Princess Mononoke

I've been meaning to share some of my illustrations on here, and I could really use a break from making dolls. This is one of my favorite illustrations to date and you can buy a copy in my shop. 

This sketch is based on the 1997 Japanese historical fantasy animated film by Hayao Miyazaki. Princess Mononoke is one of my husband's favorite Miyazaki films, but to be honest it took me several attempts to finish it. I am more into cutesy and happy films, and this one was too violent for my tastes. 

Eventually, I finished the movie and grew to enjoy the edgy story and visually intoxicating artwork. Miyazaki's devotion to detail is part of what makes his films magical to me. I found it interesting that he and his art crew spent 3 days soaking in the landscapes of the ancient forests and mountains in Japan for this movie. His style is unwavering, and you know right away that you are watching a Studio Ghibli film. 

 Although my sketch doesn't portray any edginess, I feel it captures a whimsy of how a Miyazaki film makes me feel. I plan to sketch more characters from his films in the future. 

If you've never seen Princess Mononoke I recommend watching it. Here is the trailer if you are interested:

Do you have a favorite Miyazaki film?

Mine is Howl's Moving Castle.

Moodboard: Too Cute To Care

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?

Manga Quest: Kitchen Princess

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.







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.



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

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.

This 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.

After 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. ;)

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

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.





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





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!

Scrawny Girl Shop Update: Chibi Dolls

I 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! :)

Princess Mononoke

I've been meaning to share some of my illustrations on here, and I could really use a break from making dolls. This is one of my favorite illustrations to date:

This sketch is based on the 1997 Japanese historical fantasy animated film by Hayao Miyazaki. Princess Mononoke is one of my husband's favorite Miyazaki films, but to be honest it took me several attempts to finish it. I am more into cutesy and happy films, and this one was too violent for my tastes.

Eventually, I finished the movie and grew to enjoy the edgy story and visually intoxicating artwork. Miyazaki's devotion to detail is part of what makes his films magical to me. I found it interesting that he and his art crew spent 3 days soaking in the landscapes of the ancient forests and mountains in Japan for this movie. His style is unwavering, and you know right away that you are watching a Studio Ghibli film.

Although my sketch doesn't portray any edginess, I feel it captures a whimsy of how a Miyazaki film makes me feel. I plan to sketch more characters from his films in the future.

If you've never seen Princess Mononoke I recommend watching it. Here is the trailer if you are interested:



Do you have a favorite Miyazaki film? Mine is Howl's Moving Castle.

Moodboard: Girl Gang

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

This month I want to start a girl gang! Of course it will be super fun and super Kawaii! I'll be the girl with blue hair, addicted to strawberry Pocky, and carrying a doll in the basket of my cute bicycle.

Do you want to be in my girl gang? What do you think you could do to terrorize the city with cuteness?! What kind of girl gang tattoo would you have? Mine would be a kick ass Hello Kitty one of course!

29/52

My friend Teresa took these when we had a girls day out for coffee a few weeks ago. I'm always the one taking the pictures, so it was nice to be in a few with her for once. Amelia's nose is red from allergies :( poor girl.

Blogosphere Reads

Source

Here are a few of my favorite posts from the week! Happy Reading!

Speaking of reading, here is a fun giveaway with My Life as a Teacup.

This post will inspire you to check out your local used book store.

This sounds like a great idea. Can't wait to make my own and share it.

Originality is something I think about a lot. Thanks for the link Lemon & Raspberry!

Got a good read to recommend? Leave a link in the comments.

Jubitron the Girl Robot, A Review

The first thing I did when I got my iPad mini, was look for some cute apps for Amelia. Jubitron the Girl Robot is the first one I found, and Amelia loves it! For .99 it has been a huge help at bedtime calming down my cranky little one.





The graphics are cute and interactive. The music is great! Amelia has been digging this app since she was 3 months old, and I can't wait for her to learn how to read so she can read the story to me. There is a 'read to me' option that has the cutest British narrator.









This is Amelia's favorite page, because she can touch the head and make the lightbulb pop out! Again, the music really makes it!













I've been recommending this app to all my friends with children. I hope they make more stories of Jubitron and the gang soon!

You can get your very own copy at the Apple App Store.

The opinions here are my own, and I was not paid to do this review. I just thought this app/story was cute and rad and wanted to share.

Do you have any children's apps you would recommend? Leave a comment, I'd like to check them out!

5am Moodboord

Right now it's 5 am and Amelia is wide awake! We are watching My Little Pony Friendship is Magic (like always). I can't decide if I should have a coffee or wait and see if she wants to go back to sleep (I want to go back to sleep!).

I had lots of fun making this moodboard, it's happy and optimistic. Right now, I'm trying to keep those feelings alive, and bright colors, ice cream, mermaid hair, Amelie(favorite movie), Disney, and fun pink roller skates evoke those feelings for me. A little reminder to have fun and enjoy the little moments, and not to worry about things I can't change.

New Doll Design: Kawaii Ears

I've been coming up with new doll designs, and I obviously have a thing for animal ears. I've been working on more embroidered faces, and in the future plan to add cute sayings or some song lyrics to the bodies of the dolls. I had 'Lost At Sea' by Eisley stuck in my head while thinking up this doll. Hopefully, if my design works out, I will have a new doll for sale in my shop soon.

Blogosphere Reads

Source

I wish I could wake up and go to a yoga class. I'm looking for a new yoga DVD, any recommendations?

This is some amazing art, not sure if I could drink my latte if it was this cute.

This crochet tutorial is pretty rad, if only I could crochet.

Love yourself.

Happy reading!

Scrawny Girl Etsy Shop Open

I tried a few different selling platforms and decided to stick with Etsy. I felt like this was the best decision for my business for now. I have 7 handmade dolls up for sale, with 3 of them on sale. The sale dolls are patterns I designed, but didn't love. I'm super excited to have found a focus, and I have really enjoyed designing and sewing these dolls. I can only foresee lots of fun experimenting with my designs, and improving my sewing skills.

Please check out my shop and let me know what you think or if there is something you'd like to see! Thanks!

Lately Lovin'

Life as been good, and I've been exploring and trying new things. Check out what I've been lovin' lately!




Photo source

Everything bagels are my new favorite food. We finally visited the new Einsteins Bagels, and now I dream about bagels.





I would love to read this book from Cath Kidston. Image from the latest issue of Gathered by Mollie Makes.





I love love finding Kawaii blogs! I can't wait to watch all her YouTube hair tutorial videos! Check out Violet LeBeaux

I'm also enjoying Tazo focus tea, making new cupcake recipes, and hanging out on the patio in the evenings.

What are you loving this week?

Blogosphere Reads

Photo Source

Here are a few of my favorite reads from the blogosphere.

An inspiring post to be present, stop making excuses, and make a difference.

Everyone is juicing, here is a recipe that seemed easy enough for a beginner. I need to invest in a juicer.

Great bit of motivation and inspiration

I love these gorgeous hand illustrated plates.

I also love wearing my hair like this!

This and That

1. Finished the letters for Amelia's room and finally hung them.
2. I won this cute Yummy You! Cupcake coin purse on a twitter giveaway! I was super excited to win!
3. Reading materials: new Nylon and Clean.
4. Trying to read a funny book while Amelia slept on me, but page turning wakes her up. :(

Happy Hipster Easter Dress Round Up

I still haven't found the perfect dress for Amelia to wear for Easter. Probably because I am a bit unconventional and don't want her in some crazy fluffy tulle monstrosity, and I can't find anything small enough. But here are some cute things I would possibly get her, if they came in her size:

All this cute Harajuku Mini stuff at Target drives me crazy! I want it all for Amelia, and I wish it was small enough, (and big enough for me too!).

Bobo Choses has some really unique pieces. I like how laid back and comfy everything looks. Also, you need to be able to move freely if you are going to get your egg hunt on!

Wunway has some rad, original pieces that I can't wait for Amelia to be able to wear. Their styling on the website is super cute! They have tons of cute dresses and leggings.

What is your kiddo wearing for Easter? Know of any cool and original shops or designers?

This and That

1. Project I'm working on for Amelia's room

2. My first time getting a shellack manicure

3. About to dye my hair during nap time.

4. The result: some pink hair.

5. Taking Mia to Holly's for tacos. ;)

6. The tree blooming in my front yard.