Design, Art, Craft.

Handmade Holiday

2010-12-12T10:58:00.000-06:00

If you haven't seen it yet, go check out my Handmade Holiday Blogathon on my new blog! You'll find TONS of tutorials, recipes, gift ideas, advice, and more to give this holiday an awesome handmade touch. Enjoy! :D

Thursday Threads #30

2010-10-21T23:35:00.000-05:00

Alex dressed himself so well this Saturday I had to devote this week’s Thursday Threads to him! I love his pairing of purple (bought to match a dress of mine) with brown (which he bought all on his own – and they look awesome)...

See it at my new location AJthePurple.com! :)

Thursday Threads #29

2010-10-15T10:28:00.000-05:00

I felt like doing a happy-go-lucky sort of pose today Probably because I got to do a lot of fun stuff with great people

Check out my new blog location --> AJthePurple.com

You Amaze Me, Pasta

2010-10-03T08:26:00.000-05:00

NPR recently did a story on The Geometry of Pasta, a new book put together by designer Caz Hildebrand and chef Jacob Kenedy. What a beautiful combination! There are so many types of pasta, which work both graphically (she’s filled the book with black and white illustrations of pasta shapes) and, of course, as food. Every pasta pairs well with different types of sauces and preparations (he’s filled the book with recipes). There are over 1,000 types of pasta and that is amazing.

View more on my new website!

Thursday Threads #27

2010-09-23T23:55:00.000-05:00

Cons for caffeinating myself at night:

I get jittery
I can't sleep
Hyper AJ gets even stranger
I sometimes annoy my husband (see above)

Pros for caffeinating myself at night:

Thursday Threads get done on Thursday ;)

Overshirt from my mom's closet (haha)
Purple tank top - Old Navy
My fav pinstripe pants - The Gap
Gray flats - Blowfish

Etsy Finds: Texas

2010-09-21T08:01:00.002-05:00

If you can say anything about Texas, you can say we're proud of our state. And as I pulled out my burnt orange to wear Saturday, I thought, It's time for a Texas Etsy Finds!

We'll begin with the capitol (and my town) - in this adorable cuff by vsc83:

View the full post

(AJ the Purple's blog has moved to AJthePurple.com!)

You Amaze Me, Stop Motion

2010-09-19T12:11:00.000-05:00

There's something magical about stop motion. My first introduction to stop motion was in an architecture video. It was an amazing tool for seeing long-term effects in a short amount of time. It was also a really neat thing to watch. Then I saw this video:

What a cool way to pass the time! Read more

Last day to enter the giveaway!

2010-09-17T11:12:00.000-05:00

LAST DAY TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!
Go see :)
xo

Happy Wednesday!

2010-09-15T22:00:00.001-05:00

Just stopping in to say hi If you didn’t see, I uploaded a couple more color prints to my shop! I’m looking forward to starting some other projects this weekend, too.

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway (at my new location AJthePurple.com) to win one of two great prize packages, each including a print of your choice! And have a great day

You Amaze Me, Ikea Hacker

2010-09-12T18:16:00.001-05:00

If you haven’t heard of Ikea Hacker, you should go check it out. Occasionally I just go browse for a while. Some projects are simple and straightforward; some are sheer genius. Why have run-of-the-mill Ikea furniture when you can hack it into something extraordinary? Or, even better, why throw out your old Ikea furniture when you can remake it into something better?

Keep in mind, these are all produced from Ikea furniture. (Click on the photos to go to the blog posting.)

A coffee table turned into awesome nightstands:

See the rest at AJthePurple.com - the new location! :)

Announcement and GIVEAWAY!

2010-09-11T08:01:00.000-05:00

My new website AJthePurple.com is now up!

That's where I'll be from now on - don't miss out on You Amaze Me Sundays, Etsy Finds, Thursday Threads, and all my other design, art, and craft posts! Go check it out :D

While you're there, you can enter my giveaway!

There will be TWO winners - each gets a print of their choice and other goodies. I handmade some special items just for this! Don't miss out!

3 Things Friday

2010-09-10T08:01:00.000-05:00

First I must say....Happy birthday to this beautiful lady!

Have a great one, big sis! xoxoxo

Now I can move onto...

This week:
The good: I played soccer with my team for this first time since May :-)
The not-so-good: I've been having really bad headaches :-/
The best: My new website {http://ajthepurple.com} is up!!!

The official launch is tomorrow, but for you guys - take a sneak peek ;)
PS: By "official launch" I mean welcome post and giveaway :D

Thursday Threads #25

2010-09-09T12:25:00.001-05:00

I love this dress. I chose this angle, though it's less flattering, so you can see the exposed zipper :) It actually makes my waist look really skinny - yay! Plus it has pockets (you know how much I love pockets). The front has really cute ruffles, which you can see a bit on the side. It's totally cute to dress up or down!

Contrast Shirt Dress - BCBGMAXAZRIA
Gray flats - Me Too

I love to draw

2010-09-08T08:01:00.000-05:00

New monsters in the shop :D

They are slowly being added. Can I say again how excited I am that there are now color prints in my shop? Because I'm rather giddy over it ^_^ In addition to several new monsters, this week I'll be adding in more color prints in two sizes (8x10" and 5x7"). And I'm starting to put together some other additions for fall! I'm going to go dance now....=)

Etsy Finds: Fall 2010

2010-09-07T13:01:00.000-05:00

These are what I want for the fall. Warm, cozy, classy...I want them all.

I would buy headphones just for this head phones hat by escaodesign:

I would wear these yellow oak leaf earrings by hitree all fall long:

And I would carry this Colorblocked bag by CamilleStar with me everywhere:

I obviously need this purple mug cozy by natalya1905:

And this yo yo headband by cocorosecouture is simply fall-tastic:

I'd feel fancy in these lovely lacey wrist warmers by hypericumfragile:

Isn't this ruffle front fleece jacket by cotylee just to die for?!

I want to cozy up in these knit slipper boots by HollyDoll:

And this fall wouldn't be complete without this gorgeous cape with tie by margerydaw0:

Writing this while listening to the sound of the rain falling seems wildly appropriate. I'm so excited for fall to come! And maybe some extra moolah so I can buy these beauties on Etsy! ;)

Happy Labor Day!

2010-09-06T14:43:00.000-05:00

I hope you're having fun :D

(photo source)

You Amaze Me, Barton Springs!

2010-09-05T16:53:00.001-05:00

(source)

Yesterday we (hubby and friends) spent all afternoon at Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park. It's fed from natural springs and is 3 acres large. It's also an average of 68° (read: COLD). The only way we could get in was by jumping!

(source)

After a couple minutes we could feel our arms and legs again. We swam up and down the length of the pool, trying to avoid the grass and algae. So much fun! I can't believe that in 5 years of living in Austin this was my first time to swim at Barton Springs. It definitely won't be the last!

(source)

I think I'll go during the next full moon - everyone howls at the moon! I think that's an experience worth braving the cold water for :) I also still need to see the Barton Springs Salamander! It's endangered and only lives in Barton Springs and surrounding area. Neat :D

For your beautiful and fun environment, you amaze me, Barton Springs!

New look, new products!

2010-09-04T08:01:00.016-05:00

You may have noticed my new blog banner (if not, scroll up, silly ;)), but did you notice my new shop banner? AJ the Purple has undergone a little makeover :D I've got a new logo:

I think it's pretty fun :) And with a new logo comes new banners :D I'm really excited! Soon, in addition to the new blog banner, I'll have a total blog makeover! But more on that later.

I'm also adding NEW things to the shop! I'm now selling COLOR prints!!! I'm so excited to be able to offer these now :D There are two already in the shop, with more coming this weekend. PLUS, I've drawn some new monsters. So keep an eye on my prints section!

Happy Saturday!

3 Things Friday

2010-09-03T08:01:00.002-05:00

Happy September! (Yes, I realize it's the 3rd, but I've been busy!)
This week:
The good: I'm working on redesigning my portfolio and it's going to be AWESOME!
The not-so-good: My sister was in town briefly, but I didn't get to see her :(
The best: I finished two logos for two lovely ladies, and I'm so happy with them!

Pommes Frites is on vacation mode, but you should check out her shop & blog!
Assorted Musings offers wonderful goodies and insights in her shop & blog too!

Have a great weekend!!! xo

Thursday Threads #24

2010-09-02T08:01:00.003-05:00

And now...back to our regularly scheduled programming! That's right - Tuesdays will be Etsy Finds, Thursdays will be Thursday Threads, Fridays are 3 Things, and Sundays there'll be You Amaze Me! Woohoo! And of course, other fun posts in between :D

I won't lie - I know this isn't the best look for me. But I still love it (and that's the point, right?). Jumpers are as easy to throw on as a dress, but I can sit however I want with no worries. It's like they had me in mind when they made them! ;)

Black romper - New York & Company
Black sandals - Reefs
Red flower hair clip - from my bridal shower

Happy Thursday!

30 Days, Wrap Up

2010-09-01T14:52:00.000-05:00

Day 29: What you live for.

I live for the experience - living, learning, loving...

Day 30: Ways you believe you have grown over the past thirty days.

I think my drawing has improved. More importantly, I've learned a lot about how I draw. For instance, I'm much, much better at drawing when I'm inspired by and/or interested in what I'm drawing, and especially if I take the time to think about it before I start. It was a good month :) I'm very glad I did it!

Did anyone else complete the 30 days? How did you like it?

Etsy Finds: Constellations

2010-08-31T09:49:00.001-05:00

Long-time readers may know that I'm obsessed with the sky. My favorite thing about camping is getting away from city lights so I can see the stars! So why has it taken me this long to do an Etsy Finds post about stars? Beats me :) But here we go!

I'll start things off with this gorgeous silkscreen print by christinetillman:

And I love this "Urban Constellation" photograph by Zyada:

I'd wear these funky Ursa Major earrings by chingchinjewellery:

Maybe I'd pair them with this awesome constellation t-shirt by nonfictiontees:

And add in this constellation army tag necklace by Markhed:

I'm in love with this mini Aurora Borealis oil painting by HonourYourPet:

I want to decorate my house with these paper German stars by KeriLouNewYork:

And I can't forget these adorable Starry Owl prints from boygirlparty:

I'm thinking I may have to add a star-themed line to my shop. Hmm....=)

You Amaze Me, Snorkeling!

2010-08-29T10:06:00.001-05:00

We had sooo much fun on our vacation! One of our favorite activities was snorkeling :D I loved getting a glimpse of a completely different world. It's no wonder, with all the strange plants and animals, that centuries ago sailors brought back all kinds of crazy and magical stories!

On our snorkeling adventures...

There were stripey fish

And iridescent fish

Grazing blue tangs

And dancing parrot fish

We saw yellow coral

And purple coral!

But most of all

I loved swimming with

the sting rays!

Yay for snorkeling!

(See more of my photos in my Flickr stream)

30 Days, Day 28

2010-08-28T18:03:00.000-05:00

Day 28: A moment you remember being completely happy in and a description of why you believe you were. What is your definition of happiness?

My wedding day :-)

3 Things Friday

2010-08-27T12:54:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday :D

This week:
The good: I got to try out a couple new games with some great friends :D
The not-so-good: I had to drop my best friend off at the airport to return to NYC :(
The best: I got to see my husband after a week apart!!

(source)

What were yours this week?

30 Days, Day 27

2010-08-27T08:01:00.000-05:00

Day 27: Your definition of the meaning of life.

I think the meaning of life is finding joy and sharing it

PS: This movie totally freaked me out when I first saw it, but it was still hilarious!

30 Days, Day 26

2010-08-26T08:01:00.001-05:00

Day 26: Your definition of love.

30 Days, Day 25

2010-08-25T08:01:00.000-05:00

Day 25: Something you would do if no one stopped you or if you knew you wouldn’t fail.

30 Days, Day 24

2010-08-24T22:11:00.001-05:00

Day 24: Something you did as a child that other people remember you for.

I enjoyed very strange concoctions of food. I have a photo of me around age 4, enjoying a green bean-spaghettios-applesauce-cheetos mix. Deeeelish. Also, give bananas with chili a try - it's surprisingly tasty.

Tomorrow I'll start uploading ones I missed while I was away! :-)

I'm back!

2010-08-23T11:38:00.000-05:00

Howdy!

I'm finally back home, and I've got so much to do already! I'll be editing and uploading photos this week so you can see what I've been up to :D And I've got some drawing to catch up on!

My Etsy shop is back from vacation mode, and as promised there will be another update soon! Keep an eye out :)

So, what did I miss?! If you have any links I should check out, leave it in the comments! I'm excited to get back to the blog world and see what you've all been up to!

30 Days, Day 23

2010-08-23T08:01:00.000-05:00

Day 23: Most awkward first impression you feel you’ve ever given

This is actually probably not the most awkward first impression I've given, but it's definitely the most visibly awkward!

(Not sure what's going on? It's a 30 day blog meme - Check it out here. See all mine here or on Flickr.)

30 Days, Day 22

2010-08-22T08:01:00.002-05:00

Day 22: Someone you would give your life up for without question.

This is my husband. Maybe I should've drawn a group of people - my husband, my parents, my siblings, my friends...
[It's really hard for me to draw people I love. I'm not sure why.]

You Amaze Me, Treehouses

2010-08-22T08:01:00.001-05:00

I really wanted a treehouse growing up. Now that I'm an adult, I still want a treehouse. And apparently I'm not the only one! These structures are all designed and built among the trees. I've chosen to share ones that I feel really capture the spirit of living in the woods...They are magical, natural, and beautiful.

(Yellow Treehouse Restaurant via Contemporist)

(Baumhaum)

(Patrick Dougherty)

(Free Spirit Spheres - eco-friendly and beautiful)

Don't you want to live in one? I do. They are so magical...You amaze me, treehouses.

30 Days, Day 21

2010-08-21T08:01:00.000-05:00

Day 21: Your favorite medium of art.

Pencil & paper. Did you even need to ask? ;)

30 Days, Day 20

2010-08-20T08:01:00.001-05:00

Day 20: A band that you immediately liked and the song that made you like them

30 Days, Day 19

2010-08-19T08:01:00.001-05:00

Day 19: A passage from a book that has touched you

I just finished this book...it was truly eye-opening.

Thursday Threads #23

2010-08-19T08:01:00.000-05:00

Since I'm on vacation this week, I thought it would be fun to do a Thursday Threads dedicated to the perfect cruise skirt!

This one would look gorgeous in the wind.

Love the orange bow on this nautical skirt!

Just give me a lounge chair and umbrella and I'd be living it up in this striped skirt!

I wish I'd had time to go to Anthropologie before we left...;)

30 Days, Day 18

2010-08-18T08:01:00.000-05:00

Day 18: A picture that makes you feel

I drew this one day to capture how I felt :-)

30 Days, Day 17

2010-08-17T08:01:00.000-05:00

Day 17: What you want to remembered for.

I try to be a caring person. I think of all traits, that's probably the one I most want to be remembered for.

(Not sure what's going on? It's a 30 day blog meme - Check it out here. See all mine here or on Flickr.)

30 Days, Day 16

2010-08-16T08:01:00.000-05:00

Day 16: Something that you want to do within the next five years.

I want to go to Japan!

30 Days, Day 15

2010-08-15T08:01:00.002-05:00

Day 15: A moment, phrase, or song that has changed your life the most.

You Amaze Me, Pentagram

2010-08-15T08:01:00.000-05:00

Pentagram is a design firm with offices in London, Berlin, New York, and AUSTIN! Their office is actually right next door to my father-in-law's (I believe they helped design his logo). But that's not why they amaze me. They amaze me because they make beautiful designs!

They create products, identities, and packaging...

They offer signage, architecture, and interiors...

And they design print, publications, and books!

(You may note that the last one is published by Phaidon ♡ Also, all photos from Phaidon's website)

And they are all beautiful. One day I'd like to be as talented as they. And that is why you amaze me, Pentagram!

30 Days, Day 14

2010-08-14T08:01:00.000-05:00

Day 14: Best mashup ~~you’ve ever heard~~

Mr. Polar Bear meets my emoticon pillow
Old meets new
Store bought meets handmade
Sentimental meets geeky
Old life meets new life :)

30 Days, Day 13

2010-08-13T08:01:00.000-05:00

Day 13: A memory that never fails to make you laugh

30 Days, Day 12

2010-08-12T08:01:00.002-05:00

Day 12: Your favorite musical artist’s life story

I don't know any musical artist's life story, but this is how I imagined I'd look - when I was dreaming of being a singer at age 9. Oh yeah, I was going to perform barefoot - I'm just that awesome :-)

Fall Semester

2010-08-11T14:36:00.002-05:00

FALL REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

I super excited to teach Sew You 101!!!! (Sneak peeks here and here)

You thought Summer Lovin’ was big? This fall we’ve got a massive 16-week curriculum to keep you crafting straight through the year. We’ll have 4 video tutorials every month, accompanied by a weekly live video chat with Renée & A.J. to answer any project questions you may have. PLUS photo tutorials and printables to keep you crafting beyond the videos.

Learn more !

Perks of enrolling as a Craft Cadet:

Live video chats with both Renée and me.
Video tutorials!! That means you won't miss a thing!
Detailed feedback on every single project, and prompt answers to your questions.
A community in which you can share, grow, and learn.
Plus a few bonuses like tips & tricks, freebies, giveaways...
Not to mention all the awesome projects we'll be doing!!

30 Days, Day 11

2010-08-11T14:28:00.000-05:00

Day 11: Favorite picture ever taken of yourself

This was my facebook profile pic for a while. I took it while trying to cheer myself up - I had just gotten a smoothie and thought my crazy hair was pretty cool :P I haven't done a self portrait in a while - I don't like staring at my face that long >_< - but I think it turned out pretty well :)

(Not sure what's going on? It's a 30 day blog meme - Check it out here. See all mine here or on Flickr.)

30 Days, Day 10

2010-08-10T18:34:00.000-05:00

Day 10: A dream you had this past week described in detail

This is a dream I had last night. I usually dream in color, but this one was so dark and gray that I decided to portray it in grayscale. It was a very strange dream...

Vacation Mode

2010-08-10T12:05:00.001-05:00

(source)

I haven't seen my bestie since New Year's. I'm picking her up in San Antonio tomorrow, and on Thursday we will head to Galveston with my hubby for the weekend! Then I'll get a week of just Melissa-and-me time.

I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS FACE!

Don't worry though - I'm scheduling blog updates while I'm gone :D I've got a lot of drawing to do before I leave! And when I get back...I'll be refreshed and recharged! I've also got some big plans for my Etsy shop. It'll be in vacation mode while I'm gone (so make your purchases before Thursday!), but it'll be back with a vengeance on the 23rd. I'm ready to do another update, and it's going to be great :-)

I'll miss you guys! Leave me comments and I'll comment back when I return :D

30 Days, Day 9

2010-08-09T19:16:00.000-05:00

Day 09: Five things you want to see change

1: Public schools focusing too heavily on standardized testing.
2: Littering. It still makes me sick when I see someone litter.
3: Polluting cars. I can't wait until there are more affordable electric cars!
4: My waistline. Need I say more?
5: 80s revival. Please leave it in the past where it belongs. One shoulder t-shirts, stirrup pants, and too much neon do NOT need to be brought back. (Although I do love leggings ;))

30 Days, Day 8

2010-08-08T21:17:00.002-05:00

Day 08 - ~~Someone you think would make a good president~~
Your favorite part of the weekend

Quality time with the boy - it's the best =)

You Amaze Me, Retro 51

2010-08-08T12:43:00.000-05:00

While in New Orleans for my sister's wedding in May, we found a wonderful shop named Papier Plume. It had a wide selection of writing utensils and journals. My dad (an architect) my brother (an artist), my husband (graphic designer), and I (everything) instantly fell in love with these Retro 51 pens and pencils! We each got a mechanical pencil :D

These awesome pencils are part of the Tornado collection. I've got the cork one ("Vino") and Alex has the beautiful all black one.

They also have stainless steel pens in every color! These are their Classic Lacquers:

Love the look of these retro-colored Double-Eight pens:

The Elite series ballpoints and pencils:

They've even got glow-in-the-dark pens!!

And these Kaligraffiti crack me up!

Their pens and pencils feel great and are of excellent quality - I highly recommend them! So this week, you amaze me, Retro 51.

Happy Sunday :)

30 Days, Day 7

2010-08-07T14:36:00.000-05:00

Day 07- ~~Favorite cover of your favorite song~~ What's in your bag?

Since I'm not [shocking confession!] the biggest music buff [ie, I love listening, but I don't read up on it and am terrible at band trivia], I decided to change today's prompt.

I change my bag a lot, depending on what I'm doing, but this is what I've been carrying around the last couple of days!

New Flavors for Vegetables

2010-08-07T10:55:00.000-05:00

I just got this new book from Williams Sonoma. Actually, I got a whole set! I was debating buying this book ($23) until I saw a set of four on sale (from $80) for only $20!! My friend and I each got one :D I've already made several dishes, and I absolutely love it.

Since I mainly cook vegetables, it's exciting to find new ways to prepare them! So far we've had a delicious mint snow pea salad, tasty potatoes with chives, and zucchini "pasta." With each dish, I've learned a new technique! Not only does it have clear directions, it also includes beautiful photographs of each dish and descriptions of the ingredients. Plus, the recipes are sorted by season, so it's easy to locate fresh ingredients. I highly recommend this book if you love veggies!

30 Days, Day 6

2010-08-06T16:22:00.000-05:00

Day 06: Earliest thing you can remember

Thursday Threads #22

2010-08-05T19:49:00.000-05:00

Check out this awesome French Toast t-shirt I won (a couple weeks ago) from The Tiny Fig!!!

I seriously love it :D

(I may have to get one for the hubby before he steals it!)

Also, my Day 5 drawing is still in the works! Stay tuned ;)

30 Days, Day 4

2010-08-05T00:27:00.000-05:00

Day 04: What you imagine paradise to be like

30 Days, Day 3

2010-08-03T14:26:00.002-05:00

Day 03: 5 you would have with you on a desert island and why

Why? Because they're fun :D

Sew YOU! Sneak Peek #2

2010-08-03T08:01:00.006-05:00

Ready for another sneak peek for Craft Academy's fall semester?

Hmm...what have we here? Seems like sewing with structure....perhaps reversible.....hmmmm....:)

You know what I love about Craft Academy? We offer video tutorials. Video tutorials provide a level of detail that's nearly impossible in written/photographic tutorials. You can see every single step taken in a project in detail. That means you have the whole process and techniques. (Not to mention you get to see us ;)) And you'll have access to the videos for a year, which means you can re-watch them as often as you need.

I hope you can join us for our fall semester. Registration opens next week!

30 Days, Day 2

2010-08-02T18:30:00.001-05:00

Day 02: Something that inspires you

I love going to art museums and galleries...always gives me new ideas!

30 Days, Day 1

2010-08-01T16:19:00.000-05:00

I picked this up over on Ashley Watt's blog The Daisy Parade.

Here's how it works: Every day you post a blog based on the list.
I've decided to do mine in drawings! I'll post one each day, though I may change a couple of the prompts from the original.

Day 1....Guilty Pleasure.

I have a jar of chocolate chips in my baking cabinet. I sometimes [read: frequently] raid it to get my chocolate fix >_<

Want to play along? Get the list, and leave a link so I can check it out!

You Amaze Me, Bicycles

2010-08-01T10:44:00.000-05:00

There are some amazing bicycles out there.

Bicycles to match their owners

A functional, wooden bicycle built by a 16 year-old

Folding, electric Grasshopper bikes

A bicycle chopper

A concept bike with a recyclable frame

I'm just glad to have a bike I can ride.

(Mine's a Trek)

They're eco- and waistline friendly, fun to ride, and pretty to see.

In any shape, you amaze me, bicycles :)

What's your ride?

Strawberry Mint Lemonade

2010-07-31T08:48:00.000-05:00

It's still frothy from the blender. And it's YUM.

Strawberry Mint Lemonade:

Pour lemonade (I used this whole jar) in blender.
Add 8-12 fresh strawberries, leaves removed.
Add leaves from 3-5 sprigs of mint.
Puree until smooth.
Drink your tasty, tasty treat!

This is seriously my new favorite drink. LOVE it.

3 Things Friday

2010-07-30T10:23:00.000-05:00

This week:
The good: I had a HUGE shop update!
The not-so-good: I've been given the run-around by my insurance.
The best: We got a new wireless scanner & printer!!! It's beautiful and it's going to make my prints even better! :D Did I mention it's wireless?!

(weheartit)

PS: I'm going to see Inception tonight!!

What were yours this week?

Thursday Threads #21

2010-07-30T00:16:00.000-05:00

Hm...Today was a little frumpy. Those black marks on my shirt aren't stray pen marks, that's acrylic stain. Oh yeah, I'm classy ;)

White shirt - Mossimo
Brown linen capris (linen is the BEST)
Brown flip flops

...I still haven't cut my hair!

Etsy Update!

2010-07-28T07:01:00.029-05:00

I just did a HUGE update to my Etsy shop AJ the Purple!

I added a completely new product - Embroidered Bracelets!

I seriously love these. I hope you do, too ^_^

I added the new Squid Monsters and Fairy to my prints section

(Squid Monsters was by special request - the first one already sold! :D)

There are now lots of ACEOs :D

And of course there are Huggles ;)

And, because I love you,

First 3 orders today get a special surprise

Go check it out! :D

Etsy Finds: Austin

2010-07-27T08:01:00.001-05:00

This week I want to feature some members of Team Etsy Austin! These are a wonderful group of people, and I couldn't be happier that I joined the team last year. Austin's motto is "Keep Austin Weird," which means "Support local businesses!" So if you're local, you should definitely give these ladies a look! You can find them on Etsy, or at many markets and locations around town :) Without further ado, here are some colorful creations of my fellow Austinites!

First up is a set of Upcycled Crayons by lpfdesigns (from whom I won this headband!):

Second is a Water Pistol Safe by the ever-cheerful pommesfrites:

We have an adorable Magnet Pack by my Craft Academy partner-in-crime's shop Robo Roku:

Who could resist this Sweet Yellow Bird Ring by fiftyacorns?

Followed by this great Cycling Cap by Maggie913 (I want it the purple one!):

I love this Limited Edition Print by leah duncan!

I may have to buy these Texas Cuff Links by AmeliaBeth (..for my husband):

How CUTE is this Mod Car Shirt by BabyBolt?? I need an adult size.

I'll wrap this up with Elsa the Elephant by SnuggleHerd:

Check out more items in my treasury, or search for TeamEtsyAustin on Etsy!

Sew YOU! Sneak Peek #1

2010-07-26T08:01:00.002-05:00

Happy Monday :)
Here's a sneak peek of two projects I'm perfecting for Craft Academy's Fall Semester!

(I'm not going to tell you what they are - yet!)

Sew You 101 will consist of a series of sewing projects that become more complex as your skills grow. I'll be teaching valuable sewing skills all semester long! Stay tuned to learn more!

Remember: Registration opens August 8th!

You Amaze Me, Phaidon

2010-07-25T08:01:00.000-05:00

You know I have a love affair with books. One of my favorite publishers, and one of the leading art book publishers in the world, is Phaidon. They produce books on subjects from film to fashion to food. I am proud to own a few of their books on art, architecture, and design (three of my passions). When you buy a Phaidon book, you know you will be getting a quality book with beautiful images and great design. [I should be getting paid for this.] It doesn't matter the subject, I love looking at any of their books! That's why, this week, you amaze me, Phaidon.

(all images from Phaidon)

Just thought I'd share with you :)

Whose books do you adore?

ORANGE

2010-07-24T19:42:00.001-05:00

Check out the Birds of a Feather blog for some orange inspiration :-)

Knit Everything

2010-07-24T08:01:00.000-05:00

(source)

This photo makes me happy.

That is all.

3 Things Friday

2010-07-23T08:01:00.015-05:00

In case you missed my post last Friday, I started a new tradition. Each Friday I'll post a good thing, a not-so-good thing, and my favorite thing from the previous week. I'd love to hear yours, too!

This week:
The good: I worked out every day! Goal met :D
The not-so-good: Faulty pilot light = apartment full of gas = unproductive day
The best: I made 3 sales in my Etsy shop this week :D 19 on the way to my goal of 30 this year! (Although I'm hoping to exceed that ;))

(weheartit)

And on a peronal note...had a friends over for an amazing dinner and Girlie Night at the Ritz with Marci and Velma was a blast!!
I'm going to have to get better at limiting myself to three!

What were yours this week?

Thursday Threads #20

2010-07-22T14:58:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to be less timid in my artwork, so when I felt like painting today,
I just went for it!
This was me, trying to decide what I should paint ;)
Yes, that's how I stand when I'm excitedly thinking!

Black camisole
Black and white plaid shorts - Aeropostale
Pendant lamp - Ikea

10 Questions

2010-07-21T08:01:00.006-05:00

I found this little survey on The Freckled Nest (LA's post), and several other blogs, a while back. I think it's really fun, and am glad I finally got around to doing it ^_^ I'm not very good at picking favorites, but I tried to do the first ones that came to mind here.
Hope you enjoy getting to learn a little more about me!

1. Favorite hobby?

2. Favorite tv show?

(The Office)

3. Favorite restaurant food?

(source)

4. Favorite thing to shop for?

5. Favorite animal?

(source)

6. Favorite song?

7. Favorite word?

8. Recent favorite youtube video?

9. Favorite movie?

Hmm...I'm sensing a them here...:P
(images via Amazon)

10. Favorite childhood memory?
Playing spies in the neighborhood...
Cooking/baking with my sister...
Gymnastics meets...
Bedtime stories with my dad...
Acting ridiculous with my best friends...
Family game nights...
I have many ♡

Anything surprising?

Want to post the survey too? Leave me a link!

(images are mine unless sourced)

Look what I got!

2010-07-20T17:33:00.000-05:00

Remember me mentioning those giveaways I won last week?

This is what I won from the lovely Bridget of lovepeacefamily! Isn't it adorable? I wore a red shirt today to match :D I eat an apple a day, so this is perfect. And my hair was really annoying me today...;)

Go check out Bridget's awesome shop!!

And also go check out her feature on the Etsy Austin blog!

Etsy Finds: Glasses

2010-07-20T08:01:00.000-05:00

Yes, I have a thing for glasses. I have a colorful little sunglasses collection since I can't wear real glasses! Anyway, this week's Etsy Finds post is inspired by lovely glasses :-) Please enjoy!

I've shown you these before, but I still love the Nerdy Heart Glasses from Steppie!

You've gotta love a nerdy robot, like this one by sleepyrobot13:

How about some cats eye glasses? Check out this pillow by YellowBugBoutique:

And I can't believe I found an Ira Glass Finger Puppet!! By abbeychristine:

Followed by this crazy pop art Eyeglasses Case by magazinejms:

I would wear eyeglasses necklace by redchuckstress in a heartbeat!

Eyeglasses print by alidouglass? Yes, please.

Gotta love any print by ashleyg, including this one - that's right - with glasses!

And, finally, we end with OHDEARME-ILOVETHIS Nerdy Panda Love Print by panduhmonium:

What can we learn from all this? Things look cute in glasses. That's right.

Now go buy me, I mean, er, yourself some cool stuff from these wonderful Etsians! ;D

Coming this fall...

2010-07-19T08:01:00.003-05:00

I'm just bursting at the seams to tell you about our upcoming fall semester with Craft Academy!! Right now, I can only tell you a few details...

1. I'll be teaching "Sew You 101"

2. Renée will be teaching "Home Style 101"

3. Registration opens August 8!

Perks of enrolling as a Craft Cadet:

Live video chats with both Renée and me.
Video tutorials!! That means you won't miss a thing!
Detailed feedback on every single project, and prompt answers to your questions.
A community in which you can share, grow, and learn.
Plus a few bonuses like tips & tricks, freebies, giveaways...
Not to mention all the awesome projects we'll be doing!!

Don't worry, you'll be getting some sneak peaks as it gets closer. Just keep an eye out here!

You Amaze Me, Optimism

2010-07-18T09:26:00.000-05:00

Every Sunday I do a You Amaze Me post. I love discovering, exploring, and sharing new inspirations each week. This week I've been thinking a lot about optimism.

I decided, in my teenage years, to be an optimistic person. Why be gloomy when you can look on the bright side? Give me a problem, and I'll tell you something good about it. Give me an obstacle, and I'll find something to be gained. I've got this!

The only thing that ever stands in my way is my lack of self-confidence. For some reason, I can tell everyone that situation will be ok. BUT, when it comes to my own ability to do certain things, I'm not so sure. Where's the logic in that? SO this week I decided not to worry about it any more. It's a new start to dealing with my self-confidence. Instead of trying to convince myself that I'm the greatest, I'm just going to remind myself to be optimistic.

Because you know what? I've got big goals, and I'm going to reach them. I deserve it, and

Optimism can get us there! Let's be optimistic :-)

(images, except for the obvious, via weheartit)

It's a Braids Kind of Day

2010-07-17T08:29:00.000-05:00

I'm planning to get a haircut...Although I love having long hair, I kind of want to chop it off :D But then I wouldn't be able to do this anymore...

Oh well, I guess I'll live ;) It's too hot in Texas for long hair!

The Good, the Bad, and the Great

2010-07-16T13:52:00.001-05:00

Many years ago, a girl told me that every evening her family would each say one good thing, one bad thing, and their favorite thing that happened that day. I thought, and still think, it's a brilliant idea. It allows you to share the good, accept the bad, but still focus on the great!

This week, I'd like to start a new tradition. Each Friday (or nearly each Friday ;)) I'll post a good thing, a not-so-good thing, and my favorite thing from the previous week. I'd love to hear yours, too!

This week:
The good: I spent an entire day reading ♥
The not-so-good: I felt down about my figure.
The best: I won TWO giveaways! One from love peace family and one from The Tiny Fig :D

What were yours this week?

PS: This has actually been an amazing week! It was hard to narrow down...I also got to spend time with friends (including a new friend!), started selling prints at The Wonder Craft, continued planning the upcoming trip with my best friend, did some freelance graphic design work, finished something in a new series for the shop [secret!], and had a really good run...What a wonderful week :)

Thursday Threads #19

2010-07-16T09:45:00.000-05:00

I am currently on Week 4 of the "Couch to 5K" workout I've been doing. Yesterday I finished day 2 (after two failed attempts). I'm really enjoying this workout! I've never been much of a runner, even before I broke my knee, so this is all new to me. I feel very accomplished so far, and (assuming my knee can take it) can't wait 'til I finish the program completely :-)

Freebie T-shirt (I have several burnt orange ones, since I went to UT!)
Adidas soccer shorts
New Balance running shoes
Accessories: Hairband and hair clips, iPhone (I'm in love with the c25k app!), knee brace (not supportive enough, but it's light and doesn't slip down as I run)

Guiltless Dessert

2010-07-14T12:58:00.001-05:00

I want to share with you a little secret of mine. I'm not a big dieter, but I try to choose healthful foods. But I have a major sweet tooth. So I made this little lovely ^_^ It's a banana split without the ice cream!

1 small banana (about 90 cal)
3-4 medium strawberries (about 20 cal)
4 tbsp no fat Cool Whip (30 cal)

Grand total: 140 calories, most of which are fruit!
Much better than a little snack pack, don't you think? You could always try different fruits, too.

Oh, and sometimes I add a drizzle of Hershey's syrup (about 20 cal) :-)

Enjoy!

Etsy Finds: Paper

2010-07-13T08:40:00.000-05:00

I guess with all the new prints going up in the shop, I've been thinking a lot about paper. It's never a bad thing! In fact, I've found several lovely paper items on Etsy to share with you :)

Dangling Dinosaurs Oragami Mobile by PosingPaper...Awesome.

Adorable Pop-Up Card by tracychong:

Hand-cut Paper Art from papercutsbyjoe - I'm so there.

Wedding Cake Topper paper sculpture by concarta. How neat is this?

And I can't leave out these adorable Paper Dolls by theblackapple:

I had a brief stint with paper-cutting (which was super fun), and I like origami, but mainly I use paper for drawing :) What is your favorite thing to do with paper?

Prints for Sale!

2010-07-12T15:03:00.000-05:00

Exciting news! You can now find my prints at The Wonder Craft! It's an adorable little boutique tucked away inside an Airstream trailer named Stella and filled with goodies handmade by local artisans. I'm extremely excited to have my work nestled in among so many beauties!

Also, I've updated my shop with even more prints! AND only $1 shipping on any print! You know you want to check them out, buy some for your friends and family, then come tell me how awesome they are. It's ok, go with your instincts ;)

Happy Monday :D

You Amaze Me, Pixar

2010-07-11T23:59:00.000-05:00

Pixar made animation cool again. Can you imagine how our parents must have felt, being dragged to see The Little Mermaid? But Pixar films...those are actually fun for the whole family! My husband and I recently went to see Toy Story 3.

AMAZING movie! I can't believe the original Toy Story, the one that started it all, came about nearly 15 years ago. And do you know why they decided to make a movie about toys? Because their 3D animations always looked like plastic. Genius is in the simplicity.

Over the last decade they have made tons of great movies! I count several of them in my favorite movie category. I love that they layer in the kid jokes with adult ones, easy to follow themes with deeper ones, and wrap it all up in a beautiful package.

Who would have thought that children would love a movie that begins with no dialogue...no humans even? Yet Wall-e captured the hearts of kids everywhere! And it had a let's-save-the-environment theme. Awesome.

And they completely outdid themselves with Up. I'll admit it, I teared up. And after it was over, Alex and I raved about how amazing the textures and lighting were. Can you imagine how much it took to create those balloons?! And his suit! (We're nerds.) Still, Pixar movies are magical.

This wouldn't be complete without mentioning the short films. They are both adorable and meaningful. I can't watch The Incredibles without watching Jack Jack Attack. And who doesn't love this old man??

I just love Pixar. Gorgeous, genius, ground-breaking, and guffaw-worthy. I can't think of one I wouldn't want to see again. Which is your favorite?

[And, if you haven't seen it, you must check out the Pixar character size chart by graphic designer Juan Pablo Bravo. AWESOME.]

Thursday Threads #18

2010-07-08T15:33:00.001-05:00

This is my lounging around the house outfit! It's what I'm wearing today, since I've just been job searching and working on small projects here :) I looked at some images to come up with the pose this week, because I want to branch out more. This is how I sit a lot...even in chairs! I have a hard time sitting normally >_<

Vintage Aloe Vera shirt - parents' attic (I think from a job my mom had in the 70s)
Black yoga shorts - Gap
Hair: in a messy bun so it's out of my way!
Accessories: Just my wedding ring :)

Dishes

2010-07-07T21:43:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to share...Alex and I recently got these beautiful dishes:

We are so in love with them. As usual, we've been constantly on the lookout for the perfect ones (like with our TV stand, dressers, bedspread...). Over the last couple years, we'd sort of agreed on a few different sets, but nothing was perfect...UNTIL...we laid our eyes on these beauties at Crate and Barrel. *sound revelation music* Love at first site! No joke, everything looks awesome on these plates.

We also got these bowls (not the ones pictured above) and side dishes (wide enough for salsa, shallow enough for soy sauce):

Thank you, Crate & Barrel, for giving us our perfect dishes.
Also, anyone else in love with these glasses??

hehe...As you may know, I'm a fan of things that say exactly what they are ^_^ hehe..

Okay, sharing over! ♡

Tie-Dye Cupcakes!

2010-07-06T11:55:00.001-05:00

In case you missed it in my Summer Projects post, I've had a hankering for rainbow cupcakes! Yesterday some friends invited us over for dinner, so I had a delicious opportunity to make some :D I'll admit, I cheated. I used a confetti cake mix (I never do that!). But I did color them myself :) You may remember that I made some (amazing) red velvet cupcakes for my birthday this year...Well, due to the boys being unable to find a large red food coloring bottle, we ended up with three multi-colored packages. So when I reached for the food coloring to make my rainbow, I discovered lots of yellow, green, and blue. I improvised - tie dye cupcakes. Perfect! Yellow, yellow-green, green, turquoise, and blue!

(Anyone else think it's strange that yellow food coloring looks orange?)

(LOVE these colorful wrappers!)

(Fresh out of the oven - mmm)

(Taste test!)

They turned out rather nicely, if I do say so myself ^_^ I topped them off with chocolate frosting, and everyone enjoyed them! *yay*

Scenic Embroidery

2010-07-05T17:09:00.000-05:00

I just finished this yesterday and I am super excited about it! I completely love it and can't wait to get it in the shop. I made sure to use a slightly different stitch for each element and I'm really happy with the result. Once I get it framed and set I'll upload some detail pics!

I'm already planning a new series :D It's combining two of my loves and it's going to be awesome.

You Amaze Me, Fireworks

2010-07-04T15:46:00.000-05:00

Every year I start getting really excited...for fireworks. I dance around and squeal like a small child. And I'm ok with that. Because fireworks are awesome. And this year I'll get to see TWO shows!! On Friday Alex went to the Concerts in the Gardens 4th of July celebration with my parents. It's an annual event that includes a couple hours of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra playing patriotic music with a fantastic fireworks finale! I hadn't been in a few years, but it was just as good as I remember! There's nothing better than eating watermelon in the Botanic Gardens while listening to live music and watching FIREWORKS. Am I right? (A: YES.)

Now I'm off to my in-laws' cookout. They live close to downtown, so we can watch the Austin fireworks show from their front lawn! While eating. I love eating ^_^

Happy Independence Day!!

PS: Also check out my colors of fireworks post on Birds of a Feather :)
PPS: And I'll be uploading more photos to my Flickr :D

Ties That Don't Suck

2010-07-03T08:01:00.000-05:00

I saw these ties at the Fort Worth Museum of Modern Art yesterday, and was so pleased! They have tons of styles and are so neat :) They even have a unicorn one ♡

The topography and the wind turbines are my favorites ^_^ Which is yours?

Prints

2010-07-02T11:13:00.000-05:00

No Thursday Threads yesterday, because we were on the road! Actually, I started off the day with some freelance graphic design work (color me happy), then we drove up to Fort Worth. It's so nice to see my parents! Last night we went to a Labanese restaurant, which was delicious, and saw a belly dancing show. Today we're going to the Kimball Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum ♡ The Kimball is one of my favorite buildings ever (by Louis Kahn, who was a great architect).

ALSO...

In case you haven't seen, I opened a new section in my shop: PRINTS! I'm soo excited. I absolutely love drawing and it's long been a dream of mine to be able to sell my artwork. Check it out here and tell me what you think!

Happy Friday :D

Just stopping in...

2010-06-30T11:24:00.001-05:00

...to say hi!

This is a busy week! Last night I did my first Craft Academy live video chat. There were some technical difficulties at first, but I had a lot of fun! I was really glad some people made it in :) [By the way, the 4th of July Party Packet is on sale! Only $10 for lots of fun stuff :D]

Today's list:

Bid for a small freelance project *nervous*
Prepare for Craft Academy video tutorials *organized*
Interview for graphic design position at a local magazine *anxious*
Record with Renée *fun*
Make salsa for 4th of July parties *yum*
Couch to 5K run *needed*
Etsy Austin Stitch 'n' Bitch! *excited*
Pack! *prepared*

The hubby and I are driving to visit my parents tomorrow in Fort Worth :) We're planning to stop in Waco (Texas Ranger Museum) and hopefully Dublin (mmm Dublin Dr. Pepper!!) on the way. Then Saturday we'll drive from their house to my sister's in Houston (she's having a party Saturday). And Sunday we'll come home to go to my in-laws' party (and maybe a couple others). *whew* It's gonna be a busy week!!

What are you up to?

Etsy Finds: Letters

2010-06-29T08:01:00.020-05:00

You may have read my Sunday post on alphabet furniture. Letters were still on my mind, so I looked around Etsy, and here's what I found :)

Custom wood letters by JCBloomingBoutique:

DRINK by bijoucreek:

A metal ampersand (one of my fav symbols!) by projecteur:

Handmade XO letters by OldNewAgain (love their work!):

Large wood letters by Hindsvik (these are our initials, so I couldn't resist ^_^):

Letterpress block replicas by gfout:

And fun letters by compulsivecollection:

I have so much fun ^_^

What's your favorite letter?

Texas Summer

2010-06-28T08:01:00.000-05:00

I don't like the heat. Anything over 78 is really just too hot unless you're in water. However, there are some beautiful things about Texas summer that I just love. This weekend I walked around my neighborhood to photograph some of those things. Do you have any favorites?

Cool grass between my toes

Swimming day or night

Warm stones beneath my feet

The sound of cicadas singing

And of course, the biggest clouds I've ever seen

Ah, Texas summer ♥

You Amaze Me, Alphabet Furniture

2010-06-27T08:01:00.001-05:00

For some reason, I'm completely in love with letters. It must be the graphic designer part of me. We have a couple 8" A's in our bookcases (for Alex & AJ), but I would love a whole display. Of course giant letters can be really cheesy (see millions of little girls' rooms), but they can also look quite stunning!

Check out this awesome letter bookcase by Pieter de Leeuw:

Or these great alphabet drawers by Kent and London:

Or this beautiful letterpress wall art by Andy Beers:

The Dharma Lounge - "Stand, Forget, Breathe, Acknowledge & Observe" - by Palette Industries:

LOVE this alphabet furniture by Set26 - comes in all 26 letters!

Is it a bench? A lamp? An art piece? It's Futura by Modo Luce:

I think I just need an entire house made out of letters. Don't you think? :)

Thanks for reading, and happy Sunday!

4th of July Party Pack

2010-06-26T16:11:00.003-05:00

Coming soon: the first Craft Academy Party Pack! It's packed full of tutorials for the best Independence Day ever! We've made food, decorations, of course these awesome picnic placemats (wait 'til you see it unrolled!), and more :D You should check it out ;) (And tell your friends!)

Excuse the mess!

2010-06-25T12:45:00.002-05:00

Sorry if my blog's all wonky right now - I'm trying to redesign a bit so it'll be prettier :D

Thursday Threads #17

2010-06-24T10:52:00.000-05:00

I'll be honest, I wasn't completely thrilled about this drawing. It's my favorite outfit right now, so I wanted it to be amazing! However, I tried some new things coloring it digitally and I'm pretty happy with the result :) The bottom texture is a photograph of the actual dress, the top part of the dress I textured digitally (it's a little light). Anyway, hope you like it!

Pink Sunglasses - Red Velvet Art
Wood earrings - Wish
Yellow dress - Wish
White camisole - New York & Company
Braided leather sandals - Mossimo, from Target

Etsy Finds: Watermelon

2010-06-23T08:01:00.001-05:00

Summertime to me is watermelon ^_^

Here are a few lovely watermelon-themed products I found on Etsy:

A watermelon red dress by Clothingwholesale:

A cross-stitch pattern by andwabisabi:

Juicy watermelon earrings by sypria:

Flower bobby pins by alovelycreation:

Watermelon yarn by shunklies:

Fluffy vegan soap by dennisanderson:

An original painting by artflat5:

To see more of my watermelon favs, check out my "Sweet Watermelon" treasury!