Finally finished painting the store!  It took longer than anticipated but it came out great.  I am very happy with the results and looking at the store makes me happy.  I was going for a happy, fun, going to the park feeling for the store and I hope it projects the same feeling for you. 

current project

My attention span is of a goldfish lately because I have been swamped with things to do!!  I have been keeping myself very busy lately, might be spreading myself a little thin.  Not so good for a perfectionist but who doesnt love a good challenge?  I have agreed to help my cousin design his store, layout, logo and business cards aside from my personal projects and work.  It is slowly coming along but still a lot more to do.  Spent 2 days finally finished measuring and taping the walls.  So when all is done please come by the store.  More information about the pet shop when it opens. 

spring

Finally Spring is here!  Although, it sure doesn't feel like it given all the rain and dreary weather but lets be optimistic here.  New season brings new objectives and outlook.  Of course, nothing but optimism and enthusiam.  So please stay tuned...

craving to paint?!?!

It has been years since I picked up a rag (yes, rag) and painted on an actual canvas.  Something about the entire process is very soothing and methodical.  I came home today after a flower arranging class which was awesome and is craving to paint.  I had to get my fix, so killing two birds with one stone, I doodled with watercolor (just not the same) and finally tested this nice thick paper.  Doodles of flower petals... definitely inspiration from flower arranging class with Ivie.   

DIY tie clip

materials:
flat clip (hair pin with a flat top is fine)
glue gun
clear tape
plastic collar stay (as long as you can cut with scissors)
iron
pencil
piece of fabric

1- Measure your clip and cut your collar stay, make sure you give enough room to cover the clip (I gave 2/16ths of an inch on each side) 
2- On the back side of your fabric outline the collar stay with a pencil lightly enough for you to see in the middle of the fabric. 
3- Tape the outline of the outline of your collar stay.  When done you should have a rectangle in the middle of the fabric.

4- Iron on the front of your fabric.  If you iron the back of the fabric the tape will melt on your iron and that would be really bad.  Iron until you can hardly feel the edge of the tape (you can feel that the tape melted in to the fabric).  The tape will prevent your fabric from fraying.
5- Now using your collar stay as guide, outline the collar stay again next to the original rectangle on top and bottom of both sides (the long side, B).  Add half inch to left and right of the 3 rectangles (short side, A).  Your outlines should look like the diagram I drew as reference.  

6- Cut your template out, again see diagram.
7- Place your collar stay on the middle rectangle and fold A over the collar stay.  use a small pieces of tape to tape down the fabric on both sides.
8-Fold the corners of B and fold over the collar stay, as you do each side use the glue gun to hold each side permanently.  You should have a nicely wrapped rectangle.
9- Glue the clip to the back of the rectangle using your glue gun. 

You should have a nice tie clip... or hair clip.  

back again!

It has been a month since I last updated, and a lot has happened.  I will not go into details but during this time, emotionally, I have never been this low.  I was not motivated to do anything but life will go on and the world will continue to turn.  One can only hold on to what they can and remember what is dear in their heart.  I just have to suck it up and do what I have to do, that said... 

So this Valentines day I decided to make a tie clip for the bf, since he has been nothing but supportive during this hard time.  I decided to do my first DIY tutorial and will post tomorrow.  

clemintines...

This is the season for clementines!  I love them and can't stop eating them.  My mother loves collecting the peels and drying them to use in soups and candy them.  These peels drying by the window sill are perfectly shaped because my mom insists on scoring and peeling a certain way.  I am so happy she does this because it creates these pretty flower shapes.