A Beautiful Mess

***sparkler party pics!***

tonight was lots of fun at the red velvet art shop. i took tons of extra photos so that rachel and other out of town friends who couldn't make it could feel like you were really there.... minus the sugar! XO.

e n j o y.... 

a few pics from the shop today... we've been working extra all week to create a fresh & super cute atmosphere. 

a new 'home' installation on one wall.... it's not totally completed yet, but i'll post more pics soon! 

everyone worked extra hard at RVA this week... they're great girls. 

Here's some headbands that Erin and I designed, displayed... 

so cute, right?! i'm in love. 

and here's a cute display of handmade iPhone/iPod cozies that Victoria was working on all week... 

sigh... they're cute. i'll try to list some of these over the weekend.. but only a few. ;) 

vintage glasses. i found a whole bunch, recently. so pretty. 

YAY! old friends came to visit my shop tonight. Adam, Amy & Story! 

they are some of my closest friends from high school.... i was so happy to see them. 

she's so adorable. 

Part 2: Bomb Pops... we took a surprising quantity of popsicle photos... geez. 

Sarah is such a little beauty. I adore her and I think she's perfect with Doren.  

& more treats... 

Part 3: Sparklers! 

(photo by: Vanessa) 

if you are curious why all of my photos are of my best friends, it's because i'm too shy to ask people i just met to take their photos. did you know i'm shy? i'm really shy. 

(only photo i got with mr. larson today.. ha! he promised me more tomorrow.) 

bedtimeeee! 

we are hanging out with our families tomorrow. No plans but love, hotdogs & sparklers.... :) 

Happy 4th of July. Xo. elsie 

some new things & a very sweet surprise.

a new painting.... i did this one last night. i was originally trying to make a painting about all of the weird things in my dreams... it's a strange thing to wonder if other people dream the way you do. i don't know... my dreams aren't very realistic but they always have real people (usually the same people over and over again) and also imaginary characters, like talking animals... and bad guys. 

this girl loves toast. 

and a new girl on wood. i wanted her to look like summertime. 

THIS WAS AWESOME-------->

i got a box today addressed to 'elsie cake'. yay! i love it when people use my fake name. it was from the beautiful miss Erin (she works for me at RVA & is a very dear friend)! 

she gifted me a pair of gold Toms!!! 

made my day! :D 

Party at RVA tonight... come come come. 

Happy 4th to all. XO. elsie 

my mom is so cool.

so, my parents just dropped by (my mom dropped off tons of really pretty paintings to put in our shop for the party tomorrow!) and i was working in my studio. my mom saw these hand painted sunglasses i've been making & she wanted a pair. how cool is that? 

do you like the XOXO pattern? they might be my faves... i'm experimenting with polka dots too. 

anyway.... my mom is adorable!! 

i must get back to work. today is super productive. i'll share lots of new art+craft tomorrow. 

XO----elsie

50s swimsuits!

photos found here.

i'm finishing up work for our party (tomorrow evening) all day today. i just wanted to share some pretty swimsuits that inspire me. i'm not a person who wishes they lived in another decade, but i'd love to find some swimsuits like these someday! so so pretty. 

have a great day! elsie 

we are busy in our little factory this week. here are a few peeks at new stuff... i'm having SO much fun. 

new tiny summer themed paintings. they are inspired by old journal pages... 

(it's actually true... all i need is a plane ticket to LA so i can steal it back.) 

here are a few journal peeks... comic style (obsessed). 

new colors. 

little comic ACEO cards for my shop. i've been making them in bed every night right before i fall asleep. :) 

miss Erin finished like 60 orders today... the vintage paper packs  were a huge hit & they look SO cute all packaged up! i can't wait for everyone to get one in the mail. my whole kitchen was full of them this morning. 

i'm feeling surprisingly on track for such a busy week. 

encouraged, determined and inspired. thankful for that! 

Ok.. back to work for Elsie... LoveLoves. 

back to work..... can't wait till Friday!

i'm back to work, like hard core (not like the musica... like very very serious. yea!) for the rest of the week. i have too many boxes of Girl Scout cookies tempting me in this house!!   -oh no!- 

So, this Friday night (July 3) we are having a party for First Friday Art Walk at the Red Velvet Art shop. 

Top 5 reasons why you need to be there: 

1. Sparklers

(photo by Will)

2. Photos... we take tons. 

3. Treats--- something patriotic and sugar filled, to be sure. 

4. exclusive sales (yep!) 

5. We are doing some cuuute updates to our local shop this week, be the first to see them (it's always more fun in person, right?!) 

Friday night 6-10 PM be there!!!! :D 

tonight i am working on new (huge) paintings for my shop, embroidered baby onesies and some cute stuff for the home. 

& i am enjoying Miss James' mixed tape.

lots of bands on there i haven't listened to before. love that.

she's a good friend. 

one more thing...

i'm thinking of starting some new collections... what's your favorite?  

a. cuckoo clocks. 

b. japanese fashion magazines. 

c. vintage 'elsie the cow' kitchen things.

d. vintage craft kits & supplies. 

e. vintage paper dolls or maybe comic books (but only girly ones...). 

in other news... i need a haircut, maybe.. and a flea market day without a doubt. 

this week shall be work-work-work... but only the good kind and i'll share with you lots of photos of new projects. if anyone has inspiring music, film, or artist inspiration... please, leave me a comment & link. 

PS. if you want a July ad on A Beautiful Mess you need to e-mail LA (LA -at- redvelvetart.com) like today. it's almost July..... O-M-G!!  

XOXO. elsie 

ps. i'm excited about the tattoo ideas. i'll do another post soon with designs to share. 

LOVES.

 

Dreams do come true..... :D

guess what i did today? 

(photo by: LA) 

i was a Girl Scout leader for the day... well, sort of. Here's the story.... 

a few months back i posted pics of a ridiculous (and fun) Girl Scout inspired photo shoot. 

Lisa e-mailed me about bringing her Girl Scouts from Nebraska for a visit & craft day at RVA. I was, of course, super excited because it's a dreeeeam of mine to be a Girl Scout leader (my mom was mine!). So, we made plans and today was the day.... the girls drove 6 hours to Springfield and spent the day with me, crafting in my kitchen (that sounds weird.. but my kitchen's really big). 

Here are some photos: 

we made scrapbooks & comics all day...

so adorable, right? it was fun. 

here's a cute photo that one of the girls took in my studio... 

& check out the RVA dino merit badges i made the girls.... 

and how much they enjoyed my (not quite) homemade cupcakes. :D 

and last but (for sure) not least.... a few of the AMAZINGly cute photobooth photos they left me on my computer.... 

yes, it was a very darling day. 

XO. elsie 

10 things i LOve Sunday. XOXO

hello. hello. hello. 

1. Oh you. 

they steal my heart.

2. 

why yes, of course. 

love it.

3. magics.

i love underwater photography.

4. this free embroidery pattern from sublime stitching.

5. andrew bird

love this photo of him.

6. this adorable owl sunglasses case tutorial by Amy Cluck. 

so sweet!! 

7. this dress...

found it at Forever21. love this one too.... 

8. askinosie chocolate. 

it's an amazing chocolate factory on my street. 

the chocolate is super dark & everyone is really sweet. it's a must see in Springfield if you have summer plans to visit. :D 

9. Poketo

10. Girl Scouts visiting RVA. 

more about that tomorrow!!! :D 

Happy Sunday! I'm really excited about the tattoo comments. 

love-love-loves. elsie 

happy saturday. XO.

i got lots of sleep last night & i feel like a new person! 

(these glasses aren't serious... i did wear them out once. but only once... ha!) 

funny story: the other day a girl at "anonymous-coffee-chain-place:D" told Jeremy she liked his glasses. but she was sort of laughing when she said it. it was awesome. she was trying to figure out if they were a joke or serious... and then she said "so, what's with those?". 

too funny. 

actually, i don't know why i'm still so obsessed with big glasses. 

:) 

anyone is Utah go to the chris merritt show last night???

i was so sad not to be there!! i've only seen him play once & it was amazing. 

ok... all i wanna do this weekend is make stuff with paint, thread, fabric and vintage paper. 

3 things that make me smile today: 

this vintage paint by number

colorful street art

and this amazing stitched tree made with one of my embroidery patterns (link here)

also, as promised.... tattoo talk. 

(by the way... best quote from a random person of my week: "i love your tattoos, and i never say that." ha!) 

so, this is how it all started..... i designed a few tattoos and then started to get a zillion e-mails asking for designs. i'm overwhelmed, but also SO flattered. so, i've come up with a solution...more below. here's holly's tattoo... 

i love her tattoo so much. she had a dream last night for a new design. she's pretty amazing.... but i just wish she lived in my town :(. 

and here are some shots of my recent tattoos...

and one that i designed for ally.

also here are some tattoos that i did not design, i just think they are insanely beautiful. 

(please note: it is NOT ok to use these people's designs without permission. i am only posting them for their beauty & inspiration.) 

photo cred.

adore this style.

i've always wanted a space kid or a robot. this one is fantastic.

<3 

love lisa's ship.

this sister tattoo is amazing.

this one isn't real, but still lovely.

!!!

kayla's are loooovely. 

and silje's tattoos are the most beautiful ever. 

soo.... i want to make some tattoo designs that people can use. i can't do them for every individual (unfortunately...sad face) but this is what Holly did... she took several of my paintings, designs in to her artist and had them design her tattoo with those pieces. it is %100 ok with me for people to use any of my art as tattoo designs...it's a huge honor. i only ask that you send me photos after it's done because i loveee to see them! so, if you have a design request, post it here in the comments and i'm gonna make a few new designs, words ect, that you can take to your tattoo artist if you please. 

it's an honor... so thank you so much for all of the requests! :)

one more note: i am quite aware that tattoos are not for everyone and this post is only intended for people who find them beautiful. if you have a personal aversion to tattoos in general please do not leave a comment on this post. 

Hope your weekend is wonderful!!! 

Erin & I are adding new ACEO cards to the site all day today. :D 

Loves! Elsie 

little things to love.

i had a few personal things i wanted to share... be sure and check the post below, as well, for rva update highlights from this afternoon. 

i miss this girl very very much today.

jeremy knows how much i like presents.. like any kind of present. seriously. a n y t h i n g.

he bought me these last night & i was extra happy this morning while working on the update. 

yesterday, we took some photos with Chris' new t-shirts. it was fun and i think he looks extra rad in his big glasses. side note: taking photos together is in my "top 5 favorite things to do" without a doubt... it probably doesn't make Jeremy's top 100. lately, we've been taking photos almost every day. he's being really kind to me. :)

also, these photos make me fall in love.... recording piano with a little fawn plushie. *sigh*

photo cred.

his studio really is a magical place. 

tomorrows must do list: 

-blog about tattoo designs. 

-hang out with Brett. 

-draw... like for fun. 

-try to get the new Wilco album (early...it comes out tuesday). 

-write e-mails.... like a lot of them. :) 

goodnight. elsie

Update pics! New & lovelyyyyy.

hello. we are updating the site right now *check it out here*.  

here are a few peeks at our new goods.... 

daisy headbands. 

some new paintings... 

i've been waiting for this one...... our Owl Kit!!!!

this kit features some beauuutiful hand embroidered patches (which is why it's super limited edition... only 50 are available). 

and check out this lovely variety of woodgrain laminate we found for this kit!

i love the dark wood. 

and something totally new... vintage paper packs here! 

these are beautiful and come with over 100 pieces each! 

we've been collecting cute stuff for these packs for like 6 months... i'm so excited! 

what else? 

handmade feather hair pieces (here) ! i crocheted these little chains all of the way over the ocean when we went to Italy. :D 

Chris Merritt posters... 

Yes, he gave me special permission to sell a few in our shop too. :)

Thanks, Chris!! 

this one here and here and here :D.

and a special C.M. deal! Panda stickers and this poster (below) with every Chris Merritt CD  purchase this week!! 

*sigh*... this was a fun update to work on. so much fun. 

i have like a zillion ideas that i couldn't even get to, so i'll probably keep adding all weekend. i'll keep you updated here. ;) 

(and this is just funny... yes?) 

mucho loves. Elssss

PS... forgot one thing! 

free original ACEO card (by me :D) with every purchase of $75 or more (good till July 1!). 

XOXO. 

i miss you, Rachel......

but, seriously, i do miss you. 

come home soon. XO. elsie 

a little side project love & update news

hey y'all.... i just wanted to drop in and show you some new stuff i've been working on for my friend, Mr. Chris Merritt. it was really fun to work on some band merch again. :D here are pics of all of the new cuteness... 

shirts for girls. 

and guys. 

adorable stickers. 

totally rad mini posters with some of our favorite song lyrics.

and a cute little tote. 

here's a pic from my initial design in my studio. this project was a lot of fun for me to work on and a cool little change of pace.  

we might put one of his little posters in our shop next update... but i made this stuff exclusively for his upcoming show at Velour in Provo, Utah (show info here ). If you live in the Provo area you need to go see him this Friday... i wish i could go so badly. his live show is grrrreat. :) 

So, today is a million percent busy... Let's change that to a zillion percent, actually. We are planning out next RVA UPDATE for this Thursday (June 25) at 6 PM CST.

What's new? we have a cute owl kit by Emma & I, baby blankets by Rachel,new paintings, ACEOS & prints... and a few brand new items (will share peeks soon!). I'm excited. It's gonna be a cute one. 

There are lots of exciting changes going on in RVA world right now.... can't wait to share all the details. :D 

Must get back to work... i have a whole little journal full of cute ideas---ready to go! XOXO. miss.cake

PS. have been forgetting to mention: 

i did a guest Top 10 for Blogs.com.... see it here.

pretty cool! 

also, if you are interested in sponsoring A Beautiful Mess in the month of July please e-mail Leigh-Ann, LA (AT) redvelvetart.com for advertising details! 

i have a date with my e-mail boxes tonight...and, let's face it... i think we are going to be getting into a pretty serious relationship. XOXO. :D

little moments + happy thoughts.

things that make me smile: loving: my holga, warm weather, mangos, late nights, journaling, thrifting, mermaids, dresses, sunglasses, sunshine, mixing paint colors and vintage fabric.  

looking forward to: a new flaming lips album & wilco, hanging out in my studio this week and painting, new Chris Merritt songs, fireworks, and a long long summer to come. 

happy monday to youuuu. elsie

10 things i love Sundays [Father's Day Edition!!!]

ello loves. 

first of all i'd like to share 10 things i love because they remind me of my dad: 

1. The Simpsons. 

it's soooo cute. i've been looking for cool Simpson's t-shirts from the early 90s, lately. love them. 

2. vegetable gardens... my dad keeps an awesome garden in the summertime. he's had it since i was a baby and the fresh vegetables are so great! 

3. oooh & orchids. he has an amazing little orchid collection as well. 

4. vinyl. 

(cute illustration found here.)

my dad has the most beautiful vinyl collection. makes us all happy & maybe a little bit jealous. 

5. frech toast. 

beause my dad makes it better than anyone in the world.

(adorable magnet here )

6. Jurassic Park.

my favorite movie of my childhood & also a really happy memory of time spent with my dad. :D

7. coffee from el gas station. 

ok, so i don't really love it. but i love it that my dad loves it. right? right. 

(ps. this illustration is super rad!)

(cred)

8. songs that my dad used to sing... 

the beatles or cat stevens.

when i hear certain songs... it's like magic. 

my dad is a guitar player & so talented! 

(image here.)

9. star trek. 

like the old ones. he loved them and they make me happy. :D

10. quotes... everything he says makes amazing quotes. 

"it's not my gig"..."Nexxxxxxxxxt"... 

awe... we have a whole list of favorites. in fact, it never ends. 

I LOVE YOU, dad. 

and a few photos from our trip to KC yesterday.... 

the wedding was b-eautiful. we had the best bubble tea ever. 

(from Tea Drops. loveeee it.) 

played with wedding bubbles... 

took lots of photos (mostly Holgas... can't wait to develop!)

and shopped for cute clothes (%100 for the Mr. because i already have enough clothes for all 9 of my cat lives... like seriously.) plus, i love shopping for boy clothes! look at the new glasses that i talked him into here.

<3 you....this week is going to be magical. Let's make it an amazing one!! Elsie