Owls, thrift and other news.

It seems of late that I have neglected the old blog. Been keeping busy with lots of design work which has left me not wanting to stay longer on the computer. A new website is coming together slowly but surely. More card designs have been added to the collection and still the drawings continue to flow which has resulted in four new owl prototypes in production as I write. Well I finished one sample at least. It can take a while to fine tune the pattern but I was lucky enough to find some very appropriate buttons that make the project.

The husband helped me to make a card display using an old frame which is almost finished just a few technicalities to sort out but I'm excited about it. Since I wrote it's now complete. I had planned on using fishing line but it sagged too much so I switched to wire and it's perfect.

 In thrift news following on from mini chair I found a fabulous office chair on castors. Very sturdy and comfortable, given the current overstock of furniture in our apartment I did debate purchasing the chair for maybe a minute till a man decided he would use it as a perch while he tested a TV. In the end I asked him "are you buying the chair ?" to which he nodded. I don't think he understood me because after half an hour of testing every possible button on the TV with a cracked screen he just left it there and I swooped in and wheeled it away ! The moral there is go with your first instinct or prepare to do some mindless hovering.

the back can be adjusted which is very cool.

No distressing needed !

the perfect office chair

So there you have it three blog post's for the price of one. Enjoy !

Thrift Store Find - Mini Chair

What's better than a full sized chair, a mini-chair of course ! There was not a moments hesitation as I handed over $5 for this treasure. Baby owl jumped right in to have a nap in the sun.

Sanford gives Gisele a run for her money

Can I just say that these photos were taken without the magic word "treat" or even the potential of one. Sanford just loves the camera and will pose whenever the mood takes him. Happy, thoughtful, coquettish he does them all really quickly. All he needs is a lucky break to launch him into doggy stardom ! However, like any self respecting canine Sanford refuses to wear outfits unless it happens to be a blanket.

Thoughtful

So happy

Add caption

Naturally white teeth

I'm drawing Birds !

Well little did I know that there would come a time when I could actually report on all my drawing activities on the imustdraw blog but that time is here. I like to think that I make the best out of bad situations which in my case has been a bad shoulder/arm which is aggravated by 1) surfing 2)typing and using a mouse and lastly 3) using scissors all of which are pretty standard parts of my day/week. So in an effort to minimize my pain/ give the shoulder a break (I suspect its RSI)  I started doodling. What started as a thank you card became about 12 filled pages of sketchbook and out of that the beginning of a new card collection which I shall call Moshi, no particular reason other than I like the sound of the word and I call all my dogs moshi sometimes. I don't know whether it means anything or whether it's the result of watching kung-fu movies. Speaking of which Ip Man is one I highly recommend, which is the story of Bruce Lee's Kung Fu Master,  there's a sequel but I haven't seen it yet.I digress as per usual, here are a few examples of my labors. I have more and one in particular that I like a lot which I'll save for another blog. Enjoy !

Birdy page

Hipstamatic Style Photos - It's my favourite thing ever

Those of you familiar with this blog will know of my tendency to get lost on the internet, what starts as a simple email check results in RSI. Well this time I stumbled upon a gem. I had been eying all those hipstamatic iphone photos enviously that kept popping up on facebook and really wished that I could add that effect to my photos, well news just in if you have Photoshop you can and I did,  so from now on say goodbye to dull and hello to saturated color. It works best with sunny images but as you can see my dog Boss also got the hipstamatic treatment or I think the technical term is C-41 process, and ended up looking very handsome.

Laguna Beach

Road Trip

Boss, the good dog

Cherry Blossom Trees

Craft Show Tips on Selling

I will be the first to admit that my blogs don't usually contain much in the way of useful info, lots of eye candy but here's a very informative video that I discovered.  Half an hour long but worth watching if you've ever tried to sell your work at a craft or trade show. I'm the first to admit I am not good at sales, blame that on the British upbringing but I was of the let them look school of sales where the only conversation occurs when the customer actually wants to ask you something. But over the years I've discovered that the key is be yourself, the friendly happy version that is and exude positive energy. Even when I don't make a lot of sales I always learn something along the way whether it's a product suggestion from a customer, new way to display product or just tips from other vendors. For more great advice visit www.scoutiegirl.com or www.craftmba.com

I did embed the video but it was scary loud whenever I went to the blog and it would automatically start which was a bit off putting but the link will take you to the video instead.

Watch the Video here.

March Round Up

The fact that I'm not blogging as much is because I'm busy making which is a good thing. Well it could also be the husband hogging the mac too. Here's a selection of some of the most recent items I've been working on for those that don't do Facebook The accessory line is coming along, being relatively new to the world of zippers the purses have probably taken me longer than it should but it's getting quicker. Baby Owls the newest additions to the plush line are coming along nicely. I'm going to begin documenting my color combos as I spend more time selecting fabrics than actually making sometimes. I bought some index cards for the job. One more to add to the long list ! Thanks for reading, til next time.

Ipad sized Japanese Geisha zippered purse

This is the first of what I hope will be many items in a Japanese inspired line with proceeds benefitting Tsunami victims which will be making there way to my etsy store. In the pipeline a very cute Sumo Wrestler. Feel free to leave suggestions.

Loveheart lining

The first of what will be many Geisha's

Pink Rabbit Purse

Purse Production line handmade style

Napping Baby Owls

Baby Owl Pillow

So peaceful