Archive for free your inner artist
What IS a Non-diaper bag?
Posted by: | CommentsHere’s the thing: non-diaper bags are not just for women who have to carry around diapers! That’s the point, its for people who:
- want to be free from the diaper bag
- need a bag that can hold more than your average clutch
- are going to school and don’t want to carry a plain old backpack
- just want a personalized, beautiful bag that fits their needs
Do any of those people sound like you? Then order a non-diaper bag!
I’m coming out with new styles all the time, book club bags (whether you are in a book club or not) pool bags lined with terry cloth…and there are more to come.
So get in line, many have been ordered and many more will be made, but you had better place your order now!
Here are some samples of bags that have been made for other customers:
Large size, interior pocket panel with multiple pockets
Close up of gather pleats
Interior Pockets
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"The Skipper" Non-Diaper Bag
Front grommets and decorative rope
Front grommet detail, two exterior pockets in contrasting fabric
Interior Pocket Panel "The Skipper" Non-Diaper Bag
My Mama's Mother's Day Gift
Interior Pockets of "The Cindy"
Front Pocket "The Cindy"
"The MoMo" Book Club Tote
"The Meghan"
Magnetic Snap closure "The Meghan"
Interior 3 Pocket Panel "The Meghan"
The Non-Diaper Bag
Posted by: | CommentsAfter my daughter was born I acquired a new obsession: diaper bags. I wanted multiple styles and colors and patterns that would fit my every style and function need. I now have a closet full of diaper bags that are rarely used – why? By the time Addie was a year old I grew tired of the ol’ faithful velcro, pockets and adjustable straps. I wanted something that HID the fact that I was carrying diapers and wipes next to my lipgloss and cellphone. I no longer needed as much STUFF for Addie, but still needed something big enough to carry one of her cardigans or an extra pair of her sandals. My answer? You’re gonna be stunned: I made my ideal bag.
I call it the NON-DIAPER BAG. It’s cute. It’s stylish. It’s a little quirky. And it is still useful.
A cross body, puckered pouch bag in a chocolate and cream leaf pattern lined in valencia orange…this bag is A-MAZ-ING. Big enough to hold what I need, I can create the perfect pockets and pouches for the interior – and no one will even know about the wet wipes tucked inside!
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As much as I would love to claim that I came up with this beauty of a bag all on my own, I cannot. This pattern can be found by following this link. I am not shy to admit that patterns are not my best friends. I think they are confusing and have always had a hard time using them to create projects. So, I just sew as I go, ending up with something original every time. But THIS pattern is easy and as un-confusing as a pattern can be. I never printed anything out, I simply read the sizing instructions and followed the basic instructions. I am now hooked.
Here are some of the highlights of my non-diaper bag making process:
materials needed
Top body panels + interfacing
making the closure panel
finished magnetic snap panel
straps before turning right side out
I want all moms to feel incredible this coming Mother’s Day. If you want a mom in your life (or YOU if you want one!) to have this awesome bag, contact me and place an order. Trust my opinion? I’ll choose a beautiful color palette for your bag and surprise you! If you want something to fit your style, clue me in to your preferences:
floral or graphic patterns
specify a favorite color
small (16″ x 10″) or large (24″ x 14″ shown above)
cross body straps (36″ long) or shoulder straps (24″ long)
Want pockets? Tell me what you need to carry and I’ll create some pockets to suit your needs. Interior pockets can be added for $5, exterior pockets for an additional $5. This will be your (or her) favorite bag EVER. Trust me.
Large Bag: $45
Small Bag: $30
Contact me: katie@katieOchicago.com or click on “contact me” in the tool bar above. We will work together to make this Mother’s Day unforgettable.
all bags ordered before 4/20/10 will be honored at the promotional price of $35 for a large bag and $27 for small
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What kind of artist are you?
Posted by: | CommentsI am not a trained seamstress. I have never been to art school. I don’t use a sewing machine or study technique or know the correct name for stitches. The last art classes I took were in elementary school with Mrs. Vinzant who was inspirational and nutty and eclectic just like an art teacher should be. Do any of these things make me less of an artist?
I don’t think so.
I am unconventional and am driven my creativity and a desire to figure things out on my own. When faced with a challenge I want to come up with my own solution without patterns or instructions. If you follow my projects then you already know all of this, I don’t do things like other people. I am a fly by the seat of my pants kind of artist – my work is driven by curiosity more than anything else and every time I make something new I feel as though I have taken a layer of film from the window and my life becomes just a little bit brighter.
Does any of this make me a respected artist in the fine art community? Probably not. I have never ventured into the fold of museum quality artists to find out. An interior designer may know intricate technique but I know immediately whether a certain color combination will work and can combine contrasting patterns with ease. Would an experienced tailor be shocked by my sewing technique? Most definitely! But my methods work for me. I am quite proud of what I can accomplish with a needle, thread and a little intuition.
I know that with a few classes in painting, clothing construction, graphic design and photoshop I could develop my natural talent into something truly great – something at which other established artists would tip their hats. But as soon as I become driven more by desire for acclaim and less by passion and curiosity then I need to take a step back and reassess my status as “artist.”
So, the big question of the day is: what kind of artist are you? What reaches out and draws you to your next project, nerves tingling and dying to see the results of your work?
Redesign may not be worthy of a gallery showing, but it is something about which I am deeply passionate. So here I go, onward and upward, fueled by a need to create. Will I be trailed by accolades and awards? I don’t know, but with or without them I am still going to repaint my kitchen table and paint a mural on my living room wall.
Because that is what I do.
I am an artist.
Project: Get off my ‘case’
Posted by: | CommentsSometimes we need a case to hold things. It’s a fact. In my..case…I just bought a non-diaper bag that looks great but doesn’t have compartments inside for things I need for my two year old. One of the things it’s missing? Pockets to hold diapers. If diapers aren’t contained they unfold, get in the way and accumulate enough JUNK on them that one would never want to place them against one’s child’s skin. SO, I made a case for the diapers. Your case can hold anything, just take the basic – ridiculously easy – principle and adjust it to fit your needs.
If you are going to try and follow these instructions you have to free your mind from the constrictions of patterns — I don’t do patterns. Just grab your materials and lets get going!
The first step to SO many of my projects is to pin around your “filler” object. To do this lay your fabric out RIGHT SIDE UP – this means you want to see the side of the fabric you want showing when the project is complete. In my case, the green pattern. Now, place your “filler item” (2 diapers in this case) fold the fabric to the top of the item the pin down the sides. This creates a pouch. Here, I pinned a hem across the top of the pouch for a clean edge once it is turned right side out. I left enough fabric at the top of the pouch to create a flap closure later on.
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I chose an accent fabric in a different pattern as a liner for the inside of the flap so when the case it open it doesn’t show the stitching and the wrong side of the main fabric. After I cut the green fabric to the size I wanted for the flap I pinned a piece of accent pattern from the top of the flap to halfway down the pouch. This way, when the seams are sewn the liner will be sewn directly into the main fabric seams.
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Now, using a tight in and out stitch, sew from a bottom corner up the side to the top of the pouch hem. Don’t sew any higher yet or the flap will not work properly. Then sew along them pouch hem BE CAREFUL THAT YOU DO NOT SEW THE HEM TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE POUCH – YOU WILL SEW IT CLOSED – just sew along the fold. Once you have sewn the length of the hem, sew down the other side to the bottom corner until you hit the bottom pouch fold. Tie off your stitch.
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Now that the pocket is sewn, work on the flap. Fold the liner fabric away from the main (outer) fabric flap. Fold in the corners and top seam as though you are wrapping a gift (as seen in the picture at left) Pin down. I like to use a thin line of washable fabric glue to keep these pieces secure with clean folds until I complete the sewing.
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The “right side” of the flap in the pinning stages. This is what will show on the outside when the project is complete.
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Now fold the liner fabric so it matches the lines of the main fabric. Fold the seams inward so when the liner and main fabrics are stitched together the folds and seams are hidden. Pin to secure. The section of liner that extends past the fold of the flap should already be sewn into the seams of the pouch. Just continue the seam with a tight, even in and out stitch.
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When all seams are complete, turn the pouch inside out so the right side of the fabric is showing and the seams are hidden inside. This is what it should look like.
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If you need to make sure the pouch stays closed stitch in a snap, some velcro or a magnet closure. When you are sewing the flap closure make sure you only stitch into the liner and not through both layers of fabric, you don’t want your stitches showing on the outside of the flap.
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Here is my finished project! I have been using it non-stop and I am incredibly pleased with the result. Give it a shot on your own. I know my methods are unconventional but they are effective!
I used the same basic technique to create a lined laptop case and will soon be sewing a lined sunglass bag. Keep checking in if you’re interested in the how-to on either of those projects…coming soon!
To Be an Artist
Posted by: | CommentsThe most common response I get from people about my website? ”Sure you can do it. But I never could. I could never be an artist.”
It’s just not true! Every single person who has the desire to tap into their creative side can absolutely be an artist. The hardest part of doing what I do is coming up with the ideas, and you don’t even have to do it — I’ll do that part for you. Just give it a shot, give yourself a shot, and try one of these projects. Need some incentive? Here are some of the real life lessons that I have learned while being an artist:
- When I am doing a project I make sure that I carve out time to do it right. That means I make time in my schedule for me. There aren’t a whole lot of things that convince me to put what I want first. And I am the only one who gets in my way…once I allow myself some creative time I always feel refreshed.
- Tapping into your creative side forces your brain to work in a new, fresh way. This is never bad! Always challenge yourself to learn new things and it will be nearly impossible to feel bored with your life. My life used to be filled with external excitement: trips to Vegas five times a year, jet-setting and doing whatever we wanted whenever we wanted to do it. But I never did anything that made me feel fulfilled. When we settled down and had Addison, our life became externally slow, but I let myself BE an artist, I realized that my life is far more exciting now – without the constant trips to Vegas – because I am always finding new ways to use my brain creatively. Its exhilarating. And once I got my mind in the “creative zone” I started finding inspiration everywhere.
- It has taught me how to fail gracefully. I know, its an odd thing to praise as a huge positive, but its true. When you create things nothing is going to be perfect. Not one single thing. It’s a downside to being an artist. I challenge you to find an artist in any medium who is fully content with their work. Not likely. I’m proud of a lot of what I have done, but not one single painting or tshirt or blanket or hat has been perfect. Over time this has taught me to be appreciative of the beauty in the things I create and let go of the imperfections. I have created some full-blown failures (a painted lamp for my sister in law, a mixed media painting of Audrey Hepburn for same sister in law, various paintings I tried to sell on an old website, on and on) and some semi-failures (a three-stranded blue stone necklace for my mother in law that was perfectly my style but absolutely not hers, a painted teapot for my mom, a t-shirt for myself) that weren’t necessarily ugly like the full blown failures, but they weren’t quite right either. Learn to appreciate the beauty in the imperfect.
- Sense of accomplishment. Whether you are fixing your toilet or completing an art project, doing something yourself is so satisfying. When you make something for your home that you are going to see every single day…and you’re proud of it…there is little that compares to that pride in knowing you don’t need to hire someone else to finish a job. Figuring out how to solve a problem and then doing it is one of my favorite things about being a redesign artist. I love it.
- One of the greatest benefits of being an artist? You have the license to be weird! You want to dye your hair odd colors or cover a wall with empty frames? Do it! The response will (almost) always be, “Well, she’s an artist.” Even if people don’t quite understand why you make the decisions you do – in art, decorating or life – its okay because most people automatically put artists on a different scale of expectations. And they should, because living creatively requires a whole different state of mind and set of rules. Revel in it, its a wonderful way to live.
So take the plunge, do an art project. There are so many benefits beyond the obvious. Find that artist hiding in there and let it out! I’ll help you figure out what to do once you accept the fact that you can be artistic, but you have to give yourself a chance first. Consider it a Christmas gift!
Exploring Colors
Posted by: | Comments
IMPORTANT: I don’t want to lose you on this because you think its boring. If you are interested in USING colors but not the mixing of colors and background info, skip down to USING COLOR.
Lesson One: The History of Color Theory
Just kidding, I’m not going to give you homework on who first wrote about the application of color theory (Leone Battista Alberti c.1435 and good ol’ Leo da Vinci c.1490) But I do think its important to understand some basics about color before you start choosing the shades you want on your living room wall or even in the scrap fabric you use to embellish a t-shirt.
First off, lets talk about the basics.
There are three words I want you to read and then store away in the back of your head: saturation, lightness and hue. Saturation = intense vs. dull
Lightness (or value) = white vs. black or light vs. dark
Hue = green, blue, red, purple or orange.
The only reason I want you to have those words knocking around in there is so you know what to ask for at a paint store, or what someone is talking about in what color they have chosen. Lesson one = complete.
Lesson Two: What Colors Work Well Together
Have you ever seen a color wheel? Well, here you go: 
The red, blue and yellow spots are primary colors.
Mixing primary colors results in secondary colors, which fill the spaces between primary colors (red + yellow = orange, blue + yellow = green, blue + red = purple (or violet)
Further mixing secondary colors results in filling the rest of the spaces on the wheel, these are tertiary colors (yellow-orange, red-orange, red-violet, blue-violet, blue-green and yellow-green.
With all the colors in place, the color wheel resembles a rainbow. Refer to the wheel as a visual guide when figuring out complementary and contrasting colors…right now!
USING COLOR
Complimentary (aka contrasting) Colors: Simple answer? The complimentary colors are found opposite one another on the color wheel (red/green, yellow/purple, blue/orange) Ever wonder why the Vikings, the Broncos and well, Christmas have such popular, memorable colors? They naturally compliment each other!
If you choose complimentary colors, the result will ALWAYS be pleasing to the eye. Remember that you can use different saturations of a color you like on the wheel. Like the green/red combo? Use sage green and mediterranean inspired brick red. Maybe you like the blue/orange compliment, try french blue and deep gold for a provencal feel. Choosing contrasting colors will make the colors you choose stand out more vibrantly.
Analogous Colors: This just entails choosing colors that are near one another on the wheel. I think of these color combinations as harmonious and easily to blend. If your color choice is yellow, then pairing it with red and orange will create a soft, warm look. Like purple? Choose a royal blue and teal to go with it and you’re golden…well, not golden – you’ve got a great color combo.
WARM vs. COOL
Everyone has a natural tone to their appearance. I am a warm person. And I don’t mean that I have a kind heart and an easy demeanor (though I like to think I do) I tend to look better in warm colors because they highlight the undertones of my skin and (natural) hair color. Cool tones don’t work as well on me. Want to know if you’re cool or warm? Click here)
WARM COLORS: these are made up of the red hues (pink, tangerine, salmon, gold, brick, brown etc) These are usually associated with warmth, comfort and energy.
COOL COLORS: these are made up of the blue hues (teal, grass green, navy, pea green, turquoise etc) Cool colors are soothing, calming, and tend to anchor color schemes.
Want some visual examples instead of all this wordy-ness? Here ya go…
this example is more monotone - warm yellow on warm sienna on black. Not much color contrast but a pleasing result.
yellow lemons (warm) POP against the green leaves and blue sky (cool)
warm orange on warm red result in a blending of color, but the pair POP against light background
Seriously, you can do it.
Posted by: | CommentsTwo days ago I attended a luncheon with an awesome group of ladies. While waiting for the speakers to get situated I was talking to a friend of mine – incredibly talented, charismatic, huge heart and a beautiful sense of style. We were explaining this website to some other women at the table and as I described how I wanted to show people how to “free their inner artist” and teach them to create the same kind of art I create, Sandy (the aforementioned friend) stopped me and said, “Now Katie, do you really think I can create one of those jackets?” She was referring to one of the customized blazers I make – she has two – where I take a plain blazer or sweatshirt and then completely transform it into a “wearable piece of art” with buttons, piping, phrases, words, hand-sewn appliques…the options are endless. Anyway, I think that I can teach people how to create their own customized jacket with an instructional post on this blog. She disagreed.
“Of course I think you could do it!” I exclaimed, as she looked skeptically back at me. “With the right instructions, I think I could her the idea across and hopefully get people to tap into their own creativity.” With a wave of her lovely manicure she responded, “They may be able to do it, but it won’t be the same.”
She’s right, I admit. But just because it won’t be the same, doesn’t mean that mine are better. This is the great thing about art – and this doesn’t just apply to the jackets – there is no one judging you. no one looking over your shoulder telling you you’re wrong. just do what looks right to you, what feels right, and it will be awesome. I have started so many projects that, halfway though, I end up taking apart because they just aren’t what I envisioned. My stitches are basic, my techniques very much my own. I don’t follow anyone’s rules or try to live up to anyone’s expectations. I am an artist for the sake of creating beautiful and quirky pieces.
There are always going to be naysayers and people who thrive on giving you negative feedback. Ignore it. The rewards of being creative and actually creating far outweigh the possible criticism out there. And trust me, once you create your own piece of art and have it hanging on your wall, or you sew your own customized blazer, people’s jaws will drop when they realize you did it yourself.
So try it. Just give it a shot. If you hate it, you don’t ever have to paint or sew or tape or decorate ever again. But I bet you find something you enjoy somewhere on this site. Just try…and be proud of your results!
Design Outside the Box…Follow Your Gut
Posted by: | CommentsI could happily live in a Restoration Hardware…
…but not for very long. I love just about everything about home decorating stores like Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel and Z Gallery. Every time I walk through the doors I am knocked sideways by inspiration; the colors, the furniture, the light fixtures. Oh, it drives me crazy. My poor husband has come home from many work trips to find his home looks completely different from day he left. One thing he will never find when he walks through the door is a replication of a decor store display.
Whether you are decorating your home for the first time or redecorating for the thirtieth time, take a chance and step outside the box. As beautiful as the displays are at retailers, and as easy as it seems to just buy every item they have put together then copy and paste it into your living room, there’s no you in it. Sure, it’s chic and lovely to look at, but does it make you feel like you put your signature on the room? Probably not.
If you’re interested in making your mark on your own home, here are some tips:
When you walk into the decor stores, walk around and pay attention to what really makes you react. Does anything make you stop and take a breath? Maybe it’s a color combination or the way they arranged items on a side table. Pay attention and file those ideas away (or write them down, or do what I do and take a picture on your phone)
I loved this pattern on a lamp at Anthropologie
Now, before you buy anything, go home and take inventory of what you have around the house. Find things in those awesome colors that struck a chord with you, take that sculpture from your entry hall, the lamp in your office and a stack of books from your family room and put them on a side table together. Now, build from there. Go back to the stores and be inspired – then go home and shop in your own closets and storage spaces. Unless you are either a minimalist or extremely disciplined, we all have stuff tucked away around the house that we have completely forgotten.
As you’re looking through your own stuff for your store-inspired look, keep an eye out for things that draw a double-take. I’ll bet you find some buried treasures in there. When you finally find the things you want to bring out into daylight again, play with how you arrange things in the room. Do you have a lot of empty frames? So did I, rather than filling them with photos or artwork, I took ALL the empty frames and arranged them over the fireplace as an art piece. Arrange them in varying sizes and shapes, as though you are putting a puzzle together and the result is quirky, yet incredibly interesting.
Figuring out how to insert your personality into your surroundings not only makes your home feel more inviting, but helps you recognize the things you really appreciate about yourself. Take notice of those things that are great about you. Have you figured out that your design style is quirky? Think about that as you get dressed…adding a little quirk in your wardrobe will make you feel more confident and comfortable in your own clothes. The same goes for classic, tailored, funky, preppy, surfer…whatever your style, use it throughout your life.
So, find your style. Rock your style. And feel great about your impact on your surroundings.
Have fun!
When Life Gives You Lemons…
Posted by: | Comments…what are you going to do with ‘em?
“I’m not crafy. I’m not creative. Sure, she says that I can do this at home, but she’s an artist – I’m not. It’s not going to be the same.”
When it comes to trying something new, some people do everything they can to convince themselves that they will fail. PLEASE DON”T DO THAT! Here’s the great thing about katieOchicago projects…you don’t have to be perfect. The projects can be a guide for sparking your creativity OR you can follow the steps to the letter and rely on my creativity; either way, in the end you have created something really incredible. And if you try a project and it’s not perfect – so what! Try again or take the ‘imperfections’ and use them to personalize the project. There are no rules and no judges; just you and your creativity.
I’ll be honest, some projects are easier than others. You might want to redesign a pair of your shoes; if you have basic sewing knowledge it will be a breeze! Maybe you aren’t interested in “manual labor”, it’s possible that you will want to stick with the design tips and tricks and learn about simple changes in your pillow or drapery choices can transform a room. Either way, give yourself a chance – I bet you’ll surprise yourself with what you can accomplish. There’s a little artist in all of us, let me help you find yours.
If you love a project but don’t have time, or you have no interest in doing it yourself, contact me and we can get you the results you crave and you’ll never have to touch a needle and thread! Send me an email and we’ll set it up so I create the project for you…what a great deal, huh?
Keep an eye out for new projects…I guarantee you’ll find one that sparks your interest and makes use of all that extra stuff taking up space around your home. When life gives you lemons…what are you going to do with them? Sure, you can make lemonade. But I hope you choose to be unconventional, step out on that limb and use those whole lemons as a centerpiece, or slices of dried lemon as a mobile, or paint lemons on your kitchen table – the possibilities are limitless.
Next up? Re-create your boring t-shirts by destroying OTHER boring t-shirts (basic sewing knowledge required)
