Do what you love. I love Glitter!

I think the Gemini in me makes me flickle and flighty or the full and new moons have been making me to go off into dreamland. I have just been all over the place mentally thus why I haven't been blogging much. I will do betta. I promise.
Anyhoo, I have been pushing along with TerrorChic Designs. I am at the stage where I just love creating so I have just been focusing on creating new stuff when I am inspired. For all the folks who are creative entrepeneurs it can be a fine line from doing what you love and creating things strictly to sell to others. I really, really want the notecards and decoupage art to sell to everyone for a few reasons:

- I think that everyone deserves and should receive a handwritten note on a piece of art that is made slowly and deliberatley with human hands.

-It is nothing sweeter than seeing glitter on anything. I wish I could glitter my entire body. Glitter is joy.

-Handmade is better than factory produced cards that you buy at your local store.

-I LOVEEEEE making them. They bring me happiness and I still believe in the saying, "Do what you love and the money will come."

Since my last post, I made my big sister a decoupage candle jar for her 40th birthday. I didn't get a photo of it before I shipped it to Chicago but will have her take one and share later. I also sold a card, and made two more inspired by Etta James and Erykah Badu. Check them out:

I have also been sending Happy New Year cards to friends and family. I love surprising them!
In a few weeks I will be attending a Rubber Stamp and Paper Arts Festival - woo hooo! I snagged a free weekend pass as part of a crafters Meetup group I am a member of. They have a class on wet embossing and I am super hyped to take it and learn some new techniques. In the meantime, I will be sending out more surprise handwritten cards.

When was the last time you received a handwritten letter or card?

New Stuff

Remember the haul from the craft store that I told you about? Well, I have been busy making some new designs with all my goodies. I am still experimenting and sourcing materials for the mini journals. They will be super cute for your purses to skecth at a moments notice or to write down your grocery list. I totally adore this new card I did called "The ReBirth:" Doesn't it make you want to grab it and write a letter to a friend to wish them a Happy New Year full of possibilities?

Who doesn't love a Soul Singer draped in red snakeskin? I know I can't deny it. Check out "Keep it Classy."

Both of these cards will be on sale in my Etsy shop and are 4 X 6 and come with a lovely gold metallic envelope.

These photographs serve a double purpose today:

1. To share my new designs and hopefully inspire you to write more handwritten letters.

2. They are Day 1 of a photography project called Project 365 that I am participating in over at Stars for Streetlights I love this blog because she takes amazing photographs and has fun DIY projects. I am hoping to become a better photographer so this project was the perfect one for me. I will be taking a new photograph everyday and sharing it here with you. The best way to get better is to practice and experiment. Come back often to see my progress and to support TerrorChic Designs

Keep creating!

New Year Manifesto: Vision.

Happy New Year to everyone. I wish you all blessings and opportunities. I am spending my New Year chilling with my family and creating. I will be making Happy 2012 TerrorChic Cards for friends and family. I never got around to Christmas cards and feel way more inspired about cards to welcome in the beautiful new year. 2011 was full of many ups and downs but through it all I learned a lot about growth and creativity. I pushed myself creatively in so many ways:

-Filmed an empowerment poetry video and stunt.
-Performed as a puppeteer in the XPT Festival at the Center for Puppetry Arts
-Started crafting and created TerrorChic Designs - sold two pieces from it too!
-Lost a job and learned how to creatively survive on less income
-Gained a new creative part time job as a teaching artist at the Center for Puppetry Arts
-Re-imagned ny career goals with renewed focus on being self employed
-Got a new tattoo that represents creative freedom

I ended 2011 on a high with my Paper Arts. I am filled daily with ideas for decoupage and collage. Its amazing how once you start creating you get so much inspiration for more. I did digital vision board last year and never once looked at it. I just found it online and it was a nice to see that I had actually did many of the items (One of my favorite concepts of Law of Attraction is the belief that you don't have to stare at your vision board daily for it to manifest. Once its created it becomes a part of your unconscious intentions. The Universe doesn't need a visual aid made on paper or digitally to work for you.) I decided  to do another one this year. Check it out:

Highlights from 2012 Vision board are:
1. Travel More. Family trip to resort in Jamaica is top priority.
2. Self employed with multiple streams of income
3. Get fit by walking and running
4. Brand and push TerrorChic Designs
5. Eat healthy
6. Perform original work with Lady Terror Productions

I also discovered another cool way to display goals for the year. It is a New Years Manifesto. I found it on a cool creative and craft blog that I am now a fan of called creating clever I decided to try one and liked the results. I am jazzed about finding a printing biz to get it digitally printed on larger paper so I can hang in my bedroom.

What is your vision for 2012? 

TerrorChic Designs

I have been busy as a little bee experimenting and designing for my TerrorChic Designs. I really love handwritten notes and believe it is a dying art form. Below are some of the newer designs I have completed. I hope you like and please visit me at my etsy page and support my hustle. Surprise someone in your life with a handwritten note on a little piece of collage art.

"Black Face Down"

"Jazz Gold"

"Basking in Sunlight"

"ATLiens"

Strolling in Marrakech"

"Outkast Collection"

Andrika Symbol for Hope stamp on the back of every card

OutKast inspired

Note: click on card for larger view.

Mamacation: How to be inspired.

“A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.”
― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own

I love this quote by Virginia Wolf because it speaks directly to the space needed to be creative. I like to replace the words write fiction with any art. For me I would change the words to: write and make collage cards. I connect with it because I am very aware of how hard it can be to find the space to be creative as a female artist with a child. I was a stay a home mama from my 4 year old son's birth until he was about 11 months old and for the last 5 months I have been home with our son reimagining the next steps of my creaitve life and finding the space to create TerrorChic Cards and writing. My hubby works long hours that change weekly in retail so it can be hard for me to find time to have mama time. He hasn't had a weekend off in the last 4 months so I was estastic to learn he had Saturday and Sunday off last weekend.

I seized this opportuinity to create a mamacation for myself. A mamacation for me is a play on a staycation which is a mini vacation you take in your own city. The theme of my mamacations are usually wandering. I feel most relaxed and inspired when I am wandering on foot. Since, I am new to Atlanta I haven't seen many places and I am always ready to do any exploring. I did extensive research online for FREE events. I also keep a mental roledex of activities that I am drawn too. I left the house on Sunday morning armed with the following: written agenda, purse, IPad, IPod, books, water bottle, strawberry greek yougurt. business cards, journal, camera, TerrorChic Cards, calendar, noteook, workout clothes and a mission. My mamacation agenda read as follows:

Atlanta Friends Meeting: I love the meditation, beautiful open design of building and the calm here. My two favorite things about attending Quaker meetings are knowing that Quakers believe that each person has the capacity to know directly the will of God, requiring neither a specific liturgy nor the interpretation of an intermediary and the great library of books they have shared with me. I checked out Black Fire: African American Quakers on Spirituality and Human Rights.

Little Five Points: This neighborhoo has all the hip bookstores, coffeehouses, bars and boutiques. Since, I moved here it has been a constant in our social scene. My favorites places there include 7 Stages Theater, Aurora Coffee and Porter Beer Bar. I have decided the Porter is in the number 1 position for my favorite local bar. It is the place that becomes your "Cheers." I had my birthday brunch here last year and the beer list is insanse. On this adventure I went solo for the Sunday Brunch. I am still thinking about the  Georgia Wild Shrimp n’ Grits: white cheddar grits, portobello and crimini mushrooms, truffle oil, poached egg. It made my life!
I also used this time bop into boutiques to show my work and sell my TerrorChic Cards. Two of the store owners were impressed and interested in buying the cards and asked me to come back after New Year to discuss rates and orders. One shop gave me requests for cards inspired by OutKast, Bob Marley and Grateful Dead. I am excited  for the opportunity and the momentum I have been manifesting with TerrorChic Designs

Sign as you enter Lil 5 and my favorite street art

Freedom Park: The parks in Georgia are amazing. I believe that Georgia is a top state when it comes to green spaces. The one thing that has hypnotized me since I moved here are the trees and greenery. Freedom Park is a short 5 minute walk from Lil 5 Points so I changed my shoes and jacket, blasted my IPod (I listened to Kanye West, Andre 300 mix tape and Ghostface Killah), walked the lovely trails and enjoyed the 70 degree weather and sun. It was also an opportunity to get exercise into the day and get lost in a new neighborhood.

I found my favorite word on the trails.

The walking in Freedom Park got my so hyped that I decided to just keep walking and walking. I ended up in Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park, neighborhoods surrounding Lil 5. I walked for over 2 hours and along the way stopped at Highland Bakery, a yummy food spot that I love for breakfast and cupcakes. I got a lemon and white chocolate cupcake and sat outside to enjoy it. The sweet potatoes pancakes and shrimp and grits are worth a trip if you are in Atlanta. On my way walking back to Lil 5 I saw a tag on a street pole and thought it was funny and fit into the theme of the day: wandering.

Vintage Store Grand Opening: During my research I found a listing for a FREE event at a new store called That Old Closet. The post online said free food, drinks, live band and DJ so I was there. I got back in the car and drove about 10 minutes to and was able to find the store easily. I heard music bumping as a parked so I was certain that if they delivered on the free food and drink I would be happy! Once there, I saw a friendly group of people, cute accessories, live band, food and drink. Winning!

Mamaviolet would love this rack.

I drank many of the free drinks and was able to get a nice buzz. The evening ended with a short ride down a tree lined street with a head full of inspiration and a belly full of free food. This was one of the best mamacations I have had and I look forward to planning more. I was able to think and daydream for a full 7 hours alone. I came home super energized and full of love for my son. It was a good look for everyone involved.

Do you plan mamacations or staycations? What do you do to recharge and to inspire your creativity?

Gratitude is addictive!

So, the New Moon has passed and I am feeling like I am ready to take over the world. I have been experimenting with positivity and over the top gratitude. I am talking about the kind of gratitude that makes you dizzy with joy and drunk off the possibilities. My life since the summer has had moments that remind me of the old school TV show Good Times. While the show is one of my favorites, if you have ever watched it you know how the family is always being challenged with situations that keep them from moving on up.
My Good Times: The stress of losing a job and household income, the bills, adjusting to being a stay at home mama with a 4 year old that likes to wrestle and ask 1 million questions daily, being away from my family and friends in Chicago, feeling isolated, car troubles, etc., etc. But, through the storm I have hypnotized myself into this positivity frenzy. My husband commented that he is so amazed at how positive and chipper I have been through everything. My debit card number has been stolen twice and when the bank called to let me know I just laughed and blasted my Pandora Gospel station and kept it moving. I have seen what stressing can do to me so I have decided that no matter what I will stay positive. My health and quality of life depends on it. During this grateful marathon a few things have helped me along the way:

1. Limiting social media: I deleted my facebook account. For me, it was becoming too many voices, comments and commentary about a lot of things that really didnt matter to me. Energy becomes a gift when you are going through stresssful situations, so I decided that insted of logging onto facebook for hours I would use the time to create art in silence.
2. Limiting TV: I detoxed from TV for 7 days. I am a reality show and TV addict. I always have been since I was a child. I used the 7 days to sit in silence, go to library with son, create art, play scrabble with hubby and to write and plan my daily and weekly goals. The first two days were sketchy but as the days went on I loved it. Now, that the fast is over I actually have seen my desire for TV decrease dramatically. My interest and attention span for it seems less.
3. Creating art: Art has been my saving grace. I have designed many new cards for my TerrorChic
designs. One day I created 10 new designs. I have found it to be so meditative and soothing and the more I create the more ideas I have for new projects. Here are some photos of the new collage stationery I am selling on etsy. 

I have also received some custom orders, completing an application to be a member of an art collective and working on a new decoupage wooden box inspired by Ancient Egypt. I am loving the collage work and now want to start experimenting with embroidery, embossing and letter pressing.

I used to journal daily and part of the journaling was a gratitude exercise. I will be starting this back daily. So my grateful list for this week:

1. Having a part time job at a theater. Being around artists and individuals who put so much care into 
    storytelling and art is inspiring.
2.  Health insurance
3. My friends Sonja and Zahra who have been so beautiful in helping me out with childcare since I
    have no family here to be the village. My village is growing.
4. Groceries
5. Simply Orange with Pineapple
6. The ability to walk and run
7. Sunshine and 70 degree weather in December. Whenever I get down about moving so far from
    friends and  family I step outside under the tall Georgia trees and soak up the sun.
8. Music. I mentioned earlier that my Pandora Gospel station has been getting me through the storm. I
    love it.
9. Loving and supportive family and friends in Chicago. They make everything better.
10. Coffee

What are you grateful for? How do you bear the storms of life? Share your techniques....

Kreative Blogger Award

Mama Violet awarded me the Kreativ Blogger Award. She is my real life BFF. We have known each other since being college roomates. Most of my best adventures in my life, have involved her. Good times. Good times. She has wonderful blog that raves on about her gorgeous daughter, fashion and thrifting.

Check her out and my 10 awardees! The awardees are all ladies I know in real life and those i read in cyber world. I enjoy these blogs a whole LOT.

So here are the RULES
1) Link back to the person who passed you the award
2) Complete the form below
3) Share 7 random things about yourself
4) Award 10 Blogs & drop them a line about

The Form:
Name your favorite song: Lou Rawls "You will Never Find"
Name your favorite dessert: Peach cobbler
What pisses you off: Injustice and potluck dinners
When you're upset, you: Write a poem about it
Your favorite pet: Ming Ming, a wild puppy we used to own
Black or white: as a color preference? Black
Your biggest fear: Not reaching my full potential
Best feature: Eyebrows and boobs
Everyday attitude: Things will work out
What is perfection: Traveling to a sunny beach with cocktails
Guilty pleasure: All reality shows

7 Random Facts About Me:

1. I love Dolly Parton music.
2. I really love puppets.
3. I used to be a crossing guard in 5th and 6th grade.
4. I have stolen library books before.
5. I worked as a bartender at strip club before.
6. I wanna live and work overseas.
7. My favorite and signature color is yellow.

The Awardees:
Girl Get A Life
Lisa C Writes
I Write the Wrongs
Mano Y Metal
Creative Bravado
Are You Blushing
Coya Paz
Contrary Magazine
This Cosy Life
The Owl Club

If you create it they will come.

I am excited to share some of my new crafting projects. I am still working away like a busy elf finishing the Jospehine Baker cabinet and the Tina Turner Vision Box. I took a short break from them and spent a day experimenting with the stationary. I have always loved to write handwritten letters and keep a box of greeting cards for quick sending to family. I was still inspired by the amazing Jewel Magazine that I sourced all the photos for the Baker Box. I remember I had this gorgeous dark brown notecard paper so decided to collage images right onto them.

I love the term: "You betta werk." It was made famous by one of my imaginary BFF's RuPaul. I continued to cut images that just spoke to me and had colors that would pop against the dark brown card stock. I love adding layers, embellishments, glitter and shine. I am happy with the four that I was able to create. I will be exploring the art store tomorrow for more paper in classic colors to use for a full collection of cards.

I opened up the etsy store, even though I have nothing listed yet since everything I have made has sold. The store is called TerrorChic and will include the decoupage wooden items, clutch purses, vintage tea pots and the stationary. It has been fun building the collection and brainstorming on the pieces I want to represnt me and my mission as an artist. The journey continues.

What is your creative and artistic outlet?

Upcycling and the Vision Box

I have the crafting bug all in me and can't stop with the modPodge and decoupage projects. As I experiment with different techniques I was inspired to focus my crafting on Upcycling. Upcycling is: the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value. It's taking something that you would otherwise throw out and finding a way to make it into something else. As I was cleaning up, I found two of my old cell phone boxes. I remember stashing them away because I loved the sleek design of them. I found some nice images of Tina Turner in my original search of my mags and knew I wanted to do a project inspired by one of my favorites: Tina Turner.
I started the process when I saw the text: "Do what you Love" in an old yoga magazine. This one sentence inspired the idea for the entire Vision Box concept. I decided to paste it inside so it could be displayed as the foundation of the entire design. Before I move on with more of the process, Let me explain the concept of my Vision Boxes.

The Vision Box: I love the idea of Vision Boards, Law of Attraction, Positive Affirmations, Mediation and Visualization as tools for fulfilling your dreams. I have created vision boards for years and love the artistic aspect of them. My Vision Boxes are for holding what's close to you and remembering your center. I envision you holding inspiring quotes inside, trinkets of hope, love letters to yourself and photos of family. I have had this one displayed open on a shelf with the "Do What you Love" staring right at me everytime i pass it. I believe that words are power and surrrounding yourself with inspiration is important as you follow your path.

I will continue the rhinestones around all sides and I also glued these round mirrored tiles. I love these tiles so much.

I moved onto the first step in the latering prcess. I usually out my first base layer down first then use it as inspiraion for more images over it later.

I then was inspired by the images of Tina Turner so I added them as the spirit moved me. This is a close up of Tina's beautiful leg. Her legs are so iconic in pop culture and inspring. To me they represent strength.

I then added photos to the back of box and the front of the lid.

Later today I will add a third layer of accent colors, images, objects for texture and paint. I am very pleased with the results so far and plan to continue on my theme of strong women by creating a Zora Neale Hurston Vision Box and a Coretta Scott King Vision box. I also have plans to decoupage an IPad box and thrifting on Thursday to find new treasures to experiment with. My etsy page is empty right now as I organize my products for selling. I did however open one and names it TerrorChic.

I actually already have buyers for the Josephine Baker Cabinet and the Tina Turner Vision Box. Woohoo! I am grateful. Keep manifesting.