Write On!

I pride myself on being an excellent pen-pal; not only do I write back in a timely fashion (usually), but I always try to send tarjetas bonitas y únicas.  I love writing and receiving letters!  And lucky for me, my grandparents aren´t the only ones who still appreciate snail mail.  I´ve been making my own cards for years—it´s just more fun than buying them (though I do enjoy that as well!)—and I´ve finally gotten it together to have made some and not used them immediately myself.  My fourth addiction is paper stores (for numbers 1-3 read my El árbol de la vida post)!  Adoro all kinds of paper, especially those with gorgeous designs, and always collage them into my card-making. 

While Spain is not exactly paper goods heaven, I am trying to do my part with these Charles Rennie Mackintosh-inspired cards.  The turquoise cards are decorated on both sides with the iconic Mackintosh roses from the Arts and Crafts Movement, and come with matching brown envelopes.  I have also incorporated hand-drawn motifs in silver permanent marker.  Cards and envelopes come as a set of five and will make the recipient of your letters even more delighted to check the buzón! 

Available for sale on my Etsy page. 

Each card is unique in design

One of the set of five cards

Close up

My favorite envelope

Roses, roses everywhere!

As mentioned in a previous post, I recently re-discovered Fimo polymer clay and am encantada!  In addition to red (as seen below in “A rose by any other name”), these playful and bold summer rings come in pink and purple.  Each petal is individually made and assembled, and the ring bands are adjustable (and since you don´t have to worry about ring size, they make a great gift!).  They match pretty much everything and add an awesome, llamativo toque.  These rings are comfortable, light and sturdy (I´m always banging my hands around and can´t wear jewelry that doesn´t hold up).  I´ve been rotating between all three colors since I made them!

Here you can see all three colors!

Love purple...

... and pink!

Available for purchase through my Etsy shop.

El árbol de la vida

Although I maintain that felt can be worn year-round, I wanted to expand my sewing into something a little more appropriate for the hot weather—so I started embroidering on light cotton fabrics!  But what to do with said designs?

A few year summers ago, I decided to decorate my plain brown cardboard Moleskine® notebook (I may have a minor addiction to notebooks… and to decorating practically everything I own) with a pink and green paisley fabric.  It was a hit, so I decided to combine my two loves again.

A bright orange Tree of Life is sewn onto a floral brown fabric.  This limited edition fabric comes from the Victoria and Albert museum (London) gift shop (another addiction of mine: museum gift shops).  They had a beautiful exhibit of quilts going back to the 19^th century and I was delighted that they were selling textiles inspired by the show!

The fabric is sewn directly onto the cardboard notebook.  I love Moleskine® notebooks for their sturdiness, light-weight and pocket folder.  The notebook used here is 13 x 21 cm and unlined (for both writing and drawing of course).  I am also currently working with initials embroidered and sewn onto the pocket size notebooks… so check back soon for fotos!

Available for purchase through my Etsy page.

Front view

Close up.  You can see the fabric is sewn right onto the notebook cover!

Closer up... this was a particularly labor intensive project

Back cover

Life and Style Madrid

The famous Spanish sunshine (and heat!) is making it's yearly comeback, and that means fun new fashions.  But before we get to that, let me back up to a darker time back in January, when we were all cold and deseando mejor tiempo.  In an effort to bring some color to the gray winter doldrums, the fashion blog Life and Style Madrid featured shookITdesigns! Check out the post here: Get 'Felt Up' with shookITdesigns.

On the right, the lovely face behind Life and Style Madrid, Lori Zaino

Now the creator of Life and Style Madrid, the fabulous Lori Zaino, needs your help!  Magazine Marie Claire is hosting a contest for the best fashion blog in Madrid, and Life and Style Madrid was selected as a finalist (felicidades!).  To help Life and Style win, all you have to do is go to the website and register (click here), then log in here and vote! Chupado!  Ms. Zaino could win 5,000 euros and be featured in the magazine--and you could win a digital camera just for voting!

Oh, and of course, check out Life and Style Madrid every week for all the latest fashion trends, celebrity sightings in Madrid, and of course, up and coming designers!