Shannon Yellow

Winter

2011-12-03T09:20:00.001-08:00

Winter by smalaska featuring a wool blend coat

Chiffon dress
$695 - shopadam.com

Lipsy floral print dress
$55 - asos.com

See by Chloe wool blend coat
£484 - farfetch.com

High heels
£54 - farfetch.com

Pearl clutching
£60 - coast-stores.com

Cathy Waterman diamond ring
$37,330 - barneys.com

Van Cleef Arpels diamond jewelry
jewelry.1stdibs.com

Yves Saint Laurent 'Rouge Volupte' Lipstick 021 Vibrant Brown One Size
$34 - nordstrom.com

Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Pur -10: Pure Redcurrant
$30 - barneys.com

Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss -White
$23 - barneys.com

Cabaret Eau De Parfum Spray - GRES - Perfume & Women's Fragrances -...
$85 - strawberrynet.com

Essie 'Winter Collection' Nail Polish Trophy Wife (Sh) One Size
$8 - nordstrom.com

Purple and Yellow

2011-11-30T16:48:00.001-08:00

Purple and Yellow by smalaska featuring a pleated dress

Pleated dress
$43 - modcloth.com

Dress
dotti.com.au

Marni long sleeve cardigan
£149 - farfetch.com

Cardigan
£58 - my-deluxe.com

Mulberry high heel pumps
$500 - mulberry.com

Shoes
150 AUD - sirenshoes.com.au

Red and green

2011-11-30T16:19:00.001-08:00

Red and green by smalaska featuring oversized shirts

CALYPSO ST BARTH long tee
$49 - calypsostbarth.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs oversized shirt
$365 - stylebop.com

Jet Set straight leg pants
$665 - stylebop.com

Miu Miu high heel pumps
$595 - miumiu.com

Supra winter white shoes
$120 - suprafootwear.com

day 27

2011-04-08T17:30:00.001-07:00

what if an egg became a bird?

day 26

2011-04-08T17:29:00.001-07:00

day 25

2011-04-08T17:28:00.000-07:00

I can hit a sparrow with an arrow.

day 24

2011-04-08T17:27:00.001-07:00

day 23

2011-04-08T17:26:00.000-07:00

from eggs to feathers

cryptic noise and hollow bones

Rocks in their gizzard

a haiku

day 22

2011-04-08T17:25:00.000-07:00

chickadee-dee-dee

day 21

2011-04-08T17:24:00.001-07:00

house finch. Gone before it could fully enjoy spring.

day 20

2011-04-08T17:23:00.003-07:00

Jacob dug this clay out of the earth

Day 19

2011-04-08T17:23:00.001-07:00

Day 18

2011-04-08T17:21:00.000-07:00

I made a bird out of a tortilla. nuff said.

day 17

2011-03-26T13:14:00.002-07:00

tinfoil vultures are a plague in our frontroom.

Day 16

2011-03-26T13:14:00.001-07:00

Day 15

2011-03-26T13:11:00.002-07:00

So I forgot till after I went to bed. I lay there exhausted but not able to sleep. Then I remembered I forgot a bird project! So I stumbled around for a permanent marker and made a temporary tattoo in the light of the hallway. I took a picture the next morning... and got a lot of questions.

day 14

2011-03-26T13:11:00.001-07:00

what can I say. Valentines is busy times.

Day 13

2011-03-26T13:07:00.001-07:00

A sonnet:

In the desert Israel's children hungered
Lord's mercy gave the way for all to feed
with bright morn their love they showed uncensored
For the Lord's marvelous and blessed deed

Manna's sweet dew from earth gave sustained life
Each bite gave health and good delicate taste
For each man to gather bread without strife
With earths bounty there was no need to waste

When the manna's taste was bitter to break
The Lord sent quail to fill in its place
Israel gorged their lust for meat to partake
A great plague came to bury their disgrace

And if thou need to have what thou must
Beware the beguiling graves of lust.

Day 12

2011-03-26T13:06:00.001-07:00

really though

2011-03-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

I really have done the rest of the birds.

But, the daylight hours are few when I'm actually home.

soon though.

Day 11

2011-02-24T13:09:00.001-08:00

Rayon Linen stuffed bird.

day 10

2011-02-24T13:08:00.001-08:00

it's all sparkles from here on out

Day 9

2011-02-10T15:25:00.000-08:00

Q: Can you guess what I am?

A: A rayon-linen Hummingbird.

Day 8

2011-02-10T15:23:00.000-08:00

Verdin: Listen

You can find him in the southwest.

Day 7

2011-02-10T15:19:00.001-08:00

Yes. Another drawing.

listen to fleet Foxes while you look at this.

Day 6

2011-02-10T15:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Sunday.

This is so small.

Small Barn owl.

Day 5

2011-02-10T15:12:00.000-08:00

Day 4

2011-02-10T15:11:00.001-08:00

Stellar Jay again.

yes, it is only Friday and I've started to run out of ideas.

Day 3

2011-02-10T15:07:00.001-08:00

Stellar Jay.

These things exist. I've seen them outside my apartment window. Majestic little men.

Day 2

2011-02-10T15:04:00.000-08:00

Time is precious.

Here is my origami version of my favorite bird: Scarlet Ibis

Day 1

2011-02-10T15:02:00.000-08:00

Here we go, February 1st 2011

Creativity

2011-01-31T21:32:00.000-08:00

What is creativity? Illusive mostly. I'm taking this class called History of Creativity, where we explore creativity of the people from 1500s to today. Curious right? Our big assignment is to present a creative project. That's it. simple right? No.

What is creativity? Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: "... Creativity involves both a process and a result. It springs out of our seeing possibilities that we have not seen before and out of seeing connections between patches of truth and beauty and responding to them in ways we have not done before. Feelings that lead to poetry, mental imagery that leads to painting, and pondering that gives birth to prose are but examples."

So here is what I'm giving myself an opportunity to do. Everyday I am going to make (create if you will) something new, original, creative, around one theme--birds. I don't know what I'm going to do, or what I'm going to end up with, all I know is that I will start tomorrow and go for a month. Why even do this? It could get monotonous, right?

Here is what I'm thinking, when does creativity happen? I believe it happens when circumstance gets difficult. When things get hard or complicated you have to create a new way to solve them, obviously the old isn't working. Jack White is a good example of this concept (take a look at his documentary Under Great White Northern Lights) and most any other creative person, (Raphael, Queen Elizabeth, The Beatles). In my busy life it seems that doing one genuinely creative act a day is going to be hard. But hopefully in difficulty I can discover something new about myself and something new about creating. As Elder Maxwell said "...perspiration usually precedes inspiration...Creative work is sweet, but it is work!"

Why creativity is important, or why it even matters in our personal lives is another matter. For help I turn again to the words of those who are wiser than me.

Mary Ellen Smoot spoke in an April 2000 general conference. Her talk was titled "We Are Creators"

She begins her talk by say "We are creators....Creation is one of the characteristics that defines God". In no way am I saying that my month long project of bird art is the Lord's work, but I think there is a lot that can be learned from the skill of Creativity. Sis. Smoot's words are really helpful, and I encourage you to read them, especially if you feel like you are "not creative".

Here is a part I especially like:

We each have to say to ourselves, What will I create of my life? My time? My future?

First, go where the Spirit directs. Be still and Listen.... Be patient, ask in faith, and you will receive guidance in your creative efforts.

Second, don't be paralyzed from fear of making mistakes. Thrust your hands into the clay of your lives and begin. I love how Rebekah of old responded to Abraham's servant who came in search of a wife for Isaac. Her answer was simple and direct, "I will go," she said.

Rebekah could have refused. She could have told the servant to wait until she had the proper send-ff, a new wardrobe, until she lost a few pounds, or until the weather was more promising. She could have said, "what's wrong with Isaac that he can't find a wife in all of Canaan?" but she didn't. She acted, and so should we.

The time for procrastination is over. Begin! Don't be afraid. Do the best you can. Of course you will make mistakes. Everyone does. Learn from them and move forward.

Third, support others along the way. Every person on this earth is unique. We all have varied interests, abilities and skills. We are each at different levels physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Finally, rejoice. Creation isn't drudgery. Creation flows from love. When we do what we love, we rejoice along the way.

I believe that creativity has a very real effect in our lives. There is goodness and beauty that comes when humans push themselves to explore something a little deeper, see a little farther. In this next month I hope to better understand creativity. Feel free to stop by my blog to see what I'm making. Although I don't plan on posting every creation every day, you should be able to see my progression and my exploration of simple acts of creativity.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever: Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness; but still will keep a bower quiet for us, and a sleep full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing. --John Keats

hello spring

2010-04-25T16:18:00.001-07:00

What have I been up to? I don't know really, school mostly. But I did manage to make one little thing for a lovely lady in my ward getting married.
Oh needs trashy lingerie anyways? And tricolt is officially my favorite nostalgic cloth (like in my version of the nightgown below)

what do you do on the first day of spring? Eat egg salad sandwiches and wear yellow. anyways.

Dress Design for Shabby Apple Dresses

2009-11-02T21:15:00.000-08:00

Shabby Apple dresses is doing a wonderful competition for spring dress designs.

I thought I should give it a go! (Spring dresses are somewhat of a hobby of mine). Every year I love to make a brand new dress to celebrate the brand new season.

When designing this dress I couldn't help but think of robin egg blue skies and new flowers. The fabric would be a light weight robin-egg-blue cotton, with persimmon satin ribbons, and delicate cream lace on the sleeves and down the back. The collar will have uncomplicated stitching, making a simple and clean dress, with a feminine boldness.

So there you go.

Ear baubles

2009-01-03T11:17:00.000-08:00

So I've been in my apartment all week, essentially alone, so what do Ido? Craft. I started making earrings which I'm really excited about, now i just need to get my ears pierced.

see them on etsy www.bowknots.etsy.com

New year, New hat

2009-01-01T16:11:00.001-08:00

Well, my brother Jason had this great idea of making a warm and cozy hat out of an old hoodie he had. So we spent a whole day trying to make this, and all we could do was make it look more and more like medieval serf apparel. I gave up making the hat look "good" and just decided to finish it. When we got back from break I stitched a foresty scene onto the hat, and added some ribbons. It doesn't look so great on Jason anymore, so i get to keep it! A brand new winter bonnet!

Origami Shirt

2008-12-16T16:16:00.000-08:00

So, I've been wondering what to give a certain friend for Christmas. And i had alot of ideas i guess, but one day i thought of an origami shirt! So here it is, and yes, i know the instructions are going to be a bit hard to follow. But First i recommend finding a origami crane how-to, like this fun 3-D version.
1. First I got a small mens hanes white tshirt, really cheap, and fit good usually. I wanted a scoop neck, so i took my favorite scoop neck, and drew a line on the white tee. Then made a cut!

2. I stitched around the neck in pine green thread, to keep it from stretching weird. You don't have to though, if you like that sort of thing.

3. Now i cut 6 squares of cotton in white and peach. (the white has a pattern on it, but you can't see it because of low budget photos...)
And i stitched around the edges so that they don't fray terribly, then iron good. You re going to need the iron alot today.

4. Look up instructions for the origami piece you want to do. And practice in once on a square, iron after each fold. If you've got it, and it looks cool then take a break and get a snack.
5. After the snack start making your pieces. Pick out 6 steps that you think would look cool (eg, step one, fold three or something) .
6. Start folding! It helps if you fold all at the same time, or you can just do one. I kept forgetting the steps soo.. Most importantly, iron very well after each fold you make, so that it stays good and creased like paper. If you want you can use starch or something.

7. To make it more permanent sew some creases in an invisible way. This is piece #2, I sewed it on the inside of a fold so that it stays close but is now a closed seam. Yes, just play around with it. I don't know how to explain it better.

8. Here's the actual crane, i actually sewed down pieces that you can't see. That way the bird won't fall apart, which is highly probable, considering its cloth and not paper!

9. this is a stitch down the middle of the tail (or head?) to keep things intack't. Also stitch the head folded, so he actually stays that way, you can do it by hand if you don't want it to be noticeable.

more pieces

10. This one i just sewed along the creases, it looks pretty neat, and keeps it down! Continue doing this on all the pieces necessary. Take another break if needed.

11. Start to sew the pieces onto your shirt. I sewed along creases and on the edges. Be aware that when you stitch onto a tshirt it doesn't stretch so good. So be modest in the stitching, in case you need that area to be extra stretchy. Be creative with placement or whatever.

then Tah dah! Your done! The crane is thick, so stitch it on by hand, this also makes it look more like its floating on the persons collarbone.

It was fun, i want one for myself now though.

I hope this helps a little bit, be creative with it though.

The Perfect

2008-12-10T17:30:00.001-08:00

What I want for christmas:

The worst case scenario life book, Because I may not get attacked by a shark, or fall into a pit in africa, but i might get stuck in Pandmasana pose, or get hay fever.

This Birds of paradise wood print.

this gorgeous victoria pin clock, i'm done with wrist watches, i'm always dipping them in paint or snagging them on my skirts or something. This is so much more convienent and a pound prettier.

And this pet octopus necklace.

All these goodies and more are found at www.modcloth.com

Lanterns

2008-12-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

I just have to congratulate my little brother for his exploration into mood lighting. One day we got a package, which came with a rather large piece of butcher paper, my brother took the piece, made some cuts, and taped it to the ceiling light. There we have it, effective modern art from a 14 year old.

Lela Rose

2008-12-02T18:36:00.000-08:00

I thought today I would share some designs of my favorite Fashion designer--Lela Rose. I love Lela Rose's fresh colors, crisp cloth and clean cuts. I just want to wear everything she makes, including these from spring ready-to-wear 2009.

Yellow and grey, quality combinations
every thing about this outfit is nice

and i love this skirt/jacket combo

pictures from www.style.com

Into the Snow

2008-12-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

Christmas is finally here, and I can't get enough of it.

Today we got out our Christmas calendar, which is my favorite decoration. Its this calendar my mom made out of an old coca-cola crate years ago, (like when they actually sold coca-cola in glass bottles and wooden crates long ago.), and some tinfoil ribbons and random mini Christmas figures. Every day we get to open a new present until finally its Christmas! Pretty much the most exciting thing ever for me as a child. It was fun listening to christmas music on pandora and wrap these little presents. When I get married I will for sure make one of my own.

TuTu

2008-11-21T17:08:00.000-08:00

I'm back in Oregon, and the latest project is a trio of tutu's for my nieces! I'm quite excited about them, maybe because I wish I had one of my own... But anyway, they are adorable blush pink and gold tutu's, I can't wait to post photos of the girls this Christmas.

Birth of Bowknots

2008-11-10T22:33:00.000-08:00

Today I started my etsy business! I've been thinking about it for a long time now, and I finally took the plunge and did it! It's really quite scary, but I feel much better, now that I have it all down.

Right now i'm just selling some baby headbands that I've made, but soon I will be adding more. Check it out for fun! And later for even more handsewn goodies!

http://www.bowknots.etsy.com/

Pink Flowers

2008-11-09T17:34:00.000-08:00

One of the funniest things in baby Ada's room are these giant paper flowers we assembled, thanks to Martha Stewart. It was supposed to be a simple process, but it actually took forever(big surprise..). But they turned out very nice, and almost pop-art. They will hang above her crib when its assembled, like some super mobile. I'm really enjoying red and blush pinks right now also.

Sundays

2008-11-07T19:14:00.001-08:00

A couple Sundays ago my niece Ada was blessed at our church. My sister was looking for the perfect blessing dress, but they are all so expensive, or just to frilly, online. So I made her one! We got a McCall's pattern, and some cloth, and about a week later it was done! This is one of my favorite things I've made, maybe because it was smaller... but it turned out well, and I'm especially proud of the lining and french seams.

Nursery Rhymes

2008-11-03T16:30:00.001-08:00

The next couple of posts will probably be focused on my new niece Ada LeNore Chadaz, I've been in Virginia with her family since she was born in September. Decidedly she deserved a brand new baby room, Alyson decided she needed a black and hot pink room. Here's one of the first decorations, a set mini pictures I painted in electric raspberry.

The set includes a birds nest, a bird cage, a box and her name Ada LeNore. Yes, I know the pictures are tiny, but the paintings are tiny, and I hope you understand

oh, and here's a picture of the baby girl, she is decidedly nice and cute, and I can't resist her chubby cheeks.

Buckles

2008-10-15T12:52:00.000-07:00

I was tickled pink when I saw these instructions for belt buckle picture frames on marthastewart.com. Now I just need some vintage abalone belt buckles...

Color

2008-10-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

Being in Virginia I have the excellent opportunity of walking through the free museums of DC all I want. Recently at the Smithsonian American Art Museum I came across the "Color In Washington" exhibit, featuring abstract colorful art from Washington DC natives. Some of my favorites included these;

Red Azaleas Singing and Dancing Rock and Roll Music 1976 Alma Thomas

Yellow and Gray 1976 Felrath Hines ... This one was one of my absolute favorites

I also saw some gorgeous Frankenthalers and and Kenneth Noland, which you will have to discover yourself when you go to a museum by you!

Fall Feather

2008-10-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

I went for a walk the other day and its official, fall is here. Not only is autumn full of the prettiest colors, and most pleasant sunshine, but its the perfect time for my favorite accesories, like this Feather Headband on etsy.com by ThecandyThief.

Along with sweet token items like this, leather boots, chunky tights and warm skirts can an outfit get any better?

photo from thecandythief on etsy

The Start

2008-10-06T14:54:00.001-07:00

Welcome to my new blog! Hopefully I will be posting things I like! projects, crafts, and what not. Feel free to stop by and see whats new.
-shannon