Project Better Myself.

So, some of you might think that this blog post might end up being a cop out, but that's your opinion. Part of me is making this post for myself more than for anyone else, but at the same time, its nice to have some support, you know?

Basically, it all started last Friday when I went out with some of my friends from school. I came home after having a good time with them feeling a little better about myself than I had in a long time. Its amazing what compliments can do for a person. But then I reached a point in my internal monologue before bed that I realized all those quotes I've been saving a true. You know, the ones that basically say if you want something to change, then take the initiative and change it. There for, I'm beginning Project Better Myself.

Its simple things, nothing too terribly big. You know, the general eating better, taking longer walks with the dogs, and that kind of thing. But, There's a bit more to it. Little things to help me feel better about who I am and what I can do. Therefore, A more conscious effort to make myself presentable each day for class. Not just throwing a head band on, pulling my hair back and calling it a day. No, I'm gonna make myself look cute.

I want to take a little time to myself at least once a week to do something on my own. Right now I'm really feeling the whole going to Books*a*Million or Barnes and Nobel to enjoy an ice chai tea looking at the books or reading the local entertainment paper supplement things. I also want to enjoy time with my friends and going out and doing something with them at least once a week as well. Like, tomorrow, I'm going bowling. Who can't enjoy their life more while bowling? I mean, really?

The biggest thing that I am going to be working on is trying to compliment myself at least three times a day. Because, its one thing for someone you know to compliment you. Its another thing entirely to compliment yourself and truly believe what it is that you are saying.

So, this is my personal project and I'm pretty excited to get started on it, to be honest. And I think that once I really start enjoying things more, then I will be more apt to actually do so many of the projects that I have planned in the near future. And that has me pretty stoked.

Tutorial Tuesday Begins! Singed ribbon rosettes.

Hello my darlings! Look at me! I'm really trying to keep up with my schedule! I have to admit, I'm quite proud of myself really. But, I would be more proud if I had a better tutorial lined up for you. The past couple of days can only be described as "One of those days." But, just so you know, if you get hair color ALL over your white scrub pants? Hit them with your every day at home bleach bathroom and kitchen cleaner instead of the laundry prespray stuff. Let me tell you, that bathroom and kitchen cleaner? It does NOT play around. That stuff means serious business.

So, today's tutorial is from the post I made last month that showcased some headbands that were ridonkulous fun to make.

These little sugar blossoms of joy are not that time consuming. The most tedious part is cutting out all of the little circles.

And I might have gone just a teensy bit overboard. >.>

BUT LOOK AT ALL THE PRETTY COLORS!

For this project I used just your run of the mill satin ribbon. I cut out a plethora of circles in various colors and circle sizes. Then came the fun part! Sadly, I don't have any pictures of this because I was home alone and the idea of playing with an open flame with material dangling over it with one hand while trying to snap a picture in the other as my neighbor that lives below me was probably smoking while on his oxygen tank didn't really sound like a fun time to me.

Basically, I just took one of my hair clips to hold the circle over the flame of a candle. This was easier for me to control the distance I held the material and how I was turning it but easier than holding a lighter or something to do it by. Then, it was almost like roasting marshmellows. You know, where its best if you hold the fluffy white goodness out NEAR the flame and not so much INSIDE the flame.

Holding it close to, but not in the fire is how you get that nice, melted edge. Otherwise, it will turn black and singe instead of whatever it is called that it does (I'm totally up to par with technical terms and jargon...TOTALLY). It takes a little getting used to, there's no doubt about it. But once you get into a grove with it, it is quiet enjoyable, really.

Next comes the part where you get to layout your rosettes and pick how you want them to look. I did a bit of color mixing and matching today, and was pretty pleased with how some of them came out.

Once you get your order, hot glue the suckers together. I usually make a pile of the order I want, then turn it upside down so I can build up. I found the putting a dab of hot glue in the center of the bottom works better than putting it on the layer that is going down next.

(I would also like to point out my nails. Yes, they are grey and yellow with a grey design on the ring finger. I think The Daily Nail would approve.)

Once you get it all how you want it, sit back and bask in its cuteness.

But WAIT! It doesn't look finished! What do I do?!
Well, my friends. Much like with Captain Planet, the power is yours! You can put whatever tickles your pickle in the middle. I've been doing rhinestones and buttons, but anything could work. Just depends on the look you are going for.

And now that you've made a whole house load of these singed ribbon rosettes, what are you going to do with them? Anything you want! I made some rings and bobby pins that I am not going to show until I give them as presents for those that I made them for. So, you'll probably see them tomorrow. Glue them onto a headband for an adorable look. Which, as you can tell, is one of my favorite things to do with them.


Now, if I could only find a tutorial for how to keep your nail polish from chipping while doing crafts, that would be amazing. I'm in the processes of redoing four of my grey nails because of whatever reason my crafting made them chip. Sad times.

Oh well. Until tomorrow! :D

Portfolio Project, Post One

So, for those that don't already know I'm currently in cosmetology school. I'm working on my last semester before going into the nail tech classes next semester (which, I'm pretty stoked for, to be honest). In this semester we have to put together a portfolio, making it as professional as we can. Now, the main reason I got into cosmetology was because I thought it would be something good to have to go along with my theatre degree. And, well, it is. I have a plan of action, which I won't get into right now.

As for the portfolio, I am currently working on two. I'm working on one for my nails and the other will focus mainly on hair styling and makeup looks throughout the years. Mostly I'm doing things from 1900's to present, but we shall see if I toss in any other bits. So, one I realized what I wanted to do, I've been doing a lot of research on hairstyles and how to do them. Mostly, I got sucked into youtube videos. But, in the end, I found some pretty amazing channels with some very talented people.

My first portfolio look was with Stacey, a pretty awesome girl in my class. She just recently cut her bangs a bit more blunt across her forehead and instantly, I was reminded of a look that could be considered pin-up inspired or Rockabilly. For this look, I used an awesome tutorial by the ever fantastic Lisa Freemont Street. I somehow found her youtube channel and its been my best friend for the past few days. Here is the video of how to do the style I picked for Stacey.


Reverse victory rolls and curls.

A few things that I did differently on this than in the video, is that I did not use hot rollers. Which, I'm not happy about. My teacher made me use magnetic rollers and set her under the drier. These didn't make curls as soft as I wanted them, but velcro rollers wouldn't have given me the curl that I wanted in the back. Next time, I might use a mix of both, because the velcro are good for volume. But, I digress.

It took longer than I would like to admit to get the reverse rolls down, but I finally did. For my first time attempting this look, I'm please. I won't lie. Yes, there are things that bother me, but for the most part, I think it looks amazing.


She had a bit of bang that came out of no where, so I just pin curled it and sprayed it in place against the roll. This is also the better looking roll out of the two.


This side is a bit more bumpy than I would have liked, but that was because I couldn't get the breaks between rollers to go away. Something I still need to work on.


The back I had to hit up with the curling iron in the end, anyways. Which was annoying, but at least it looks good!


All in all, I'm seriously tickled with the end process. Even her makeup looks great! I honestly couldn't do it without the help of Ashley's (Lisa Freemont Street) videos. So, if you're reading this, Ashley. Thank you. Without your awesome videos I wouldn't even begin to know where to start on these looks. Knowing what tools to use is sometimes the hardest and I've learned so much by watching your videos and reading your blog.

And if you aren't Ashley, then I HIGHLY recommend checking her out. She's a self taught vintage chick. Her videos range from tutorials, to product reviews, to makeup, and so much more. I'm just getting into reading her blog and so far, I'm hooked. So, for you other vintage vixens out there, please check her out.

Until tomorrow :D

At least it wasn't a complete month, right?

Starting school again really kicks your tail. I don't care how old you are or how long you've been going to school. Its something getting used to a new schedule. Which, I know is a crappy excuse for not posting, but its true. I'm also in the process of trying to organize my entire life and starting Project Better Myself in the next bit. And because of this, I've come up with a posting schedule for my blog. I figure once I get set and all calendarized, then it will be easier to post. That way I know what I need to put up and when. Instead of just having this blank blog entry page with nothing in it. You know, because "I can get to that tomorrow."

Well tomorrow has come! And with it, a banner and new layout. :D
It also came with a few other ridiculously simple graphics.
It is also nonrefundable.

So, I would like to unveil to you my posting schedule. I'm pretty excited about it, even if I realize I'm in the minority. But, you know...whatevs. At least I have documentation of the things I've done and that's better than nothing.


Mane Event Mondays will mostly showcase something dealing with hair. Be it product reviews, styling suggestions, or portfolio pictures, it will be here. Though, I might mix it up a bit and include other things from cosmetology. You know, because Cosmetology Mondays just doesn't sound as good. And I'm all about alliteration, thank you.


Tutorial Tuesdays will showcase tutorials. Pretty self explanatory, I know. But I will also include recipes in this daily post. Because, as far as I'm concerned, if I'm telling you how to do it, then its a tutorial. So there.


Project Hump Day is a day to showcase any of the projects that I am working on or have finished in the past.


Trowback Thursdays are kind of dedicated to my friend Amber. I asked her a long while ago for some blogging tips and one of the things she suggested was something dedicated to the crafts of yore. Or, you know, primary school. So this day will showcase things from the past. Anything from revamping those school day crafts to just general childhood memories worth remembering will be fond on Thursdays.


Friday Night Links will showcase some links that I think are pretty nifty.


Wildcard Weekends are for whatever the heck I want to post about. Pretty simple, yeah?



So that is what we have to look forward to, internets. Now, let the pool begin of when my next actual post will be. *sighs* I'm shooting for Monday. For reals.

My Best Friend's Wedding...Inspiration

Ok, so no need to comment on my horrible ability to being consistent on NOT posting in my blog. We just...won't talk about that. Instead, we will cheer on the fact that I'm updating now...AND WITH PICTURES! Yeah, that's right. I said pictures. What now?

So, with a bit of backstory, one of my best friends since, well, I suppose you could say primary and middle school, though mostly high school, is getting married in a few months. And I'm one of her bridesmaids. Its pretty exciting, to be totally honest and I can't wait to see all my friends there for the big day. One of the cool things about it is that Amber is letting us pick our dresses ourselves and accessorize with gold heels and hair accessories. And, seeing has how hair accessories (and apparently nail art, but we will get to the later) are my niche, Well, I decided to take some matters into my own hands and make something pretty to wear in the wedding.
It took me a bit, but I finally found a gold ribbon that didn't look cheep or crinkly. The only thing is that it doesn't always photograph as gold. I see yellow and Amber saw orange. But, then I remind myself that I've been taking pictures with my blackberry and cellphones just don't do most photographs justice.

My original plan was to make ribbon flowers and clustering them together on a headband all prettylike. But then I kept seeing tutorials everywhere for something that involved material or ribbons, hot glue, and an open flame.

SOLD!

So, putting behind the taunting voice of my mother and Aunt Bonnie about how if you play with fire, you pee in the bed, I set forth with my crafty endeavor. I cut out various sized circle shapes out of my gold ribbon and then dangled them ever so precariously over and beside the flame, trying not to set the material on fire and just melt the edges. This gives it, what I like to call, a used, vintage look. Then, you stack the sizes one on top of the other. Instead of sewing them together, I just glued each layer, looked at it and went "It's a day!" Then I wrapped a plastic headband in the same gold ribbon and glued the flowers on top, adding rhinestones for some added pizazz.

Here is one of my finished headbands. I
I ended up making two because I kind of enjoyed the whole fire thing a bit much. :|

Another shot of the finished wedding headband.

So, yeah. I really enjoyed making the gold flowers that I went through my freshly organized shelf-o-ribbon and grabbed some other solid colors to play around with. I also did something with a paisley print that didn't turn out as well as I had hoped, though my roommate liked it quite a bit. I did the good roommate thing and gave it to her, after asking a few good handfuls of times if she was sure she liked it and really wanted it. haha

These pretty little ladies will be for sale on the website and etsy once I get some really good shots of everything.

And here's what it looks like on.
>.> Ignore the clutter of stuff on the table and the dog toys strewn about the room.
And Hannah Montana. <.<

So, that's my headband endeavor. I then was having too much fun with my ickle glue gun that I proceeded to make more headbands that will be featured later and a large number of flower hair clips and pansy ponytail bands. All in all, I made about 50 different hair accessories that night, feeling much like a one woman sweatshop. But at the end of night, I felt pretty good and quite proud.

Gettin' Off My Lazy Horse.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. I know, I know. You don't need to tell me twice that I pretty much am Webster's definition of failed blogger. In my defense, spring semester at school was ridonkulously crazy, the hair show consumed my entire life, and I'm currently getting used to my new school schedule. I just don't know what to do with myself now that I have a three day weekend. The past few Fridays, I remained in my pajamas until I realized my hygiene levels were in the red. The good news is, though, that I've been pretty darn productive lately and I have a new love and hobby. Oh, don't you worry your little head, I'm still making stuff. But, I'm making things that are super adorable and people are actually buying! AND, on top of that, Marie and I are working on a website to sell our wares. I know, I'm excited about it, too.

So far, the website is created, though the content needs to be added. Which means that tomorrow, I'm doing nothing but taking pictures then editing them as Marie puts the rest of the site together. I'm tickled with it, though. I created the banner and business cards for us both. Granted the cards only really happened because I have too many people at school that have informed me they needs cards to give people that ask about what they have purchased off me because they are interested in seeing what else I have. So, now I have adorable business cards that I can't wait to print out.

And now, a few things that you have to look forward to in the very near future. :D

• The Store website's Grand Opening.
  
• A give-away for said grand opening.
  
• Tutorials on a few crafty things I've created lately.
  
• Scheduled blogging calendar, mostly for myself so that I can stay on the ball with posting more regularly.
• Food recipes.
• LOTS of pictures.
  

A Failed Attempt at Blogging...

Ok, so I pretty much fail at the whole blogging thing so far. BUT that's also because I pretty much failed at the whole being crafty thing. Well...NOT ANYMORE! I have loads of things that I'm going to be working on as well as already started.

I've started going to school again to get a degree in Cosmetology, which takes up a lot of my day time. The good news is that this semester I get to be VERY crafty because I'm being entered into a hair show that will take place in April. I'm entering fantasy hair and avant garde hair. The fantasy will be on a human model, of which, I have an awesome model named Katherine. The avant garde will be on a mannequin. I'm pretty stoked. Especially because the fantasy will be Steampunk.

Also dealing with school, I plan on making a few fun bags for my tools and stuff. And I'm even dabbling on the idea of a tool belt, mostly because I think it would be pretty hilarious. I also want to make some wrist bands because it would be easy to store duckbill clips on while cutting hair and such. Not to mention the aprons that I have tons of material to make.

My awesome roommate, Marie, has shown me how fun it is to make jewelry and I've been messing with that a whole lot lately. Pictures of those to follow. She's also making things and we've decided to go in together to create and Etsy shop. More news on that business once it is up and running. Which, will hopefully be by the end of the weekend.

But for now, I shall away to cut out the plethora of patterns that I have before I forget about them to the point that they are pushed away for an entire year. And I don't even want to get started on all the awesome patterns I have now. lets just say, I love a good pattern sale at Joann Fabric.