Project Thursday

I have been painting up a storm to get ready for the Outdoor Art Show at the end of this month. Wow! That's next week!

I finally finished this larger painting that I started over a year ago.

And then I've started doing a bunch of little ones. I'm doing a dozen this size, each with a different animal. Some seem more 'done' than others, but here are the first eight.

I'm working on number 9 right now. Have you ever been working on something and you're happy how it's turning out and could even call it good, but you decide to tweak it just a little more...which screws everything up? Yeah, that's number 9.

Project Thursday

Yay! The homemade mannequin works! Here's my first completed piece using it.

I also made this little work of art this week.

And I'm working on these hand painted shoes.
 

I painted the heels aqua (like the toes), but not sure what else to paint there. My thoughts so far... 'spunki' on the left one and 'doodle' on the right. =) I could leave it blank and let the buyer pick something. Or maybe a lady bug on one and a patch of grass on the other? What do you guys suggest I paint on it? I also haven't decided what I'm doing with the inward facing side. I did the outward facing side stripes. Should I paint the inward side the same, leave it solid brown (as it is now), or something else all together?

Update: The heels now have ladybugs playing in the grass, and I've added the mushroom shoes and the apron top to my etsy shop. 

Project Thursday - among the mess

Yep! Makin' messes again. I'm preparing for a craft fair this weekend near Topaz Lake. Uh yeah, you read that right. Not Tahoe... TOPAZ Lake. I have made a few new legwarmers and a bunch of new pine cone ornaments. Haven't had a chance to photograph them yet, but I'll be sure to take some of my booth. Set up is tomorrow morning and then the fair is on Saturday. Well actually, they are calling it a bizaar. The Topaz Sagehens Holiday Bazaar.

There are supposedly over 20 artists/crafters/vendors that will be there. If you live near by and want to get started on your holiday shopping or just get your hands on some unique handmade goodies, you should come on out.

details: This Saturday, November 5, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Topaz Ranch Estates Community Park Building at 4001 Carter Way, Wellington NV 89444. It's at the end of the cul de sac. (I'm being really specific because it took me awhile just to narrow down the exact address. Google had me all over the place.)


I'm starting to get excited! And nervous. I haven't started planning my booth yet and I really need a small Christmas tree. We went to 2 nurseries today and neither had one. eek! I really want a pine tree for my ornaments. It's only fitting.

Project Thursday

I really got in the Fall spirit today. At the nursery, we bundled corn stalks and dried flowers and then used them to decorate the store front. This girl from Kansas felt a little closer to 'home'. Sorry, I didn't snap a photo. However, I did take a few of the corn tassels and flowers home and will for sure be taking some pictures of them this weekend.

I am doing my first outdoor show this Saturday. It will be outside a little gift shop called Heartstrings located at 1572 Hwy 395 in Minden, Nevada. I am bringing my painted pine cones, upcycled clothing, retro racks, and a few paintings I snagged back from the Art Center yesterday.

I had just brought 2 of the paintings to the center last week, managing to squeeze them in by angling a couple of the big ones. Although a tiny bit of room was made because.... I sold my first painting to a stranger last month! You might recall that that was one of the goals on my 31 before 32 list. I only missed it by 10 days, but it's all the same to me. =)

Tomorrow I'm gathering all my goodies and setting up a mock table so I'll be all ready for the show on Saturday. I'll be there from 9am til 3pm. If you're in the area, come say hi! I'm using the corn stalk tassels and flowers to decorate my booth so you might just get into the Fall spirit too.

Project Thursday - sewing

Yesterday, I mentioned my new friend Joy who has gotten me involved with Bringing Arts to Schools. In our initial 'getting to know each other' session, I discovered that Joy was a fashion designer... in New York! I mentioned to her I was attempting to sew my very first dress from a pattern and was already getting lost in the vocabulary used in the instructions. Joy, being the giving person that she is, offered to giving me 'sewing lessons'. eeee!



I received my first lesson this week. I have all the pieces cut out and I'm heading to Carson City today to find a coordinating zipper and some interfacing.

Project Thursday

It sure was. I finished 3 projects I've been working on (and the night is still young).

Who else has been covering their sewing machines with the ugly plastic cover that comes with it? Well I admit, I have been, BUT not any more!!


I made a sewing machine cover out of the 'body' portion of a thrifted sweater that was left over from these cute legwarmers I made for my shop. I just adore chartreuse right now!





I added some green edging from a thrifted t-shirt (left over from this project) and some stitched details with yarn.


Look how cute and spunky my sewing area is now!! Btw, I didn't sew the neck shut because I can reach in and grab the handle. The handle fits perfect (viewable in the first photo).

Ok, the night is getting less young so I'm off to hopefully get some more projects done. I will share the other 2 projects with you tomorrow. night!

jessie b

Project Thursday

How 'bout a tour through my studio and see where all my projects unfold? Well come on :)

Welcome to the spunkidoodle studio!

This is the little nook that is a step down from the main room. There is a sliding glass door behind the desk so I can watch the sun set. And it is quite beautiful right now.

cozy corner

I found this turquoise hanging display in the condo we are renting. I thought it was special enough to make a finger knitted 'rope' to hang it from the skylight...but I can't figure out what to hang from it. Any suggestions?

The roller skates I found at a thrift store this past fall. I almost did a whole post about them entitled "omg! omg!" because I could not stop saying that for at least an hour after I found them.


A few of my camp creations made it on display here. I just finished this rainbow of to-do's and the paper bag schedule yesterday. I have them color coded by priority. My attempt to be more organized and task oriented.

Looking back into the main room. My sewing center :)

Remember those 2 twin beds from the before pics? Well, I stacked both mattresses on one frame and put the other frame in the closet. The mattresses are foam so they are flat and pretty firm, making them a pretty good work space.

shipping center :) ha ha

That's it kids. Hope you enjoyed the tour around my studio. I sure love it!

jessie b

Project Thursday - Halloweens Past

Today I'm going to find the materials I need to make my Halloween Costume. ok ok, I know it's almost last minute, but isn't that how everyone decides on a costume?

Just for fun, here are a few of my costumes from Halloweens Past.

yeah, ive got the look down

with the eyes


me and my cookie

see, i wasnt grouchy the whole night

in my can

this was the funnest costume to make. i already owned the belt and shoes (tho i did make/add yellow stars with rhinestones to the shoes).



this jacket was still wet (from spray paint) when i went to the party. it was seriously painted moments before we left the house. btw, im wearing a wig because my hair was dark then

eating a sandwich...in a hotel in Omaha, NE...about to represent Kansas at a national retreat
(i didnt make the dress. it was store bought in Omaha the day of the event)

this was actually just for fun one day. i just felt like lettin my dark side out. i didnt let it out of the house though :)

ok, time for some thrift shopping! Happy Halloween Weekend everyone!

Project Thursday

Well, my project today is not really something I can photographically share with you yet, so I'm including my workspace instead (yes, the kitchen table). I am working on my website... spunkidoodle.com. Since I'm just starting out, I am also building my identity. I love helping others to start up their businesses... creating a name, picking colors, deciding on a feel, what products to offer, designing a physical environment, print materials, etc, but it seems a little harder with my own business. It's taking a whee bit longer than I'd hoped, but I'm on it.