christmas came early!

Christmas came early in the Kuoch household!

Since my sister's kids are going to be celebrating with their father's family on December 25th, we decided to open up presents a few days early since there was a big holiday party happening in our house anyway.

Since I primarily got envelopes this year, I spent most of the night watching my nieces tear up boxes and create a red and green crime scene right in front of the Christmas tree.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh, how I miss being a kid.

Doing damage.

Since entering the indie craft scene after opening up shop on Etsy a couple of months ago, I've been inspired to go handmade (have YOU made the handmade pledge?!) as much as possible. While I don't know how to sew together a jacket even if my life depended on it, I can do some "faux stitching" of some of the designs I normally put onto canvas! Give me felt, scissors, needle, and thread and I'll find a way to make it work. It's probably not the best job, and learning how to sew is definitely going on my list of goals for the new year (I can't believe it's almost 2009 already!).

I was going for the "unperfect" look when putting together my gifts for the girls anyhoot, so the imperfections only added the right touch. I'm pretty happy with the final results, but more importantly, the kids love them and that's what matters!

Alyssa showing off her new Giraffe jacket!
It's modeled after her favorite Steppie design: I Heart Giraffe.

And some fun little buttons for the front!

Alyssa always begs me for "I Heart Giraffe" buttons, but ends up losing them around the house. I figured sticking it straight onto a jacket might solve that little problem.

Hailey showing off her new Panda jacket!
It's modeled after her favorite Steppie design: I Heart Panda.

And they each come with a hand-sewn heart on the hood!

Aren't they little cuties?
They're getting so big. /sad face

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Christmas is literally days away and I'm hoping you and your loved ones are having a good one!

For those of us with the crafting spell and are still shipping out last minute orders, enjoy the very much needed break because I know I will be! I've got a couple orders to package up tonight to get out in the mail tomorrow... but after that, it's time to leave my work space and spend some quality time with the ones I love.

Here's to happy holidays!

xoxo,
Steppie
http://steppie.etsy.com

buttons, buttons, buttons!

OMG, I have so many updates to make this week, but I couldn't resist to make a quick - but VERY EXCITING - announcement:

1" PINBACK BUTTONS OF MY ARTWORK ARE NOW AVAILABLE!

They look adorable - I am more than pleased!

The buttons come in the following Steppie originals:

Chillin'
I Heart Giraffe
I Heart Whale
Don't Give A Hoot
Purple Elephant
Into the Woods
Modern Tree

And some special promo ones for my Etsy shop. :)

All 1" buttons are only $1.50 each,
or any 4 of your choice for only $5.50!


Pick & choose your favorites in my new "Buttons" section on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5245012&section_id=5591217


Hope to hear from you soon!

xoxo,
Steppie

mixer.

So, I've become recently obsessed with the idea of mixed media. For those unfamiliar with the term, it basically encompasses all artwork that combines two or more different types of medium... whether it be acrylic, paper, ink, buttons, etc.

For me, I've always been quite fascinated with printed fabrics, but because I have zero experience with a needle and thread, didn't know how I could incorporate it into my own artwork. Until now, of course.


This is the first in my fabric and acrylic mixed media series, titled "GIRAFFE SILHOUETTE."

Hand selected fabric (with a brown texturized fabric with turquoise spots) was stretched and stapled to a 9"x12" mounted canvas. After using a protective sealer, I then used acrylic to paint a silhouette of a giraffe (ooh, how I adore cute animals!).


Now that my first experimentation with fabric and acrylics is completed, I have a whole new bag of printed fabrics that I've hand selected that are fun, inspiring, and delicious! So, I can't wait to get started on those when I get back from my Vegas trip (to read more about my Vegas trip for Hip Hop Internationals, look for my post titled, "panda obsession")!

+ To see the listing: "Giraffe Silhouette"
+ To view my shop: http://www.steppie.etsy.com

Happy blogging!

xoxo,
Steppie


P.S. COMMENT and let me know: (1) what you think about my new art piece, and (2) if you have also experimented with mixed media - and link me with photos!

101 hearts in 10 days!

Yup, that's right kids - my Etsy shop has been open for exactly 10 days, and as of a couple of minutes ago, I have exceeded 100 hearts (101 to be exact!)!


For anyone not too familiar with Etsy, adding "hearts" means adding your favorite sellers (or items) to a special list that is tucked away so you can access and find them easily later. I don't know how long it usually takes to receive 100+ hearts on Etsy... but being a little over a week old, and receiving so much love from potential buyers and fellow sellers...

Well, I couldn't have asked for more.

Comment & leave me feedback: how important are "hearts" to you?

xoxo,
Steppie