A Beautiful Mess

Coffee cups...

...all collected from my studio yesterday. it's been a month that feels like a year. i am focusing on enjoying this time and trying so hard not to get stressed over small things. it's going to be a beautiful year. it already is. 

i miss you. 

e

Guestblogger: Leigh-Ann/Color Wheel

hi, it's Leigh-Ann again :) Thanks for all your nice comments last Tuesday. Today I wanna share a whackload of juicy colorful pictures! Color totally inspires me, hope it rubs off on you too :]

First, a few I've taken lately :]






Sometimes, just one color against white is superduper.
(Print from Mallory)
 
Some other peoples photos... :]

Vintage Enamel pins, Lune Vintage

Fisher Price People, Pixie Genne

Excess Luggage, Pixie Genne

Throw a Chair Drawing, Chris Piascik

Prague Oaklahoma, Rachel

Barbie Shoes, Supernova Designs

Tiny Tomatoes, Pondblue

Zippers, The Purl Bee

The Happiest Face, Inka Finland

Flower Buttons, Simple Charm

Colored Pencils, Sofia Katariina
Note: Soooo many colorfull shots in her photostream :]

Old Umbrella, Elisabeth Marie
 
V-dub, G*Squared

And a whole bunch at once...

Visit my flickr favorites to look closer at these juicy pictures :]

I'm adding a few new albums to my shop today, stay tuned :]

Eeeek! Only five more days till the RVA shops open!!!
Thanks for having me as a guestblogger Elsie :]
Have a great day everyone :)

Smiles,
Leigh-Ann
Freckled Nest

Oh! one more photo to inspire you, this is a new fave lately :)

from Handwriting

it's almost 6 am, so why not....

start a new blog post? :)

oh my.

i wanted to share a few "behind the scenes" peeks at our first big photo shoot for the fashion section of the new website! my dear friend, Will , did the photos and i did the styling. it was REALLY fun! i've never had that role before and it was a great change!

(these cutie RVA models are sisters.... the above shot was just for giggles!)



HOLY CUTE!! t-shirts..... *sigh* :D


and the cutest reusable tote bags...


i finally found the most wonderfullll screen printers!
i am so so thankful.




felt food accessories. emma and i designed them. :)


HA!!!! :D
we re-photographed all Jeremy's merch. because we are switching his store over to be a part of mine. yay!

here's a little snapshot of Jeremy's B E A U T I F U L & inspiring studio space.

adore this place. i've been working with him almost every night. he's been practicing piano & i've been.. well, you know.... making stuff. :)


i am so excited. so sleepy. so busy & so so thankful right now.

well, i am off to sleepydreamland. i'll post art sneak peeks next time!
tomorrow Jeremy and I are driving to Kansas City to pick up my darling friend, Vanessa Rose. She is going to stay with me for 3 whole weeks while we are opening the shop. I can't wait!

OK...... one more photo to put me in the mood. haha!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........

PS. big thank you**s to Holly, Leigh-Ann & James for guest blogging this week for me! So sweet of you to take time to help keep my blog looking cute during these busy few weeks! Lovelove. 

Guest Blogger: "Miss" James Kicinski

aaaand hello! i'm "miss" james kicinski from bleubird vintage. i'm a lean mean vintage lovin' machine from texas. i moved here from florida a year an a half ago and i absolutely love it! i am the owner and stylist of bleubird and a proud mama of two adorable little kiddo's. thank you elsie for having me be a guest blogger today. i lovies you!

okay, here are a few random things about me...

favorite color: kelly green.

favorite food: fondue (mmmm...so good!)

favorite tv show: three's company.

favorite movie: amelie.

all time, hands down, favorite musician: john lennon.

i collect: vinyl, owls and fawns.

i love: the 60's & 70's. polaroids. my beautiful kiddo's & my cute boyfriend.

hobby of choice: decorating and fixing up muh house.

so...i just moved into a new "much bigger" house, four months ago, and i am obsessed with fixing it up. i shop daily due to my job and am always on the look out for unique vintage odds + ends for the place. i scored the most amazing wicker and velvet egg chair from the 70's this week.

it was a steal for only 39 bucks! (oh... and that's one of our purty bv models, kady, sitting in it!)

i am so inspired by an amazing site called the selby. the photographer, todd selby, showcases some incredible and unique spaces from various people around the world. here are a few of my favorites that inspire me in my quest to make my house my home...

i am in looove with that couch! it is truely a gem and the blown up vintage photo...brilliant.

look at that vinyl collection. and the color of the wood... loves it.

what an adorable little kitchen. love the embroidered artwork.

 

cutest kids room ever! i'm doing the tutu's in my daughters room.

gorgeous! love the brick and the meter & pipes on the wall.

such a cute patio... i should work outdoors more.

and who dosen't need a tee-pee in the back yard? 

books. books. and more books.

i'm smitten!

frame a magazine photo and top it off with some pigs.

i'm diggin' the bright colors. so much to look at.

i wish i had a fireplace. i'd totally make it my stage.

inspiration for my studio.

connect four! oh so much fun.

make sure you check out the selby site for yourself. those are just a few of my favorites. :)

and if you wanna find out more about me and what i do...check out my blog.

thank you for having me and i hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

xo, miss james.

i've fallen in lOve....

with this girl.
 

and theseeeee
 

this is the most inspired season i've ever lived. it feels like all of the little pieces are coming together. every day is challenging, full & creative. thank you for sharing all of this with me. i love you very much.

10 days to goooooooooooooo!
xo. e

Guestblogger: LA

Hi :] I'm Leigh-Ann from Freckled Nest... my favorite holiday is back-to-school shopping, i have blue eyes and a big heart, i turn everything into a comboword, my sister is my best friend, and sometimes, i snort when i laugh. I love: the public library, halepenos, puppies, building forts, project runway, my momma, handfuls of raspberries. I dislike using my flash, when the top of the dishsoap is pushed down, changing lanes, and fake hair clip-on ponytails...they're not fooling anyone!

My Etsy Elsie Special: Today and tomorrow, save 15% in my Freckled Nest shop if you enter "elsiecakes" in the message when purchasing (please wait to make payment till i send an adjusted invoice).

12 Days till RVA opens!!! eeeeeeeep! Go elsie go! We believe in you!

Here's a new mini album I wanna share with you :) Tom is Keith and I's new puppy (he's almost 6months old now) and he'll melt you!

 

I used a button and long hair elastic/hairband for the wrap closure.

Lol, he's earned that name!

    

How To: 1. Cut out a template. 2.Tape it down and make sure the surrounded areas of the project are covered (i saranawrapped the whole thing and taped it up tight). 3. Ask your hot boyfriend to spraypaint it for you. 4. Let dry. 5. Peel off template & wrap. 6. Outline letters with acrylic paint and a thin paintbrush. NOTE: The spraypaint woulda been less blurrry if it wasn't on corregated cb, so try it on a few different flat surfaces :]

Recycle your coffee sleeves...they make fun tiny pages!

 

I made this blue page melting plastic grocery bags. Learn how to fuse plastic here, it's easy :]

You're probably seeing these polaroids everywhere (b/c they're the best thing EVER). Download a free program to make "Poladroids" for yourself, http://poladroid.net/ :]

This was my template from the cover; I repainted it afterwards.

*Idea* Use techniques from your journal in your minialbums :)

PS. This is a plastic fused page too :)

Felt pages!

Cut out shapes and dip the edges in paint. Funnnn!

  

I glued two fabrics back to back. The striped one was from a onesie I used to dress him in :]

 

I hope you're inspired to go make a fat mini book too :]

Feel free to ask questions in the comments :)

I'll be here again next Tuesday :] See you then!

Yum-yum,

Leigh-Ann

ps. Elsie posted something new last night, see below.

pps. Happy Inauguration Day!

it's past my bedtime.....

yes, bedtime.
my new love in life!
the thing that is keeping me sane & healthy this month.

but tonight i am making an exception, to say hello... :).... and share some of my new loves with you.

as you may have already noticed (in the post below) i have enlisted some talented/adorable guest bloggers for the next couple weeks. with my new store just weeks away from opening i am mentally on another planet %99 of the time, but i wanted my blog to stay lovely & full of inspiration. so thankful for cute friends!

here's what i am loving right now....
 


esther pearl watson
amazing.
i am in loooooove with her work. it's beautiful.

 




BLEUBIRD Vintage
I post about them all the time and not just bc. they are wonderfulllll friends, but because they have some of the cutest vintage stuff i've ever seen! I had a little shopping spree today & it was so so fun.
(i bought 2 of the above dresses.... guess which ones?)
I keep trying to talk James into moving here so she can have her vintage shop across the street from RVA. Then I could shop there nonnn*stop and we could drink coffee together all the time. dreams.... :)

Some new RVA shop sneak peeks...





all of the peeks i've been showing are of accessories. i think i'll show some art peeks soon. :)
with only 12 days to go, i am getting so so sooooo excited!!!

seriously... 2009 is already my favorite year. i can feel it. anyone else with me?

oh.. and i am sooo in love with these glasses.
 
as beautiful as these babies are, it's just not my style to spend that kind of money on accessories...like AT ALL. if anyone has seen any similar frames that aren't priced in the triple digits leave me a link, pretty please.

Jeremy is home. He had a wonderful experience playing with Mute Math on the Tonight Show! So happy for him. Thank you for your support & for the happy flood of e-mails and text messages during the airing! What would I do without you? xo.
lovelove, elsie

 

Guest Blogger: Holly Neufeld

hi! My name is Holly Neufeld. I'm from Canada, a hairstylist by trade, mother to an adorable 16 month old, and known to have too many hobbies for my own good. You can stop by my blog to find out more about me! I'm just popping in for a guest post during this busy & exciting countdown to Red Velvet Art!  (13 more dayyys!!!) 

Is everyone as excited as I am?

2009, the new year... a time to set goals and make resolutions.  One of my goals is to learn how to sew.  I received a sewing machine for Christmas this year, so I've been exploring the possibilities!  I dream of creating my own garments... making clothes that I love, and fit the way I want! I've been sooo inspired by some designers, so I'll share with you some of the clothes/photos that have been motivating me to learn more...

Rebecca's tops:

Label of Hope:

emilyryan:

this playsuit from I'm Your Present:

Joodito:

this blouse:

and for the little people in your life:

Rockerbaby makes so many cute outfits!

I can easily get overwhelmed from all the inspiration out there to sew your own clothing, so it might be fun just to start by embellishing some existing pieces of your wardrobe.  Twinkie Chan has some kick butt examples!

and of course why stop there?!  What about bags and pillows? :)

omg this bag:

or this one:

My friend Jenna and I were chatting last night (we both have this desire to sew things), and we thought.. How fun would it be to go through an ordinary day thinking, "That would make a cute pillow." Ha!

this one is cuuute.

these:

the Plusharoid!

It looks as if Elsie & Rachel's Spring Online Class has some fun sewing projects too, so I'm reeeeeally looking forward to that!  It'll give a kick start into what I think will be a beautiful relationship with my sewing machine! <3

hey! want to see a peek at some stuff I've been working on for RVA?? ok!

Well I hope this was some eye candy to brighten your Monday.

And remember...

(photo from Castle, I looove them)

xoxo, holly

New Online Class! **sign up here**

EDITED: Class sign ups have been closed as we've reached capacity.  If you've got any questions about the class or the private blog, feel free to e-mail Rachel here:   racheldenbow (@) gmail (dot) com.  Thanks so much for all the enthusiasm!!!

Hi everyone! Rachel and I are so so so excited to share the details of our new online class! It's going to be SO much fun. We've been working & planning & creating new cuteness that we can't wait to share with you!

And here are all of the details that your heart could desire....

This is an 8 week class by Rachel Denbow & Elsie Flannigan. We are teaching this class together. There are projects by each of us and many that we have developed together!
The class begins February 15th and lasts for 8 full weeks. There are a total of 30 projects that are spread out evenly over the 8 weeks. The class is hosted on a private blog that only students can see. It's a lot of fun and a great way for us to get to know each other! Each project includes lots of photos & step-by-step instructions (PDFs are included for projects with patterns!).

Each week will also include a private chat with one or both of us (Elsie will host all of the chats except for the week she is in Italy! :D). These chats are lots of fun and will be hosted at a variety of times to fit different schedules. They stay posted, too, so that you can read them if you aren't able to attend!

Class fee is $60 (or $2 per project!! :D).

Please Note:
*This is not a kit.  Supplies needed for the class are primarily common household items and inexpensive craft store items. Allowing you to collect these supplies for the projects saves both of us time & money! We are able to offer many more projects in this format than in a traditional class and there are no shipping charges!

*After you have purchased your class spot you will receive an e-mail with log in information to our private blog within 24 hours!

*We do have a limit on available spots. We will be keeping this class small enough that we can communicate with every person individually through our chats and project conversations. :)

*These 4 sample projects are the only images that we will be posting of our class projects outside of our private blog. Class projects are exclusive!!! :D

Project List
(so you know all of the *fun* you are in for!!!)
1. Color Me Happy Rainbow Scrapbook
2. 'X Marks the Spot' Picnic Blanket
3. Felt Teepee Village
4. 'Hide them Here' journal covers
5. Not Your Grandma's Doily Throw
6. Spring Buds Jersey Scarf
7. Family Portrait Felt Wall Art
8. Panda Bear Plushie
9. Paint Your Own Pillow
10. Say Cheese Embroidered Photo Art
11. Sorbet Surprise  Needlepoint Art
12. Don't Be Shady Felt Sunglasses Case
13. Happy Thrifties (Tips & Tricks for Reworking & Remaking Vintage Clothing!)
14. Be Practical Vintage Tray Calendar
15. Hand Carved Stamp Tutorial
16. Springtime Apron Pattern
17. I Heart Handmade Mobile        
18. Tank Tops + Doilies = True Love
19. Textile Reconstructions from Flea Market Finds
20. Color Block Chair Cushions
21. Plushie Sewing Machine & Camera Doll Patterns!
22. Small Space Makeover Tutorial
23. Cherry Blossom Spring Garland
24. Protect Your Adult Furniture with Embroidered Linen Coasters
25. Perfect for Spring Broach Patterns
26. Shiny Shoes Makeover  
27. Wood Grain Wall Art
28. Fancy Dress Doily Necklace
29. Use It Or Lose It Patchwork Pillow
30. 40 Brand New Embroidery Designs by the Red Velvet Girls!!!

A note to my previous students:
If you were a student in my last class you may be wondering how this class will differ. Here are the changes I've made...
-The class is 2 weeks longer this time. We have more time to work on projects, we have more chats & a slightly more relaxed schedule! :)
-Rachel and I are teaching this class together! 2 teachers are better than one!! :D We share a very similar style and love working together. This will enable us both to put more energy into each project and have more time to communicate with our students! Yay!!
-We are posting an exact schedule & supply lists for class projects before the class begins (on our private blog). You will know what day to expect what project on and you will have more time to prepare! :D

And here are a few quotes from my previous students....

"This class was life changing for me :)  The inspiration that I was given helped me produce so many amazing works of art.  I was crafting during ALL of my spare time and it was amazing!! Thank you so much for the opportunity!"
Janel

"This class inspired me with so many new ideas but most importantly it gave me the courage to try new things.  I see the world with new eyes now- how can I take that and make it into something SO CUTE???!!!  Thanks, Elsie, it has been worth every penny." Lisa

"Its like a backstage look at Elsie's way of working, style and inspirations that only really cool people get to see..... but i was one of those!" Adelle

"Taking Elsie's class has been hugely inspiring for me. I've learned a lot about myself as an artist and what i am capable of creating. Plus, it was fun to connect with Elsie fans all over the world!"
Evan

"I've never felt more inspired in my life than while participating in Elsie's online class. The class format, chats, inspiration and sharing of ideas was absolutely amazing! I learned soooo much and can't wait for another opportunity like this! Elsie is a fabulous teacher with such amazing ideas...creative genius. This class was more than I hoped for!"
Jamie

"It was always a pleasure to check the class website each day for new posts. Elsie's cheerful personality shone through in all of the lessons and made me feel welcomed and inspired." Gillian

"Taking Elsie's class was one of the most inspiring things i've ever done. I can't speak more highly of the class (it's creative, kitschy, original projects), Elsie (truly an inspiration), and the outcome (seeing all the projects in the Flickr group).
Elsie has a rare ability to teach her craft and skill while allowing and inviting her students to relate to her. I think that's what makes her so special!"
Margot Miller

"This was the absolute most inspiring 6 weeks of my entire life. All i wanted to do was create all day long. Each time Elsie posted a new project it felt like Christmas! :D "
Kinzie

"you will regret not taking this class. It is an amazing opportunity to get a closer look into a different world that you love so much"
Mariania

Elsie's class was an adventure from the beginning, and I can't say I've ever had more fun creating in my life! She gives her heart, time, and effort to make her classes unbelievable, and her creativity is inspiring and more contagious than you could ever imagine!
Mary-Beth

If you have any questions, please contact Rachel at racheldenbow (@) gmail (dot)com!

I am so so so excited!

in other news, check out the RVA*shop Spring Schedule...

there are more details for this schedule here!

Another very exciting thing on my spring schedule is that i am teaching in ITALY!
I am so thrilled about this trip because I have some really cute new classes planned & Mr.Larson is going to join me. For more details about Italy in March click here! 

Thanks so much! XO. elsie

tonight show love :)

just a reminder that Jeremy will be playing piano for Mute Math on Jay Leno TONIGHT! :D I'm watching it with my parents! They already filmed it and he said it was so fun!
So if you are into it, be sure to tune in... SO EXCITED!  

ok... all things online class & RVA related coming in the AM (and i have sooo much to say!). so check back soon! 

CONGRATULATIONS, JEREMY!!!!

XO. elsie