(You can see this needed updating!)
Showing posts with label design portfolio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label design portfolio. Show all posts
For the Feed Readers
Gulliver took a long nap today that allowed me to redesign my blog, which I've been wanting to do for a while, and which was easy to do because Murray recently bought a tablet. Check it out if you're just reading the feed! And for posterity's sake, here's the old one...
(You can see this needed updating!)
(You can see this needed updating!)
What's this? What's this?
There seems to be a free advent calendar download over on Petit Elefant today and I can truly say that it's the coolest advent calendar that I could possibly conceive! Look! I have one, too!
First Mass Printing
Well, it's official. Something I have created has now been approved for mass production. Cool. I went for the press check today and was able to approve the cover sheets. Later today, I'll go back and approve the rest of it. It's a pretty exciting day for me.
(I kept a proof so that I can bring it home and put it on my fridge.)
New Christmas Tradition
I was always jealous of my friend Sophie's family Christmas tradition. They would draw names and make homemade gifts for each other. I know that doesn't work real well in your average family, but Sophie's family is above average artistically. Everyone has a talent that can lend itself to making a wonderful, unique Christmas present.
Now that I'm married to an artist, however, I have the opportunity to start that family tradition and cultivate creativity and artistic talent in our future children. Murray and I started this year by deciding that our main gifts to each other would be handmade. Then we'd fill each other's stockings (and for those who love materialism out there, let me just be clear about the stockings: we went all out and even though the stockings were enormous, some of our "stocking stuffers" still didn't fit).
I took pictures of our homemade gifts for you to enjoy. (And I took pictures where you can actually see the size of the stockings.)
{A calendar I made of Murray's heroes... and yes, that's a picture of him. I think he should be his own hero. After all, he's mine!}
{My portrait, done by Murray. Isn't he awesome? The work represents two things I love: 1) Murray's original artwork, and 2) me.}
Now that I'm married to an artist, however, I have the opportunity to start that family tradition and cultivate creativity and artistic talent in our future children. Murray and I started this year by deciding that our main gifts to each other would be handmade. Then we'd fill each other's stockings (and for those who love materialism out there, let me just be clear about the stockings: we went all out and even though the stockings were enormous, some of our "stocking stuffers" still didn't fit).
I took pictures of our homemade gifts for you to enjoy. (And I took pictures where you can actually see the size of the stockings.)
{A calendar I made of Murray's heroes... and yes, that's a picture of him. I think he should be his own hero. After all, he's mine!}
{My portrait, done by Murray. Isn't he awesome? The work represents two things I love: 1) Murray's original artwork, and 2) me.}Stockings were hung by the tv with care...
Last night I finished Murray's and my stockings for this year. I had to make them big because I've found lots of stocking stuffers for Murray, not because I'm greedy.
I also almost finished two floor cushions that look so great I kindof want to make another one... Because three stacked on top of each other make a great ottoman!! I'll post pictures of our home once we finally find a place for all our belongings.
I also almost finished two floor cushions that look so great I kindof want to make another one... Because three stacked on top of each other make a great ottoman!! I'll post pictures of our home once we finally find a place for all our belongings.
Weekend Projects
This weekend has been a fun and productive one. It's been artsy and may yet prove to be a little crafty if I can find the time tonight to make our own Christmas tree decorations.
Friday evening for our date night, Murray and I went to the Beehive Bazaar. It was a little smaller than we were hoping, but there was a lot of cool stuff jam packed into the small space. I bought a glass pendant. Murray bought a cool envelope. Unfortunately, we were limited to only buy what we had cash to pay for because they accepted only cash or check (and who carries around checks anymore?).
To continue with our artsy theme, we went home and I had Murray show me how to paint images in PhotoShop. I chose three of my favorite portraits from his sketchbook (I helped with two of the three by drawing the hair styles, jewelry, and clothing) and then he taught me how to paint them. Unfortunately, I realized that it still requires painting skill (of which I have none) and an understanding of color layering and shading and light source (of which I have none). But on the positive side, I have a husband/slave who can do it all for me anyway.
(Whenever Murray apologizes for one or two manly stereotypes that he's missing---like ability to do plumbing or whatnot---I remind him that I'd rather have a man from whom I can commission any painting than a man who can fix a toilet. It's much more affordable to pay someone to fix a toilet than to pay someone to make me a painting according to my specifications.)
Without further ado, I would love to show the digital paintings that we worked on (or that he worked on while I watched---I got to pick colors though and do most of the makeup).
After completing the women on Saturday afternoon (we affectionately refer to this series as b*tches), we sent them to be developed at Costco. We picked them up an hour later, after having bought three complementary frames from Target.
We're interested in doing more stuff like this in the future but obviously you don't normally print something like this at Costco. We're looking for a printer who would be able to give us matte copies of our work. Does anyone know of affordable printers who would be able to do that?
Also, we're interested in knowing if there's a demand for this sort of thing. To gauge this, we'll sell you Costco prints of all three of these ladies for $10 if you're interested. I think that's a steal, personally. They're 4x6. Just email me at singing [dot] cicada [at] gmail.com.
Friday evening for our date night, Murray and I went to the Beehive Bazaar. It was a little smaller than we were hoping, but there was a lot of cool stuff jam packed into the small space. I bought a glass pendant. Murray bought a cool envelope. Unfortunately, we were limited to only buy what we had cash to pay for because they accepted only cash or check (and who carries around checks anymore?).
To continue with our artsy theme, we went home and I had Murray show me how to paint images in PhotoShop. I chose three of my favorite portraits from his sketchbook (I helped with two of the three by drawing the hair styles, jewelry, and clothing) and then he taught me how to paint them. Unfortunately, I realized that it still requires painting skill (of which I have none) and an understanding of color layering and shading and light source (of which I have none). But on the positive side, I have a husband/slave who can do it all for me anyway.
(Whenever Murray apologizes for one or two manly stereotypes that he's missing---like ability to do plumbing or whatnot---I remind him that I'd rather have a man from whom I can commission any painting than a man who can fix a toilet. It's much more affordable to pay someone to fix a toilet than to pay someone to make me a painting according to my specifications.)
Without further ado, I would love to show the digital paintings that we worked on (or that he worked on while I watched---I got to pick colors though and do most of the makeup).
After completing the women on Saturday afternoon (we affectionately refer to this series as b*tches), we sent them to be developed at Costco. We picked them up an hour later, after having bought three complementary frames from Target.
We're interested in doing more stuff like this in the future but obviously you don't normally print something like this at Costco. We're looking for a printer who would be able to give us matte copies of our work. Does anyone know of affordable printers who would be able to do that?
Also, we're interested in knowing if there's a demand for this sort of thing. To gauge this, we'll sell you Costco prints of all three of these ladies for $10 if you're interested. I think that's a steal, personally. They're 4x6. Just email me at singing [dot] cicada [at] gmail.com.
The Invites
So a few people have posted comments after receiving our invite. We're very happy that you're all impressed with how it looks. And because I like bragging and because I think it's only fair for the whole internet to see our invite, I decided we should post the pictures and the invite to the internet.
Of course, I can't actually post the invite because it has names, places, times, etc. So I made this mockup that gives you a general idea of what our invite looks like. The wording in our invite was formal and nice. And the fonts weren't as huge, but you know... for internet readability... Also, I just noticed that it says "pleased to announce their marriage to the Internet." I don't mean that we're marrying the internet. I just mean that we're announcing our marriage to each other to the internet.
We included either one of these pictures in the invitations. Most people got the one where you can see our faces best.
Of course, I can't actually post the invite because it has names, places, times, etc. So I made this mockup that gives you a general idea of what our invite looks like. The wording in our invite was formal and nice. And the fonts weren't as huge, but you know... for internet readability... Also, I just noticed that it says "pleased to announce their marriage to the Internet." I don't mean that we're marrying the internet. I just mean that we're announcing our marriage to each other to the internet.
We included either one of these pictures in the invitations. Most people got the one where you can see our faces best.
Why I Love Work
Remember a while ago how I said that I am designing bags and fabric? Well, I try not to post too many pictures because I feel it's company property, but I can't resist sharing this with you.
Part of the great thing about my job now is finding all the samples of my work coming in. Sometimes they just appear on my desk while I'm out of my office. Sometimes, like the other night when Murray was at the office with me, I start looking around at all the bags and purses in the area and realize, "Oh, hey, I designed that fabric," or "Oh, hey, I designed that zipper pull."
Today, I got back from the gym and found this in my office---a sample fabric that I did. I'd make a couple tweaks, but generally I like it. Oh, and since I can't resist an opportunity to brag about Murray, I'll say that these flowers came from a trip that Murray and I took to Red Butte Gardens, where we sketched flowers for an evening so that I could use the shapes in my work. Murray, you are the wind beneath my wings.
I'm Not an Addict (Maybe That's a Lie)
I currently have two addictions (three if you count Murray). They are Etsy and Amy Butler fabrics and patterns. The bad thing about these addictions is that I don't feel remorse when I spend money on either of them.
With Etsy, I'm supporting independent art, which is actually quite noble. The writer of Design Sponge talked about creating a gallery wall in her home and I've decided I'm going to do the same thing after I've collected enough art. (Luckily because of Murray, I won't have to buy all the art---he can create it and then I can display it.) But so far, I've purchased three things on Etsy. In one week's time... come to think of it, it may actually be a bad addiction (not to mention that I coerced Ambrosia into purchasing a crochet pattern on Etsy so that she can try it out and then teach me how to do it). The positive side effect of being an Etsy addict is that I now check the mail almost every day, whereas previously I think I would go about three months on average between opening my mailbox (El Senor did it, and really, if all I'm getting is junk mail and bills that are already automatically paid, why take the effort to get my mail?).
This is my first Etsy purchase, a print from Dkim.
My second addiction is Amy Butler fabric and patterns. I also justify these purchases because I consider them "market research." I would eventually like to produce my own original fabric line (instead of designing fabric for a corporation). I also love her bags, and I figure that since I help to design bags as well, sewing Amy Butler's bags is really just investing in my own skills and knowledge. Did I spend $100 in Amy Butler stuff last month? Yes! And what an investment!
Last night I completed this Amy Butler bag just in time to take it to the beach in San Diego. Next month I'll take it to the beach in New Jersey.
And as long as I'm showing things I've bought and made, I may as well give you a sneak peak at a a lining I've done for work. I don't show my designs on the blog because they're not my property, but I think I can ethically get away with showing this picture of a sample product... This weekend I'm also using a weekender bag that uses my poppy pattern on the outside. I'll have Murray get a shot of it and post it when I get back.
With Etsy, I'm supporting independent art, which is actually quite noble. The writer of Design Sponge talked about creating a gallery wall in her home and I've decided I'm going to do the same thing after I've collected enough art. (Luckily because of Murray, I won't have to buy all the art---he can create it and then I can display it.) But so far, I've purchased three things on Etsy. In one week's time... come to think of it, it may actually be a bad addiction (not to mention that I coerced Ambrosia into purchasing a crochet pattern on Etsy so that she can try it out and then teach me how to do it). The positive side effect of being an Etsy addict is that I now check the mail almost every day, whereas previously I think I would go about three months on average between opening my mailbox (El Senor did it, and really, if all I'm getting is junk mail and bills that are already automatically paid, why take the effort to get my mail?).
This is my first Etsy purchase, a print from Dkim.
My second addiction is Amy Butler fabric and patterns. I also justify these purchases because I consider them "market research." I would eventually like to produce my own original fabric line (instead of designing fabric for a corporation). I also love her bags, and I figure that since I help to design bags as well, sewing Amy Butler's bags is really just investing in my own skills and knowledge. Did I spend $100 in Amy Butler stuff last month? Yes! And what an investment!
Last night I completed this Amy Butler bag just in time to take it to the beach in San Diego. Next month I'll take it to the beach in New Jersey.
And as long as I'm showing things I've bought and made, I may as well give you a sneak peak at a a lining I've done for work. I don't show my designs on the blog because they're not my property, but I think I can ethically get away with showing this picture of a sample product... This weekend I'm also using a weekender bag that uses my poppy pattern on the outside. I'll have Murray get a shot of it and post it when I get back.
Projects
I've been wanting to work on a few projects to keep myself busy. This is one of the things I accomplished this weekend. It's an Amy Butler pattern with Amy Butler fabric. I love her stuff. Jenny said that she was making an apron out of Amy Butler fabric, and I think that I'll have to do the same for my next sewing project.
Oops, I did it again!
Two years ago, my mom sent a package and included an old, smelly, garbage blanket as padding. I was expected to throw away the blanket. Instead, I thought it would make a great picnic blanket, so I washed it, ran out and bought six yards of fabric for $6 and covered the blanket. Unfortunately, I really, really liked the blanket when I was done with it. I made coordinating pillows with the leftover fabric and really, really liked the whole set. Even though it was really inexpensive to make, I decided my blanket was worth more than just a picnic blanket and I used it on my bed for the next year and a half. (Featured in this post.)
A year ago, my mom sent a package and included another old, smelly, garbage blanket as padding. I noticed that it was exactly like the first one. How many of these blankets does she have lying around? This time I wasn't going to mess it up: I was going to take that blanket and make it into a picnic blanket for sure. Unfortunately, a year ago I was in school and had no access to a sewing machine. I decided a jean quilt would be the best option, so I made a collection of jeans, but then that collection of jeans just sat cut into squares, but unsewed because, as I mentioned, I had no access to a sewing machine and I was busy with school anyway.
This winter, I started sewing that jean quilt just a little. In fact, I even bought that padding stuff for the middle of it, negating altogether my need for the garbage blanket that my mom had sent.
So yesterday, when I went home from work early because I'd already put in a good twelve hours of overtime, I looked out at the sunshine and decided I needed to go out and get cheap fabric and make a picnic blanket (I was in the mood for sewing four sides of fabric together---not of sewing little squares of denim together). I hopped on my bike, drove to the local fabric store (I drove to Walmart, but since so many who read my blog hate Walmart, I've decided to call it "the local fabric store") and promised myself to look only in the dollar fabric section. I picked out two fabrics that would make a great picnic blanket because I wasn't in love with either of them.
But when I went to have it cut, another fabric just happened to catch my eye. It wasn't a dollar a yard, but I had to have it anyway. And I convinced myself that I'd have the heart to make it into a picnic blanket and use it as such. So I bought that fabric.
And then I put it home and put it on my bed and realized that it matched my room colors exactly. And then I realized that I had leftover fabric from covering my shelves, so I could use that as the backing instead of crappy backing fabric that I bought.
And five hours later (don't ask me why it takes five hours to sew four sides of fabric together---it got a little more complicated than that, and besides which, I had to sew buttons on the middle to keep both sides of the blanket together) I had the cutest, most darlingest picnic blanket. On my bed. In my bedroom. That I will never actually use as a picnic blanket.
Dammit.
A year ago, my mom sent a package and included another old, smelly, garbage blanket as padding. I noticed that it was exactly like the first one. How many of these blankets does she have lying around? This time I wasn't going to mess it up: I was going to take that blanket and make it into a picnic blanket for sure. Unfortunately, a year ago I was in school and had no access to a sewing machine. I decided a jean quilt would be the best option, so I made a collection of jeans, but then that collection of jeans just sat cut into squares, but unsewed because, as I mentioned, I had no access to a sewing machine and I was busy with school anyway.
This winter, I started sewing that jean quilt just a little. In fact, I even bought that padding stuff for the middle of it, negating altogether my need for the garbage blanket that my mom had sent.
So yesterday, when I went home from work early because I'd already put in a good twelve hours of overtime, I looked out at the sunshine and decided I needed to go out and get cheap fabric and make a picnic blanket (I was in the mood for sewing four sides of fabric together---not of sewing little squares of denim together). I hopped on my bike, drove to the local fabric store (I drove to Walmart, but since so many who read my blog hate Walmart, I've decided to call it "the local fabric store") and promised myself to look only in the dollar fabric section. I picked out two fabrics that would make a great picnic blanket because I wasn't in love with either of them.
But when I went to have it cut, another fabric just happened to catch my eye. It wasn't a dollar a yard, but I had to have it anyway. And I convinced myself that I'd have the heart to make it into a picnic blanket and use it as such. So I bought that fabric.
And then I put it home and put it on my bed and realized that it matched my room colors exactly. And then I realized that I had leftover fabric from covering my shelves, so I could use that as the backing instead of crappy backing fabric that I bought.
And five hours later (don't ask me why it takes five hours to sew four sides of fabric together---it got a little more complicated than that, and besides which, I had to sew buttons on the middle to keep both sides of the blanket together) I had the cutest, most darlingest picnic blanket. On my bed. In my bedroom. That I will never actually use as a picnic blanket.
Dammit.
Famous Bag Lady
Last night I went to Target. It had been a while. I often think of Mary when I'm at Target, because she once said that sometimes she just needs a therapeutic trip to Target where she can wander through the aisles at her leisure. And last night I only really had four things on my agenda:
1) Return unused drapes to Target.
2) Wander around Target aimlessly, collecting ideas for fabric designs.
3) Go to Home Depot to get all their Behr color "styles" pamphlets so that I have easy-reference color schemes in my office.
4) Go to Barnes & Noble to look at Communication Arts and see if it's worth trying to get work to buy me a subscription. (Yesterday, I kindof mentioned to someone that it would be nice to have a graphic tablet/pen... today I was informed that I'll be getting a graphic tablet/pen. Did I mention I want a raise, an assigned parking spot and a pony?)
As you can see, I'm a little obsessed with my new design responsibility at work, which is a good thing. If at all possible, one should be obsessed with one's work. One should also bill work for all the time that one spends researching at Target, Home Depot, and Barnes & Noble. I'd feel bad doing that, though. I mean, I was there for my own edification/enlightenment as much as I was there for work edification/enlightenment. Besides which, I bought a white shirt and a string of red beads, which was clearly personal. Except for the fact that I wore the white shirt and red beads to work today, which may again make them a work-related endeavor.
So after I went through every relevant aisle at Target, it was time for me to check out. I considered numerous lanes and chose a lane that had one customer checking out and one customer waiting to check out instead of the lane that had only one customer who was buying a lot of stuff. And once I got in my lane, the customer ahead of me turned to me and asked, "Are you El Senor's sister?" I told her I was, and expected her to say that we'd met at some point years ago. Instead, she told me that she recognized me from my blog. More accurately, she recognized my bag from my blog. (I'm sure it didn't hurt that I was wearing essentially the same outfit that I was wearing in the picture of me with my bag.) And that was about the extent of our interaction. I spent the rest of the night imagining what it would be like to have more recognition. More fame. At least in my imagination, it's pretty good.
So tonight I made a new bag. This one is 100% my design. We've been working on canvas bags at work, so I've been thinking a lot about canvas lately, and decided that I just needed a simple canvas tote. Nemesis has one and it's cool. (Nemesis bought hers for a few pounds though, and mine cost me $18 and five hours of time.)
After working all night on the sucker, hardly stopping for food or refreshment (El Senor made me dinner: a celery stalk with peanut butter), here it is in all its glory. If you would like to buy a replica of this bag, it will only cost you $70. It might be smarter to go to England and shop where Nemesis shopped... (Plus, if you look really closely, you can see my poor sewmanship, and really, why would you want to pay $70 for shoddy stitching?)
1) Return unused drapes to Target.
2) Wander around Target aimlessly, collecting ideas for fabric designs.
3) Go to Home Depot to get all their Behr color "styles" pamphlets so that I have easy-reference color schemes in my office.
4) Go to Barnes & Noble to look at Communication Arts and see if it's worth trying to get work to buy me a subscription. (Yesterday, I kindof mentioned to someone that it would be nice to have a graphic tablet/pen... today I was informed that I'll be getting a graphic tablet/pen. Did I mention I want a raise, an assigned parking spot and a pony?)
As you can see, I'm a little obsessed with my new design responsibility at work, which is a good thing. If at all possible, one should be obsessed with one's work. One should also bill work for all the time that one spends researching at Target, Home Depot, and Barnes & Noble. I'd feel bad doing that, though. I mean, I was there for my own edification/enlightenment as much as I was there for work edification/enlightenment. Besides which, I bought a white shirt and a string of red beads, which was clearly personal. Except for the fact that I wore the white shirt and red beads to work today, which may again make them a work-related endeavor.
So after I went through every relevant aisle at Target, it was time for me to check out. I considered numerous lanes and chose a lane that had one customer checking out and one customer waiting to check out instead of the lane that had only one customer who was buying a lot of stuff. And once I got in my lane, the customer ahead of me turned to me and asked, "Are you El Senor's sister?" I told her I was, and expected her to say that we'd met at some point years ago. Instead, she told me that she recognized me from my blog. More accurately, she recognized my bag from my blog. (I'm sure it didn't hurt that I was wearing essentially the same outfit that I was wearing in the picture of me with my bag.) And that was about the extent of our interaction. I spent the rest of the night imagining what it would be like to have more recognition. More fame. At least in my imagination, it's pretty good.
So tonight I made a new bag. This one is 100% my design. We've been working on canvas bags at work, so I've been thinking a lot about canvas lately, and decided that I just needed a simple canvas tote. Nemesis has one and it's cool. (Nemesis bought hers for a few pounds though, and mine cost me $18 and five hours of time.)
After working all night on the sucker, hardly stopping for food or refreshment (El Senor made me dinner: a celery stalk with peanut butter), here it is in all its glory. If you would like to buy a replica of this bag, it will only cost you $70. It might be smarter to go to England and shop where Nemesis shopped... (Plus, if you look really closely, you can see my poor sewmanship, and really, why would you want to pay $70 for shoddy stitching?)
The Devil Wears Cicada
How to become a fashion designer:
1. Make a bag. It doesn't matter if the bag is huge and non-functional. It just matters that you follow a cute pattern and use a slightly expensive interior decorating fabric.
2. Bring the bag to work. It doesn't matter if you're just an editor, as long as you work for a company that also produces bags and leather fashion. Oh, and it also helps if you happen to go to work early and arrive at the same time as the woman who is in charge of the bags team.
3. Let said woman admire your bag. Said woman will ask the resident Italian bag designer to talk to you about your bag.
4. The resident Italian bag designer will come to talk to you about your bag. Then he'll start looking around your office. At this point, it helps if you've decorated your office and included samples of graphic design work that you've done. Blush when the resident Italian bag designer asks if you do interior decorating, and come up with some humble answer about how you decorate your own spaces, yadda yadda yadda. When the resident Italian bag designer asks if you know how to use Illustrator, show him a few samples of stuff you've done on your blog. As long as you've got your blog up, show him a few of the interior design things that you've done. You know, like your bedroom.
5. When the resident Italian bag designer says that he would like your help in designing bags---specifically designing fabric patterns for linings---tell him you would be interested in doing that.
6. Meet with the woman mentioned in steps 2 and 3 to talk more about your new responsibility of designing fabrics and bags.
7. Kick back for an hour every day in the middle of the day. Browse clothing sites that you like. Look at bags, shirts, anything fabric. Open up Illustrator and draw. Try not to feel guilty for how much you are absolutely loving your job.
8. Have a really great brother and sister-in-law who happen to have friends who have another bag company. Make sure brother and sister-in-law brag to their friends about all the things you can do, including your new work in fabric design. The friends will ask if you're interested in doing freelance work for them. And you are interested. And life is good.
Seriously, though, my life is so cool right now. I'd love to put up samples of what I've done for you all to see, but I don't feel right about that, since the samples are basically the property of the company I work for. But hey---when a bag is produced using my fabric, I assure you that I'll post a picture of it for you all to see.
And here's a picture of the bag that started it all. No, I'm not talking about Ho-Bag Switchback. I'm talking about that enormous bag slung over my shoulder. (There's also a not-so-enormous bag that Switchback is holding---I bought that pattern and will be making that bag in the near future.) But a quick story about my enormous bag: I had it with me shopping the other day, and I bought something at Office Depot. As I was paying, the cashier guy commented on how large my bag was. I told him that it's so huge, sometimes I lose things in it. Then I went to Sur la Table and tried to buy a gift for El Senor but couldn't find my wallet. I awkwardly spent a lot of time searching and searching through my enormous bag to find the wallet. There was no one behind me, thank goodness. I told the cashier that I probably forgot my wallet over at OD. So I went back to OD and asked if they had my wallet. They didn't. I spent about five more minutes searching through my cavernous labyrinth bag and found my wallet. When I went back to Sur la Table, I told the cashier that it was, after all, at Office Depot.
1. Make a bag. It doesn't matter if the bag is huge and non-functional. It just matters that you follow a cute pattern and use a slightly expensive interior decorating fabric.
2. Bring the bag to work. It doesn't matter if you're just an editor, as long as you work for a company that also produces bags and leather fashion. Oh, and it also helps if you happen to go to work early and arrive at the same time as the woman who is in charge of the bags team.
3. Let said woman admire your bag. Said woman will ask the resident Italian bag designer to talk to you about your bag.
4. The resident Italian bag designer will come to talk to you about your bag. Then he'll start looking around your office. At this point, it helps if you've decorated your office and included samples of graphic design work that you've done. Blush when the resident Italian bag designer asks if you do interior decorating, and come up with some humble answer about how you decorate your own spaces, yadda yadda yadda. When the resident Italian bag designer asks if you know how to use Illustrator, show him a few samples of stuff you've done on your blog. As long as you've got your blog up, show him a few of the interior design things that you've done. You know, like your bedroom.
5. When the resident Italian bag designer says that he would like your help in designing bags---specifically designing fabric patterns for linings---tell him you would be interested in doing that.
6. Meet with the woman mentioned in steps 2 and 3 to talk more about your new responsibility of designing fabrics and bags.
7. Kick back for an hour every day in the middle of the day. Browse clothing sites that you like. Look at bags, shirts, anything fabric. Open up Illustrator and draw. Try not to feel guilty for how much you are absolutely loving your job.
8. Have a really great brother and sister-in-law who happen to have friends who have another bag company. Make sure brother and sister-in-law brag to their friends about all the things you can do, including your new work in fabric design. The friends will ask if you're interested in doing freelance work for them. And you are interested. And life is good.
Seriously, though, my life is so cool right now. I'd love to put up samples of what I've done for you all to see, but I don't feel right about that, since the samples are basically the property of the company I work for. But hey---when a bag is produced using my fabric, I assure you that I'll post a picture of it for you all to see.
And here's a picture of the bag that started it all. No, I'm not talking about Ho-Bag Switchback. I'm talking about that enormous bag slung over my shoulder. (There's also a not-so-enormous bag that Switchback is holding---I bought that pattern and will be making that bag in the near future.) But a quick story about my enormous bag: I had it with me shopping the other day, and I bought something at Office Depot. As I was paying, the cashier guy commented on how large my bag was. I told him that it's so huge, sometimes I lose things in it. Then I went to Sur la Table and tried to buy a gift for El Senor but couldn't find my wallet. I awkwardly spent a lot of time searching and searching through my enormous bag to find the wallet. There was no one behind me, thank goodness. I told the cashier that I probably forgot my wallet over at OD. So I went back to OD and asked if they had my wallet. They didn't. I spent about five more minutes searching through my cavernous labyrinth bag and found my wallet. When I went back to Sur la Table, I told the cashier that it was, after all, at Office Depot.
The To-Do List
So I've checked a few things off my to-do list. I got drapes and blinds. And I got a chair. And I made a pillow for the chair. Good news about the pillow? All I had to do was buy a cool placemat and sew it together. So $4=cool new pillow. Ready for the updated pictures?
Beta Room
I know that I haven't posted lately, and you probably are thinking that I've been busy doing fun, amazing things. And you'd be right. For the past two weeks, I've been working on fixing up my bedroom---finally. Since moving in, I've focused a lot on the main room and I've completely neglected my bedroom because I had no idea what to do with it.
I finally got an idea, and I've been working towards that. I have pictures that I'd love to share, but you have to understand that this is still a beta room. (Please note that my bedroom is not the master bedroom, so you cannot call my room a master beta. El Senor's room is the master beta.) It's a concept that I like and that I'm working with, but there are still lots of things I want to do with it.
First I started with my love of dark wood on green. I'm picky about my shades of green, so I found one that worked for me. Next, I realized that the green went very well with maroon and dusty rose colors, so I covered some old wood shelves with fabric in those shades. Luckily, the dresser I already own is purple, so that works. I've been buying a few accents (if you don't know about Home Goods yet, you need to find out about it because that's where I've done a lot of my shopping---the mirror on the dresser cost me $30) and I'll have to acquire a few more things before this room is done. Read my to-do list if you're interested, and scroll further down to see the beta pictures!
TO DO
I finally got an idea, and I've been working towards that. I have pictures that I'd love to share, but you have to understand that this is still a beta room. (Please note that my bedroom is not the master bedroom, so you cannot call my room a master beta. El Senor's room is the master beta.) It's a concept that I like and that I'm working with, but there are still lots of things I want to do with it.
First I started with my love of dark wood on green. I'm picky about my shades of green, so I found one that worked for me. Next, I realized that the green went very well with maroon and dusty rose colors, so I covered some old wood shelves with fabric in those shades. Luckily, the dresser I already own is purple, so that works. I've been buying a few accents (if you don't know about Home Goods yet, you need to find out about it because that's where I've done a lot of my shopping---the mirror on the dresser cost me $30) and I'll have to acquire a few more things before this room is done. Read my to-do list if you're interested, and scroll further down to see the beta pictures!
TO DO
- I'll be upgrading my twin to a full bed, probably in April.
- I'll be changing the window treatments. I'll have a dark brown blind and sheer whispy drapes to hang to either side of the bed.
- I need to acquire pictures to put on my walls.
- I'll probably buy a large shelving unit to go on the far wall.
- I'll replace the bowl chair with a chair that takes less space; possibly something like this, but less expensive.
- I'll make decorative bed pillows, probably in pinks and maroons, possibly out of felt.
Non-Blogging
So what have I been up to other than blogging? I'm glad you asked. I promise I'll start trying to post more frequently, but lately I've been working on a few projects that demand all my attention when I'm on the computer. Let me detail some for you.
Manuals
I've been creating instruction manuals for Mishkin's uncle's company. For the manuals, I got to create icons, which thrilled me. I'm always jealous of the graphic artists at work who get to draw and play the entire time they're at work. So finally, I've been able to play for pay. Here's an example of an icon that I created.
Manuals
I've been creating instruction manuals for Mishkin's uncle's company. For the manuals, I got to create icons, which thrilled me. I'm always jealous of the graphic artists at work who get to draw and play the entire time they're at work. So finally, I've been able to play for pay. Here's an example of an icon that I created.
INPUT-OUPUT
At the suggestion of a coworker, I've started putting together a little health newsletter. It's been fun. When I'm finished, I'll start posting the PDFs in my blog's links section so you can enjoy the newsletters, too. That is, if you care about being healthy.
Bachauer
I do some volunteer designing for the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition. Brother 2 and I worked on this ad this week (when it's printed, it will be about the size of a business card).
Misc
I recently upgraded to Adobe CS2, which means that my favorite programs now have new features. I've been playing with these features this weekend. I'll be helping a friend realize an artistic dream, which is exciting since her friends all told her her idea was impossible. Not only is it possible, but it will only take about five minutes to do what she needs to have done. I've also been working on a few t-shirt ideas, based off of this one great t-shirt that I love.
Francis, the Christmas Fish
As soon as I arrived to Brother 1 and Sister-in-law's place for Thanksgiving, Brother 1 started showing me the Christmas decorations. He was trying to show me the things that they had purchased, but I couldn't take my eyes off the odd decoration. The one that didn't quite seem to fit, and the one that was far superior to any of the purchases he was showing me. It was a fish. Wearing a Santa hat.I held it up, and said, "What about this? Where did you get this?" He explained that I was holding Francis, the Christmas fish. Earlier this month, he and Sister-in-law were babysitting Sil's nieces and nephews. They pulled out a bunch of felt and sewing materials to make Christmas decorations. While Sil and the kids were stapling pieces of felt together to make stockings, B1 was sewing a fish. Sil asked what B1 was making, and without missing a beat, he replied, "I'm making Francis, the Christmas fish." Turning to the kids, he asked, "Have you ever heard the story of Francis, the Christmas fish?" His nephew responded, "I have!" B1 started to think that maybe there was a Francis, the Christmas fish story, so he asked his nephew, "Would you like to tell us the story?" At that point, the nephew admitted that he couldn't actually quite remember how it went...
I immediately loved Francis, the Christmas fish, so I made my own while our turkey and Thanksgiving meal were cooking. During the day, I was talking to my dad and I told the story of Francis, the Christmas fish to him. He was very excited about it all, and decided that over the Christmas break, we'll all have to make our own Francis the Christmas fishes.
The next day, in Maryland, Dad went out to lunch with Mom and Brother 3. After lunch, they paid a visit to the little gift shop attached to the restaurant. There were many Christmas decorations, but a certain decoration seemed to be lacking. My dad asked the clerk, "Do you have any Francis, the Christmas fish ornaments?" She said they didn't. He asked if she had ever heard of them. She said that she had. So he asked, "Can you tell me the story behind them?" After a pause, she said, "I just can't remember it."
This year, it will be my family's task to invent and circulate the Francis the Christmas fish story. I expect it to see as much success as the Grinch Who Stole Christmas... Except that Francis is a kind, fish. A kind fish with magical powers, and when all the little kiddies are tucked into their beds on Christmas Eve...
The Perv
I think that it's time to change The Boy's name. This is not because of Savvymom, I promise. It's just that he fit Daltongirl's description of an Internet predator so well... So he will now be known as Perv.
In other news, he thinks that I'm sick and wrong for doing this to my eggs. I had to come up with some way of distinguishing the boiled from the regulars!
In other news, he thinks that I'm sick and wrong for doing this to my eggs. I had to come up with some way of distinguishing the boiled from the regulars!
The Nest
Well, I promised a few people that I'd finally post pictures of my apartment, and it's finally in a condition that I can take pictures to post. There are still a few minor things that I'll change with time and money, but for now, this is what it looks like. Enjoy!
Welcome to my kitchen. In my kitchen, like you've seen before, is my Scrabble fridge. Today, the message is as follows because when I was refinishing the chair, I got Armorol all over the kitchen floor. Despite my mopping, it remains a slippery hazard. You may come to my house but you may not sue me if you fall and hurt yourself. The hazard has been clearly marked.
Below is my sink area. This is all the counter space that I have in my kitchen, actually, which is unfortunate, but with just me and The Boy, we manage well enough. However, any time I cook, I end up putting the dish drainer over the sink to clear up a little extra space for me. You may notice that there's something weird about the pictures. I photoshopped the glare off of the one by cloning (and not very well) the other. So they're actually not identical prints, but they are complementary, so you get the gist of it.
Next we have the table and chairs that I spent so much time working on. They were a pain in the butt to do, but now that they're done, I'm happy. Except that I get nervous whenever anyone goes near them (but I've already forgiven Mishkin for dropping his plate of cake, breaking the plate, and spilling cake all over the seat of one of my precious, precious chairs).
Now we have the little built-in shelves unit. I love built-in shelves so I thought I'd give you a close-up. The print above the shelves matches other prints that I have on the wall around the table and chairs, but I didn't take a picture of that since the light coming in from the window was too strong to get a good shot. (By the way: Extra points if you can identify what items I'm babysitting for Nemesis while she's in England.)
Now on to the living room. I've really tried to make my house non-gender-specific. I was basically making all the decorating decisions, but I didn't want to make The Boy feel resentful (you should see his bedroom---the feng shui of it would kill you!). So you'll notice a monkey with headphones and prints from explodingdog.com. Very manly. Very manly, indeed!
Welcome to my kitchen. In my kitchen, like you've seen before, is my Scrabble fridge. Today, the message is as follows because when I was refinishing the chair, I got Armorol all over the kitchen floor. Despite my mopping, it remains a slippery hazard. You may come to my house but you may not sue me if you fall and hurt yourself. The hazard has been clearly marked.
Below is my sink area. This is all the counter space that I have in my kitchen, actually, which is unfortunate, but with just me and The Boy, we manage well enough. However, any time I cook, I end up putting the dish drainer over the sink to clear up a little extra space for me. You may notice that there's something weird about the pictures. I photoshopped the glare off of the one by cloning (and not very well) the other. So they're actually not identical prints, but they are complementary, so you get the gist of it.
Next we have the table and chairs that I spent so much time working on. They were a pain in the butt to do, but now that they're done, I'm happy. Except that I get nervous whenever anyone goes near them (but I've already forgiven Mishkin for dropping his plate of cake, breaking the plate, and spilling cake all over the seat of one of my precious, precious chairs).
Now we have the little built-in shelves unit. I love built-in shelves so I thought I'd give you a close-up. The print above the shelves matches other prints that I have on the wall around the table and chairs, but I didn't take a picture of that since the light coming in from the window was too strong to get a good shot. (By the way: Extra points if you can identify what items I'm babysitting for Nemesis while she's in England.)
Now on to the living room. I've really tried to make my house non-gender-specific. I was basically making all the decorating decisions, but I didn't want to make The Boy feel resentful (you should see his bedroom---the feng shui of it would kill you!). So you'll notice a monkey with headphones and prints from explodingdog.com. Very manly. Very manly, indeed!
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