Magical Crown Tutorial

 

Kyra & Ava have a special friend at school who just LOVES The Princess & The Frog (TP&TF) and I thought it would be cool to make her a special birthday crown for her with that in mind.  I found a bunch of cool things in the dollar bin at Target, one of them being this TP&TF Play Pack with crayons & stuff inside.  I used the image on the front for inspiration!  =) 

I cut a strip of heavy interfacing for the band & simply sandwiched it between a strip of green fabric & sewed it together.  I wanted to have a raw edgy look, so I didn't finish the edges or do anything fancy...just some free motion zig-zag stitching along all four sides.

Then I cut out some leaf shapes with the interfacing...some big, some small.  I wanted the stitching on the leaves to really show, so I cut additional interfacing that was thick & would add more loft.  I sandwiched the leaves with my dreamy Heather Bailey green print that I love and free motion sewed each leaf individually.

After all the leaves were sewn, I cut them out & pinned them in place on the band.  

Starting with the leaves farthest from the middle, I sewed them into place working my way to the last one, front & center.

 

I attached a wide strip of elastic to each side of  the band so it will fit snug & comfortably, but you can use elastic or some other type of closure if you like.  

All done with the leaves....

but I wanted to add some hand stitching, beads and a purple feather to top it off!

This is a quick & simple project that you can definitely customize and make your own.  

Add fabric flowers, ribbon, beads...whatever you dream up.

Let me know if you have any questions about this tutorial & let me know if you make one of your own! 

Get Crafty!

Noah's Ark Watermelon

My Kyra girl celebrated her 5th birthday in class this past Friday.  Instead of the usual cupcakes, I wanted to do something healthy...so the pressure was on for it to be extra special so the cupcakes wouldn't be missed.  Her teacher gave me the idea for a fruit salad, so I decided to go with a Noah's Ark watermelon!  I looked up a few pics on the internet of what the ark should look like & went to work.

I marked my major cut lines & cut away the top parts of the watermelon very carefully.  I cut out a big square in the middle for the entrance to the ark and smaller squares in pairs for windows around the whole thing.

Kyra had the idea to use the animal crackers...that was a great idea!  We glued seven popsicle sticks on top of another one that was cut in half to make the bridge which the animals used to board the ark.

I drained out as much of the excess watermelon juice as possible...didn't want it flooded inside the ark, ya know!  Then I used some "scrap" watermelon rind to construct a mini rooftop, secured with toothpicks.  We put the cut up fruit around the watermelon...just love how this looks all put together!

I carefully placed the animals in the windows, 2 of each kind next to each other & filled another plate with more animal crackers...all set!

Here it is in the classroom before the kiddos had at it...and there is a model Noah's Ark behind it!  =)

My Kyra girl was very happy & had a super special day celebrating her birthday at school.  She gave me the biggest thank you hug for making the special Noah's Ark watermelon & took this picture for me.  =)  

Happy Birthday Kyra, you are such a blessing to my life & so many others.  You are bright, thoughtful & very affectionate...I love you my Kyra girl!

For more watermelon fun & ideas, check out the pics & links I found below...enjoy!!

http://www.thevirtualvine.com/watermelons.html

http://www.creative-baby-shower-ideas.com/watermelon-baby-carriage.html

I found many of the pics I posted here: 

http://shadowshark29.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/25-awesome-watermelon-carvings/

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...

Holiday Bazaar

I had a great showing at the Cypress Holiday Bazaar this past weekend! Thanks to everyone who came out & stopped by my booth! I had 47 entries in my giveaway jar...awesome turnout! =)

Here is a picture of my set-up...a natural cotton for a tablecloth, a couple of bouginvilla plants to hang my handbags, strappy wallets & bags and an orchid & a cactus arrangement. My vision was actually to have a huge tree in the middle with my handbags & goodies hanging from the tree...this was what I came up with instead!

I toally loved this cactus arrangement...so cool & spiky!

The laptop was a last minute addition...my digital frame was supposed to showcase all my Victorious Vixen pictures, but when the time came, the pictures wouldn't load so I opted to put up my webpage with the slideshow looping instead. My big poster was awesome, but kinda got lost with all my things in the back...next time it needs to go UP! =)

My first "friendly" visitor, meaning, someone I invited or knew was Amanda & her family!

Here are some of the featured items displayed in front...

New cool Skulls & Zebra handbag...you know you want one!

Here is one of my items for the giveaway...congrats to Ramona Teran from Long Beach, who was the lucky winner of this Large Strappy Zippered Case, featuring designer prints from Heather Bailey. These make great makeup bags or mini purse...throw your cell phone, keys, sunglasses, ID/money & lipstick inside, zip it up & wear it on your wrist...you're off & ready for your errands! For a limited time, they will be offered at only $35 and are just as cool as all my other creations! Look out for more designs like the Skulls & Zebra, Asian Eyes, Hula Girls in this style Zippered Case...or place your custom order with me NOW, while I still have time to whip it up for you! Like always, items are gift wrapped & delivered with insurance.

More visitors...old friends from Lakewood High School. I haven't seen Isabel since we graduated in 1994! The Mendoza girls are long time softball teammates & we've grown up playing ball together...so fun to reunite & catch up...thanks so much for stoping by to see me - Jenni, time to get your free motion on! =)

The highlight of my day was when my 2 girls arrived with their auntie Adriana & grandma Nina! I was so thrilled to have them see me at my booth...afterall, it's what all the commotion was about the past few weeks! They stopped by, walked around, and shared some tasty goodies before leaving. =) Thank you Nina for watching my girls as I continue to expand my business & pursue my dreams. I appreciate ALL the things you do for me & my girls...YOU ARE AN AMAZING WOMAN!!!

Ava was tired & didn't like my idea of taking her picture, so here she is with auntie, fussy face & all!

Here's my hubby, Arthur, who has been enduring my endless hours & hours of non-stop sewing. Can you believe he even takes me to the fabric store?! lol. Thanks honey, YOU ROCK! =)

As many of you know, one of my goals while out there, is to promote Lyme awareness, namely PREVENTION. I made flyers from the CALDA (California Lyme Disease Association) website, thanks to my newly purchased membership, I have access to various flyers, handouts & other useful activist tools. I tried to keep things simple & hit on just a few talking points. I told them that children are the fastest growing demographic for Lyme disease. I also told them how most people are misdiagnosed with ALS, Fibromyalgia, MS, Parkinsons, Autism, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lupus...most people know someone with one of these illnesses!

I would like to improve my activist efforts & hope to include a petition available for people to sign, as well as a contact card for those who want to stay connected or participate in Lyme activist efforts. If you have any activism ideas you'd like to share, I'd love to hear from you!

Lastly, here is a flyer for my upcoming show with the ever talented Feanna of Kait Emerson Designs. Stop by & enter our drawing to win one of our creations...it could be your lucky day! =)

Play More & Dream Big!

--Nani

Victorious Vixen

Announcing....

Victorious Vixen! My very own Etsy shop...featuring custom creations a la Nani. =)

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6978804

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6978804

These are handmade quilted wallets that double as a clutch. What'cha think of 'em?! I've sold several already in person (I have yet to actually post anything online for sale!) & have had a great response from people. Thanks guys - YOU ROCK!

So now you know what I've been up to...no, I didn't fall of the face of the earth! =)

Here is my P365 pic for yesterday. These are strips of a FREE book I got from my local library. I have no idea what it says, but I thought it would look great on a bookmarker with some of my Asian inspired fabric & stitching...

Miso crafty!!
=)

I have not been running in soooo long! The weather was nice today so I took the girls for a nature walk. There were sporting the first 2 dresses I made...pretty cute & it made me feel extra crafty! I managed to get this shot as we were walking home holding hands. It is my P365 runner-up for today...I just loved seeing me & my girls together in shadow form!

While we were out and about tonight, I snapped this one of the sky on Moody St. It's my P365 pic for today...a very fitting title too:

I loved how the sky looked tonight as the sun was setting on the west coast. The clouds were so bright & the sky so blue. No matter where we are in the world, it's the same sky we look up to.

I'm so glad to blog & post up some pics! =) I've been a very busy girl setting up my Etsy shop (almost there...) but still taking pics every day for future tinkering & posting!