My Brain Purge

Bento Box Hotdog Bears

2009-01-04T19:08:00.000-08:00

Hey lovelies! First off, i want to wish everyone a happy crafty 2009! Wow did 2008 suck or what? But at least we have an awesome new president coming and 2009 is at least showing some promise..

Life in beJessie land has been a little crazy. I got laid off from my day job, which isnt necessarily the WORST thing in the world. I mean, we all know how much I LOVED it there (Im being sarcastic) and I think sometimes the universe does for you what you don't do for yourself. It was definitely time for me to get the hell out of there in a big way. However, Im just hoping that my new job will come quickly as my last day at the office is on the 16th.. and Im sorta starting to panic. But anyhow.... So all good vibes are much appreciated and I promise I will repay them with tons of craftygoodness this year. Now on with what is important.. bento box hotdog sushi bears.. yes.. the world just ISNT ready for that kind of awesomeness, but I know you certainly are..

So my daughter has for the past few years decided that she is Japanese. She listens to Japanese pop bands, and even keeps note books upon notebooks of Japanese translations.. she watches all of her movies in Japanese.. so when she asked for a Bento Box for Christmas.. I wasn't surprised. We live in New York so we have more access than most to Japanese and other Asian markets. I figure hey, if she wants to eat veggies and sushi type snacks rather than processed crap, Im all about it. I admit to fibbing a few times to get her to eat her veggies ("hey Gabs, those green beans, they are from Japan") dont judge me.

Anyway, this was inspired by a recipe we found in a book called Hawaiis Bento Box Cookbook-Fun Lunches for Kids written by Susan Yuen. She has SO many cute ideas for bento lunches that are fairly accessible and fast and easy. While this one is not one of the healthier by any means, we thought it was super cute and is what she is going to bring for lunch tomorrow in her shiny green bento box. It was super easy to make, if you can get your hands on some Norri.

Anyway, we are LOVING this book.. my ADD is in full swing and its totally distracting me from some soap making I have to do.. blah!!!!!!!!!

STRESS

2008-11-04T13:56:00.000-08:00

So, today I got up early, stood in line for approximately 2 hours in Astoria- I voted, then got my free starbucks coffee. Tonight I will retrieve my child from her grandfathers house, order some food with Nikki and just hole myself up in my apartment with a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of wine.

The. Stress. Is. Killing. Me.

Dear Red States:

If you manage to steal this election too we've decided we're leaving.
We intend to form our own country, and we're taking the other Blue
States with us. In case you aren't aware, that includes California,
Hawaii, Oregon,Washington, Minnesota,Wisconsin, Michigan,Illinois and
all the Northeast. We believe this split will be beneficial to the
nation, and especially to the people of the new country of New
California.
To sum up briefly: You get Texas, Oklahoma and all the slave states.
We get stem cell research and the best beaches.
We get the Statue of Liberty. You get Dollywood.
We get Intel and Microsoft. You get WorldCom.
We get Harvard. You get Ole' Miss.
We get 85% of America's venture capital and entrepreneurs.
You get Alabama.
We get two-thirds of the tax revenue, you get to make the red
states pay their fair share.

Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22% lower than the Christian
Coalition's, we get a bunch of happy families.
You get a bunch of single moms.

Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice and anti-
war, and we're going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at once.
If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have kids
they're apparently willing to send to their deaths for no purpose,
and they don't care if you don't show pictures of their children's
caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq , and hope
that the WMDs turn up, but we're not willing to spend our resources
in Bush's Quagmire.

With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80% of
the country's fresh water, more than 90% of the pineapple and
lettuce, 92% of the nation's fresh fruit, 95% of America's quality
wines, 90% of all cheese, 90% of the high tech industry, 95% of the
corn and soybeans (thanks Iowa!), most of the U.S. low-sulfur coal,
all living redwoods, sequoias and condors, all the Ivy and
SevenSister schools plus Stanford, Cal Tech and MIT.

With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with
88% of all obese Americans (and their projected health care costs),
92% of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100% of the tornadoes, 90% of
the hurricanes, 99% of all Southern Baptists, virtually 100% of all
televangelists, Rush Limbaugh, Bob Jones University, Clemson and
the University of Georgia.
We get Hollywood and Yosemite, thank you.

Additionally, 38% of those in the Red states believe Jonah was
actually swallowed by a whale, 62% believe life is sacred unless
we're discussing the war, the death penalty or gun laws, 44% say
that evolution is only a theory, 53% that Saddam was involved in
9/11 and 61% of you crazy bastards believe you are people with
higher morals then we lefties.

Finally, we're taking the good pot, too. You can have that dirt
weed they grow in Mexico.

Peace out,
Blue States

Bansky Battles the Gray Ghost

2008-10-25T11:03:00.001-07:00

Fred Radtke aka the Gray Ghost

Living in NY in the early 90s was time when NYCs graffiti was being "fought" when trains suddenly were becoming "graffiti proof" when NY laws started having less tollerence for graffiti, and going out "bombing" often involved the artist, a lookout person (usually my job since I didn't draw or paint at the time:)). We had to have fake IDs and permission to get labels and spray paint, and because we were all underage, most of us used the same person to hook us up with our supplies. I had friends who were arrested for amazing pieces done on the side of abandoned warehouses.

So today when I see Galleries showcasing superstar graffiti artists, huge exhibits and herds upon herds of NYCs elite coming to schmooze and drink expensive drinks whilst gazing upon some graffiti art on canvas still amazes me. Im still in awe of the people who celebrate the "graffiti artists" referencing them as street artists, and I guess I still don't know whether to feel like the artists have won, or to feel like part of the art form, that being the pursuit of making the art, the chase, the underground..has been stolen. Still I cant help but to whimper at pieces by people like Lady Pink, and want to fly to England to see a Bansky and to almost be brought to tears standing with my boyfriend gazing at a Sheppard Fairy (in a Gallery).

But in New Orleans, its still the 90s in this aspect, only the artists aren't being harassed by the police, but by an individual anti graffiti vigalanti known locally as "Gray Ghost". In a city that celebrates Dr. Bobs "Be Nice or Leave" signs, where colorful street art is decorating what is still the glum broken down houses, water lines still in clear view on the sides of buildings, where huge empty parking lots display empty shells of what used to be thriving supermarkets and stores. All a reminder of what went wrong not just for New Orleans, but what went wrong for us as an entire country. All a reminder of how our own country failed us. Street art began to cover the sides of glum buildings, giving us a story of hope, with proof that the soul of this city wasn't taken away. But then it fades to gray. When the "Gray Ghost" takes it upon himself to roll over the art with gray paint. When I arrived in New Orleans this summer, I couldn't help but to notice the gray smudges EVERYWHERE. On signs, on buildings, under the interstate. All the markings of the Gray Ghost. I couldn't help but to think "hmm well what makes this guys gray smudge any less offensive than what may be underneath?" What makes his gray paint any better than someone's spray paint? And if you think this guy might know the difference between a "tag" and an actual "piece" you would be wrong. Any sign of any graffiti art in the city has been smudged over, but what shocked and horrified local residents more than any of it was his painting over Dr. Bobs "Welcome to Bywater Be Nice or Leave" sign. This sparked a petition in the Bywater, a neighborhood where many of New Orleans well known artists reside, to ban the Gray Ghost. In return people have created stencils saying "This shit is boring" that have been sprayed over the Gray Ghost's smudges.

What alarmed me was my recent visit to New Orleans- after hearing that Bansky had done a few amazing pieces. My jaw dropped, though I dont know why, when I heard that the gray ghost had painted over the Bansky pieces. I was in total shock. If you go to Banskys website, he talks about this and how we came to New Orleans and why and how the vigilante known as the gray ghost had done so much more damage than good.

(photos: Bansky)

Furthermore beef has erupted between Mr. Ghost and NOLA Uprising, an oganization whose mission is "encouraging people in all faubourgs of Greater New Orleans to publicly display works of art, regardless of how simple or untutored it may seem to be, for the purpose of rebuilding and restoring the human spirit in our city. NOLA is a unique and beautiful city that has historically embraced the spirit of personal freedom that supports the growth of the artist, musician and writer ... the goal of the NoLa Rising Project is to showcase that spirit." Handmade street signs made by members of the uprising to replace the ones lost in the storm were defaced by Ghost and the Ghost took it a step further to sue the uprising for defacing public property.

So who is the Gray Ghost? His name is Fred Radtke. He is a 47 year old resident who drives around in his white dodge (with a red pinstripe, no less) with a trunk full of gray paint and a roller. He lives under the philosophy that one mark of grafiti will lead to more crime in the neighborhoods. He has been quoted comparing grafiti artists to cults of Satan. And in this article, hes calling asian shop owners "Orientals".. blech.. this all just leaves me feeling a little dirty. I dont know, sounds like a quack to me. But Ill let you be the judge.

All I can say is back in my day, an ass whooping would have been in order.

Get your fabo anti gray ghost tshirt here

Psssst. Guess what?!?

2008-08-25T19:55:00.000-07:00

yes bitches its true. Go the etsy shop!

Pot Psychology gets some LURVE

2008-08-25T19:51:00.000-07:00

ok.. be warned.. kiddos under 18.. cover your eyes..

My two favorite buddies and their Pot Psychology vlog is getting tons of love and this time from Sarah Silberman! YIPPEEE! These two remind me of the old school nights spent up in sunset park with my peoples back in the 90s.. ahhem.. I mean umm.. it reminds me of some kids I knew back in that crazy Pacific High School.. (oh yes I did, honey!)

Anyway, if your having a bad day, and need a crackup, or if you accidentally drank a cockroach like I did this morning because my cup of iced coffee was infested....check em out.

Whats Good In My Hood

2008-06-06T08:24:00.001-07:00

So I realized in my last post that I didn’t give proper respect and props to the places in my hood that keep me alive and happy. With all the focus on LIC, I forgot to mention a few of my own lifelines, so before they find this blog and throw shade at me I decided I should give them the love that they deserve.

First and foremost. Fattys. Fattys is a spot located on Ditmars and Crescent in Astoria. I came to this spot before I even moved to the area, and admittingly, it was one of the reasons I actually moved here (aside from the school and the fact I was escaping an ex who had a fake brain tumor, but I digress). Fattys has seen me through some pretty crappy times and has been my goto spot in my happiest times. They now accept credit cards, which is beyond fabulous. And their brunch is FABULOSO. Please. For about 9 bucks you get your meal and a mimosa (mango or paypaya or old school regular with oj) or a bloody mary. The atmosphere is festive on their walls they frequently feature art from local artists that are available for purchase. In the summer they open the back and with the fence and the trees you feel like your somewhere that should be near a beach. The food has a latin flair, serving dishes like mofongo and empenadas and café con leche. Their grilled cheese of the day is always fabulous, and they make what has been rumored to be the BEST mojitos in NYC (I still have yet to have a better mojito. Seriously). Their limeaid just ROCKS. Their sweet potato french-fries are my goto comfort food when times are shitty. The owners are quite possibly the sweetest people ever. My mother makes it her FIRST stop when she comes in to town to say hello to them. They have surprised my daughter with birthday cake, and have listened to be moan about my problems. Fattys, I love you. And your chicken chavorayo and sweet potato fries, and steak frita, and grilled cheese, and mojitos. Awe hell, I just love you guys.

Second on my list is a spot almost across the street from fattys called Waltz. When Waltz opened, I was a bit concerned about its ability to survive. They used to only own the lower level and have no expanded into two levels. Why? Because Waltz also offers low-cost rental to independent musicians, artists and filmmakers for various non-performance related projects, helping to promote creativity inside the city of Astoria and Long Island City. With the risk of sounding like crack whore mom of the year, I admit, that I have gone there more than once with child to sit upstairs, listen to the Jazz and have a glass of sangria while my daughter munches on cheesecake. Their coffee drinks rock. I don’t know if they do it anymore, but a few summers ago they served iced coffee with coffee ice cubes! Hello! Genious! The owner has made it a place for everyone. Mommys with strollers, collegekids with laptops. Boardgames are on the shelves as are used books for sale. They serve a really kick ass chai latte and yummy desserts. Its just a good place to go and distress or go on a blind date and Im so happy they are doing well. Man if I could get them to let the craft mafia do an event there, Id love em even more. Lol. Oh and lets not forget. Their sangria is Yummmeh! So get good karma and support this spot that just makes you feel good.

A third on my list is “Family Corner” a little hole in the wall and teeny tiny (it used to be an ice cream parlor in the 50s) on the corner of 31st and 20th avenue. This is straight up plain diner food BUT they have specials on weekends that are off the hook. Like Their lemon orzo soup and brisket is awesome! They also serve home made spinach pie and baklevah. But what keeps me coming back is the staff who, if you go more than once and say hi, will treat you like family. When I first moved here I was working on an art project that involved 100 “you are not a winner” bottlecaps. I mentioned this to one of the waitresses there, and seriously, I came back in a month and she had a brown bag for me full of them. Ever since then, they are my spot for cheap dinner and good convo. So if you are like me and don’t have a ton of family in the area, start going to family diner. You will create one.

Me + CommuniTEA = Love

2008-06-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

I have this dream. To be able to quit working as a ~~Babysitter, accountant, corporate communications person, HR assistant, therapist, personal whipping boy/bitch~~ ahhhemmm I mean legal secretary, and be able to do my clothing and soap and run a shop full time. I dream this, I live this. And this vision is what keeps me going every day. Since moving to Astoria, the vision has become clearer and clearer as far as WHERE I want to be based out of and just how things will operate. A few years ago I discovered the sculpture park which prompted my exploration of my hood (according to con ed- but Im really astoria) Long Island City.

Since then its been my mission to try to bring more crafty goodness to the LIC area, only because thats where most of the artsists are ending up. With PS1 and blocks of buildings that have become studio space for those pushed out of their spots in Brooklyn and Chelsea, Long Island city still holds a real neighborhood feel and real sense of community. A few things I miss in many of my old stomping grounds that have now become pretentious playgrounds for observers.

I had been DIEING to try a tea house in the area called CommuniTEA. I read about it while doing a search for black tea (dont ask) and stumbled upon this website. The tea house looked amazing and reviews were great. And it was on Vernon Blvd, right next to PS1. So when Local Labels called me up so we could exchange soap (they are doing my soap pics, which is rad of them) and she said "ok lets meet at CommuniTEA" I was like DONE.

It was all I really wanted it to be- a tasteful chic space where people can work that serves good food and yummy teas. The back wall is a chalk board and all of their amazing brews were written across it. Then I noticed the smoothies. Gabby was itching for a Pink Monster (which was a pretty yummy blend of strawberry, banana and Pineapple juice" I ordered a Monkey something or other that involved berries and a bit of chocolate. Yummy looking sandwiches and paninis were listed from the ceiling to the floor, and the staff was super friendly. From what I saw most of the customers were regulars and it was really easy to strike up random conversation with people. Before I left I felt like I had been there a zillion times, and I cant wait to go back. Its Definately a place thats like a second home- not a pretentious snob fest. I plan on spending LOTS of time here this summer! Yeay!

Another spot I noticed right next door was a restaurant called Blend. At first I thought it was a coffee house and thought hmm.. wonder if its owned by the communiTEA people next door. Upon further investigation, I saw that it was a supercute latin fusion restaurant. I really wish I hadnt stuffed my face with Pizza before that because now Im seriously hoping to check it out because apparently they are serving Pernil and chuletas and all sorts of yummy goodness that makes me feel like Im up in Biancas-which to me is "home"- even though Im just a red headed white girl. :P I may have to make it a priority to hit this spot this weekend and see whats poppin in there.

So if you coming to visit Long Island City this summer (perhaps attending the warm up) make it a point o stop at CommuniTEA and support the hood. You wont be sorry.

Damn Yall

2008-06-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

Based out of San Fransisco, Double Dutchess ROCKS it live.
Thank you Bust for showing me this wicked shit!

I mean dont get me wrong I used to rock the jump ropes back in my day.. but this is some next level kind of shit. Who said white girls cant jump? Umm can I be the chick in the pigtails please?

Check it.

TOO MUCH AWESOMENESS FOR ONE POST

2008-05-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

ok sometimes, I just have a day of pure awesomeness. My day started in the wee hours of the morning. I woke up from my sleep around 4am having to go potty (which usually sucks) but when I went back to sleep I actually had a dream that I WON this sewing machine. Which, if you saw my crappy little singer I sew on you would realize that it is the equivilent of having a dream about winning the lottery. So, today my friends is one of those days of awesomeness.. so read carefully.. because if you live in the NYC area Imma hoook you up! You ready for it??

First of all, the amazingly sick talented Ms.Supayana is going to be teaching you how to make your own underwear over at Etsy Labs. Seriously. I almost fell out of my chair when I read that bulliten. The event listing is here and its only $45.00! If you dont know who Supayana is, check out her website at www.supayana.com. Girlfriend has skillz. trust me on that. Handmade DIY CHONIES? OMG Im beside myself. Here are the deets

Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Etsy Labs, 325 Gold Street 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201

There are only 8 spaces left. So dont be stupid. Go sign up.

Ever since the mid 90s its not very often I get really excited about a sneaker. Excited enough to set my alarm clock and stand on line infront of a sneaker store. The last time I did it was for a pair of limited edition Filas (shut up it was 1993 and YOU know the purple and white double straps were the hotness and I needed them to match my columbia rain suit!) Well, while reading one of my favorite blogs (bust blog on Bust.com)I came across THESE and now Im in sneaker LOVE. WTF. A collabo of Karen Richter and VANS? What are you trying to do to me over here?!? They drop June 1 and dont be surprised if I am that person doing it old school style standing infront of the vans shop at 7 am on line waiting for them to open. Im really feeling them in the blue color.. sigh.. Im in love.

Also I was surprised when I mentioned to my girl Judy that Etsy had its own section for Vintage clothing now! If you go to the main page and on the drop down menu of categories scroll down to vintage clothing. Well, Seriously, you can get your whole summer wardrobe on there. Most of us vintage dress whores have been confined to ebay and thrift shops not in NYC to get cute dresses on the cheap, but Etsy hooked us up with this because there are LOADS of amazing vintage yummyness for you to drool over. I was SHOCKED to see how many people didnt know about this. I contemplated not sharing it with you and keeping the pickins all for me, but I need the good karnma.

Oh and this may be totally random to some to have this posted on a craft blog, but I personally get inspired by nature and if you dont, then you suck. So, when I found this live webcam that shows the birth of baby eagles all the way up until they leave the nest I HAD to share it with someone. Strange thing is, its kinda addictive. Mama eagle was in her nest about 10 minutes ago hiding her head because it was windy. Wow. Me thinks I need a life.

yeah... anyway...
Thank me later.

Tutorial on the way betches!

2008-05-20T09:27:00.000-07:00

SO the trouble with juggleing two types of crafts is .. well.. juggleing two types of crafts. I havent had any time really to put together any tops but it is my priority this month to get some together. Ive been making soap like a mad woman at night in order to fill orders from repeat customers that bought soap at craftacular. I also want to have anough loaves of cured soap for some summer events I plan on doing and everyone in the world knows that a good aged Castile soap is the BEST possible soap eva, right? In the words of the greatest rapper of all time, Well if you dont know now you know! I have one top halfway done sitting on a hanger right now and its calling me.. in a big way. So as soon as I can get this honey soap and another castile soap going, the top will be made.

Also in the works is my very fist craft tutorial. I am going to do a newbies introduction to cold processed soap making using a 3# can of veggie shortening. I just feel for a first timer this process helps you understand the actual process and what the appearence of trace is. Plus its an oil that makes a decent bar of soap and is accessable. I know many soapmakers have their opinions about the best way to learn, the best recipe, the best process, the best safety precautions and know what? Its my friggin BLOG! And this is the way I learned and this is the way I will teach. If you dont like it go get your own blog.

Last weekend, while hanging with Veronica in Astoria, I went to visit this fabric shop RIGHT by one of our favorite frappe/dessert/crepe spots. I cant even beging to tell you guys the amount of stuff I could have come home with that day. PLUS I had the car parked almost right across the street! Pretty dangerous. Anyway, I walked away with some awesome stretch houndstooth fabric and some red jersey knit and few other goodies that will get sewin into some fierce tops and a dress in the next few weeks so look out.

Its About To Go Down

2008-05-12T08:14:00.000-07:00

Guess who got one of THESE for mothersday??

Can we say Video Tutorials?? YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Oh and perverts on the train, and those who misbehave on the streets- watch out cuz I will put you on blast.

xox
J

I will get Arts and Crafts on your ass

2008-05-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

Explosm.net

Thank you Joi!!

Me + Craftstylish = <3

2008-04-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

Bust Magazines first ever spring fling craftacular was beyond words for me. Themed in a 90s prom/dance party and located at the Warsaw, Bust Magazine truly gave me the prom I missed in the 90s (ok so I missed it because I was pregnant with Gabby.. shut up!) and Im sure this one was way more awesome than the one Pacific High School did in 1997.

I was with my craft mafia girls in a table situated by the entry to the food area. Which was PERFECT for me since I set my soap display up sorta bakery style and my soaps have a tendancy to look like food. I met so many really cool people and even got interviewed by my friend Nikki Smith for Craftstylish.com, a website featuring the latest haps on the craft scene along with really cool tutorials. Check them out out!

Here is the mini interview- note that Marky Mark is totally playing in the background! Awesomeness!

Down On Bended Knee

2008-04-30T09:25:00.001-07:00

Cut Out and Keep is one of my favorite websites right now. Pretty much one stop shopping for different crafty tutorials ranging from hoodies to hairpins..

But you know that moment when you find "the one"? The moment where you exchange glances from across a crowded room and you KNOW that no words are necessary, for no words can express the genuine lust and attraction that is beyond mere words? Well this, my friends is what happened when I opened my Myspace bulletins and saw this

Cut Out and Keep.. Marry me.

'Cadbury Creme Stuffed Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache Frosting'
Click here to find out how to make them

beJessie is getting more press.. yeay!

2008-02-15T07:42:00.001-08:00

SO... if you want to learn how to make this

click HERE yes, my tutorial got into Newsdays bloggie!! YEAY!!!

Also, I was approached by Edible Brooklyn Magazine to have one of my soap cakes featured.. Im so psyched. I was searching everywhere for a photographer to take proper pics of the cakes (unlike my famous 2:00 am crack shots.. :D) and found a former student of my moms bf, named Lilli Albin. She is a student now at the School of Visual Arts, and she totally hooked my ass up. She was able to rent out a room and a ton of equipment so she took some shots of the cake and of the candies for Newsday.. And they are fabo!

So Ive been superbusy and seriously my daughter is my biggest helper.. weve had some funny stuff happen to us in the midst of running around trying to get everything together for press opportunities...lol. On the way to the photoshoot for the soap cakes, it was raining and we couldnt figure out how to get this soap cake (which of course at the time of the shoot was a FRESH batch of soap, and OF COURSE the ICING didnt harden up in 48 hours..so it was WET) to the shoot, in the rain, on the subway. My daughter comes up with an amazing idea of putting the soap on some waxpaper and then in a pot with the lid on top. Brilliant! So we do this (and are extremely proud of ourselves) and start schlepping a huge bag and this pot in the rain to the subway station. On the way, I decided to pick up a cakestand for the shoot, so we run into this discount store, where I realize shit.. we may need a NYC Granny Cart.. So I get one (a little one dammit!) and put everything in the cart. At this point.. Im feeling pretty damn clever...

We make our way to the train- everyone is seated and here we are with our granny cart with a box on bottom and a pot on top.. suddenly WHAM! My cart hits a bump (or Gabbys foot) and cart tips over, the pot flys open and the soapcake (which as you can see looks like a REAL cake) goes sliding on its wax paper down the isle about 10 feet as people watched.. I am horrified, and I go chasing it, and quickly pick it up, and put it in the pot and put the pot back in the granny cart.. we finally sit down and my daughter says "oooh that was embarressing".. lol. At that point, I just had to laugh. People were looking at me like "wtf"?? Poor Gabs.. I have a savings account for her therapy already.. cuz Im a good crafty mommy.

Church of Craft= SO MUCH FUN

2008-01-06T16:49:00.001-08:00

OMG Church of craft was so much fun! Leila and I packed up the kids and half finished paintings and set out to Etsy labs for Church of Craft. It was so nice to do some anti cheating men artwork.. usually soap and clothing dont allow for that! Etsy had everything you could possibly need for good collage... old mother goose books, crossword puzzles, paint, and vintage porn! lol.. Unfortunately I couldnt dive too much into the porn because well.. the kiddies were there and believe it or not I do have values.. Check out the pics.. Between three hours of crafting and an hour eating way too much Columbian food, Im wiped..

The people at etsy were so nice and Gabby and Natalia made all kinds of crafty friends. I will definately be in touch with CHurch of Craft to possibly try to get something going in Queens. Possibly Waltz Astoria if I can pursuade the owner.

Anyway, check out the pics.

Get your Sewing Machines Ready

2008-01-05T08:51:00.000-08:00

Been doing lots of sewing, soap making and pumping lots of this..:P
So far 2008 is going great.. just as I expected. On a personal note, the guy downstairs has totally cracked (I am serious.. the guy needs to be medicated and its sorta scary) So as much as I loved my overpriced apartment in queens, if they cant get this guy out, I may have to move. I will definately stay in my neighborhood, but move into something a little bigger. My friend Veronicas inlaws own a few buildings on her block and one of the apartments as a *office*! Can you imagine! No more dining room sewing!! Oh yeah, I moved my sewing area into my bedroom while deciding my whole apartment needed to be rearranged in order to get the ex out of my head :)

Anyway, the apartment has an office. And no alternate side parking.. SO THATS rad! So Ill have a different overpriced apartment in queens. THEN I got a message from her that her cousin downstairs from her may be moving in June meaning the apartment downstairs from her could be moving, and if THAT happens, she and I would have full run of the BASEMENT! YES FOLKS.. craft STUDIO! BTW Veronica makes the most amazing cutest candles ever.

Ive been in the talks with my friend Nikki for quite some time about possibly starting a fully video tutorial craft website that would incorporate sewing and craft tutorials and bunch of other really exciting stuff I cant talk about yet but its amazing.. trust me (take THAT threadbanger for dissing my renegade interview! Dont worry Im still forced to go to your site cuz its so cute.. but still.. feelings are hurt).

Tomorrow we will be visiting the Church of Craft over at Etsy labs. Im bringing this HUGE canvas I have that needs to have something cool put on it. Im bringing my girlfriend Liela, her daughter Natalia (who is my daughters bff) and my daughter Gabby and Nikki. We are gonna have
SO
Much
Fun!!

Ill be sure to take pics and post.

So 2008 is going to be an amazing year you guys!! So everyone, get out your knitting needles, your soap pots, your sewing machines.. pump some MJB and lets get busy!!

And Now Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Program

2008-01-02T13:59:00.000-08:00

Thats right.. its 2008.. and know what? 2008 is going to be fan fucking Tastic!!!
Cheating bf? Thats so 2007... Jessie getting ready to rock out? Now THATS pretty much the agenda for 2008. Be ready..

I made this shirt the day before New Years eve. I took the pic and posted it on craftster and someone replied that the picture symbolizes leaving the bump in the road and the monsters behind me. Know what? I agree! Although I would NEVER leave swappy behind.. he just symbolizes the other shiteous monsters. Anyway, I was about to sell this top on etsy, but I kinda love it alot and its a symbol of my letting go of all the negative shit from 2007.

Thank you to my best friend who made me get out of bed and come to her house xmas eve, Thank you Melissa, who dragged me out of zombyness to go to Fattys and always let me cry on the phone with her , Thank you Fattys for being Fattys and having amazing mimosas and yummy peppermint shots, Thank you Veronica for holding me down when I wanted to flip the script, and thank you to Leila for being amazing. One good thing that came out of this is I realized what great friends I have who all came in and held it together for me. Thank you all! I LOVE YOU and am grateful for each and every one of you!

And now.. back to our regularly scheduled program of crafty goodness.

For those of you who sent me pressies for xmas please forgive my delayed response, I really was a hot ass mess on Christmas. But The presents made everything so much more tollerable.

Its not right, but its ok

2007-12-22T20:31:00.000-08:00

So my Christmas present was pretty much finding out my boyfriend of 3 years pretty much led a double life as a swinging single guy for more than half of our relationship. He also posted about it on some message board. Meanwhile on weekends he was with me and my daughter.. I dont want to get into details, but Im pretty much crushed.

Thing is, I knew in the back of my mind all along that something wasnt right. I knew. But I didnt want to believe it. So when he denied it- I believed him. My new years resolution is to be better to myself. To never comprimise myself for someone else.

My other resolution is to build up my company. This year beJessie has taken such huge leaps and 2008 I will push even harder.

So ladies, if youve been done wrong this year, turn your speakers up, get a glass of wine
and pump it.

2007-12-19T12:24:00.000-08:00

Can I just tell you, that I ALMOST got to the point a few weeks ago where I was thinking.. you know? If I NEVER make another bar of soap again, then FINE! But then I got some sleep and had some eggnog and came back to my senses.

Being a crafter specializing in TWO different mediums.. is hard. Soap and clothes have nothing to do with one another. Durring the Holidays the soaps do SO well at craft shows, that I concentrate on that. I love making and sewing and sketching clothes so I pretty much give myself the rest of the year to sew. I try to save the clothing for the shops and special clothing related events. But the craft shows? Thats where my soaps get their chance to shine. When craftacular came up this year, I decided to not freak myself out and do only soap.

Well guess what folks? I freaked myself out anyway. (are you surprised?)

But my display was fab. And we decided to do something new this year.

NO packaging.

what what??

I decided to set up my display like a bakery. The soaps were stacked in groups with a sign stuck in one of each explaining what each soap is. That way the smell took over the entire area, and people can pick up and smell and say "I want THAT one". I would then wrap in tissue upon purchase and stick a label on top. Easy peasy, right? I mean, BK and McDOnalds do hundreds of burgers a day, why cant we do a few bars of soap for craftacular?

At first this approach was a little crazy. Especially when the lines started forming. I did NOT expect that much traffic. I do have to say, my iced soap bundt cake was a hit, and drew people to the table. I sold nearly everything, and Gabby who was AMAZING wrapped the soaps for me and we got a whole routine going. Keep one of each bar wrapped at all times. It all worked out and I wish I had more pics, but for now, all I could find are pictures taken by the lovely Ms. Stereoette. My computer is being wongy, but here is the pic.

Hope all my crafty peeps are taking a moment from crazy packaging and filling orders to enjoy.

I did take the handmade pledge this year, so after Christmas, Ill be updating the blog with the goodies I got from etsy for handmade xmas gifts. Etsy sellers amaze me. SUCH amazing stuff.

Happy Holidays everyone!

PS Santa if your reading this, ummmm I would like a craft area makeover and some turntables. Ive certainly been good this year. Thank you!

PSS go buy some soap!

2007-09-13T11:46:00.001-07:00

So Im in sweatshop mode, once again.. and feeling way in over my head. After a 5 day fight with a stomach virus from hell and a machine that chose to break on me, I fell pretty far behind for my trunk show which is this sunday at Candyplum.

I promised her 6 pieces, and so far Im pretty proud to say I have 4.. the latest was made last night, and Im really loving it. ITs made from some leftover floral stretchy fabric I had laying around and some gray jersey knit. I did a foldover collar and matching fabric covered buttons.

If I could get my ruffle foot to work and not snap off an entire pack of needles again I could finish this pinafore Im working on. Its driving me NUTSSSSSSS! I literally broke a whole pack of needles trying to figure it out.. Yeay for persistance, ha? Thank god I work near chinatown where there are a ton of fabric shops and I can pick another pack up today. SO I may be mia for a while until this gets done.. Ill update you all with the candyplum collection.

2007-08-27T06:51:00.000-07:00

Anyhow, Joi tagged me last week so sinceI dont want to die today, or have bad luck for the rest of my life, Ill continue the madness.

Seven Random Facts About Me:
(1) I think bats are really cute
(2) My daughter is way more mature than I am ... most of the time
(3) When Im upset the only thing that comforts me is really good chocolate and a cig
(4) Im facinated with British royalty
(5) When I was 8 I tore out this picture in a british magazine of a pumpkin orange wedding dress and swore that would be my wedding dress. I think my mom still has it.
(6) Waterbugs freak me out so bad I get goosebumps and cry and cant sleep
(7) I dream of one day being a hip hop dj that wears 1950s dresses and wears her hair in a flip all while yelling "where Brooklyn at?!?"

Thats it! I tag… Veronica, Mom and Olivia

2007-08-23T12:27:00.000-07:00

So it was the timing on the serger and I go to pick her up today! Yeay!

In other news, my dress is in the window of a REALLY cute shop in Astoria called Candyplum! YEAY! Im so psyched! For my 30th bday, I decided to buy myself a car. If you live in NY, specifically in the tri state area you know that a car is more of a luxury than a necessity. I live 5 stops onthe subway from midtown manhattan, so I really didnt NEED a car. I decided to buy a decent hooptie to shoot around town in. No sense in having a huge car payment when Im only driving the thing to and from brooklyn and NJ.

I ended up buying a subaru legacy 4 door sedan. Shes so cute and AWD! Im totally psyched. So today I will pick up my serger in my car.

In soap news, Im experimenting with making shampoo bars. Sorta like Lush's shampoo bars, only better. The process is totally different than cold process soap making, which is what I usually do- lots of surfactants and different types of goodies that Ive never worked with. Exciting!

My next stop is ikea. Every NYer knows we treat Ikea like its friggin Crate and Barrel. LOL. But the closest one is in NJ. Im desperately trying to update by sewing/soap area.. which is really my dining room-lol. Lately you walk in my front door and are confronted with fabric that has escaped the fabric closet/dresser/bag and wound up on my cutting table.

Hope everyone is enjoying the rest of their summer.. fall is breathing down our necks! Can you say Pumpkin Soap?

I hope its not bad

2007-08-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

SO while constructing this supercute top, Im serging away at the neckline then realize my serger is skipping and then not even knotting into stitches.. which is catostrophic because it was totally cutting the fabric.. this possibly = shirt ruined.

SO shes at the doctor. My 18 year old Juki MO634DE that I seriously do NOT want to part with.

Also, lovelies.. I have finished my fall soap line sheet for soap for Local Labels! This fall is going to be great so be sure to check in from time to time because I really worked hard on a cute lineup of soap and bath bombs.

ALSO

My clothing is being carried a the cutest friggin clothing spot in Astoria, Candy Plum! If you havent been there you need to go. Its on 37th off of 30th avenue. Cynthia, the girl who is respobsible for chosing the designers does a great job of keeping REALLY good designers in there so Im totally stoked to be there! Their website is www.candyplum.com so go check them out!

Hope everyone is doing well!

2007-07-31T08:25:00.000-07:00

The dress that caused much controversy.

First of all, people are lame. Not to say that I am not lame sometimes, if you read this blog you know that I surely am lame.. like.. most of the time.

So about 2 years ago I went to visit mom in New Orleans. It was my first visit post Katrina.. not much was open. But Walmart opened. And I am aware of how evil Walmart is.. but my mom was depressed and she had this old sewing machine, so I figured we could look for fabric and make circle skirts.. I mean that ALWAYS makes me feel better!

So we go to walmart, and of course find totally cute fabric for 1.00 a yard. This was one of them. It sat in my moms house forever and finally last month when I went to drop Gabby off there, I picked it up.

I constructed this dress mentally on my plane ride home from New Orleans... Finally put the thing together using wrapping paper as my pattern drafting paper (which btw its my new favorite pattern drafting medium) and the dress sorta just came together. I had the wide lace laying around from this box of supplies I got from some fashion designer who was movingout of my hood.

SOO I post the dress of craftster. I say the fabric is from walmart, and that yes I am aware walmart is evil...but cant resist cute fabric. I AM a fabric whore. Friggin mahem breaks out. And people get into heated debates about Walmart. Oye vay.

Anyway, here is the dress. The fabric is lycra and super stretchy. The binding is white jersey knit. Sorta short for my shape but cute enough over jeans.. yeay! For the hem I just serged in white thread.

OH After months of searching, I found a spot selling button cover kits locally. Yes I do live in NY and you would think with the garment district so close, getting button cover kits would be a no brainer, right? WRONG.. I couldnt find them anywhere! I finally found them in ALL sizes at Canal and Broadway for 2.00! So I may just add somecute buttons down the front of this thing.

2007-07-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

So Ive had no kid for three weeks and have been acting the fool. BUT I do have to say one of the highlights was this hip hop event that my friend Melissa and I went to last week. OMG it was supposed to be a DJ Battle- it was invite only and Common and Kanye West and Swizz Beats were supposed to be there.. It was at SOBs so a small venue.. well, we all get there... the competition was pretty live. The kid who won, managed to mix in Phil Collins/Genesis in with his mix. Pretty hot. Well, then people just start appearing on stage, Mos Def- Drag on, Queen Latifah, Raw Diggah, Q tip, Common, Xhibit- it was just insane. SO much fun. Friday night, went to bobs with Melissa to shake ass, but for some reason Bobs was scary lary, so we ended up two doors down at this club that I guess was someones family reunion and danced to Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson all night. Good times! Sat went for Soup Dumplings (yum.. it ws my first time) then Kareoke. At first I was like yeah yall Im NOT singing. Trust me on this. Shoot by the end of the night I was doing Kylie Minogue, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Blondie, David Bowie.. LOL.. Tobin did an EXCELLENT rendition of Depeche Mode's Policy of Truth! Yeay.

So I decided that on Monday and Tues night I would work. I Started this dress sunday.. its made from some fabric I picked up at our NYC Craft Mafia/Etsy Labs swap two weeks ago. It was just laying there in all its uglyness and as most of you who sew know, 9 times out of 10 ugly fabric = cute dresses. So I took it. IT sat around and sat around. Then on Sunday I had to go to Erikas house to pick up a machine she was giving me (omg Im really depressed that this girl is moving) and she in turn handed swappy our swap monster over to me. :( I promise to take good care of him.

So after I perched him up over my sewing area to oversee all of my crafts, I was inspired to actually MAKE something fromthe swap stuff I picked up. Even the trim was from the swap. So really this was a free dress.

You will notice in the pic a few things.. If you look carefully. Gameboy on the table. Why? I was getting pissed when I first assembled the dress and it just busted open! So I literally had to take a breath, and play some brain age on the gameboy then come back to it.

The Spool of thread turned upside down on my sewing machine. Dont ask.

And NO RAID!

2007-07-11T11:44:00.001-07:00

Know whats so not fair? That the cost of living in New York, even in the friggin GHETTO is so insane. Can I just tell you that I hate hate HATE the fact I have to go into an office every day and sit in a cube farm, and type letters? Its inhumane, really. You just can NOT start a little business in NY full time and live on your own. Seriously. You cant. So many artists are moving out of state because of the cheaper cost of living. Makes me sick. Im starting to hate what NYC is becoming.. the land of middle aged transplants and trustfund kids staying here for their party years then moving off to NJ or CT when they get married and have kids. Raping the citizens who have lived here for generations of affordable housing and schools.

My neighborhood is one of the few left that is still a real old school style neighborhood. The guy at the corner bodgea has kids in my daughters school. When Gabs fell of stage while doing her beat it performance- the WHOLE neighborhood comforted and encouraged her! When we went to the store when she was sick to get juice.. the cashier was like "Gabby? OMG you need a caugh drop" and reached into her bag and gave her one. Two teachers from my daughters school live on my block. Now granted, everyone knows everyone so if you arent careful, you WILL become the topic of massive gosspiping circles.. and when you move to the hood, you WILL get questioned. But know what? I wouldnt have it any other way.

So as I approach 30, my lifes goals come in to perspective. I NEED to find a way to make 70k a year without going to a friggin cube farm! The goal? To be able to make soap and clothing and icepops every single day. Yes, folks, no E train to Tribeca from Queens.. just a trip from the bedroom to my living room.. gosh darnit- that would be paradise!

Now before you lecture me on how lucky I am to have a job when so many people are not working and cant find jobs.. shut up. I know that already, ok? But Im intitled to whine and bitch, because guess what? This is MY blog! My boss is an absolute dollface and if it werent for that, man, I would DREAD waking up and doing a 1.5 hour commute in NYC rush hour. But he makes the day tollerable, and is fully aware that one day I will leave to open my own shop, and believe you me folks, this WILL happen.

Anyway, I know that this post is totally random, but I just thought I would share. And well, its my time of the month and Im a little bitchy. :)

oh PS: New Space Dress posted above.

RENEGADE!

2007-06-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

Renegade was nothing short of rad. In terms of meeting peeps, and getting people out there it was amazing..BUT there were some not so amazing aspects of it.

1. Sat- BIG ASS RAINCLOUD came in and filled the empty pool with huge puddles.. so tents were soaked and people were sweating hot. Not cute.

2. Sunday- SCORCHING weather. Like 100 degree with the heat index.

There were a LOT of vendors.. and before I post my personal beef, let me just tell you that I have nothing against mass produced items.. I am guilty of occasionally buying the forever 21 or Delias top. But this is a craft fair. A fair that is said to promote DIYers and Indie Designers.

We went as a collective.. the NYC Craft Mafia. We were given a tent in the back right corner. Who was up front? Fred Flare (no offense, I love Fred Flare's stuff super super cute.. but really its made in China and mass produced) and Etsy (ok I kind of understand that one.. I mean etsy is THE diy shopping mall, but still)

Im sure everyone will have a beef and for the most part, aside from wanting to shoot Mr. Softee, and jump in a pool of ice water, it was great. Met so many people and saw sooooo much cute stuff! Soap did fairly well and I sold the Helecopter top, and the music notes top to two chicks who were totally stoked to get them.. that made me so happy!

I was also interviewed by some people from http://www.threadbanger.com/ to talk about the Craft Mafia, which was a site that up until now, I never checked out.. and guess what? ITS AWESOME.. LOTS of tutorials, etc.. VERY VERY cool. Im now totally stoked Im going be on their next episode! WEEE!

OH! And.. the night before renegade (yes you all know how I role, I work best under pressure) I made the cutest dress ever.. its made from some fabric I got on ebay.. It has retro lemons all over it.. its elastic under the bust and in the straps so its super comfy and totally hugs you in all the right spots.. and flares out to cover any summer bbq belly you may have. Oddly enough, though EVERYONE checked this dress out, no one was a 34-36 A-B who tried it on. BOOOOO.. the dress is so flattering on. I love it. Its currently in my etsy shop.

Here are some more pics from Renegade..

Me, Veronica Soto of Qassa, and Elkie Soto of Elkie Soto Designs. Gabby, who was amazing the whole time.. I know this weekend must have been hard for her.. but she dealt pretty well, and was a great display person/sales girl!, and Ms Joi Lakes of Stereoette gets interviewed by Andrea from Flygirls. And my soap. :) More pics to come!

A special shout out goes to the "boys" of the craft mafia ladies, who came and brought coolers full of water, and breakfast, and helped set up the banner, and showed your support. Thank you!

Watermelons and the Plague

2007-06-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

Monday night my friend Mike came over for dinner and catch up. After a fine faire two bowls of Italian sausage and yellow squash pasta each and nutella swirled Croissants and a bottle of wine between the two of us, he decided the trip back to Bensonhurst from Astoria was a pain the ass.. agreed. So he crashed on my sofa.

The next morning I wake up and Gabby has a fever. 102 to be exact. Crap. Just what the new job loves. More days off for sick kid. Her babysitter’s son recently had strep only apparently there is a new strain going around where you don’t get the sore throat right away. So I took her to her doctor where they did a culture and put her on a 10 day supply of Penicillin. Strangely enough, 24 hours after being on the antibiotic her fever got WORSE . Today she was feeling a bit better, though I’m still afraid of getting that phone call from the school.

Anyway, while she was sleeping, I went sifting through my fabric drawer. I would love to have more stuff for renegade, so I figured I could use this time wisely. And I did.. Introducing.. The WATERMELON DRESS. Sorta Ironic, because, well.. I don’t have watermelons.. I have kinda... lemons. Anyway, I got this fabric on Ebay from Crybabies.. who is now MIA.. for real.. what is the deal? You don’t get me all hooked on your fabrics then fall of the face of the earth. It sat in my fabric dresser forever.. waiting to become a dress. So one day, I was sitting at my desk and I whipped out my trusty stack of newspaper (my pattern drafting paper of choice) and started measuring, and sketching. This is the dress I came up with and it came together perfect! I cant wait to bring to for renegade though I’m kinda tempted to keep it and now my sister wants one. After this was done, I savaged through more fabric I spent too much money on and never used and realized that three months ago I had a fruit fetish. I also found 3 yards of some way cool fabric with retro lemons on it.

Also, every once in a while you fall in love with supplier or two. This has happened to me with Purpleseamstress on Ebay. Here is the story. I won two auctions from her, and paid for them about four days after I won. I received an email from her that while cutting the 2 yards of some really cute fabric, she saw a line on it.. (dude who hasn’t this happened to? REALLLY ANNOYING!) so she gave me not only an extra yard of fabric, but a bunch of trim and refunded some of my shipping. I was more than happy to just take the extra yard and not worry about the extra shipping but she shipped a 5.00 bill in a card with the package along with a bag stuffed full of trim. .. Dude her fabrics are always so adorable.. You should really check her out. She currently has this bunny print thermal knit that I am ALL OVER (so back off yall!).

ooof.

2007-06-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

I have a accomplied a bit this week, including figuring out the tripod. OK well I took a tripod tutorial, but whatever.. And I also made this top, AND I realized fuck it I CAN be a cliche and use my sewing space as my picture background!

So here is the pic of the top... and now for the story behind the RAID can seen in the background. No I do NOT Have a Roach Problem. OH and please ingore the weird shot of my ass. Its really not that strange looking in person.. but I digress.

So Sunday I took Gabby to get her haircut and to visit one of my close girlfriends. Well on the way home it began to rain. Since Gabby has supercurly hair and I NEVER blow it out straight, she was totally psyched that her hair was all straight and bouncy. The rain was threatening this so we began to hurry down 116th street 6 train train station.
It was like I slipped on ice. Im sure someone spilled something oily and the rain made it slick. But Gabby was holding the rail, and I was holding her hand then suddenly I just slipped and fell down 7 steps.

I jumped up thinking I just scraped myself and at the time felt a little sore, but didnt think I really hurt myself so I headed home. With Gabby as my nurse, I made it to CVS to get band aids and clean up stuff for the scrapes. Then when I got home, I got the crazy pukey feeling.. about 1 hour into that Gabby comes running into my room. "WATERBUG!" shes yelling and in a panic hiding behind my bed.

Lets just put something in perspective here. I would rather come face to face with a rat than a waterbug. Shit I would rather come face to face with SATAN than a waterbug! The fear has been instilled in me from my mother who will run and lock the door behind her if she sees one.. and she lives in New Orleans!

SO, I get up and start crying a bit.. because wtf.. why is this happening? WHO falls down the steps, then gets sick, then has a waterbug come into her apt? What about my two cats you ask?Useless. One was hiding under the bed, the other one would run to it, bat it around a bit, then run away from it. So I grabbed the can of raid and went to town and then practically in a SPACE suit, disposed of the body.

So now, two days after the incident, I am so sore I cant even lift my arms. Im afraid of another one so in order to avoid being in a situation where I see one, and cant get to the raid because Im now handicapped, I have been keeping the raid close by me. LOL. So thats my story.
Now, if you buy any of my tops I promise

a. they wont smell like raid

b. you will not have a special waterbug pet in your package.

2007-05-31T12:46:00.000-07:00

SO first of all I just read my last post and WHOA am I a bad speller! Sorry folks, its my downside. And what is even worse is that blogger has a spell check feature, that I just CHOSE not to use! Oye vay.

So this is my latest piece. The fabric is fire engines and fire hydrants. I got it fromCrybabies shop on the Ebay.. However, I have noticed she hasnt been selling anything lately. I hope she is ok! I always get concerned when either a. other DIYers fall of the face of the earth, or B. people just abandond their business. I dont know.. Im nosey like that.

The top is super stretchy and the stitching came out great.

In other news.. I made a block for a tank top out of newspaper using my french curve and guess what? I sewed it all up and the AMRHOLES ARE STILL $#%ing GAPING! I was so mad I threw it. SO frustrating. I think what is happening is maybe I wasnt allowing for the binding so there is too much fabric there. I dont know. I have to figure this out though because its GOING to drive me crazy! Thing is it doesnt happen all the time but when its done, I REALLY see it when I think Im done and have just sewn on the binding. Torture, I tell you.

Well next weekend Im going to be making TONS of soap for renegade, including more monkey poo soap- my last batch of it came out so divine. Ive been shaving with it and am out of my own bar and want to tap into the supply for renegade, but I am trying to have some self control.

Any advice on armholes out there?

The French Curve

2007-05-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

So after talking with the my dear friend and mother of the worlds cutest Guinepig, and a sewing diva/blogger herself, the amazing Stereoette, I realized there is a tool that is out there to help solve my major pattern drafting woe- the gaping arm holes. It didnt always happen- only sometimes. When I sent her a pic of the last top I did, her only critique was the arms that needed to be trued. "You need a french curve" she said. Huh? You mean there is somethign that will FIX this? HOLLA! So I carryed my impatied butt to my local fabric shop where the had ONE left. And I got it. And I adjusted the helecopter top. And I think its damn fabulous. All you pattern drafters out there.. this is your very best friend. I added some before and afters of the top.. and my new haircut :P.

Thank you Supayana! AND btw, we LOVE ROBOTS

2007-05-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

So it seems that the gods were loving me last week, when after the New York City Craft Mafia's first Attack of the Crafty Swap Thing Craft Supply Swap in the Berg last Saturday, Supayana sent me an email on my myspace explaing she was moving to Canada and if I WANTED HER FABRIC!

Uhmm hello? Are you FIN KIDDING ME? This girl is not only one of the most amazing indie designers out there, but I have been a fan of her work for like.. EVER. To me, it was like if I played guitar, getting Jimmi Hendrix's guitars.. WOW. So after doing what every red blooded NY girl does at some point in her life, and scramble my hiney around looking for a friend with a car my craftmafia sister Nikki and I ended up at her place with HUGE bags of fabric. Seriously, it was my equivalent of christmas. And yes, I am a total dork. Deal with it.

SO here I am now with a HUGEEE bag of fabric. Not just any fabric, REALLY cool fabric including some hand screened stuff (which i wont make anything to sell with) and I am now in fabric heaven. Its also really rad to see her stuff come up in auctions made with fabric that I have the pieces to. Ive been wanting to just stay home and sew all week. Yes folks, my life is that grim. I whipped up this little number last night. The stripey fabric is Supayanas.. the knit was mine. I really wanted a short little dress top to wear out. OK I really wanted a short dress, but it came out to short... and I like it without the binding on the bottom so I think Im going to leave it raw. Im saving this one for renegade I think.

So now I have a comfy loose cowl neck space girl top.. ooooh yeah. I may do Gabbys infamous Robot print on the back.. I think that would be supercute. I dont think I shared that on here yet.. YEAH Gabby made a SUPERCUTE robot drawing that I was FOR THE FRIGGIN LONGEST trying to expose onto a screen.. and many many bottles of emulsion, a broken 200w light bulb, and an electrical shock that almost sent me to the moon (dont ask), I discovered.. hey.. I WORK two blocks from standard screen! And to boot, they will totally make your screen for supercheap. I paid 30.00 for this one, but for a flawless screen of those fine lines, totally worth it. We tested on some old Ikea cushions I had laying around. The plan is to do a bunch of I heart robot tanks for renegade with applique and really cool shit on them, so be on the look out. Oh and by the way, a portion of those profits go to Gabby's "I dropped my gameboy out the window and my mom is making me replace it" fund. So please.. show your support to this worthy cause.

Ive been trying to set up my photo area so that the pics of me arent of me in my messy post sewing storm bedroom. Im borrowing cbitw's tripod and Im going to test it all out. I think I need some groovealicous fabric, but Im torn on what color, pattern, etc.. ONE thing I REFUSE to do is pose infront of animal print fabric. WHY do so many Indie designers do that?!? Im sorry yall, Im just not THAT punk rock, you know? And if you are over the age of 25 you shoudnt be THAT punk rock, either! For now you will have to settle for my blank peach wall until I get it all figured out.

A HELLA Copter with one Hell of a Haircut!

2007-05-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

The pic above you is not Notorious BIG if he were a white woman and 200lbs lighter.. thats me after being up way too late sewing with my contacts on. My lazy eye is so bringing sexy back! SO ANYWAY, breakups for me usually= lots of bad hairdyes, short haircuts, chocolate binges.. things of that sort. This was no exception. Residual general feeling shitty feeings caused me to run out and do this little number to my hair. Wasnt loving it at first, but it has grown on me, and now I feel downright fabulous.

The NYC Craft Mafia hosted our very first Attack of the Crafty Swap thing in Williamsburg Brooklyn, and it was a HUGE success! The support from our fellow NY Crafters was amazing, and the Sailor Jerry's Rum spiked juice didnt hurt either. I was so amazed to see the cool stuff people brought in to swap. FULL Bolts of vinyl and fabric and lace and different trim, huge amounts of yarn.. Someone even donated a box of already cut and ironed pockets! Friggin Amazing. God I love NY.

I have done another Hella Copter top (haha get it? HELLA copter????) this one is a bit different but I am in love with it. It has front kanga pockets and an open keyhole back. I do think the back still needs something. A button or bow on the top of the opening perhaps? The hole really isnt wongo, Im just trying to be feirce and leaning a weird way.

So only a few more weeks until Renegade.. OMG how exciting.. I can hardly even STAND it. I am promising lots of soap and bathbombs and a few killer tops and skirts too. So those in they ny area. June 16&17 In Williamsburg. Be there, or, you know..

IM BAAAAAAAAAAACK

2007-04-21T17:09:00.000-07:00

So, in the past I have been a bad blogger. But rest assured, it has not been without good reason. The NYC Craft mafia all did Craftacular in Brooklyn. Amazing event! Between the open bar, the girl djs and the fact that supayana and Laura Wells was there.. I was in craft coma for DAYS. My soap sold pretty well. I sold all but one of my bathbombs. I did a special edition "snowball" bathbomb that was scented in peppermint and looked like a snowball and some yummy soaps that did pretty well.

The website is also now up.. www.bejessie.com.
AND AND AND the NYC Craft Mafia got into Renegade! Whoot!

On top of all of this I went ahead and revamped my apartment so that I may have an official CRAFTING AREA.. yes, yall.. Im hardcore now. Ive moved on up from my bedroom for sewing and kitchen for soaping to the Craft room with attached kitchen for it all .. ok its really my dining area, but hey guys this is NYC who REALLY has a dining room anyway? With the help of my Craft Mafia sister Latinmochachic (Veronica Soto) we put together my fabo living room that incorporates shades of orange and chocolate brown and cream. Ill be sure to post pics. As soon as I get some. But the point of all of it was to incorporate my eating area into the living room so I may free up the dining area to make more craftalicious goodness. So inspired by the loverly stereoette and her rediculously cool crafting area, I began work on mine. It still isnt done.. I have yet to add shelves and there is another wall behind it that will hold a white Expedit bookshelf from Ikea. Im all jazzed up.

In sewing news, I am working on a few pieces for Renegade and some amazing soaps including a crushed banana soap that smells like vanilla coconut and lime. Its pretty killer. I also have a few tricks up my sleeve.. so stay tuned to see them. The first project I am working on is the helecopter top shown above. I mean.. hello.. who doesnt love helecopters?!? Im still debating the bottom and the sleeves. but its coming out pretty well I think.

Well today is going to be 80 degrees so I must cut this post short and go be a good New Yorker and enjoy the first weekend of warm weather!!

Whoot!

2006-10-18T09:12:00.000-07:00

Philly here we come! The NYC Craft Mafia is doing the Girls Gone Shopping Event.
So these are my pieces. I know I only have 4 (wimper) but I figure I would rather have 4 pieces that I adore than a bunch of pieces Im sort of ho humm about. A little stressful yes...lol

Wish me luck, yall!

and the top shown below..

I know your diggin my blue leggings.

2006-10-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

When my eyes get heavy, Its best that I put down anything I am working on and just go to bed. For real. The last top I did pictured below, got totally jacked. How pissed am I!

However, I have been working on some stuff for the Vanderbilt Show and Philly Girls Gone Shopping Event. One top is sorta small on me, Im thinking its more for a size 4-6 but its hella cute anyway. Sometimes when things just piece themselves together without planning, I feel they are meant to be. Since this last pic, the buttons were sewn in, and they are cute little white flowers. The back above the bra is a sheer lace and the body is a wine color. The front is an asian floral print. I love it so much. Sometimes I halfway hope my items don’t sell so I can keep em.

The one Im working on now is my first time doing different color pieces on the sides. The colors are brown. coral and gray. Im going to work on the sleeves tonight.. Im thinking long with the bottom panels having the same stripes as the bottom part. And a slight gather at the top shoulder. Im so lovin this top.

2006-09-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

Fall is here.. yeayyyyy... and Im loving all the vintage inspired cuteness I see everywhere.

In the midst of my brokeness, I have decided to not buy any more fabric. I have a full dresser stuffed to capacity of fabric. Thing is, I have all this JERSEY KNIT solid stuff and no prints. I feel like now Im going through fabric withdrawl. I even posted on freecycle for people to donate their "ugly prints" So I can recon. I HATE THIS!

This shirt was sorta french inspired. The small dainty flowers and the lace just remind me of something french. Dont know why. It just does. The back fabric is a blue wife beaterish sort of cotton.

The neckline and bottom binding have not yet been sewin in. Infact in this pic, most of the top is pinned together on Maxine.. I havent even sewin in the sleeves! If all goes well this may be a piece I do for the girls gone shopping event.. What do yall think?

So anyone out there, wanna hook a girl up with some stretchy printed fabrics? Youll get good karma forever!!

2006-09-21T07:02:00.000-07:00

OMG fall is here and Im friggin sick. The whole damn house is sick!! One day its 85 degrees the next its in the 50s. But I have to tell you, after fashion week, I am so excited about fall this year! Lots of tights and dresses.. WOOO HOOO.

So the NYC Craft Mafia chickys are doing a few shows in the next few months. One that I am particularly excited about is the Girls Gone Shopping Event in Philly. A portion of the proceeds go to Breast Cancer research. After my breast cancer scare last month (yes everyone for those that don’t know- last month was officially the worst month of my entire life) I seriously want to do more for the cause.

Anyhoo, This is a dress I have started, and am not yet sure if Im going to crop it into a top or leave it as a dress. Cutest Boy in the World isn’t digging the dress. But I don’t think hes too crazy about the long tunic over leggings look anyway.

The fabric is a thicker cotton jersey knit. I had to make the sleeves fitted and longish for fall. I still have to hem them and hem the waist or add a waistband.

And in other news. Grays Anatomy starts TONIGHT (Holla!) and Project Runway is coming down to the end.. My friend Judy and I have decided that Laura will be next as her collection at the fashion week show was the only one that didn’t have a swimsuit. Wahh. I liked her!

2006-09-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

I have been quite the busy bee making THREE tops this month. August has sucked for me. So my outlet to deal was to create a few cute tops.. One is the Ice Cream Top. Which I ADORE. The next was going to be the cupcake top, but the sleeves came out really gathered, which I thought looked too cool to NOT leave on.. so I figured a cupcake would be way over the top.. HAHA get it TOP?? teeeheee.. forgive me.. Im delerious.

The third is one I am still working on. Its a faux wrap kimono top made from the same red fabric that I used on Faux Wrap dress listed below. This top is cute because the bottom is cute green stretchy t shirt fabric. This fabric is AMAZING. After I washed it dried it it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO soft. I seriously need to buy more of it.

My craft mafia girls have been busy and will be at the HUDSON VALLEY
HORRORS ROLLER DERBY CRAFT FAIR

New Paltz, NY
(1 1/2 hrs. north of NYC on Thruway) Hasbrouck Park

I wont be able to attend myslef but I may have some stuff there for sale, and trust me you guys, these girls are wicked talented!! So if you are in the area definately go check them out!

UGH Craftster has been down for 3 hours for MAINTAINANCE.. Im going through withdrawl like symptoms.. ok maybe Im just really sleepy.

lol

2006-08-23T13:35:00.000-07:00

The story of this lace is.. I was in a fabric store on Broadway and canal sifting through mounds of fabric with my boyfriend (yes he is fabulous!) and he went outside to get some air. Well, at the time I was wearing the Rocket Top I posted on here earlier this week. The man who worked there stops me and in his heavy accent says

"you mak a this top?"

so I go

"Yeah"

So HE goes

"I am man with womans heart, love the flower very very nice and feminine- you make a another one"

SO I go
"yeah maybe with a cupcake"

So he goes
"Here I giv a you some extra of THIS and you mak a another top"

and he takes the lace I was buying anyway (for undies) and takes off 3 yards of it (though I only purchased a yard)

So thats the story. Anyway, This top definately needs something. Maybe some sort of applique or something to funk it up. Its a size 8-10 which I think there is a huge market for. Ive been getting lots of requests for that size. Whats up with that? Do most DIYers not do regualr womens sizes?

Anyway, in this shot there is a bulky cami under it so that is sorta bulking it out a bit. Also please excuse my face. It was 1:00 AM and hot and I was operating on 4 hours of sleep.

ALSO I discovered the rolled hem setting on my OLD SCHOOL juki and Im totally in love. If I can figure out a cute boyshort.. Im gonna be all up IN that!

Craft mafia meeting is tonight and so is the Project Runway viewing. HOLLA!

2006-08-22T09:15:00.000-07:00

Rasterbating.. ahh the Rasterbator.

So I dont know if any of you know this, but this August has been cursed by a nasty demon and made my life and a few of my close friends life a living hell. For one, I have been a BROKE ass. Seriously. Between Gs summercamp and paying for her year of aftercare upfront then flying to and from new orleans then flying her back, I was totally drained. This teamed up with overall bad spending habbits, I was in a deep depression. Then to top this off, I wound up at the doctors with an inflamed hair follicle (yes I thought I had some scary disease-the boyfriend almost was castrated for no reason), I tripped over my laundry cart on 20th avenue and bruised up my leg so now I look abused, and AND AND school starts next week. Good times.

SO, while Gabzilla was gone for a month I spent most of my time at my boyfriend's house. Totally neglecting the fact that I have not replaced what was supposed to be temporary furniture. So basically, my apartment needs a little makeover- on a budget. And who better to do it than I? Your local crafty goddess.

In a hunt for some wall art ideas on craftster, I came across a thread about this site called Homokaasu.org rasterbator. Where you can take any image, run it through and it blows them up to GIANT pixelated images that upclose look like a bunch of dots, but step back and you have a cool ass image. On the site there are tons of ways people have done this. Up stairs, on doors, on ceilings. So the lightbulb in my head went off and I figured I too can rasterbate and so I had a go at it with an image of Gabzilla taken with my camera phone.

I think it came out pretty cool. I havent stuck it on anything. I was thinking maybe Foam Board. but I wonder if I can cut foam board then seal with gel medium. hmmmm something to ponder.

The "Rock It" Shirt

2006-08-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

This is what I call my Rock It Dont Stop it shirt. BUT as was brought to my attention by Sir Tobe Tobe, I could be sued by Afrika Bambata. SOOO. I guess its the Rock It shirt.

Its still a work in progress, and honestly has evolved into one of my FAVORITE pieces. It started really as an experiment with the whole "YOKE" thing. Cant tell you how many tops got tossed in my trying to figure out how to do that. Anyway, this WILL be up for sale in my etsy store. I figure I will keep it as a tank, cap the sleeves- in the fall/winter how cute will it be over a fitted thermal? Also you do NOT understand unless you see this on a human body how insanely amazing that collar is.

So proud of it. Stretchy Jersey Knit rocks.

2006-08-05T07:27:00.000-07:00

Most people go out Friday nights. Like my boyfriend did- he was out burning the midnight oil- I didnt have a babysitter- so what else made sense other than to sew up a cute little dress that was floating around in my head for about a month.

The fabric is a red floral fabric with gray jersey knit trim.

SOO, I was up till 5:00 am. And the dress was coming along so fabulously. Seriously I was afraid to do EVERY step after the wrap part because I loved it so much. It truly was a toss up at one point to make a seperate wrap top and skirt, but I figured what the hell and just dove in for the dress. It has two cute star buttons on the side that also keep the "wrap" more fitted and even. I dont know what to call it- most of my pieces have their own little nicknames because of some personal adventure or inspiration. Im thinking maybe "my boyfriend is out with his chick friends" dress. Or I can call it the "I found a waterbug in my bathroom and totally freaked out" dress. Because that is what happened as I was tailoring this dress. Pure drama.

But at least I was dressed for the occasion.

This one will be for sale after I finish the insides (serge all the seams, etc.)

I see England I see France

2006-08-04T09:07:00.000-07:00

I gonna make some underpants! Updates soon to come.

Im still searching the web for some tutorials. I found one on craftster that looks promising. After seeing some cute DIY panties at the Brooklyn Designers Market (god Im so sorry I forgot your name who did them) I was totally inspired.

Also on the list are Tampon Cozies, an idea that came up at a mafia meeting.

So while visiting mom in New Orleans, I got a copy of Photoshop. Which if any of you know me you know Ive been obsessing over getting a copy. Well, I was up till 1:00AM making my otherwise cheesey photos of me in my clothing look groovy for the website.

I have also found a great designer. The fabulous and superhot Limecrime who also does the cutest dresses EVER is going to do my site! How excited am I?!? This girl also did the amazing Supayana site. I feel so honored.

This year I have made a resolution to get the business going. Gabrielle LaBelle was only stopped by my own frustration and confusion and just chaos in my life. I have surrounded myself with such a great group of supportive chicks with the craft maffia, that it has really helped me to stay focused. So this blog with journal the journey on trying to be LEGIT in NYC. Trust me its no easy task. From visits to the Dept of Taxation in BK (which is like a ghetto ass episode of survivor) to trying to figure out what is next. To actual blogs of stuff that I will be making and selling.

Ive been experimenting with different methods of selling. People have ways that work for them- like Limecrime sells on her site, and Supayana sells on ebay. I tried the ebay thing and one of my skirts sold. For 10 bucks (waaaaaaaaaaaah). So Ill chalk it up to learning experiences and be happy that some girl who lives in MY HOOD found my skirt on ebay and shelled out the 10.00 plus 4.00 shipping for it. I hope she wears it with pride.

Sinful Circle Halter Dress

2006-08-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

My bloggie, my dear dear bloggie.

I have neglected you, abused you, vented on you and then disapeared. I am indeed, a very bad friend.

After joining the New York City Craft Maffia and seeing my blog posted RIGHT THERE on our members page I felt ashamed. After all, it shares the same page as stereoette who btw is a lawyer and STILL finds time craft cute stuff and blog- totally one of my idols)It IS shameful Shameful that I have not found the time to update and log all of my sewing and crafty adventures. But who has the time these days? Between mommy duty, and two kitties, a full time job, and trying to launch a business, freetime is so far and few between, but I have made a pledge to make it better.

How do I catch up when I have done so much? First off, the website is up, though not very Fabulous. www.bejessie.com. Is going to be the site I sell my clothing AND mysoap all in one sweet stop.

So lets just forget about the past and move on to the future shall we?

My latest piece is this dress. I wanted to try to do a halter dress that did NOT involve triangles- why? Because I hate them. And I dont have a pattern to use. So I brought Maxine (my amazingly georgous dressform) into the room and whipped out the Walmart fabric (yes I know its a sin- I know- but hell it was cute and it was 2.00 a yard! PLUS I paid for it dearly because this dress HAD to be made in the middle of the NYC heatwave this past week in a room with no AC so shut up because I have been CLEANSED!)

I did a basic circle skirt then a waistband (I did the waistband an inch smaller than my measurement because the fabric is stretchy)came out cute. But wait, heres where it gets FAB. The top. Is basically a 14 inch wide by 32 inch long tube. I took two pieces sewed them together along the long sides, with right sides facing eachother. I turned the tube inside out, then wrapped it across the top to go over my boobs leaving little pleats. It came out great and makes my little tittle bitties look great.

Circle Skirt

2006-05-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

One day after work, I had to pick up my daughter from her grandfathers house.. There was no school, so she had slept over there. On the way, I was on the hunt for a fabric store. I hopped on the N train to Canal street and stumbled upon a tiny little fabric store a few stores up from the corner of Broadway and Canal. This place is no bells no whistles... small space jam packed with all kids of fabric. The trimmings hang from the ceiling and there are literally BARRELS lined up against the wall filled with buttons.

I could have spent the entire evening in there diving into all of that fabric. The staff leaves you alone until you call them, which if you are a New Yorker like me, is greatly appreciated. Its almost overwhelming.

ANYWAY, I came across this stretch knit fabric that I thought would be great for my first circle skirt made from a MATH formula given to me by a girl on craftster. The fabric I got on the cheap, for $4.00 a yard. I love it. And the scraps can be used for sooo many different things..

NOW, for the tutorial

Circle skirts can be made from so many different things. My personal favorite is when someone finds some kitschy vintage bed sheets and goes to work.

I always bought circle skirts and practically LIVED in them over the summer. They are light and airy and comfy and just hella cute! I tried many many times to get it right. I new that circle skirts were made from cutting one circle then another circle in the middle (where your waist would be), hence the term circle skirt. But how do you find the right way to cut that circle accordingly? If you haven't tortured yourself yet in trying to do this, you are thinking, just measure your waist, fold some square fabric in half and cut half of that, right? WRONG!!!

I followed a tutorial on Craftster, where a girl by the name of Pink Dinosaur posted how she made her skirt. She posted this math formula for figuring how to do the waist measurement.

You first get your fabric and fold in fours... along one of the the corners of the folded edge, you are going to first measure, then mark the results of this math equation. This, my friends, is the secret- to a fly ass circle skirt!

Here is a copy of the math equation. The link to her tutorial on craftster is here.

The math equation according to her goes like this

"1. Take your measurement divide by pie (3.14....).
2. Take that number divide by 2. (you'll get a decimal number)
3. Take the numbers after the decimal point and multiply by 16. (round up this number)
4. Take your whole number from step 2 and write it down. then take your number from step 3 and put it over 16 in a fraction, so now you have a whole number with a fraction. ( this is your measurement for you quarter circle)
5. Decide how long your want your skirt. You could either cut it around the length you think or you could measure. If you want to measure, add that number to the number from step 4.

Here's an example...
Step 1: 42 divided by pie = 13.369
Step 2: 13.369 divided by 2= 6.685
Step 3: .685 x 16= 10.960 rounded up to 11
Step 4: 6 11/16
Step 5: 6 11/16 + 15 (length of skirt) = 21 11/16

So you'd mark your inner circle at 6 11/16" and then your bigger circle at 21 11/16". "

Thank you Pink Dinosaur- hope every girl out there makes one..because lets face it- EVERY girl needs a cute circle skirt for summer!

I found that for your first circle skirt knit fabric is the best because you dont have to hem and its stretchy- illiminating the need for a zipper. The hem on this type of fabric rolls rather than fraying, and believe me folks, Hemming a circle skirt is a bitch, trust me.

Hope you all enjoy.

2006-02-10T08:17:00.000-08:00

When I get obsessive nothing else matters but the project Im working on. MY house goes to hell and begins to look like it should be condemed, my laundry piles up.. its just this obessive gene I have.. get it from mom, most definately.

At any rate, I got the pedal replaced to my sewing machine. MY ex was holding it hostage in a storage room in Jersey, so I called singer and had to go through a whole DRAMA to get it replaced. Would you believe in NYC the only place I could find to replace a Singer sewing machine pedal was in woodside Queens?!? The rest of the city seems to cater to industrial sewing parts leaving little obsessive sewers like me in the dust.

When the pedal came in, I was so excited. I am more into making things out of other things than straight up sewing but I have done a bit of both. The first project was a bag made from these pants I found in my closet. The story of these pants are that they are size 12- why? Because when I got engaged a while I back, I blew up 30lbs. As soon as we broke up, VOILA! The weight just came off again. Weird, eh? Anyway here is the bag that became a positive result of that fiasco.

Next came a tshirt that belonged to CBITW. It was a nice stretchy fabric but it was too small for him yet too big for me.. my solution, make it to a tank. I sized it to fit my favorite tshirt and cut the top and sleeves off and added straps.. now its supercute. Its my bf with a sexchange!

And now the current project I am working on is a dress made from these bedsheets I found at the Salvation Army that were begging to become a dress. I mean, how gnarly is this patterns? SOOOOOO disco diva! So I smocked the top (which actually is giving me problems now) and Im still working on the hems/straps. Here is a very crappy pic. I cut my head off of it to spare you the sight of me late at night with zit cream on.

Whats New Pussycat Clock

2006-02-01T07:15:00.000-08:00

This is actually going to be a clock and I couldnt get a good shot of it. The stencil is off of a pic of my Kitty Valentine and the background is apartment listings from the village voice with a metalic wash over it. I used canvas board as the surface so drilling a hole for the clock hands should be easy ish. I was going to call it Whats New Pussycat? Anyway this is it so far. Love it so much more in person. Its coated with three layers of clear Gel Medium so its nice and glossy.

Women Who Changed Our World

2006-01-25T19:44:00.000-08:00

So the Angela Davis is going to be part of a series of women who have changed the face of

1. Politics
2. Music
3. Art
4. Business

For the Music, I will be doing Janis Joplin. For the Art, I have done Frida. Now that I have had the chance to suffer through mistakes with Angela and the other gangster stencil with glitter, I think I have my little technique down and Frida came out quite nice. Her colors are a yellow washed background and brown paint. Her hair like Angela's is gel medium with glitter. Im so proud. *grin*

Angela Davis

2006-01-24T09:22:00.000-08:00

Before Cleanup

Its been a while since posting. The new job.. is well.. shall I say... very.. ugh.. gratifying yet challenging yet.. hmm whats the word. Oh.. ok.. maybe a lil CRAZY.
Its good though. The days go quicker, and soaring over the bumps of a new job are always a learning experience.

This is my latest piece. I was working on another piece using a stencil with gel medium that sorta went to crap, but showed me how gel medium/glitter/acrylic react when stenciled on canvas with a contact paper stencil.. I found this glitter at Dick Blick and really the picture does not really capture it. This glitter catches the light like nothing I have ever seen. In low dim lighting it is STUNNING.

So after the first flop, I decided to do a series of three canvases (10x10 squares) of three powerful or influential women. Angela Davis was perfect for this. Her hair, I figured would look FAB in glitter. So off I went. The background is a deep orange red wash. This pic is before cleanup. I have covered the bridge I had to create in the mouth the get the teeth in, and cleaned up the lines. I have cleaned the glitter from everywhere around her head, creating a cleaner look. Tonight I will go over the black smudged areas with the red wash to make it all complete. Her shirt is done in black acrylic mixed with liquid acrylic with medium. This gave her a glossy yet textured body. Yowza.

Ill post the finished pics later, but here she is..

Love her.

Pillowcases and Freezer Paper Stencils

2006-01-08T20:12:00.000-08:00

Two pillowcases done using once again the freezer paper method. Did I mention I LOVE this method??

The top is moi with "Dreaming of You" on the bottom. One of the O's bled a little bit, but Im getting the hang of it.

The other is Heart Attack. Now this one, I used the pressboard method. Didnt like it at all for this type of project. It came out a bit sketchy but now that I see it, it kind of adds to what it is. Sort of hazy. Very MASH. Now I sorta love it.

Now, as promised, the freezer paper method:

What you Need
Freezer Paper
Image printed from comuter for stencil
Exacto Knife
Iron
Fabric paint
Clothing or fabric to do transfer the stencil on.

1. Preheat your iron

2. Find your stencil, either photoshop or alter whatever image and make it black and white so you can cut the black out and have a cool thing going on.

3. Place this image under a piece of freezer paper. Waxy side down so you are cutting on the papery side, not the glossy side. Tape the image to the wax paper and with your exacto knife begin to cut the stencil.

4. Once your stencil is cut Remove the tape and take the freezer paper stencil you just made to your piece of fabric. Place this stencil wax side down over the fabric and run your iron over it. Keep your iron on a dry setting and run it over maybe 10 times. This will create a seal that will keep your paint from bleeding.

5. Take your fabric paint and sponge brush and dab thin layers over the stencil. When done, allow to dry about 10 minutes before removing the stencil. When ready, carefully peel back the stencil.

6. After 24 hours, turn your fabric inside out and run an iron over it. This is supposed to "set" the paint.

I Am Not A Nugget

2006-01-06T22:19:00.000-08:00

Using the wax paper method I stenciled this cutie patootie on a wifebeater. The colors arent great in the shot but its soo cute..

Instructions soon to come.. its 1:30 am and Im pooped

Record Bowls

2006-01-05T20:46:00.000-08:00

Herb and I go way back yo

My first day of not working at my old lawfirm left me still quite busy and running all over Manhattan. The new job starts on Monday so I have two days to fart around. I spent a big portion of my day at DickBlick which= heaven for me, and the Salvation Army.

Coming home, I was feeling particularly crafty. After having to chuck my sky is falling painting, because the sky fell on it and it was just looking shitty, I quickly had to reassure myself that my adult ADD was not taking over my life. BTW, Is it REALLY ADD or too much pot in my teen years? One has to wonder. Anyhow, moving right along.

Todays experiment was making record bowls...

Step One

Go to the salvation army and buy some records..I got these records for 1.50 each.

Step Two
Come home and get out your cookie sheet and tall jar.

Step three
Place record ontop of tall jar and place both on cookie sheet. Place in oven for 5 minutes. Check to see if the record has begun to melt on top of the Jar. When it does, take both out, and wait for the record to cool a bit (while still sitting on jar) so it would still hold the bottom portion of its shape. The ends were still moldable so I was able to mold them into little flowery things. The record will be hot, but not too hot to touch. You want to work in low temps.

The possibilities are endless- I think Im gonna pimp one out with glitter. As you can I sort of redwashed Herb Alpert with a stencil I made of myself.

Super easy project that is soo cute and great to hold all your crap you know you have laying around.

C Drive Cleanup

2005-12-30T12:14:00.000-08:00

So I am starting my new job on monday, but needed to clean out my hard drive on my computer today, so I found some poetry I wrote on some downtime and posted it here. I was a little angry at the time, so no offense to the person I wrote some of these to. :P

2005-12-30T08:31:00.000-08:00

save the spinning, round and round
the trials and turbulations that are you
sweet little nothings, no nothing is ever sweet
so youve taught me
You speak softly
softly screaming
and I havent been screamed at since I was two.

Would love to get to know you sometime soon
but now just aint good for me
too numb to figure out your masks and faces
too dumb to break you down
done all that before- so unecesary
but not necesarily real
you can take me places I need to go
you feel me but I cant feel

Dont you know I have shit to do
got places to see, got people to disect
got half empty glasses to break
on my kitchen floor
Important meeting with minds
but I dont mind if meet with mine
but Ive got
cigarettes to smoke
and smoke screens to build
and tunnels to dig away from you

2005-12-30T07:12:00.000-08:00

two dementional
intentionally deep
promises left broken
and secrets to keep
what you are and who you is
are two different things
sweet thang
so dont forget
when all the layers peel away
when you grow out of the old cliches
when the threads are torn
and the shoes are worn
you have to live with you
you have to live with you
she may be
a version of me
with all the accessories
only there are no more messes to clean
she can blink her eyes
and tell you lies
just like the real thing