Creative Tuesday: Blog Icon/Button (#63)

This weeks Creative Tuesday challenge was to create a blog button.  *cricket, cricket*

I admit this is something I've tried a bunch of times and I don't feel like I'm very good at it.  But, in the spirit of the challenge I decided to give this another chance. 

You see, I can't work small.  I've tried.  Even in my quilting I've tried.  So, to help me through that, I started with very small paper.  I created hand doodles in pencil, and then traced over the designs in pen and marker.

I'm not sure where I originally got the idea that happiness is a mushroom, but there is something very whimsical and mysterious about mushrooms and so it's stuck.  I also decided that the mushroom spots, should be paw prints to represent my pups.  Happy stuff and dogs.  That about sums up what I ramble about these days.

Once the line drawing was complete.  I scanned it in and loaded into GIMP to crop, add color, and scale the drawings.

This is a picture of the computer screen showing the first round of coloring I tried. 

 

Here is an idea of how the button looked.  Something was off with it, right?  The letters were too muddy and the top of the mushroom popped in the wrong way.  But, this is why I like using a digital editor so much.  It's a few clicks to change the color around. 

As you can see I went through a few iterations until I realized that my blog name just wasn't big enough to be legible once I shrunk the icon down to actual size.  Nothing a quick re-draw couldn't fix.  I also highlighted the paw spots in a yellow to bring them out better.

And after much playing here is the button I decided on.  I still see little things that I would or could change, but we'll call it done for now.  This was a really fun experiment in visual branding and I also welcomed the GIMP practice!

You can find out about the next weekly challenge and see what the other artists put together at the co-op blog.  I can't wait to see what Mr. T has in store for his own button re-do!

Wishing you puppy licks and sunshine!

Mail Call!! {Thank you, CraftyRie}

I have had some amazing mail show up in my box and I wanted to share the goodies with you!!

First was a Sunshine in the Mail swap package from the lovely Rie at Craftyrie.
Just look at the stamped paper goodness!

The cutest little box which neatly hid the lovely Mona doll.

I also got some incredible fabrics... zigzags... Christmas Kangaroos!!!  and horse loving fabric.  I'm a lucky lucky gal!!

Incredible note cards with some of the coolest animal cutouts.  I'm loving the patchwork feel of the paper!!

And a postcard of a mountain near Rie's hometown in Australia.  So so pretty!!

This was certainly sunshine in the mail!!  Oh yes-sirree!!  Thank you again Rie for your thoughtful and totally delightful package!!

Friday Night Sew-In was AWESOME!

It was hot and late, but so fantastic to get back behind the sewing machine with a little purpose.

Here is what I was starting on.  Any guesses?

For those of you who said pillow.. Yup!  For those of you who said Sprocket Pillow -- exactly!  I've had this on my want to do list for way to long and it was time to build some circle sewing confidence.  (Thank you Cluck Cluck Sew for putting together such a great tutorial!!)

For those of you who have already noticed... yup, there is an error in these first two pictures.  Sigh.

Take a closer look.

I had forgotten to put the two right sides together.  Silly-heat-got-the-best-of-me sewing mistake.  

Thankfully, I caught it before I got all the way around the circle.  It came out fairly easy and the rest just flew together!

The button was the next most challenging part, but I couldn't be happier with the results.  And I can see making more in the future.  This is the large size in case you are wondering.

Here is a look at the back.  Great way to use a favorite fat quarter!

My brown flowers on the sides.

I was even able to feature a cupcake.  Too cool!!

And that was enough accomplished for me to retire to bed with the biggest smile.  Satisfaction!!

Hope you also had a great night whether you were sewing or doing something else.

Also linking to Fabric Tuesday at Quiltstory... come see all the other great projects brewing!




日本のための多くの愛
Much love for Japan

Central Park Fabric Therapy

It's been a bit of a loony weather week which I think is throwing me off.

Snow, ice, extra days at home, lots of baking.... loony balloony indeed!  But, the good thing with being cooped in the house is all that access to extra glorious sewing time.

{Sew,} -pun intended- here are the things I have been up to!

Ongoing Projects

X Marks the Spot

Does taking this off my design wall and digging out my yardage count as progress?  The yellow isn't Fandango, but looks nice with it, doesn't it?

I feel like this one is going to pop this week and I even included it in my One Thing, One Week challenge hosted by the lovely Amy at Amy's Creative Side

[total side note here (allowed due to aforementioned looniess!):  have you seen The King's Speech (the movie) yet?  There is a priceless line when the Dutchess says something about royalty not "popping" -- which makes me giggle now when I use the word pop.  Like... I think I will go pop over and see so-and-so... or this design really pops.  Totally throws me into giggles!  

Go see it, then come back here and laugh with me.  I wasn't sure about this movie going in... I was joining my MIL and SIL for a little gals afternoon.  But, let me tell you I haven't felt that touched by a movie in sometime now.  I cried.  I was proud.  I thought of my family and husband. I cried again.  I wanted to give it a standing ovation.  Doesn't happen often!]

Confetti

I have fallen so badly for this one!  I am in finishing mode and pulled out these things which I believe will be the finishing touches!  I love things that practically make themselves... means they are so meant to be!  You can see the full post here.

And, I think several of you may even make one... can't wait to see what you come up with!

Tulip Runner

No progress.  I went to pull out my tulip pattern and it is no where in sight.  No internet bookmark, no email to myself, no notes with measurements.  I have let that stall me. for the moment.  Argg!

New Projects

Working with Central Park (no name yet)

I lifted the label off my Central Park charm pack (5 inch squares) and got busy with pin wheels.  Don't you adore the playfulness and silliness of pin wheels? -- I do!  And I think it is really bringing out the spirit of this fabric!

As it turns out the Java Lotta Steam Cream that I showed you last week (which was meant for another project) was a perfect mix to make up these pin wheels.

I also found myself starring at certain charms that I. could. not. cut. uggg!  Standing defeated I decided that I will accept defeat and instead incorporate these blocks whole.  See, can't outsmart me ;) 

And, here are the pin wheels on the design wall.  Yes, I think I will be re-arranging these a few more times to get it exactly right.

Having gotten through the stack of charms, I pulled a bunch more fabric from my stash-pash-prickly-ash  

(anyone else love rhyming?)

 
All in all, I am totally loving what this quilt is shaping up to be... not sure I will be able to part with it -- and that is why this week can't only be described as much needed happy fabric therapy!  *contented sigh*

Not to be confused with puppy therapy which I have to admit I have also enjoyed to the brim!!

This Week's Work in Progress (WiP) Stats 

Last WiP Wednesday Total: 3
New Projects: 1

Finished Projects: 0
Total WiP's: 4 -- added one!

---Linking to W.I.P. Wednesday---

Victorian Lady

My brain has been a bit random lately.  So, I hope you don't mind if I talk about small things that brings a big smile to my face for a few minutes.

I have a thing for buttons. 

Something about the different colors and shapes makes me giddy.

No really, my addiction for buttons is so strong that I actually have my lovely mother in law look for them while she is out at yard sales.  Ya.  It's ok.  Admitting it is the first step, right?

These are a few lovely ones that I was using for my recent Horse art project which I last told you about here.

What I really wanted to share you today though is one of the many containers that I use to store my buttons. 

This tin is a treasure that I got at some point from my Grandma (not sure when anymore).  I think early on she realized I had a thing for buttons and she is maybe one of the ones that fueled that fire.  I know that everytime I reach for this I think of her! 

We had a lot of good times together and I can vividly remember our many games of Scrabble, cups of tea, sessions in the kitchen making cookies, and even our gab sessions over lunch.  I miss her terribly and if I could tell her anything I would want to tell her how I feel so lucky to have had such an awesome lady in my life growing up!

So, here is the tin!  Just look at how beautiful, composed and elegant this lovely lady it. 


As you turn the container their are several images all along the same garden theme.

I just adore her dress with all the lavender bows! I think the garden she is strolling in is stunning! And, to me, it seems that she is a lady without a care in the world.

It's a wonderful thought isn't it?


Here is the other lovely composed elegant lady in my life.  She's a total doll too and I honestly attribute a lot of my happiness and sanity to her!

Katie you ROCK!

Sometimes happiness is as simple as remembering someone who has touched our lives in a positive, inpiring, or just plain 'ole memorable way.

Hope your Thursday is/has treated you well!

Check in on my herd...

I showed you here that I started horsing around with a new project.  Ha!  Get it?

And I wanted to share that I am getting closer to finishing my herd of horses.  That means I then have to figure out how I will be displaying them for an up coming March art show.  

It's funny how hard I have fallen for this project.  Dreaming up each horse has been sort of therapeutic and mini inspiring all at the same time.  Since I seem to spend quite a lot of time handling each horse I get to think up a story, name, and a favorite food or movie they may have.

I am a huge fan of showing you my palette as I go along.  I almost feel like my palette has it's own story to share about the project in progress.  Almost like it's a work of art in it's own right.

Here are some of the horses hanging out drying while I clean my brushes and finish up for the night.

My favorite (don't tell the other horses) from this batch, is Lava Lamp Horse.  She is found toward the bottom left of the board.  Very trippy with swirls of blue, yellow, pink, purple and green.  I just feel like she exudes so much confidence.  That's me on a rock'in good day!

My shadow was nearby helping me when she had the chance.  Katie sort of ends up in hunting mood around the cardboard and is always trying to sneak one of them away when I'm maybe not looking for a moment.  She's sneaky... but hasn't snagged one.  Yet.

Just like my paint palette fascinates me... so does this paper towel that I was using to paint the horse parts on.  I enjoy the chaotic pattern (oxymoron for sure) that evolves and the synergy of the colors as they are forced to share the same space.

Another day I set up painting camp about 5 feet from the wood burning stove.  Seriously. the. best. painting. spot. in the. house!  

No joke!  

I had the heat from the wood stove cranked to 88 degrees via wood.  Let's just say.  Sigh.  Heaven!!!  

And from a practical stand point the paint dried fast which means my horses didn't curl.  

Practical, warm, delicious, make you dream of a hot summer's night!

You can see I had some new horses brewing.  Pink and brown were my wedding colors and they look magical on a horse too!  I was also playing with different brushes to find different textures for the mane.  

Did I mention I love this project?

The pink bubble horse (a la Bubble Bath Horse) is another one of my favorites!

But, just look at the cutie pie smiley face on Lava Lamp Horse!!  So, happy, so chill, so me on a good day!

Oh...oh... and check out Splashed in a Blue Puddle Horse!!!!  He's feisty, he's dirty, and he knows how to have a good time!

I see at least one more check in coming from this project.  I have about 25 horses assembled now.  Some need faces, some need decoration.  I am thinking it would be nice to have another 10 or so.... which means I need to get tracing, cutting and painting some more. 

I can't wait to show you what the final art piece ends up looking like!! 

If a corky fun art project is happiness, then I am the happiest clam in the sea!!  
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Have I inspired you to make a horse or two?  The pattern I am following can be found in my first post about this project (here).  

Happy horsing around!!

(And thank you again to Ann Wood for making this horsey happiness possible for me!!)