Daily Drawing: 212 | Birthday Kitten

Turks turned 4 today!  He got wet food, lots of skritches and he slept on his favorite bed all day.  It was a good day for a kitten.

In other news...omg txsc is so soon!  I knew I wanted to make my own business cards and just came up with an idea tonight ^_^ Tomorrow will be full of printing and cutting!

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

That Time I Designed Fabric for a Scarf Collection

Last fall, in preparation for Crafty Bastards, I designed some fabric to make into circle scarves.  Using the color palette I had chosen for the crocheted scarves I was already making, I took some time and doodled up a bunch of patterns.  These were my favorites and I bit the bullet and ordered the fabric!

I used Spoonflower and got the designs printed on their Kona cotton.  The printing was better than I could've hoped for.  It was much more crisp and bright than I thought it would be.  The white was a little thin, you can tell from the photos, but the solid colors turned out beautifully.

The cats and arrows are my favorites, and were well received at Crafty Bastards.  But it's still pretty expensive to print, so I don't think I'll be doing any more of them.  I'm so glad I've still got these, though!  It was such a fun experience seeing something I designed turn into something tangible.  And then getting to make it into something wearable!  I love it.

I'm experimenting with different printing methods that are a little more hands-on and I'll definitely share it here!

I'd love to know what you think of these!

Daily Drawing: 211 | My Singer

It's always extra special to get compliments on my Singer tattoo when I'm in the fabric store ^_^

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 210 | Troublemaker

If you follow my instagram, you know that Turks, aka Turkleton J. Kittenpants, aka Trouble, was in full effect today :P  He's a mess and I love him dearly.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

DIY - Embroider Your Own Handwriting

This is a quick and easy project that I whipped up while I was making my kittens.  I hope you like it!

SUPPLIES

• Paper
• Light colored fabric
• Embroidery Hoop (I got mine at Salvation Army for .25!) 
• Disappearing Ink pen (check in the sewing section of your craft store)
• Sharpie

1. Gather your supplies and trace the inside of your hoop.  The way you know how much room you're working with.
2. Write our your quote, lyric, name, or whatever you want* in that space with your Sharpie.  I had to write it out a few times before I got something I really liked.  I always end up writing like a 5 year old when I need to use it for something :P Just keep tracing your circle if you need! 
3. Then place your fabric on top of your writing and trace over that with your disappearing ink pen.
4. Toss it in your hoop and get to stitchin'!  If the disappearing ink starts to fade too quickly, you can always touch it up as you go.  And I forgot to photograph the floss with the supplies, but there's tons of floss at your local craft store I'm sure.  Or you could check out Jenny Hart's shop for her gorgeous floss.  

I added a running stitch around the edge that used all three colors I chose and I couldn't be happier with the result!  You can leave it in the hoop and trim the edges and glue them to the back of the hoop.  or you could frame it in regular frame.  If you use a different shape, I would trace that and use it as your template, then just use the hoop for stability as you work.  I think a big one with a giant quote or poem, with lots of embellishment would be so fun!  

*Mine is a lyric from my favorite Neko Case song.

Daily Drawing: 209 | Exploring Austin

We found an arcade in Austin!  Pinballz is so great!  They've got tons of pinball machines, arcade games (new and retro) and some fun ticket games as well.  We love a good arcade and spent most of our tokens on the old stuff: Tron, Galaga, Q*bert, Star Wars Trilogy...and a really terribly wonderful Voyager guided shooter.  I'm so so glad we know that's here now.  It's going to be a great date night location ^_^

Also, I applied for Crafty Bastards today!  I got in last year, so I'm crossing my fingers to get in again.  And hoping to find some cheap flights out to DC.  It'll be so nice to stay at home with my parents and hopefully get to visit with some friends, too.  We'll see!

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Last Week, on Instagram...

•  Still working on the self-portrait challenge from A Beautiful Mess.
• The first photo I posted showing one of my new free embroidery patterns.
• Yesterday we were driving around and saw this pink gorilla...so naturally I needed my photo taken with it!
• Turks is the cutest snugglebean ever.
• We visited Toy Joy for the first time and it was so fun! There was more than just Hello Kitty...but I definitely spent the most time in that section haha.
• Andy and I also went to the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema for the first time!  We went for Wolverine and they were playing all kinds of silly Wolverine things before the show.  It's the only place I want to see movies...forever.
• A new DIY I'm working on.
• One of my favorite things is taking "screaming sprinkle" pictures haha.  She's got a really menacing yawn.
• This book might belong to my mom...oops!  I want to frame it and put it with my lil Singer collection.
• Edamame is delicious.
• Turks!  I already posted this photo...but I love it...so here it is again!

There was more going on this week on instagram that I didn't include.  Follow along for more pink stuff and kittens!

Daily Drawing: 208 - Movie Dates

We went to Alamo Drafthouse Cinema for the first time tonight!  It's a Texas institution and rightfully so.  We plan on only seeing movies there from now on ^_^  We went to Wolverine today and I was pleasantly surprised!  I've loved X-Men since the TV show and followed the comic for a while before falling off the wagon.  But I'm still kind of a snob about it (I'm looking at you X-Men 3 and that other Wolverine movie), and this was just a really good time!

TIP!  Stay through the credits!  You might freak out as much as me.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Fun Stuff on the Internet

Stuff to Read

• For Exposure tweets ridiculous things that clients offer to pay artists with, instead of money.  It's hilarious and sad all at the same time.
• Manage Your Day to Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind by Jocelyn K. Glei.  My friend Emily showed me this book a while ago and I've been devouring it lately. It's already helped me keep my days on track and my creative juices flowing!  I think it's was less than $4 in the kindle store...if you're a creative (especially working from home), I definitely recommend it.   

Stuff to Make

• DIY book jackets are so fun!  I have so many small sketch books that are all kinds of colors and just look messy sitting around.  Creating a fun color palette will make things look a lot neater...and cuter.
• Character References Pinterest board is a must follow for me!  You won't have to look anywhere else for good reference drawings.
• These fun modern friendship bracelets would be a great, quick weekend project.
• Painted shelves  are probably going to happen in our new space.  We've got a whole wall we're going to hang shelves on and I think these are too much fun!

Stuff to Wear

• This dress is on sale right now and I'm dying!
• I'm kind of into jumpers right now and this one is perfection.
• This collection of South Pacific inspired pieces is so cute!  It's one of my most favorite musicals.

Stuff to Use
Pattern Society - Valencia Rug via Design*Sponge
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! NEED! It should come in pink, though.

Stuff to Eat
This Blueberry Pie recipe from my friend Kristen looks insane!
Brownie Batter Dip is like ambrosia.
I'm totally jumping on the smoothie bandwagon.  I've got kale in my fridge right now, you guys.

Daily Drawing: 207 | Peter Pan Collars Forever

I have a thing for Peter Pan Collars.  They're just so fun and so super cute!  A good friend of mine just posted this photo on instagram and it got me thinking about feminism and femininity.  I think I'll do a bigger...more philosophical post later.  But I think the seeming juxtaposition of the two is really interesting.  I like to live in the happy medium between equality of the sexes and loving the color pink ^_^

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Cat Lady Embroidery Patterns

So fun!  I got the itch the other day to do some embroidery and decided to share the patterns I made!  I'm definitely a cat lady and I love drawing ridiculous kittens, so these are going to make a great addition to our home.

If you're new to embroidery, or just want a refresher course, Jenny Hart made the best videos (for KIN Community) that I've ever found on the subject.  Check this one out for three ways to transfer patterns onto fabric.  And her step-by-step French Knot tutorial has me making the most pro knots I've ever made!

I hope you like these little guys!  I'd love to see if anyone makes them ^_^

Click here for the pdf!

*These patterns are for personal use only

Daily Drawing: 206 | God Bless Good Hair Days

Sometimes, all you need is a good hair day to get you pumped!  When we first moved to our new place, I didn't take the time to do my hair and make-up, because I was in the house all day unpacking and moving and getting all sweaty and junk.  Getting everything together was satisfying and going out with no makeup was liberating.  But I was feeling a little blah sometimes.

Once I started taking a little time for myself in the morning, just touch of makeup and blow drying my hair, I felt like myself again.  I got a little bit of my routine back which, in turn, has made me feel more productive during the day.  A little "me" time is totally necessary and whether it be blow drying your hair, meditating, or taking a few minutes to read, spending that time with yourself will make a world of difference in how you feel about yourself!

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Thrifty Thursday - Dreamland

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Dreamland
facebook / instagram 
address : 1013 N Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201
hours :  Monday - Thursday: 11am - 8pm | Friday - Saturday: 11pm - 9pm

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Today's shop is back in Baltimore.  I visited when they were in the Hampden area, but since then they've moved to Mt. Vernon.  Their location might have changed, but their selection is still the same, and still awesome!  I'd love to get some updated shots of the new space, because their instagram feed makes it look so fun.  But for now...here's some shots of the old location.  Carrying most clothes, accessories and jewelry, it's a great stop if you wear a lot of vintage.

Finding shops that specialize in true vintage clothing can be really difficult, and this one is just a fun gem to keep on your list of must-visit places.  And let me know if anyone goes to visit the new place!

***If you've got any shops you love, or own, that you'd like to feature, just shoot a note over to becky@thepinksamurai with the name, website/facebook and why you love it, I'd love to take a look!!!***

Daily Drawing: 205 | Sleepytown

Today I finished two new crazy projects that I'm hoping to share here soon!  I'm having so much fun creating at home.  Even if my company cats just sleep under the bed all day.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 204 | Happy National Hot Dog Day!

I love hot dogs, you guys.  I ate a chili cheese dog from Sonic today and it was awesome.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 203 | Mondays

Monday is usually my most productive day of the week.  I love tackling the week head on!  I got so much done today, I can't wait to take more photos around our little space!

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 202 | Forever Making

Andy and I took a trip to Home Depot together to engineer this wild idea I had the other day.  I'm so excited to build something new with him!  And I'm so lucky to have such a supportive man that believes in me!

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

PS: This is one of my favorite dresses, but not the best when you're crawling around looking at screws and lumber at Home Depot haha!

PPS: Would anyone be interested in outfit details for my daily drawings?

Last Week, on Instagram...

 

Last week was so full!  

• Unpacking nail polish
• Sprinkles in her favorite spot
• A Thrifty Thursday post about Cobblestone in Georgetown, TX
• And Turks being a jerk

I also started playing along with Elsie and Emma's 30 days of self-portraits project to celebrate their book release.  I suppose taking selfies and drawing selfies is a little...self indulgent.  But whatever! It's fun :P

• Sprinkles was also a great helper while I worked on my post of all my June girls
• Andy drew a super sweet Link for an embroidery project I was working on.  (you can see him in the last photo!)

And things are finally starting to come together in our little space.  There's still some art to hang and shelves to acquire...but I'm already completely in love with this place and who I'm sharing it with ^_^

Daily Drawing: 201 | Making Progress

It was Ikea day today :P Even though they didn't have what we were going for, we found things we needed and we've been arranging / organizing / hanging all the things!  Our little space is starting to really come together.

Also, I got tired of drawing the same grey cut-offs everyday, so I chopped a pair of old holy (they had holes in them, they're not righteous)  jeans and cuffed them.  Done and done!

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 200 | ACK! 200!

200 DRAWINGS!!!

I can't even believe it's been 200 days already.  Doing these drawings has really become a daily habit and a daily diary.  This project has really stretched my creative muscles and forced me to create something new each day.  I'm so happy I stuck with it...and what a crazy year to do it, too!

Here's the next 165 ^_^

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Daily Drawing: 199 | Good Hair Day

Today felt like a really good hair day.  It's the little things ^_^

I was busy all day running errands and then spent more time hanging fun stuff in the apartment.  And we had dinner with family!  It was a really great day.

This is part of my 365 project where I draw my outfits every day!  Check out my first post of the year for details!

Thrifty Thursday: Cobblestone

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Cobblestone
facebook
address : 712 South Austin Ave., Georgetown,Texas 78626
hours :  Monday - Saturday: 10am - 5:30pm | Sunday: 12pm - 5pm

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This shop is another one in Georgetown, TX, just up the road and across the street from Gatherings.  It's in a strip of old shops just across the courthouse.  The area is just gorgeous!

Now, I have to tell you.  My main reason for visiting was because I'd read that the upstairs was haunted.  I've got this thing where I want to meet a ghost and I really don't want to meet a ghost.  I can't remember if I talked about the ghosts we heard in the old bed and breakfast we stay at in Michigan...but I swear I heard them!  Anyway...this place was too intriguing so I stopped in for a peek.

I did another instagram tour, like with Gatherings, so here's a peek at what it's like to get your feed blown up with cool old stuff...

And on to the rest of the photos!

Player piano!  Chairs on the wall!  It's hard to know where to start when you walk in, but just dive in and you'll be happy.

The front has a few glass cases full of super cute jewelry, brooches and knick knacks.

OMG! The stairs that go to the haunted attic!  I was sooooo silly nervous to go up.  The lady at the counter even mentioned it was haunted and said you never know what might turn up in the pictures.  I don't know that ghosts show up in digital photography, though. Haha!

When you go upstairs, they've got fans going to cool it off which end up rustling the tags and giving this great background noise that really gets you pumped for ghosts.  But then you get distracted by all the awesome stuff.

This absolutely gorgeous spinning wheel was in the middle space, with a skylight shining it's heavenly beam upon it.  There really should've been angels singing when I looked up and saw it.  Incredible.  I think it was under $200, too.  I'm still getting acclimated to the lower antique and thrift prices in Texas!  

There's lots more furniture upstairs and it's just a really cool space to visit.  The quiet of the air, the creaking of the old floorboards, and the vague anticipation of encountering a ghost, just give it this kind of magical quality.  I'd love to know what the space was before it became the shop.

So, by the time I had gotten to the front of the attic and was walking back, I was kind of freaked out by how far I was from the stairs in the back.  At that point, I was convinced there was some kind of presence near me.  I couldn't see anything, it was just a feeling.  Then, not two feet away from me, something in the corner shifted and scared the snot out of me!  There were no fans in that area, it wasn't something I touched, or the floor boards.  It was a ghost!  I mean, probably not, but still.  Totally a ghost.  I scooted back downstairs so fast and didn't look back haha!

Now that this antique store piece has dissolved into a terrible ghost story, I have to say that this was a cool shop.  Cobblestone has a very eclectic selection with good prices.  Definitely take the time to look around.  This is a place where you might have to do a little digging.  But if you do, you'll find something like the Singer sewing machine from my instagram tour and just want to keel over.  Love it!

***If you've got any shops you love, or own, that you'd like to feature, just shoot a note over to becky@thepinksamurai with the name, website/facebook and why you love it, I'd love to take a look!!!***