Projects from the Blog World

I've come across some really cool websites with some really amazing projects. One of the websites is Tumblingblocks and it has a really pretty pillow sewing technique. She calls it honeycomb smocking and I've decided one of the pillows I make for my future couch will look like this. The fabric doesn't have to be anything special since the pattern of sewing is so beautiful.

This fun and funky bowl is apparently really easy to make. Matty said he did it as a toddler. I however have never made one before but now really want to. Trying to figure out a cool twist to it or something. I do have some silver yarn that would look real fancy. I'll find some way to use it. Maybe i'll cover my lampshade with clingwrap then drape silver string over it. Could be cool if it worked out how I envision it.

Baby Boy and Bundle of Joy

My nephew Kaleb was born on August 20, 2009 at 4:37pm. Weighing in at 7lbs 12 oz and 20 inches long. Most adorable baby I've ever seen. He makes some of the funniest faces. Here are a few samples we shot last weekend. And some just plain precious ones of him sleeping.

DIY Towel Hook

The kitchen in my apartment is incredibly small, and I've been trying to find different ways to make the most of the space I have. Realized that having my dish rag on the counter was taking up space and probaby not the most sanitary place for it to stay. Did a little artistic research and then came up with this project. Used the left over glass from my stained glass workshop and a little old spoon we had sitting on our fridge. Now I have a lovely place to hang my dish towel.

So Much to Do

Seeing as I still am without a job, it gives me lots of time to think about all the projects I would like to someday do when I have the finances to do them. Seems a bit ironic that I can't be as productive with my unemployed time as I would like to be, because I need the money that comes with employment. I need to do a post so I can keep track of the things I need to get around to so I won't keep feeling too overwhelmed to do any of it. 1. Work on a portrait of a little boy I've been commissioned to do but have been too chicken to tackle. 2. Make at least one successful piece of art to go in my portfolio that I will buy once employed. 2a. First must pick a theme for said portfolio. Considering the ocean. Plenty of landscape, still life, and buildings that could make for really nice artwork. 2b. Possibly start with a contour drawing since they are fast and relatively easy. 3. Start taking a photo of Matt and me together, 1 or 2 a week so as to not forget these happy simpler times. 4. Find a fantastic shirt/dress pattern and start sewing some of my own clothes. Could even like it so much that I sell some on etsy. Who knows. 5. Build an art cabinet. More truthfully, design and then make husband build my art cabinet. Apparently lumber is expensive when it's nice, so this definately requires me having a job. (update) parents brought an old desk/dresser that will be serving as my art cabinet for now, and maybe for always. It's growing on me quite a bit.

6. Furnish house. Maybe this should be higher up on the list, but really I'd rather get art accomplished than have my house looking great at this point. 6a. Leather couch and recliners 6b. Book case 6c. Sweet rug 6d. Pot rack and towel hooks 6e. Metal headboard and footboard 7. Pull together an art book with all ideas for teaching an after school program and talk to schools about doing it next year. Could be really cool and if I love it, may become my full time job. 8. Buy masonite board and make big whimsical paintings of mermaids, pirates, giraffes and such with the faces cut out. Would make people who come visit have their picture taken in them and make an album for them to sign. 9. Design and make a long large stained glass that would some day go in my bathroom or house somewhere. I'll probably continue to add to this post as I think of other things i've been meaning to do. p.s. the stained glass is from One of a Kind McKinney