Refugee Crafter

Up and Running!

2010-07-24T10:08:00.000-07:00

You may see a few slight changes here over the next few days, but we are once more fully functional! All of the links should work again! Thanks for your patience.

Under Construction

2010-07-22T21:21:00.001-07:00

Just so you know:

This blog will be under construction over the next few days. It's going to look funny, and links won't work properly. If you need any of the patterns before I get things sorted out, just email me at refugeecrafter(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll send them your way.

So sorry!

My Dress for the Wedding

2010-06-20T16:01:00.000-07:00

I was overdressed. I knew I would be, but what other chance was I going to have to make a formal dress for myself!? Besides, my husband expects these sorts of things from me now. I just can't bear to let him down. Right?

This dress was my inspiration. I am still so in love with that dress. It reminds me of the dress Vera-Ellen wears when she dances on the dock with Danny Kaye in White Christmas.

Made of an ivory satin and yards and yards nylon chiffon. Two complete circles resulting in a 10 yard circumference around the bottom for each of the four layers in the skirt. Talk about a twirly dress.

It was yellower (in person) than I originally imagined, almost a light buttercup actually, but it looked fabulous with those tomato red heels in the end so no complaining here.

I should have made a movie to show you how it moved. Oh, how it moved!

Here is a detail of my favorite part. Didn't that turn out lovely?

(I know it's a little lacking in the main wedding coral color, but as I figure it, I was going to be carrying this darling coral accessory the whole time anyway. Plus, I wasn't so sure I could pull off the coral as well as she could.)

It's been a while since I've sewn for myself, and honestly, I was scared to death to do so much pattern drafting for myself for this dress. I feel so much more comfortable drafting for children. I learned a lot from this one, and I'm still learning, but each new dress is a new step along the path.

Tigi's Wedding Dress

2010-06-20T15:57:00.000-07:00

Now that the newlyweds (my brother- and sister-in-law) have been married a month, I suppose I can post pictures of my wedding creations. Not that there was really any reason to wait until now...it just kind of happened that way.

First, the headband I made using the singed fabric method like the one here. I used about six or seven layers for each flower and offset each layer instead of attaching them all in the middle. There are a few beads sewn in the middle too.

And now, here is the dress I designed and made for Tigi. My little fairy princess. What a doll!

Aren't those gold sandals just adorable?

Funny story about the fabric. I found it in the "red tag" section at JoAnn's the day before the "red tag" section went on sale for half off. It was only fabric around in the PERFECT color, so, like any other good-natured bargain hunter, I hid it beneath a pile of other red tag fabrics so that I could return and purchase it the next day for $1.50 a yard. Then I found another bolt and promptly hid that too. After all, you've got to buy an extra four yards...just in case, right? I then returned the next day and recovered my buried treasure.

A couple of weeks later my sister in law and her mother who was visiting came over, and I proudly showed them my conquest. To my surprise, they turned to each other and laughed. "So you're the reason we had to go to THREE different JoAnn's to find enough of that same fabric for all the bridesmaids' and flower girls' dresses!" they exclaimed.

Oops. At least I can say with a surety that it was the perfect fabric.

I'd love to show you my initial sketch that inspired this dress, but Teagan is sleeping in the same room as the scanner so I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow. Until then.

New Shirt

2010-03-12T16:50:00.001-08:00

Tigi visited Daddy's school for the first time last week and 'needed' a new outfit for her debut. Really, she gave me the whole 'I don't have anything to wear' bit and everything. So I obliged the day before.

How could I disappoint a face like that?

Or was it this face?

This shirt from Gymboree was the inspiration. So lovin' their new spring line.

I've got a couple of friends having girls that just may get the exact same shirt...considering that I have a whole bolt of this fabric purchased from a thrift store...for four bucks...yep, you heard that right, four bucks. Rock.

Celebrate the Boy

2010-02-16T10:21:00.000-08:00

I have been loving celebrating the boy this month with MADE and madebyrae. Every morning I wake up and check to find the day's boy inspired projects first thing.

This 90-min-shirt tutorial was calling my name, and despite the dozen half-finished projects waiting for my attention, I started one right away.

The tutorial was very easy to follow. Loved it. The only things I did or would do differently next time:

-Cut the ribbing two inches shorter and stretch it a little while sewing it on so that after it is sewn it will automatically pull itself back into the right shape. I did this on the cuffs and wish I had done it on the collar too.

-Also, I don't own a serger so I just rolled a 1/4 inch under on the top side of the ribbing before folding it in half. Then, I sewed two parallel lines about an 1/8 of an inch apart. I gives it a bit more polished look.

This is my first time working with knit and it was surprisingly less scary than expected especially when using my new ball point needle. It's nice to have the fabric give a little. And I'm so in love with the easiness of the envelope collar when setting in sleeves I just might marry one.

These Boots Were Made for Walkin'

2010-01-29T17:26:00.000-08:00

So in love with these.

I used this pattern:
http://web.archive.org/web/20050612081043/http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/na_knitting/article/0,2025,DIY_14141_3148516,00.html

There is even an accompanying video:
http://www.diynetwork.com/videos/fashionable-baby-booties/4143.html

So in love with the top belonging to that pair of feet too.

Christmas Coat

2010-01-28T22:06:00.000-08:00

If this little doll could have a coat this adorable, then why shouldn't my little doll have one too?

Merry Christmas little doll! Your first Christmas outfit. I had all sorts of plans for the traditional "Christmas Dress" to go with it, but, well, you weren't the only one I was giving handmade gifts to this year and I'm still getting used to this whole two kids thing. But don't worry. There's still Easter, and your uncle is getting married in May. There are plenty of dresses in your future.

I used McCalls Pattern 5739 as a starting point, and then changed everything. Why do I always have to complicate things? I lengthened the top, added a shortened ruffle, placket, pocket flaps, and changed the collar. Oh, and added a loop to make it look like a tied bow without adding bulk. I keep finding out new things about how babies are built every time I sew. Babies have practically no necks (like teddy bears) so even the collar was pushing it. Hence, a bulky bow was out. Besides, who wants to tie a knot every time you put on a coat. The ends of this collar just slide through the loop. I also tried out the bubble hemmed sleeves, but on a baby, they just looked too huge and unbalanced.

I wonder what I'll learn next time.

Mini Christmas Stockings

2010-01-02T09:22:00.000-08:00

Posting these got a little lost in all the holiday hubbub.

I made them for my SIL, and now I'm wishing I'd made some for myself. There's always next year.

You can find the pattern at:
http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/free_knitting_patterns/2007/06/knitted_mini_ch.html

Dreams Do Come True!

2009-12-04T12:20:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe it! My blessing dress was featured in Grosgrain 's Flickr Favs last week! This is such a big deal to me. She's huge in the sewing/blogging world! I feel like the nerd who just got noticed by the head cheerleader, and she said such nice things!

This lady is the reason I started sewing again so it means all the more to me. I've always enjoyed sewing, but didn't realized how much until I discovered her blog a year and a half ago. She makes these gorgeous dresses and gives them away. Seeing them made me want to sew again...so I pulled out the sewing machine even though I didn't have a little girl to sew for back then. (I sewed for Liam when I could, but there just aren't very many boy patterns, and he's not all that keen on dress-up. Go figure.) The rest is history.

Somebody pinch me. I still think I must be dreaming.

Blessing Dress

2009-11-16T21:38:00.000-08:00

This just may be the pinnacle of my sewing career. I'm so excited with how it turned out.
This is Teagan's baby blessing dress. (A baby blessing in the LDS church is kind of like a christening in other churches.)

I'm so proud of this one because I actually made my own pattern and tatted the lace trimmings myself. It is definitely my most ambitious endeavor. Months in the works.

When I was having major trouble sleeping while pregnant, I thought about this dress. Here are the original sketches from my sketch book that I keep next to my bed:

Thinking about it now, I wonder if it was really excitement and anxiety over this dress and other projects that kept me up and not pregnancy after all.

I love the sunset lighting on the pictures above, but these pictures below are truer to the real color and show better detail.

The tatting on the jacket:

(The pattern for the lace on the sleeves comes from the book A New Twist on Tatting by Catherine Austin. I just added the pearl beads to her pattern. The frog closures are my own creation. If you want the pattern, email me.)

The ruffles on the dress inspired by Butterick pattern B4967 which I just may have to purchase now:

The proud Momma and her baby:

In some ways this dress is a sort of tribute to those who have taught me so much. My mom who taught me to use a sewing machine and read a pattern. My grandma who could whip up a jacket in no time and whose patterns (bought and made) I inherited. I can see her wearing sleeves just like the ones on this dress. My other grandma who taught me to keep learning. Emma Vogel who taught me to knit in exchange for house cleaning. The thread for the tatting came from her as did most of my knitting needles. Caroline Nelson who taught me (and my husband!) to tat just after we were married. Her husband could tat too, by the way, but I'm the only one who's kept it up in our family.

I'm not sure whether Teagan will like to create as much as I do, but at least she'll know and have something to show that I liked to create...for her.

Bolt Costume

2009-11-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween from the cast of Disney's Bolt!
(From left to right: Penny, Mittens, Green-Eyed Man (Dr. Calico), and Bolt)

For Liam's Bolt costume I used Simplicty pattern 2855. It was a very easy to follow pattern and worked up quickly. A costume staple. I highly recommend it. So many options.

To make the ears a little more sticky-upy and Bolt-like I just enlarged the cat ears provided in the pattern and added an extra layer of felt on the inside.

For the tail, I altered the cat tail provided in the pattern making it thicker overall and widening the end even more.

Take away the lightning bolt and the collar and the costume is a dead ringer for the wolf costume in Where the Wild Things Are so we just may use this one again next year if it still fits. Who am I kidding? I'm going to want to make a totally different costume just for fun. Suggestions welcome.

Curtains for Liam's Room

2009-10-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

I finished these just before the baby came but haven't had a chance to post them until now.

Just plain inexpensive muslin embellished with pleats and fabric covered buttons.

Because Liam and Teagan will be sharing a room, I needed something that would work for both a boy and a girl. The pleats add a little femininity for Teagan but the tailored look keeps it masculine enough for Liam. In my mind anyway.

I rarely come up with stuff completely on my own. I copy and combine. Here are the curtains I found online at Sears (I think) that served as inspiration for this project:

Paw Mittens

2009-10-08T11:52:00.000-07:00

Halloween is a BIG deal in our home. I start thinking about costumes at the beginning of each summer hoping to be ahead of the game and finish them in August. Do I ever? No, but I still enjoy thinking about them. I guess I just didn't get my fill of costumes as a kid.

This year there are four of us, and Liam is getting old enough to pick his own costumes so this may end up being our last themed Halloween. :(

These days Liam is WAY into pretending. I answer to the name of "Penny" more than I answer to "Momma," and I'm constantly reminded by a certain three-year-old, "No, not Liam...Bolt." So Disney's Bolt was the obvious choice for this year.

As Liam also reminds me, Bolt has paws, not hands. (It's amazing the chores that can't be done with Bolt paws, by the way.) I used this pattern for Liam's paws:

http://afghansforafghans.org/mittens.html

Then, I sewed on the "paw prints" made of craft felt by hand. Just a sort of Lima bean and some circles.

I Finished Something!

2009-10-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

(Tutorial can be found here.
Patterns for the appliques are below.)

Yay! I accomplished something other than just showering today. Not that I'm saying showering isn't a HUGE accomplishment for me most days, but it was nice to have something else to add to the list today.

Change a million diapers
Transform robots again and again
Get the mail (True, the mailbox is next to the front door, but it gives me such joy to retrieve it.)
Blog hop
Rush Liam to the potty frantically
Do yet another load of laundry (Where does it all come from? Mutant replication process?)
*Shower* (Sigh.)
Finish a project AND blog about it!

I started these bags on a whim just before Teagan was born. I finished Liam's just in time to send it off with him to Nanna's and rush to the hospital.

Did I mention he likes Transformers? Oh and the color red. All our red crayons are about an inch shorter than the other crayons. Do you think they'll develop a complex?

Making four was a simple as making one thanks to this fabulous tutorial (seriously the BEST tutorial I've ever used), so here are the other three for a friend's children:

(Outside Pocket)

(Inside pocket)

I pretty much followed the tutorial word for word, but added a couple of extra lines of stitches on the inside pocket to accommodate pencils. I also made the straps adjustable.

I used freezer paper stencils for the plane and transformer ones and the branch on the owl one. I used fusible web to applique the owl and guitar ones and then stitched around the edges using the buttonhole stitch on my machine. Here are the patterns I made for the owl and guitar ones:

(Click on the thumbnail pictures below to open up the pattern files. You will need Adobe Reader to see and print it. It's free, and you can download it here. )

The pupils and leaves on the owl one are buttons. The butterflies are folded ribbon.

The pegs on the guitar are buttons and the strings just straight stitching.

She's Here!

2009-09-25T18:43:00.000-07:00

I have some great news...I finally have a little girl to sew for!

Teagan Rose
9.9.09 at 9:39 P.M.
6 pounds 8 ounces
19.5 inches

Car Seat

2009-08-24T07:48:00.000-07:00

Funny how certain ideas get in our heads and really stick. Like the idea I had that I needed a NEW car seat, scratch that...a new travel system complete with double stroller...for when the baby comes. (21 days until my due date! YIPES!)

I don't really need a new carseat. I have a carseat and single stroller that work just fine. True...they are old. My sister bought them for her little girl who is now eight. Do I really want to admit that online?

I think what I was really thinking was that I wanted something of my own...something new...something specific for this baby. So, I kept on thinking and decided I could settle for making a new car seat cover. It helped that I found this tutorial featured on U-create.

Then, I started looking for car seat cover ideas. I found this one on Etsy somewhere. If it's yours, it's lovely. Unfortunately, I'm having a girl and can't afford a $90 cover.

Then, I found this one on pinktaffydesigns.com. Luh-uved it, but over $200. Nope, but it was just the inspiration I needed.

So a trip to the fabric store and a week of sewing later. (That is a week of sewing little by little and trip to Nanna's for Liam one day.) Tuh-dum! New, all mine, for this baby car seat:

The best part. Total cost under $20. $14 for the blue botanical printed home decorator fabric. (More than I usually spend on fabric for a project this size, but I wanted it to withstand a little wear and tear and washing.) $3 for the two fat quarters of yellow printed fabric for the headrest. $1 for the striped fabric from a vintage sheet set purchased (most pieces still in the package) at a yard sale this summer.

Sigh.

Now, I know I've left you wondering a bit. I'm having a girl, right?

Right.

Blue?

Yep.

Another one of those ideas that got stuck in my head. For some reason, when I think of this baby, I think of yellow and blue. (With Liam it was safari.) I guess I've been a mother to a boy for too long and now all my thoughts are tinted blue. However, paired with the yellow and a ruffle all is sufficiently "girl" for me.

FYI. I'd still like a double stroller. Liam walks, but with only one car which my husband drives to work each day, we do more walking than a three year old can handle. So, I'm in the market for a smaller, fold-up stroller, somewhere between an umbrella sized stroller and a full sized stroller, with a bit of storage space.

Does such a thing exist? Am I just getting ideas in my head again? If you know of a good one, PLEASE let me know.

Yellow Cropped Sweater

2009-07-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

I've totally been nesting and here is another sweater I crocheted for my little bird.

(The FREE pattern is below and works up quickly but looks like it took a lot longer.)

This is a variation on a pattern from this little book which, although I purchased it eight or so years ago, is still available at JoAnn's for about $3.50. It's small, but super useful and crochet-er friendly even for beginners. I've used its patterns over and over.

Materials:
Sport Weight Yarn (4 1/2 ounces-ish)
Crochet hook, size I

Gauge: In pattern, (sc, ch2, hdc) 5 times and 9 rows = 3"

Finished size: 3-6 months (Maybe older too...it's a cropped sweater and altered pattern so I'm just guessing. I'll let you know for sure after the baby is born!)

Pattern:

Ch 54 loosely.

Row 1 (Right side): Dc in 4th ch from hook (3 skipped chs count as first dc, now and throughout) and in each ch across: 52 dc.

Row 2: ch1 turn; skip first dc, (sc, ch2, hdc) in next dc *skip next dc, (sc, ch2, hdc) in next dc; repeat from * across to last 2 dc, skip next dc, sc in last dc: 26dc and 25 ch-2 sps.

Row 3 (Increase row): ch1, turn; 2 sc in first sc, working BEHIND ch-2 sps, 3 sc in each sc across to last sc, 2sc in last sc; 76 sc.

Row 4: ch1, turn; skip first sc, (sc, ch2, hdc) in next sc, *skip next sc, (sc, ch2, hdc) in next sc; repeat from * across to last 2 sc, skip next sc, sc in last sc: 38 sc and 37 ch-2 sps.

Row 5: ch 1, turn; working BEHIND ch-2 sps 2 sc in each sc across: 76 sc.

Row 6: ch 1, turn; skip first sc, (sc, ch 2, hdc) in next sc, *skip next sc, (sc, ch 2, hdc) in next sc; repeat from * across to last 2 sc, skip next sc, sc in last sc: 38 sc and 37 ch-2 sps.

Rows 7-10: Repeat rows 3-6: 56 sc and 55 ch-2 sps.

Row 11: ch 1, turn; working BEHIND ch-2 sps, 2 sc in each of first 9 sc, skip next 11 ch-2 sps (armhole), 2 sc in each of next 18 sc, skip next 11 ch-2 sps (armhole), 2 sc in each of last 9 sc; 72 sc.

Row 12: Ch 1, turn; skip first sc, (sc, ch 2, hdc) in next sc, * skip next sc, (sc, ch 2, hdc) in next sc; repeat from * across to last sc: 36 sc and 35 ch-2 sps.

Rows 13-18: repeat Rows 5 and 6, 3 times; do NOT finish off yet.

Edging:

Rnd 1: ch 1, turn; 3 sc in first sc, working BEHIND ch-2 sps, sc in next sc, 2 sc in each sc across to last sc, 3 sc in last sc; work 16 sc evenly spaced across ends of rows; (working in free loops of beginning ch), 3 sc in first ch, sc in each ch across to last sc, 3 sc in last ch; work 16 sc evenly spaced across ends of rows, join with a slip st to first sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, do NOT turn; (sc, ch 2, hdc) in same st, *skip next sc, (sc, ch 2, hdc) in next sc; repeat from * around entire edge, join with slip st to first sc, finish off.

Although I didn't, you can weave a ribbon through the first dc row and tie it in the front. I didn't have a ribbon I liked well enough so I opted to overlap the tops, sew a large snap in between, and embellish with a fabric-covered button on top. Easy on and off, I figured.

New Look FINALLY

2009-07-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

I decided it was time for a change and finally got rid of that imposing picture of myself. Way too BIG.

Now, I'm trying to simplify my life and therefore simplified my header. It feels nice to have a fresh start.

Bombay Sweater

2009-07-22T16:53:00.001-07:00

My friend Lindsey recently made these cute sweaters. Darling, eh? I'm secretly hoping she'll make one for my little girl. Well, I was secretly hoping, now I'm very publicly hoping.

Just in case Lindsey finds my hoping too presumptuous, I had to try out the FREE pattern too. After all, a girl can never have too many darling sweaters.

I know, I know. Couldn't even pick a different color or button than the original...It was just so cute.

The best part...this pattern works up SUPER quickly. I'm talking a couple of evenings quick. Love it!

Maddie's Photoshoot

2009-07-13T20:48:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the momentous occasion of turning eight, my niece and I had a photoshoot. Here are a few of my favorites:

This is a fun effect I've been playing with lately. There's a quick how-to rundown at the bottom of this post. Email me if it doesn't make sense.

Also quite lovely in black and white.

Quick How-to mentioned above:

1. Open the file in Photoshop, and then duplicate the background layer by clicking and dragging it over the little icon that looks like a paper with the edge folded back at the bottom of the layer palette.

2. On the top layer go to Image-Adjustments-Hue/Saturation. Check the box that says "colorize."

3. Change the hue to a sepia tone by moving the slider on the top line. (I also adjusted the saturation to make it more vivid.)

4. Click OK.

5. Then, go to Image-Adjustments-Levels and move the sliders under the graph to make the "lights/whites" really light and the "darks" darker.

6. Next, change the blending mode of the sepia layer to "multiply" by using the options at the top of the layer palette.

7. At this point, the picture may look a little dark.

To fix this, either change the opacity of the top sepia layer OR what I prefer to do is change the levels (Image-Adjustments-Levels) of the bottom layer so that it is a little washed out.

8. Here is the final picture...for tutorial's sake. I erased a little of her eyes on the sepia layer to let the blue shine through, and I also darkened the edges of the photo a bit.

I'm finally back!

2009-07-13T20:39:00.000-07:00

After over a month of vacation, visitors, and a dying and finally dead computer, I'm back.

I've been busy through it all, and I can't wait to show what I've been working on lately.

Thanks for sticking around.

Halloween Scrapbook Pages

2009-06-04T17:51:00.000-07:00

I've really been bitten by the scrapbook bug lately, and here are a few pages I've done recently.

Maybe it's knowing the baby is coming and that I still have so many pictures from Liam's three years to complete. Maybe it's finding 52Sketches52Weeks.com (possibly my favorite scrapping site ever), but I am in a scrapping groove.

If you scrap or want to start, I recommend 52sketches52weeks.com. Each week they post a new layout sketch and a few of their design takes on it. You can then upload your take on it, and you are automatically entered into a drawing to win a packet of supplies from a sponsor. Even if you don't want to upload your pages, the inspiration alone makes it worth it. (Oh, and check out the forums...they are really quite helpful.)

A page a week, I think even lil' (or rather not so lil') pregnant me can handle that. (I keep hitting Liam in the head with my belly! He's just the wrong height!)

It's interesting, the more I scrapbook, the more I find out about myself and my thought and decision making processes. For instance...

I find it fits my scrapping style to start with the layout and then find the pictures I have to match it. Took me long enough to realize that, but it has sure saved me time and frustration since I did.

Also, I find I have to change it up in little ways or else I get bored. So I'm trying to include some new technique on every page I finish, to break from my dated scrapbook paradigm. On the dragon page, I folded a strip of green paper kind of screw-ompus and ruffly, and then stitched it to the page. On the other two pages I stapled the ribbons to the page, and also embroidered over some of the existing paper patterns with a contrasting thread.

Also, I find that I make more time for scrapbooking if I do it with a friend.

(I finally finished all three pages Noelle!)

How about you? What is your scrapbook/crafting personality? Do you work best when working with others? Do you prefer to work alone? What motivates you?

Little Sundress

2009-05-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

Did I mention the baby is a GIRL!?! Can I just say I am THRILLED? I went out the other day and bought a little girl outfit...not for a shower or a relative or a friend...for myself...I mean for the baby. That's who it's really for...right? (I have to keep reminding myself that she's not a doll.)

I'm still giddy about it.

Now I don't have to feel guilty when I want to sew little girl's dresses like the one I finished this afternoon:

(I'm making good use of the fabric you sent me, Kacey! Thank you again!)

Here's a little detail and the pattern for the pocket is below:

I think it would be cute with a little rick rack around the edge of the pocket too.

The dress is from this darling vintage pattern found in a bag full of patterns for a buck at a thrift store. Yep, THRIFT store. Love it!

You know, sometimes I think, "I don't really sew. I just collect patterns." But when they're THIS cute, and THAT cheap, how could I resist. That's what I told my husband anyway.

If you want one too, McCalls has a similar pattern (M5649) and if I remember right they're on sale at Jo Ann's next weekend.

Here is the pattern I made for the little pocket.

As far as instructions go:

1. Cut out the pocket and a strip of fabric 2 inches by 18 inches.

2. Fold down the top pocket edge 1/4 inch to the back. Then fold it over another 3/4 inch to enclose the raw edge on the backside of the pocket. Stitch close to bottom edge of fold.

3. Fold over one long side of the strip 1/4 inch and then fold it over again 1/4 inch to enclose the raw edge. Stitch along edge of fold.

4. Repeat Step 3 for both of the short ends of the strip.

5. Using a LONG stitch length, sew 1/4 inch from the raw strip edge and then AGAIN 3/8 inch from the raw edge.

6. Pin both ends of the strip to the pocket keeping right sides together and raw edges even. Pin the middle of the strip to the bottom middle of the pocket again keeping right sides together and raw edges even. Pull up long stitches to gather the strip so that it is the same length as the pocket edge.

7. Stitch together about 1/2 inch from the raw edges.

8. Fold ruffle out and pin pocket to dress. Stitch along edge of pocket to secure to dress.

New Paintings

2009-05-05T21:31:00.000-07:00

I'm getting things going on Liam's bedroom redo little by little. I finished these two paintings just in time for his birthday, and I am pleased. (If you like them and have a little ambition, the line drawings are below so you can do a little paint by number version yourself. Just click on the pictures to get larger images.)

You might recognize the rocket from Liam's birthday invitations. If you are a "Who-vian" (the British Equivalent of a "Trek-y"), you might recognize the robot as the reoccurring Cyberman villain in the Dr. Who series. Because I don't own the rights to the cyberman likeness, I ask that anything you make with the following line drawings be for personal use only.

I'm always curious to see where others' inspiration comes from. Maybe you are too. If so, keep reading.

My initial idea came from this series of paintings by Yuko Lau on art.com. Here are a couple. Cute, huh?