So Thankful for this Journey!

I’ve begun an exercise in gratitude! A couple of weeks ago, I played a manifestation game. I didn’t really ask to manifest specific things, but it felt good to dream again. I thought all my dreams were over. Turns out, I can still dream! I did a friend wrong, and then my life took a nose dive. Fortunately things are looking up for me. It took some time but I’m coming out the other side of a two year slump…devastation!

I’m doing a gratitude practice hosted by artist and author Liz Lameroux. It is where you list five things every day focused on a theme, every day for the month. I’ve noticed that just looking for things is making the gratitude blossom all over my life! Today I went to a park! It was a much needed escape from the dull drums of every day living. It was gorgeous out!

I’m feeling grateful for my journey as an artist! I might not have gotten as far as I had hoped in life. BUT…I’m so grateful for all the experiences I’ve had and all the people I’ve met. It has been such a fun journey. I’m grateful for every work I’ve created!

I made a friend three and a half years ago, who brought out the artist in me! I miss him so much! I know I messed up big time! I wish I could tell him I’m sorry. I’m grateful for everyone in my life, past present future. I’m grateful for everyone who reaches out, and everyone I reach out to. Blessed be! I’m grateful for this blog! I’m grateful to everyone who stops by to check it out. I’m grateful for YOU!

Dopamine Dressing Makes Me Happy!

I discovered a concept today that I had never heard of before! I always just naturally wore things that make me happy. I mean, sometimes I wear a bit more toned down clothes. In those times it is usually either because I want people to accept me and not be judgy…like when I go to appointments or am around my family. Other times I will dress in a more neutral way when I’m down or not feeling my best.

For me, it takes a huge dose of courage to do dopamine dressing! Dopamine dressing is when you like the outfit you are wearing so much that it gives you a literal dose of dopamine. I remember some of my first escapades with dopamine dressing. One time in high school, I met a family that lived in an old painted lady victorian house. This guy’s mom had a bunch of vintage clothing! She loaned my sister and I these vintage handmade 50’s dresses! I remember wearing it to school, hoping people would notice or that it would spark conversation. I didn’t have friends at school. Honestly nobody said a thing about it. But I felt that dopamine hit, deep within. I radiated because for once I stood out and wasn’t afraid.

To do dopamine dressing, you don’t need to do anything particularly clownish or outlandish. The clothes just have to make you feel giddy inside! Like maybe try to dress in styles from your favorite era, or try to make some things in your favorite color! Right now my favorite color to wear is purple. It has been all summer! My entire life, purple was off limits to me. I’m a twin, and when I was little I was assigned pink and my twin was assigned purple…to tell us apart. Then my mom started wearing a lot of royal purple. And I thought…I will never ever wear purple because it is their color….not mine. This past summer I started wearing purple, lilac, lavender and blue! And I feel incredible in those colors!

Examples of dopamine dressing are wearing bold colors and prints. Like try mix matching prints…so do stripes on the bottom and plaid or print on top. Or go thrifting and buy a vintage wedding dress or prom dress. Alter it for every day wear, and wear that shit! Or do an accessory or accent. Like try a bold purse and fun hat. I experiment with hats a lot, and I love how they shift my mood and elevate my wardrobe. Vintage styles and thrifted pieces, layered looks, anything that is a bit gawdy or outlandish. The key thing is you have to feel absolutely rainbows and unicorns when you wear it!

Go through your wardrobe and set aside a few looks that make you happy! Maybe it will take courage to wear them. Experiment with wearing them when you need a confidence or happiness booster, and see what happens! Do you crave attention from others, or are you more looking for that inner glow that comes from being true to yourself? Give dopamine dressing a try! Let me know how it goes, on Instagram!

Capsule Wardrobe by Color

I’ve been so hesitant to create a capsule wardrobe. I used to restrict the amount of clothes I could buy, and I was really hard on myself whenever I added to my wardrobe. Then a year and a half ago, I got sick and gained some weight. None of my former clothes or upcycles fit me anymore. It was a real problem, and I wasn’t in good enough shape to sew clothes at the time, so I decided to buy new clothes.

I didn’t have much of a plan while shopping, so I got a lot of stuff that came together in kind of a mismatched random way. It started to become difficult to find outfits to wear, and I was looking like a wreck whenever I tried to pull together a quick outfit. Nothing went together. It was a real shame, and unfortunately I wasted money on some pieces of clothing I wish I had not.

So I’ve been trying to figure out, what kind of capsule would I like? If I were to streamline my wardrobe down to the most loved looks, what would I choose? The concept I’ve come up with is similar to making a painting. I’ve decided to choose key colors, and try to stick to those colors going forward. My colors are pink, khaki, black, white, baby blue and green.

I’m bagging up everything that doesn’t match the color scheme, until I’m left with a more cohesive wardrobe. At that point, I could add more clothes in. But I”m going to try to stick to necessities when shopping going forward, now that I have what I need already. The bags will sit in my closet for at least six months, to make sure I don’t want those items. If I don’t wind up wearing them, I will donate the pieces I know I won’t wear again.

Sustainability in Your Art and Sewing Practice

I’ve been pondering sustainability. Being eco friendly isn’t only better for the planet, it is the wave of the future! I have had a few conversations with ChatGPT, and I’ve been asking it things about AI’s perspective on art, and what the future holds for the planet. Future predictions by 2050 indicate that Climate Change will be much, much worse by then. And that it will be mainstream to be minimalist and to live in a more sustainable way that is kind to the environment.

Reading that stopped me in my tracks! I mean, yeah, I already knew that Climate Change was here. I guess I never really tried to envision what the future might be like. My thought process tends to look to the past, or what should have been done different. Being forward thinking is so integral to paving the way for your own future, and making the planet better for future generations.

How can I be more sustainable in my art hobby? The best way I can think of is to buy less stuff, and to use what I have. I posed a question on Reddit yesterday, because I have too many art and sewing supplies. I wanted to know how to declutter. Most people said to donate stuff, and some said they don’t worry about getting rid of things because they can always buy more…and that it’s good to donate if it helps somebody else. I agree with that, for sure! But I hit a snag mentally with donating when you think you might want to buy the item again. That’s why I keep my sewing and art supplies for so long!

I’m going to be challenging myself to come up with fresh ways to use my supplies. I want to use up what I have before buying new…at least most of the time. Being scrappy and using what you have on hand helps you to be even that much more creative in the long run! Being resourceful, and thinking outside the box sharpens your creative thinking and may even lead to fresh inspiration and new ideas! I know that is happening for me! Donating is wonderful! Using up those precious supplies to make fun things is even better!

Paint Eco Gift Bags

I’m so lucky, because I have a wonderful husband who loves me. I told him I needed paper bags, so he started setting them aside for me. Everything from food packaging to take out bags to shopping bags. Any paper bag would cut it, but I especially love the ones with handles. I was going to make junk journals out of them, or simply use them to paint on. But then I saw another artist decorating the bags on Instagram…with collage. I wish I could give credit where credit is due, but alas I don’t remember who she was. This is my spin on decorating eco gift bags!

First, put down a layer of white acrylic paint or gesso. I don’t use gesso often because of the fumes. Me and my clan are all super sensitive to fumes! I always use acrylic paint instead, and it usually turns out ok. Then paint a background. And once that is dry, use paint markers, alcohol markers, sharpies, or gel crayons to draw on the bag! You can collage, or do anything you want to. If you will be gifting the bag, make sure you seal the artwork to preserve the beauty.

Painting on alternative surfaces is a blast! And turning trash into treasure is another bit of fun!

grocery bag eco art by Kathryn Sturges

There has NEVER been a better time to DIY!

Holy moses! I feel like I’m standing on the edge of the planet, which is hurtling through the political landscape at breakneck speed. Things are changing so fast! I can’t keep up with the ways that the economy is changing, the ways the USA is changing. The globe is changing! You really can tell that when something happens in one country it affects us all. It is like a butterfly effect, sweeping through on a wing and a prayer. It is scary how fast things are changing! It almost feels like there is no way to keep up.

If you are like me, you are probably feeling a pinch in your spending habits! I seriously bought some underwear, a book and a planner and my weekly budget was spent! I mean…wtf! If you sew, then you probably realize that you can make just about any home decor item imaginable, and you can clothe yourself and kids and mend and alter things and make linens and gifts and so much more.

I guess I”m going to preach to the choir here, because I haven’t been sewing lately. TBH, I’ve just been trying to keep up with life. But let this be a little reminder…if you are feeling sticker shock, there has been no better time to DIY then right now! Make handmade gifts, decorate handmade if possible. Get some inspiration on my website, or scour Youtube for ideas. Start by looking at the materials you already have, and then see what you can do with them. Think outside the box.

Also, some other ideas! Be careful with your decluttering habits and be sure you don’t throw out things you will need to buy again. Savor what you have! If you have a collection of items that you have been hoarding and stockpiling, dive in and use the stuff before buying new! Save scraps, find ways to save, and need less stuff. Make yourself happy enjoying what you have, instead of spending money! Get into your hobbies and make time for what lights you up! Learn skills that you would normally pay for or trade with friends.

Be crafty, be frugal. And most of all be love! All the DIY helps me to stay happy and is a soothing balm when my anxiety or depression crop up. Making things is just good medicine, no matter what the winds of change bring.

Kitsch decorating on the Cheap!

It is Easter Weekend, and I’m enjoying a little time to myself. My husband has various appointments with friends over the next couple of days. So I”m vegging with my cat, and pondering how to spruce up my space a little bit.

Easter baskets are on sale, now that Easter is only a few days away. So I bought a few to use around the house. I wanted to create some little reading nooks throughout my home. The book baskets will come in handy. I always wish I had a book to read when I’m in the bedroom, and I’ve been wanting to set up an area to read books while chilling out in my leather chair. I always joke that the chair is like something out of “Beetlejuice”! I got it on sale from West Elm about four years ago. It was an open box item, so I saved around $600 on it!

I also got some paper baskets, made with recycled paper and fabric. I’m honestly blown away by the number of products that are created with recycled materials in regular stores nowadays. (If I could find a store that sells hemp jeans and harem pants in plus sizes…don’t get me started!!). I would I define kitsch as retro maximalist…think bold bright colors and playful accents. Vintage, modern and retro are all part of what makes kitsch fun. While I appreciate the look of minimalism, my favorite decor is loud and whimsical.

My sewing room is absolutely trashed! My cat has is finally on the mend after surgery, but in the meanwhile a lot of stuff got stored in there that Indy wasn’t supposed to jump on. Meaning…I haven’t had a good workout or craft space set up in a while now. I wanted to share photos of my space, but it is absolutely trashed. My home is a work in progress…like I am.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter, and that you get the chance to find fresh uses for the decor you surround yourself with. Just because an item is normally used for a holiday doesn’t mean that you cannot use it year round. KItsch decor is all about mixing and matching holiday items, especially but not exclusively retro or vintage, and just enjoying yourself in the process of decorating. Make your space feel good to you! Impressing other people with your decor happens when you love your home. Let your authenticity shine through.

Sew a Prayer Banner

I’m back to sewing, and trying to use up some of my stash! I have a bag of quilts, most of which I sewed last year, that I’m donating to OxygenFarm Quilts in Nebraska, because they have partnered with a local to them non profit. The quilts will be going to homeless families with kids and I’m so overjoyed that the quilts will be loved! Onto the next project!

Step One Prayer Banner

This project was inspired by Tibetan Prayer Flags. I had a huge stack of squares in rainbow colors, so I just started sewing them together into strips. I collected an assortment of squares when I was sewing quilts to donate. I also have a stack of felt pieces, just waiting to be used in projects. I use the felt when I want a thicker layer that is somewhat stiff. It is perfect for backing smaller wall art pieces like banners and art quilts. You can use a heavy denim or twill fabric as a substitute for the felt. (The more layers you add to a piece, the more structure a piece gets. So layer up if you don’t feel like your fabric wall art is sturdy enough.)

Before you start sewing, decide what you want your banner to say. That will dictate how many squares you use. I wanted to use seven squares, so I decided on the words “Big Love” as my prayer. Building and nurturing the love in my heart has always been one of my greatest spiritual practices, no matter what I’m going through in life. What prayer do you want to be reminded of? If you are making these to gift to people in your life, you can do a word that means something to the individual and what they are facing, or even use a word like Bravery, Kindness or Gratitude…anything that invokes a positive feeling.

Step Two Prayer Banner

Back of Prayer Banner showing letters in reverse

I sewed a strip of squares on to the felt, then sewed in between the squares along the seams. Next, I sewed letters onto the squares, based on triangle shapes. If you are going to try this yourself, it helps to write the letters on the back in a light marker, then sew over the marker lines. The letters have to be backwards on the back of the project to show up right ways on the front.

Step Three Prayer Banner

Next up, delicately trim the fabric away to reveal the letters. It helps to lightly pinch the cotton layer to separate it from the felt and use the very tip of the scissors to snip a small hole. Then put the scissors through the hole and slowly trim away the fabric.

Once you get all the letters cut out, add ribbon or trim to the edges of the banner if you desire, or deck it out with some embroidery, buttons or beads. Add a loop at the top to hang it up, and the banner is complete!

Comparison between Whering, Indyx and Style DNA

I’ve had fashion on the mind this past few weeks. Spring is here, and I’ve been looking at my wardrobe with a freshness. I’m in a capsule wardrobe group on Reddit, and I recently asked the group what wardrobe apps they are using. I decided to try a couple out, to see if they are worth the hype.

What is a wardrobe app…you might wonder what’s the point? Well, a wardrobe app can help you catalog your wardrobe, so that you can more easily pair and match outfits. This could be a game changer if you struggle to get ready for work or events and want to look your best. Personally, I went into this looking for an app to help me figure out what I actually have. I’ve been back in this space of wanting to downsize my wardrobe some, or pull some things out to upcycle. And knowing where to start is half the battle sometimes. Using a wardrobe app is a game changer, because I can see how all the pieces in my wardrobe fit together, to create an overall effect!

A page from my Whering account.

The first app I tried was Whering. It took me a little practice to figure out how to upload clothes, but once I tried I got the hang of it. Whering makes it easy to add pieces, and mixing and matching your clothes is fun. The thing is, if you don’t have a lot of friends on Whering, it can be kind of pointless. I mean, it takes a ton of effort to catalog your wardrobe. The outfit matching aspect is just so so, because it sets your items up on a stacked carousel and I couldn’t find a feature where the app actually recommends outfits to you...although it might. I found the app kind of challenging to use, and even though it was kind of cutesy and fun, it didn’t inspire me all that much. Personally, I thought the app would offer more features. It could be a fun app, and it is free! Other than that, I wanted to keep looking.

The next app I tried was Indyx. Indyx is a more grown up version of Whering, with a lot more features. If you are willing to pay a lot of money for styling advice, Indyx might be the thing for you! The app features stylists that you can pay top dollar to help catalog your wardrobe and give you style advice. This is styling from the pros! One thing I don’t like right off the bat is that they stylists are mostly white thin women and guys. If you are plus size, you might feel left out by the advice that is more tailored to thin people.

One thing that drew me to Indyx was the fact that they claim to sync up with Poshmark. Even though that is a claim…I still cannot figure out how to actually connect the two?! I used Indyx for about an hour tonight, and already have some outfits paired up! The stylist features are not free on Indyx, but for a monthly fee you can keep track of daily selfies on the app and plan outfits for the month ahead. I find it fun to add clothes to this app, although I’m hesitant to pay money for styling advice. I can see this app working great for people who work a 9-5 or go to a lot of events. Personally, I’m a homemaker and I dress down most of the time. Also tracking usage of the clothing pieces is tricky on the app, because it seems like you have to add outfits to the calendar each day. It’s cool that you can plan for the week ahead with the calendar feature though. I like the app for the professional features and I know if I have an event to go to, I can pay a real person for styling advice which is a huge win!

Indyx is fairly straight forward, which I love! It is minimalist, with all the features I would want if I worked a 9-5 job. My life is simple, I slog around in sweatshirts and stretch pants with a hoodie to top everything off. So I don’t exactly need to be styled by a pro. However, with Indyx, I can get a good idea of what I have so that I can go through things and sell some stuff on Poshmark! Which is a huge win!

EDIT: Adding Style DNA to the comparison here…

I wrote this post, and then went to town adding clothes to Indyx. The thing is, once I got a bunch of things added to Indyx last week I’ve barely felt like using the app. Which brings me to Style DNA. Style DNA features some really cool features that the other apps lack! And it is becoming addictive. Right off the bat, a negative feature of Style DNA is the fact that the app encourages you to shop. If you ignore the shopping aspect though, it has a lot of fun features!

Style DNA features an AI Stylist….and it is really cool! The app takes a selfie of you, and then tells you what your best colors are. You enter in your body shape, and the app recommends outfit ideas and fashion looks to you from a selection of stores. I mostly ignore that aspect. What I’m luving so much is the AI Stylist aspect. You can ask questions about how to put a cohesive capsule together, ask how to style certain pieces in your wardrobe, get advice on what to wear to an event. And so much more! Plus, it is free depending on how many clothes you enter into the app! So you get style advice absolutely free. I’m not entirely in love with the color story it chose for me, because I usually don’t wear a lot of blue. And, I love wearing orange and olive and it recommends that I don’t wear them…so there is that hang up. Beyond that though, I find the advice to be pretty spot on. I keep opening the app just to see what colors it might recommend. And I haven’t even started entering my wardrobe onto the app yet.

There are lots of wardrobe apps out there, and a lot of the benefits of an app like that really begin to happen once the labor of taking photos is done. I’m looking forward to a more polished look for the next event I go to! And especially excited to downsize my wardrobe some! Cataloging your wardrobe might be just the thing to spring clean your closets and get ready for the warmer months. There are lots of fashion and style apps to choose from, depending on the features you want and how you hope to use the apps.

Book Club: Turtle Wisdom by Donna DeNomme

I have big news……..I’m pregnant! Hahahahaha! April Fool’s! Seriously though, life is good and bad. A mixture of all the things happening at once sometimes. That is where I find myself this week. I am getting better rapidly because I’m on some new medications. My cat is having surgery tomorrow, and he isn’t doing well. He might not make it. My husband and I are delicately traversing our journey at this time.

Most people don’t know this, but I used to have a turtle. One thing people don’t tell you about having a turtle is that they take a lot of upkeep. I struggled to care for it, so they live at my in-laws now. I always thought he was a male, but he laid an egg a year and a half ago! I used to spend endless hours, watching Eugene swim in their tank. Just that pure energy of bliss and peace as they swam back and forth around their tank.

I keep thinking about this book, “Turtle Wisdom” by Donna DeNomme. Every time I flip it open to read, I am deeply comforted, I feel roots begin to grow out of my feet deep into the Earth, and twigs and feathers collect in my hair. I am at once brought back to my connection to nature, peace, and my own inner nature. The book is so profound! She starts off saying that she lives in a trailer, and is content in her small abode. She has discovered a joy, sharing her wisdom. The book speaks of outrageous acts of courage and love, and how even simple acts of compassion and care make a difference.

I highly recommend this book! I lost sight of my values over the years when I faced some challenging times. Trying to “become something more” and “make something of myself” by consumeristic standards slowly degraded and chipped away at my self esteem. I am recovering, slowly, making things because they speak to my soul, painting, writing, and sewing whatever pulls at my heart and makes my belly fill with butterlies. The creative spark is on fire, and is a great comfort! I know life feels heavy right now, for so many of us! Find a book that speaks to your spirit, and get out your art and craft supplies to just play! It will help you reconnect with your spirit and renew your vision for a more natural rhythm.

Five Fun Home Activities for a Super Creative Weekend!

I know I know…Mama Kat has been all doom and gloom for the past year and a half. LOLOL! Just for tonight, I’m in great spirits. My husband, cat and I have all been under the weather; but just today Indy, my little Roo, acted normally after months of endless heart break. It was the miracle I’ve been seeking! A friend of mine also cheered me up earlier this week. And my husband and I have been bonding. Just for this moment, life feels acceptable!

Here are five fun home activities I love to do on the weekend! I took a break from my usual projects for a while, and have just been playing around. If you have a few down minutes this weekend and want to try something new, give one of these ideas a try!

1. Do a photography project over time. I got a Polaroid camera a couple years ago. (I didn’t realize that there is only one polaroid film factory remaining in the world…hahaha! But I digress….) Using any camera of your choice is fine, but an instant camera is especially fun. Go around the house and snap photos. When you are done, label the back of the pics with the date. Then do it again sporadically at different times of the year. This is a great project to help you see how much your place changes over time, and to get some ideas for future decorating too!

2. Organize your art and sewing materials. Go through things, and keep a pad of paper handy to jot down ideas. This is a great way to keep track of ideas for future projects. I don’t know about you, but when I walk in my sewing room everywhere I look sparks inspiration. Jotting down those ideas as you look through what you have is both a great way to be resourceful, and also a fun way to spark your imagination.

3. Have a dance party! Now I know what you are thinking…you might be uncomfortable dancing. Trust me. It’s a great way to shake free the stress of the week! If you want, you can dance with your kids or a friend or partner. I highly suggest dancing alone with the door closed on occasion though. Then you can really go freestyle and move your body in whatever way it is inspired to move. Blast some tunes and just dance!

4. Organize your books in a fun new way. You could go by subject, color, or whatever organization makes the most sense to you. I have too many books everywhere and few bookshelves! A great idea is to get bookcases if you have nowhere to put your books or improvise with some crates, use a ladder or some boxes or old tote bags. As you are organizing, pull out a crafting or art book you have always wanted to try. Then plan to dig in and give the projects a go.

5. Do a creative power evening! Man oh man, I’ve had A LOT of evenings like that recently. I have two stacks of art journals, and I just do a journaling feast. I grab a journal, tinker, add paint, etc. Then as that is drying I grab another journal and experiment and play. I’ll have two or three journals going at the same time right now. Some are more text based, some have more drawing or combine writing with drawing. Some just have splashes of paint and random- WHATEVER the heck. (You won’t find that statement anywhere else on the internet…I would almost be willing to bet you!)

I hope you have a great weekend! Carve out some time just for you to get creative, tend to your creative fire. Go forth, creative soul!

Create a Pet Portrait Canvas with Inkjet Image Transfers

My cat Indy, has been sick! So my husband and I have been taking care of him, giving him meds and making sure he is eating. I’m really scared we might lose him! Indy has been heaven sent. He is the little peace maker, sent to us from above to calm the storms of life. My first cat was a biter. He was cranky his entire life! When Indy entered the scene, suddenly Roman had a friend. Indy taught Roman a lot. And he has taught my husband and I a lot too. I’m praying for Indy, and one of my ways to pray is through art.

This technique works best with inkjet prints. If you want to make a pet portrait, the best way to start is to find an image of your pet. Fortunately I have lots of photos of Indy to choose from. If the photo doesn’t have a good background, zoom in on the pet and crop out the rest of the background. Or, if you have an Apple computer, use Preview or iPhoto to crop out the background. Reverse the image by flipping it horizontally, if possible. Then print it out. I printed mine in black and white, because my printer is out of colorful inks. 😜😊😄

If you look on the right side of the image, a little of the background was left in the photo when I printed it out. This is the reverse of Indy!

Tools

I decided to use the original image, that wasn’t reversed. I didn’t mind leaving some of the backdrop showing. If your inkjet print is smaller than the canvas you are working on, feel free to find a few more images online to print out and use with the pet image. You can either fill up the canvas completely with prints or just do certain areas. I’ve chosen to just do the main image so I can decorate around the outsides.

Put your canvas on the table in front of you, and lay out a thick layer of matte medium. I spread out the matte medium with a big paintbrush. Next, press the image(s) onto the canvas, sticking them to the matte medium. Use a credit card or squeegie thing to smooth out the paper so there are less wrinkles. Then let it dry for 24 hours.

When it is completely dry, get a rag and dampen it. I used a super absorbent rag and got it really wet, but not dripping. Wipe off the top layer of the paper to reveal the image. Don’t scrub too hard, because if you do it picks up the bottom layer where the image is. The paper will come off in smallish bits and clumps. Keep working until you get most of the top layer removed. Then wipe a damp rag over the top of the surface to remove any extra bits of paper.

Let that dry, then wipe your hand over the work to get any remaining lose paper bits off the canvas. I decorated around the outside with acrylic paints, brown ink and markers! I wrote a few words on a scrap of paper to see what I might want to write on the canvas. I love adding text to works, it’s just one of my things sometimes! Then I added the text onto the canvas and finished the work with little bits of pink acrylic paint as a nice accent.

Indy is still recovering slowly, some days he seems spunky and then some days not so good. Now I have this canvas to look at when Indy needs space, to keep focusing on positivity and what he means to me!

Body Positive Coloring Book and Valentine's Greeting

Isn’t love great? I love to love! I love to be in love! I love to dream of love, and fall head over heals with the fantasy of love. Love has moved mountains in my life! God’s love, my husband’s love, friends and family love. Platonic, romantic, spiritual, soul stirring love!

It’s Valentine’s Day, and my cat Indy is still sick! So my husband and I are monitoring him moment to moment. Is he stress free? Is he eating and sleeping? Does he look anxious? Indy got stressed from vet visits and now he is developing other problems from the stress. We are trying as hard as we can for him!

Earlier this week I finally did something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I self published my Body Positive Coloring Pages on Amazon! It is priced at $7.99, and the pages are meant to make you smile, laugh and ponder. The book is great for women’s circles, friend circles and book clubs to spark conversations about the lengths women go to to look beautiful.

I hope you are having a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Focus on the people and animals you love! Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be “perfect”…just feel the love in your heart. That is enough!

Do a Palette Knife Painting

I have been getting so much satisfaction out of my creative life lately. I have been allowing myself to do what I feel like, instead of trying to stick to one project. It feels so freeing to be honoring my inner nudges again. I’m working with a counselor now! I’m feeling more and more plugged in to what matters most to me. Somewhere along the way, I lost sight of the creative life I yearned for. After I published the Faerie book, I spent a good part of two years wondering what to do next. I’m officially done wondering! I’m doing all the things that sound fun!

Today I want to share how to do a basic palette knife painting! All you need is a canvas, a set of acrylic paints, an old gift card or credit card, a palette knife, baby wipes or paper towels, and a pencil or charcoal pencil.

Step One: Start out with a background. Drop blobs of paint on the canvas, and spread them out to cover the surface with an old gift card or credit card. Wipe off the card as you go to remove excess paint and then go back over the surface and smooth out the rough edges as much as possible.

Step Two: Grab a pencil or charcoal, and loosely draw on your design. Don’t worry if you mess up, because the paint will cover the drawing. Be sure to use a color that is just slightly darker than the background to draw the image, so if the paint isn’t opaque enough you won’t be able to see the linework in the finished painting.

Step Three: Grab the palette knife and a tube of acrylic paint. Put a little paint on the palette knife, and rub it onto the canvas to create your design. Go a little at a time. Use the palette knife to create texture as you go. If you are new to creating this way, aim for a design that isn’t very detailed. If you want to add more color to an area, let the paint dry before going back in to work. Leave spaces here and there to add additional color and texture as you go. Wipe off the palette knife on a baby wipe to clean off the wet paint in between colors.

I’m really happy with my final painting! I cannot wait to display the work! My painting symbolizes the new freedom and peace I have been feeling in life and art. Happy creating!

Six Tips for Simple Living

*I initially wrote this post in 2018, and it has some great ideas!

What can I say, I love leading a very simple life!  I paint, sew sometimes, listen to music, journal, meditate when I want to, read books.  With the advent of the internet and social media, it can seem like everyone is leading glamorous complex lives.  And while that might be true for some, I worry that people might feel ashamed or embarrassed to lead a simple life.  

For a while I struggled with my simple existence, like worrying that I didn't have much to share on social media channels.  The thing is I remember a time before the internet!  When I was growing up, I didn't even have access to the internet.  I was born in 1978 and even when I went to college I had had such limited access to computers that I could barely figure out how to send an email.  Back then everyone was on AOL and it would be a long time before I actually started to use the internet for even the most basic things.

The Simple Life can be such a beautiful thing!  Lately I've decided to just be proud of the simplicity of my days.  It is so funny because a lot of people run around, with so much to do all the time.  And you better believe that sometimes those people wish they could slow down and savor moments, and take a break from the rat race.  So now I revel in my simple days.  Afternoons stretch lazily before me.  I'm free to color my world with paints and markers which brings me an unending happiness!  I do the things I do because I love to do them!  And I am free to stay true to my heart and passions, which always guide me forward to keep doing the things I love.  

A few tips to help you simplify your life...

1.  Try doing just one thing at a time!  You would be surprised how often you multi task.  Take a breath and slow down.

2.  Say yes when your heart is in it and No when it isn't.  Living true to your heart is as easy as speaking your truth and honoring your inner wisdom.  So if you don't want to say yes, then don't!  

3.  Simplify your goals!  It can be so easy to want what everyone else has, or to pursue goals just because you feel like it will help you fit in.  Say no to that way of being, and honor the fact that you are on your own journey in life.  You don't have to strive to have lots of money and fancy shiny things if you don't want to.  You don't have to have tons of friends and to always be busy with commitments to be important.  

4.  Appreciate the life you have been given.  Take time to be thankful to the people that are a part of your life, and to be thankful for the abundance you have in life.  When you focus on the good life only gets better.

5.  Dedicate a couple days a week to simple living.  Let yourself off the hook sometimes, hire a babysitter or take a couple days off of doing chores.  Put your feet up with a journal and a good book and revel in simple living at it's finest.

6.  Enjoy some silence every single day!  Silence is a great way to clear your mind and tune inward.  So turn off the tv every once in a while, shut down the music and give yourself some quiet time.

Simplicity is a beautiful thing!  It is a part of worship in many religions and spiritual traditions!  And with minimalism being all the rage, simplifying is becoming more mainstream.  So just appreciating my mellow simple life this afternoon, watching gray clouds lazily drift by on a rainy day.  I feel closer to God on days like today, so fortunate for my simple life!

"Soul Force" by Joseph Arnold

I have a little book club going. Honestly it is me and a woman I met on Instagram! And both of us keep fizzling on the book. Life has been hectic, and we both just dip into the book when we feel like it. I keep flipping open the book, because I’m trying to figure out a new way for my art! Yes! I want to write books! Yes! I want to create graphic novel adventures.

Beyond that though, why do I feel like selling art is the only way to make it worthwhile? It is like ingrained deep in my psyche, that art doesn’t matter unless you sell it. What the fuck is up with that? I mean, why does selling something give it worth? Since when was something more valuable if it had a price tag on it. I call bull shit on the lie that so many artists have taken in deep into their soul. It is a lie that is so destructive. I don’t know about other artists, but personally I have cried so many tears and felt so much shame because of trying to sell my art.

“Soul Force” is like an awakening! Art is for inspiration, healing, and connection! I mean…big breath! And a deep feeling of satisfaction comes over me when I digest that. It is like something I used to know along the way for many years when I was trying to make something of my life. I was making things, and made to feel like that wasn’t enough.

The outside world was putting so much pressure on me to make something of my life! Meanwhile, I was working on my art. I was showing up at my art table every single day, rain or shine. For about 16 years! Putting in the time. Trying to get better at what I did. Trying to heal myself along the way. Supporting other artists, taking classes, enJOYing the process. Stringing together a life of creative moments and memories.

I’ve done a lot of art I’m super proud of! And that is enough for me. I no longer sell my original watercolors and paintings. They mean too much to me. Way more than a dollar ever could!

How to Dress with More Bravery

I just wanted to pop on tonight. I’m drafting up a harem pants pattern tonight. I need pants, and unfortunately my money doesn’t go as far as it used to. I do have fabric though, so I’m going to whip up a few pairs of knit pants to wear.

My Mom and I were chatting about wardrobes, and being comfortable wearing whatever you want to. If you have been on the fence about wearing the clothes you dream of, don’t fret! Everyone has levels of bravery when it comes to clothes. Some people reserve their bravery for special occasions, and that is perfectly ok! I find myself being more brave under certain circumstances than at other times. I used to try to wear whatever felt good no matter where I went. The thing is, here in the Midwest people are so rude if they think you stand out too much.

I’ve been heckled by the nurse at the doctor’s office, I’ve been shunned in places where you shouldn’t have to worry about being accepted. I’ve walked into gas stations and been made fun of. I’ve walked through department stores and heard people whispering just loud enough that I can hear it.

So I have clothes I wear when I have to be around “normies”…lol, when I have to be around people with small minds and small hearts. Then I have clothes I get to wear when I am with my husband, and when we go places together. Experiment with your wardrobe at home first! Start very small. Maybe you wear a jacket around the house that you wouldn’t normally wear. Or you do a handbag that is a little more colorful than you would normally use. Starting with accessories is a great place to begin.

Have fun with your wardrobe! I swear, people take life so seriously. There are times to be serious and times to just have fun. It’s important to know the difference!

Fashion Sketching

I haven’t written much about fashion sketching, because it’s just something I do when I sew. I never got that much into sketching clothes as an art form. Sure, I have a book on the subject, and I keep meaning to learn how to draw different fabrics and styles! But for the most part, unless I’m basing a work of art on a photo, the clothes I draw are usually pretty simple.

When I’m designing an upcycle though, sketching often plays an integral part in the design process! The sketches I do when I’m sewing help me to figure out the best design, fabrics and look I’m going for. Sketching comes in handy regardless of what you are sewing! I used to keep a composition book handy in the sewing room, along with Sharpie markers and a pen. And I would sketch out each quilt idea I had, or pillow or other project before it came time to sew. That way I could make the mistakes on the paper instead of wasting fabric.

Sketching fashion is great when you are struggling to decide on which elements to bring to a design. On this particular project, I had a couple of elements that were forming the basis of the design, and I was struggling to figure out what fabric to go with for the underskirt. I was also struggling to figure out which overall design to use on the top. After drawing a few different looks, it was easy to see which one I like the best!

When you sketch a design for a project you are making, let it be a rough sketch. Unless you plan on sharing the drawing as part of your process, feel free to make it scribbly and messy. I keep my sketches to myself most of the time when I make things. You don’t even need a set notebook, just grab a sheet of paper. I’ve used printer paper in a pinch!

The next time you cannot figure out what you want a project to look like, take it to the page and get visual! Try out your ideas with pen, marker and paper before you get sewing! It can help you commit to a look and avoid energy wasted.

Button Down Dress into Goth Jacket

I’m getting back in that sewing room, and loving every moment of it! I had a series of setbacks. But when you love doing something, you will always come back to doing it. I say the same thing about people! The people who belong in your life will always come back around.

Onto the project for today! Do you have a button down dress in your closet that either doesn’t fit, or that you just don’t love? I have just such a dress. I bought it and then never felt like wearing it, so it sat in the back of my closet for a couple of years. I’ve decided to turn it into a jacket, perfect for fall!

Grab a button down dress that you don’t entirely love, and collect up some old grubby t shirts to go with. Because my dress is black, and I have an abundance of black t shirts, I decided to use up some junky black t shirts from my stash. The white star t shirt was a ringer t, but I felt stupid wearing it! It was one of those things where it just looked a bit too “something”, like maybe trying a bit too hard! LOL. I’m hoping the star might be a cool addition to this fall jacket!

First, I trimmed down the t shirts. I cut around the imagery on the shirts, not perfectly centered but close enough works for me! Then, I cut right up the middle of the back of the dress. There was a large seam there, so I cut on either side of the seam and removed it.

Add inserts wherever you want to add more fullness. I wanted the jacket to be a little less form fitting around the bottom, so I added the insert into the middle back. I created a patchwork of t shirt scraps, then sewed them into the slit. Sew the inserts like a big triangle, similar to what you would sew into bell bottoms. This will make the dress more roomy and flowy, perfect to layer long sleeve shirts under. If the sleeves are tight, you might want to add some panels into the sleeves too for layering space.

Next, make it patchy! I used a wide decorative zig zag stitch, and attached patches on the front and back. If your t shirts are too thin to sew on as is, turn the logos into patches. Make sure you leave room around the logo for sewing, then attach it to piece of muslin that is big enough to include everything you want on the patch. You could add some text appliques, fabric paint and a bit of lace. T shirt fabric slips around a bit when you are sewing it, so use fabric glue or a glue stick first and let it dry overnight. Sew everything onto the muslin. Then attach the patches onto the jacket.

Add pockets if you wish, along with any other details that make it sing for you! I’m so ready to wear this jacket everywhere this fall! A quick level up to my style is much appreciated!

Turn a Tank Dress into a Patchwork Skirt

It’s finally fall! And I’ve got an equinox project just in time for the cool temps. Outside, the summer heat is being replaced by foggy nights and cool overcast days. If you have a tank dress in your closet, it might be getting too cold to wear it now. But if you turn it into a skirt, you can wear it all year round!

I bought a patchwork tank dress from Healing Heart Design Co on Etsy, and I already knew I was going to alter it in some way. It is pretty challenging to find clothes in my size on Etsy. Most upcyclers don’t get into plus sizes, and often the ones that do are not in my style. What is a woman to do? I bought a couple dresses and a sweatshirt from Healing Heart, knowing full well that I was going to upcycle the dresses.

If you have one too many tank dresses, get out your fabric scraps and give this project a try!

1. Cut off the straps of the dress. Be sure to cut below the underarm seams so that it is a straight line across the top. Then, cut along the side seams of the dress to create two pieces.

2. Figure out how wide to make the patchwork! Measure your waist and low hip, and see which measurement is bigger. Take the bigger measurement of the two, and add eight to ten inches. Write that number down. Then, measure the width of the front and back pieces. Add those measurements together. Subtract that number from the waist or hip measurement you wrote down. Divide by two. The resulting number is the width of the side patchwork panels. The length will be equal to the length of the dress panels.

3. Create two patchwork panels for the sides. If you want to add length to make it a longer skirt, add panels to the bottom to add that length. Add patchwork along the sides, then sew back together. I already had a stack of patchwork squares, so it was simple to just grab squares and sew. I added two rows of squares along each long side of the front panel, then reattached the back panel.

4. Trim off the excess fabric along the top and at the hem.

5. Add an elastic waistband. Fold over the waist of the skirt, and press. Then sew along the raw edge, leaving a two inch opening. Feed elastic through, and sew the ends of the elastic together. Then close the opening.

6. Hem the bottom! Add trim, lace, or just a basic zig zag stitch all the way around. Add pockets or an applique at this stage too! Make it something you can’t wait to wear.

I hope you are enjoying the first day of fall! I’m rocking my new skirt in patchwork heaven!