A Wash of Color

So I was playing with my dyes after I did a custom set for a client...
I never actually measure anything which it SO typical of me.
*thought*
Maybe this is why I don't use cook books that much.
(Well, probably not since I wasn't cooking much even before I found out I just can't eat anything anymore.)

Anyway, I was playing with making "washes" of color for a softer palette. I have always been attracted to "COLOR" but have always had a soft side that liked that whole "shabby chic" thing when it became fashionable years ago. The beautiful muted vintage feel of washed out colors like an old photograph just take me there.
I LOVE how this soft dusky muted pink flower came out:
Dusky Pink Enlightenment


I wanted to also play with yellows and oranges so I made this gorgeous almost "sorbet" colored flower. It makes me think of the creamsicles I loved as a kid. My favorite was the orange with vanilla ice cream inside. I really enjoy this color. It's just so FRESH.
Sorbet Enlightenment


Of course, I had to make a golden orange colored flower. I can't get away from an orangey, ochre yellow tone of some kind. I personally just LOVE the richness of anything that falls within that realm. This time I wanted something not so dark and "Fall" in feel so I kept it lighter but still with that spiciness to the tone.
Marigold Enlightenment


All three of these are now available in my shop so click on the links for more pics!!!

Oh yeah, just thought I'd share the custom HOT PINK Mini set that I made.
How cute are these?!
She seemed pretty EXCITED when she saw the finished pics!

Sparkle Sparkle

Sparkle Sparkle!
Just thought I'd take a few to share a couple recently listed designs!
This first piece already got snatched up!


I am AMAZED at how much SPARKLE this piece has when light hits it! Such a pretty spin on my realistic flowers!
This light ivory baby is approximately 4.5 inches wide.
Illuminating Bliss


I also just listed this beautiful off white satin set. Both petite at about 3 inches wide.
Breathless


Here's a twinkling version of my realistic flowers with a mixture of Swarovski crystals, pearls and rhinestones!
Sparkling Pretty

Time After Time - Art Supporting Cancer Awareness

I just had to take a moment to share this wonderful piece painted by this amazing artist Betty Refour!
Time After Time


I just LOVE the colors!!!!
Treat yourself to something that is beautiful to look at and make a donation to an important cause.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society as part of Etsy Project Embrace.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6296896&page=1
If you would like to make your own tax deductible donation to the American Cancer Society and have the amount applied to your purchase please let me know and I will give you instructions.

To see more of her fabulous work visit Betty's websites at www.noteworthycrafts.com, www.bettyrefour.com and her blogs www.artbybettyrefour.blogspot.com and noteworthycrafts.blogspot.com

Sultry Reds

It's ridiculous how I feel like I'm always telling you how I have a ton of pieces I haven't listed for one reason or another...
Well, as I have STILL not bothered to read my photoshop booklet that was a small fortune, I recently figured out how to adjust the colors in the photographs of several of my "RED" pieces. As usual it was me fooling around with all the different things under "image" and I fumbled on how to make them look like they do in person verses the completely over exposed versions. Yeah, I suppose if I read the pamphlet that came with the camera it would help me know how to adjust the lighting and stuff.
LOL!!!
That'll have to be another time!
Anyway, I literally have had some of these pieces for over 2 years...I think I have like 8 red pieces that I have collected just sitting my one of my drawers.
So, here are a few pictures of pieces I have listed in my shop so far!
:P

Rapturous Red


Red Chic


Rascal Red



More to come in the next post!

A Midsummer Nights Dream Custom Design

Thought I would sneak in a moment to share my new favorite Custom design!
I have this amazing Bride that asked me to design her something for her "Midsummer Night's Dream" themed wedding. She was SO MUCH fun to work with and we found out that we shared the same birthday this month!
LOL!!!
Of course the moment we started corresponding and I saw the pictures that she was sending me for inspiration I knew we were meant to do this!
I think what we decided on really came together!
Lot's of billowing tulle, various sizes and shapes of goose, hackle and coque feathers...and let's not forget my signature SPARKLE! There was a lot of detail that is hard to distinguish in these photos. I hand wired light blue Swarovski crystals into the focal piece and then also placed all the tiny Swarovski crystals with my tweezers...brings back memories!
LOL!!!!


I was THRILLED when she said she literally "screamed" when she opened it she was SO EXCITED and LOVED it SO MUCH! I can't wait to see how beautiful she looks wearing it with her gown!
Of course I will share pictures!
I rarely get to make such elaborate pieces but honestly, these are some of my most memorable and favorites to design.

Moving!

I have been STRESSING OUT for the last several weeks looking for a place to move! My Uncle is moving into the house I have been renting so I am getting booted. (it's our families house) I am thankful to have been able to pay very affordable rent for this house for a little over a year. I love living here but as with everything, it's time for change. I totally believe everything happens for a reason. So, all through May I was looking daily for a new place to live. Prospects weren't looking good...at all! 80% were straight off NO PET which was a pain since I have 1 cat. Then I was further limited because of this whole eczema health issue, I NEED to live in a cooler environment. Basically, nothing inland where it is generally more affordable. LOL! So, I looked for coast line places. Uh, I can't really afford $2000 for a studio thank you! LOL!!! Too close to the coast was WAY over my budget!
Well, I accidentally stumbled on a Loft Space and this has been a dream of mine ever since I moved out on my own. It was a good $300 over what I wanted my budget to be but I wasn't finding ANYTHING that I could FIT in within what I wanted to originally pay. Seriously, I realized the studio like space I am living in the back of the house currently is just over 500sq.ft. I would have had to fit everything I have in here now, easily 30 of those rubbermaid tubs being stored in the garage, AND both a bathroom and kitchen ALL within something smaller then this back room!!!! Yeah, not likely. It's amazing how much more options there can be when you add $300 to your budget!
lol
Anyway, I have been packing and I have NO IDEA at this point how I am physically going to move.
I got to get it together! I have always happened to have friends that have helped me. I gotta ask my family...I hope the men can handle all the lifting, I mean, they aren't young men anymore if you know what I mean. I don't want them to hurt themselves is all.
I also realized while packing...I have NO furniture. No book cases, bed, dresser....basically, I am using all what was already here to store and place stuff. It's going to be a mess since there is NO storage space in a loft. I have 1 walk in closet and that's it! Now I won't even have anywhere to put my stuff! I'll have 1 desk and that's it. I don't even have a chair!
So SAD!
LOL!
Well, at least my new space is 950 sq. ft. that will be filled with boxes and Rubbermaid tubs!
I know once I get settled I actually WILL get back in the program and blog regularly.
Between my health and the moving I have been unable to concentrate the last few months and it shows!
So here is what my new loft space looks like.
By the way, I haven't actually been there personally and rented this place sight unseen...
Looks good though!
I'm EXCITED!

Sorry for the absence!

I'm back everyone!
If you are interested at all I explain on my other blog site what was going on.

I'm still fighting to get better but am going to make an effort to get back into posting.
Thanks everyone for your understanding.

SHOP OF THE WEEK: Mrs. Kwitty's Cottage

Welcome to the Shop Of The Week: Mrs. Kwitty's Cottage This absolutely fun and playful shop is created by Karen who is also a talented Mother of two fantastic kids!
Here is a little clip from her profile:

"Next to my family, I love to craft and sew the best. I love vintage. I love handmade. I love to go to estate sales and antique shops and find funky and beautiful old things to use in my crafts and sewing. I have loved to sew since I was a little girl and my favorite gifts were those shoelace cards to "sew" and then I got my little girl's sewing machine and I was in heaven! I had the best dressed dolls in town. I have been designing my own crafts and sewing patterns for many years now and have even sold a few of my design to magazines."

I personally have been a fan of her shop for quite a while now and love the vintage feel of many of her creations.
(I shared some of her fabulous work on my blog in the past)
Here are a few of my current Favorites!

Brooch, Fab Fifties Fluffy Flower and Yoyo Pin


Beautiful Butterfly Old Timey Valentine


Pretty in Pink Love Dove ornament


You can tell a lot of thought and creativity go into each piece. I always have a special place in my heart for vintage items and I think this is why I just adore her work!
Definitely take a few moments to check out her shop as there are SO MANY more great designs to choose from.
Fantastic for gift giving in my opinion!
Frankly, I would love a few of these for myself!
;D

Karen is offering a special deal to celebrate her Etsy Twitter Team Shop of the Week status: With every order this week, she will include a free Gift Tag Sample Pack with each order!

You can also find her here:
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/misseskwittys
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=708146164&ref=name
BLOG: http://misseskwitty.blogspot.com/
FLICKR: http://flickr.com/photos/misseskwittys/

*Photos Courtesy of misseskwittys

Cherry Blossoms From Weddings

Look what I found over at Martha Stewart Weddings! Wonderful Cherry Blossom Ideas for Weddings.
Not that it matters but being a Japanese American I have always had a deep love for Cherry Blossoms. I think watching all the old Japanese (subtitled) movies with my Grandparents romanticized the beauty of the Cherry Blossom trees in bloom.
...a lot of movies had that luscious panoramic shot of the trees in bloom and blossoms floating everywhere!
LOL!
...totally getting off my original idea here!
So here's a few of my favorites from Wedding Ideas That Use Cherry Blossoms.
I have no idea why but I am totally embarrassed that I had NO IDEA there were SO MANY different types of Cherry Blossoms!

Clockwise from top: 1. The flowers from the 'Hally Jolivette' cherry tree start off pale pink, then turn white. 2. The star of many a cherry blossom festival in the U.S. -- among them the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's, as well as Washington, D.C.'s -- the 'Kwanzan' tree can grow up to 30 feet tall. Its pink flowers are full and frilly. 3. The Yoshino is the most common cherry tree in Japan. Its perfect, slightly fragrant, five-petaled blooms can be pink or white. 4. Popular with amateur gardeners, the 'Higan' is a weeping tree. When at its peak, the profusion of cascading branches takes on the appearance of a fountain of delicate pink flowers. 5. It's relatively squat, but the 'Mount Fuji' cherry tree spreads its branches into a wide canopy. Its flowers are known to have a longer life span than those of other varietals.
The Table Setting

Cherry Blossom Cookies

Don't you just want to try one of these? Is it ia chip? Is it a cookie?! (I know it's a cookie but it looks so light and airy) And... I SEE ICING!
The Bridal Bouquet

Cherry Blossom Inspired Dessert

Of course it always has to come back to food of some sort!
LOL!
I just LOVE MOCHI!
This is such an incredible and creative display!
Gotta just LOVE IT!

The Green Vase: Livia Cetti Floral Designer

The Green Vase is a FIND that I just had to share. Livia Cetti is an AMAZING Floral Designer. Her work gracing the pages of many magazines and covers including multiple Martha Stewart's Wedding Magazine. She has more then 17 years experience in the floral design industry.
If you are looking for an amazingly talented artist for your special occasion this is the lady to contact! As if that wasn't enough she is also a photo-stylist, crafter and event coordinator!