Photos from M55 Opening

I wasn't able to attend the opening on Thursday night, but some helpful people sent me photos of the event. I'm very happy with the lighting, and it seems like there were a lot of people in attendance!

Popup Installation

I installed the city popups at M55 yesterday, and took some quick photos of the setup. There are 4 along one wall and two by the guestbook table.

Architectural Popups for M55

I've been working really hard making large-scale city popups for an upcoming show at the M55 gallery in Queens. The show's opening reception is on the 23rd of September, from 6-8pm.
Add that to your calendar:

The gallery's site doesn't have information yet for some reason, but I hope it will soon. Here are some photos of the pieces I've been working on for the installation:

Fabric Coasters

I recently acquired a few bags of fabric scraps and have been devising things to do with them. One thing that we always need in our house is coasters; making coasters has been a project of mine since we moved in, but I could never really figure out an effective method. We did purchase some cheap plastic and cork ones, but I'm pretty sure the plastic scratches the glass coffee table. I tried sewing together some squares of fabric, and I think they're great as slightly rustic drink coasters. They work well to soak up condensation, and they don't scratch glass or wooden surfaces. I'm thinking of making some backed in felt and selling them in sets of three or so.

Wall-Mounted Pop-ups

For the last craft fair I brought out some new horizontal book-style popups. I find them easier to design and cut than the original ones, and I think they evoke a city more convincingly. 

The double ones also have the advantage of being easy to mount on a wall. I mostly market the popups as cards, but since so much work goes into designing and cutting them I would rather just display them as art than write notes on them. 

I will be putting up an installation of popups in this format (but bigger and more detailed!) at M55 gallery in New York in two weeks. The show opens on the 23rd; more details will be posted later, but save the date!

More Watercolor Maps

I've decided to experiment with making maps entirely using watercolor. I use watercolor pencils to allow a little more control, although I'm thinking of using regular watercolor instead -- the effect may actually end up being less blurry. I just completed one in shades of green and am currently working on one in blue and purple.

Site Redesign!

If you happened to be checking out my site at 1am you might already know this, but for the rest of you, I am pleased to present my brand-new website design! Just click on the link to view. It will have more categories and a news section so that you can be up-to-date with my newest events without having to check the blog constantly. Of course, this will still be the place for works in progress, so keep checking the blog as well. Next up will be watercolor maps, horizontal pop-ups and fabric coasters!

Watercolor Maps

In my constant search for new kinds of maps to draw, I've been experimenting with adding watercolor to my maps. It's very coloring-book right now, but I am hoping to try some watercolor washes as well. I do like the way that it shows the different geographic elements.

The first experimental map:

and a large 9x12 map in progress:

Paper Party in Union Square

Next Saturday (August 14) I will be at the Paper Party craft fair in Union Square from 3pm to 7pm selling entirely paper creations! The whole fair is paper-themed; see more of the vendors here. I plan to bring paper bead jewelry, tissue paper brooches and pop-ups. If there's another paper product you'd like to see, feel free to mention it in the comments! I know I must be missing something...

Add this event to your Google Calendar so you don't forget!

Men's Polo Shirt Refashion

I recently acquired a huge polo shirt as a giveaway, and figured I would see what I could do with it.

First I took the sleeves off with seam rippers. Then I tried it on and put pins in the sides at my bust and waist to mark where to cut. I drew a curve (with silver sharpie on the right side of the fabric -- not recommended!) to connect the points and then cut.

I hemmed the sleeves to the point where the side seam would start, then stitched the seam. I had to make some adjustments for a nice flare, but I think it turned out surprisingly well!

Now I just need to work on taking out (or just covering up) that logo, and find some projects for the fabric scraps!