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!  

    

A rose by any other name...

My latest endeavor is with Fimo polymer clay--basically, Sculpey-- which I loved when I was a kid and have happily rediscovered!  This particular ring was a custom design for a friend, but now also comes in purple and pink.  Each petal is individually made and then assembled, so every ring is completely unique.  The red color is shiny because it's actually translucent. Before it's baked, it is coral in color, and after turns to a vibrant red.  I never seem to use my oven for cooking, only for manualidades... my roommates think I'm a little crazy!  

The tag is also handmade!

Bright and fun, a great accessory for Spring

Close up...

The band is adjustable, so you can wear it on any finger!

    

crafting in the park

gotta bring supplies...

This past week, Madrid seems to have skipped right over Spring and gone straight into Summer.  So what better way to celebrate than to tomar el sol all day in the gorgeous Retiro Park?  Exactly my thinking too... just add in a bit of crafting and I'm super contenta.  So that's we what we did!

... and plenty of sunscreen!

As part of my collection Verano 2011, I am including both a black and a white "Flower Power" pin.  

white "Flower Power"

peace, love and sol

un besito

welcome!

Hola a tod@s and Welcome to shookITdesigns!  I am a young Colorado mountain girl making her home in the big city of Madrid, Spain.  I have been "into" art my entire life, and since living in Madrid, I have not only expanded my interests in manualidades (crafts), but have begun to make my way into the handmade world.  


Over the last year I have become enamored with felt.  Particularly in the winter, every coat, sweater, jacket and jumper is adorned with some felt creation.  Once I discovered the most amazing felt store, Fieltros Olleros, I knew I was hooked (more to come on this "old-world" feeling store in upcoming posts).  My work is unique for its' intense detail and that I use NO glue.  Every piece is hand-stitched and takes between 4-6 hours to create.  I love hand-sewing, and am currently playing around with embroidery.


My intention is, as with most craft bloggers, to have a creative open forum, not only for my work, but all things handmade (and especially handmade in Spain).  I want to share the things that inspire me and the incredible work of others that I discover in my travels (more to come on the most incredible little Parisian boutique and Madrid Nomada Market). 


For my day job I work at a bilingual public primary school--I adore my students, not only for their impressive English skills (at only 6 years old!), but for their energy and creativity as well.  Everyday is filled with besos, abrazos and laughter!


Now that Spring has finally come, you can most likely find me sewing in the green and spacious Parque del Retiro!  Thanks for visiting my blog, check back soon as I am just getting things going! Also, echate un vistazo to my Etsy page

for my "hippie" roommate!

welcome to the land of jamon

me eating a bocadillo de tortilla espanola in the Plaza Mayor

me in Ibiza!

Peacock feather convertible headband (model: my lovely sister!)

Sushi plate

un besito