Pregnancy and Birth Art Gallery

I got an email from a fellow Etsian last week, asking to include one of my paintings in a "Pregnancy and Birth"-themed gallery on her website. It's a lovely gallery, presenting such a wide range of pregnancy art. It's truly beautiful... please check it out!

http://www.fyrestormcreations.com/id36.html

Lucha Libre!

While waiting for me to browse through yarn at my favorite local yarn shop, my 6-year-old son amused himself flipping through the knitting books. While perusing Son of Stitch-n-Bitch by Debbie Stoller he found a pattern for a Lucha Libre-inspired ski mask. "MOM!!! PLEEEEASE buy this book!! I NEEEED you to make me this mask!!" And so I did. I bought the book, and although I despise following patterns, I made the mask for my boy. I did have to adapt it slightly, as the pattern is sized for an adult, but it was really fun to make, and so much fun watching my boy get so excited as it began to take shape. It was my first attempt at two-color knitting, so it was a learning experience for me, as well! My boy has already picked out my next knitting project... he'd like some handknit socks. This will be a learning experience for me as well, as I've never attempted socks! But I think I'm up for the challenge!

In other news, there will be a new painting/collage underway soon. I've done a sketch, and now I just need to find time to get downstairs to my paints!

Another Nekkid Girl

Untitled Nude 2... 8x10, acrylic on canvas board. Available in my Etsy Shop.

Irons in the fire....

How many projects can one girl have going at the same time? TOO MANY, if you happen to be this girl. I really do have a horrible habit of starting new projects before old projects are finished. On the plus side, I've always got something handy to work on... on the down side, some projects get lost in the shuffle, AND it's hard for me to keep my stuff organized when I've got so many things things going at once. At the moment, my works-in-progress are: A halter top for my daughter, two sweaters, a bag that will be for ME :), a painting which is about half-done and will be a companion piece to one I've already finished. Add to that the projects which are in the planning stages but not actually really started... the ski mask my son wants me to make, the sketches I've started for new paintings , the collage series that's in my head but not on paper yet, The blue jean bags I'm going to make with the stack of old jeans I have... I could go on and on. Sometimes my brain goes into creative overdrive, but there simply aren't enough hours in the day to make all the things I'd like to make. Wait... why am I typing here? I've got knitting/painting/cutting/drawing/sewing to do!

Still more Renegade Stitches!

So... these past few weeks I've been finishing up a bunch of started-then-abandoned projects from my yarn basket. This has been a very good thing, for a few different reasons! One... it feels really good to finish things. I just get depressed and feel like a failure when I see abandoned projects lying about. I do have a bad habit of starting things and not finishing them! Two... lots of new things to list in my shop... Three... finishing up projects and using up yarn means I get to go YARN SHOPPING! I love yarn shopping! In a couple of weeks I will be making a pilgrimage to my favorite Big Yarn Store, where I will be taking advantage of their Big Summer Sale as well as taking a class to brush up on some knitting techniques. I'm hoping for a few sales before then, so I can justify buying more :)

So speaking of those recently completed projects.... here is my latest one, just finished this weekend and just listed this morning!
It's a sassy, skinny, 7 1/2 foot-long fashion scarf made from smoky-colored ribbon yarn, and can be worn a number of different ways. It is sexy, and it is available right now, in my Renegade Stitches Etsy Shop!



PS... I should also mention that I also have a favorite Small Yarn Store, and if you're in the greater Boston area you should stop in and pay Kim a visit. Tell her Jenney sent you, and buy lots of yarn from her :)

New Listings are UP!

Fresh and new in my Renegade Stitches shop! Each of my handmade garments and accessories is one-of-a-kind... completely original... just like you! Here is a sneak peek at what's new...












For more, check out my Renegade Stitches shop... there is something for everyone and every mood... from my whimsical "Button Button" collection to my sophisticated Luxe Collection. All as unique as you are.

New Stuff!!

I've been knitting and crocheting like a fiend, but haven't listed anything on Etsy in awhile... so today is the day! I'll be listing a silk asymmetrical wrap, a new fuzzy bikini top and a cute little cuff. Stay tuned!

Finally...

It's been a while, but I've finally finished a new piece...

8x10, acrylic on canvas board.



Available via my Etsy shop... www.pinkkittydesigns.etsy.com

New in the Renegade Stitches Shop...

Fuzzy Bikini Top! Something about this one makes me think of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert...
Available in my Renegade Stitches Shop. Another color coming soon!

On Self Portraits...

While hashing out some sketches for some new paintings last night, I got to thinking about self portraits. I remember, as a kid, thinking that all the famous artists in the world who painted all those self-portraits of themselves must have been incredible egomaniacs. Then, as I got older, I realized it has very little to do with ego, but is all about FREE MODEL! Yup. That's it. I know I certainly can't afford to pay a model to sit for me! Also... the "artist as model" is always available, and in addition to working for free, is willing to pose however you want, and doesn't give you any attitude. Although I don't draw or paint "self portraits" as such, I definitely use myself as a model to get proportions and such right.

I was also contemplating how, in some ways, there is an element of "self portrait" in any work an artist creates. For me (and people who know me well have pointed this out) my current state of mind and what's happening in my life tends to find it's way onto the canvas. There is an element of vulnerability and self-exposure to art... sometimes it's right on the surface, and sometimes you have to look for it, but it's always there, someplace. It's one of the many things that intrigues me about art.

Feeling inspired...

So... for a few months I've been somewhat uninspired creatively speaking. Sometimes real life just gets in the way of the creative process, you know? But recently I'm beginning to get ideas again! I've got a few ideas in my head for some painting/mixed media projects... just need to sketch them out and get them onto canvas! Also... cleaning out my yarn baskets has inspired some ideas for some nice fiber projects, as well! I found several skeins of "fun fur" yarn that I'd purchased ages ago and then never used, and those fuzzy scarves, well, I'm kind of bored with that whole concept. But I've got a clever idea in the works! Stay tuned!

:)

YARN!!!

Oh my goodness... I cleaned out my yarn baskets yesterday (Um, yeah... Baskets, plural... ) and I found several unfinished projects, as well as some pretty yarns I purchased and then almost forgot about! So my goal for the week is to finish those projects, and FINALLY get some new things listed in my Renegade Stitches shop! Stay tuned... :)

I made a new thing...

A halter top... crocheted from black cotton:

More Spring Cleaning!

I'm STILL cleaning out my studio! Here are the current sales happening in my shops!

In my Pink Kitty Designs shop:
SUPPLIES! ... I'm destashing some of my craft stuff.... come get some bargains!
JOURNALS AND ALBUMS... prices reduced!
STUFF FOR YOUR HOME... picture frames, coasters, etc... all reduced!
Plus... I'm having a special for blog readers only... All collages, paintings and prints are FREE SHIPPING... just put "blog" in the message to seller and wait for an adjusted invoice before paying.

In my Renegade Stitches shop:
check out my "oh what a bargain" section for some hot deals!
Also... check out my cute spring items! Fresh accessories and bags made of cotton, bamboo, etc... perfect for the warmer months!

Hey fellow crafty-folks!!

As mentioned in the previous post, I'm doing some spring cleaning at the moment! A result of all this cleaning out is that I have a bunch of supplies currently listed in my shop, with more being added as I continue to destash! Take a peek in the "SUPPLIES" section of my Kitty shop:
http://www.pinkkittydesigns.etsy.com

Other sales happening right now:
Everything in my "Stuff for your Home" section is reduced!

And for blog-readers only... FREE SHIPPING on all paintings, collages, prints and ACEOs! Just put "Kitty Blog" in the message to seller, and wait for an adjusted invoice before paying...
http://www.pinkkittydesigns.etsy.com

:)

Spring Cleaning!

Keep your eye on my Pink Kitty Designs and Renegade Stitches Etsy shops! I'm going to be doing some "Spring Cleaning" over the next few weeks, so this is your official "heads up" that there will be Clearance Sales happening! Stay tuned... :)

Celebrating 100!

This past Sunday, my Pink Kitty Designs Etsy shop hit a milestone... I got my 100th Sale!! So, a big hearty Thank You to all the customers who have made this moment possible! I really do appreciate that you have liked my work enough to want to purchase it! It means a great deal to me! Thank you!

Knitty Goodness!

I've finally finished a little knit top I've been working on, with yarn I picked up on this little excursion. I designed this one myself, my first time knitting a garment completely and totally without a pattern. I never use patterns for crochet, but since I'm fairly new to knitting, I usually at least look to patterns for suggestions (although I never follow them to the letter... I can't! Just not in me!) But this one was totally from scratch, and I'm pretty happy with it! So happy, in fact, that I'm going to keep it for me... not gonna sell this one! Seems appropriate to keep it, anyway, since it was made to my measurements :) Anyway... Here it is...

the photo is a little bit oddly angled, as it was taken by a seven-year-old, but it gives a general idea of what it looks like! The top is a k1, p1 rib for stretch and fit, and the bottom part is straight stockinette. There is a single-crochet edge on the whole thing, for a more "finished" look. The yarn is a silk and cotton blend in a lovely sage green, which feels so nice next to the skin. I'm going to have to get some more of this yarn in another color... it was dreamy to work with and it's even dreamier to wear! Next project is finishing a blue cotton sweater that I've started and stopped many times. I've just not been happy with how it's taking shape, so I keep setting it aside and then going back to try and fix it. I really want to get it finished... it's become a challenge that I must conquer!

Happy Earth Day!

It's Earth Day... and while it is true that we should ALWAYS do what we can to tread lightly and reduce our impact on Planet Earth, sometimes we need a little reminder of this, and that is what Earth Day is to me!
In honor of Earth Day, I'm going to feature a fellow Etsy seller who makes beautiful items which make it easy to reduce and reuse! Blog readers, meet Gnomeclothes! I just bought some adorable "sandwich wraps" from Gnomeclothes for my kids lunches, to reduce the amount of wax paper and foil we throw away each week.

She also makes snack bags, sandwich baggies and cloth napkins in fun, colorful fabrics which are great for kids AND adults! Small steps do add up... if you take take your lunch to work everyday, five days a week, with your sandwich in a little plastic baggie, that makes 250 baggies in the landfill in one year's time! And if you have 2 or 3 kids who are taking their PB&J in a baggie everyday... well... you get the idea! So check out her shop, and do your part for Mother Earth today!

And ANOTHER one... ACEO!

Spread your wings and fly... mixed media collage ACEO... signed and dated on back.

How Does Your Garden Grow...

A new ACEO... It's spring. Time for gardens! Gardens make me happy. So do babies. Here's my newest ACEO:


Original mixed media collage, signed and dated on back.

Re-inspired...

...a little bit, anyway! It's been so busy in my real life lately, that I just haven't had the creative energy left to really make anything. But then this weekend I sold some ACEOs, and it occurred to be that maybe THAT would be a good way to get back in the "groove"... I'll work on an ACEO or two! Since they are small, they don't take as much time to make, and they are so much fun!
So... with any luck, I will be adding fun new things to my shop, soon!

Here I am!!

Wow, I've been totally neglecting this blog! I've been juggling lots lately, and sadly, I've not been spending much time making stuff. I have lots of ideas in my head, though! Hopefully I'll find some time to actually put paint to canvas!
I have been knitting, at least. I looove the soothing repetition of knitting and crocheting! It's a form of meditation for me. I am convinced that I require a daily dose of "yarn time" as much as I require food. If I go too long without picking up my needles, I get really antsy!
I've got a very busy weekend ahead, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to focus a little more come Monday... we shall see how that goes!

Fiber Arts Utopia

I made a pilgrimage yesterday, to a place I'd heard great stories about. A place of beauty and wonder... and glorious yarns as far as the eye can see.

Webs, in Northampton, Massachusetts.

If you are a yarn addict like me, and you are anyplace even remotely close to the area, you MUST go here. I'm not sure how much time I actually spent in there... it is easy to lose track of the time when one is surrounded by THOUSANDS of hanks and skeins of beautiful fibers... wools, silks, linens, cottons, bamboo, cashmere, alpaca and more... and more knitting/crochet/fiber books than I even knew existed, needles, hooks, notions, roving, looms, spinning wheels... Seriously. Fiber Arts Utopia. And big comfy chairs, which encourage you to linger, perusing books of patterns, etc, surrounded by little groups of people knitting and chatting. I had several pleasant conversations with friendly yarn-loving folks. I ended up purchasing some gorgeous sage-green cotton/silk blend yarn, and a beautiful deep purple wool/linen blend with strands of navy and rust, along with a book and new circular needles. I showed enormous restraint, I think! I tried to control myself, as I already have an overflowing yarn basket and several unfinished projects at home. I'm definitely going to go back, though! My trip to Webs also renewed my interest in learning to spin, something I've thought a lot about the past year or so. I need to sell some more stuff from my Renegade Stitches shop, so that I can save up for a spinning wheel!

Keep your eye on my Renegade Stitches Etsy shop, to see what I do with all this beautiful yarn!

butterflies are pretty

I love butterflies. I love all things vintage. I love things in pairs. Yesterday I made a little pair of framed collages with butterflies and vintage postcards. I'm selling them in my shop as a pair, because I think they belong together. Like best friends, or Lovers or shoes. Pairs are good.

My felted bag...

I've been talking about and showing progress photos of this bag here since about last month or so... and now, I'm happy to report that it's finished! You will not find this one in my Renegade Stiches Shop, though... I love it too much to sell it :)
Here it is... first photo is before felting, second photo is the completed bag.



My current knitting project is a sleeveless cotton sweater, and I'm crocheting some fuzzy pillows. You know what they say about idle hands... no danger of that here :)

Leap of Faith

this is a detail photo of "Leap of Faith", mixed media on canvas. 16x20
Full view photo and other detail pics of this piece can be seen at www.pinkkittydesigns.etsy.com

Kind Words

Today I received the loveliest note from a buyer! I was so touched by her kind words... it really means a lot to me when someone takes the time to let me know they are happy! Knowing that something I made has brought happiness to someone or touched them in some way is the best feeling.

Sometimes it is the small gestures in life that mean the most. Show someone a small kindness today... surprise someone with a small gift, write a thank you note, call someone out of the blue and say "I love you". You just might make their week!

More Retro Fun!

I got a fun opportunity yesterday, to make a new shop banner for a fellow Etsy artist! I had a great time putting it together, and I'm proud that she picked me to do it for her! I admire her work quite a bit... she specializes in retro-inspired children's items... clothing, decor, etc. You simply MUST check out her shop...

www.rockabyeretro.etsy.com

It's awesome!

Fun Retro Kitsch!

I recently got my hands on a vintage children's reading primer from 1957. Oh, what fun things I will make with this! The illustrations in this book are hilarious, and the fun 1950s gender stereotyping is, well, it just is.
I just finished my first piece in what I'm guessing will be some kind of "Happy Homemaker" series, for those who love cheesy retro kitsch as much as I do....

My I introduce: "The Happy Homemaker" ACEO*




*ACEO stands for Artist Card Editions and Originals... little works of art measuring 2.5x3.5 inches... they are a great way to collect your every own original art at an affordable price!

The Happy Homemaker is available in my Pink Kitty Etsy shop.

Beautiful Friend

"Beautiful Friend" mixed media collage on heavy cardboard, 3.5 x 5 inches. Features a quote from William Shakespeare, taken from his Sonnet 104:
"To me, fair friend you can never be old
For as you were when first your eye I eyed
Such seems your beauty still."





Available here.

Red Bubble!

I've just discovered something cool! It's called "Red Bubble"... I can best describe it as sort of a blend between CafePress and DeviantArt, but not quite. Anyway... I've put some of my work up there, available for purchase as cards, prints, etc! I've only got five things up there, so far, but hopefully I'll get more up soon!

Check out my stuff on Red Bubble here!

:)

A-B-C

Set of 3 mixed-media collages, 6x6 inches each. Available at www.pinkkittydesigns.etsy.com

Sprucing up the joint!

I decided that my Pink Kitty Etsy shop needed a little sprucing up, so I put together a NEW banner and avatar.... Please, Check it out, and let me know what you think! :)

www.pinkkittydesigns.etsy.com

Thanks!

ETSY on Martha Stewart!

I'm happy to report that Etsy will be getting a huge publicity boost (I hope!) as there will be a segment about Etsy on tomorrow's Martha Stewart Show! I don't watch the show, and I have no idea what time or network it is on, but I'm planning to find out and tape it or something, as I'd like to see it! I'm guessing that good ol' Martha mentioning us on her show will bring in a fair amount of traffic to the site! I hope so, anyway... sales for me have been a wee bit slow this month, so maybe this will help things pick up a bit!

About to expire...

This collage is about to end it's listing run on Etsy. I don't feel like renewing it. So this is an official "Get it while you can" notice. :) The listing can be found here, with more photos and a full description.

New pieces...

Two of them...
"She wore flowers in her hair" mixed media collage on canvas board, 9x12


And another little ACEO... "Drama Queen"

Big Big SALE!

I'm having a SALE in my Renegade Stitches shop! I've tossed quite a few things into my "Oh What a Bargain" section....

Oh What a Bargain!

So you can be stylin' in your very own one-of-a-kind fashionable accessories without having to drop a lot of dough!

Plus, there are lots of lovely items in the rest of the shop, as well! I need to clear out some space for all the NEW spring projects I've got in the works! I've purchased some lovely cotton yarns, some hemp, and I've got some more banana silk yarn! But I've only got so much storage space, so help a sister out, would ya?

www.renegadestitches.etsy.com

Another ACEO

These are fun to make! Here's a new one...
"The Lovers"... Two giddy lovers surrounded by music, poetry and roses:



available here

Let's hear it for ACEOs!

I've always been intrigued by ACEOs... which stands for "Artist Card Editions and Originals"... little works of art measuring 2.5x3.5 inches... they are a great way to collect your every own original art at an affordable price! I'm fascinated by the wide variety of ACEOs I've seen out there... little paintings, collages, prints, etc etc. I've decided to try my hand at this artform, and so far I've completed two (both available in my Pink Kitty Designs Etsy Shop, of course!)

Here they are...

**tweet**

A pair of little 4x6 collages, inspired by one of Grandma's favorite sayings about birds in hands and bushes... you know the one.

You don't?

Oh. Well...

"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"

Busy Day!

The last two collages I posted here ("She was a Dreamer" and "Her beauty was beguiling") have sold! A bunch of other things have sold today too, which is always nice. Funny how some pieces sell in a day or two, while other hang around the shop for months... I guess you can never tell what will appeal to people. I've long ago given up trying to guess... I just create from the heart, and just take it as a huge compliment when my art speaks to someone in such a way that they wish to make it their own.
Also... an update on another previous post... the bag I'm knitting! It's coming along quite nicely! The more I knit, the more in love I am with this yarn and all of it's luscious, stripy goodness!

Her Beauty was Beguiling...

"Her beauty was beguiling..." 4x5 inch mini-collage on cardstock.

Still stitchin'

I realized today that it's been ages since I've listed anything new in my Renegade Stitches shop. It's not that I haven't been crocheting and knitting... on the contrary, I've been knitting like a fiend, and still crocheting some. But oh-so-selfishly, I have been keeping everything I've made for myself! A few things have been given away as gifts, but for the most part, me me me! Here are a few things I've made myself lately...

Charcoal gray fingerless gloves...
perfect for keeping hands warm while knitting!

Soft, gray, wool-blend scarf...













And my current project... a soon-to-be bag! I found this gorgeous striping wool yarn at Butterfly Yarns (google them, and pay them a visit if you live in the boston area... they ROCK) I love the warm colors, and I'm pleased with how it's knitting up! As you can see, I've only just begun, but the plan is to felt it and line when it's finished. This one will be mine, too!

less than a week...

Until Valentine's Day! There is still time to get something special for your loved one!

Pink Kitty's Etsy Shop

She was a Dreamer...

mini-collage on cardstock. 4x5 inches

Art and Food

While helping my seven-year-old daughter clean her room, I came across a piece of paper. Written on it, in my daughter's hand, was a single sentence:

"I have a huge appetite for Art and Food."

Yup. That's my kid.

Lost

My newest piece... "lost" 16x20 mixed media...acrylics, paper and colored pencils on canvas.

MotherGoddess

I've been working on a series of paintings celebrating the beauty of pregnancy.... my "MotherGoddess" series. I love the beautiful voluptuous curves of pregnancy! For me, pregnancy was the ultimate expression of my womanhood. While pregnant I felt so alive, so beautiful, so powerful. Pregnancy taught me to truly appreciate and respect the strength of my own body. I am PROUD of my body, and all that it has accomplished. I have given birth to three beautiful children. My body has nourished them, and made them strong.

Pictured here are "MotherGoddess 2" and "MotherGoddess 4"

Anti-Valentines

OK... so let's suppose that your best friend is feeling a little cranky with all the lovey-dovey talk of Valentines, because she just broke up with her boyfriend. What are you going to do to cheer her up? Pink Kitty has the answer... my exclusive line of "break-up cards"! They are just the thing to help mend broken hearts, or at least bring a smile to the face of those not so into the whole "valentine" thing.
There are three different designs available:

"boys are stupid" features elegant floral paper with "Boys are Stupid" in fancy script attached with little black brads. This one is sure to bring a smile to her face!

"You have to kiss a lot of frogs..." We all know how the saying goes... so after your friend has broken up with the latest frog, this card is sure to cheer her up! It is adorned with white and lilac ribbons and a cute little plastic frog!

"broken heart" This is a simple design featuring a paper heart torn in half and repaired with a real band-aid. It is backed with deep purple paper and adorned with antiqued brads. Perfect for males or females... anyone who has suffered a broken heart.

Pink Pink Pink!

In keeping with the Valentine theme of the last few posts, I thought I'd show of some PINK stuff from my renegade stitches shop...
www.renegadestitches.etsy.com

Not pictured here (because I can't get the photo to upload, for some reason) is one of my favorites... a lovely piece of soft pink fuzziness you can see here:

Rosy Mohair Wrap

Tomorrow I will be posting in the "Anti-Valentine" theme... check back to see! :)

Valentines for LOVERS

So... let's say you're looking for something for your Valentine that's fun, silly, sexy and yes, even a little bit naughty! You need:

Naughty Conversation Hearts Confetti

(please note: if naughty words offend you... please do not click on the above link)

Naughty Conversation Hearts Confetti is just like those little candy hearts you remember, but much dirtier and NO calories! They come in a petite handmade envelope, and are printed with a variety of very sexy phrases! Surprise your Love by tucking these into a card, sprinkling them on his or her pillow, or on the tablecloth for your romantic dinner for two, or leave a trail of them leading to the bed. The possibilities are endless!

More Valentines....

Today's Valentine's Day feature is "VALENTINES FOR ANYONE"... Valentine's Day is not just for romantic Lovers... it's a day when we let all of those special people in our lives know how much they are loved. Here are some cards which are appropriate for family, friends AND lovers...
















One of my favorite Valentine items are this set of 6 Petite Valentines. Perfect for spreading the LOVE to everyone who is special to you. Or give them all to one person... hide them all around the house for your lover to find. Each is individually handmade by me from a variety of fancy papers and embellishments, and comes with it's own handmade envelope.



These and more available at www.pinkkittydesigns.etsy.com