April 27, 2008

Art in the Square... and in my heart

Yesterday I attended Art in the Square at the new Town Square Shopping District here in Vegas. Ohhhh I missed being surrounded by talented artists. Fearing that all was lost in Vegas when it came to the indie craft scene, I was reminded that the indie spirit lies everywhere.

Some of the artists that I fell in love with:
01) minzer by Megan O Wold. I must have stayed a good 20 minutes staring at all the mixed-media collage work and pretty, funky jewelry she had.
02) Megan and Mary Beth share an etsy store called iadornu, I bought a cute "tie tack" with a wee tiny original illustration of an owl with gold-fill chain dangling from the wooden chip. Need to take a picture, it's so dainty and cute. Mary Beth also has her own online portfolio, and I love it. These two ladies were the highlight of my day!
03) Adam Michaels was a really cool, pleasant dude. He had this small watercolor and ink (I think) canvas of a key, a lock, brush strokes and pencil markings that I was enamoured with. Maybe sometime down the line I might purchase it, so loved it (he also said my accent was sexy hehe)
04) Christopher Reitmaier - musician and artist, another cool dude. He creates intriguing mixed-media artwork with salvaged scrap materials that he often finds in the outskirts of the city where casinos and industries dump their crap in. The pendants are awesome, I'll be sure to snatch one for meself next time I see him!
05) Helton Photography - I am terrible, I forgot this nice lady's first name. I admire her talent to capture the beauty of children, something I am not particularly talented in my photography (I like me some inanimate objects lol). She was really sweet and I liked her table decor. She had a huuuge green apple (wooden, perhaps), a little wooden train, a bouquet of ranunculus, and her three impressive photo books.

It all filled me with such great delight. Thursday was one of my days off (remember how I mentioned I had 4 days off this week? Well, I actually ended up working two of those days, oh well) and to tell you the truth I did not want to leave my bed. I just sat there, laptop turned on, stressing about all the the ideas and things I roaming my head. Thankfully, somewhere in between the bed and the shower, I lightened up and guess what...I crafted!! Yes, I did. Pretty little things that I didn't even have sketched out from months ago, they just popped into my head... well, more like my hands.

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I decided to share my vintage buttons with the world, so I glued them to tiny clothes-pins, and made little kits, for you to hang mementos and postcards and little things. It includes 18 inches of baker's twine, two clear pin-tacks, six clothes pins and an original vintage black and white photo, just because. ^_^
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^^ I finally re-printed the Fortune Care Cards, the colors are warmer and the fortune slip is bigger, more visible. How quaint!

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^^ Still working on the packaging, but I want them to come inside a little envelope (I made these out of scrapbook paper). :D

Somehow, I think a little voice inside my head says Give Vegas a chance.... Have not felt anxious at all since Thursday. That is a good sign. :)

Posted by starmagn at 01:41 AM | Comments (3)

October 18, 2007

Star Magnolia website test

Wow, it's only 32 past midnight and I'm super sleepy. That's what happens when you wake up with the Sun at 7:30 everyday for work. And mind you, my shift starts at 10Am but I am SOOOOOOO slow getting ready in the morning (and any other time, really), I need to set my alarm two hours and a half before. Sad, huh.

Oh, I'm sorry dear blog, I hadn't mentioned that I started a new job only three weeks ago. I am now a server at a restaurant inside a golf club. It's got a nice view of ducks and mountains and the City and it's a whole lot more rad than that horrible place I worked at before. Ugh.

Anyways, I began designing the website for Star Magnolia. It's still very work in progress, but what do y'all think so far?

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View wide here.

Man, I do need to plunge into my bed. so.sleepy.

Also, Colbert '08!!!

Posted by starmagn at 03:31 AM | Comments (3)

October 06, 2007

100 wildflowers of 2007

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Worked on the Star Magnolia logo a wee bit more last night again. If you need a reminder, these are the first sketches. Suggestions are always welcome!

Reading Allyson's (a most amazing blogger, please pay her a visit!) 100 snippets of herself reminded me of the last time I compiled a list like this. 2002, I believe. I sailed (okay, flew) to America (United States) on this year, September 15th, to be exact. I have never looked back, never regretted it.

So here it is, A 100 Wildflowers of 2007:
100) I just baked cupcakes for the very first time yesterday
099) I am huge huge huge Star Wars fan. BY huge, I mean obsessive huge.
098) I have been a music video director in my mind when I close my eyes for the past 14 years.
097) Am looking forward to the Fall season
096) I sleep in my undies
095) Love it when i see people dancing or singing at the top of their lungs during rush hour in their car. I do the same.
094) Between 1993 and 1996 I used to compile a weekly top 10 countdown of my favorite songs for that specific week. If I remember correctly, Sheryl Crow's All I wanna do held the #1 spot the longest.
093) Guns 'N' Roses changed my life in 1992
092) I peel off the skin on my fingers, gross, I know
091) I love cats
090) I've never owned a pet
089) I DESPISE small, hairy dogs. Like the Yorkies, or Maltese. They gross me out.
088) I've always wished I was 5'7' tall. I Stand 5'5'.
087) For my 6th birthday I got my California Dreams Barbie
086) I stopped playing with Barbies on May of 1993.
085) A month later I read my very first novel in the English language, it was Star Wars: Heir to the Empire
084) Hate the feeling of long nails.
083) I have my wedding day planned out (beach wedding!!!)
082) Janice and I have been bestest friends since September/October 1997.
081) I hate pooping. I really do. lol
080) I pray at night. Never in the morning. I think God understands my fantastic lovely mood when I wake up.
079) If you give me some sort of number along with your name, I will remember you. Otherwise, I'll never remember your name. I'm good with numbers like that.
078) I rode a jet-ski for the first (and only) time when I was 9 years old. It was meh.
077) My awesome father abandoned us on my first day of kindergarten, 20 years ago.
076) Often wonder if this has in any way created some sort of trauma that has affected the way I interact with men. But then I get sidetracked with blogging or cupcakes so I forget all abou---OOOH BALLOONS!!!!
075) The smell of lilies is an aphrodisiac for me. It's one of the most amazing smells.
074) I was a CK1 girl for almost 10 years.
073) I love a good, even shower head. Uneven streaks of water DRIVE ME INSANE.
072) My body is very flexible. Amazingly, not even this will get me dates.
071) My cousin Agmar is like the most awesome person to ever have lived. Like ever. She's a year older than me and used to defend me after both getting in trouble when we were little girls.
070) When we're sleepy we laugh like absolute retards.
069) For almost 15 years I have secretly wanted to be an actress. But I rather let Agmar do the acting and I'll do the directing.
068) I am extremely talented.
067) But also horribly insecure.
066) I cannot roll the Rs in my Spanish Language.
065) I was born and raised in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
064) There is nothing I hate the most than when it's cold and you have to pee. It intensifies the pain.
063) Am trying to be more green. Recycling is a bit hard, though. When you have the attention spa---OOOH CUPCAKES!!
062) Love the way watercolor drawings look. Sometimes I think those blotches that form on the paper are the most beautiful things you'll ever see.
061) I used to play Sonic the Hedgehog on my brother's Sega Genesis like a maniac back in 1992
060) Morning lighting is heavenly
059) I love having Sundays off. Doesn't happen often as I work in the restaurant industry.
058) Which I'm getting sick of.
057) I hate going to clubs. Mostly because there will always be some idiot who will want to dance with me no matter how many times i punch him in the face.
056) Bars are my crowd. Especially ones with a jukebox and peanuts.
055) I love drinking alcohol. love love love beer
054) I still think about him every single day, every single minute, every second.
053) I have a very deep voice.
052) Also have far too much facial hair than I'd like to have.
051) I swear I'm a girl, dear blog readers.
050) Michael J Fox was my first celebrity crush back in 89.
049) Remember the scene when the DeLorean first flies off towards the end of the first Back to the Future? My brother would rewind that part and watch it over and over and over.... and over and over and over again.
048) My brother is the sole reason why I am such a damn geek. Thanks a bunch, dork.
047) I used to go through bouts of social anxiety.
046) Even though I am a quiet person, I laugh REALLY loud.
045) I dislike roses. Especially red roses. They don't do it for me. Lilies, daisies, tulips, pretty little flowers...and this flower here...and this beauty here do it for me.
044) I cannot sing for the life of me after drinking coke.
043) I have a fear of singing in public.
042) A few beers and a slammin' kareoke machine usually fixes that problem.
041) I love flowing sheer fabrics.
040) John Galliano is my love affair.
039) I say AWESOME like it's going to run out soon.
038) This list is AWESOME.
037) The Atlantic Ocean is the blood that runs through my veins
036) I am wanderlust
035) When I was 5 years old I had a bizarre fascination with Australia. I would point out to my mother that if we moved to the northernmost tip of the island-continent we would be as warm as Puerto Rico because it is as far from the Ecuator. I had it all planned out. We would herd sheep and... and do other Australian-y things.
034) I was a very weird child.
033) My brother had a world globe and God knows how I loved that thing. I would run my little fingers across the Alps, feel Mount Everest and ponder where could Atlantis have been in ancient times.
032) Again, I was a weird child.
031) Mayaguez is about two hours West of San Juan (our capital). Some of the greatest moments of my life have happened while entering the great city of San Juan. The same happiness I would feel spinning the globe, I'd feel it looking at all these tall, tall buildings for miles and miles till we reached Grandpa's fantastic penthouse apartment just 3 minutes away from the Atlantic. And from the porch by his bedroom, I could see the entire skyline. Time seemed to stop. And I'd imagine myself skipping over the buildings and wondering how people in the Big City lived and were they different from me, small town girl? To this very day, 20-odd years later, I am still fascinated with skylines and I still skip over them, hoping to ask people inhabiting them, how does it feel?
030) Tangents are like, my BFF.
029) I sometimes truly despise cellphones.
028) Stand up comedy makes my day. Any day.
027) I love tape.
026) but not the red kind.
025) Xfiles is my favorite show of all bloody time.
024) This is probably the best scene ever caught on film. EVER.
023) If I weren't an artist, I'd be an anthropologist. Or an astrophysicist.
022) Astronomy is AWESOME.
021) I believe in life outside this planet.
020) I went to Catholic K-12 school.
019) I hate religions, I like to worship God/Cosmic Spirit without the need of a third party thankyouverymuch. Truly dislike people who believe more in the Bible than they do in the Message (big difference in both, trust me).
018) I have chronic arachnophobia.
017) I have been dumped by the only two boyfriends I've ever had, respectively. Neither lasted more than 9 months. I rock at relationships.
016) Been using the web since 1994. I cannot remember life prior to that. Do you?
015) I absolutely love Kate Winslet.
014) I want her to marry Ewan McGregor.
013) Vintage buttons make my day.
012) So do good tips.
011) I read way too many blogs and constantly am trying to catch up (I'm looking at you Design Sponge and Decor8).
010) I have never dressed up for Halloween. Was never into the whole thing.
009) I have an obsession with Asian women. oh and Asian babies, awww.
008) I suck at calling people over the phone. Sorry guys.
007) I've been sloooooooowly learning French over the past year. Not working so hot.
006) i love ny.
005) Octopi (and jellyfish and squids) are the most awesome creatures in the whole world.
004) I love going to the hardware store. Bolts and screws and paint chips and all sorts of dangerous tools excite me!
003) I love using tabs on my internet browser.
002) cupcakes are my life
001) YOU PEOPLE ROCK!!!!!!!!!! (but y'all already knew this)


Well, wasn't that pointless. :P

Posted by starmagn at 02:54 AM | Comments (3)

September 16, 2007

A few of my (million) favorite things

I must apologize to all the sweet people who have posted comments on my blog over the past months. Sadly, I only just realized you've been reading me. I get sooo much comment spam on my blog that Gmail now automatically sends all comment notifications straight to my spam folder. So I miss out on REAL comments until I look through the comments list on MT. Thank you to all who took the time to critique my initial logo sketches a few weeks ago. Really do appreciate the input. Also discovered a few lovely blogs through your comments. :D

I must say, I've been feeling a whole lot better lately. I've been in Vegas three months now and am beginning to accept it (it's also cooling down, yay!). I've been busy with all things Mutation the past two weeks and with crafting! I'm hoping to sell some of my wares on October at the First Friday on downtown or if not, sell them on etsy. Am very excited to wrap my little creations with cute strings and write sweet handwritten notes to Star Magnolia's new best friends all across the globe. There is also a wonderful career opportunity looming in at the end of the year that may or may not happen, but the process of getting there and expanding my knowledge in this field (okay, I'll spill one detail: it's textile design) has been so rewarding itself and it's so much fun to learn about this!

So, I feel that a little bit of peace is finally setting over my Summer-emo heart. Though some matters of the heart are hard NOT to surrender to, and you just have to accept that some things, some people, happened for a reason at a specific time in your life and they may just not happen again. All you can really do is store those sweet memories in your old wooden jewelry box and...move on.

But yeah, crafting! For the upcoming Fall season (which I am SOOOOO looking forward to, believe me, 118 degrees is NOT awesome, whatever merits you may have heard regarding Vegas' dry heat) I want to make some pretty pretty pretty flower brooches. Coats, jackets, blazers ALWAYS need to be accessorized. They feel lonely and unpretty at times. So it is my job to make them feel like the queens of Winter again! Here is one I tried with some flashy fabrics I bought at Joanns (for a very different reason, which hopefully, I will be getting my hands on shortly):

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My current 50mm view from the sewing machine: airfares, books to purchase, passwords, pretty brooches and a simple ivory thread whose color never ceases to inspire me.

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Also, no post of mine is complete without a silly image of yours truly:

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This was taken on Boulder City (basically where all the workers lived while Hoover Dam was in construction), just outside of Vegas. There is a fantabulous fabrics store in the "Old Town", sadly, we went on a Sunday, so it was closed. BUT when I have a wee bit more money I shall stop by again. They even had some vintage spools on the window display, and y'all know how much I heart those.


Posted by starmagn at 03:13 AM | Comments (1)

August 26, 2007

Star Magnolia Fall Preview

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Been quiet lately, haven't I? Spent the last week helping my brother move all the servers from his company to another location within the building. All 387,219 of them. Today I crafted a bit, getting ready for my Early Fall Star Magnolia Sale of Pure Sugar-coated Awesomeness. Above is a sneak peek. I hope ya likes.

Below, some mini pouches I'm giving final touches to. Just need to print my logo unto that printable fabric and then they will be ready to fully assemble. Slowly, slowly using my vintage buttons. It's hard to part with them.

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I bought two pieces of Brazilian Agate a few weeks ago with plans to turn them into jewelry. Does anybody know what kind of tool I need to cut through these (thickness is about 1/4th of an inch)? A dremel? If so, what kind of needle-thingy?

brazillianagate.jpg


That is my update on life. Well. Not really. Life still not working out the way I thought it would be at 25 years of age. But that's too boring for this blog.

Posted by starmagn at 12:59 AM | Comments (1)

August 21, 2007

Star Magnolia Logo in progress

After contacting several fantastic illustrators, I realized that, for the moment, it's ideal I design the logo on my own. I calmed my senses, knowing the long-standing battle with Illustrator is a fierce one, and I am not trained for it. But I did it. I made something half-decent on Illustrator (I congratulated myself with cheesecake, mmm).

So, your opinions, please. Outline, or fill. Which fonts? Does the design look bad amateurish? Does it make sense?

In my opinion, I think it describes my new Star Magnolia style. Sophisticated, but cheery. Oh and simple. What says y'all?

Posted by starmagn at 01:38 AM | Comments (13)

July 08, 2007

grey + orange = grange?

Self-portrait for July 4th, 2007. I bought this playful white shirt at Target so I could wear for interviews but it is too cute to keep in the closet. So I draped my favoritest red-orange cardigan (from Forever21, of course) over it, put on my pencil-shaped Guess grey skirt and black flats and made my way to watch Transformers*. That's right Amy Nieto actually dressed up to go to the theaters. I believe the world shall end sooner than we all expected.

Wait.. hold on...what's...what's that hanging from my left shoulder? Could that be... a new Star Magnolia bag? IMPOSSIBLE! SAY IT IS SO!

Well it is so! Technically it's not new. I cut out all the parts waaaay back in March 2006 for the Mutation fair, but I was so busy organizing and trying to graduate that I never finished any of the pieces I had intended to sell at the fair. A shame, I know. Along with some jewelry (that I may or may not have made while bored as heck at work), I will put out a Summer Cleaning Sale of Sorts just so I can gather some money to buy new materials (especially SS and GF chains).

Here is a sneak peek:




*BTW, I actually enjoyed Transformers. I know I joked at my brother, because he honestly, somehow, believed his childhood would come back through the viewing of this film. For two hours he was transported back to 1982, to a time where my destructive little hands were not a threat to his precious Transformers. But back to the movie. I must mention that I am Michael Bay's biggest, most fervent hater. I BLOODY HATE ARMAGEDDON AND PEARL HARBOR, WITH A FEVERISH PASSION. Most pointless movies ever created by mortal men. But Transformers was cool. I mean, come on. Flippin' Optimus Prime, man! Oh and the gag-inducing melodrama so present in his previous movies ("Do you think somewhere else in the world somebody is having this same conversation?", are you serious? ugh) was considerably toned down here. Which made Amy very very happy.

Posted by starmagn at 04:24 AM | Comments (5)

June 26, 2007

So I cut my hair...


And dare I say it does not look as repulsive as my reasoning tried to convince me over and over while the rusty scissors dangled nervously above my head. Luckily, the low humidity of this fantastic city keeps it all in place, unlike the horrible humidity of Georgia where a stunt of this magnitude would've been laughed at. Especially during the Summer. *shudders* I'm so glad I'm not in Savannah right now.

I am slowly adapting to life in Las Vegas after what seemed like five years of chilaxing in a hammock by the beach (Savannah, GA). This place is insane and it is HOT. You gotta be careful with where you lay your hands. Still fantastically unemployed. Sadly, I sold my sewing machine right before leaving, but I have kept myself a little busy with a few projects, as seen below. I need to buy SS and GF chains for some jewelry that I've designed.

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More silly pictures under the cut!

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I've been obsessed with cooking and trying out new recipes. I've never made a smoothie before. Mmmm strawberries


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Pretty little fake flower


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Mmmm baked corn!


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TEH WIN!11one!!!1


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My room at my brother's house. Totally not my style but it sure as heck feels nice to be sleeping in a bed.


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Slightly emo picture.

Posted by starmagn at 02:02 AM | Comments (2)

May 26, 2007

Clapping to the Rhythm of the Waves

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Despite not having a proper workplace (or heck, even a job), I've been trying to craft as much as possible while staying at my friend's house. It's what's keeping me up and happy during these tough days of anxiously waiting for money. Drawn up plenty of ideas that may or may not see the light. But it's good to be creating once again.

Now y'all know I am obsessed with Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine, so I took a little inspiration from the tear sheet below and created my own little boutonniere with vintage buttons, brown ribbon, wire and muslin (btw, I love muslin). How cute would these look as brouches for your Fall coats?

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Ideas for Photoshoots


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I separate my ideas with dashed lines.


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Cute little drawing. Plan to make it as a fabric "painting" sometime soon. :D

Posted by starmagn at 10:07 PM | Comments (1)

May 17, 2007

You don't choose who you love

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I am knitting a scarf. I cannot even explain to myself my undying love for scarves. The softness. How I rest my neck upon them. How my neck feels a little bit more secure. How I feel a bit sleepier as my cheeks absentmindedly caress it. How my fingers peek through its stitches when I am bored. How my earrings love it so much they unhook from my ears and travel to its softness. How they can make a fashion statement. How a boy will use it to pull you closer and kiss you for the first time. How they provide a little bit of comfort.

Funny thing is... I, Caribbean Emissary Extraordinaire, hate the cold weather. Don't usually look forward to single digits, or riding a bike in the wee painful morning.

But scarves...scarves I LOVE them. And even though right now, I cannot choose where I am, because it chooses me, I will always have a little scarf to snuggle me into warm, Caribbean dreams.


Posted by starmagn at 06:21 PM | Comments (0)

January 01, 2007

I owe y'all my studio...

I've been meaning to post pictures of my fantabulous studio room. I live in a 3BR, 3 living rooms apartment here in Savannah for very cheap ($1100) and I turned the large parlor room into my own private craft/photo studio separate from my bedroom (hated sewing where I also sleep), a very ideal thing considering I want to turn this into an actual business, y'know?

There is a lot of work I still want to put in, like painting the main wall and better organizing all the craft supplies (such a daunting task in itself, ugh). So here ya go, PICTURES!!


This is the wall I want to paint seafoam green/aqua. Already have the paint, just waiting to wake up early enough to actually paint the darn thing!



Lame attempts at organizing my life through the purchase of a really cute oversized calendar surrounded by Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine tear sheets and Wonder Woman's sassy protection!



Lovely tablecloth bought atTarget to cover my rather ugly table!


Target i love you.

Irresistable ice trays!!! Heart!!

Posted by starmagn at 05:30 PM | Comments (5)

December 28, 2006

Planning for my future


Planning for my future
Originally uploaded by Amy Nieto.
These are my words, sketches, ideas, thoughts, feelings and dreams scribbled unto archival paper, all waiting to be transformed into reality. Am geting really excited for the launch of Star Magnolia sometime in 2007. Very very very excited!

Posted by starmagn at 12:23 AM | Comments (0)

September 26, 2006

Connecting the dots

The time has come at last. I am designing my Fall/Winter/Whatever Star Magnolia Collection and I couldn't be any happier. Hopefully I will have a few items to sell at Mutation Craft Fair next week. I will be away for three weeks during December/January (yay vegas again!!), but before I leave I want to have a considerable number of handbags, jewelry, paper goods, toys and all sorts of happy goodies to brighten the cold, sad months of Winter (well they're sad for me 'cause I still haven't gotten used to the cold and I miss Puerto Rico the most during the Xmas season).

So, YAY!!

In a slower pace, I am also planning for my boutique, which will most likely begin in this crazy cyber world. Right now, because work is slow, I am creating my Dream Inventory from all the crafty stores that we all love and some that y'all may not know about. Right now I am having a hard time getting away from My Little Odd Forest. Everything is so cute!

YAY for finally being out of college and having time to start my business!

Posted by starmagn at 08:31 AM | Comments (1)

January 15, 2006

someday love will find you

workinprogress_jan15.jpg You know after a breakup how there are certain songs that hurt you too much to listen because they remind you too much of him, but you can't help it because dammit you want to cry? Well, I have one such song, but it doesn't make me cry, instead it boils the blood inside of me.

And that's Journey's Don't Stop Believing.

Really. The damn song already topped the list of my Most Hated Songs of All Time (tm) prior to the break up. But for some reason I can't understand (I think he went to a kareoke bar) he started singing it a lot while he was in NYC, randomly quoting one of its lines in the middle of a damn conversation. It would make me so mad, out all the excellent bands in the world he had to sing Journey (are they from Jersey? That would explain things).

Now, I cringe as if a million darts were mercilessly headed my way when I listen to the song. One more thing to despise him for. One more thing to be angry and sorry about.

I dreamt of him last night. Well, dreamt I was at his family's xmas party (I HAVE NO IDEA WHY I WAS THERE), which was huuuuge, like an acre full of people. There was a Mediterranean-like pool surrounded by exotic plants, and that's where he was. And I avoided him like the plague, but made sure he saw me. I guess I was there to wish a Merry Christmas to his Mom, who is actually a really nice lady.

ugh.

ENOUGH CRAP.
Yayyy I got a Flickr Pro account! Me so happy!! Finally, I can arrange more than three miserable sets!

Working on a very Spring tote bag at the moment. It is always Spring here at Star Magnolia!


Posted by starmagn at 03:31 PM | Comments (1)

December 28, 2005

woah.....finished?

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Such a newsworthy entry deserved its own cheesy graphic!

YES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, the Star Magnolia Shop is open for business!!


Okay okya, SORTA. Unfortunately, all I have in stock is a total of 12 letterpressed notecards (all very beautiful, trust me). There are no bags or anything else, due to the fact I've been away from Georgia for the past month of December. But I come back in a week (January 3rd), and PLEASE DEAR HANDS, WORK FASTER! I am very slow at crafting. So if I'm ever to do a New Year's Resolution it would be to quicken up my hands. And to not distract myself so much. With trivial things such as blogging mindless entries. Ten times a night.

So, if y'all wanna wander around the very empty store for a little while, be my guest. If you see anything wrong PLEASE contact me, it's very important (there's a nifty message form you can use). You can place orders on the notecards. Just nothing else, cuz there ain't not'n else (except for gift certificates).

www.STARMAGNOLIA.com

Allright, that's it. Wow, I can actually go back to sleeping early. Wish me luck.


Posted by starmagn at 06:22 AM | Comments (5)

December 25, 2005

Indie love, baby...

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Le Star Magnolia is nearly up for bidness, but before I do so, I must gather all my awesome indie links in one place. Sooooo, I says to you, LET'S DO A LINK SWAP. I already went ahead, 'cause I'm antsy and boring like that, and added as many links as I could, but I know I'm missing out on more websites. (you need to click the linkie below to see complete list).

I'd love it you linked back, but if not, it's okay, I still love you to della reeses pieces (I can never get that right). If you'd like to replace the text link with an actual banner (please smaller than WIDTH 150), send me the image, it'd look prettier!

THANK YOU!!!

 

Personal Sites
Amy Nieto Photography
Mutation Craft Fair
Bob the Angry Sixtopus

Indie Stores
The Small Object
Sewing Stars
Mmm-Fruit
Little Dear
Adverse
Stitch Pixie
My Paper Crane
Plain Mabel
Boy Girl Party
Momo Moogie
India Romeo
Turtle Kisses
Cornyness
Karissa Cove
Marilyn Patrizio - So Softies
Seamripper
Chica de Canela
Texas Haute Sauce
eendar
One Percent Press
Glue and Glitter
One Good Bumblebee
Little by Jenny
Little Odd Forest
Lemonade Maid
Goodmorning, Morning
Loot by Stina
Warm-n-Fuzzy

Drew Weing
Sugar Blossom Boutique
Sugarloop
Jenny Harada
Tesora
Adimals
i cum sunshine
Wingnut







 

Craft Fairs
Mutation Craft Fair
I.C.E. Atlanta
Bazaar Bizarre
Handmade Bazaar
Renegade Craft Fair

Crafty Resources
Craftster.org
The Switchboards
Get Crafty
Austin Craft Mafia
Craft Revolution


Hotawesome Peeps
Sarah, the Pirate
Hello Bard
Shutterbug
Orb1t
Jinky Art

Techie Stuff
Aplushosting

Posted by starmagn at 06:20 AM | Comments (15)

December 23, 2005

So close to the light...

Ladies and gents! Star Magnolia's store is like 90% done!

Things left to do:
01) Write the Info page, the About SM page, Sold Gallery
02) Collect ALL the massive crafty links
03) Add the mailing list form AGAIN (don't know how to add it to the template)
04) Create more images for the main page
05) Get some beta testers

And some little small things... So yeah.. Amy's excited. Oh yes.

Posted by starmagn at 06:10 AM | Comments (0)

December 19, 2005

Help anyone?

Saw King Kong last night. Billy Elliot was in it. I almost died. He looks so damn adorable. I also love Jack Black, Adrian Brody, and Naomi Watts 13x times more than I did before.

Just finished watching the entire Firefly show. I hate you FOX. Really do. Movies comes out on dvd (who says video anymore) this Tuesday. Kinda developing a thing for the Capt'n.

Just as I already developed a humongous crush on Gil Grissom, the bug lovin', trivia collector from CSI. OH DEAR GOD. HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST LINE. Sarah agrees with me. All the way.

Enough of weird short sentences, for I NEED YOUR HELP. Okay, I am 83% done on configuring, customizing, pimpin' out my store/shopping cart!! Can you bloody believe that! In just three days. And I registered this doman 1.5 year ago. I hate you osCommerce with robbing so much time off my life.

ANYWAYS...What I haven't been able to figure out is the actual credit card processing thingy (and the SSL encryption). There's authorizeNET, there's Paypal (the Pro service), and others. I just don't get it. I mean, Paypal is pretty easy to understand, it's just that it charges a $20 monthly fee, plus a small percentage out of every transaction. Le suck. And I can't see if the Authorizenet thing charges me for the service. Plus, I have to contact a reseller??

I'm so lost. Somebody with the proper experience help me please? Thank you, you will recieve a lovely Walgreens Xmas photo card from Gil and I.

Posted by starmagn at 04:54 AM | Comments (1)

December 17, 2005

I AM T3H WIN!!1one!!!

HAA!! TAKE THAT OSCOMMERCE! I installed ZenCart and it's working marvelously!

PWNED!!11!!!

Woo..okay. Yes, as you can see for yourself le shopping cart fantastique is looking quite like the Star Magnolia design. Plenty of things left to be done, of course, but you know it was 7 AM and something deep inside told me to direct my ass towards the bed.

screenshotzencart.jpg

Still, I'm very happy. At this rate, Y'all just might get yourselves a little Star Magnolia lovin' before the end of the year. ;)

Posted by starmagn at 06:51 PM | Comments (5)

December 16, 2005

One good ass-whopping

I am really behind on my Christmas cards. REALLY. I have 40 recipients, 8 (or 10) of which will recieve my letterpressed Bob cards, 6 cards almost completed, meaning there are about 26 cards I need to do! ARGHHHHH I think I should simplify them. Or my life. *sigh*

ZENCART! I believe I have given up on osCommerce, so downloaded Zen Cart. Installed it, configured it (while watching Firefly) without absolutely any problem (unlike osCommerce). Now, the tough part will be customization so that it resembles my existing Star Magnolia design. I believe I will have to simplify that motha, as well, so that it fits with the structure of Zen Cart without causing too much tragedy into my life. Take a look at One Good Bumblebee's adorable website so you can get an idea of what I'm talking about. (btw, isn't that one of the cutest store names ever? JEALOUS!)

So wish me good luck as I tackle this mothafreakin shopping cart and attempt to finish all your lovely Christmas cards. Grrrrr *sigh* not even my vacations are stress free!

Posted by starmagn at 08:17 PM | Comments (0)

November 09, 2005

Sewin' away

Ahhh yes, finally something crafty! The Mutation Handmade Holiday fair is eating me half alive. As much as I love it, I cannot plan and organize a fair during finals. I simply cannot. I have absolutely nothing to sell. Nothing. And the fair is only about 9 days away. Anyways.

Hopefully, my Super Ultra Awesome Stationery and Notecard Extravaganza Collection will be ready by then. Today I finally started printing them in the letterpress. Let me tell y'all something. You ain't complete till you've used one of these babies. It was a very exciting experience to print the little sewing machines on that lovely paper! h00t h00t!

workinprogress_nov10.jpg

And this is me crankin' that motha up. Ha, I match my prints!

amyvandercook.jpg


Also today, Mr. Travis gave us the demo to properly use the new Hasselblad 22 megapixel camera back. It's a sweet little thing, I must confess. But 22 bloody megapixels!?!? Come ON! Raw files are roughly 40-60 megabytes each. My computer can't even handle a 4mega file, let alone 60!!! This technology is going crazy. Still, can't wait to try it out!

Oh, by the way, did I mention it costs a mere $22,000?!?!?

Yeah, I thought so.


Posted by starmagn at 09:31 PM | Comments (2)

October 21, 2005

Thank you notecards....

As part of my current obsession with paper goods and the printmaking department's newly acquired Vandercook letterpress machine, I set out to make a set of Thank You notecards for...mm some very special people who I cannot mention right now, or the surprise will be spoiled :(. They turned out quite well, and I cannot wait for my final project, where I'll make a complete collection of notecards and stationery! w00t w00t!

thankunotecards.jpg

Posted by starmagn at 04:54 PM | Comments (1)

September 16, 2005

La la la

I am so mad that I completely forgot to set my alarm at 1pm so that I could subscribe to September's VERY limited Sampler baggie! Grrr Hopefuly next month I'll be able to snatch a three month subscription!

In other great news! I have finally installed osCommerce on Star Magnolia. Meaning that whatever is left unsold from the Fair, will be offered at the shop! Really can't wait to open my little creation!

All spaces for Mutation The Craft Fair are full! This is really impressive! Meghan and I are working double-hard to make this an unforgettable experience for all those who attend! Please stop by and join the mailing list, perhaps you'll be a lucky vendor next time!

My dashingly awesome printer (for which I will be forever grateful to my ex-boyfriend, *sigh*) has a new color cartridge! Tonight I will design new stationery and explore new ways of cutting down prices. Initially, my plan was to print the stationery at a Print Shop, but that will cost me at least a $1.00 per 8x11 color print, and I would have to sell the stationeries at $8 minimum.

OH WAIT... scrath that... Kim Loven's Farewell Party is tonight! Can't miss the opportunity to actually socialize with the world. :D And cute guys will----- ahem, good friends will be there (Sorry, boyfriend! hehe)

Posted by starmagn at 07:27 PM | Comments (0)

August 25, 2005

Planning ahead

After finishing Danwei's wristlet (which I won't show because... well, it's not quite the surprise, considering she already saw the cut parts, but still...you gotta retain a little bit of dignity and surprise in this bizness. Or something. Back to the post, now. Thank you.)..., I worked on a few paper goodies. First, finished (sorta) my boy's mini-album (which, again I won't show because, even though he knows it's a mini-album, he's unaware of how it will look in the end. I think.). Then I used my Gocco to print a few Notes/To-Do-Lists pages for the mini-planners. Me thinks they're turning out quite cool. The green swirly thing is the cover for the blue-paper mini-planner, which shall go to a special someone (which shall remain undisclosed. No, it's not you Rafa.) pretty soon.

workinprogress_aug25.jpg

Posted by starmagn at 04:00 AM | Comments (2)

August 23, 2005

Oh the sparkleness of it all!

After a whole Summer without a penny to my name, I still don't have such monetary value to my name. BUT I managed to make some funky crafty shopping today!

001. BEHOLD! The Xyron 250 Sticker Maker!
XYRON250.jpg Been eyeing this piece of magical sorscery for a while. I saw it two months ago, the only one remaining, at my local scrapbook store all alone and desperate. The box itself was a bit in shambles. Oh, how it was calling out to me. Silently, patiently. It knew it would eventually hunt me down. And it did. Oh dear God you are a delight!! So nifty and easy to use. I'm in love once again. (Though I kinda wish I'd gotten a red one.)




002. Retro Prints Paper Stack
retroprints.jpg Did I really need to spend $12 on a 144 sheet 4x6 retro paper pack??
You betcha!!







003. Some assorted cardstock papers. Purdy colors.

Okay, I didn't buy anything else, but it felt like quiet a lot! Danwei's white wristlet is close to completed (as seen in the photo below). See that little padded donut there? Don't worry, I'm not trying to out do My Paper Crane, this is just for... well a friend of mine. She may read this blog, don't want to spoil her surprise! The other white wristlet features a top-stiched brown tree. Can't wait to finish this one. Oh and you can see the Bob the Sixtopus stickers from the Xyron oven on the bottom right!

workinprogress_aug23.jpg

Posted by starmagn at 12:10 AM | Comments (10)

August 22, 2005

Work in Progress - Planner!

Ahh, lovely extended post-fair break. But I need to get back to work soon!

Thanks to Seam Ripper's Bird Cage Stationery Set, I put my dusty Print Gocco to good work and created these two templates for a compact mini-planner I'm, well, planning on doing. Tomorrow I shall order my mother to take me to the scrapbook store and stock up on paper supplies. Uhhh all that dictator-like dialog makes me giddy with excitement! :)


workinprogress_aug22.jpg

Oh, the happy heart-shaped leaf? Can you tell I'm stupidly in love? ;)

Um, with a man. Not with the planner. Although I kinda am in love as well with this minty green textured paper. :)

Posted by starmagn at 02:24 AM | Comments (0)

July 30, 2005

Work in Progress - Noche Galeria

This is what awaits me tomorrow.

CAN'T FREAKIN WAIT!!


workinprogress_july30.jpg

Posted by starmagn at 03:51 AM | Comments (3)

July 25, 2005

I want to be a super hero

I want to sew all my bags at speeds I simply cannot achieve.

This frustrates me to the point of feeling incredibly anxious and disgusted at my creations. I've been home for the Summer for almost two months now. I have only made 5-6 bags.Total.

Just thinking about it boils me blood.

Hate this.

*sigh*

Posted by starmagn at 06:07 AM | Comments (0)

July 14, 2005

Working under slight pressure

Working against the slow tides of time.

I love vynil cutouts. :) :) :)

workinprogress_july14.jpg

Posted by starmagn at 02:27 AM | Comments (2)

July 05, 2005

Work in Progress

God I love pills. They make the icky nose stuff go away and pave way for lots of crafting! While I'll admit there are still some parts from two weeks ago that still haven't been assembled into gorgeous bags, I still found time to cut some new ones, like the yellow Bob below (against a brown vynil piece). If you look REALLY closely at the top right you'll find a piece of white fabric with an aquamarine swatch right beside it, both ready to be sewn into a fantastic cutout tote bag (maybe with a musical note or some swirly organic design like the pink + orange designs on the left)! The cute (and so horrendously fake) pink flower + aqua fabric on the middle right will serve as a roomy little wristlet. The multiple blue Bobs on the bottom are my business cards with newly rounded corners! Yay for rounded corners!

workinprogress_july5.jpg

Posted by starmagn at 12:34 AM | Comments (2)

July 01, 2005

I (heart) Paul Frank

Funny how Amy works, huh. Three years ago had I been told that I'd eventually be plotting an evil empire of awesome handbags and accessories for the cool people like me... I would've laughed and peed on you. I am the Anti-Fashion, Anti-Teen Girl! I don't like handbags!

Travel three short years into the future with a funky Delorean and here I am mixing my long established photography and filmmaking dreams with the desire to own a cool and creative accessories/clothing company just like the one man I totally look up to and admire: Paul Frank. Mr. Awesome Frank started out by making simple wallets out of bright colored vynil materials for his friends back in, where else, but Southern California. From there on, he's created unarguably the coolest and most creative accessories line EVER! WHat I like about him is that he's very active in his own company, and still is the mastermind behind all merchandise and the creation of new characters. He donates his own handmade creations to charities and goes around the globe dropping by his own stores and lecturing at colleges about sewing and three-dimensional art. And unlike high couture designers like Louis Voutton or Gucci, the use of his own name as the brand image serves to somehow make you feel like he's really a buddy of yours, which is not coincidentally his company's motto: "Paul Frank is your friend".

Isn't that like, the coolest job EVER!!

So here's to you Paul Frank, may your whimsical imagination last you forever (or at least until Star Magnolia tramples you, MUUUUAHHAHAHAH)!

To show you I've been a rather (okay, sorta) busy little bee, here's some of the stuff I'm currently working on. Hopefully I'll be able to have plenty of material for the Noche de Galerias in San Juan next next Tuesday, EEEK!

workinprogress_june25.jpg

Posted by starmagn at 01:22 AM | Comments (0)