Pregnant and Rocking Like a Hurricane

All the hoopla on the celeb gossip rags last week about Mariah Carey performing in Brazil looking knocked up got me to thinking. What are rock stars and pop tarts supposed to do when they get put in the family way, hide under a rock for 9 months? Heck no not these ladies.


There was a time when doing what Mariah did was a career killer, just ask Neneh Cherry. When she rocked her baby bump on Top of the Pops back in the 80's it became a bit of a controversy. Maybe people react more strongly to seeing a mom to be singing about buffalo stances than they do hearing someone want to know what love is?


I think my fave preggers rocker moment was MIA on the Grammys days before popping out her puppy. From the polka dots to the yellow nail polish I remember being pregnant with Tallulah when she performed and thinking damn this girl is my hero.

Anywhoo don't mind the rambling I just started thinking about famous pregnant rock moments and these popped in my head and I thought I would share. Am I forgetting any?

I Love to Create - Channeling Your Inner Enid Collins

I heart Enid Collins purses. I'll shout it from the roof tops. What's not to love - kitschy designs, sparkly gem stones and they were made in Texas. I got my first Enid Collins purse 15 years ago. I spotted the sparkly bug covered bag from across the room at a thrift store and it was love at first sight. Back then Enid Collins purses were cheap and easy to find, my how times have changed. These days a quick stroll through Ebay and you can find Enid Collins purses running almost $300.00. That's a little rich for my blood. Luckily, much like Enid herself, I am a crafty lady.


Today for I Love to Create I thought we could talk about a few different ways you could grab a plain purse, a bottle of Tacky Glue and some Tulip Fabric Paint and try to channel your inner purse designer and make Enid proud.


SUPPLIES
Felt
Scissors
Fabric Fusion Glue
Vintage Purse
Tulip 3D Fashion Paint
Gem Stones
Paint
Tacky Glue


The first thing I did was settle on an sea theme. I cut out my felt in the shapes of seahorses and made one into a boy and the other into a girl. I used a combination of Tacky Glue and Fabric Fusion Glue.


After I perfected Mr. and Mrs. Seahorse all that was left to do was strategically place them on my purse. I of course had to bedazzle any empty space and most importantly 'title' the purse. All Enid Collins Purses have cute little names written on them in script and mine is called Under the Sea.


I'm not the first or the last crafter to come up with the brilliant idea of making my own Enid Collins inspired purse. Here are a few other gems I discovered.


Over at Sweetheartville we see that you can make your own Enid Collins bag on any style purse, even an 80's black leather number.


Not a purse, but still equally fantabulous is this brooch by Cathy Callahan of Cathy of California. The Alrighty Sparkle Cocktail Brooch from the book Bead Simple: Essential Techniques for Making Jewelry Just the Way You Want It by Susan Beal.


Speaking of Susan Beal she made this adorable little sparkly handbag and she used Tacky Glue too!


Ok one last post about Susan and then I swear I'm stopping. Did you see her Enid inspired Treasure Box in Craft No. 5?


I found this cute little Enid inspired owl over at Cheeky Magpie.


Love Taryn made one of the cutest Enid inspired bags I came across.

Amy over at The Angry Chicken made one heck of a cute Enid inspired purse.


Dolls want their own Enid Collins purses, thank heavens Liz Retros made it all possible.

For more Enid Collins goodness feast your eyes on all the amazing bags in the Flickr Pool. I just discovered a website dedicated to Enid's bags run by her grand daughter.

Cupcake Smackdown

Did you do anything fun this weekend? I went to a cupcake smackdown. Lot's of yummy cupcakes to eat, frost and shoot from a cannon at zombies. I took a few pictures for ya.








Good job Misohungry, we had a delightful time and Tallulah loved her 'Elvis" cupcake from Sugar Mamas.

Want more cupcake goodies, ask and you shall receive: knit cupcake scarves, vintage chenille cupcake toppers, recycled cupcake coozies, customized cupcake stand, birthday party cupcake toppers and kissing cousins cupcake topper earrings.

I Love to Create - 5 (more) Kitschy Upcycled Frames

Almost a year ago this week I did an I Love to Create post entitled 5 Kitschy Upcycled Frames. I thought it was time for an update with 5 new and exciting picture frame options!


First up is a frame I have been dreaming about for a good long while. I had this adorable picture of Tallulah brushing her teeth for the first time that has been begging for a customized frame. Months of brushing later Tallulah is in the process of getting 5 new teeth and it put the fire under me to get my dream toothbrush frame made. I bought these colorful child's toothbrushes at Target and using Liquid Fusion Glue I attached them to a pre-existing frame. Now the picture sits on a shelf in my bathroom and every time I brush my own teeth I look at Tallulah and smile.


Everyone seemed to enjoy the Etch-a-Sketch picture frame from the previous post. It even got mentioned on Etsy! Anywhoo thanks to the Artistik Diva I was informed that Etch-a-Sketch also came in mini form! I used Aleene's Acid Free Tacky Glue Stick.


As you know I love vintage Fisher Price Toys. Last time I made a frame out of a TV toy. Recently I scored a vintage Fisher Price School Desk. I already have one in good condition and this one's chalkboard is all screwed up so why not convert it into a frame! An enlarged picture and some Aleene's Crystal Clear Tacky Spray and presto magic! I chose to frame a pic of the fam in front of the Oscar Meyer Wiener Mobile, goes nicely with my wiener mobile bank.


Eons ago I bought several vintage switch plate covers not sure what I was ever going to do with them. With the help of some Aleene's Tacky Transparent Tape for Crafters they sure do make a swell picture frame. You could buy new ones and gussy them up with some Crafty Chica Paint too.


Vintage cameras are one of my bazillion collections. I have several Brownies and thought I would convert the flash on one into a picture frame. I used a thin bead of Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue.

I'd love to hear about your picture frame making adventures. Got any ideas for me? If your looking for some other ideas about how to showcase your favorite photos I just so happen to have a few posts on the subject: old TV, mosaics, puzzles, cupcake wrappers, bobble heads, shrine, 6 pack of beer, terrariums and cafeteria trays.

I Love to Create - Baby Pools & Bikinis

If you have been following my series on swimming in Austin it would be perfectly clear to you why Tallulah needed a fancy new swim suit cover up. Actually today's I Love to Create project was inspired by a cover up I spotted on a recent trip to the pool. You have probably seen said cover ups. Typically the cover ups depict skimpy little bikinis, but since mine is for a 1 year old I decided to go with a retro swimsuit and a little more coverage.


SUPPLIES
White Towel
Scissors
Fabric Fusion Glue
Sewing Machine
Thread
Tulip Soft Fabric Paint in Golden Tan
Paint Brush
Patterned Towel
Crafty Chica Tango Permanent Fabric Markers


The first thing is to make the actual cover up. Luckily my mother Fredda Perkins was in town this week so I sat her down at the sewing machine with my white towel. The towel is folded in half with a neck hole cut. My mom actually made a boat neck collar. Next she stitched down the sides of the towel making it more of a little dress leaving arm holes at the top. The key is to get a towel in the right size. I used a smallish towel for Tallulah.


Now that my cover up was sewn it was time to draw on the image of the body and bikini. This cover up was a family affair because my sister Hope Perkins drew the body and swimsuit onto the towel.


I used Tulip Soft Fabric Paint in Golden Tan and painted the body.


Once my paint dried completely it was time to add the swim suit. Using funky vintage towels I cut out the shape of a retro bikini.


I attached my terry cloth two piece to my cover up using Liquid Fusion Glue.


A quick once over with a Crafty Chica Fabric Marker to define the legs and my cover up was complete!


All that is left to do is hit the pool, which keep in mind here in Texas we can do well into October. I might need to make an adult sized version for me since it is the only way I will ever be in a bikini again.


Don't forget to do the back!

New Classes at Stitch Lab

After taking the summer off I have a whole new batch of classes on the agenda at Stitch Lab for the fall! I'd love to see your smiling face.

CRAFTY BUSINESS SEMINAR
You can have your own craft business up and running in under an hour! Signing up for Etsy is that easy. Or maybe a traditional web site is the right angle for you? Once you have your business all set up, the next steps are letting the world know, networking and making sales. This business seminar will you give the run down on starting and marketing your small business, as well as taking it to the next level!
Aug 22nd 12:30-4:30
Sept 11th 5:00-9:00
Oct 15th 6:00-10:00

CHARM BRACELETS & EARRINGS
Learn the fundamentals of jewelry making while whipping up your own one of a kind charm bracelet & earrings! This fun and informative class will cover the basics of jewelry making like the difference between head and eye pins, wire wrapping, and how to open and close a jump ring. Class supplies, an additional $20 fee which is payable to the instructor, include everything you need to make your charm bracelet! Jennifer will bring a suitcase full of her stash of new and vintage charms, beads and baubles for you to choose from. You will need flat and round nosed pliers as well as wire trimmers for this class. You will be able to buy a set from the instructor on day of class as well.
Aug 25th 6:30-9:30
Oct 25th 5:00-8:00

Vintage Revamp
Each student will be able to make their own necklace and matching pair of earrings learning how to use jewelry tools, string beads, basic wire wrapping and more. Jennifer will bring a suitcase full of vintage jewelry supplies for you to play with, but feel free to bring your own goodies as well. Class supplies, an additional $20 fee which is payable to the instructor, include everything you need to make your necklace and earrings! You will need flat and round nosed pliers as well as wire trimmers for this class. You will be able to buy a set from the instructor on day of class as well.
Sept 19 5:00-8:00

Remember there is a limited number of seats in each class. To enroll click on the links above and pay online, call the Stitch Lab at 512-440-0712 or stop by 1000 S. 1st. Street Austin, TX 78704 and sign up in person.

Austin Fashion Week

Austin Fashion Week is upon us! I'm super excited to be nominated as a designer and have to admit I'd be even more excited if I won a coveted Golden Boot. If the mood hit ya and you wanted to pop over and place your vote, I'd be your best friend and love you forever.

I Love to Create - Polka Dotted Paper Parasol

Some people are summer sun worshipers, other ghostly white people like myself tend to hide in the shade. There is no reason that your shade should be boring and lame. Customize a plain paper parasol to make all those savage tan people green with envy.


Supplies
Paper Parasol
Decorative Paper
Paper Punches
Collage Pauge Instant Decoupage Medium


Punch Paper
Some of my favorite decorative paper of all time is the wonderful collage work of Traci Bautista. I've used it to make art and jewelry so why not an umbrella. Using various size paper punches make a pile o' polka dots. You can get old school and trace coins and cups and cut them out with scissors too.


Collage
Once you have as many circles as you are going to need apply the dots to your paper parasol using Collage Pauge Instant Decoupage Medium. Allow to dry completely.


Made in the Shade
All that is left to do is take your umbrella out for a spin on a sunny day. Think of using fabric on a regular umbrella with a little Fabric Fusion Glue. I'm dreaming about how to make paper ball fringe to add to the edge of my parasol, any suggestions?

Vintage Fisher-Price Toys are New Again

You might recall from my posts here, here, here and here that I have a thing for vintage Fisher-Price toys. I just can't say no to them. You might have also known that Fisher-Price has started to re-issue a few of these vintage gems. Tallulah already has the Fisher Price Two Tune TV, Basic Fun Fisher Price TV Radio, Snoop n' Sniff, Bouncy Bee, Chatter Telephone and Basic Fun Teaching Clock. My friend Vickie just sent me an email informing me that there is a new set available and I am so giddy with excitement I can hardly stand it. With no gift giving holiday or birthday in the near future, what is a mom to do? I know load up on the toys now and dole them out in the future!

Feast your eyes on the latest releases and I dare you to try not to race to your local Target to load up!