A Beautiful Mess Blog

I just came across this beautiful blog full of DIY projects, fashion tutorial photography, beauty and decor ideas. You're going to love this blog as much as I do. It's called A Beautiful Mess Blog. I came across this site, from Pinterest. Have you ever gone to that site yet?... it's full of inspiring images more than you could ever imagine. If you need an invite, just let me know. I will invite you to become a member of Pinterest.

Here are a few DIY things that you can find from A Beautiful Mess Blog -
Canvas Transfer // 5 ways I display photos in my house // Make your own floral suitcase

Hope you have a nice Thursday,

Ira

Featured Artist: Ana Eugenio from Wonderland Photography

This week's featured artist is Ana Eugenio from Wonderland, someone that I came to know from our Raining Umbrella class this Summer.  She has been one true artist that keeps challenging herself in every aspect of her creative world. Her photographs shows the simplest things of every day life that is captured through her unique perspective and layout composition.

I love her Earth Wonder Challenge, that I also listed on the right rail of this blog under 'Challenge Your Creativity"list. Each week you are challenge to take picture of different themes.

Interview with Ana from Wonderland. 

Please tell us more about yourself as an artist?
I feel I'm more a hobbyist photographer who loves to be creative. there is still so much to learn, so many things I haven't done. I've my Etsy shop but it's mostly because I really like my work and wish to share it with others. all I know for sure is that what I do makes me happy and it's all about having fun. I guess I'm an artist but I still don't feel comfy thinking of me that way.

Who and/or What inspire you as an artist?

Happiness inspires me. anything I find amusing, and many times it's the thrill of what I can do with a certain shot if I get it right. I've some health issues so I don't go out as much as I would like to and many days I find inspiration in our pets and every old little thing we have at home. but what I love the most is to go out with my camera and do some street photography. I didn't think I had it in me and surprised myself with my own boldness. I just love to photograph people! I'm even offering free sessions trying to find people who don't mind being photographed, so I can practice portraits. But you have to live in Porto (Portugal) to have a free session with me.

When did you first discover your creative talents?

When I was a little girl I used to write our family newspaper and I actually became a journalist. I'm retired since 2010 due to my health but writing was my first way of capturing images and feelings. I'm portuguese, so it comes more naturally when I write in my own language but having a blog in english has been a revealing experience. I guess I discovered my creative talents as soon as I learned how to write. Now I try to capture images and feelings through my photography.

How will you describe your style?

I think that is something only other people can answer. I know what motivates me and probably my style is about how I see life but since it's something that comes from my heart I find it hard to describe it in words.

How do you work/creative process?

Honestly! I go with the flow. When I'm outside I'm always thinking how I could tell the story of my day through photography. When I'm home I enter a few photo challenges online (I also have one in my blog that goes on every Wednesday and it's called 'Earth Wonders'). Each challenge usually have a theme, which makes me be more creative each day so it's truly exciting. I'm also learning how to use Photoshop and I love to play with textures and to make my pictures look like paintings or vintage photos. It's really fun. 

What is your dream project?

This is a long term dream but I believe I'll accomplish it: to publish a book with my photos and poetry. Oh! and buy a better lens! to be able to do macro photography, I think it's an amazing world to be discovered.

Do you have any words of wisdom for other artists out there?

Do what makes you happy. Have fun doing it. like that, whatever you do will always be worthwhile.


Resources:
Wonderland Blog // Wonderland's Earth Wonder Photo Challenge // Wonderland's Etsy Shop


Hope you have a wonderful day!


Live, Love and Be Creative,


Ira.

Featured Artist: Dana from Made

Let me introduce you to Dana, from Made blog. The first time I came across to Dana's blog was through google search for diaper cover tutorial. When I first saw her blog, I knew that this is going to be my usual every day to-go-to blog. Oh! And our daughter's name is Lucy! :)

What's so special about Made blog for me is that, her blog really inspires me to start sewing. I have had interest in sewing in a while, but I have been so hesitant to begin/start sewing. My first sewing project was inspired by her step by step simple skirt tutorial, which I posted in Fashionita, a post for Raining Umbrella's assignment this Summer - a skirt for my daughter, which I also ended up making one too for my sister's daughter.

Dana made sewing so simple and easy for a beginner like me. It's a pleasure for me to present you this week's artist.

I like how Dana put it in her own words the goal of her blog that is to share ideas and to help the sewer of any skill-level realize that they can sew without a store-bought pattern (Hey- that's me!)

Here are my favorite tutorial that she has done in the past, that makes me want to sew.

From top, left, to right: The Market Skirt Tutorial // The Warhol Dress Tutorial // Green Dress Tutorial (from man shirt to girl's dress)

From top, left, to right: Beach Robe Pattern (Dana is sponsoring two pattern giveaway on Summer Facebook giveaway Monday) // Sewing with Oil Cloth // Beach Towel Dress

Oh! I've also made this ruffle streamers for my friend's bridal shower! They look so fantastic! I got so many compliments on them. Ruffled Streamers

Isn't that fun. Dana also sponsored our Monday Summer Facebook Giveaway: Two Free Beach Robe Pattern from Made. Make sure you enter that giveaway to win a FREE PDF of her new pattern!

Recently she also did a Design My Header contest. Make sure to follow her blog, her posts never disappoints me! :)

Live, Love, and Be Creative,

Ira.

Let me Introduce You: One Charming Party Blog

If you have not been to One Charming Blog, I would encourage you to take a look at their site!... Once you look at what they have over there, you would be amazed at the little things they put together. Brittany and Sara really have passion for crafting and parties. They were neighbors that spent many days comparing their latest recipes, projects and creative ideas. Brittany had a new party business and Sara had lots of party ideas, together it was a party magic.

They have taken ordinary things to beautiful things. Check out their new post about Back to School Party Ideas. They have taken all of back to school supplies into party favors! How fun!

They also have done several other things such as Road Trip Kit, where you fill your kid's packs with fun things to keep them busy and exploring outside. 

Another Summer fun party they did was Strawberry Summer Party, where they made everything strawberry themed.

If you are interested to know more about their party ideas, you can also check out their shop, where you can purchase party plan PDF, such as Mermaid Party, Pajama Glam Party, and many more. Currently they also have sale in their shop, buy one get one free when you purchase a party plan, by using the code SUMMER at checkout. 

This is definitely lots of goodness!...

Live, Love, and Be Creative,

Ira.

Let me introduce you: Ashey from Make It and Love It

This week's spotlight artist is Ashley from Make it and Love it Blog. Ashley is a wife and mom of three beautiful children. She is truly an inspiration for me. I love her creativity. She could simply make hard things look simple to do with her sewing projects.

Read more about Ashley.

Here are few of her amazing sewing projects. Be ready to be amazed! And Yes! She did it all by herself!

Recovering a Baby Car Seat. // Stripping the old car seat and refashioned it.

Breezy Skirt with Lace and Fabric Strips

Flowered Pillow Cover

Flip Flop Refashioned

And many more, check out her blog: Make It and Love It. Check out also her shop, where she sells many of her sewing pattern at a very affordable price.

Live, Love and Be Creative,

ira

Let me introduce you: Joy the Baker

For me, anyone who can cook and bake is definitely an artist. Food bloggers are truly artists.They dedicate their time to make good food and fool-proof recipes. What makes it challenging for food bloggers is that they need to take photos of the process and the yummy food, blog about it and make sure that your post will invite readers to be engaged in those beautiful photos of food. Have you ever tried doing all that? It is NOT easy! :)

Our artist of the day is Joy the Baker. She's an amazing food blogger. She has been my ultimate inspiration when it comes to cooking for my family. Her recipes are creative, healthy and delicious! I never disappointed with anything that I have tried so far!

Meet Joy:

This is what I like from what she says in her blog: I’m a self taught/ family taught/ taste buds taught baker.

I grew up in the kitchen in between my father, who makes a mean Sweet Potato Pie, and my mother, who makes a really weird purple hot dog casserole… don’t ask.  Between my kitchen loving parents, the clinking cake pans, and the flying flour, it became clear that baking is in my blood.

My favorite post that she posted was 'Shrimp and Grits'. She started her blog post with 'Dear Future Husband'. I remembered reading this after I got married, I was so touched by her writing. I think her future husband will be so lucky to have her in his life.

My second favorite recipe/ post was this one: Spinach and Potato Breakfast Hash

This one is very easy simple recipe yet so creative!.. I love this one! Hasselback Potatoes with Spinach Cashew Pesto

Joy!... We love your site, keep on the good work and your awesome work!... Thanks for being such an inspirations for all of us!

Who's your favorite food blogger? Share some thoughts!

Live, Love, and  Be Creative,

Ira.