stephanie & matt // como park zoo & conservatory

i am back!  well at least for now. i found i had a bit of free time this evening to share with you some awesome images i created with stephanie and matt....

i had so much fun spending the day dress shopping with stephanie {matt was out golfing} and catching the afternoon weather out at como park in minneapolis.  there was some sweet landscape spots and amazing architecture at the conservatory.  lots of love and laughing!  

enjoy....

- e

{there are a few different ones on facebook too - check it}

BEAUTY: JULIE HEWETT LA LIPSTICK - THE PERFECT RED

I got this amazing red lipstick by Julie Hewett LA courtesy of Makeup Etc. Boutique and have been using it all the time, the colour is perfect for my skin tone because it's a blue-based red. This shade is called Femme Noir and is part of the noir collection which is infused with healing camellia oils and essence of rosebud. 

I was told it was long lasting due to the fact that the lipstick is double-pigmented, and I'm impressed. When applied properly (as in multiple layers) it can withstand food and drinks for a few hours, I've tested it! There are different shades for every skin tone so make sure you try them out until you find the right one for your lips.

"An idea born of necessity on the set of Pearl Harbor, Julie needed to create her own line of long-lasting technicolor reds. The Noir Collection was the answer to the call for good, old-fashioned red lipstick made with today's updated, more natural ingredients."

 

LOOK OF THE DAY: SHADY AS A LADY IN A MUSTACHE

It truly sucks when you lose stuff.. I bought this bracelet in Barcelona from a tiny boutique and wore it every day only to discover it was no longer on my wrist when I reached the airport :( Oh well I got to enjoy it for a bit I guess. On another note, I'm obsessed with this Kate Moss t-shirt by uber cool French label Eleven Paris I really liked their stuff and although I could only buy this one due to major luggage weight constrictions, I'm going to be ordering more online.

I'm yet to actually use this MJ laptop bag for my laptop, it just makes such a perfect clutch, it even fits my camera.. Love! Another thing I love is all the street art in Barcelona.. Such a cool city. Here's some shots I took this day.

Blazer: H&M, T-Shirt: Eleven Paris, Skirt: H&M, Shoes and Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

   

Illustration Friday ~ STRIPES

In the past month I haven't had time to relax and play in my art journal. I was really itching for some time to do so, and found that time today.

Working the Illustration Friday theme STRIPES into my journal page reminded me of a time when MANY of the ladies in my artwork wore striped stockings. Not so much anymore. But it IS fun to add that element to a collage...or journal page...from time to time.

© Nancy Lefko

On My Desk

Creating a workshop prototype and daydreaming about the wonderful time had with my art peeps in workshops at the Art Is...You Retreat last month.

Royal Pear

And the commissioned piece is DONE!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Lots to do and so few hours in the day! Funny, it feels that way sometimes, especially when there are so many "irons in the fire" that need tending.


I've been trying to seriously tackle my to-do list...I LOVE to cross things off! Today I have 'nearly' finished a custom piece (just waiting for a reply from my customer), started a workshop sample and have completed and sent this series off to my licensing agent.


Of course, all that 'mom stuff' needed to be done as well, so I juggled laundry and cooking and chauffeuring while going back and forth to the studio and/or computer.


Whew!!

Featured collages soon to be available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

LUST HAVE: BAROQUE JEWELRY BY JENNIFER TRASK

I just stumbled upon this incredible necklace/neck piece by jewelry designer Jennifer Trask. Isn't it gorgeous? I'm in love with it. Check out these amazing pieces. 

MEXICAN MARIACHI DAY OF THE DEAD PAINTING

SIZE : 24 X 20 INCHES ON STRETCHED CANVAS

FOR SALE

$300.00

VISUAL DIARY: 24 HOURS IN AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam is one crazy city.. Only stayed 24 hours and needless to say it was the most fun day I've had in a long time. I love it. I'm finally back in Dubai, it feels like years since I was here. Being back after a month of hopping around Europe is slightly weird but also exciting. Although I've missed out on a crazy fashion month in Dubai, I've had some great moments abroad that make up for it, but I'm glad to be back and ready to hop back into all the events that have already started filling up my calendar.

Tessa's Birds

My 10-year old granddaughter, Tessa, has a new cousin who had a number of surgeries at the beginning of her life.

There was a bird mobile that had captured her attention during her hospital stays. So Tessa and I made her a quilt this summer featuring birds.

 

To begin, Tessa drew a bird. The first one was more realistic. Her second drawing of a happy and perky one is the style we chose for Ellie's quilt.

 

We did a bit of sketching to determine how many birds should be on the quilt ...

 ... and should they be sitting on a wire? or on a hill?

After making that design decision, Tessa helped to figure out the math for the dimension of the quilt. Part of that process was deciding how big each of the 3 birds should be. She drew out the size for each one. Her drawings became the patterns.

Tessa selected fabric for each of the parts ... birds, ground, and sky ... from this drawer full.

Tessa is sewing the birds bodies ...

Her pattern was traced onto a lining fabric which was placed right sides together with the bird fabric. The lining fabric was slashed open to turn the sewn bird's body right side out to make a nice finished edge to applique to the quilt.

Tessa is positioning the birds on the quilt.  Earlier she had drawn the placement of their legs with chalk for me to couch chenille yarn. I had constructed and quilted the background while she had a little beach time. 

She and I are very pleased with the bird's eyes. They're beetles that were fussy cut from fabric with lots of them all over it.

Tessa is most pleased with this delightful, happy little quilt.

We both enjoyed working together to make it for Ellie.  I like to think these happy little birds will cheer and comfort her for many years to come.

Here's a photo of the other side with our label. Tessa had chosen all these fabrics, too.

 note: My method for writing with machine sewing is described here.

Here's a recent photo of Ellie. This happy little girl has got a thing for birds!