blogging world for a few projects which I'll share here. I'm very excited about a few of these. I picked up a few patterns from my local JoAnn's.

 And I found these in my old patterns from when I was a teenager... plus a few of my Mom's now vintage patterns...

And these were in her stash too.... I call them "The Horrid Moo-Moos". Seriously... What to do with these???

I've gotten some fabric stash from my Grandma and some free... yes FREE off Craigslist! Amazing people trying to pare down their own fabric stash and giving away perfectly awesome fabric!!! Lucky Me!!!!

My FREE stash off Craigslist!

Continuing on... I'm still attending monthly meetings and painting with the local Decorative Painting Chapter. A few things have turned out pretty good, and some, well, some I still need to work on...

"Santa's Toys" Pattern by Susan Stamilio (c) 1998

Recognize this guy? He's painted now!!!

 LOVE! My Papier-mâché Santa turned out pretty good I think!


My goals for the next few weeks are to make a pair of slacks for myself McCall's 6515, a couple nighties for the nieces, as well as a few twirly skirts to give my nieces for Christmas. Also working on the rest of my Christmas list. Some people are so hard to buy or create for... hahaha! I'll let you know how it goes.

Do What You LOVE!

Jack of all trades, Master of None. That's me in a nutshell. I find it amazing how so many of us go to school and major in one thing and really never end up using it. Me? I chose a degree in Science. Used it for a short period of time, and decided I liked the classes in school, but not the application in the real world. 
You hear all sorts of gurus out there now talking about how you should do what you love. Where were you all when I was in High School??? Did nobody tell me I was going to be working for 40 plus years and I better pick something I'd want to do that long? DO WHAT I  LOVE? That sounds great, except for one thing. I really LOVE lots of things. I think my hobbies and personal interests have changed a gazillion times!!! So I'm doing the only think I can think of with all of it.... I'm going to blog about it.

Here's a bit about what I'm up to right now...
About 2 years ago I got it in my head that I wanted to start a bridal gown boutique. I bought a bunch of discontinued gowns from a shop that was discounting their floor samples and excess stock. Of course they were mostly white and creams. At the time there were very few collections in colors other than the standard whites. I thought variety was much better for second time brides especially. After all... I wanted a blue dress for my wedding.

Ellis Bridals WD4142

 I couldn't find one, except online, but I was worried about spending the money and not being sure if it would fit. (Ellis Bridals WD4142)

Wtoo style2761

This one (Wtoo style 2761) I found locally, but its really a bridesmaids gown with a sweep train. It worked and pretty much cemented my grand idea. Plus my ten years of retail and management experience is something. Regardless, I have to read everything about the bridal gown industry I can get my hands on. Still, I'm definitely not the next contestant on Project Runway. At any rate, I decided to take some sewing classes at a local adult fashion school. Sew far,(get it?) I've learned the Felled Stitch, French Stitch, and how to make gathers for a skirt. This is going slow, so not much progress yet.
Another avenue I've decided to pursue is painting. Decorative Painting to be exact. I loved watercolor class in High School, and I just know art is in my blood. My Grandma was a freelance Calligrapher in her day. She designed Christmas Cards for Retail Stores, Charities, and belonged to her local Calligrapher's guild. Getting a letter from her was like getting a beautiful piece of artwork. I've never seen better calligraphy than hers. Not that I'm biased, but it is a dying art-form.
My Mother was a fantastic sketcher, although for her it was only ever a hobby, (her dream was to be a writer) I was always impressed as a girl and wanted to be able to draw as well as she did. Her desk calenders were always full of sketches. Reality, I convinced myself, was that drawing the things I wanted to draw, was not going to pay the bills.
My Aunt- I never would have figured to be the super artsy type. It always seemed her head was for business, but now she has more time to pursue her crafty side. She definitely got her talent from my Grandmother. Beautiful Paintings. My Aunt is the one who's got me hooked on painting. She belongs to the Society for Decorative Painters, and now so do I. The women in my local chapter are amazing. They have so much talent it makes it hard for me to breath sometimes. I think I could spend the next 20 years learning everything I could from these women and still have so much to learn.
The first meeting I attended we made Paper Mache Santa decorations to be painted at a later date. Here's mine...

The second meeting I painted this..... for a clock mechanism to be inserted later.

Until the next entry...