Red Velvet Art

I love finding new music....

This girl has really been inspiring me lately. My room mate introduced me to her music a few days ago and I really love this video. It has this kind of beautiful/creepy feel. Very Burtonesque, you know:)
love love, emma

DIY Woodgrain Notebook

Start out with two pieces of thick chipboard that measure 6" x 5 1/2" as well as a strip of canvas or grossgrain ribbon that measures 2" x 5 1/2".

Sew canvas or ribbon onto one 5 1/2" side of each piece of chipboard. I attached the canvas with double-sided tape to hold it in place while I sewed. Make sure to leave about 1/3" of space between the two pieces of chipboard so that it has room to fold.

Cut out your woodgrain contact paper so that there is about 1" overhang on each side.

Carefully attach the first page of your chipboard book to the sticky side of the contact paper and smooth out before attaching the rest.

Fold over the top and bottom edges so that they are wrapped over tightly. Attach double-sided tape or mounting squares to the corners where the top has folded over and then fold over both of the short sides.

It should look like this.

I used vintage wallpaper to cover the chipboard on the inside but you could also use scrapbook paper or more woodgain to cover it. Measure your two pieces to overlap the 'naked' space. Two separate pieces allows for easy folding room. I covered the inside edges with a strip of tape.

Next you'll want to cut your paper of choice to measure 11 1/2" x 5" and fold in half.

Align the middle of your paper fold with the chipboard fold and poke three holes through both paper and chipboard. I used an awl but a heavy embroidery needle may also work. Starting from the inside of your book, thread through the bottom hole and come back out through the middle hole.

Then thread down through the top hole and double back to thread through the middle hole again.

Finally, you'll pull the needle through the bottom hole between the paper and chipboard, as well as the other end of the string. Tie a knot and trim string.

The spine of the book should look like this.

Due to the stiffness of the contact paper, you may want to place a heavy item on your book until you're ready to use it.

Alter it to make it a mini album or use it as a journal for ideas. And when your best friend asks you where you got it, tell her you know this really great blog...

May

Since attending Red Velvet Camp (which was awesome, by the way) I have used my creativity nearly every day. Now it is time to start letting you see what I have been up to. I took some photos yesterday and only had limited time to edit them, but I got one done, and I can't wait to share it.  Since May has begun, I have made a vow to never veg out without doing something. Everytime I sit in front of the TV I have a paintbrush in my hand or a computer on my lap. I feel like I have had a creative make-over!

How do you keep your creative juices flowing?  *Sarah

inspiration from a fabric junkie

Lately nothing inspires me more than colorful fabric, and fun patterns. I have yet to find an awesome fabric store here in KC, so Etsy is where I buy most of my loves!

I'm really into vintage floral fabric right now, and I figured I would share some eye candy! :)

Where do you find inspiration, and what inspires you right now? :)

<3 Silje

Tiny Paintings...

I have a new mini obsession with tiny paintings on wood. Another recent love is drawing my friends as space characters.... Here is my first little project, my boyfriend (jeremy larson) as a space kid....

and the back....

painting is so much fun. i did this tiny one in one evening while hanging out with the most inspiring girl i know.....

i have to admit that the loft feels a little lonely without the Red Velvet girls here. i miss you girls!

xo. elsie

more photos!

a few more photos that Wess took. It was SUCH a fun photoshoot.

more random photos soon..... I love you Rachel, Emma, Silje and Sarah!

xo. elsie

RV*weekend*of*love

more to come.... :D
xo. elsie

Red Velvet Weekend Retreat

The girls of RVA are having an art pow wow in Spring-town this weekend so check back for RAD pics and a few stories.

a tattoo artists' pencil case

Recently this new guy started working at the tattoo shop with Zeke and I, and I must say, HE IS AWEEESOME! Never before have I been so inspired that I don't want to tattoo, and make money, but instead sit and draw all day. I love this guy!
So I decided to do something nice, and make him an awesome pencil case, he has a crazy big color pencil collection!

I bought this really cool fabric on Etsy,

And here is how it turned out! :)

He loves it! :)

<3 Silje

Painting Hazard Tip

Prop your canvas up on a pizza box to paint as well as dry. It keeps the paint off the floor and the walls and allows you to paint all the way around without getting fingerprint smudges on your canvas. It also keeps you from accidentally shifting your newspaper and smearing paint on the wall anyways.
Prop it up against the lid of the box once your base is dry and you've got a very resourceful little floor easel.
I do suggest an unused pizza box unless you're all about mixed media and think a little oily cheese texture is just what your art needs.
~R