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Saturday, August 31, 2013

That's What She Said Sunday



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No one ever tells you about the real life happenings of a stay at home mom. You read all the mommy blogs trying to prepare yourself, but most of those blogs are staged. You learn this after you have a baby and you never sleep or have a free moment to yourself. Makes me wonder if those staged moms are robots, or wizards that just have house elves (I'm going with wizard).

Free time becomes a hot commodity. Those days of shopping, showering, going out to eat, hanging with friends, watching something besides educational kiddie shows/My Little Pony, or talking to your spouse about something besides poop are over. Some parents may have got a system down, and are able to function as active members of society...me I'm lucky if I'm able to brush my teeth and put on pants (apparently leggings aren't pants).

So what keeps me sane besides talking to real people via twitter and the occasional face time with my sister? Making dolls, scrapbooking, sketching, painting, writing in my journal, baking, dreaming. As a creative I need some alone time or I go insane and Hulk out. I need that time to hear my thoughts, let out some ideas, get my hands dirty, or just vent to my journal about how I haven't slept in days and would love a shower. I spend 24/7 with Amelia and I love her more than anything, but getting that hour by myself keeps me sane enough to keep going when there's laundry, dishes, diapers, puppies, teething, toys, baby food in my hair, and a crying baby to cheer up. I will never have one of those picture perfect houses or be dressed to the nines, and seriously who has time for that?! I would rather spend my time with family, and my limited alone time doing something I love and that keeps me sane. I don't need to prove to anyone that I'm a wizard....

What keeps you sane?

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Moodboard: Too Cute To Care



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It seems like my tough girl side is showing in this month's moodboard. So watch out, because I'm too cute to care!

*I've been craving sweets, and Pocky isn't cutting it! I've had red velvet cupcakes and made some yummy brownies from scratch recently. I recommend everyone eat cake, whenever you want...even for breakfast (I do).

*Clearly I'm loving green hair! I just got mine dyed mint green, and its awesome! (Thanks Kristyn!) I've had my eye on Enchanted Forest from Manic Panic...maybe for fall. Also, I wouldn't mind being a Blythe doll when I grow up! Have you seen Littlest Pet Shop?

*My life revolves around My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. It's Amelia's favorite show! I think Pinkie Pie is her favorite (mine too). I want to draw a pony that looks like me. I wonder what my cutie mark would be?! What would your cutie mark be?

*I can never get enough Sailor Moon! I saw a box set of the first 6 manga the other day. I only have the first 4. Also, I saw on Instagram where someone wrote an after story arc and is selling it....but Chibi Usa is my least favorite character. My favorite character is hard to pick...probably Sailor Venus or Saturn. Who is your favorite character?

What kind of mood are you in?

Monday, August 26, 2013

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DSCN1215This past week Amelia attended her very first concert. My husband plays in the band Thrift Store Cowboys, and they were having a free outdoor show at the Buddy Holly Center here in town. Amelia didn't really know what to think of all the people and the loud music, but she had fun and got to see her friend Lucille.

DSCN1219My husband is the bass player in the bright yellow t-shirt.


It was nice to get out of the house, see friends, have a beer, and watch my husband's band. I hadn't seen them in about a year, since they played the Buddy Holly Summer Showcase the year before.


Have you seen any shows this summer?



 

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Manga Quest: Kitchen Princess

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It's no secret that I like cute things. Add in baking + romance and you get Kitchen Princess. Kitchen Princess is a shoujo manga written by Miyuki Kobayashi and drawn by Natsumi Ando. This manga started my obsession with wanting to eat flan, and made creme brûlée take a back seat.

Sadly I am missing a few volumes from my collection: 2, 3, and 6. My manga quest is to buy these volumes and re-read this adorable, feel-good manga.

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Kitchen Princess is about an aspiring young chef with a flawless since of taste and a heart of gold searching for her "Flan Prince". This mission takes her to the prestigious Seika Academy, where she faces many challenges and love interests.

If that doesn't have you sold, there are super cute recipes at the end of each volume.

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Do you have any manga to recommend for my next Manga Quest?

That's What She Said Sunday

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The first time I heard of Felicia Day, was when my friend T had us all watch Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. (It's hilarious, you should watch it).


Then I discovered she was a potential in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (only one of my favorite shows ever!).


Then she was cute and quirky in Eureka. Seriously Holly and Fargo are super cute!


Then I started following her on Twitter and Instagram.


Then she popped up in an episode of Supernatural, where she was super awesome and hilarious. I also wish I had her apartment in that episode (The Girl with the Dungeons and Dragon Tattoo), and if I start talking to Hermione like she's my conscious you'll know where that came from...


Then my husband mentioned The Guild, which I've only watched a few episodes of, but seems pretty funny. Although I am not a gamer, my husband and most of my friends are, so I sorta understand what is going on.


Then I saw her video about what her definition of a geek is, and was kinda blown away with her conviction.


I like that she has the guts to do her own thing, and not care what anyone thinks of her. I believe everyone should be that way. It's a hard thing to do, especially when you're into something unconventional, not mainstream, or whatever.


I think it's easier to be who you are and like whatever the hell you like, when you find your people. You know the people who like the things you like, and will support you and encourage you to just be awesome.


 So go on being you, and being happy. Find your people, and encourage each other. Ignore the haters, they're probably at home doing whatever they're hating on you about in secret because they are too scared to be themselves.


 Things I like to do that may not be considered "cool": read manga, watch anime, play cute video games, watch Korean dramedies, watch tons of sci-fi shows, dye my hair crazy colors, not dress my age....


What things do you like or do that may not be considered "cool" or "mainstream", even "geeky"?


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

34/52



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I know this isn't this best picture, hello blurry, but I've been trying to capture this crazy face Amelia makes. She makes this face when she's super excited about something. Usually her arms are straight out with her little fists clenched like she's Hulking out. Sometimes she is Hulking out, especially if you try and take away her spoon.

Lately, I've been looking on Pinterest for Halloween costume ideas for Amelia. There are so many cute ideas that I'm going to have a hard time narrowing it down.

I don't remember what my first costume was, I'll have to see if my mom remembers.
What was your first Halloween costume? What are you going to dress up as this year (if you dress up)?

PS Some of you may be thinking it's too early to be thinking about Halloween costumes, but I'm already getting into full fall mode. I'm already wishing for pumpkin spice lattes and cardigan weather. It's my favorite time of the year, so excuse my crazy ;)

Sunday, August 18, 2013

That's What She Said Sunday

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When I started college in 2001, I was a psychology major, but I found the classes boring and lost interest. I was discussing changing my major with a friend, who suggested graphic design. The selling point was being able to work from home in my underwear, which sounded like a dream job.

I enjoyed the freedom of being a studio art major, and trying all sorts of new things from painting, ceramics, and screen printing. I carried this huge hot pink carpet bag and a tool box that I had taped pictures of Daniel Johns from Silverchair all over it. I made lots of friends and drank tons of coffee.

One thing I did not enjoy was most of my graphic design classes. I only specialized in graphic design, which meant taking a few more classes in that field than the other studio classes. I even had a professor tell me I would never make it as a graphic designer, and he was right. I interned at a local ad agency and hated every minute I wasted there. I didn't like the stress of pumping out a million logos in a short amount of time, and I didn't like trying to create for others.

Picture 8Me in 2006 at work.


My last year of college I took at job at a new pottery studio not far from the university. I taught people to paint on pottery, fired up the kiln, designed ads, taught workshops, pretty much helped out with everything. When I graduated in 2006, I stayed and took on teaching private art lessons once a week to Pre-K through 3rd graders, and the occasional private lessons for older kids. I never dreaded going to work, and even though I didn't make very much money I felt accomplished and happy.

Life happens and it was time for me to move on to a new city and do some traveling. But I think about how happy and fulfilling that job was, and how I've been searching for another like it since.

Someday, I would love to open a studio and teach people with a passion for art, but right now I am happy being a mom and making dolls. The journey to where I am now has been a pretty rocky one, but it makes me appreciate what I have even more. I guess the moral of the story is, find what makes you happy even if the journey is a long one.

What is your passion? Dream job? I'd love to hear about it.

Friday, August 16, 2013

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DSCN1123My friend T took this photo of us at the farmer's market last weekend. Amelia slept through most of it, and then woke up all sassy right before we left. Can you believe she will be 8 months old on Sunday? Pretty soon I will be planning her 1st birthday party!

She is super curious and standing up by herself for over a minute. I'm teaching her patty cakes, and trying to get her to say DaDa. Sometimes she will rawr at me like a baby dinosaur. She learned that from watching Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, which is a PBS cartoon based on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. She's the funniest baby, and has the cutest giggle.

What were your favorite tv shows growing up?

Amelia mostly watches My Little Pony Friendship is magic. I'm pretty sure she will be the friendliest kid around, that will be able to dance you into the ground (she gets that from her dad).

I enjoyed watching Sailor Moon, Jem and the Holograms, and Kids Incorporated when I was a kiddo.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Scrawny Girl Shop Update

I've been working hard on a few new patterns I hope to share soon. In between thinking up new ideas, I've been trying to crank out a few chibi dolls.

If you missed out on the giveaway at My Life as A Teacup, you're in luck because I have another Teacup Doll that I just listed today! I only have a small amount of this fabric left, so this cutie is limited edition.

teacup2bookteacup2fabricThis fabric is actually from a Chelsea & Violet shirt I bought myself for my birthday a few years ago. It had a weird cut to it, so I never wore it, but it was too cute to get rid of. I am glad I am able to reuse it, and hopefully someone else will enjoy the pattern as much as I did.

Am I the only one who buys random things because they are cute?

The other doll I listed is my very first Halloween Doll! Halloween and Fall are my favorite time of the year! I found some really cute fabric, so prepare yourself for lots of spooky cuteness in the next few weeks.

booAfter talking with my business adviser (that's my sister lol), I've decided to lower the prices in my shop. I think I was looking at too many other doll makers and what they were charging, and even though I was charging less it still seemed like too much to me. I want people to be able to afford my dolls and enjoy them! I want the doll to make your face light up like it does my daughter's each time I show her what I'm working on. With that being said, my Chibi dolls are now $8, and made with lots of love!

I've also added my first illustration for sale in the shop, at the insistence of my business adviser. ;)

PmonokoesketchYou can find out more about my inspiration for the Princess Mononoke Illustration here, or purchase your very own copy here for only $5.

Lavender Sugar

All summer I've seen several posts on Twitter and Instagram about lavender coffee, and how delicious it is. As a fan of lavender, I've been dying to try it but there isn't a local coffee house that serves it.

This past weekend at the farmer's market there was a lavender booth. The family that owns the lavender farm, Thistledew Farms, were super nice and knowledgable. I ended up buying a small vial of culinary lavender and a big jar of bath salts.

She told me I could just put the lavender in my tea, coffee, and lemonade OR make lavender sugar. I wanted to share the recipe she gave me and a little step by step for anyone who has been wanting to try a little lavender in their drinks or food.

LAVENDER SUGAR RECIPE from Thistledew Farms

DSCN1196Materials needed:


2 cups of sugar


1 tbsp culinary lavender buds


measuring cup/spoon, blender (or food processor, spice grinder), air tight container


DSCN1198Measure out 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 tbsp of Lavender


DSCN1199Look how pretty the lavender buds are!


DSCN1201Put your 1/4 cup of sugar and lavender into your blender (i used a food processor), and blend for about a minute.


DSCN1205Add your lavender mixture to the rest of your sugar in an air tight container.


Allow the mixture to sit for 3 days to allow the lavender to infuse the sugar.


My kitchen smells amazing right now!


If you don't have a lavender farm near you, you can order products straight from the Thistledew Farms website! The small vial of lavender buds that I used is only $2 if you want to try and make your own lavender sugar.


You can learn more about why this family started Thistledew Farms here.


Have you tried lavender coffee? What did you think?


Let me know if you make this sugar, and what you think! I can't wait to try it in my coffee in a few days!


Wednesday, August 14, 2013

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DSCN1149This weekend was fun filled!

On Saturday, we had a girls day and went to the local farmers market. Clint met us for lunch and coffee at one of my favorite places Gatsby's.

LaLa and PaPa came by on Sunday and took us out for lunch to celebrate Clint's new job.

Amelia has 2 teeth coming in, and is making lots of funny sounds. We watch My Little Pony (FIM) Equestria Girls all day! She requests dancing to all the songs, its pretty cute.

Which MLP are you? I'm Pinkie Pie.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Somewhere Down The Barrel

The other day I had the itch to sketch it out, here was the result:

down the barrelThis was a totally different outcome than my normal sketches of cute things puked into my sketchbook.

When I was in college I had an unhealthy obsession with Daniel Johns from Silverchair. He had a side project called The Dissociatives, which was completely insane to my alternative loving self at the time, but the lyrics really spoke to me.

Here is the video to give you a visual:





Maybe my morning pages have been giving me deep thoughts, but here are a selection of lyrics that were swimming in my head while drawing:

"when everyone's a stranger
they call for you by your first name
and laugh at jokes you once made
when you were a kid"


"i'm plagued by small town fascists
like a rash on my skin"


"when paintings seem like bargains
but they're nothing but wallpaper"


The illustration reminds me of myself a long time ago. Kinda quirky, ready for crazy, and usually smiling on the outside. I've been thinking a lot about being "grown up" these days, which had me reflecting on the days where people ask you, "Where do you think you'll be in 10 years?"

Are you where you thought you'd be? Where do you think you'll be? Something to think about for sure.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

On Repeat: Coeur de Pirate

Picture 7I stumbled upon Coeur de Pirate when I was pregnant and looking for French lullabies. I had seen on the internet that Beatrice Martin, the singer/pianist for Coeur de Pirate, had released a lullaby album, but it was not available on iTunes. That did not stop me from downloading her other 2 albums.

Picture 6I enjoy the sincere joyfulness in her vocals and the whimsical piano, taking you from subtle innocence to mature melodies. If you like French acoustic and piano driven pop songs, Coeur de Pirate is the perfect balance with a splash of whimsy. Both albums are colorful and charming, you will keep them on repeat like I have for months.

Here are a few of my favorite songs and their videos:













You don't have to understand French to enjoy the music. Not understanding the lyrics helps me to get a feel for the music and focus on whatever creative project I happen to be working on.

What music do you have on repeat? Any music you'd like to recommend?

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

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DSCN1062I always said I would never post a picture of my kid in the bath on the internet, and here I am....But her face is too funny. My mom got her these little animal bath toys that shoot water at you. She had the funniest reaction to the water hitting her, mostly this face and a look of disbelief.

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Here she is eating an alligator. Her first tooth is starting to come in and she has to constantly chew on something. Teething is the worst, and I feel so bad for her.

Do you have any tips to help a teething baby? I'm all ears!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Unfinished Project: Power Ranger Felt Dolls

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These Power Ranger dolls are several years old and I still haven't finished them. I actually started them as gifts for some of my friends. I loved watching the Power Rangers when I was young. I even had a Power Ranger birthday cake!

Making dolls like this from felt, were my first attempts at doll making. It's crazy to see how far I've come over the years. I'm not sure if I will ever finish these dolls, but they were part of my growth as a doll maker. I plan to make a new plushie pattern soon.

What unfinished project do you need to work on?

Who's is your favorite Power Ranger?



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Mine is the Pink Ranger. Sometimes she pops out of my bathroom and surprises me!

Chibi Doll Giveaway at My Life As a Teacup

Today I am giving away a special edition chibi doll at My Life As a Teacup.



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I am super excited! This doll has the cutest fabric!



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Kristin is such a doll! Go check out her blog, give her some love and enter a super cute giveaway!

A big thanks to Kristin for having me, and being such a huge support!

Saturday, August 3, 2013

That's What She Said Sunday

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I recently started reading The Artists Way by Julia Cameron, and actively doing what she calls "morning pages". In the book she refers to the morning pages as a sort of brain drain, to help get all of the junk out so you can start focusing on what really matters. I am not able to do mine in the morning, but when I get some quiet time I spew out 3 pages or so of nothingness, and I find I am able to find my focus for the day (or night).


I've been focusing on a 'creative recovery'. Lately, I have felt bombarded by the blogosphere, feeling a loss of identity. It seems that everyone is doing the same thing, and I felt like I had lost sight of who I was in this wave of unoriginality. After talking with some friends, I gained some insight into my own blog and the reason why I was blogging in the first place. I realized I was blogging just to blog, and in reality that was a waste of my time. I enjoy this blog, and it was time to put more thought into my posts, so you may see (or have already seen) some changes on here content wise.


The first step I took to my recovery was unfollowing people that didn't inspire me, and doing a 'spring clean' of all my social media platforms. I urge you to do the same!


I am looking for some new blogs to follow, and friends to make! Do you have any blogs to recommend? Is your blog awesome? Leave a link in the comments, I'd love to check it out.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Scrawny Girl Shop Update: Chibi Dolls

DSCN1115I just listed 4 of my Chibi Dolls for sale in my Etsy store. I am working on a few more that I hope to list this weekend, so stay tuned for an update. :)

My Chibi Dolls were inspired by my original Scrawny Girl dolls, The Powerpuff Girls, and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, who inspired the BIG bows! If you don't know who Kyary is, check out this fun video:







I am currently working on lots of fun patterns and thinking up Christmas goodies! In the works is a boy doll and a mermaid.

Are there any dolls you would like to see made? I'm hoping to make some time to work on my Power Ranger pattern. :)

****SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE**** As thanks for taking the time to read my blog, I am giving my readers a special discount code through MONDAY August 5, 2013. This code is good for 30% off a Chibi Doll! Please use code: BLOGLOVE01

Thanks again for all your support! :)

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DSCN1043Amelia and I are hanging out at our local Starbucks, drinking coffee and using their wifi. I'm hoping ours will be working again by this weekend because I have a shop update planned for Saturday.

Amelia's cousins bought her this cute tutu (which you can barely see). She had a fun time crawling around in it and mostly trying to get it in her mouth. She has been teething and throwing off her sleep schedule (and mom's), but I bet we see some little teeth soon.

Can you believe it's already August?! What plans do you have for the rest of your summer? We have plans to visit the ranch, and get a visit from MeMe at the end of August.