Skillshare class: Paper Fashion Update

Hi everyone,

It has been a long two weeks since I started my skillshare class: Paper fashion: Illustrating your runway look. I really enjoyed this class and in fact, I encountered so many amazing and talented classmates. Of course, our teacher Katie Rodgers, she is just so terrific! I learned so much through my class.

Here are some of the progress from sketching to watercolor and to the final pieces that I have posted in my skillshare project section. The class is 3 more days left - so if you want to enroll, you can still join. :)

First we created mood board for our runway look. I chose some classic look from the 1920s to present. You can view my mood board at the project section or pinterest board.

Here are my sketches progress -----

I'll post something soon on my watercolor progress. I'm almost done with all of my watercolors. Next it would be applying glitter and pen. 

Live, love and be creative!

Ira

Skillshare, an Online Tool Resource of Learning

Skillshare is an amazing online resource to learn pretty much about anything from expert people like you and me. We all are good at something. Skillshare opens up that opportunity for experts to share their knowledge in a form of online class. It is a global learning community where you can learn real-world skills from real people (that is their motto).

Classes are varies from art, fashion, design, coding, cooking, writing, etc. To enroll, you simply just need to sign up and pay the class fee. The class is very affordable - usually from FREE to $50 (the most expensive I've seen).

I am taking this class from this amazing fashion illustration designer, Katie Rodgers at Paper fashion. The class is called Illustrating your favorite Runway Looks. Her work is amazing!

The thing about creativity is that - the more you learn and the more resources you have, it will add to your creativity in unexpected ways. Next time you decide to learn something new, check out Skillshare and you will be surprise what you will find. 

Live, love and be creative,

Ira.

Activity Resource Books for Parents and Children

For moms out there, we are all guilty of letting our kids watch too much TV and let the TV babysits them while we are doing other things. The truth is, kids are much better learner when they explore it by themselves. When they learn, listen, and do give much more experience that are more precious for them. But reality is that we are busy cleaning, cooking, working, preparing clothes for the next day, packing lunch, doing laundry and many other things that sometimes we'd rather do than play with our kids.

Parents, we need to equip ourselves with resources. Today, I wanted to share with you several books that can help you get creative and enough resource to fill in those TV time with meaningful and fun activities. 

Art Lab book for Kids (of all ages)

"Susan Schwake's Art Lab for Kids is a well-thought-out guide, making it easy to introduce art into children's lives. Simple, clear explanations of technique, combined with inspiration from established artists, will enable children to feel successful and encouraged to explore art as a form of expression." - Rebecca Emberley, best-selling children's book author and illustrator - Amazon recommendations

When I took a glance at this book, as an artist myself, I was amazed that this book has a lot of different techniques of art that we can teach our kids. It's not just doodle drawings, but more of method of the art they are making. I personally love this book.

Another book was also published mixed media by Carla Sonheim, which is also worth checking out.

For those of you who have toddlers in the home, this book is absolutely a great book. I recommend you to get it and get yourself resourseful with the information inside. 

The Toddler's busy book: 365 creative games and activities to keep your 1 1/2  to 3 year old busy.

Snippet from Amazon: ...stimulate a child’s natural curiosity with entertaining math, language, and motor-skills activities, encourage a child’s physical, mental, and emotional growth, celebrate holidays and other occasions with special projects and activities, and keep toddlers occupied during long car trips or while running errands. The Toddler's Busy Book is written with warmth and sprinkled with humor and insight.

Trish Kuffner, the author also published several books that might interest you as well. They are all available to purchase online.

Remember creative parents produce creative kids. :)

Live, love and be creative. 

Ira.

The Neon trend

Neon has been around for a long time. At one point it was very popular in the 80's, where in one out of three American would own something that has neon color. Neon made a comeback in the past year or earlier. In fashion, card making, and accented items.

Here's a fun neon party that was put together by a founder of Hello!Lucky for their two years old. See detail more on their link.

Party supplies: neon balloons / plastic animal masks / neon duct tape / neon play-doh / neon shutter shades / neon food coloring (for the cake)

Neon DIY has also been rising and it really made a difference to add that extra pop of color. See below DIY Thank you plant for teachers from Hellobee.

What's your Neon crush?.. There are more to see that will inspire you to try these amazing neon colors.

 Your everyday accessories: Source from pinterest

Source: Pinterest 

Whatever your project is, when you add a little bit of neon, it will create a diference and surely lighten up your house, fashion style and party.

Live, love and be creative!

Ira.

President's Day: Similarities between Abraham Lincoln and John F Kennedy.

Some of you are celebrating a long weekend, because it is a President's Day this Monday. How are you spending your 3-days weekend?... I found this fun fact from a friend's post on facebook the other day. I thought it was pretty interesting - Let me know what your thoughts about facts: Similarities between Abraham Lincoln and John F Kennedy.

Have a history teacher explain this if they can.
Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.
Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost a child while living in the White House.
Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head.
Now it gets really weird.
Lincoln's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln.
Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
 Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.
John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.
Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.
Now hang on to your seat. Lincoln was shot at the theater named "Ford."
Kennedy was shot in a car called "Lincoln" made by "Ford."
Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.
And here's the "kicker": 
A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland.
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.
AND...................: 
Lincoln was shot in a theater and the assassin ran to a warehouse...
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and the assassin ran to a theater...

Uplifting Quotes

I don't know how I manage spare time between taking care of a two years old, housework, full-time working, part time blogger, and Etsy owner. But somehow by God's grace I am doing it all. Our house sight is not always pretty looking. I am always striving to find ways that help improves the quality of life, either that be a better homemaker, better cook, and/or better wife/mom to my family.

Almost about a year ago, I made these quotes poster that I found encourage me and uplifting. One is by C.S Lewis.

The quote is taken from C.S Lewis book "Mere Christianity" - a short post on this quote is written here. 

And the other is a commitment to our household, a bible verse: As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15. I love this bible verse the most. It reminds me to make that constant commitment in everything that we do. 

How about you?... What quotes that you found interesting and strike you personally and that becomes your motto?

Live, love and be creative,

Ira

Valentine's Day Fun

Happy Valentine's day everyone! Let us celebrate the day with lots of heart and inspirations. A few inspirations that will keep your creativity going:

1. DIY Love birds // 2.Vday Card Printables and Box // 3. Free Valentine Printable // 4. Can you feel the love (Twirling Betty) // 5. Heart Robot cookies by Bake 350 // 6. Skip to my Lou - Sprinkles to my cupcake packaging DIY 7. DIY Valentine Banner // 8. DIY Printables for school lunch