Scarlett Design

Wiener Werkstatte

2009-07-12T15:51:00.004-04:00

Its amazing how quickly summer flies by. I can't believe its already mid-July. And it seems to go by even quicker here in Virginia Beach, where a home near the ocean guarantees there is never a shortage of house guests.
Recently I stumbled upon a some photos (I can't remember where, Cafe Cartolina perhaps?) of textiles created in the Wiener Werkstatte. The Wiener Werkstatte was an artists collective in Vienna during the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods, and, like the Arts and Crafts movement in England, included all of the decorative arts, with the goal of making good design available to everyone: textile design, furniture, glass, architecture, etc. I think I'm particularly drawn to this because I've recently been working on an illustration by the German Art Nouveau period.
Wkikpedia article here.
I think I just may treat myself to the Wiener Werkstatte book for my birthday (in a few weeks) and when/if I ever get to Vienna, I'm definitly going to the musuem.

I love the nature inspired and geometric patterns in these designs

What a gorgeous shade of blue!

Etsy Faves, 6/26

2009-06-26T10:24:00.004-04:00

This week I chose my favorite items from the Etsy Recycled pool on Flickr. I love that with most of the items, you can see what they were originally used for. This week I found so many great pieces, I picked nine to feature instead of my usual six. Artists like these make it incredibly difficult not to immediately spend any money I make on Etsy.
Top Row: Mask by Beasts Fantastic, Shirt by Creative Babies, Shell Necklace by Endless Sunner
Middle Row: Illustration/Collage by Inbalimor, Yarn by Flutterby Fibers, Collage by Jennifer Mullin
Bottom Row: Envelopes by Prairie Peasant, Mushroom by Wooly Fabulous, Print by Potatobird Studio

Also, today is the last day of my Crafty Stuff Giveaway, so if your interested in getting some free supplies leave a comment here by the end of today

One Lovely Blog

2009-06-25T10:33:00.003-04:00

Dawn, from First Light Glass has been kind enough to give me the "One Lovely Blog" award.

I in turn award "One Lovely Blog" to:
Crazy Mom Quilts As much as I try to limit myself to only a few hobbies, I'm quite certain that this blog is responsible for the fact that I've taken up quilting now.
Cabin and Cub I've been a fan of Cabin and Cub for quite some time, but only recently started reading the blog
Lindamade I love her fun crochet designs
Ressurection Fern A great source for anyone who is inspired by nature
Also, check out my favorite sites listed at the right.

Two Illustrations

2009-06-24T11:10:00.006-04:00

Today I want to share some of my illustrations.
The first is a digital illustration I made years go in Art School, and I've always loved it. The assignment was to take a subject from one photo, and a background from another photo, and merge the two in an original illustration. I think I worked on this every afternoon for a few weeks, but it was worth the effort. I think this is the first drawing I made using the Illustrator program that I was really happy with.

Right now I have this available a fine art print in my etsy, but I'm planning on making it into greeting cards as well.
The next illustration is one that I'm currently working on.

This one is a hand drawn ink illustration. So far I'm pleased with it, but its taking a long time, and I keep having to buy new pens because they die on me. . Sometimes I hit mental block, because I'm not sure what to fill the space with. I want to keep with the celestial theme and fill the entire space.
It was inspired by Ephrain Mose Lilien's Illustration to Genesis, done in 1908. I know many people don't like Art Nouveau, but I love all the curve-linear lines and nature inspired themes.

Etsy Faves

2009-06-22T12:35:00.005-04:00

Top Row: Mia Cardigan by Oveja Negra, Mardi Gras Necklace by Five Foot Fury Creations, Visions of France Wrstlet by Antique Basket Lady
Bottom Row: Blocks from Northwest Toy Crafters, Fingerless Gloves by Tickled Pink Knits, Argyle Cat by Felt So Good

Also, if your interested in the craft supply giveaway, remember to leave a comment here by Friday, 6/26.

Crafty Stuff Giveaway

2009-06-17T12:08:00.003-04:00

In my reorganization of my studio, I'm trying to be ruthless about purging some stuff that I just won't use. I came up with several crafty items to giveaway, and because Goodwill doesn't accept these items, I'm giving them away here on my blog. I haven't finished packing it all up yet, but so far I know the package will contain some cheap acrylic and cotton yarns, two small blank canvases, some scrapbooking/ATC materials, probably a few small fabric scraps, and other random supplies.
If you're interested leave a comment here by Friday 6/26, and I'll randomly select a winner.

My Garden

2009-06-15T21:32:00.005-04:00

I don't know about everyone else, but currently, I am not pleased with the progress in my garden. Fortunately, I know every gardener out there feels like this until July or August. Right now my problems are very fixable: weeds will take work, slugs can be drowned in beer, and soon the caterpillars will metamorphosize into butterflies. My greens seedlings didn't take and I still need to put the rest of the marigolds (they provide nitrogen for the tomatoes) and the annual border in the ground. But on the positive side, my corn, which I'm growing for the first time this year is doing wonderfully, my hot pepper already has some unripe fruit on it, as does one of my tomatoes, my mums have come back to life (predictable in VA perhaps, but I'm used to New England), my Nastergiums have unexpectedly seeded themselves and are already doing better than last year, my Malabar Spinach, also a first this year, has climbed as high as my head up its trellis. Also, I'm continuing to start seeds of carrots and beets for the first time, and in another month will be starting the seedling for my autumn crop. Overall, I'm optimistic.
This may seem silly, but about a week ago I was ecstatic to see a butterfly on my butterfly weed. Saturday I discovered small caterpillars all over it. I was still extremely happy.

Yesterday, I discovered those fat little bastards had gotten much bigger, by eating half of my butterfly weed. I was actually considering sacrificing the plant for the bugs, because 10+ caterpillars (future butterflies) is better than one plant. Then I found them on my corn, tomato, and a mystery squash (I labeled the peat container, than buried it in the dirt). The caterpillars had to go. I briefly considered going and picking some milkweed for them, but instead settled on gathering them up and carrying them to the front yard instead. Hopefully, they'll come back when they turn into butterflies.
I looked it up online, and discovered that they are Monarchs. I must admit, I have a softness for Monarchs, no doubt a result of studying them in kindergarten. It was so much fun watching them grow, and spin crysallis, and emercge as butterflies. Heres some basic info I found on them.

This is some sock yarn I bought from Grasshopper Handmade. I love it. Its a pure merino sock yarn called "Boat Drinks." Its so soft, and a 475 yds is more than enough for an average pair of socks. I'm currently working o a pair of socks made with it, that I love. So expect some pics of anothe FO in a few weeks.

How about you? I'd love to see some of your garden pics, so send me a link in the comments, or add me as a contact on flickr.
PS: The reorganization of my studio is going well. I've gotten rid of quite a bit and the office is "clean" but I need to bring everything I temporarily displaced to the living room back into my studio. Fortunately, although I do miss him, my boyfriend has been gone this week, so the clutter wasn't an issue.

Etsy Faves, 6/12

2009-06-12T14:26:00.003-04:00

Top Row: Bird Stuffies by Doinky Doodles, Button Bracelet by Poor Robin, Glass Bowl by First Light Glass
Bottom Row: Tide Pool Tunic by Dye Diana Dye, Leaf Dish by Red Crow Arts, House Pouch by Suezybees

Unlike these fabulously talented artists/crafters, I have been in a creative funk ever since I got back from Florida. However, I'm currently working on reorganizing my studio and I already feel more inspired.

Strawberry Rhubarb Sorbet

2009-05-24T11:36:00.001-04:00

I wasn't planning on offering a recipe today, but I made a dessert that came out so good I had to share it. Like the other recipes I've blogged, this is easy to make, but it does require a few specialized pieces of kitchen equipment: a food processor and an ice cream maker, and patience. Also, although this does contain alot of sugar, the main ingredients are real fruit, so it does have some nutritional value.

Ingredients:
1 cup of Sugar
1 cup of Water
2 stalks of Rhubarb
2 guarts of Strawberries
half a Lemon

Before you do anything else, make sure the bowl for your ice cream maker is properly chilled, place it in the freezer the night before you plan to use your ice cream maker.

Over med-high heat combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, and allow to boil until all the sugar is dissolved, 1-2 minutes. You have just made a simple syrup.

While the syrup is cooking, slice your rhubarb into 1/2 inch pieces. Add to the boiling simple syrup. Turn down to a simmer, and leave until the rhubarb is soft. Then, with a wooden or silicon spoon, mash the rhubarb against the side of the pan. Warning: the rhubarb will smell terrible while it is cooking, this is normal and your sorbet will not taste bad.

Cut up your strawberries; chop off the tops, and any soft spots, and cut into large chunks. Puree your strawberries in the food processor.

In a non reactive bowl, combine the strawberry puree, the rhubarb simple syrup, and the juice from half a lemon. Stir well. Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 5 hrs.

Once everything is properly chilled, set up your ice cream maker, and pour in the puree mixture. Let the ice cream maker do its thing, and in about half an hour you should have a frosty sorbet.

Etsy Faves, 5/23

2009-05-23T09:50:00.004-04:00

I'm very exited that I've been featured in a treasury for the first time!
My fern frond notecards have been included in mysticwynd's treasury, "With fronds like you...Who needs anemones?"

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=59721

And here are my favorite Etsy items this week:

Top Row: Cameo from The Green Squirrel, scarf by Beautiful Bridget, Clams by Go Buggy
Bottom Row: San Francisco notebook by Art Shark, ceramic pod/bowl by River Valley Crafts (not actually an Etsy seller), Red Glass sculpture by Margie McNutt
Its interesting that every time I make one of these mosaics, I wonder if all the items will look good together, and even when they are very different, somehow they always make a nice grouping.

Back from Florida

2009-05-20T11:53:00.003-04:00

Last week I was in Naples, Florida visiting my grandparents. It was kind of boring at times, but I also got to have some fun.
I got to visit the Everglades, which I've been wanting to do for awhile. While I was there I took an air-boat ride through the mangroves, that was alot of fun. And beautiful, everything was amazingly green.

Then saw some alligators. It was pretty amazing watching them glide around in the water. I've obviously seen alligators in a zoo before, but it doesn't compare to seeing them in their natural habitat. I'm pretty sure the big one wanted me to get out of the car so he could eat me.

And I got to walk on a different beach than I do at home. Maybe that doesn't sound so exciting, but I got to watch the sun set over the ocean, and see different birds and shells than I have at home.

Etsy Faves, 5/08

2009-05-08T11:05:00.002-04:00

My favorite items spotted in the "Etsy.com Love" pool on flickr

Top Row: Bhudda mixed media collage by Zen Dot Studio, Ruffled Tote by Rebbeca's Art Closet, Embroidery by The Snuggery
Bottom Row: Real Butterfly necklace by Royal Princess, Maple Seed ring by Tiger Lilly, yarn by Rivulette

Baked Chicken Wings

2009-05-05T09:57:00.004-04:00

Another very easy recipe, this one for baked chicken wings. These are surprisingly easy to make at home, and while not healthy, they at least aren't as bad for you as the deep fried ones you get in a restaurant, and my boyfriend requests them almost every weekend. They would also be good for a party because they require very little hands on time.

Marinate the Chicken Wings for at least an hour. You can buy them in the grocery store in either small or family size. If I get the family size I divide them up into several quart size freezer bags, put a different marinade in each, and put the extras in the freezer. You can buy sauces specifically for wings but most flavors of marinade work well: BBQ, teriyaki, or my favorite Ceasar salad dressing (the oily kind). Usually I just use whatever is already open.

Line a baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, spray generously with cooking spray, then spread the wings out so that they aren't touching eachother.

Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes, flipping half way through.
You're done! Just put them on a plate and serve with cut up veggies and a dipping sauce or salad dressing.

2009-05-04T09:05:00.002-04:00

Sorry I was missing last week. I've been trying to focul on cleaning my studio and organizing my paperwork, and doing other not fun things.
A few exciting things did happen. I was featured on Silja's blog. And I am a new member of the Etsy Greetings Street Team, you can check out their blog here: http://etsygreetings.blogspot.com/

I'll be back this afternoon with an easy recipe for baked chicken wings!

Etsy Day, Part 2

2009-04-24T14:50:00.001-04:00

Etsy
Buy Handmade
scarlettmade

Etsy Day, Part 1

2009-04-24T08:55:00.006-04:00

Etsy
Buy Handmade
scarlettdesign

A group of independent sellers has declared today ETSY DAY. I assume most of my blog readers know what Etsy is. If you don't, its an online marketplace made up of thousands of shops, all owned by artists and crafters offering handmade goods. Say "no" to mass produced poorly made crap, and say "yes" to well crafted unique items and supporting individual artists.
Check out Etsy.com here

Usually on Fridays I do my Etsy faves that I spotted on flickr. Today I'll have several posts highlighting the great items on Etsy. Many of these are items from my favorites, and others I found by searching Etsy. I hope you like them, and click on the thumbnails to be taken directly to the artist's shop.

"Flutter Byes" Etsy Treasury

2009-04-22T11:44:00.003-04:00

I just made an Etsy Treasury, "Flutter Byes"
A collection of brown and orange butterfly items. I originaly wanted to use all Monarch Butterflies, but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to find enough that I liked.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=54040

Jellyfish!!

2009-04-21T14:11:00.003-04:00

Even though they are really just floating blobs of goo, jellyfish are surprisingly beautiful. Currently I'm working on a jellyfish illustration (which I'm quite pleased with so far), and I made this mosaic from some photos I favorited on flickr. Some people even had photos of themselves diving with jellyfish, but that doesn't sound very fun to me. Has anyone ever swam into one? I have, and they're slimy.

None of these are my own photos, to see the actual photos go here, and you'll be able to click on all the links in the description.

Etsy Faves

2009-04-17T13:37:00.003-04:00

I'm back to picking my favorites from the Etsy.com love pool on flickr this week

Top Row: Art Prints by LucidRose, Monster Pillows by Mrs. V and Me, Cherry Blossom Wristlet by Kaboogie
Bottom Row:Ostritch Applique T-Shirt by Britain Road, Summer Lovin' Soap Bar from Soap Rehab, Plush Elephant from Under the Willow Tree

Also, check out this new flickr group for some great inexpensive hamdmade items:
Under $10 gifts

Completed!

2009-04-15T21:44:00.006-04:00

I finished a few things I meant to share last week, but then I lost my internet connection for a few days, and with the truck engine dying, and some unexpected guests for Easter I just never got around to it. First, my Marlene Socks

This is the first pair of really nice socks I've made for myself, and I love them. I pretty much followed the pattern, with some adjustments around the foot for gauge, and I decreased at the toe to avoid using kitchner stitch. I used Fibranatura's Yummy Superwash Wool.
Next is a Louisa Harding purse.

I didn't do a very good job following the pattern, mostly because I didn't do a very good job reading the directions. But I'm really happy with the result, and thats all that really matters. I liked the styling in the pattern photo, but felt it was a little "granny" and then saw another similar Louisa Harding purse with much trendier styling, so I decided to go for something in between. Because I am neither granny nor cool. I used Paton's Bamboo Silk, and then made a lining with some brown cotton and attatched a pair of bamboo handles I've had for years, but hadn't gotten around to doing anything with yet. Then I added a velvet ribbon and some pins. The ladybug pin used to be my grandmother's.
I also finished making my "Fern Frond" illustration into cards to put in my Scarlett Design Etsy shop. Again, I'm very pleased with how the finished item turned out.

And finally, a project that isn't completed but that I just started.
I got Alabama Chanin's book last spring, and I've been meaning to make some clothes with old T shirts, just never got around to it. Then I saw some of her Spring 2009 collection. And its beautiful, but definitely out of my budget. So I finally began a skirt. So far I love it, I don't often handsew anymore, so its kind of nice to do things differently for a change.

I have a few more photos of these, but I'm tired, so I won't be adding them to flickr until tomorrow.

Wildflowers Treasury on Etsy

2009-04-15T10:55:00.002-04:00

I got an Etsy treasury today, "Wildflowers"
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=52875
I wanted to make it yesterday, but because I sometimes lack patience I foolishly refreshed when there were 333 treasuries left, then there were 331, but they were full again before I could finish typing my title.

Super Easy, 1 pot Rice and Beans

2009-04-14T16:12:00.003-04:00

Lately I've seen many recipes for dinners that cost $10 and under, so I thought I would share one of my favorites, Rice and Beans. Its cheap, easy, and yummy, with very little clean up.

1 box Zatarin's Jambalya
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
crushed garlic
olive oil
1/2 small red onion
1 carrot, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1 red pepper, diced
salsa
Sour Cream
Grated Cheddar Cheese

Cook rice according to instructions on box. Put aside in a serving bowl.
Saute garlic in olive oil, adding onion, carrot, celery, and red pepper. Saute until everything is just cooked. Add salsa, black beans, and rice to pan, as well as a little bit of water and cook until everything is hot.
Serve in bowls with sour cream and shredded cheddar on top.

This will serve 3 people, and has at least a full serving of vegetables and protein.
To make it cheaper you could cook brown rice bought in bulk and add your own seasonings, or substitute a can of diced tomatoes flavored with chilies for the salsa. To make it healthier use light cheese and sour cream, and add more veggies, like whatever is in your refrigerator.
Also, if you live with someone (like my boyfriend) who believes dinner should have meat you can use a spicy sausage instead of beans, just make sure its cooked.

Spring Fling

2009-04-09T14:12:00.002-04:00

I've been featured as part of Donna's spring fling on her blog: DZ Fantasy
You can see her art dolls here

I'm not sure if I'll be blogging my etsy faves this week. I don't have internet at my house (right now I'm at Panera) for a few days because a big, dumb truck hit the wire connecting cable and internet to my house. Seriously. Hopefully it will be fixed tomorrow, because I also have my finished Marlene socks and my finished fern illustration made into a notecard to share.

Works in Progress

2009-04-06T14:10:00.004-04:00

I've been fairly productive lately, and added several new items to my Scarlett Design Etsy shop, including some pocket mirrors, photos and these "Canine" greeting cards:
I've also been working on this illustration of some fern fronds that is almost finished. I just need to tweak the colors and decide which paper and envelope I'm going to use for the completed product.

I'm planning to overhaul my Scarlett Made Etsy shop as well. I think it wasn't successful this winter because I jumped o the chunky knits bandwagon, and didn't really love all the items I offered. So I've been giving some thought to what I really want, and I've decided to offer unique crocheted items. Including this free form scarf I'm working on right now.

For fun I have a few knitting/crocheting wips. I expect to post about my completed Marlene socks by the end of the week, and I'm also working on a hexagon throw.

Etsy Faves, 4/3

2009-04-03T19:09:00.002-04:00

My favorite items spotted in the etsy.com love pool on flickr this week.

Top Row: Collage by Sarah Ogren, Hairpins by Yeah Hello, Photograph by Cassia Beck
Bottome Row: Hedgehogs by Marjji, Quilted pillow from Handmade by Alyssa, Illustration from Carambatack Design