Current Projects In-Progress

I'm a chronic multi-tasker. No matter how streamlined I try to make my life, I always seem to be doing a bunch of things at once. Here are a few things that I'm working on:

I'm experimenting with making a crocheted tank top. I've never made anything like this before, and have only begun working on the front side. Once finished, I'll need to do a back side and two shoulder straps, as well. I'll be experimenting with shaping in order to get the simple design that I have in my head. Of course, it's taking forever because I'm using a 3.5 mm hook and thin yarn. This is what I prefer, though, but it will inevitably take a few months to complete this project.

I'm more than halfway done with my rug project! It's taken me over a year and a half to get this far, but I'm proud of the progress that I've made. I have 35 and 1/2 inches to go. I hesitate to give myself a timeline, but I aim to be at least 75% done by the end of this year.

I've been upcycling a lot of T-shirts with pencil eraser stamping. This is one that I have in my Etsy shop. Two more have been completed, and will be added there soon.

I've found a big lot of kraft boxes at the thrift store, and have been working on decoupaging them with recycled paper. This one is in my Etsy shop.

These are my current primary tools for the projects that I'm working on: 1/2 of a large embroidery hoop, 3.5mm and 4.0mm crochet hooks, a fabric pen, a glue (or paint) brush, a pencil and a bone folder. They're simple, but they achieve great things. 

In addition to the projects listed above, I'm also trying to complete a few pieces of artwork for my Etsy shop, and am sketching a few jewelry pieces that I will eventually start working on. I also want to print and assemble at least 5 more of my poetry books, hopefully by June.

My mind is always racing, but I like the pace :)

It takes courage.

True living takes courage. Real, hard courage. I'm learning that now, more than ever. For me, talking to strangers takes a lot of courage, and so does taking pictures in a busy park. 

Discipline takes courage. Am I courageous enough to tell myself "no?" Do I have faith in my own integrity?

Honesty takes courage, and so does recognizing truth. I am 27. I am scared and unsure, confident at times, and relentless. I am a spectrum. My space is as wide as the bridge between fear and recklessness.

I made a commitment to myself a long time ago. Fear may be my enemy, but determination is my lifetime friend. Perhaps that's been my courage all along. 

I like that: my courage.  

Where does your courage lie? Mine rests in many passions, singing, writing, creating, but at their core is the will to never let them go. I am determined to keep them with me, and that determination gives me courage to live with conviction. There is always a pressing in my stomach, a reminder to continue, to build and create, and walk on a road with no visible destination. When fear attacks, perhaps this is my sword.

Cardigan - Thrifted

Shirt - Brooklyn Exchange

Pants - H&M

Socks - Uniqlo

Shoes - Urban Jungle

Red

A recently joined a Meetup for gay photographers. We had a photo outing, and the mission of it was to take images inspired by the color red in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Here are the ones that I took and liked:

Photography is such an interesting art. Great photography can run the spectrum of preparation, from extremely careful planning to quickly improvised, captured moments. I'm hoping to learn more about lighting, filters and other tools and techniques that can increase my chances of taking powerful photos across the entire preparation spectrum.

A Leather Clutch

Last year, I was given a $100 gift card to Mood Fabrics. It's been laying in my email inbox since I received it. A few weeks ago, however, my cousin, aunt and mother came to visit me, and I decided to treat them to some new fabric. With the remaining amount, I found a scrap of leather and decided to buy it and make a new clutch for myself. 

Along with the piece of leather, I purchased Gutermann upholstery thread. I also used an awl, a ruler, a cutting mat, fabric scissors, a fabric pen (optional), an X-acto knife and a large-eye needle for this project.

I discovered later that I also needed two binder clips, one large bead and piece of hemp twine, as well. 

My leather scrap was uneven, so I first trimmed the uneven side edges. I discovered that a binder clip kept the leather from moving while I cut. 

I also removed the uneven edges from the top and bottom of the scrap piece. I tried to use my fabric pen, but the ink doesn't show prominently on leather. I only needed a soft mark, and the pen point created a line indent, which was all I really needed anyway.

I also tried using an X-acto knife when trimming slim edges, but it is only effective on very thin leather, and on only one layer. I ended up using my fabric scissors for most of my cutting, but an X-acto knife is also good for creating a line of demarcation, if a fabric pen isn't available.

When measuring the bag, I also accounted for about 5 3/4 inches extra leather, which was the closure flap for my clutch. 

Next, using my awl. I made holes for the embroidery needle and upholstery thread to go through. I left about a 1/4 seam allowance from the edge.

The spacing between each hole was about 1/2 inches. I actually started from the 1/4 mark (where it says "1/32 inches"), so the image below may be a little misleading.

In order to ensure that the awl went through both layers, I had to lift my leather up often.

Once all of the holes were made, I repositioned my binder clips on either side of my clutch, in order to make it easier for me to sew through the holes. 

I hand-sewed my clutch together using the back stitch embroidery technique. A great tutorial can be found here. The only variation I made, as you can see in the picture below, is that in the first stitch I brought the thread around the leather horizontally, then proceeded to do back stitches vertically. This is an optional variation. It just made me feel like the stitches were more secure. 

This how the clutch looks with both sides hand-stitched together.

Next, I needed to add a closure. This is always the most challenging part whenever I make a bag. After a few attempts, I finally sewed a bead on the bottom of the bag, then made a small hoop with hemp twine at the bottom edge of the closure flap. 

To make the hoop, you can make two small holes at the bottom edge of the closure flap, insert one end of the hemp twine piece in each hole, then tie a secure knot on the underside of the bag. Mine looks a bit wonky because it took me a while to actually reach this simple conclusion. This isn't the most functional closure, though. Maybe with the next bag I make, I'll have a better solution. 

All in all, though, I really like my new clutch. It fits well with my colorful, offbeat, slightly disheveled vibe :)

Custom Crowns

I recently completed a custom order for a Pastor in Chicago who contacted me via Etsy. Her church is working on an Easter play, and she wanted a few paper crowns made that could rest on pillows. The crowns needed to sturdy and glittery, and in colors of biblical royalty (gold, silver, purple).

Here's what I made:

I used recycled cereal boxes as the base for these crowns, then decoupaged them with gold and purple paper purchased from Paper Source. Here is how one looked pre-decoupaged:

I then added glitter by using painter's tape to separate the area that I didn't want glitter applied. It created a nice, color-blocked effect. Finally, I applied an adhesive (one with Modge Podge, the other with Paper Source PVA glue) on the outside as a sealant and protectant. I actually prefer Modge Podge over Paper Source's PVA glue because it leaves a flat, matte texture without any stickiness. It was good to experiment, though. 

Check out my Etsy shop for more handmade goods, and vintage goods, too. If you would like to make your crowns, take a look at the tutorials here and here. You can also contact me for a custom order :) 

Clothesline

Cotton clothesline is a great, durable resource that can be found at many hardware and discount stores. I used some of it to decorate a new lamp that I got from Target. 

In addition to clothesline, I also needed a large binder clip, scissors and a blunt embroidery needle for this project.

To start, use the large binder clip to fasten the end of the clothesline to the bottom of the lamp, leaving about 4-6 inches of clothesline hanging.

Start wrapping, making sure the wraps are snug and tight.

Just so you know, it may get a little bit messy.

Once you are about halfway to the top, you can remove the binder clip from the end. As you can see, I also pushed the clothesline as close to the bottom as possible. 

Secure the clothesline end by pulling it underneath the wrapped portion above it. You'll want to pull it through until you're about 4-6 inches from the bottom.

You may have to loosen the wrapped clothesline a little to get it through. Make sure you retighten it, though, as this is what will help to keep it secure around the lamp.

Once you're at least 4 inches from the bottom, cut off the end. 

If you'd like, you use a blunt, large embroidery needle to hide the clothesline ends behind the wrapped portions.

Once you've reached the top, secure the end by following the sames steps, pulling your yarn end 4-6 inches from the top, cutting the end and hiding the edges with a needle. 

Voila! You're done.