Ornaments-Schmornaments!

Toasty Tree

Last year, Sandra and I went to Display and Costume here in Seattle to check out their Christmas ornaments and our mouths dropped to the floor - we had never seen trees decked out so fabulously before! In addition to ornaments, there were dripping gems, glitter strands, garlands of butterflies, glass flowers, hip glittered fronds, and the list goes on and on. In the end it made us say ornaments-schmornaments! Roses Tipped With Glitter and Pewter Glass Money-Tree Fronds Glittered & Jeweled Fronds, Flowers & Branches Woodland Creature Decorations

So this weekend we went to Display and Costume again to see what we might discover. And once again, they did NOT disappoint! I snapped some pictures for you this time, so I could share the holiday inspiration. The trees were so stuffed with such beautiful things, that the actual tree was outnumbered! Close-up of Toasty Tree

What is really fun, is that they have a variety of trees decked out with different theme's and color stories. In a little cove next to the tree, all the coordinating elements are hung from the ceiling, on the wall, and put into beautiful baskets allover, which really makes a statement! Super-hip, Pewter Art Deco Tree Luscious Vintage Gold & Warm Olive Tree Silver & Gold Tree Winter Wonderland Tree

I almost took this cute little feathered friend home with me. Once we put up our Christmas tree, I might need to go back to Display & Costume and pick him up! Our tree is always in shades of turquoise, teal, green, white & silver. After looking at all these tree's, I may want to try to incorporate some pewter, bronze and white gold this year. All of the metallics are so beautiful! What is your favorite Christmas combination for decorating?

Matryoshka Tattoo

Artwork by Josephine Kimberling

A few months ago my fabulous sister-in-law Sandra asked if I would be up for designing her a tattoo of one of her favorite things that is part of her ancestry - a Matryoshka doll. First I was extremely excited and flattered that she would ask, and second...super-scared. Why? Because I'd be creating art that would be forever on her body...emphasize-FOR-EV-ER. So, my ultimatum? That if there were things she didn't like about it, that she would need to be extremely honest with me, so I could re-work it and change it to her liking...because it would be there FOR-EV-ER. So after a pinkie-swear, I set out to create a Matryoshka doll tattoo.
She wanted one that resembled her, had a cat, was bright & colorful, had vines swirling in the background, and if I could incorporate a tiger-lily and a dahlia, then that would be a bonus. After a few months of working on it a little here and a little there, I finally finished and unveiled her Matryoshka, and to my happiness, she loved it and had a couple super-simple change requests. Once her Matryoshka was complete, she took it down to her tattoo artist (Jibo from Majenta's Diamond Tattoo) to have it created on her left forearm. Here's a picture of the finished tattoo! SO fun to see my art on her! Sniff, sniff.
It's funny, FOR-EV-ER didn't seem to bother her one bit! I think that might be because she has a few tattoo's already (and me...zilch) and has been wanting a Matryoshka for quite a long while now. The Matryoshka tattoo was to be her "next" one and she was all set to get the tattoo done much earlier this year, but Memorial Day weekend her father had a stroke, which of course was quite devastating to the family. Once they knew that he was going to be OK, in the spur of the moment, she and her sister went out and got matching tattoo's with the heart and sparrows that said "dad" (instead of mom) and unveiled them to him for Father's Day a few weeks later. Made her dad sprout tears, of COURSE! I really don't think any dad would be able to hold in tears on that one. It meant a great deal to him, and they don't regret the quick decision one bit, as it was the best way they could show him how much he meant to them.

So after the "dad" tattoo, the timing for the Matryoshka tattoo came, and the rest is history. I'm just so glad I got to be a part of it.

Hot Blossom finds on Etsy!

Made by KaraMiaSofia: Medium Make-up Pouch/Clutch in Paisley Spring

I came across some handmade products on Etsy that are using my Hot Blossom fabric collection. So fun to see! I've been dying to see what you crafty creatives out there are making with my fabrics, so this was a sweet treat. I thought I'd post some of the images, and links to the Etsy sellers in case you would like to check them out!!

Made by KaraMiaSofia: Medium Make-up Pouch/Clutch in Paisley Sunset

Made by KaraMiaSofia: Pleated Clutch with wrist strap in Paisley Spring
Made by KaraMiaSofia: Digital Camera or Cell Phone Pouch

Made by KimberlyJonesDesigns: Large Clutch Purse

Made by Lireca: Zipper Pouch

Made by gillygoose: Hot Blossom Handbag

Made by minigilmore: Hot Blossom Bag Tote Purse

Made by trendysisters: Knotty Top Shirt Outfit

Made by magicalscraps: Modern Patchwork Scarf

Made by PersnicketyHome: Throw Pillow removable cover

The Classy Crib helps you design perfect baby bedding! You can choose your baby bedding set or bedding component, and then choose your designer fabric collection. She then custom makes your request! I was excited to see my Hot Blossom fabric collection among her list of designer fabrics!

What fun and fashionable items you guys are making out of my Hot Blossom collection! Yay! And by the way - I have a Hot Blossom group on Flickr that I would LOVE for you to load your projects that include Hot Blossom fabrics! I haven't had any takers yet - and I think that's just how it goes for beginning designers (such a lonely road!), but I would love for you to take part and share your work!

Also, I get a bit of requests from you asking where you can find my Hot Blossom fabric collection. Unfortunately I don't know the whereabouts of the line, unless a retailer or e-tailer contacts me, or I happen to stumble across a shop online. So since I'm chatting about Etsy shops here today, I thought I'd give you the links to a few shops who are carrying my fabrics.

CutterGurlCreations
MyHeartandSew's
ColorsFabric's