August 30, 2010

Crafty Chicas

Hannah and I have started experimenting with the whole "paper flower" thing, so I thought I'd show you some of the results...

dyed coffee filter flowers (next to my buddha bank that my son got for me!)

these were lots of fun


tissue paper flowers- I can't wait to do more, I want a whole wall full of these!


my "jewelry wall" with some more experimental paper flowers...

bookpages


maps (I used an atlas I got on sale at Borders for 3.99)


elementary school writing paper
(this was actually the perfect texture/thickness)


coffee filter decorative ball with paper garland in background

I made this with maps (I have a thing for maps), cardstock, scrapbook paper, and my handy sewing machine

We also experimented with freezer paper stencils and we were hooked!
Hannah made some tees for her toddler using robot, a faux tux, and car designs


then I made some tees and onesies for a friend of mine who has two little girls

so cute, right?

What sorts of creative things have YOU been working on lately?

August 29, 2010

Another Shop Update

Hannah is unstoppable!  More goodies in the shop now; go here and find something you like.

She's mastered the "boxy" cosmetic bags and they are even lined with a clear plastic (except one) so that if your make up spills, it won't ruin the interior!  Cute coordinating fabric+boxy design= SUPERFLY






Go!  Shop!  Now!

Facebook Fan Page coming soon...

August 27, 2010

Stella and Dot Giveaway

My girl, Katie, over at Blue Eyed Freckle, is hosting a giveaway for some awesome Stella and Dot jewelry!  Head over to her blog for the rules and enter for your chance to win some super fly earrings or a necklace.  And check out Katie's site- it is one of my faves.  This girl is so stinkin' creative and talented!  AND... she's got the same nickname as I do:)



August 25, 2010

ELDENWA Designs

Over the weekend, I got to reconnect with one of my old pals from Middle School, Ellen Wagner.  As much as Facebook gets bad press for certain things, I have had some seriously positive experiences using the social networking website.  For instance, when Ellen and I got to talking on FB, we realized that we had a similar interest of creating things.  She lives in New York now and works as an art director, fashion designer, illustrator, and stylist.  And she recently began creating things and selling them at the Brooklyn Craft Market, street fairs, and online as well.

She wanted a place in St. Louis to sell some of her wares and she found it at Imported Designs, a little boutique in the Central West End that features interior design services and some very talented local artists.  She had a grand opening this past Sunday and I felt so honored to share in the fun and talent of a such a beautiful lady!  Hannah came with me to show support and take pics; here are just a few shots from the evening:
Me and Ellen!


woven necklaces


earrings in every color to match any outfit!


fun anklets


more woven necklaces


headbands


display


Hannah and me modeling some of the necklaces


exterior of Imported Designs


It was an absolutely beautiful evening with live music, beautiful centerpieces, hors d'oeuvres, and a very talented designer.  I even bought a super fly bracelet!

Thank you, Ellen, for bringing your creations to St. Louis!

for more info on Ellen and her designs:

August 24, 2010

Our Shop is Stocked!

Just a quick post to let all of our wonderful readers and fans know that our Etsy shop is stocked with some super fly tote bags, diaper bags,  wallets, and coin purses at End Of Summer prices.  Stop on over and snatch something up today- the bags tend to go quickly!




Just click here to start shopping!

August 21, 2010

Wallpaper is Making a Comeback!

An old family friend I caught up with on Facebook has recently renewed her relationship with wallpaper.  No sooner did she post pics of her bathroom re-do, than I began seeing beautiful wallpaper everywhere!  This is one I am so in love with, I actually would marry it:


from decor8
designer: Katja Behre of Ellie Popp

and a fabric designer that Hannah often uses when making her bags and accessories, Amy Butler, has her own line of wallpaper out now:

image pulled from Going Home to Roost

I used to be a decorative painter and muralist when all those "faux finishes" were in style and I had a hate/hate relationship with wallpaper; it seemed I always had to strip someone's old wallpaper and smooth out their walls before I could begin the creative work.  And if you've ever had to strip wallpaper, you know what I mean.  But I take it all back for this resurgence.  I am now having a love/LOVE relationship with these fabulous designs!  What are your feelings about wallpaper making a comeback?

August 20, 2010

Hannah is Rockin'

Hannah came over today and showed me her new wares in person, and can I just say that I'm damn proud of this girl?  She only learned how to sew about 5 months ago and you put that skill together with her keen eye for design, and she just ROCKS IT!  Here are a few of her new things, all patterns except for the pillow covers via the very talented Noodlehead (though some may be modified, or as I like to say "Hannahfied").

pillow covers


coin purse/business card holder
(these actually hold our new business cards, unlike my first attempt at a holder)


wallet using leftover fabric from pillow covers


diaper pouch


and... the aftermath...

Love you, Hannah!!!

Seriously, though, I am so proud of this girl.  She's got a good thing goin' on!  Don't you agree?

August 17, 2010

Mod Podged "Anything That'll Fit" Holder Tutorial

Always listen to your mother.  That's what I took away from this little experiment.  Last week, my mom came over and I showed her some of my favorite blogs and the next tutorial I was going to do.  I told her it was going to be a Business Card Holder that you could just throw in your purse, or pocket and be on your way.  One simple question she asked me: "Will the business cards fit?"

"Of course," I responded without even thinking about it.  I had been planning this simple tutorial in my head for some time now and was just absolutely sure about everything.  I was getting excited to just go for it, document it, and type it up!  And most of all- to use it for our new FlyChicks business cards...

Ummmmm... yeah.

However- I wanted to go ahead and use it for something, and I realized you could use it for anything that does fit!  And it turns out, that's a lot!  So I'm going to go ahead with this tutorial because the end product is super cute, fun, and can still fit in your purse or pocket.

First, the materials:
-Mod Podge (yea!)
-Tissue Paper (I used two different kinds; a solid, and a pattern)
-A Tin (you may be able to find one that does hold business cards!)
-Paintbrush
-Primer or Gesso (optional)
-Anything else you may want to use to embellish it


1)  I used some of my gesso so I could have a white-ish base.  Since tissue paper is somewhat transparent, I wanted to make sure I started off with a clean canvas:


I did two coats, then let dry.

2)  Tear up your tissue paper into small-ish pieces.  You are going to be layering them, so keep that in mind when tearing.  You could cut with scissors, but I like the whole "torn edge" look:


3)  Time to break out the Mod Podge... my favorite part!
     I did the top and bottom separately so that it would be easier to handle- this gets messy:

I coated the top of the tin with some Mod Podge
(we established that us FlyChicks have some fat thumbs, in an earlier tutorial- it just means we're creative!)

4)  Then, I began adding the little torn pieces of tissue paper in no particular order, just arranged according to my liking.  You will probably have to keep your brush in one hand while adding tissue with the other because each time you add a piece, you need to 'podge over it so that the other pieces will stick while layering:
You can use the straight-ish edges of the paper around the edges of the tins so it is easier.  If not- don't worry, an exacto knife takes care of any stray paper once it is all dry!


You can use the bottom of your paintbrush to sort of  "push in" the places where the paper needs to form to the ridges.














Don't fear the corners- you can just fold and press and 'podge:















5)  Once you feel you are done layering, make sure you Mod Podge the whole lid and all the pieces you have adhered thus far.  Then let it dry overnight.  I did another coat on the lid after I did the bottom, and then once the bottom was dry, I did a second coat over that, too:
It looks all funky and paste-y when it's wet, but it dries clear- and awesome- trust me!

6)  Once dry, you can use an exacto knife to cut off any unruly edges you may have:


I went ahead and did the bottom half the same way I did the top and ended up with a beautiful little carrying case:

However... I wanted it to have a little something more.

So I grabbed some metallic bronze (although it looks more like gold, to me) paint I had in my art cabinet and used it in two simple ways: opaque on the top lid edge, and transparent-ish (there's a lot of "ish" going on in this post!) using a dry brush technique:

close up of dry brush technique
(just dip your brush in the paint, then paint or dab most of it away/off on a scrap piece of paper before brushing onto the surface of what you are creating)





And now for a couple of uses:
holding little embellishments

holding art supplies for an on-the-go creativity set

I just thought of another one- a gift card holder!

So, go create, and have fun; let me know if you come up with any more uses or if you find a certain brand of tin that works for business cards!