Inventory of Stock Content for FREE!

A time saver for anyone that needs images quickly is to have a good stock library to fall back on. Maybe this means just using an image as a placeholder or parts of the image at least you have a bit to work from. You can spend hours/days/weeks finding the perfect image for a client but what if they don't like it and you spent so much time finding that one image and less time DESIGNING. Of course you want to have the perfect image but sometimes you need to get the design going to get the full look and feel.

Here are some tips at getting a FREE stock library:

• Every week istockphoto.com has free images/video/audio/illustrations to download

• Stock Xchange  is amazing and has a very LARGE LIBRARY 

• The Library of Congress is an amazing resource for multiple image downloads www.loc.gov

• Nasa

• Free vector illustrations at Vecteezy

Two Pillows for $5.00 in under 30 Minutes!

I browsed through the clearance section at Home Goods and found some wonderful quilted place-mats. A set of four RECYCLED place-mats made from left over fresh fabric cuttings from India for $5.00.

I placed two place-mats together with the wrong sides together. Something about pinning I hate and I'm just a beginner when it comes to sewing so I skipped pinning thus saving me tons of time. I just sewed them .25" from the edge, knowing that what I'm sewing is the inside of the pillow so the wobbly stitch doesn't show too much.  I sewed three sides together and left the fourth open to fit the pillow form into. (SEE BELOW)

Stuff your pillow with old stuffing from an old boring pillow or you can also purchase a pillow form at any craft or fabric. I was lucky enough to have leftover stuffing and some muslin to make a pillow form at NO cost. Last step was to hand stitch the fourth edge close.

Then repeat all steps on the other two place mats. 

Then add it to the family of pillows you already have and wallah....a $5.00 set of beautiful pillows in under 30 minutes!

Inspiration Pad

Amazing way to think outside the box in this notebook by TM Shop.

Geometric Past, Present or Future?

I've fallen in love with Geometric patterns. I can stop myself from sketching them and the fashion I drool over. I'm not sure if this was a fast trend the sparked my interest in Spring that's stuck too long or if this geometric pattern thing is here to stay.  Regardless I love it! I recently went the the Museum of Modern Art in Chicago and saw the amazing Alexander Calder exhibit and was inspired to make more sketches. I'm currently making them into screen prints.

I can totally make that!

I came across this amazing Etsy store the Thief & Bandit with this T-Shirt necklace. I love handmade stuff and always support handmade stuff, but my budget doesn't allow for me to purchase this lovely necklace for $42. So instead I will be making one myself with used t-shirts I have at home. See this link for DIY tutorial on how to make the basic shape at Two Kitties.

Also a great tutorial on how to remake an old T-shirt into an awesome handmade piece at This Old Dress.

Customized Clothing Under $100!

I came across the website www.eshakti.com where you are able to customize the clothes to best fit you!! The have a huge range of clothing options where you can find some real jems.

The policy at Eshakti is amazing:

• Offer trendy, comfortable styles in clothes in a selection of fabrics.

• Provide the full size selection from 0 to 26W. We also offer custom sizes.

• Empower the customer by providing the option to change the styling to suit her body.

• Simple, no hassle, money-back guarantee on sales returns.

• All items, including custom orders are shipped in 3 days or less and should arrive at your door within 7 days.


I haven't had the pleasure of doing business with them yet but certainly hope to do so soon.

Its been a really long time......I miss you

I miss you blog, its been a long rough road the last year and I've neglected you in the process. I've been updating my work and really really searching for that dream job. I'm working harder than ever and it feels like a backwards journey at times. Creativity needs an outlet and you are it! I'm going to make a promise to update you at least once a week. I hope we are still friends?