pet post

Time for another post about the kitties! Here are some recent pics!

Stanley cat loves the Ikea bags

Stan loves these giant Ikea bags. when I get them out to use them for laundry or groceries he hops right in. Makes a great crinkle sound.

Stanley cat says this is a great pillow

Stan says this legal pad makes a great pillow!

Mabel cat in her stroller

Mabel in her stroller on her way to the vet. We put her carrier in the stroller and then zip the stroller shut so she can't get out. This way if she wants she can stay in her carrier or she can peek out to have a look around. This is a special pet stroller not a baby stroller even though it looks like one! I use it to take to her to vet which is only about 4 blocks away. She loves looking out, but when I take Stan he will have none of it and stays in the carrier.

mabel cat lounging on my desk

Mabel cat also loves lounging on my desk!

What's in my bag


Do you drag loads of stuff along or are you a bag minimalist?
This is the content of my bag today. Cola Zero (slight addiction), note book with skulls, iPod, Elle anniversary issue, necklace, two bobby pins (not that I use those), Ray Ban and of course my wallet. My phone was in the pocket of my blazer.

back home!

I got home last night from a fabulous trip to Maine teaching a workshop at Artascope Studios! What a beautiful location to have a workshop and amazing and wonderful workshop hosts too! Thank you Catherine, Suzanne and Marina! It was a treat to teach at your beautiful studio! Also thank you to everyone who came out to take my class!


Here's the super cute house that the studios are in. It's a converted Victorian that has a jewelry studio, glass making studio and painting studios as well as the cutest store!

My products @ artascope store in ME

Here's the little display of my product line in the Artascope store.

Portland Headlight lighthouse

On my first day of teaching at lunch break we took a very short drive to the nearby lighthouse which is Porthead lighthouse the same one that Hopper painted.

Here's Hopper's version!

I can tell this book will make me cry

When we were talking books over breakfast, Renee from my workshop mentioned this one. Then I found it at the teeny bookstore at the Portland airport. What are the chances?! I figured it was fate and I should read it so I got it. I bought it knowing it was about a dog, thinking it would make me sad, but not having any clue what was in store for me!! After the first 5 pages I cried all over the place at gate 8 waiting for my flight. I almost returned it composing a few times in my head, what I would say to the guy at the gift store. But then decided to keep it and finish it at home. It makes me think of Toby.

Now I am home recovering, catching up on work and tomorrow is the U2 concert! This is shaping up to be an exciting week!

Over the knee






After being parted from your boots for what seems like an eternity, it's time to bring them out again! The ones I'm wearing can be worn under the knee and as overknees, very versatile (equals recessionista friendly).
zara blazer - zara white tee - pieces jeans leggings - graffiti boots (bought at Ramona)

Bootie love

Stopping by online shops is something I easily can spend a lazy friday afternoon with. ( a girl has got to be up to date, right ) I wanted to make a wishlist, but already got stuck when having to choose between these booties at Topshop.

Ps. the lace up ones on the bottom left are sold out so if anyone is selling them in a uk size 6 (39) let me know :) Have a great weekend!

maine here i come!

I am all packed and ready to head out the door tomorrow morning to teach my weekend workshop at Artascope Studios in S. Portland Maine! I am deciding last minute if I have any more room in my bags to bring along some extra artwork.

I'll be back Sunday night, follow me in my adventure: follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates!

And before I go, here are my last workshop dates for 2009:

Alexandria VA - October 24th
A one day Magazine Alterology Workshop in Alexandria VA Just added to my calendar!! Workshop will be at the Artistic Artifacts studio. Learn exciting techniques to create amazing images and background papers with used magazines and various household products! we'll be creating Polaroid-transfer looking images with household materials and old magazines. We'll alter magazine pages to create backgrounds for collages, make incredible images to collage with and more! Class details and sign up information are on the Artistic Artifacts Web site. Almost full! Limited spaces left!

Daytona Beach FL - November 14th
On November 14th I'll be teaching a one day Beeswax collage at the Art League of Daytona Beach. Contact the Art League at (386) 258-3856 to register.

Instant glam gratification


Dear readers! I can't believe I'm over 600 followers already. Starting this blog just six months ago, I only dreamed about it being this popular. Blogging has been great so far and I feel like many more positive experiences are to come in the near future! Thank you for visiting This chick's got style and leaving me such sweet messages!

About the outfit: Red lipstick provides instant glam gratification. Just smear & go! The rest of this outfit is rather casual, I wear this for everyday activities.
Plaid shirt: topshop - Jeans leggings: pieces - Ankle booties: h&m - Studded bag: Zara

easy to make Halloween village

Here's a spooky Halloween village that I created and I am going to show you how to make it too! The best part about this little project is that it will cost you next to nothing to make, I am betting you already have many of these items around your house!


Suggested supply list:


STEP ONE: Put the house template (download here) on top of a sheet of old music paper and trace around it with a pencil and then cut it out. Don't forget you can adjust the template to make tall and skinny houses or any type of house you would like!


STEP TWO: Draw in where you would like the windows and doors to go.


STEP THREE: Paint in the house. Paint around all the doors and windows leaving them unpainted. Here I am using Charcoal Black from the Claudine Hellmuth Studio Line.


STEP FOUR: Here I added details. I used Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky Back Canvas painted with Landscape Green to make the curtains, and the
Ranger Inkssentials White Pen.


STEP FIVE: Fold all your edges and then glue the tab to the other side of the house with Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi Medium.



STEP SIX: Pinch the sides to shape the house.


STEP SEVEN: Place the roof template on a piece of scrapbook paper, trace around and cut out


STEP EIGHT: Fold the roof piece down the center and then add details or trim if you like!


STEP NINE: Put the roof on your house and then place a BATTERY OPERATED tea light candle underneath. DO NOT use a regular tea light candle with flame because it will catch your mini house on fire! You can find Battery tea light candles at home stores like Bed Bath and Beyond, Dollar Store or at your local craft store.


YOU'RE DONE! Here's the little house along with a few others ready to bring spookiness to your home. It was difficult to capture just how glowing the houses are with the battery tea lights underneath. When you make yours, you will see how fun they are!


WHERE TO BUY:
Check your local crafts/scrapbook or arts supply store for availability. Claudine Hellmuth Studio Products are for sale online at these locations: Somerset Shoppe, ScrapLovers, Joggles Online, Schmooze with Suze, Scrapbook.com, Simon Says Stamp, Studio Calico, Scrap in Style TV
. For more videos and information about the Claudine Hellmuth Studio product line, visit my web site!

Jimmy Choo for h&m



Jimmy Choo for H&M is a collaboration I'm really excited about. These items are my faves and they're so versatile! I'm imagining loads of possible outfits. (For example this jumpsuit + grey ankle booties and a black blazer + statement necklace) Quite a mission to decide what to get my hands on!

illustration friday: infinite

Here's my submission this this weeks illustration friday theme of "infinite".

ironing_illo_friday

Doesn't it seem like doing the laundry is an infinite task? As soon as you are done, there is more to do!

I worked on this piece today and the idea came to me partly because I am doing laundry in between making art, fortunately I am not ironing like this gal! Have a great weekend everyone!

The uniform








What better outfit to snap than my go-to ensemble for fall. I've been rotating these pieces for a while and just can't get enough of them. Plus this outfit takes zero time to style and still looks good.

So sad that it will be getting colder from now on, I'm definately not the person for it! (Except when sitting inside in a knit sweater, big scarf and leggings + boyfriend within reach, like right now) What's your favorite season when it comes to dressing?

pieces jeans leggings - zara sequin blazer - h&m ankle boots - zara white tee - zara suede chain bag

new from my studio!

I just finished up this custom artwork which I created for a client who loves to bake pie (and her husband and daughter who love to eat it!). This was a big piece at 18x24. It was fun to work that large and I LOVED working on this theme!!

custom_artwork_pieLR

To complete the family portrait we included their son who passed away. We decided to feature him in a photo frame in the background so he can be represented with the family too. This was such a fun piece to work on and the client loved it too.

Here's what she said:
I adore the piece and can't wait to receive it! Thanks so much for your speedy work and phenomenal creativity. It was a pleasure to work with you. Thanks again!

To see more examples of my custom artworks click here!

the artful bag

Last Sunday at the Adams Morgan Day Festival I met Jenae Michelle who is an amazing purse artist. Check out some of her incredible artful bags here! In her booth I saw that a little sign that said she was teaching a bag making class called Art of the Bag and that it would start this Sunday!!



I raced home hopped on the internet and registered for the class! I can not wait. There are still some spaces if you are in the area and want to take it too!

I can barely sew a straight line but I am hoping to be able to whip together a bag of some sort using my sticky-back canvas. That's the plan anyway. I am really excited about taking this class because I will have time to play and explore in a medium that is so different from my own! Play Play play! I can't wait!

Amsterdam hot spots

Amsterdam hot spots

food & drinks



Often I get the question what the go-to places are when visiting Amsterdam. So I decided it was time to write it down. This is the first part, focussing on places for food and drinks.

De Espresso fabriek - Westerpark (Meterhuis)
If you ever wake up, feeling like you need to get away from coffee shops and tourists, this is the perfect place. A 10 minute bike ride from Central Station you’ll find the Wester park that brings you a totally different atmosphere. In old gas factory buildings there are café’s, a bakery, a club and a tiny place that makes delicious coffee’s and more: De Espresso fabriek (Espresso factory).

Stout - Haarlemmerdijk 73
Stout (literal meaning: Naughty) is great for having drinks / lunch / dinner in a trendy but still cosy environment. Tiny tables, a nice card and a good vibe. Especially great with sunny weather, as you can sit outside too. The Haarlemmerdijk is near to the Central Station (it's on the left side). Definitely check this street out, it has great boutiques too.

Toscanini - Lindengracht 75
The best Italian food in Amsterdam might just be served here. Pasta’s go for about 14 euro’s, other dishes come for about 20. Not thé most trendy place around, but really good food!

The Movies – Haarlemmerdijk 161
The oldest cinema in Amsterdam, dating back to 1912, is still open for business! You’ll also find this on the Haarlemmerdijk. It’s a tiny building, the line up board still has light bulbs around it and there’s a restaurant attached. Buy a ticket + dinner combo for a relaxing evening.

Burgermeester - Albert Cuypstraat 48
This place has really upgraded the hamburger, offering unique combinations with their veal or lamb. Add grilled vegetables, their secret mayonnaise, chorizo, jalapenos or pesto. (Just to name a few options) Vegetarians can enjoy this experience as well, with a risotto or goat cheese burger. Check out the mini burgers too!

WLVNSTRT - Wolvenstraat 23
The Negen straatjes (Nine streets) is a really cozy area. Three long streets, divided in to 9 streets by bridges, packed with boutiques and great lunch / dinner spots. WLVNSTRT is one of them. A really nice place to sit down and have a drink. Just look for the big window, as it doesn't have a name anywhere.

Arc - Reguliersdwarsstraat
The gay hub of Amsterdam is the Reguliersdwarsstraat. And it has a great cocktail bar. Of course it’s open for everyone, so there are many trendy people there. Dress up for this night out! On Wednesdays, all cocktails cost 6 euro’s.

fall workshops + classes

I spent today packing up supplies to ship off to my workshop I am teaching at Artascope Studios in Maine in just a couple weeks! I'll be there Sept 25-27th, there's still a couple of spaces available if you are in the area!

Here's Mabel in one of my suitcases, she's so big makes this suitcase look small!!

I used to drag most of my supplies along in my luggage, but now with airlines charging so much for each bag - even the first one - $25 on US Air thank-you-very-much. It's way cheaper to ship even if it's a 50lb box!

The only bad part about shipping your supplies ahead is even though I make a list I always second guess myself at the last minute wondering if I brought enough of this or that etc. But the GREAT part is just wheeling to the airport with my carry-on bag! weeeee!!!!!

And speaking of workshops ... here are my last dates for 2009 below!!!

NEW WORKSHOP!!
Alexandria VA - October 24th
A one day Magazine Alterology Workshop in Alexandria VA Just added to my calendar!! Workshop will be at the Artistic Artifacts studio. Learn exciting techniques to create amazing images and background papers with used magazines and various household products! we'll be creating Polaroid-transfer looking images with household materials and old magazines. We'll alter magazine pages to create backgrounds for collages, make incredible images to collage with and more! Class details and sign up information are on the Artistic Artifacts Web site. Spaces are limited so sign up soon!

Daytona Beach FL - November 14th
On November 14th I'll be teaching a one day Beeswax collage at the Art League of Daytona Beach. Contact the Art League at (386) 258-3856 to register.

Tie your laces








Hi sweeties! Here are some pictures with my new barcelona buys. About time, right! This lace print dress is definately one of my fall favorites!

ps. I joined Chictopia a week ago, so let me know if you have an account too :D

h&m pink label dress - zara leather biker jacket - h&m ankle boots

illustration friday: welcome

Here's my Illustration Friday entry for the theme of "welcome"

welcome_illo_friday

Nothing says "welcome" like a freshly baked apple pie!!

I developed this piece from practice sketches I created for a custom artwork order I am working on along the same theme! I have been hungry for pie all week while working on these pieces!

Happy Friday everyone!

ring a ding a ling!

My friend Lorraine is collecting unusual stories about rings... coincidences, lost and then found rings any personal story about a ring ... for a special book project. If you have a story that you'd like to tell about a ring in your life, please contact her, or post your stories in the comments and I will make sure she gets them! She will be thrilled. Her email is pink23@aol.com.


To get started I'll tell you my "ring" story. Like most ring stories it's about my engagement!

It was September 2000 and we were on a little vacation in London, Paul had brought the engagement ring with him on the trip without my knowing about it. He kept saying things like "how about we go sit in the park on a bench over here" and I would respond "no let's keep sight seeing!" Paul was so frustrated trying to find the perfect spot to pop the question, I was making it difficult!

Finally back at the hotel he decides he's going get it over with and he gets down on one knee and pauses the TV. I was clueless and was thinking "hey I was watching that!" then he asks me to marry him and of course I said yes! It was a beautiful ring, a square cut diamond in the center of smaller diamonds. I don't wear it anymore because I am worried I'll get it full of paint. Which is very likely! I just wear my wedding band now which reminds me of an ornate napkin ring, but I can't blame anyone because I'm the one who picked that one out!

I know my Mom has a great ring story, something about a little boy down the street who took his mother's wedding ring and asked Mom to marry her when they were all of 4 or 5 years old and then the ring had to be given back. Mom maybe you can share that story with Lorraine or with us? I would love to hear it again!!

Wrap it up






Artists and married couple Christo and Jeanne-Claude have a very interesting way to create a new sight. Wrapping (large scale) items with thin fabric does the tric. Their interventions give new meaning to a familiar landscape.

anniversary = stan-aversary!

It's September 8th and that means it's our wedding Anniversary! Paul and I have been married 8 years today!!

But it's also our Stan-a-versary!! Exactly 3 years ago on our 5th wedding anniversary, Paul and I drove up to Atlanta to get Stanley! Here he is just days after we brought him home, testing the patience of our other rescue kitty, Mabel! Love this photo!!

stan_mabel2_lr

Stan came from an animal rescue called A Place to Bark which is run solely by Bernie Berlin (she's also one of my closest friends). Bernie's rescue is in Tennessee so she had him transported to Atlanta where he waited a day or two for us to arrive at my friend Andra's house!

He was such a little baby (he had to be bottle fed for a few weeks before we could adopt him) and has brought so much joy to our lives! He would not be alive if it weren't for Bernie. She truly amazes me -- every day she is saving wonderful pets like Stanley from certain death at animal control. She saves so many lives and all these wonderful creatures have found new homes because of her. She is so amazing!

Thank you Bernie for the wonderful gift of life you give to these animals, and we thank you for Stanley. He is such a joy!

This chick's got Zara


To a casual dinner I was wearing Zara Zara Zara, except for the jeans. It looks like I'll have to rename the blog This chick's got Zara or something :P

Today I'm going to see my dearest family friend, she's almost like a big sister or something. And... she's pregnant with a girl! So I bought the cutest things, a little denim dress and a tiny shirt. (I definately imagine myself shopping like crazy if I ever have a baby!) But first, some studying :( I don't feel like it at the moment but well, some things just have to be done.

FCUK you!


Girls of Amsterdam, pay attention! In three days French Connection, the queen of sequins and printed dresses, is opening a flagship store in our lovely city. The perfect occasion to show you my ultimate party dress from FCUK. (was already on the blog once)
- Opening 10 sept. 09 on the Cornelis Schuytstraat 36 -

And Fashion Jinx did an item on jeans, that I'm in. Don't we all love that classic item!