collaboration

I was sketching out some ideas when my little C asked me if she could work on something herself. It didn't surprise me all that much since she's done that before—and even though she has her own sketchbooks, she prefers that we share mine. Sometimes I'll turn to a new page and a little one of her doodles is on it. More often than not, I have no idea when it was made. It's just there to give me a sweet hello.

Yesterday I was drawing on the left page while she was working on the opposite side.



I traced some of her rectangles and came up with this pattern (the proportions will be larger in the final piece). I love it so much that I'm going to get it printed as soon as I decide what color to use.



It thrills me to see my little C interested in what I do. Sometimes I wonder if the reason is that she'll be artistic herself or that she simply wants to hang out with Mom. I'll take either one.

Do you have little ones that follow in your footsteps? What do they do?

spring is in the air

The mundane part of my life (aka mountains of laundry) is keeping me indoors on the most beautiful afternoon ever. The sun is shining and the birds are signing away. The thing is, that if I don't take care of the work right now, I'll come up with some fabulous excuse to avoid it all. So here I am taking a tiny break which will be followed by a yummy "arroz con pollo" that I just made.


Tiny flowers from my little C.

Fear not, there's a slightly more interesting reason for me to post today. If you have anything that you'd like to ask me you can do so on Formspring. I'm curious to know what your questions will be, but also a bit nervous too. Be kind my friends (I know, you always are).

I hope you're enjoying your weekend and that it's more exciting than mine!

animals + geometrics

It appears my brain is on a pattern track and I'm just letting it flow. I think it's also a mental balance and response to the corporate design work that I'm tackling now. The question is what I should do with these patterns that are starting to pile up. Hmmm.



(Click on the image to see it a bit larger. My photos seem to be blurry lately-sorry about that. I think it's a Flickr thing ??)

couldn't leave well enough alone

The patterns that I just posted about late last night are now cut out. How I will use them is the question...



Many of my ideas are well planned out and have a predestined purpose or use. This is obviously not one of them. I'm just going with it and seeing where I will land.

That's all for now. Duty calls.

old shapes inspire a new project

Welcome to March, my favorite month of the year. Spring is in the air and I can't wait for it to be really here. I think that may be spurring on my efforts to do some reorganizing around the house (do toys reproduce on their own?). I want to purge, purge, purge. It's slow but it's working.

So... the organizing effort has reached my computer and I dug up some designs that I hadn't seen in a while. I have a folder of patterns that I add to every now and then. I work on them as a way to take a break from other projects. I haven't done anything with them yet. The obvious would be for them to be printed on paper or fabric but I'm actually thinking of using them in a three-dimensional paper (or wood) quilt of sorts. It's that too off the wall?

the end

Okay people. This is it. The last day of February. Let's get it over with and move on. February had its many bad moments for so many (I'm so very sorry Chile) but it had great ones for others (two new babies for friends!) and some great news for us. So here's to a brighter March and for spring to get here real soon!

accordion paper clock

Remember the sneak peek I showed you this week? The full project is now posted on Craft. If you have any questions just let me know.

process

Jessica, Jan, Jenean and Michelle started it and I've decided to give it a go myself. This is just a little glimpse into what happens when we take an idea and follow a process until it becomes something a bit more cohesive and/or useful.

The ladies that I mentioned all blogged about their pattern making processes. In my case, I started with yesterday's) sketch and ended up with a prototype for stationery. It could easily become a pattern for anything else I suppose. Below is the hypothetical example that I worked on today.

1 - I scanned my sketchbook and used the image of my doodle as a backdrop in Adobe Illustrator. I placed a white transparent box over it (digital tissue paper of sorts) and started tracing over the image. The end result is a graphic and clean look.



2 - After a lot of moving things around I end up with these. The image on the top left is the one I created today. The image with yellow accents was the one I posted yesterday. The big difference is obvious. The feel is completely different in the yellow version because it is hand drawn and color was added digitally.



3 - One thing lead to another and I started wondering about other shapes. The bottom left is where I'm just trying to figure out what I'm going to do with two of the bowl/flower shapes. The bottom right is the final combination of the two elements. It reminds me of a logo mark.

In essence I ended up with three distinct looking images from one sketch idea. Two plant like shapes and one graphic icon.

4 - Applications - Below are just a couple of possible applications for two of the images. My favorite is definitely the top one. I'm actually thinking I may want to try it out printed on fabric for a cushion.





And that's it. This exercise could go on and on. Like I said this is something I just worked on this afternoon. If I had more time to refine this who knows where I'd end up.

By the way, for any of you wondering, this process doesn't work for my paper projects at all. I mentally go over, and over my 3D paper projects before ever touching paper or my Xacto. Once I have the design in mind I may sketch something out really quickly to record measurements and then I just go for it. Nine times out of ten, what I had in my head works out and it looks exactly the way I imagined it.

Anyone else interested in showing their process? We'd love to see!

sleepy time = creative time

This is a doodle based on something I drew right before going to sleep last night. Many of my ideas come at that point of the evening. I'm at the most exhausted, about to surrender to Morpheus and then it hits me—a new idea, a new illustration, project—you name it.

If my foggy brain thinks that an idea is worthy enough to stretch out my arm from under the covers, it gets recorded in my sketchbook. Otherwise, it's completely lost. The problem with sketching that late is that sometimes I end up staying up another hour or two. I'm glad I did in this case because I got a lot out of my head. I must remember to put pencil to paper more often.

How about you? When do new ideas hit you?

sneak peek

It's been a very busy last couple of weeks, as you can tell by my absence. Part of it has been related to my design work and part of it is simply related to family life. Come to think of it, another reason is the Olympics. We are avidly watching as much as we can. I love how the kids get so excited when they're rooting for certain athletes. So that's pretty much it... I wish I had something more interesting for you.

I'll leave you with a sneak peek of a tutorial that is coming this week. Can you guess what it is?

recycling project no. 20 - 3D heart

This is very easy if you need to make a last minute Valentine gift or card.

Materials
- Magazine (or any other type of paper)
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Deep frame or card stock



1. Using scissors and a page out of magazine, cut out one heart that is about 3" tall. Use it as a template to cut out a dozen additional hearts.
2. Fold each heart in half and add glue to a 1/4" on the folded border. Attach another folded heart on top of the first one.
3. Repeat step 2 until all the hearts are stacked and glued one on top of another. They will only be attached to close to their folded area.
4. Once it's dry, the heart will fan open. Glue it on the center of a piece of card stock that will fit into the frame.

This heart can also be glued to the center of a piece of card stock and used as a card or gift tag.

If you'd like your heart to look fuller add more hearts.

• • •

If you live in the Houston area and would like to see me work on this project I will be on Going Green with Yolanda Green (Channel 39) on Saturday at noon and again on Sunday at 10am.

Have a great Valentine's Day!



The egg carton heart project can be found here.

EDIT: Below is the video of the show that played locally this past weekend.

work + play

My crafty side was indulged yesterday by the filming a couple of segments that will air on Houston's Going Green with Yolanda Green. One will air this coming weekend (Saturday at noon and Sunday at 10am) and the other will air around Easter. I made 2 crafts for each of the holidays. Working in video is fun but boy is it tiring. Thank goodness for a patient camera man who put up with all the takes and retakes!

For Valentine's day I made my Egg Carton Heart and some 3D magazine hearts to be used for framing or as gift tags. There are no photos because my camera and computer aren't playing nice right now. I guess I'll just show you a completely unrelated photo from Friday. We were scribbling during a bingo game on Friday night at the kids' school.



And for those of you that are waiting to find out... Congratulations Jessica Jo! You are the winner of the calendar and Home, Paper, Scissors! I'll be in touch.

Let me know just say that I think this is the time that I've enjoyed all of your comments the most. I definitely think I need to do a grateful post again sometime. You shared so much and it was all so touching—thank you so much.

happy ending

This was a really great week. I can't even tell you why and I will never be able to. All I can say is that, it is confirmed once again, that things happen for a reason. They just do. It's really quite amazing how frustrating certain events can be and all of the sudden the clouds clear and you 'get it'—there was a reason behind it all.

Today I'm just grateful. So very grateful.



On an unrelated matter and just because I happen to be arranging some things and found an extra calendar, I've decided to host a small giveaway. January has come and gone and February is upon us, so I know that almost a full page is useless to you. To make up for that, I will also include a copy of my book and a small assortment of paper goodies.

Just leave a comment below and share what you've been grateful for recently. I know we all have something. The comments section will be open until Monday at 10pm EST. I'll announce the winner on Tuesday. (Make sure to leave me your contact info!)

Have a great weekend everyone!

during morning coffee

Today I thought I was going to show you part two of what I started on Monday. It turns out that part two came about during a spur of the moment idea I had this morning—and it's not even the same piece. I've gone up in size quite a bit.

Materials - paper, Xacto, pencil, cutting mat, two wooden dowels (of the half-dozen I have around for who knows what reason), two push pins (fancy!).



This sad bare wall is what our guests first see upon entering the house. Since moving back in, after the remodeling, I have yet to decide what to put there. I know for sure that I don't want a console/mirror combo (that chair is there just for scale). I guess paper will do for now.

Next time I tackle the wall it will be something a bit more 3D. Ideas already flowing...

the start

There is so much going on with my design projects that I've neglected my handmade work. I've decided to start on a small piece and just work on it a bit every day. So this is day one.



I sketched something on the back of this but it's going in a completely different direction. I'm going with the flow...

break

Sometimes I just need to take a break from 'real' work to play around a bit. It sorts out my brain and it feels like hitting the reset button. It also allows me explore ideas that are always floating around in my head. Lately I've had many and I've acted on exactly... zero. So frustrating and suffocating.

The designs may look familiar. I'm reusing my, now sold out (thank you all!), die cut calendar images. Filing would definitely be a bit more fun with these.



Here are two articles that have me really thinking about my current lack of 'going for it' mentality.
- Push - As Paul says, we need to blaze our own trail and be true to ourselves. I couldn't have read this at a better time.
- You can become and indispensable linchpin The resistance that Godin talks about is exactly what I'm talking about. I need to let it go. So many ideas... so much resistance.

I just need to jump off the cliff! Anyone interested in shoving me over?

I missed my Xacto

Ghetto. That's the word that someone used, on another site, to describe one of my recycling projects. Ok... that's fine—it actually made me laugh. I understand that it may not be for everyone's taste. But that was just the incentive I needed to grab my blade and the same cereal box cardboard to make something new.



At midnight, I ended up with a matchbox. It's really sturdy and I'm already putting it to good use. Clean lines, with simple materials—now that's my cup of tea.

A tutorial? Yes, soon.

back

Life throws us all some unexpected curve balls, doesn't it? That's what I've been emotionally wrapped up with for the past couple of weeks. A very dear friend of mine, much like a sister, is dealing with some health issues and I just couldn't muster the willpower or energy to blog about anything at all. Creativity was at an all time low—more like non-existent. Medically speaking my friend is in good hands, so now all we have to do is pray that she recovers soon. It will happen.



So, my head was in a creative tail spin and yesterday I got the opportunity to straighten myself out. I took a solo road trip to visit friends and it was just what the doctor ordered. I must say that there is nothing better than a long road and good music (or silence) to straighten me out mentally. It's at the top of my list of remedies.

If I really need some alone time and there's no reason or time to hit the road these are my other options:
- coffee shop
- bookstore
- long walk
- and as a last minute resort... the couch in the dark, with a cup of tea, when everyone is sleeping.

What do you do to recharge and clear the mental cobwebs?

applying the creative elsewhere

I'm not a fashionista by any stretch of the imagination, but as soon as I heard about the bloganistas, I thought I'd give it a shot. It's a Flickr group where bloggers will be posting an outfit once a week. Joining the group will actually help me out with a few of my resolutions for the year.

I'm meticulous with my work but not so much with my appearance. I don't think I scare anyone away but it's... well, just fair. Working from home has made me lazy and sometimes I really don't recognize myself. Motherhood has also made my style take a dive. I hate to admit that but it's true. I'm typically the last one to get ready when we're headed anywhere and I just slap myself together. No more.

My first bloganista outfit is here.



I've also decided that this will be the year when I will finally make something to wear—skirts are high on the list. The fact that my Mom has just purchased a serger has me really itching to get going.

So, I'll also be kicking the fear of my sewing machine to the curb. Anyone else trying something that gets them out of their comfort zone?

quote of the day

"Nature has the best colors. Right Mom?" - by D, as we watched the sun rise this morning.

• • •

Again... thank you so much everyone. I wasn't expecting such a big response to yesterday's post. Goes to show that I was right in not deleting my post, which I almost did as soon as I pressed publish.

Your comments far outweigh any negativity that may come my way.

Have a great day!