Ouf

So, I’m still alive, but wow–that instagram–so much easier!  I have this problem where, since I don’t have an iPhone, and my cell doesn’t currently have the ability to get the instagram app, I have to use the iPad.  The severely neglected iPad, that was procured solely for the purpose of taking payments at events.  The sad iPad that was, up until recently, only used for listening to audio books.  That iPad is now my constant companion.  However, I hate (with a blinding passion) typing anything longer than one or two sentences on the thing, so blogging from it is not an option.  So now I find myself in the position of having all my pictures of work in progress, etc, on the iPad, but my blogging is done from the laptop.

First World Problems, right?

So, I’ve been working up a storm, and things are starting to get crazy for Halloween already.

Which means, OF COURSE, that I came up with a new venture that I’m obsessed with.

Embroidered portraits.

I’ve finished up one so far, and have the second started.

I hope to be selling these soon–once I land on an acceptable price point, which requires making at least a couple more, to judge time actually spent.

So, this is the first one, complete and just waiting around until I can manage to get things together enough to sell–Frank N Furter!

rocky

I’m absolutely in love with this.  The one I’m working on now is Harold and Maude.

I know I need to get with the times, and maybe make something more “now”, more “with it”.  But, for my first few projects, I wanted to work on images that were my personal favorites.  That way, if I’m the only person in the whole world that things they’re cool, I’m happy to hang them on the wall.  😉

I’ll try to get back into this blogging place.  I promise.

Pinterest Wednesday

Another Wednesday, another installment of “stuff I pinned this week that I think is awesome”.

No lie, I’m pretty busy, so let’s get this started:

unknown source

unknown source

"Andrej Glusgold"

“Andrej Glusgold”

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Cult Party Kei

Cult Party Kei

1942 Couple

1942 Couple

"Rodney Smith"

“Rodney Smith”

unknown source

unknown source

Elle Magazine

Elle Magazine

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unknown

This just makes me happy

This just makes me happy

This Week

It’s raining and dreary and I’ve gotten my errands done for the day. 

Sewing a new bustle on my 1946 machine

Sewing a new bustle on my 1946 machine

A mug of coffee (or two), a quick post, and then it’s off to the studio to get to work!

Some of the fabrics I've been playing with

Some of the fabrics I’ve been playing with

I’ve cut a lot out this week, and sewn up a few things.

A soft little floral number--totally not the normal style of print I use, but something about it called out to me at the Fabric Store the other day!

A soft little floral number–totally not the normal style of print I use, but something about it called out to me at the Fabric Store the other day!

I should have photographed more….but…..I’m lazy, and it’s raining!

A bustle, about to get some grommets

A bustle, about to get some grommets

I guess that means a photo-shoot with my dress form this weekend.

We got a little portable record player last weekend, and I've been loving it!

We got a little portable record player last weekend, and I’ve been loving it!

As mentioned, I ran some errands today (which, sadly, is a Big Thing, as I rarely leave the house these days–unless it’s to the Post or the Fabric Store).  I snuck in a trip to the thrift store–which is one of my favorite places.

This gigantic wall hanging came home with me today--it's a batik image on fabric that has been mounted and framed.  I'd been admiring it for awhile, and bought it spur-of-the-moment today.  I love it!

This gigantic wall hanging came home with me today–it’s a batik image on fabric that has been mounted and framed. I’d been admiring it for awhile, and bought it spur-of-the-moment today. I love it!

I snagged some great stuff–tons of records, patterns, pictures….

The garden is in full swing, and I planted a few new things this past weekend–and they’re already popping up!

We’ll be canning this weekend–the first time for Hubby, so should be a good time! 

Hope you have a beautiful weekend–what are your plans?

Pinterest Wednesday

Still feeling a wee bit sick, and so the week has kind of been zipping past me, while I feel like I’ve been puttering around in a fog.

Ideas have been coming along, and I realized that I need to start building up stock for Halloween (and the Endless Nights Vampire Ball).

But that’s all besides the point!  It’s time for my weekly favorite pins!

--Gabriel Pacheco

–Gabriel Pacheco

Amazing necklaces!  (source unknown)

Amazing necklaces! (source unknown)

I'm still loving flowy, beautiful dresses for summer

I’m still loving flowy, beautiful dresses for summer

"Stay Forever"--Parvana Photography

“Stay Forever”–Parvana Photography

Vintage young woman--she manages to make that gigantic bow look perfect

Vintage young woman–she manages to make that gigantic bow look perfect

I need this door handle.

I need this door handle.

 

**As always, I’ve credited where possible.  If I’ve missed something or linked incorrectly, please let me know.  I claim no rights to these images, nor have I had any hand in creating them.  I just love them. 😉

These Are A Few…

I’m a little under the weather today, and fuzzy in the head from lack of sleep, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite things that I’ve found on Etsy lately.  I know Etsy has been flooded with mass-produced and overseas junk lately, and I’ve heard a lot of grumbling about it.  But, if you spend just a little extra time (and use “handmade” as a search term), you can still support artisans and artists like myself!  (and get a kick ass, unique product at the same time)

Enjoy!

Jinkx Monsoon as Little Edie a'la RuPaul's Drag Race Season 5

Jinkx Monsoon as Little Edie a’la RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 5–by ChadSellComics

Flower Garden Bee Ring--bu Kira Ferrer.  I have a pair of earrings from this shop that I wear at least 4 days a week--beautiful craftmanship, and a fabulous shop!

Flower Garden Bee Ring–by Kira Ferrer. I have a pair of earrings from this shop that I wear at least 4 days a week–beautiful craftsmanship, and a fabulous shop!

 

"Kimi" by CheeseBeforeBedtime.  I absolutely love the idea of embroidery on canvas.  One of those "Now, why didn't I think of THAT?" ideas.  Thank god for creative folk!

“Kimi” by CheeseBeforeBedtime. I absolutely love the idea of embroidery on canvas. One of those “Now, why didn’t I think of THAT?” ideas. Thank god for creative folk!

Colour it yourself screenprint art by Summersville.  I love to color--I always have.  This strikes both the kid and the adult in me!

Colour it yourself screenprint art by Summersville. I love to color–I always have. This strikes both the kid and the adult in me!

Fox Necklace by KapKaDesigns.  I just found this today, and had to share!

Fox Necklace by KapKaDesigns. I just found this today, and had to share!

Copper Magnifying Glass by Bayou Glass Arts.  I LOVE THESE!  These are made by a friend of mine, and I've used them in shows, as well as gifted a few of her items to family.  I have a number of her pieces and love each one--so much to love in her shop!

Copper Magnifying Glass by Bayou Glass Arts. I LOVE THESE! These are made by a friend of mine, and I’ve used them in shows, as well as gifted a few of her items to family. I have a number of her pieces and love each one–so much to love in her shop!

Bohemian Feathers by Joanna Jagoda.  I have this pair, actually--that's how much I love them!  Jagoda's shop is packed full of fabulous, and I have 5 of her pieces--love them all!

Bohemian Feathers by Joanna Jagoda. I have this pair, actually–that’s how much I love them! Jagoda’s shop is packed full of fabulous, and I have 5 of her pieces–love them all!

"Sarah" by tushtush.  I have a special love of portraits of women, and this one would be such a great addition to my collection.  Really, I'm not sure why I haven't ordered it already...

“Sarah” by tushtush. I have a special love of portraits of women, and this one would be such a great addition to my collection. Really, I’m not sure why I haven’t ordered it already…

 

 

Pinterest Wednesday

Orders have slowed down around here, allowing me to catch up on some projects as well as plan some new ones.

And spend more time online.

My favorite pins of the week, in no particular order, and credited/linked when possible.

"Angel 5" by Zena Holloway

“Angel 5” by Zena Holloway

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unknown

"A New Friend"--Lissy Laricchia

“A New Friend”–Lissy Laricchia

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unknown

"young lady with teacup, piglet and attention"~Margo Selski

“young lady with teacup, piglet and attention”~Margo Selski

 

**As these are images found on pinterest and similar sites, credit may not be associated with the image–if you see anything mis-credited or not credited at all, and you have more information,  please let me know.  And, of course, I claim no copyrights or rights or involvement in any of these images.

 

A Favorite

Having spent a weekend doing….well, not too much of anything (other than watching the hubby lose himself in the new “Wolfenstein” PC game—whoa, boy, that game is INTENSE), there’s not really a good picture recap to share.  There was a little gardening, a massively horrible headache, some sparkly-pink nail polish, and…..that was about it.

So, instead, I’ll share my #1 All.-Time-Favorite artist, John William Waterhouse.

St Eulalia, 1885

St Eulalia, 1885

I don’t recall when I first saw a Waterhouse image.

Ophelia,  1889

Ophelia, 1889

But I can say there’s just something I really love about the beauty in every single painting.

The Crystal Ball, 1902

The Crystal Ball, 1902

I guess I’m a romantic at heart.

The Soul of the Rose or My Sweet Rose 1908

The Soul of the Rose or My Sweet Rose
1908

A Pre-Raphaelite lover.

Ophelia, 1910

Ophelia, 1910

I even cross-stitch Waterhouse images.

The Shrine 1895

The Shrine
1895

They take YEARS to complete (mainly due to my sporadic interest level and only working on them in the evenings).

Miranda -- The Tempest 1916

Miranda — The Tempest
1916

I’ve made this one:

Juliet, 1898

Juliet, 1898

And I’m currently working on this image:

Boreas, 1903

Boreas, 1903

Next on the list is this one:

Hylas and the Nymphs 1896

Hylas and the Nymphs
1896

I can’t remember if I’ve already done a post on Waterhouse…..so, if I have, apologies.  Just bask in the pretty.

The Mermaid, 1901

The Mermaid, 1901

 

Shhhhh

It’s been awfully quiet around here lately.  I wish I could say it was because I’ve been doing exciting and fabulous things….but, really, it’s just been a lot of sewing and painting.

I did manage to sew up a few things for myself that have been in constant rotation.  These oversize t-shirt style tops are pretty much my go-to for the summer (and, MAN, summer is here in the South!):

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I also ordered a ton of jewelry, both on etsy and forever21 online, so I’ve been playing with new necklaces and earrings.

I rarely buy anything new for myself, and it’s even MORE rare for me to sew anything for myself.

Of course, I was WILDLY optimistic in my cutting out of things for myself and still have 3 entire skirts that need to be sewn–but those will have to wait for evening and weekend work.  Orders and photo shoots come first. 😉

Speaking of shoots–I finished up the second painting for the upcoming shoot:

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AND I found a good deal on the PERFECT SHOES for the models:

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Luckily the model who will be in the red pair has the same size foot as I….so those will most likely end up in my closet.

Off to package the weekend orders, hit USPS and then SEW-SEW-SEW!  Have a fabulous Monday, my friends!

Pinterest Friday

Ah, Friday again!  Looking forward to a weekend filled with gardening, sewing & a crawfish boil!  Here’s to hoping the rain holds off for the outdoor activities, and that you have a fabulous weekend yourself!

My favorite finds of the week on Pinterest (follow me: http://www.pinterest.com/trappedintime/):

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(Marta Orlowska)

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(Sydney Long)

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(Madonnas by Katarzyna Widmanska)

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(Vintage Edwardian era cape)

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(With or Without You – Paul Lovering)

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(Lora-Zombie)

 

Lazy Days

So, I disappeared for a few days.  It wasn’t intentional.  It was a spur-of-the-moment-hiatus.  From pretty much everything.  G was out of town all week, leaving me and the kitties to fend for ourselves.  The weather was all over the place.  The orders were a little sparse.  The audio-book wasn’t delivering.  The stack of items to sew up wasn’t singing to me.  I was waiting on mountains of fabric to arrive.

It all added up to me, a cross-stitch project that I’ve been working on for 3 years, lots of hot coffee and tea, a blanket and Netflix.

Also:  re-arranging the living room.

But, I’m back, ready to go, if not raring.  Maybe it’s the time of year?  The not-quite-spring but not-quite-winter weather?

So, I’ll leave you with some pretty for your Monday morning.  My morning started with my asking the universe why I couldn’t just have one more Sunday before starting the week.  Ah, universe, how you vex me.

These are my favorite Pinterest images from last week.  Come join me at:  http://www.pinterest.com/trappedintime/

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