Fri-DIY

Ahhhh Friday... while I'd love to say I can't wait to relax this weekend, I know its not humanly possible for me to do such things. I'll be crafting away of course, dreaming of the day I build my own outdoor tent like the one above so I can consider taking a nap in it. found here. 

Loving these little Topshop bralettes, I've been making some of my own with some recently acquired wax printed fabric (shown in background).

 While completely impractical, aren't those little bottomless sandals adorable?? It'd be fun to somehow add this crochet to a pair of previously existing sandals. found here. 

 This sisal rope wallhanging is just screaming my name! tutorial at design sponge.

I can't actually discuss how in love I am with the art this girl makes, because I'd ramble on for days, but this is just a little chandelier she whipped up from sewing patterns and old books. Go read more about her NOW. 

patchwork blanket inspiration (id probably do it with fabric so it would take 1,000,000 less hours.)

 love all the outdoor textiles in this house via closetvisit, and her brick red walls are giving me a paint-the-house-itch.... dear landlord, how do you feel about a turquoise patio? 

oh, and remember rag rugs? No? Ok maybe I'm the only one who spent their Saturdays at the library pouring over 70's craft books as a child. found here. 

Do hillside sunset chillin' and bubbles count as DIY? Because that will definitely be happening. I generally drop whatever I'm doing to go outside and enjoy the sunset whenever I can. 

Have a wonderful weekend, got any fun projects lined up?

Supreme Being

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I was born two weeks late, so it's no surprise I'm pretty much late for everything. Including celebrating Diana Ross' birthday! Thanks to Afrolistas and the City for the reminder (and the bottom image on the left). 

White HOT

Its no secret I'm into fringe. The way it moves, its easy application in DIY's, and maybe its even a bit elongating (It makes me look 5'4 1/2" instead of 5'4"!!). So I did this DIY, inspired by some of the below images (Spanish Moss, Grazia September issue, and Nasty Gal). 

Picked up this amazing bright gold leather scrap and I instantly knew I'd be making a belt out of it. Add some white jersey strips and bright gold studs, a couple of snaps, et voila. Best part is you can wear it with the fringe on the sides or the fringe at the front! 

Whats your latest DIY? Got any other belt or fringe ideas? 

Get Down to It

Nothing like your brothers server getting hacked to inspire some internet redecorating. The new web page is up and running!! So much easier to look at, so much easier to navigate, and with LARGE thumbnails. If you never saw the old webpage, consider yourself lucky. Check it out! I'd love to hear any suggestions or constructive criticism, too.

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www.christijay.com

^^^ or just click on "art" over to your right. ^^^

The Bird is the Word

An ornithologically inspired collection of jewelry posted this week. Get it while you can. 

^^^here^^^                                 ^^^here^^^                                 ^^^here^^^

^^^here^^^

^^^here^^^

^^^here^^^

Oh, and I didnt quite have the time to finish the rest (although I DID have time enough to make an animation with them... the internet messed up my priorities.)

Swing Low Alabama

Etsy posted a story on their blog about Natalie Chanin and her unique business, Alabama Chanin. This woman has a special place in my heart as my senior mentor in college. We would have working designers that would come in a few times a year and guide us through essentially designing a look for their line, while the students and teachers work on the reality of creating what could sometimes be incredibly painstaking, time consuming, and tear inducing projects. Read more here. Lucky for me, I enjoy laborious hours of hand stitching. Her concept of creating every piece by hand in the USA sounds like a dream come true to me, and the fact that she does it all in Alabama makes the story that much more beautiful. Here's what one Etsy blog reader said, I couldn't have put it better if I tried.

"So much low quality clothing is out there because of the need for instant gratification and the 'I want it fast, I want it cheap' attitude. There is something satisfying and fulfilling about something that was made with skill and love, not to mention something that also empowers and sustains a community. This inspiring story is proof that people succeed as a group – as a community. No machine can ever replicate the beauty coming from creating with one's hands and one's heart."





   

Ultra Violet Ray

Spent a good amount of time this weekend attempting to dip-dye these slip dresses black. After about 30 minutes of color mixing and attempting to make the dye NOT purple, everything came out an interesting purple-grey shade, with all sorts of fun color variations in between. I can dig it. 

The before and after:

 I just couldn't resist putting this little .gif together. My brother hates it, thats how i know its good. 

a little sunset inspiration

 ...and i was so into dying things purple that i went with my hair too. 

Oh, and did i mention these dyed dresses will be available in the store soon? Because they will. 

Javier Piñón

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I'm at a complete loss for finding articulate words to describe how amazing this guys work is. Found via Mara Hoffmans blog. Oh yeah, and he's her husband. I can't even begin to imagine the creativity their child must possess.

All images via Javier  Piñón

Color Me Hooked

"seems like every Monday morning, I've got the blues

and every Tuesday i get some bad news,

Wednesdays worse cuz i aint got a dime to my name,

i done worked so hard all week, Thursday my bodys racked with pain

(here comes the good part) 

friday the eagle flies, and so do i..."

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My sketches from last weekend. Go download "Take a stroll thru your mind" by The Temptations, sit back, break out the colored pencils and back issues of National Geographic, and find yourself a different reality on this Monday afternoon. You'll be surprised at what you might find.

Seriously, the song will put you in another world. Lyrics from The Temptations "Take a Stroll Through Your Mind" (except that last drawing, thats from The Animals "I'm Mad Again"

All Messed Up

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Photographer: Yossi Michaeli for the March Dazed & Confused Korea. Starring Alyona Subbotina. Makeup by Deanna Melluso. All images via Fashion Gone Rogue.

My favorite fashion editorials are always a bit weird or funny, or generally imperfect in one way or another. Looks like a 5 year old helped out with the makeup, and I mean that as a compliment. I love a little ugly with my pretty. 

Have Mercy Baby

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H-H-Hotness. Grace Bol by Toto Cullen. Styled by Andrea Perini. via Fashion Gone Rogue

Steven Kline

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I was planning on not posting anything today because I feel like crap and was too lazy to upload photographs from this weekend. Not to mention I feared I would probably just say something unimportant and negative (what? too late?) but then I found Steven Kline's work on Society 6 and just about died. Enjoy.

I've been running a little behind on posting my drawings recently, but there has been plenty of drawing going on! Most of these were inspired by a little jam called "Electricity" by a little band called Captain Beefheart. So heres my sketchbook, some electric neon, and even a bright yellow floral shorts suit!!?? Just trust me, scroll down. There's even a music video. 

All drawings done by me. 

tank from pixie market, necklace from StudioHx3

Opening Ceremony dress via La Garconne, Creatures of Comfort floral suit

image via wild at heart, Thea Porter vintage caftan via Keep Feeling

Anntian scarf via Creatures of Comfort