Black Cloud Designs

The Gold Bug

2009-08-29T19:58:00.000-07:00

The Gold Bug in Pasadena is just the greatest kept secret in Old Town. Every time I go in it is like stepping into an alternate world and I'm sucked in by the amazing art and Entomology. I just want to live in this store. I think this is #2 on my favorite stores list (The Paper Source is #1).

Did you know....

You can read the full text of Edgar Allan Poe's, "The Gold Bug" HERE.

Someone please buy me these 3 things :-)

Chalcasoma Atlas

Malaysia

11”x14”
$275

18K Gold & Sterling Silver Lotus Pod Earrings
$550

And this weird seahorse thing with butterfly wings. This is not the actual piece of art but if you go there...it's in the window and it's AMAZING!!!!!!

Crafting Bug

2009-08-22T21:45:00.000-07:00

Once the craft bugs bites....it's all over. I have the crafting bug. I've been non-stop with with making different things, totes, scarves, cushions, pillows. My next mountain...a dress. We shall see about that one.

Aren't my puppies just so cute?!?!?!?

This is Nora! She's chihuahua and Italian greyhound.

This was a super easy DIY project and much much cheaper than finding and buying a cushion to match decor and our likes.

Well. With the same fabric that I used for Michelle's tote bag (see last post) from Ikea's Cecilia collection I made a set of cushions for the bench by the window. It looks directly out onto the street so it's definitely a hot spot for our two chihuahua mixes and my cat, Atwood.

This is Elphie (named after Elphaba from the book Wicked). She's chihuahua and we think dachshund.

I found a piece of soft foam at JoAnn's Fabrics that measured 2"x 17"x 15" . This meant that I needed 6 different pieces of fabric to cover all the sides of the foam. I allowed a 1/4" seam allowance. For your custom cushion sizes just add a 1/2" to all your measurements. I also put a zipper in so that the covers can be taken off and washed if they get dirty or a doggie bladder accident happens :-)

Materials:
2- 2.5" tall x 17.5" wide
2- 2.5" tall x 15.5" wide
2- 15.5" tall x 17.5" wide
1- zipper

Sew the zipper on first to one of the 2.5" tall x 17.5" wide sides. Sew on all sides with right sides together to one of the 15.5" tall x 17.5" wide sides. Sew on remaining side. Super super simple. And there you have it! A fabulous custom made cushion. If anyone has questions feel free to send me a message :-)

Happy Crafting

Totes!

2009-08-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

My sister, Michelle, is leaving for Copenhagen, Denmark in a couple of days to present a group project, which you can learn more about at rethinkyourgreen.com . She needed a cute tote bag to carry around when she is site seeing. She found a cute sewing pattern from Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing . The whole project took me just a few hours including cutting the squares out for the pockets and lining.

The fabric I used for this tote was from Ikea from their Cecilia collection just $5.99/yard! Love that place. They have great fabrics there for all sorts of projects.

Great front pocket and side pocket, great for holding water bottles (reusable of course).

Complete with a sewn in key ring holder.

It came out looking great! This project is super simple and just by changing the fabric you can change out the whole look. You can embellish this tote super easy by adding a tassel or a few well placed buttons! Super easy and great for a beginner sewer.

Happy Sewing!

Hot Weenies!

2009-08-14T17:38:00.000-07:00

I was recently commissioned to hand craft a pillow that would be an accent to a bedroom. The client wanted the pillow to have printed dachshunds (she has the cutest wiener doggie, Friday) on it in a color to match her master bedroom, a sort of fresh blue green. This is what it ended up looking like and a peek at my processes.

v. Some of the materials that I used.

^. Initial printed design.

v. Testing out what a few sequins would look like.

^. Finished pillow with an invisible zipper.

v. Just look how cute that it on a window sill.

Like I have said plenty of times before. How you present anything, from a gift to a product for a client, it needs to be presented neatly, professionally, and free from errors. As always, it needs to reflect yourself and be creative.

Tord Boontje

2009-08-12T23:33:00.000-07:00

I absolutely adore this artist. He is so creative and I love everything that he does. His designs are incredibly intricate and a little bewildering in some cases. I worship his ability to connect nature with his art work. Watch this video here.

This is one of my favorite installations called Happy Ever After, Milan 2004 (above photo).

The designs are just so damn complicated and freakin' cool!!!

Check out his awesome website here.

One of my own...

2009-08-12T16:26:00.001-07:00

Here is a gift that I wrapped for my sister's bf for his birthday. It is wrapped in a soft gold wrapping paper from Pier 1 Imports. I decided to stay toned down with neutral ribbon colors. The actual gift is a box set of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Curse of the Golden Flower, and The House of Flying Daggers, and Jet Li's Fearless. So, in keeping with this awesome set I chose three different colored ribbons, gold green, brown, and beige.

I topped it off with a neutral matching tag that I made myself.

GORGEOUS! (remember...keep it neat and clean.)

On the back I made sure that I put my own signature on it in a subtle way.

Wrap It Up!

2009-07-30T23:25:00.000-07:00

So like I said before the way you wrap a gift is CRUCIAL! It is a physical representation of yourself. It can be simple to elaborate but however you complete the wrapping part it MUST be well crafted and must be clean.

Some helpful tips for wrapping the best gift ever!

1. If you have an awkward shaped gift such as a pair of headphones in those annoying plastic packages. You have one really really skinny side and a really really fat side. PUT IT IN A BOX! You can go to The Container Store and buy, for relatively cheap, a great box. Make sure that it's the right size too.

2. Don't over do it on the wrapping paper. If you use too much then you use too much tape which makes the gift look messy and rushed. Cut just enough wrapping paper to cover the gift.

3. Don't use too much tape. When you first stretch that bit of paper over just ONE piece of tape will do.

4. Work on a hard surface. Don't wrap on the bed or carpet. It just doesn't work.

5. Use quality wrapping paper. Cheap wrapping paper tears easier and makes it harder to make clean lines. The Paper Source (one of my absolute favorite store) has gorgeous paper as well as, sometimes Target has good stuff but be careful their paper is kinda thin and flimsy, Martha Stewart! (one of my idols), The Container Store.

6. Make sure that the cut edges of the wrapping paper is straight. You can line up the box with the edge. Once you have cut the paper fold over the edge so that you have clean lines. Do this with all the edges.

7. Elaborate with some gorgeous ribbon, raffia, or interesting fabric or lace. If you don't want to use ribbon, it better be some damn good looking wrapping paper with a hugely bold pint. Be creative when choosing ribbon. Having a stash of assorted colors and sizes of ribbon, especially the staple, grosgrain ribbon is an absolute essential. For god sakes...don't use cheapo christmas ribbon! (The kind you can curl unless you have taken that ribbon to a whole new level)

This is a serious NO NO! (unless stated above)

8. Your gift tag is just as important as the ribbon and paper you use. This should match the entirety of the gift and not overwhelm the gift. Again, I love these tags from Paper Source!

I will post a video on How to Wrap the Perfect Gift very soon. This should be a good one.

A Very Merry Un-birthday to You!!!!!

2009-07-28T22:49:00.000-07:00

This week is everything about gifts!!!!

A gift you give is a direct reflection of yourself. If you give a tacky gift or give everyone for every occasion (especially women) a basket full of bath/spa stuff that's been pre-shrink wrapped it's not creative. It shows that you have no thought for the person and it's very uninventive. You don't have to go totally elaborate and you don't just have to give a gift on birthdays and during the holiday season. It can be small and meaningful.

DON'T GIVE THIS GIFT UNLESS THE RECIPIENT SAYS "HEY I SAW THIS SPA GIFT BASKET AT WALMART (or wherever) AND I REALLY WANT IT!"
THIS IS UNORIGINAL!!!!!! I FORBID IT!!!!!

There are many reasons to give a gift:
Here are my top 10 reasons! ( I might think of more later)

1. Birthday (of course)
2. Anniversary (no brainer and this doesn't have to be yours...maybe your parents, best friend, co-worker, marriage, so many years with a company...)
3. Thank you (for something nice someone did for you, helping you move, dinner, doing a great job...this can be for virtually anyone)
4. Hostess gift (bring a great bottle of wine, truffles, dessert such as a pie, fresh cut flowers, home grown vegetables or fruit)
5. Promotion (a bottle of liquor, flowers, a well written note...more to come on that)
6. Thinking of you/ appreciation (my personal favorite...this can anything and or anyone)
7. Good Luck ( this is a little tricky and it depends on why you're saying "good luck")
8. Going away (a funny picture of yourself :-) hee hee, a city/state/country guide, a disposable camera)
9. Graduation (something inspiring like a book...not a 'survival guide on how to avoid your naked roommate' book, unless they really truly do need a book like that)
10. I'm sorry (if you must give an "I'm sorry" gift...it better be pretty damn good!)

Think of the person you're giving the gift to:
The obvious question....What is the recipient's likes and interests? You wouldn't give a die hard Steelers fan a Cowboys jersey. Think about the person. Are they going on vacation soon? You can NEVER GO WRONG WITH A BOOK!!!!!! or fresh cut flowers from the farmer's market. Get them a city guide and map to wherever they are going. The gift is much more appreciated when you put thought into it. The person can tell.

Next post...How to write the perfect handwritten note to go with your well thought out gift.

Anyone can make art....kids too.

2009-07-23T22:16:00.001-07:00

For three weeks now I have been teaching art, with a group of other Art Ed majors, to kids who are a part of Path Ventures. It's been quite an experience. There were times where I wanted to rip my hair out by the roots and other times where I truly enjoyed myself and the company of kids from a whole other culture.

They were great kids to work with and I definitely learned a lot from this. These pictures are from the final event that we put together for the community. We made a garden for the families to appreciate and keep for at least a few weeks but the kids wanted to take their flags home and stepping stones. It looked fantastic for about 30 minutes....oh well.

It felt really good to make sure that these kids were introduced to art and see how art can affect their lives. Most of these kids have no idea what good art is and what they are truly capable of. It was a powerful experience for me and I hope that it was for the students as well.

The FABULOUS group of ladies I taught with. I think we did pretty damn good for I first real experience of teaching. Taken on our first day of class.... we had NO IDEA what we were in for.

Me, teaching.

Some of work that the kids completed.

Circle Painting.

One of our students diligently working on his pillow case of dreams...he's thankful for pizza

Murals painted by the kids. Each group of 3-5 students chose a theme such as Freedom from gun violence, basic human rights such as eating healthy, shelter, education, and transportation.

Part of our Garden. The kids made flags that represent themselves through symbols and they also made stepping stones to build better self esteem.

Teachers at the Dedication of the garden.

Gettin' Good

2009-07-20T22:48:00.001-07:00

So my sister, Michelle, found this awesome top at Anthropolgie, which you can see here. We decided to try and recreate this with a grey, stretchy, knit fabric from JoAnn's. It's super simple to make. Everything is very geometric which makes pattern making easy and non-stressful. So, here it is. It's still in progress...I have to serger the edges. Then....PRESTO!

She's pretty goofy.

---BCD

I Bleed Sequins!

2009-07-17T00:31:00.000-07:00

I said that I would post some of my own art work so, here it is!
A very neutral interpretation of an abalone shell.

My colorful interpretation of an abalone shell. Like I said before this does not even compare to the brilliant work of Amy Gross. Her art is spectacular!

---BCD

Amy Gross

2009-07-15T22:31:00.000-07:00

So, I recently found this artist, Amy Gross. Her work is absolutely beautiful. Much more beautiful than anything that I have ever done. I discovered her work in the current issue of Fiber Arts Magazine.

I really love the idea of a micro/macro set up. A lot of my personal artwork has to do with the concept of finer detail such a stitching, beading, and paper foldings that make up something that is much larger in scale. The concept of micro/macro...is it large scale? Small scale? I love fine fine detail that makes up something much larger. I find it quite fascinating.

I did two pieces of artwork that looks similar to hers. I took an abalone shell and interpreted it in my own creative way.

I also have a few pieces that have a similar theme where there are hundreds of smaller individual pieces that make up a larger whole.

I'll post those later. Maybe at the end of the week.
Happy Hump Day

---BCD

Pretty Kitty

2009-07-08T23:14:00.000-07:00

She's my baby, Atwood.

I named after the costume designer, Colleen Atwood. Her work is absolutely beautiful and amazing.
Everything she designs is gorgeous!
"Costumes are the first impression that you have of the character before they open their mouth-it really does establish who they are."
--Colleen Atwood
Nominated: Best Costume Design, Little Women, 1994
(one of my all time favorites...$5 buck-a-roos on DVD at Target)

Nominated: Best Costume Design, Beloved (1998)...eh
Nominated: Best Costume Design, Sleepy Hollow (1999)
(again...a favorite. FABULOUS costumes. As far as fashion and costume designing goes this is genius!)
Won: Best Costume Design, Chicago (2002)
Nominated: Best Costume Design, Lemony Snicket's A Series of
Unfortunate Events (2004)
(I LOVE THESE COSTUMES! enough said...)

Won: Best Costume Design, Memoirs of a Geisha (2006)
Nominated: Best Costume Design, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

.... just to name a few.

---BCD

Michael Jackson

2009-06-28T23:41:00.000-07:00

I love you Michael Jackson!

Seriously...nobody else in the world can get away with wearing these awesome fashion pieces except MJ. I can't believe he's gone. It's just not right. And he's way cooler than Prince will ever be...although he has his moments too.

These are a Few of My Favorite Things

2009-06-16T22:21:00.000-07:00

A list of 5 favorite things....from Anthropologie
(and let me say...this was tough to limit it only to five)

1. Handmade "Pow Wow" ring $138 18k gold plated brass, Swarovski crystal, rose quartz, amethyst, freshwater pearl

2. "Green Goddess Knob" $14 each Natural agate chips, scattered with tiny brass beads

3. "Riveted Skirt" $ 98

4. "Carrickmacross Wallet" $128

5. "Crowned Crane" Bedding, queen duvet cover (soooo gorgeous!) $298

Standard pillow sham $88
Bed skirt, queen $98
Origami folds of cotton percale are punctuated by wooden flower buttons on this pillowy collection. 300 thread count, cotton, button enclosure.

---BCD

Time to Craft

2009-06-14T23:30:00.000-07:00

Goodness! Posts are so few and far between! Anyways, I've been working on different craft projects to keep me busy until summer school starts. Right now I've been doing some simple embroidery for what is supposed to be a baby's quilt for a co-worker. It's turning out so cute I might just have to keep it for my self!

I like to lay out all my embroidery threads by color so that way I know I'm not missing any and I can see what colors look best together and I can compare values.

More to come....

---BCD

Summer Time

2009-05-31T22:47:00.000-07:00

It is summer time!!!! Yes, finally some good quality time with crafts! So I thought to kick off the summer I would feature some really pretty printed paper from The Paper Studio. They have more than just paper though, they carry all sorts of bookbinding tools, stamps, kits, paper samples, embellishments. On their website they even have video demos on great craft projects! My absolute favorite part of the website though is shopping the paper assortments by COLOR! It's great! Each have their own patterns and it's perfect for shopping easy!

Another great website I want to share is The Sewing Studio! They're based in Pasadena. They offer all sorts of classes for all ages too!

This little hand crocheted pin cushion from piccoladnna2006's etsy site. It is just so super cute!!! A cupcake pin cushion! I want it!

---BCD

Cochineal

2009-04-21T13:15:00.000-07:00

Oh man, will I be glad when it is officially summer! Being this busy and commuting is really hard. I did have some time to go onto the etsy site today and I found this BEAUTIFUL hand cochineal dyed and hand woven wearable (but I wouldn't) art piece. It's fantastic. This person spent months making this. I love art when the artist truly hand makes everything. It just adds a bit of the persons soul to it. Cochineal, a small red insect that lives and dies on a piece of cactus, offers a huge range of dye colors; from a light pink to purple to magenta to a deep crimson red! You can order cochineal insects online from Oaxaca, Mexico.

In the summer time, when I'm not bogged down by making up lesson plans and activities, blogs will become more frequent and regular. Blogs are great. They act like permanent sticky notes of special finds so I'm always reminded of them.

Going back a little bit...shortly after I posted information about Ikat weaving, Pier 1 Imports also released into their stores Ikat printed pillows! They're really quite beautiful. Unfortunately, Pier 1 doesn't have them on their website but I will take pictures of them next time that I am there and post them.

SoCal is HOT! Stay Cool.

Until next time

---BCD

Acceptance Day

2009-04-14T22:05:00.000-07:00

I've been super busy lately with school BUT today I met with my advisor and I'm on way to graduation! On May 1st...I'm turning in my Request to Graduate form! YES!!!!

Today was Acceptance Day in the Art Education Department today. Students from the Transitional class, who are mentally disabled or have severe learning disabilities, participated in making a quilt. They all created their own square about accepting others for who they are, about peace, and about loving one another. They came out FABULOUSLY! After finishing their squares they invited other students on campus to also participate in our quilt making.

Celia and I were the official seamstresses and sewed almost 200 squares together to make 3 awesome quilts. One of the quilts made in past years is currently hanging at the State Capitol. Hopefully, one of this years quilts will hang at the Nation's Capitol. Here are some of the

squares from today. They're great!

To Ikat or To Batik

2009-04-10T22:09:00.000-07:00

So, I would just like everyone to know about this really fabulous exhibition that is going on right now at LACMA. This is definitely a must see show! They are displaying until this September textiles from Indonesia dating back to the early 1400s!

Indonesia is famous and their Ikat and Batik designs. Ikat is a type of weaving that uses a resist dyeing process. Batik is a wax resist dyeing process where the wax is later melted from the fabric leaving a design. Ikat is coming quite a trend. Many pieces of furniture and pillows can be found in today's retail. Lots of different furniture and prints are featuring an Ikat design. Pottery Barn released printed Ikat pillows.

Sabi Ikat Pillow covers from PB. $9.99 on sale

Pier 1 Imports also carries light green and brown Ikat prints. (no picture :-( ) Anthropologie also has awesome Ikat printed bowls!

Batik as well is very up and coming in furniture!

---BCD

Best Store EVER

2009-04-07T23:24:00.000-07:00

The Paper Source is probably one of my favorite stores to go into. I can totally lose myself in all of the D.I.Y projects, book making supplies, craft tools, paper, embellishments, books, gift ideas, sets of paper, stationery, letterpress, and so much more! I can spend hours just looking at everything and getting inspired. Their store motto is also amazingly inspiring. "Do something creative everyday." I try to live by this motto and so far it works out pretty great. Ahhh! I love this store!

They have a few convenient locations here in SoCal and the one in Pasadena is pretty awesome but the Costa Mesa location is the best one so far.

The Paper Source also has some of the best folded note cards I've seen. Their patterns and quality of great and fun to keep on hand. You never know when you'll need to write a quick thank you note, last minute birthday card, or just a hello! If you're not sure how to write a fabulous handwritten note, refer to The Art of the Handwritten Note by Margaret Shepherd. You can find it on Amazon for only $10.88

Happy Writing!

---BCD

Inspiring Video

2009-04-06T23:27:00.000-07:00

Yes, well, it's getting sort of late and I've had on my mind a video, I Met the Walrus, that came out about a year ago but I recently only found out about. A 14 year old boy, in 1969, secretly taped an interview with John Lennon, one of my heroes, and now made a video full of amazing drawings and graphics. This is an inspiring video and John Lennon always makes me want to be a more accepting person.

---BCD

New Found Love

2009-04-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

Today, I found a new wonderful website, Poppy Talk. Another great website that features handmade treasures, this time inspired by nature. They have treasures from felted items, metals, embroidery, soaps, and other perfect for spring gifts. On Poppy Talk I saw that one of my favorite companies is featured, Night Owl Paper Goods.

They have a fabulous folksy twist on stationary using 100% paper and wood for their designs. Check them out for wedding invitations (so cute if you're having an outside wedding), stationary, birthday cards, and journals. I, myself, just bought a journal from them.

Happy Creating!

---BCD

Just Starting Out

2009-04-04T21:34:00.000-07:00

Hello. My name is Valerie, though most call me Val. I love all arts and that includes fine arts, crafts and D.I.Y. projects. If I see something in a store I usually end up thinking of my own way of making it. As a result of this love of all handmade treasures I have started this blog to show the world my ideas and the ideas of others that I find creative and unique. My sister, Michelle, has also motivated me to start this blog and is also a key element in starting an Etsy site, also called BlackCloudDesigns. She is also designing all of the graphics for BCD. The Etsy site should be up and running in a few short weeks. I'll let everyone know when we finally launch it!

I'd like to start out by letting everyone know about this great documentary, Handmade Nation, about the uprise of the D.I.Y. movement and features some artists around the nation. I think it's really great that people are really getting back into handmade items. In a world where almost everything is manufactured it is so refreshing to see hard work and effort put into something so simple and comes out better than what a factory can do. It's in most major theaters now so there is no excuse to not go see Handmade Nation!

---BCD