Color Trends - Black and White

Two of my favorite colors aren't actually colors because they don't appear on the color wheel.  I love black and white and I bet you do too.   I've put together a collection of black and white items.  Enjoy!  

 Fashion and Decorating with Black and White

 

 These looks are both classic and timeless.

 

As seen on Pinterest

 

As seen on Pinterest

As seen on Pinterest

As seen on Pinterest

 

As seen on Pinterest

  

 

As seen on Pinterest

 

 

As seen on Pinterest

 

 

As seen on Pinterest  

 

Well that's it for today.  I hope you enjoyed my collection of black and white items.

 

Thanks for stopping by...

 

Until next time,

 

 

More Color Finds - Radiant Orchid Style

In keeping with our color scheme, I thought I would share a cute treasury I found on Etsy called Radiant Orchid Style.  Curated by Liana, the designer behind FeltApp.  Liana makes beautiful handmade felt and leather cases for mobile devices.  Here is one of Liana's beautiful items.

Leather iPad Mini Sleeve

Radiant Orchid Style

 

Here is another treasury entitled Radiant Orchid - Color of the Year 2014!  Curated by Amber Hayes of Many Sparrows Boutique.  Here is one of Amber's beautiful items:

 

Birthstone Pearl Bead Bird Nest Necklace

 

Radiant Orchid Style - 2014 Color of the Year!

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week will take a look at another color. If you have a treasury you would like to submit, just send me or Zoica a link via Etsy convo by Thursday afternoon and we will take a look. Remember, if your treasury is featured, we will feature an item from your shop.

 

Until next time...

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

 

 

 

Artist Showcase - Dahms Studio

Welcome to another edition of Artist Spotlight.  This week’s artist is Kristen Dahms from Dahms Studio. Kristen is an artist and a story teller.  Here is one of Kristen's beautiful pieces:

Purple Fish Watercolor Print Greeting Card Set

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

I spend my free time painting and marketing with my little Maltipoo named Archie sleeping by feet. Taking my artwork and turning it into a business has been a lot of work but also a passion. I sell my original works, prints, and greeting cards featuring my artwork. I also run a website/blog www.KristenDahms.com that promotes my artwork and I share advice about printing, shipping, art festivals, and what I am working on. 

Zebra Original Painting Print


How did you get your start?

Art has been my outlet since I was a child finger painting and continued into adult hood by attending Savannah College of Art and Design and receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. Now I share my work in galleries and at art festivals. 
 

Where do you get your inspiration?

Nature and animals are my biggest inspiration.  I love texture and patterns. I love taking photos and traveling.

Macaw Parrot Giclee Print

 What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

I was recently asked to be a guest artist at a invite only art gallery in Williamsburg Virginia. I will have my artwork shown September - November 2014 with other talented artist. As an Etsy seller it was flattering having my treasury on the Etsy homepage. I enjoy watching my views, followers, favorite count increase since I have open this shop puts a smile on my face. As an artist I want people to view and enjoy my art work and Etsy has allowed my work to be viewed in more then 30 countries. 

French Harbor Original Painting



 

What challenges do you face selling online?

Selling online is tough because the buyer can not look and touch your product in person. Having amazing photos, a great description and outstanding reviews gives the buyer confidence in your work.

Sailing the Wave Print


What advice would you give someone just starting out on Etsy?

Do not give up and trust in your work. Know that you are not going to get tons of sales at first and that it takes time. I read articles on Etsy and looked at other shops in the same market as mine. Learn from others and understand your market and market pricing.

Koi Pond watercolor painting Greeting Card Set

 

Thank you Kristen for sharing your story with us.  Your artwork is truly amazing.

 

That wraps up another Artist Showcase.  I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about Kristen and see some of her work.  If you would like to be considered for an upcoming feature, just drop me or Zoica a note via Etsy convo.

 

Thanks for stopping by...

 

Until next time,

 

 

Patterns and Samples

As promised, this week I have some pictures of samples along with the patterns and they are still simple tops created by manipulating or replacing darts.

 The first one has two asymmetrical darts. We had to work a little bit more with the first one dart pattern and being an asymmetrical design, this time we had to use the whole front pattern.

 First, we had to turn it into a two dart pattern through slash and spread method. We placed the darts on armhole and drew the lines for the two new ones. We then close them and opened the new ones at one side seam/waistline area. The pattern ended up looking like this:

  

 And here is the finished muslin from this pattern. Change the neck, lower the armhole add some ease and you have a cute top! Don't forget to make the facings.

  The second design is just a flared top with a soft V neckline. It would work well for a cropped top, to be worn with a camisole underneath. We canceled the dart, and opened it another 2 more inches. We also added 2 inches to the side seam. Here is how the pattern ended up looking:

  This sample should have been made out of muslin but the student had some scrap fabric and made it look wearable. It’s still some work to do on the pattern’s armhole and to decide the amount of flare, but for the first try is not bad. It ended up looking like this:

That is it for now. Next week we have another example of garments with dart equivalents. It would have an empire waist. Stay tuned!

Until next time...

Zoica

Color Trends for 2014

What are the top color trends for 2014?  Do you have a favorite?  I have selected three to share with you today.

Pantone's color of the year is Radiant Orchid. 

According to Pantone's website "Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health." 

Purple or lavender has long been a favorite for girls of all ages and

• Contains elements of surprise and magic
• Represents royalty
• Suggests romance, imagination, and passion

and can even suppress your appetite!

 

Benjamin Moore's color of the year is called Breath of Fresh Air.  I would describe it as a spa blue.

 

 

 

 

Blue, the most popular color in the U.S.

• Is associated with fashion trends
• Is a symbol of trust and longevity
• Refreshing, soothing, calm, and dependable
• Slows metabolism and lowers blood pressure
• Decreases heartburn and indigestion

 

Sherwin Williams Color of the Year is Exclusive Plum, described as a sophisticated violet.

 

 

 

 



According to Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-Williams director of color marketing, “This dusky, filtered violet is refined without being stuffy, elegant yet easy, and layered with romantic potential.”

 

What is your favorite color and how do you plan to use it this spring?

Thanks for stopping by...

Until next time,

 

 

 

Friday Finds - Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Welcome to another edition of Friday Finds.  With Mother's Day just around the corner I thought I'd share some great gift ideas from two Etsy Treasuries.

The first treasury is called "Mother's Day" and was curated by Megg and Erin of Sisters In A Stitch.  Here is one of their beautiful items.

Yellow Damask Cell Phone Pocket Clutch

 

Mother's Day Treasury

 

 

Our next treasury was curated by Kristen Dahms of Dahms Studio.  Check out her beautiful Blue Moth Watercolor.

 

Blue Moth Original Watercolor Painting

 

Love Mom

 

I hope you enjoyed these items as much as I did.  If you have a treasury you would like to share, just let me know via Etsy convo.

 

Thanks for stopping by...

 

Until next time,

 



 

Spring 2014 Fashion Trends

Yesterday I cleaned out my closet.  Out with winter and in with spring and summer.  I managed to fill up 4 garbage bags of clothes for Goodwill that either didn't fit me or that I didn't like anymore.  That gap has led me to my quest for what's in fashion for Spring 2014.

Here are some of the things I have found on Pinterest this week.

Animal Prints

Black and White

Jeans and Heels

Leather and Lace

Orange is the new black?

 Pink is in

 

 Heels with socks

Tulle

 

And finally let's not forget the scarf...

 

Did you notice how this picture incorporates several spring fashion trends?

 

 

What's your favorite fashion trend for spring?

 

Thanks for stopping by...

 

Until next time,

 

 

 

Let's Talk About Patterns

    Today I am going to start a conversation about patterns and later I will show you sewn garments as well. Sometimes making a pattern can be a daunting task, but altering one from and existing pattern should give us the confidence to make one ourselves later.
     If you have a Basic Block pattern for a standard size, you should have the dart under the bust toward the waist. Through a series of pictures, I would show you how to change this one dart pattern into a two darts pattern, and how to move the dart and change it into a "French dart" design.
    Here are the steps in making a French Dart pattern:
   This is your original pattern.

 You need to make a copy of it.

 

Next, you mark the location of the french dart at the side seam about 1 1/2 " above waist. It can be higher as well but not above bust level.

You would need to cut the pattern out, and through slash and spread method, close the original dart and open the french dart.

 

 

At the waist area the pattern is not even now, and needs to be "blended". You make a continuous, curved line that connects center front with side seam. The pattern would look like this. You would just need to add seam allowances.

A pattern that has two darts fits nicer to the body than one with one dart. It is very easy to turn a "one pattern dart" design  into a "two pattern dart" design. You would still need to make a copy of your original pattern which is your basic block. First, you mark the side dart then slash the line to the point of the original one.

 

 The pattern needs to be placed on two balance lines with the front matching the vertical line. After placing it with pins matching center front the second dart is open while the first gets smaller.

The pattern looks like this:

 

Now you can trace it, add seam allowance, and make a top design with two darts!

Next week I will show you a sewn muslin that has two darts, and later we would talk about sewn garments.

Stay tuned and start the pattern conversation.

Until next time....

Zoica