In the year and a half that I’ve been designing fabric, I’ve also been taking a lot of sewing classes. I cannot tell you how much it helps me understand who and what it is I am actually designing for. Learning how the pattern I design might be used, has been incredibly helpful in thinking of the best presentation and layout of the each design. (I for one really like stripes, because they are much easier, a little cheat sheet if you will, for me to cut and sew in a straight line ;))

My most recent class that I took at Sew L.A. {which if you are in L.A. I highly, highly recommend any and all classes there} was to make this Schoolhouse Tunic by Sew Liberated. What is suggested, and what I actually did this time I took a class! was make a second piece simultaneously at home. This definitely helps nail down that initial learning process into more than just instructions that literally float away from my brain the very next day, if not the same day.

The Iphone has also been super helpful with classes too, as I’ve found that I’m a visual learner so snapping a photo of the teacher demonstrating the next step for us,  helps me way more than just taking notes. A combination of Iphone photos, notes, and last but not least the actual pattern instructions {I’m not really a very good instruction follower kind of girl} and I was able to successfully make a second tunic at home in the span of the same 3 weeks {with minimal mistakes I might add}

The pattern is for intermediate level and definitely pushed my skill level which was perfect for where I’m at with my sewing. It takes just under 3 yds. of fabric, both fabrics shown above are from my first collection, meet the gang, and I recommend choosing the size up from what you usually wear.

Having also sewn my first small quilt last year, I find apparel sewing to be even more challenging. Then again my quilt was made from 4 blocks, all square. Some of the quilts I see - whoa - seriously skilled people working on those. Totally different sewing experiences though, apparel vs. quilting. I have to say I’m loving it all, minus that pattern cutting and the pinning. As per usual, I’ve got big plans and want to start designing my own line of clothing, and patterns, right after  I finish this book and...

Some accessorizing with a striped cowl and some yellow rain boots - voila. {If you’re wondering what I’m looking at in these photos, it was Garbo. I’m telling you she’s my muse} I’ve also worn both of these over jeans. Lets' just say I’ve been wearing one of these almost every day. 

ric rac rabbits - bunnies are everywhere

if I thought I was excited about my first line? seriously. the first production pieces arrived yesterday and I. am. beside. myself.

I’ll have some bundles in the shop sooooon! so you can make something pretty!!

Thought you might enjoy this to kick off your week. Found via Matt and Kim from a vintage magazine. Seems like we’ve all been trying to find that 'elusive' balance for some time now. And personally, I think this list is totally applicable for today. We just need to add  an addendum about the use your personal electronic devices.

I made 6 and am willing to part with 5, for now ;)

Loving the little 'Meet the Gang' button on this one. So much fun sewing and painting these this past week.  Just makes me happy. Hope you enjoy them too.

At the moment Sean’s teaching schedule is packed, which makes it challenging for us to get away for even two days at a time. But this does not mean we’re not going to get away! oh no.

Because I’ve said it 100 times before, getting a change of scenery even if it is a whirlwind change of scenerey is so, SO good to do.

It helps when you have great friends you like to visit too, who also happen to live in beautiful, serene locations surrounded by vineyards. 

• So we took the Amtrak Surfliner train up North to Sab Luis Obispo this weekend. Highly, highly recommend this if you are wanting to see a glimpse of California, especially along the coast. In some sections the train goes right along the edge of the water, and it goes all the way South to San Diego too.
• Castoro Cellars in Paso Robles. One of my new favorites. There’s an interesting story about the Vineyard name. I’ll save it for you should you go. In fact there’s almost always a good story behind wine names and labels.  Turns out I like to ask a lot of questions and learn all about wineries. Must be the entrepreneur in me? I like to know all about busineses and bond with their brands. And the bottle I photographed was the best - Due Mila Otto. You can only get it in Paso Robles.
• Tasting wine with the Frantic Meerkat aka Kim. We are enjoying the Due Mila Otto
• First time trying wine straight from the barrel. Interesting to taste the difference between a new wine and one that had aged even a year longer. 
• Mincy, Sean and Kim on to Shale Oaks. {Mincy likes to keep his privacy so this is the only photo we have of him.} When I asked questions this time, I discovered that every detail from the construction of the winery, from the countertops to the water used to flush the toilets, to the organic wine making - all completely sustainable. It’s no longer enough just to be 'green' people- Sustainable is the new buzz word for businesses. And I like it.
• With scenery like this. I could probably live here.
• Vineyards seem to have incredibly sweet dogs on the premises. The first one was Roxie {by the barrels above} and the last one was Chris Brown. Do not ask the story about his name, because I don’t remember. We met him at our last tasting at Pasoport which specializes in you guessed it Port. Which was especially delicious and amazing when combined with cheese + quince. good times. good times.

Creative Thursday has had the same website since 2005.  

A template site, I put together myself. It served it’s purpose and did a great job of getting me started.

And then I outgrew it, at least five years ago now.  It was high time for a new one. 

You know how it goes. There’s always something more pressing than getting your own site done. So then, you finally get some help! You hire someone who’s a great web designer, gets your aesthetic, is easy to work with and is super patient while you squeeze in your updates in between projects over a period of two years.

And then there’s today and you have a beautiful new site and you could not be more EXCITED!! {thank you Jo!}

My first holiday collection of fabric arrived last Thursday and this time rather than stare it for weeks on end before cutting it. I just went for it - had to sew something right away. 

So, I made a new bunny today {might be one of my most favorite creations to date}

I created this first holiday group with an intention of using the majority of the designs year round. It was fun to work with it, even now at the beginning of Spring time, and still feel inspired by the colors and the designs.

A few years in the making, I have been wanting to create a signature Creative Thursday softie and this one could be getting close...! A little of everything, my own fabric! {I still can’t get over the fact that I’m sewing with my own fabric} machine sewing, hand stitching and painting.

This is also good inspiration for my upcoming class at the Makerie. I like to create, particularly when sewing, through improvisation, which also means working in the 'mistakes'.  When I started out this morning, all I knew is that I wanted to make a bunny that I’d love - that wouldn’t be too complicated to recreate, and that could be made with slightly new variations each time.  I tend to get bored repeating the same thing over and over. Several hours, a few mistakes, and a couple of changes later, I had no idea what the final one would like until I sewed on my second attempt at the face. 

I might have to keep playing with this new fellow and make a little batch of Easter bunnies...

hope you’re having a good weekend - and you remebered to set your clocks back I mean forward! I’ts 5 pm and light out!! hello springtime! happy sunday

4 x 4 in.

Some days don’t you wish you had one of these? Along with the crown? - already got the socks.

{click here to buy original} {also available as print in the shop}

it’s a celebration - 6 x 6 in.

Today is my 5 year Anniversary on Etsy. Can you believe it? I’d say where did the time go but I know where it went. Hundreds of creations + 1 awesome trip to Paris + a growing business later, I still remember the very first customer who bought one of my prints. That day changed my life in the best possible way. 

In celebration! I am having a 2 day sale {ends tomorrow @ 11:59 pm PST} over at the shop. Just enter the code '5years' at checkout.  The painting above is a special 'anniversary' piece I made in honor of the occassion.

To all of my customers who have supported Creative Thursday, and especially my Etsy customers. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!

To be able to create art that I love, that makes me happy ~ that also makes you happy! There is nothing better.

{original is sold} {also available as a print}

8 x 8 in.

 I told you I was fired up! {5 new paintings over the weekend}

Oh and! Ali opened up day packages to the Makerie for a limited time. Registration ends April 1. I know I am going to see some of you there, I’m going to be bringing some new fabric...!!! :)

{click here to buy original - also availabe as print in the shop}

Learning more about the people who inspire me and hearing their stories is something I’ve always been passionate about. Certain that I’ve mentioned this before, but studying these stories - it’s how I made it here, and hung on to the dream of doing creative work I loved, especially on the days when I felt like giving up.  One of the reasons I love interviews and I LOVE Documentaries. As you know when I find good ones, I can’t wait to share them with you.

Since we plowed through the latest seasons of our newest obsessions, Breaking Bad and Downton Abbey {could these be more polar opposite?} this weekend was spent catching up on and devouring documentaries that have newly been released. I’ve got two really good ones for you and both of these are available on instant streaming via Netflix. Meaning you could walk away from this blog post and start watching them RIGHT NOW. Which I highly recommend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YMzmuBBBzo

Eames: The Architect and the Painter. See the trailer above. Oh, seriously I think you’re going to love this one especially if you are a multidisciplinary artist like me. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzI8OhR0IVY

Pearl Jam Twenty. A favorite band and vocalist of mine since they officially hit the scene in 1992, made by one of my all time favorite filmmakers Cameron Crowe.

And! I also listened to this wonderful interview with Amy Butler hosted by Monica Lee. Amy was one of the very first artists I found online in 2005. I just fell head over heels for her beautiful designs and lifestyle photography that is her brand. I finally had a chance to meet her briefly at Alt this year and she could not be a more gracious, nice, lovely person. It’s so nice when the brand matches the person isn’t it? After hearing this interview you will know why.  And Monica {spirited and lovely, who I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting several times} did a great job. It’s going to be exciting to see where she takes her new project Smart Creative Women.

Hope you enjoy all of these links. Seriously. So inspiring. I am totally, creatively, fired up right now!

4 x 4 in.

This one kills me. I love it so much.

happy sunday!

{click here to buy original}

4 x 4 in.

Snuck in some painting this afternoon. Odd to say 'snuck in' when this blog was built on daily painting. But hey! it is what it is. It’s all good. Don’t want to sound like a broken record, but I’m really excited to get back to more frequent blogging one of these days soon. Lots happening and a lot of projects are also starting to wrap up which means I can breathe a little more again and paint. Which sometimes they are one in the same for me.

{original is sold} {turns out there were 2 more that needed to be in this series}