Bizarre Way of Remembering the Dead

Since, we are celebrating Halloween today and as well as all-Souls Day on November 02,  I have the urge to search on the web about the historical practices of  Cremation.

Well, Cremation, which is the process of reducing human remains to basic chemical compounds in the form of gases and bone fragments is now commonly the acceptable method of disposing bodies in lieu to burial.

While surfing about this particular niche, I stumbled a website which offers a Bizarre Way of Remembering the Dead. They are offering to paint the image of your departed love ones by using some of its ashes mixed with a special mixture of oil paints.

I am so amazed by this offer which prompted me to post about this Bizarre Way of Remembering the Dead.

For further information just visit this link.

illustration friday: skinny

I have two submissions for this week's illustration friday theme of "skinny"

The first thought that came to mind was the typical scale/weight theme when I thought of the theme so here's what I made first:

Then as I was working on the piece above I had a new idea! I thought about our cat Mabel and I decided to do a piece with her in it. Mabel is the opposite of "skinny"! Mabel's actual photo was used for the cat :)

Mabel is our huge fatty beast of a cat who I found in 2005 wandering the street outside our home in Florida. She was so skinny you could see every rib - hard to imagine now!

When we first took her in she would trick us. She's an academy award winning actress, telling Paul I hadn't fed her and vice versa. So we were both feeding her and before we knew it she was not skinny anymore! We do try to keep her weight down to a reasonable level, but it's difficult with a very demanding cat!

here's a photo of Mabel in her favorite TV watching position.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Blogger streetstyle

Susie and Steve. I highly doubt you'll find a couple with more style in entire England!

Me, on comfy biker boots

Alix, with her amazing Chloé flats and Sonya Rykiel gloves.

Browsing through Vogue over morning coffee (and looking tired after partying till 5 and getting up at 9)

I posted about things I experienced when I was in Antwerp at the fashion weekend, but I know all you fashion freaks really just wonder one thing; what was everyone wearing! These were taken on the last day, when we were walking around in Antwerp. I will post pictures of the other bloggers too, but I'm yet transferring those images to my new laptop after my other one crashed!

ps. See what each blogger writes about the fashion weekend on the Antwerp facebook page - or become a member yourself!

fall fiber wreath tutorial

Check out this incredible Fall Fiber Wreath by artist Alisa Burke.

This is a GREAT project that could easily be adjusted to make a Christmas wreath or even a Spring or Summer wreath too. I can't wait to make one of these!

Alisa created this project with Claudine Hellmuth Studio paints and Sticky-back canvas, click here for the complete tutorial on her blog.

Thanks Alisa for such a super tutorial and beautiful project :)

linky shout out time!

Lots of exciting linky shout outs and a big THANK YOU to everyone who used the Claudine Hellmuth Studio products on their blogs! Take a look at these great projects and ideas!

• May Flaum whipped up an incredible tutorial for Ali Edwards Tuesday Tutorials feature. Don't miss this one!
• Jenn Shurkus also created a to-die-for binder tutorial for Ali Edwards Tuesday Tutorials feature check it out here!
• Pamela Young created a super layout and printed her photo directly onto Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky-Back canvas
• Debbie Tlach filmed an informative video about caring for your Claudine Hellmuth Studio brushes. I could learn a thing or two from this as my brushes are completely mistreated!
• Don't miss these beautiful flowers Linda Elbourne created using Sticky-Back canvas!
• And Linda created more flowers here, wouldn't this make a lovely necklace?
• Everything Creative has a super how-to and card samples on printing on Sticky-back canvas
• Kristin Frost from Blue Moon Scrapbooking has a great video tutorial demonstrating a painted album page using Claudine Hellmuth Stuio paints and Tim Holtz masks
• Another wonderful video tutorial from Blue Moon Scrapbooking on creating altered watercolor paper with Claudine Hellmuth Studio paints
• Julieann Shain posted beautiful layouts to her blog using the Sticky-back canvas.
  

THANK YOU:
And just a reminder! If you make a project and post it to your blog using any of my Studio Line products, let me know and I'll list it when I do linky blog post! Also for the instructors out there: send me an email if you are teaching a class using my product line and I'll mention it too! For more information about the Claudine Hellmuth Studio product line click here!

my Monday in list form

today I...

• did yoga
• took Mabel to the vet for her millionth blood test. Still checking her liver levels - long story.
• worked on custom artwork orders
• played with ideas for Ranger's CHA booth Make - n -take
• answered emails
• looked at pekingese photos on Potomac Peke rescue group.
• updated A Place to Bark blog for Bernie - don't miss this important post!
• listened to the new Craft Cast podcast while I worked
• packed up samples to send off to Ranger for the CHA booth
• packed up 4 custom paper doll orders to send off tomorrow - they turned out so cute!
  
• organized lawn service and a handyman to work our house in FL that we are renting out
• now getting ready to watch Heroes and relax!

A little fringe

You know how sometimes you have to get things done and just can't seem to focus? Usually I work hard and concentrated, but I need to finish three essays and all I want to do is curl up on the couch with some movies and turn off my brain :P

Pictures were taken before getting coffee with my boyfriend near my appartment. The blazer is actually cream colored. (I was wearing a coat since it's pretty windy - as you can tell from my hair - but it's not in the picture).

Cream blazer: zara - Tee: zara - PU Leather leggings: ebay - Bag: Guess - Ankle boots: h&m - Necklace: h&m

illustration friday: fast

Here's my piece for this weeks illustration friday theme of "fast"

Nothing goes fast like those NYC taxi cabs! When you hop in one of those, you're in for a wild ride!

have a great weekend everyone!

Bold and beautiful

This week I visited the Dutch Design week. In my opinion it wasn't the strongest year in the interior design section. I did notice a few really interesting pieces and it's always nice to visit and open your mind up to new ideas. This year was the first time I saw clothes as well. Generation Bold & Brave displayed items of 2009's best graduates from different Dutch fashion schools. That led to a really interesting mix of bold styles.

beeswax collage workshop in daytona beach

Here's an update on my LAST workshop for 2009! Don't miss it!

Daytona Beach FL - November 14th
Waxing Poetic: the art of beeswax collage. Learn how to create a collage entirely with beeswax - no other glues or adhesives are necessary! You'll learn beeswax transfers, stamping in wax, layering collage elements, transparency, glazing colors and more! Contact the Daytona Beach Art League at (386) 258-3856 to register.

A little preview from my Beeswax Collage DVD of what you'll learn in this class:



Can't make it to the workshop? Click here to order the DVD now!

wednesday already?

This week is one of those that has been swallowed up with errands. Every day I have had a list of errands to go on and it's making me antsy. I wish I could live in harmony with errands and do them, come home and get right to work. But I have found I have an errand threshold. I can do them one or two days a week but any more than that and it throws off my whole week.

I usually like to have at least 3 days in the week where I don't go anywhere and I sequester myself in our 700sq ft apartment to make real progress on my work. But that's not happening this week! I am already looking ahead to next week where I plan to hide in the apartment and get lots of things off of my to-do list.

Your inner Obama

It’s official; fall is here. And all you fab fashionista’s know that a new season can cost a lot of money. That has given me a thought: could I create a head-to-toe fall outfit, that I would actually like to wear, for under a hundred euro’s in total? I channeled my inner Obama and told myself; Yes I can! 99 virtual euro’s later, this is the result.

Blazer: Forever 21 - Tank top: don't remember! - Shoes: Asos - Leggings: Monki -

Necklace: Forever21Glamour Bbey and Chicisimo both featured me on their blogs a while back!

Craving for denim

Having friends is nice and all... but having friends with the same dress size, that's just great! Shopping in your friends closet is the ideal way to update your looks without spending a buck.
The sad thing is, you'll actually have to give it back ;)

I'm lusting after a nice fitted denim blouse for a while now, but with no luck. Every shirt I come across is way too oversized. Note to designers: if I want to look like I borrowed my clothes from a guy, I'll just buy a size XL. No need to do the work for me! :P Anyways, my friend Malou got her hands on this delicious denim by Zara. So I borrowed it to bring to the Antwerp fashion weekend and snapped a picture before that. Going out to do dinner and drinks with three girlfriends now, what are your weekend plans?

Leather biker jacket: Zara exclusive - Denim shirt: Zara - Leggings: Kani Ladies - Overknee's: Graffiti - Bag: Zara

illustration friday: frozen

Here's my submission for this weeks illustration friday theme of "frozen"

A little too much to get done today to create something new for the topic but I have this piece that I created earlier that fits the theme. This is a photo of myself when I was little. I based the artwork on my favorite pink angora sweater that I wore just about every day because I thought I was just the coolest girl in town whenever I wore it!

I have to say that this topic is perfect for today because it's raining and freezing outside. Definitely a hot chocolate day!

happy weekend everyone!

new custom artwork

New custom artwork from my studio!

This custom artwork was a birthday present from Stacy Julian who ordered it for Kayce, the cute gal you see here. She spends most of her time on the computer all day working very hard on the web site Big Picture Scrapbooking. Her precious kitties were also included in frames on the desk!

This was such a fun piece to work on!

Diva Craft Lounge Radio Show

I was on the Diva Craft Lounge Radio Show today! Click here to listen to the interview. It was a lot of fun! Here's a link to the color chart that I mention on the show.

Copycats

Hi guys, this week I've been contacted three times about fake internet-accounts using my pictures. Copying pictures without visibly naming the source and / or claiming it is you is simply not allowed by law. Identity theft is also a legal matter. If you want to post pictures of me on your blog that's absolutely no problem. Send me an e-mail or leave a comment asking me and always visibly link back to this blog.

Thank you very much,
Yara

easy embossing with stencils on sticky-back canvas

Here's a fun new technique that I just discovered - embossing on the sticky side of Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky Back Canvas using Ranger Adirondack embossing powders, Perfect Pearls and stencils.

This is a perfect way to get a second life out of a piece of Sticky-back canvas - especially if don't like what you created on the front. Just emboss on the back!

Thanks to Allie Gower for coming up with idea to emboss on the back of the Sticky-Back in the first place. Brilliant!

Here's my twist on the idea:

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
A piece of Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky-Back Canvas
Embossing powder
Perfect Pearls
Heat-it Craft Tool

To get started, remove the backing paper from the Sticky-back canvas and place sticky side face up. Place any plastic stencil on top. The stencil will stick to the surface just enough so you don't have to worry about it sliding around.

Sprinkle Ranger Adirondack Stream embossing powder all over the piece of Sticky-back canvas. Here I am doing this over a sheet of printer paper.

Remove the stencil and then heat the embossing powder with your heat tool.

Once it's cooled, dust on a little Perfect Pearls, to remove the stickiness from the exposed areas left by the stencil

All done! Here's a closeup of the completed technique. The Adirondack powder on the sticky-back canvas produces an interesting leathery texture. Very fun!

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!

On the hunt for hotspots

Jutka Riska - Nationalestraat 87
Jutka Riska sells secondhand designer items and coordinates by color and style. I was very impressed with the selection they made and the items looked like new. They had the cutest ivory & black Chanel bag I can’t stop thinking about…

Louis - Lombardenstraat 2
Louis is filled with a fine selection of brands like Acne, Margiela, Balenciaga, Lanvin, Rick Owens and Ann Demeulemeester. It was actually the first store in Antwerp to stock clothes from the Antwerp Six, so for sure they know what they’re doing there ;) And the best part? I won an impressive gift card to this store for snapping all the items from the Fashion hunt!

Lombardia - Lombardenvest 78
Well, what to say about Lombardia, it’s such a unique place! Just have a look at the interior. During the Fashion hunt we had an amazing drink called Ginger love. It was a hot ginger drink with fruit and a piece of mango I think? Sweet + spicey = a delicious drink.

In Fine - Grote markt 19
A bit overwelming at first, this place is packed with perfume bottles. So much to smell, so little time! The purpose of all these different fragrances is to compose a personal perfume that fits your personality.

Furniture and Cloting Selection - Timmerswerfstraat 8
Another great stop if you’re into vintage items is FCS. Combining jewelry (Chanel!), clothes and furniture with a retro feel makes this an interesting store to browse for hidden treasures.

Labels inc. - Aalmoezesnierstraat 4
At Labels inc. you’ll find second hand items from the hottest Belgian designers. What’s better than Martin Margiela, Dries van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester for a fraction of the original price? Fun detail; the window is used as a small expo for upcoming Belgian designers.

Zuiderterras - Ernest Van Dijckkaai 1
After the Fashion hunt we met up at the Zuiderterras. It’s a bar/restaurant with a front-to-wall window that looks out over the haven. It has a very interesting interior, with a bar in the middle that’s a few meters higher than the rest of the place. And the food was incredible… Looking at the dishes everyone had, I realized I had to go back to try those as well!

at the Zuiderterras talking with the Antwerp fashion observer

Day # 2 of our Antwerp adventure started out by going on the hunt for fashion items througout Antwerp. Three groups of bloggers were guided by a true antwerp fashion insider, like Tanguy and the Fashion Observer. So Tanguy showed us around and we had an great time with him! And me and Renee actually won! This is a guide through some of the spots I discovered during the fashion hunt.

the Antwerp experience

I’m back from Antwerp and I'm exhausted and excited at the same time. The other bloggers were great company and who knew you could do so much in a weekend! On the Facebook page you can check out what all the bloggers write about it!
Let me take you through the first day of my Antwerp adventure.

Cocktails and fries
We arrived at the train station of Antwerp, what we later learned to be the 4th most beautiful in the world, and I was brought to my new home for the weekend; the Radisson Blu hotel. Beautiful, specious rooms and we really got pampered (macaroons and fruit at arrival!) My room had a view over the station and city centre, which was especially beautiful by night.

My shoes and the view / yes, I am an overpacker

Next stop: a cocktail bar in Antwerp South. That’s the haven area, packed with restaurants and bars. Sippin’ on a Singapore Sling and chatting a bit, we received a First Aid for Antwerp shopping. Filled with shopping essentials, ranging from a map and a book about Antwerp designers to a tiny hair brush. Still had to grab some food and being hungry and in Antwerp only means one thing: Antwerp fries! So off we went, to try Antwerp snacks. Yum!

Rolled into my big bed then and some hours of sleep before the alarm went off... -> time to hunt!
I’ll tell you more about that later ;)

illustration friday: flying

Here's my submission(s) for this weeks illustration friday theme of "flying"

I actually have quite a few flying pieces because it's a theme that I enjoy, here's a custom artwork that I created of this little boy and his two cats flying in space!

And here's another one of my favorite custom artworks I created with a flying theme. This piece was ordered in celebration of the adoption of a new baby girl and this family loves to travel. The client and I came up with the plane theme with everyone together as a new family!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Antwerp fashion hunt

Hi guys! I have an exciting weekend coming up; 9 European bloggers, including myself, were invited to discover everything fashionable that Antwerp has to offer. As you know, Antwerp is one of my favorite fashion cities and I'm really looking forward to it. (I used the occasion to post one of my favorite shoes by Antwerp designer Dries van Noten)

Bloggers that will attend are me, Renée Sturme and Fad Tony from Holland, Susie Bubble, Style Salvage and Be Frassy from the UK and The Cherry Blossom Girl, Miss Glitzy and La Méchante from France. We'll be hunting for fashion items throughout Antwerp, visit a designer and the fashion museum, go to a party and more! Off course I will blog about it and you can also follow us on http://shoppinginantwerp.be/ or see what everybody writes about the weekend on the Facebook page!

ho ho ho!

It's already October and the holidays will be here before you know it! Now's the time to place your custom artwork order so we can make sure it arrives before Santa does!

Here's a custom canvas artwork that I created last holiday season for a client at their favorite beach getaway all decorated for Christmas. We turned this piece into holiday cards that were a huge hit!

I have four personalized artwork options available, ranging from fully-customizable to semi-custom and for any budget too! Prices start at just $75 for paper sketches and only $25 for custom magnetic paper dolls.

Once your artwork is ready to ship, we can create matching notes, stationery or holiday cards!

last workshop for 2009

Here's an update on my last workshop for 2009! Don't miss it!

Daytona Beach FL - November 14th
Waxing Poetic: the art of beeswax collage. Learn how to create a collage entirely with beeswax - no other glues or adhesives are necessary! You'll learn beeswax transfers, stamping in wax, layering collage elements, transparency, glazing colors and more!

Contact the Daytona Beach Art League at (386) 258-3856 or click here to register.

Behind the bob

I went to see the September Issue this week, a documentary about the making of Vogue September 07, the biggest issue to date. I was very curious to see what goes on behind the bob. However, somewhere along the filming process the director must have found himself more fascinated by Grace Coddington. I can understand why, she is so creative and really has a vision. Anna pretty much lived up to the image she has... Would have liked to see some more of her personality! It's great to watch how everything comes together though and the phothoshoots, models and clothes were beautiful!

illustration friday: germs

This is my submission for this weeks' illustrationfriday.com theme of "Germs"

When I think of germs I immediately think of cleaning. After I have been sick with a cold I always clean like crazy scrubbing all the germs away!

Have a great and germ free weekend everyone!

Style icon!

This week, Kani Ladies sent me some of their hottest items. Kani Ladies designs urban girlswear, and has some really fun and girly pieces. It's streetwear that ranges from glamorous to sporty chic. One of my faves was this black dress with a waterfall neckline. I'm wearing it here with a mesh body underneath. It's perfect for going out, but I also imagine wearing it as a top with leather skinnies.

So excited to be Style icon on Chictopia! Especially since I just joined! Great way to kick off the weekend.

PS. If I'm your your favorite fashion idol of the week, visit La Mimi and vote for me! (and also because her blog is fab)