Aaaand, I'm back. I've been absent for a little over a month mainly because this semester has been so time consuming. Aside from school projects, I've had a lot of projects and such that I've been working on in my spare time, which I definitely will talk about in future postings. And in between all of that, I have become a proud owner of a Macbook Pro! I think I've mentioned in other posts that I've had such desktop issues this year. I finally gave it up, moved on, and invested in a Macbook that I plan on using as my one and only computer. So far, no complaints at all!

So with all that being said, I should be getting back on track with posting regularly, and maybe even finally getting back into my weekly posts that I have so badly neglected in 2013.

To the topic of this post, the past two months have been birthday central for friends and family, and I wanted to share a little gift I put together for a friend of mine.

Long story short, we're taking a book illustration class this semester. Aside from the fact that she adores llamas, the story she wrote is about a llama who loses his stripes. I thought it'd be cute to make a striped llama on her shirt in connection to her story.
His name is Jake.

I added a pink llama friend to match the stripes and mint colored shirt.

I sewed on buttons for eyes, and embroidered a nose and mouth, while swapping fabrics for their ears.

And there you go, a llama shirt.

Typography has always been an interest of mine. I used to draw/copy band logos, make my own type, draw type on shirts, yadda yadda. My friends think it's one of my specialties. As much as I see how much they believe so, I surely don't agree because the world of typography is so precise, detailed, and complicated. But those facts won't stop my interest in type from growing.

I just finished my second week of classes. This semester is already underway, and I have to admit I'm excited. For this workshop class I'm taking, we were assigned to make and develop our own logo throughout the semester. Where do you even start with your own logo? Sometimes you just have to go with your gut and just make the first thing that comes to mind. I created a line drawing of my cat eye glasses and originally added a zigzag on top of my glasses to "represent" my bangs. After some tweaks, I made those zigzags spell out "mars".

Straights and curves make up lines, and those lines make sketches and drawings, graphics, typography, etc. Typography is graphic; graphics make up typography. It's astonishing, really.
A while ago I came across this quiz: What Type Are You.
My result was Universal, with characteristics of rational, understated, progressive, and relaxed.

I dig it.

After some web browsing today, I came across some typography websites and this cool type video. Enjoy.

Alphabet in motion - Barcenova type from Cecilia Brarda on Vimeo.

I think I made it clear at some point that last semester, I went through an aquatic illustration phase, right? Well, it happened. I just came across another Photoshop piece I did for my digital class last semester. This was the last deep sea diver piece I made.

For this piece, I wanted to play with line and space. I didn't want to go too crazy with the subject matter so I chose a simple 3/4 portrait view of a deep sea diver suit.
When I was pitching my idea to my professor, he recommended I look up the artist Shaun Tan. I pulled up Google, browsed through his work, and I fell in love with his art. His work is so soft, and so strange, and I love his rendition of the diver suit.

I browsed Google some more and found a short film that's based on his book "The Lost Thing". There is something about short animated films that are so amazing and so unique compared to full movie length animations. And I wanted to share this one because it's so damn charming.

I have surely been going crazy making wristbands. It all started when I made this one...

I had a few skull beads lying around that I had originally planned on using to make an actual beaded bracelet with roses and whatnot for a Day Of The Dead theme. I didn't have any elastic string and I didn't know what else to do, so I found a black fabric band laying in my room. I sewed the beads on, then sewed snap clips at the ends, and voila. I finally made my DOTD bracelet in a different form.

I actually liked how it came out, so I made one for a friend...

...And I made a crapload more which will soon be upload onto my Etsy shop. I currently have one listed, but I've made much more that I plan on posting up soon.

I've been inspired to make wristbands using beads and fabric, and of course I have plans to make much more. If you like any you see, feel free to visit my Esty shop! It will soon be overloaded with wristbands because I've been on a roll with whipping these things out.
I don't know where all of this creative energy came from, but I like it!

So, is it me or do you find yourself having the time of your life in Michaels as well?
I went browsing the other day and walked out with the best finds; the clearance section was UH-MAZING. Screenprinting paint, linoleum block ink, glass frosting paint, and beads! I found these beads and fell in love.

After buying these beads, I knew I wanted a bracelet but didn't have any idea on how I wanted it to look like. I let the idea stew; I thought of a wristband. Found supplies and materials, and began.
Here was my process through images.

It came out better than I thought!

I decided to jump on board the homemade deodorant train. It was really a last minute decision in which my friend convinced me to try out. We bought ingredients and whipped it up in a few minutes. Super easy to make.

The ingredients are as followed:
1/3 cup of coconut oil
1/4 cup of baking soda
1/4 arrow root powder
4 tablespoons of corn starch

Notes:
The mixture will seem very powdery, but if you mush the mix instead of stirring, it will come out the consistency that it should be.
If your coconut oil is cold and hard, you can microwave it for a few seconds until it's soft enough to mush with the mixture.
You can add a scented oil if you'd like. Definitely make sure it's safe for skin. I made the mistake of buying a lavender scent that is made for only candle making.
If you do decide to mix a scent, also make sure it will mix nicely with the coconut scent. A safe scent mixture will always be vanilla and coconut. I mixed plumeria and I'll admit, smells a little weird. Kinda smells like weird Autumn.

A good consistency will be like a creamy dough-like feel. If it's not creamy enough, add more coconut oil. If it's too creamy, add more baking soda.
When the mixture is all done and good, scoop it into any kind of container. I found a 5 ounce clear plastic jar fit the deodorant perfectly.

To apply the deodorant, you can just scoop a little dab with your finger and smear it on yourself. Don't rub it in; it will exfoliate which you don't really want. Don't apply it thickly. A nice thin layer will be just fine. From personal experience, I haven't witnessed any white deodorant marks on my shirt, and the deodorant lasted the entire day. All good things! If you don't shower at the end of the day, make sure to clean yourself with a wet washcloth otherwise you will wake up to a bit of deodorant buildup.

Now that I shared everything I possibly can, I encourage you to go make some. It's a nice natural alternative.
My next step is to make a fun label for my deodorant jar. I'm excited to go label designing crazy!

I bought this pair of pants a few weeks ago. They fit perfect and I was happy.

Then a couple of days ago, the button/rivet popped off!

I tried putting it back together using pliers, but it didn't stay. I was stumped. Then I thought DUH, I can sew another button on. I went through my dandy button collection. I decided to pick a fancy button in which I never find a good opportunity to use.

I found this cute anchor button and sewed it on.

And voila! My pants are fixed. It's a good idea if you want to spice up a pair of pants! Pop off the button and sew a fun one on.