Elements

Elements now have a small ribbon loop so you can hang them on your Christmas tree, on your wall, or in your car!

I have been super busy making all new items for the Degenerate Craft Fair. It is a two day fair that takes place in NYC. If you are in the area, check it out!

Here are some new element pillows with stunning fabrics (I loooove The City Quilter. They have the most fantastic fabrics). Some of the fabrics are old friends with a new twist and others brand new patterns that display a characteristic of the element it has embroidered on it (ex. Carbon is on a fabric with leaves).

For a city built with Iron, the NYC subway map is a perfect fit for this element

love for nature

Arsenic, an old favorite on new fabrics

Jeweled Explorations

I have started becoming much more active on Flickr and Etsy, which are so enlightening and fun, but can really become addicting. I can't stop exploring all the different ways and types of craft and all of the wonderful creations people come up with. I even set up my own Etsy store.

Etsy Store!


One of my friends, Anita, taught me how to make jewelry a few weeks ago with sterling silver wire. It is sooo relaxing to me and I love making something so delicate and colorful.

I started with these earrings from some vintage glass beads I had found and Swarovski crystal. I have a whole little set all named after berries.

Then I started making some necklaces and bracelets. Anita generously shared some of her garnets and turquoise to make these beauties.


The bracelet started from just sterling silver wire and beads. I wire-wrapped the beads and slowly made the whole chain for the bracelet.

I bought some more supplies yesterday, so I will be making some more!

My Kickstarter Is Finally Done!

Check it out and tell me what you think!

Sew Science

Graduation Sensation!

I can't believe I am finally done with my Bachelors! Let only graduating with my class.
Over the past for years, I have:

- been to three different colleges
- had 4 different majors (all within art or science)
- moved 6 semesters out of 8 (a total of 11 times including the summers)
- Lived in a sorority
- Lived in a mice and roach infested apartment (I will never miss that about Pratt)
- Learned that I am a grumpasaurus if I pull all-nighters and fall asleep in class anyways. I just can't do it!
- Been in the armed forces
- Worked at least part time every semester
- Met some of the craziest, kindest, and fantastic people
- Done a lot a growing, but there is so much more to do!
- Met the most amazing man in the entire world, got engaged, and finally married!


It has been a crazy college experience, but I loved (most every) minute of it!


Graduation was held in Radio City Music Hall and was an experience within itself. There were hundreds of graduation students in our vibrant red robes with family from all corners of the world. I was so happy that my dad, stepmom, Nana, great-aunt, and my amazing hubby were all able to come. SVA has a video of the whole thing! Check out Visual and Critical Studies for the best major in the school!

SVA Graduation!!!

ITS ALL OVER!!! XD

Belated Senior Studio Post

Belated updates on the Periodic Quilt are finally here! A month ago, the seniors at the School of Visual Arts had open studios, allowing students to decorate and curate their own studio spaces to their liking. Visual and Critical Studies (which is obviously the most amazing major at SVA) worked our little buns off to beautify our 7-studio block. The food was delicious, the give-aways were adorable, and the projects all very unique.

The centerpiece in my studio was an 11.5x5.5ft quilt. Each square is digitally embroidered with an element from the Periodic Table of Elements (even the new Ununseptium, element 117, which was discovered during the quilt’s creation).

Opposite the quilt was a collection of little pillows made from extra squares and some more embroidery.

These little babies are also digitally embroidered. It's a matryoshka family!


Finally, here is the finished Madison Square Park Map on watercolor paper.


We had a fantastic turn out and were all really happy with our projects. College is almost over!

Guggenheim's Moments of Magic

photo courtesy of zoo-york.net

A few months ago, my friend, Hammad, and I went to the Tino Sehgal show at the Guggenheim Museum. I had heard of Sehgal’s other works would put viewers into “constructed situations” in which participants or workers will carry out instructions. For example, a few years ago in a Chelsea gallery, visitors would enter, seeing guards at their posts (which is often the case in these high-end galleries). Suddenly, all of the guards would burst into song and dance, chanting “art is so con-TEM-por-ar-y TEM-por-ar-y!” As quickly as they began their performance, they ended, once again standing still at their posts.

This most recent work was entitled “This Progress.” Your journey began at the base of the towering, spiral staircase in the museum, the first time since the building’s opening that the walls were just white, clean of art and the ceiling skylight was opened. It was spectacular to see Wright’s creation as is was intended. Sadly, cameras were not permitted (as with many of Sehgal’s works) and I was being good that day.

We were greeted by a young boy, no older than twelve that boldly confronted us with the question “What is progress?” I can remember the funny inflection in his voice as he asked the only philosophical question I had heard outside of a classroom setting (or in one of the lovely banters my husband and I have).

I think Hammad was a better listener and conversationalist than I was that day. I couldn’t get over the white, spiral staircase. If I wasn’t so afraid of heights I would have slid down that “railing.” Or roller-bladed down the ramp :P. As we continued up the ramp, we encountered teenagers, adults, and finally those in their golden age, each asking or questioning our definition of progression. Some focused more on abstract concepts while others regaled stories from their own lives.

It never ceases to amaze me that in New York City with all of its vibrancy and concentrated population that we don’t speak to each other more. The city that never sleeps is often silent. This refreshing little encounter reminded me of that silence as well as the beautiful and diverse humanity in the city that I miss every day. This magical moment of a great friend, astounding architecture, philosophy and New Yorker conversation was a great way to spend an afternoon.

A Sewing We Will Go ....

My days and dreams are filled with cotton weaves, acetate Sulky threads, and the clicks and tricks of the embroidery computer program. I have to say, I don't mind it too much. In fact, I would love to have a Husqvarna Viking Diamond digital embroidery machine (or any of the less flashy models, I am not picky). I am now acquaintances with all of the staff in the media lab, as well as many frequent users. Hopefully one of SVA's artists in residence and I will soon be working together on a collaborative project.My quilt is almost done! I finally have all of the individual elements sewn (with love in every stitch of course!). I will hopefully finish piecing it together tomorrow and start the backing. There is just so much to do in this next week before open studios.
I little side project that I have been working on with the scraps, trials, and dare I say a few errors, that I had during my element block making is these little pillows. Hopefully I can get these babies online and sold asap!I am also making an embroidered book of "Madison Square Park Flora" filled with perenials, trees, and all the little grassy things you can think of! Here is the first part of the cover the I have embroidered and did a little watercolor background.
During my travels to fabric stores, my hubby and I discovered one of these infamous NYC Subway posters. These posters actually made quite the controversy when they were first discovered. There's one for the scrapbook!
Just in case you can't read the small print:

How does this affect my trip?
- You're not going anywhere
Why is service being changed?
- We are making service cuts because we want to screw you and make you think there's nothing you can do about it.


Priceless