pet post
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.
Stan says this legal pad makes a great pillow!
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 also loves lounging on my desk!
What's in my bag
back home!
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!
Here's the little display of my product line in the Artascope store.
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!
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
Bootie love
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'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
easy to make Halloween village
Suggested supply list:
- Old Music papers and assorted scrapbook papers
- Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paint in Charcoal Black
- Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi Medium (matte or gloss)
- Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paint brushes
- Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky Back Canvas
- Ranger Inkssentials White Pen
- Pencil
- a BATTERY operated tea light candle (no flames please!!!)
- Template for the houses - I made one for you! Download here!
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
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
pieces jeans leggings - zara sequin blazer - h&m ankle boots - zara white tee - zara suede chain bag
new from my studio!
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
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
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
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
h&m pink label dress - zara leather biker jacket - h&m ankle boots
illustration friday: welcome
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!
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!!
anniversary = stan-aversary!
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 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
FCUK you!
- 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!