Woes & Whews When Creating For Plush You!

I'm proud to say that I was fortunate enough to have participated in both of last year's Plush You! shows in Seattle and San Francisco and getting invited for a second time this year. But then again, deciding on my entry for this year has had me wracking my poor brain. Should I submit another Stuft Acquaintance, should I submit another T&A plush item, or should I go ball's out and create something new altogether? The latter is what I've been going with recently but it's been such a hard decision to make. Hard economic times mean that it would be wise for me to submit something that would be checkbook-friendly but occasionally my brain doesn't work that way. When I'm working on a show piece, I really want to wow my audience with something new and impressive and to be frank, but that can get a little pricey.

These are the issues that have consumed my thoughts for the past couple of months. I want to create something reminiscent of everything that T&A Friendly stands for which is quality, zaniness and a bit of tack. All this pondering made me start at square one again and I had to revisit some of my original inspirations such as the dreary faux creatures of Liz McGrath,

(www.lizmcgrath.com)
my paintings which are always colorful and chalked full of vintage pop culture,

(Here's another sneek-peak into my series which will open this summer at Flying Pigeon in Highland Park)
and shiny and heavy weight textiles such as glittery vinyl or vinyl with a faux snakeskin texture.

My latest decision for the show hit me like a ton of bricks while waiting in line to get onto Indiana Jones at Disneyland last Tuesday. I want to make a family of tattooed swans...or ducks. I haven't yet decided what species of feathered friend the family will be but they will definitely be featured wading on water-made from vinyl of course! I'm so excited and will post it as the time for Plush You! gets closer.

Playing and Toy Soldiers

A couple years ago, my husband and I wanted to attempt one of the McGyver Challenges in Readymade Magazine. The challenge was to repurpose and transform an old computer printer. So we got to work and then never even submitted the darn thing. Our idea had miniatures involved and then that inspired something else altogether. We were completely entranced and inspired to build a small diorama featuring whatever we were able to get out hands on. At the 99 Cent store we found a bag of toy soldiers for the project and then put those away...never to complete out miniature project. So sad.

A few weeks ago, I was cleaning out our storage shed and came across the soldiers. I snatched them out and kept them in-sight, certain that they would inspire something new for T&A Friendly. Then, the idea came and her she is-chunky and ornate combs and brooches...

most will be available at Flock Shop (www.flockshopla.com) at most definitely at my booth at the Funk and Rumble Block Party in 3 weeks.

It's Happening Chinatown July 11th

Don't miss it. The Funk Rumble Block Party in Chinatown LA. Saturday July 11th. The wonderful peeps at Flock Shop are putting this together and yours truly is going to have a booth there so keep an eye out for me and stop by to see some of my new items.
Ciao!

On Friday, my husband and I went and joined our friends in celebration of a birthday. I was so excited to help in getting the occasion organized. I especially loved how to two items came out. One is the birthday boy's banner which says, "Happy Birthday Jefe," which means "boss" in Spanish. I've been spending a lot of time at Disneyland, eyeing the old-fashioned signs that dangle in the window displays. This birthday gathering was the perfect chance to try my hand at making one of my own. Another first was this cinnamon stencil...

I had already promised the birthday boy a pumpkin cheesecake but when I found out that a special get-together was in order, I thought about how to spruce up the cheesecake "tastefully." Not that I have anything against sprinkles and frosting but decorating a cheesecake with that stuff would ruin a perfect dessert. So I opted for something I had seen in the Martha Stewart aisle at Macy's...except this stencil was customized to this specific occasion. YUM!

More to Coooooooooome

Two buddies just got married and I happily offered all my crafting experience and handiness for their special nuptials. All the work and projects I went throw made the gears start to turn. For a long time I had considered diving head first into the world of accessories. But I knew if I were to do this that it would have to be a permanent addition to the T&A family. Like in fashion, I'd like to make seasonal collections with bi-annual announcements. This is all in the name of good fun and great fashion! Here's a sneak peak at my Summer '09 brooch collection called Schwartzwalde.

The Schwartzwalde is the Black Forest in Germany. The name just oozes brisk air and short grey afternoons to me. Summer can be fun but I always long for colder days when I can adorn my lapels with ornate jewelry.

These are all handmade just like everything else I make and one-of-a-kind, of course. With Love, from T&A Friendly.