Letting Go...For a Good Cause!

I just love creating art and sewing my heart out...I really do put the LOVE into my work and hope that when people receive my creations they enjoy them as much as I did when I made them.  It's hard for me to let them go sometimes, but I totally believe in the causes & people that I am able to contribute to from the sale of my goodies.

This year, I have really enjoyed a whole new world of crafting...mixed media!  I love it because ANYTHING goes...no rules!  =)  Inspired by Traci Bautista, mixed media guru and author of the best selling book, "Collage Unleashed," I ventured into the world of painting in a free and spontaneous manner.  Then comes the layers of texture, collage and free motion sewing...so much fun and totally addicting!  One of my favorite things about it is recycling & UPcycling paper & other things that would otherwise end up in a landfill as trash!

These 5 mini books are for a swap that I am participating in for the "Collage Unleashed" yahoo group.  Each of the participants are to create 5 mini books & send them off to the host...we get a return package of 5 assorted books from other artists!  What fun!

So here are the mini books I created...

hand painted papers...

I UPcycled an old dress that I got from my sewing class to create the red hearts!!!

UPcycled papers, various stencils and free motion sewing...

all tied together with string...have I told you how much I just love this stuff??!!

Here is my table with plenty of things going on!  Victorious for Elizabeth & Lymenaide mini books in the works...


...as well as the Victorious for Lyme Wrist Cuffs in the back...




...and some new things to help in the Gulf Rescue & Clean-Up efforts...

I have a show planned for Saturday, July 24th at the Cypress Community Festival & will be featuring several projects I'm working on for one charity or another.

I hope you'll stop by my booth, learn about Lyme disease & pick up some unique handmade creations, all made with love for a good cause. =)


If you are interested in contributing something on behalf of these or other charities, please let me know & I will make them available at my booth.  You can email me at: Nani@VictoriousVixen.com, or leave me a comment below.

Happy Creating!
--Nani

Winner , Wrist Cuffs & Collaboration!

Drum roll please...we have a winner!  =)

Congrats to Diane Ballou, the 6th entry of the giveaway!!  Please email your address to:  Nani@VictoriousVixen.com to claim your custom quilted "Optical Delusion" wallet!  =)

She shared these comments with us:

I have had Lyme disease since 2001. I was on a camping weekend in Durham, NC when I was infected. I got the bullseye rash. Then my hands began to swell and become extremely painful. I was very lucky, after 5 months of not finding anyone to treat me, I found a wonderful Lyme Doctor. I was in treatment for only 1 year before I went into remission. I was in remission for almost 7 years when I had a major spinal surgery and with my body being under so much stress, the remission was gone and I am now in full blown active chronic Lyme. My first symptoms were the bullseye rash, followed by swollen, painful hands.

Thanks to everyone who participated & shared their story with us.  I think it is really important for everyone to know what the early symptoms are so they can get treated right away...after the first 30 days, you're looking at a long term chronic infection, the kind that the IDSA says doesn't exist, but is rather "the aches and pains of daily living."  Those in the Lyme community, the actual patients (like those who commented on my blog) & the Lyme Literate Medical Doctors (LLMD) don't agree with the IDSA...and neither do I.

Why would the IDSA say that???  Good question...it's the question I had when I started to dig around the Internet & find out about this strange disease that had taken hold of my dad, years after infection & well into treatment.  Why would the IDSA say that there is no such thing as "Chronic Lyme Disease?"  

I believe it is because of money, plain & simple.  The Lyme documentary, "Under Our Skin" exposes the epidemic of Lyme and the politics that surround it.  It is a shameful thing.  Because of the way the IDSA wrote up the "guidelines" for treatment, it allows the insurance companies to DENY treatment.  After all, you can treat a disease that doesn't exist!  But to the Lyme patients out there, the pain & suffering is undeniable, with or without your insurance company's approval...you'll do anything, spend any amount of money in the hopes of regaining your health.

As a craftivist, I want to use my talents & abilities to reach out & help others.  I joined forces with the Lymenaide team, who share the same passion for awareness & activism that I do.  I am designing & sewing up a series of Lyme inspired wrist cuffs & other sewn items for Lymenaide, The Vampire Diaries & more.

I am seeking out others to help me with a project that has really touched my heart.  Elizabeth Chalker is a single woman who lives in Florida.  Due to years of misdiagnosis, her condition has deteriorated to the point where she needs extensive specialized treatment, amounting to over $100,000 for just the first year!  She lives alone with only her dog, Symon, for companionship and weekly visits from her friend & mom, Corey Cameron.

There are no special programs that she qualifies for & has been abandoned by her friends & family.  Despite fundraising efforts, she is $45,000 away from starting her life-saving treatment.  It is my hope, that after you visit her website, you too will be touched by her story & moved to help in whatever way you can. 

Victorious For Elizabeth...a project where I'm hoping to bring crafters & "Lymies" together to use their resources to help Elizabeth Chalker get the help she needs.  Here is a sneak peek at the wrist cuffs I have been designing & sewing for her fundraiser...

I welcome donations for this project.  I am specifically looking for lots of purple prints & butterflies for Elizabeth.  Here is a little list of the types of things that I can use:

• purple fabric
• beads of all kinds
• fiber...I don't have much right now & could really use it
• thread...purple, variegated, metallic
• trim...again, think deep purple
• butterflies...especially looking for a transparent blue or purple variety
• Big buttons or glass closures/beads for the wrist cuffs...re-purpose your buttons from old clothing!

If you'd like to donate money for me to buy supplies, that is always appreciated as well.  Fabric & material donations can be mailed to:

Victorious Vixen

P.O. Box 2404

Cypress, CA 90630

If you are crafty, creative & would like to participate in this project somehow, or if you have ideas on other ways to help, please leave a comment below or email me at:  Nani@VictoriousVixen.com.

I am really looking forward to collaborating with other artists!  =)

Sending my love & positive thoughts out to my Lyme friends & supporters...your stories continue to inspire me to push forward with the intention of creating positive change!

--Nani

one of my creations, inspired by

Traci Bautista's Collage Unleashed book & online workshops...

Victorious For Lyme: Art Quilt Project

Hi everyone, it's time for an update on Victorious For Lyme: Art Quilt Project and May is Lyme Awareness Month!

I have been taking online workshops & a Quilting Arts class to help me with this project.  The Lyme ribbon pictured here was done in class where I learned to applique using "Steam A Seam" fusible paper backing...I added my own crazy stitching to it to make it my own.  =)

I am incorporating many of the techniques into the art quilt that I'm now learning. Many people have asked me about the quilt & when it will be done. I plan on doing a series of art quilts, not one that you will snuggle up with.  =)   This is a work-in-progress & I am learning A LOT right now, that is for sure! I am not exactly sure what the end result will be, as I am working in a very free & intuitive manner...working from sketches of my ideas but not holding myself to them.  My 2 favorite artists that inspire me right now are...

Traci Bautista...check out her amazing book, "Collage Unleashed" as well as her online workshops.
Alisa Burke...she has an amazing blog where she shares simple but oh-so-beautiful projects & art.

Here are some of the pictures I have already printed on fabric...faces of Lyme, prescriptions, supplements, PICC lines, treatments...these pictures are so powerful!!  It's not too late to submit your Lyme pictures...submit them here on Facebook, or here on Flickr. 

I've been busy uploading a ton of pictures for you to check out...please share the Victorious For Lyme: Art Quilt Project Facebook group & Flickr link with your Lyme friends & family...I'd love to get more HEAD SHOTS of those with Lyme, as well as pictures of your PICC line, medicine counter, medical equipment, treatments, rashes, before & after pictures, hospital or surgery pics...you get the idea!

I have received a few boxes at my P.O. Box, but would love to see it overflowing with packages!! If not a package, then how about sending me a POSTCARD with your hand written message on it to be sewn into the art quilt? Put some paint on your hand & stamp it on an old t-shirt or a piece of paper, sign & send it to me. Write your thoughts on fabric or paper...whatever you have will work! Maybe you have denial letters or other papers that can be collaged...anything goes!!!  

Please send your Lyme Art Quilt contribution to:

Victorious Vixen
P.O. Box 2404
Cypress, CA 90630

I'll have more to share with you soon, as I have taken on more projects to help my Lyme friends. Until then, you are all in my prayers & I am so grateful for your help. I've been deeply moved by the many stories shared & hope to convey that in my work.

--Nani

Belly, Bugs, Bautista!

Hi Peeps!  I'm still taking a bunch of pictures & here are some of my favorites lately...Ava playing in the fountain at night time...check out that belly sticking out!

 Kyra started Pre-School last week...she's doing great & fitting right in.
We are so proud of you Kyra girl!  =)

I loved these birds just hanging out...reminds me of music sheets...

I love taking pictures of bugs with the macro lens...this is a cool & very tiny, very green bug!  I think it's an aphid or something...not easy to get in focus...any slight movement of the camera causes it to blur.

With all the recent rain, I've had a few opportunities to capture some fun shots...I thought these rain drops looked amazing on this fuzzy looking plant!

Ava set up her Matchbox cars on the TV tray...I loved how they looked all lined up!

My new Sakura & Pilot pens arrived from Jetpens.com.  I am totally loving how the Sakura Glaze & Souffle pens write & FEEL!  They are embossing pens & don't require any special powder or heating tools...sweeeeeet!  Can you see how they give a raised appearance in the picture below?

Here's a recent Etsy order that shipped to the east coast...hope you love your new wallet Rachel!

Visited the CHA SuperShow in Anaheim this past weekend with Kyra...parking was a challenge but we managed our way inside.  Don't you just love this cool looking building?!  I stuck my camera out the car window for this quick shot!

enjoyed some of the make & takes...

got my "Collage Unleashed" book autographed (and doodled) by Mixed Media artist Traci Bautista.  I am taking her online workshop, "Creative SOUL" right now and am really enjoying it.  We get our lessons once a week & then have a live chat once a week as well.  Her style is fun, playful, free & quick...pretty dope if you ask me! 

Here is a shot of me, Kyra & Traci...Kyra insisted on being in the middle!

It was so cool meeting you Traci!  Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us & make us feel so special. 

Here are some freshly planted flowers...which is why they are so dirty!  I'm lovin these colors though...

Here is another little green bug making his way on the new flowers...

At the park for a little fun while big sister is at school...

 then off to the library...but first we have a little snack on the steps.  =)

This sculpture in front of the library is pretty amazing...I just had to capture it...

What are you taking pictures of these days???  What inspires you or catches your eye?