Furious Shirley » creativity

Get Your Craft On!

Shannon Shirley — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:00:49 +0000

I have always wanted to be a crafty person. I suppose if I actually took the time to learn some crafting skills, I could make some pretty rad stuff. Right now, I’m on par with my three year old and I figure we will learn to be crafty together. [Although I am darn good at making things look cool with spray paint - post forthcoming.] The rest of you DIY mavens should pack up your sewing kits, letterpress blocks, scissors, glue, and glitter and head to the Craftcation Conference in Ventura, CA from March 22-25th.

This three day event was put together by the talented duo of Nicole Stevenson [of Random Nicole] and Delilah Snell [of The Road Less Traveled] [both co-produce the Patchwork indie art festival as well]. It’s a smorgasbord of workshops and lectures geared to help you start, improve, and maintain your very own indie business.

Want to make felt flowers? You can do it at Craftcation.

Want to learn to bind books? They’ve got a workshop for it.

Want to find out how to finance your business? They have it covered.

Bake pies, make jewelry, learn wordpress, expand your business, make jam, take better photos, conquer social marketing, and tons more … sounds like a good time. Wish I could make it.

Thanks to Nicole for letting me be a part of spreading the word.

Paper Bag Puppets

Shannon Shirley — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:12:10 +0000

Yesterday I got out our giant craft box, handed Ava a bunch of supplies, and watched her create these ‘Ava & Pixie’ paper bag puppets.

I helped by cutting out a few things she requested [hair, ballet shoes, etc] and she did the rest herself. I think they are pretty cute and wanted to see what kind of paper bag puppets other people were making. I’d love to see some of your own creations too!

I love this pirate! By Amanda Formaro on Kaboose

From ‘The Star Wars Craft Book‘ by Bonnie Burton, Admiral “Sackbar”! LOL [via boingboing]

Toothy Guys by Michelle M. of Isle Tri

Rrrribit! Cute and Simple Froggie from Learning Ideas

I am crazy about this owl made by Denise Sharp. I think I’m going to buy a pack of brown paper bags today!

Star Wars Decor

Shannon Shirley — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:43:30 +0000

My husband has a thing for Star Wars [gee, what guy doesn't?]. He has a few tees and some little figurines [that we keep in his upstairs office - aka out of sight] and he and Ava have Star Wars battles with the lightsabers he bought her. A little bit of novelty can be fun.

Like this print from Restyle Prints that I bought & framed and allowed into our living room.

I actually kind of like this Imperial Forces Wallpaper from Super7.

And this nursery featured on Apartment Therapy? Almost makes me want to make another baby.

Another bedroom – by Mary of Quite Contrary.

At -At Walker lamp —- I LOVE IT! (via Life Goods)

To The One I Love

Shannon Shirley — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:11:02 +0000

I just came across these prints by Amanda Catherine Designs and had to share.

Perfect for Valentine’s Day … or any day. (Love you, MS)

Postagram App! Adorable!

Shannon Shirley — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:23:57 +0000

I love this app! Choose a photo from your iPhone or Android [or send from the internet], specify a recipient, type a message, and Postagram will send it as a cute little postcard!

Just 99 cents to send a bit of love. And the photo is perforated so the recipient can pop it out and keep it! I especially love it because I don’t have to go to the post office. XO

The Best Gift

Shannon Shirley — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:40:56 +0000

This year we brought a few of our family members to tears with this gift -

A mini book about little miss Ava. It came out soooo cute! We did a pic or two for each month of her existence and a few extra pages for some of her artwork and photos with family members.

We used Blurb to make the books and were really happy with the outcome.

I’m sure we will be making more books in the future … I’m thinking a wedding book would be great since I know I’ll never get around to printing photos and putting them in an album.

Making Play Dough!

Shannon Shirley — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:29:56 +0000

The other day, Ava and I decided to make our own play dough. I found a no-cook recipe on instructables, gathered the ingredients [flour, salt, water, food coloring], and sat down at the table with a very excited little girl!

I covered the table with some scrap paper and handed her the measured ingredients to dump into the bowl. Then I gave her the spoon and let her mix it up – her most favorite part of helping me in the kitchen.

Once the dough was thoroughly mixed, I divided it into three lumps [I had to keep adding flour until the dough wasn't so sticky] and then added the food coloring. [I would really recommend wearing disposable gloves for this part, unless you want red, blue, and green hands like I ended up having.] Just keep kneading the dough until the color is blended.

Hooray – play dough!

After I just reminded her to NOT smash it all together.

After I reminded her that once you smash them together, it’s very unlikely to have three separate colors again.

“Oh well, mom. I’ll just make a rainbow worm.” And that was perfectly fine with me. :-)

Cute Crochet from Frolicking Leaves

Shannon Shirley — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:18:00 +0000

I can’t sew, I can’t knit, and I sure as heck cannot crochet. I did try to make a pillow for Ava once while I was pregnant … didn’t turn out too bad, but there is still an opening on one side because I never learned how to do the closing stitch. The closest I’ve come to knitting or crocheting [and this is quite a stretch] is doing one of those latch hooks rug kits when I was a kid. For some people, wielding a pair of long needles [or hooks, I think they're called] and turning a ball of yarn into something other than a potholder is second nature. Etsy shop owner, Angie of Frolicking Leaves, is a great example.

Angie lived with her grandmother while she was student teaching in 2001 and from those skilled hands, she learned the craft of crochet. She refined her skills, began creating her own fun designs, and opened up her shop in October ’09. Once she perfects a design [which can take days of starting to crochet, pulling apart, starting over, and finally nailing it], Angie can stitch up a pair of booties or an adorable hat in couple of hours. So jealous.

Over the holiday season, these felted crochet ballet slippers [omg i love them] were selling fast, just like her current line of hats. One lucky reader will even WIN A HAT just by leaving a comment. [View Giveaway Details]

Angie is also a mom – two kids, ages 6 and 22 months – and spends a lot of late nights crocheting while the kiddos sleep. She has even helped her daughter open up her very own Etsy shop [Greta's Paper Art] to sell her crayon creations. What a cute idea!

Just like any mom, we need to find ways to unwind. Angie’s, of course, involves crocheting … as well as a good cup of coffee and an episode of Little House on the Prairie. Don’t laugh – I actually love that show too. :-) Thanks so much to Angie for taking the time to share a little of herself with me … and don’t forget to check out the Frolicking Leaves Giveaway! XO

Ampersand Love

Shannon Shirley — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:54:16 +0000

via FFFFound!

This handmade lit ampersand by White Electric can be distressed in a variety of colors.

Custom made ampersand chair by Lisa Barrett

Cast aluminum ampersand from House Industries

via Leo Reynolds

Large wooden ampersand from Hindsvik Vintage

via Jake Howe

Ampersand tote from Alphabet Bags

via Ed Prichard

Pimp That Globe

Shannon Shirley — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:48:08 +0000

Today’s post is inspired by these beautiful collage globes by Artist, Wendy Gold.

Aren’t they just to die for? The one shown below can be personalized to showcase your very own family tree. Super cool.

Other people are doing some pretty awesome stuff with globes too … things you can even do yourself. Here are a few of my favorite DIY globe projects:

This chalkboard globe made by Halligan Norris for Design*Sponge looks amazing and is fairly simple to make.

This global bowl made by Cathe of JustSomethingIMade was made by sawing a globe in half, and lining with old book pages and some glitter – pretty neat idea [and it makes one for you, one to give away!].

Get the tutorial for this cool Globe Pendant lamp from Project Create a Home. I think I would add some metal hardware on the top, but otherwise genius.