JuBella.com - Get Your Creative Dose

Hey guys! You did not think I was going to leave 2009 without a new post now did you? This year has been great, but much too sporadic for me when it comes to blogging. After having baby girl and finding out that we will be expecting again next may, my energy has been spread thin to say the least. Yes, you heard it right, I am currently 20 weeks preggo! We will find out if it will be a boy or a girl on Wednesday. But nevertheless, I hope to do more consistent blogging in 2010, but please do bare with me, because when you are preggo and taking care of a 7 month baby along with keeping up with a 6 year old who we home-school, it can get a little overwhelming. I want to thank you all for you immaculate support and here’s to more creative living in 2010!

Ok, on to the post…I could not wait to share these sleeping beauties with you all! Are these not the prettiest pillow cases you have ever seen! I cannot wait for the Rosehip etsy shop to be re-stocked. Just looking through the sold items will make you drool over pretty colors and crocheted adornments! In the mean time, you can check out Beatas (the creator of Rosehip) colorful inspiration by visiting her blog.

Lesson Learned: the importance of recycling, color, scent(if you use a fragrance),temperature, time.

This is a great project for those empty cans from your canned food, that would just otherwise in up in the trash. Try preserving them just a bit longer by turning them into soy candles!

Supplies Needed:
Empty Can, washed and dried
Soy Candle Wax, microwavable
Colored string or any other decorative element you would like to use on the outside of your can
Acrylic paint
Modge Podge or any clear drying sealer
Glue Stick, quality
Candle wick

How To Make It: Take your can and paint/decorate the edges and the bottom your can. If using acrylic paints, you will have to do a few coats to obtain a nice rich & even color. Let dry and seal your painted edges and bottom with modge podge. Once your modge podge/sealer has dried. Grab your glue stick & cover a portion of the side of your can with glue. Starting from the top of your can wrap your string around the sides gradually covering the entire can as you work your way down to the bottom. Trim off ends If you are using a different embellishment, simply use your glue and embellishments to decorate your can. Let sit & dry for about 10 minutes.

Place your wick in the center of your can. You can use a small dab from your glue stick or double sided tape to keep it in place. Melt your wax (once melted you can stir in your fragrance oil) as directed and slowly pour the hot wax into your can. Trim your wick & let your wax dry according to directions.

Light and enjoy!

Psst..Here is a good video on making soy and beeswax candles. They do make lovely gifts!

The work of Artist Stephanie Levy is not only full of color but it reminds me of the days of putting together design boards for my Interior Design classes. I LOVE the concept of making something that is usually not seen as art into something that is very artistic. Here are a few of my favorites but you can find many more of her original pieces by visiting her etsy store! Oh, and be sure to drop by her latest blog “Kitchen Sketches”, where Stephanie share lovely drawings of kitchen scenes and some fabulous recipes to whip up in your own kitchen!

I can totally see myself over indulging in a project such as this. Filled with color and simplicity, these colorful adornments created by quilter and Textile Designer Denyse Schmidt would add character to many different spaces. I can see a bunch of them stacked randomly in a cute dish/bowl. I can also see these as Christmas tree ornaments as well..yes, I am quirky enough to do so! LOL. You can find the how-tos of this project along with a great feature on Denyse in the Summer 2009 issue of Creative Home (psst…i love this issue of Creative Home by the way..it’s filled with lots of color goodness…as usual!)

When the word zakka is mentioned, I immediately fall into a daydream filled with images of a cute and chic home that is filled to the rim with loving touches of care, creativity, and beauty. Creating a zakka filled home for my family is quite a task, but a goal that I find quite worthy of working towards to fulfilled. Lots of money is not needed when it comes to adding character within each and all mundane tasks. Just alittle bit of thought and creativity is all you really need!

I simply fell in love with all the zakka filled goodness of Japan based company Shinzi Katoh. Everything they carry is deliciously sweet in design!

The site is a bit sketchy as far as navigation but there was just too much cuteness not to post it here on JuBella. My absolute favorite of their pieces are these cute little saucer and tea cups, in which the saucer fits more as a lid on top of the cup…how sweet and convenient. Also, as I lover of text meets imagery, I love how most of their pieces have cute and inspiring messages floating upon them! Oh, and the decorative Opp tape (packaging tape) How adorable is this! Who says shipping can’t be pretty!

I recently ran across Wilkintie, an Australian based letterpress company. they have some great designs and these are my favorite. Be sure to remember that the prices are in Australian dollars! Letterpress seems like such a beautiful and classy form of art, but I must say that I find it quite intimidating, yet one day I would love to give it a try..at least once!

“I’m so proud of my beautiful new designs in Softwares,” said Amy Butler. “I love the way this digital collection allows sewers and quilters to customize and completely plan their projects – and better yet, to see the results right before their eyes.” ~Amy Butler

She just never stops the inspiration! Amy Butler has a new quilting software (Amy Butler Softwares) via the Electric Quilt Company that will be available for purchase for just $29.95 on May 15th. The software will be available on both Amy’s site as well as the Electric Quilt Company site. The digital software will include a collection of 22 new home sewing projects and nine bonus projects for sewers of all skill and experience levels who want to add fresh, modern items to their homes. Project instructions are written in a clear, step-by-step style so that first-time as well as experienced sewers can successfully create beautiful new projects for their homes! Yay!

Images by David Butler, © Amy Butler Design for The Electric Quilt Company

I love the color palettes of yarn and fibers that you can find on Mary Janes Attic! The colors are fantastic and their yarn seems reasonably priced, so all of you knitters felters, and crocheters better click on over for some fiber goodness! I am dying to get back into learning the proper way to knit. It has been much too long since I have held a pair of knitting needles!

PS to all of my fiber readers in San Francisco! Visit the storefront for Mary Janes Attic:

Urban Fauna Studio
Fiber Boutique & Craft Studio
1311 16th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94122
415-664-1267

Psst…Maiwa is hosting a fabulous textile symposium in October, so if you are in the area I would definitely recommend looking more into this, as I know I would love to attend many of their workshops!

I just came across Maiwa, a supplier of natural fabric dyes and textile printing supplies! I heart this site and look forward to trying out their line of natural materials to experiment with. They carry natural materials such as: Black Oak, Henna, Indigo, Marigold, Pomegranate, Safflower, and more; and their prices for the smaller jars start at just $3.95! They also have some great instructions and tips on various textile printing that are free to download as well as a glossary that defines the colors that each of their natural dyes are used for as well as the colors that result from them. So, if you are lucky enough to find yourself in the Vancouver, BC area, then you should most definitely check out their shop Maiwa Handprints!

They have also produced several documentaries. Two of them I would love to own to add to my own textile collection, the first being “In Search of Lost Colour: The Story of Natural Dyes”.

The other film that I would like to own from them is called “Through The Eye of a Needle: Stories from an Indian Desert” (the textiles in the preview below alone are captivating..simply gorgeous!).

The price of these two are about $42 bucks for private use, but I think if you are a serious textile guru or one that just simply loves the art of textiles, then it would be well worth the investment!

So, last night I decided to muster up the courage to go ahead and print one of the fabrics that I will use in the baby blanket for our little girl who is due next month. I really have been putting it off, as I did not want to TOTALLY screw it up as I did not have money in the budget to buy more fabric. Nevertheless, I VERY much consider this a practice run as I am still using the hoop screens and modge podge(which explains the random smudges and pinholes…LOL). I think with my next print I will go ahead and use a true screen, but for this project, I will continue with this print.

I do have one question…How do I prevent my screen from picking up ink if it is laying on top of the print next to it..should I print every other row and let dry and then print in between or do I just wipe after each print..any suggestions?

As I was reading the lovely and might I say very resourceful blog Celestina Carmen, which is a blog about screenprinting, sewing, & crafting; I learned that I should really raise my screen just a bit from direct contact to the fabric to help prevent smudging so I will definitely be experimenting with that soon. Also, I failed to use a fixative in my ink, so I have to be sure to order some to help my color set better. Nevertheless I am pleased with the design and can really see this motif in lots of different things. I call it Berry Ava because our little girls middle name will be Ava!

So, I just wanted to quickly share my progress. I must say that screenprinting while pregnant can be a bit of a challenge!: I will be back some time next week and will post pics of the completed blanket. It really won’t be to complicated…quite simple really. Ok, thanks for listening and I will be back soon! Happy creating!

Don’t you just love the DIY Network? I do and one of my favorite shows within their crafty line up which includes Knitty Gritty, Craft Lab, and Uncommon Threads is a spunky show called Creative Juice! Hosted by Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza, Creative Juice offers up some of the cutest, kitschy, affordable, easy, and delicious projects to do in your own home. I really do enjoy watching their show so I was elated when Cathie agreed to share a bit of her time to offer up some creative inspiration! As a youngster, Cathie spent most of her time designing elaborate homes for Barbie dolls, sewing her own clothes and baking cookies; and for eight years, Cathie worked in the film business creating costumes for movies like Vanilla Sky, Rushmore, Heartbreakers, Twister and Bottle Rocket.

So, with that said..here’s Cathie…Enjoy & don’t forget to “Make It, Bake It, and Cocktail Shake It”! (ok, you have to watch the show to get it)

JuBella: Why is creativity important to you?

Cathie: Creative is who I am. Long before Creative Juice, I had an old saying… I wake up in the morning creative, I create all day long and I dream what I’ll make next. I doesn’t matter if I am making a dessert, balancing my check book or sewing a new dress – I am always thinking and acting creatively. I look at my day as one big creative journey.

JuBella: How would you describe your most creative spot/atmosphere?

Cathie: It’s a buzz…. I am in a unique situation because I craft at home and at work. At work I am juggling many different hats, Producer, Writer, Crafter and Host. We have a crew of about 35 amazing people on the show and a typical day at work is really a buzz, it is a very creative environment. At home I really get my creative juices going. I can get lost in my projects and the quiet/calm of home.

Jubella: Favorite Craft magazine?

Cathie:Vintage, I love vintage craft magazine and books. I draw inspiration from the color pallets and pattern choices. I also love the old ad’s – they have wonderful fonts in them.

JuBella: How would you describe the character/decor of your studio/design space?Cathie:

Cathie: I call my work space organized chaos. I know where everything is – it really is about being able to reach all my supplies. I am short so a step ladder is my friend. My space has tons of character – I like color and vintage collectables.

JuBella: What have been some of the biggest challenges with being an artist, starting your own business, and promoting your work all at the same time…what advice would you give to others in the same boat?

Cathie: Stay with your ideas and dreams and realize that some people won’t “get you”. The biggest challenge was convincing people that young people were interested in being creative - crafting, sewing, cooking, etc.

JuBella: What is your favorite craft product thus far and what have you enjoyed making with it the most?

Cathie: Hands down - decoupage medium. I use this glue for so many projects…. My favorite project I make with decoupage is the candle luminaries.

JuBella: What crafting tools could you not live without?

Cathie: My scissors, I have a collection of about 100 different pairs. Some of my scissors I’ve had for over 20 years. Round nosed pliers and glue run a close second to scissors.

JuBella: Most unique gift that you have given to someone?
Cathie: I made a quilt for my husband made from all of his old sports tee shorts. He just about flipped out!

I have a major passion for not only color but i think textile art, especially fabric dyeing and screen printing, and hand printing is amazing. The colors and textures that can be achieved never cease to amaze and inspire me. With that said I love the color palettes of A Stitch In Dye(isn’t that name great). I have plans on starting my own shop online that will sell hand printed fabric swatches and one of a kind gifts, and this offers me so much inspiration for achieving my goal of diving back into textiles. I truly miss it from the days of S.C.A.D and it continues to call upon me to create in this medium again!

Hi everybody! Hoping all is beautiful and creative in your part of the world? I have lots of great images coming up this week, and I have some fun things dancing around in my head for next year too, including an Amy Butler giveaway that I have been holding onto much too long.

Wow, I can’t believe it will be 2009 in a few weeks. I have so many resolutions…i know, don’t we all. But I am wondering, from a creative standpoint, what are some of your 2009 goals? Here are a few of mine:

have a scheduled block of time to do my arts/crafts
launch my motherhood blog
launch my fashion blog
maintain and follow a decent schedule
have more me time
send little trinkets and cards/notes to special blogging friends & family
pre-plan holiday activities and menus w/ cute files folders/boxes/binders
loose all the weight I am going to gain from this pregnancy..lol
scrapbook
sew a heck of a lot more!
I have a lot more, but those are a few of my most important ones. We will see how it goes!

Ok, here is a cute and simple tutorial I found on frosting candle votives..a great accent to your Christmas decor or as some Christmas favors for your guests!

Hi there everybody! I know that I was supposed to post this yesterday, but it totally slipped my mind that I would be out as it was our sons 5th birthday yesterday! We had lots of fun and enjoyed a really great strawberry iced cake that was made with white chocolate along with some homemade strawberry and vanilla ice cream!! Here is a little snippet of the cake….I was super tired, so it came out a bit sketchy, but the little one loved it and it tasted great! I made it exactly how he requested! I must say that the strawberry icing was SUPERB. I used the Sprinkles Cupcakes Strawberry Icing Recipe! YUM!

Nevertheless, here is a simple little DIY project that is quite addictive in my opinion. I love making these and I have several around the house as a catch all or just to add to a room for decor. I also use them for popcorn. I prefer an eclectic mix of paper, but you could use paper that are all in one color wave as well!

Making Paper Bowls:

Supplies:
Bowl of desired shape
Foil
Modge Podge
Magazine Paper, cut or torn into very small pieces
Scissors
Paintbrush
Towel
Hair Dryer (optional, but recommended for faster drying)

Directions: Simply mold your foil over the shape of your bowl. Smooth out as much as possible and do not worry about the wrinkles that firm, as they will not be seen once covered. Trim the edges of your foil(which will be the edges of your bowl) evenly. Try to make it as straight as possible to get a nice even edge when you cover your foil.

Brush on your modge podge and start gluing down your torn paper where you want it. Make sure you cover the top of the paper with modge podge as well. Use your hairdryer to dry and then carefully remove the mold from the bottom and repeat the same steps of covering the inside of your bowl with your modge podge and paper. Use your dryer to dry the inside and enjoy!

Have you ever ran across textiles that are just so overwhelmingly beautiful that it makes your heart melt and then you get pretty color overdose and you feel like all you can do to fix your textile hangover is to take a nap and sleep & dream about all that colorific goodness you just saw? Okay, well maybe you have not gone that far, but that’s how I felt when I came across the website of Anna Maria Horner. Oh my, I am in love with her pieces and her tutorials, and her home! Oh my gosh her home sums up my style perfectly…filled with color, texture, and playfulness (the total opposite from my husband, as he prefers earthy colors and simple smooth lines and empty spaces). Nevertheless, I am forever inspired by Anna and I am sure you all will be too once you wander about her website & blog.

Just click the last photo below which will link you to photos of her home & be sure to pre-order a copy of her book that is set to release in October called “Seams To Me: 24 New Reasons to Love Sewing”.

I have my eye on her Scrap Bags and the Chocolate Lollipop Bundle! Oh me oh my!