Miss Mini Munny Revealed!

I showed off my blank mini munny a couple of weeks ago, so it became time i spend some time actually decorating her. I tried and learned through mistakes. I had fun along the way. So much that i know i will definitely get myself a second one and go at it again in the near future!
For now, let me take you through my progress with Miss Munny.
1. I started out drawing drawing my basic ideas on her.
2. Then i took out my favorite markers and started adding color. But oh no, it didn't cover as intense as i wanted it to.
3. Hold on, i got a different set of professional markers, sent to me a long time ago by kate from udream2, maybe they would do the trick. Okay, better. But the thing i don't like with markers is the stripes they leave. You could of course turn that into some sort of pattern, but it wasn't what i was after. Plus it didn't dry quickly, so it stained my fingers and then the doll where i was holding her.
4. This is where my Genius Husband comes in, hey babe, why don't you use nailpolish? Nailpolish?! That would work! It covers well, it dries fast and it gives a pretty shine! So off running to the 99cent store to grab lots of bright colors and i was ready to finish Miss Munny!

After i added all the color i decided she could use some jewelry. A glued on a button flower in her hair and a remnant of an old necklace.
I pretty much like how she ended up, although i would like the lines to be more perfect and she has some blotches on her face (from step 3). Next time, i will move straight from the sketch to the nailpolish!

Reunited with my cuteness

It has been a long time ago that i made my cutest creation. Going back through my blog i can't believe i almost had to go back to the beginning! It was January 2006!
When i moved to NY i had to leave my lovely pillow back in Amsterdam. She would have filled up an entire suitcase and space was precious!
Recently, when my parents came over for a visit, they brought her with them! So i'm finally reunited with my cuteness.
Plus it gives me a kick in the but to get going and finish the new versions i so excitedly started a while ago.

Is it Candy?

Is it a bowl of candy? I think it looks like something sweet you would like to eat.
But no, in this house a bowl of colorful sprinkles is just a bowl filled with paper scrappies left over from making a bunch of new spiral bound journals!

I made a whole stack of them, most are already up in the notebook section of my Etsy shop, or waiting to be put up, or already sold!
Hope you love!

Washcloth cupcakes

I had a couple of colorful washcloths around and a little bit of spare time. (=time that i wasn't feeling like spending on things from my todo list)
Add a bit of trim, some beads and other embellishments and tada: Washcloth cupcakes!
These would make a perfect baby shower gift i think. Would these sell on Etsy? Hm. I think i should do some research. I bet i'm not the first one to make these. But who knows, we'll see. Do share you're thoughts!

Six cute and colorful notebooks

Finally, here are the pictures of the notebooks i made recently. I really like how they came out.
Link to Etsy listing.

For most of them i used photos of vintage interiors as the background and edited my own illustrations in them. This deer has found herself a very vintage livingroom to live in!
Link to Etsy listing.

Then again, this blue bear and its birdie friend wanted to play in a lovely park today.
Link to Etsy listing.

I'm thinking of adding a personal page on the inside cover for my second batch. What do you think? You know, one of those pages where you can write down your name and such.
Link to Etsy listing.

I might also switch the spiral to the side instead of the top. Not sure about that yet.
Link to Etsy listing.

Obviously, there will also be full frontal shots in the Etsy listings! I will add links to the listings here as soon as i have put them up in the shop. Done!
Link to Etsy listing.

Getting soapy at Etsy

I'm having somewhat of a busy week, busy in a good way. But I keep thinking i have to blog about my visit to Etsy!
This last Monday, my friend Diana taught a soapmaking class at the Monday craft night at the Etsy Labs. We had fun. I ended up sort of being her personal assistant, which basically meant i had the privilige to cut up the soap to be melted. Somebody had to do it... hihi. And i did get help from some of the people who attended the workshop. Oh, there also was a camera crew of one of the evening news channels. They did a feature on Etsy. Allthough i just had a new haircut, i tried to stay away from the camera's angle. No, not necessarily camera shy, but c'mon, i was cutting up a big piece of soap in a bucket. Not exactly how i envisioned my moment of fame. Lol.

I promise to post shots of my journals later today or tomorrow morning! They will go up on my Etsy shop of course too! And i also have some photos and experiences to share about my Shrinky dink adventures. Coming up!

Colorful Journals

Having fun with my Bind It All machine! How pretty does this stack of new journals look? I'm really happy with how they came out. I still have to make separate product pics, but i already wanted to share this with you all. I wanted to give them something extra, so i added pretty ribbons with a bead on the end as a bookmark. The covers will be revealed soon, i really hope you like them as much as i do!

Bind it All

I think i quickly mentioned it already, but i got myself a Bind It All Machine! It's pink, it's easy, it works terrific, and did i say it's pink? ;)
I am in love.

The two journals in the photo were test cases, one will go to a friend back home in the Netherlands and the other will stay here with me. I am prepping a lot of cover images so i'll be making more of these to put up in my shop. Stay tuned for more binditall adventures!

Shrinky Charms and crafty afternoon

I was so in need of new inspiration and what better than nice company and new craft techniques? Yesterday i had the pleasure to visit the lovely Diana of Sweet Buddha Designs. We tried out my new Bind it All Machine (more on that in a later post) and she taught me how to make paper beads using embossing powder and a heat gun! You understand, now i want to get a heat gun!

Today was another new craft technique day, or better said, very old craft technique day. The mailman didn't only deliver an order of new wool felt for me this morning, he also had a package with Shrink Plastic for me! You might remember this from back in the day, i know i made shrinky dink charms as a little girl and today i gave it another try. You see the tiny charm in the middle, with the deer stamp on it? That was my first test piece. It's very cute, but i won't be able to use it as a charm, because obviously not only the design shrinks with heat, the hole that you would put a jump ring through also shrank! Now it's too tiny to put anything through... Always good to do a testpiece. I am a bit confused why with some pieces the white background turned out a bit yellowish, maybe i kept the charm in the oven too long? Anyone knows? Now that i have the shrink plastic i obviously have another reason to get that heatgun. I have a feeling that the way the pieces shrink is more controllable with a heatgun than in the oven. Especially since my oven doesn't have a front window, so i have to open it to check if the charm is ready..

I will try out some things to get some kind of (glossy) seal on the charms. I don't really like the feel of the charms as they are now. Strange, i remember the shrinkies from the past being very smooth. Maybe the ones that you can't run through your printer still are? Got some research to do.

Lady Wall art

My plan always is to first show finished crafts here before i potentially list them on Etsy. But i guess most of the times it's the other way around.
It can be because of the excitement to get it out there as soon as something is finished, or maybe because after finishing it takes me a little bit to gather my thoughts about it and be able to show and tell on my blog.

Like this piece. Maybe you recognize the illustration from when i entered it in the Tigerprint Fashion Illustration Competition.
You know, i really love it, but i do think that if i would enter a similar competition right at this moment, it would look totally different. Reminds me to make more time and spend it making illustrations. There are so many ideas floating in my mind, i just don't know where to start i guess.
But back to this new piece, so i transferred the illustration onto white wool felt. And then i embellished it. Added the bead necklace and the fabric flower, embroidered a backstitch line around the woman's hair.
I took the glass out of the pink frame. I like the way the contrast stands out between the soft felt and the smoothness on the illustration. And you couldn't have the flower and the beads with the glass in it.
Hope you like!

Things i Love today - V Day Special!

photo taken on the streets of Fort Green, Brooklyn - 2005

My Husband, White Jasmine Flowers, Japanese Rice Cakes, Twitter, Embroidery Floss, Adobe Illustrator, YOGI TEA, new friends, Etsy Feedback, love letters, spring-like days, OBAMA, Baby Bunnies, vintage children's books, i promise, PINK BIKES, HomeMade Cookies, bargains, Old Friends, chinatown, SUNSHINE, All Purpose Glue,
And Of Course: LOVE!

Hope everyone is having a lovely Valentine's day! In honor of V-Day i've got a free printable for you! Inspired by the Nani Bird i designed a while back, i now introduce to you: Make your own papercraft "I Love Milk - Kitty Carton"! Click the link, print the pdf (card stock paper works best), cut and fold as to the instructions provided. Glue sides together and you're done! If there are any questions, just let me know! It's fun, fast and easy to do! It's not yet perfect (i could have made the fold lines less visible on the design), next time (yeah! there will be a next!) i will make adjustments! For now, enjoy!

PS I would love to see pictures if you made your milkcarton! Email them to me, or put them on your blog ok?

T-shirt Wall Art

Remember this? A while ago i showed a work in progress photo. No, it didn't take me forever to finish this project, i just kept forgetting to take photos.
Here it is standing on the living room side table, which holds most of my inspirational craftbooks too.

And here it is hanging on the wall above my desk. A little my melody figurine found her way on top of it. She lives there now.

Fred Flare Valentines

The Snail Mail Valentines Cards for Charity are now available on the Fred Flare website!
They made a special illustrated edition of the Fred Flare show showing some of the hundreds of Valentines! And i am very excited that my card is included too! Can you spot it?

(pssst: enter discount code "love" at checkout now and get free shipping on any purchase!)

Make your own Ismoyo NaniBird

Recently i did a design for a NaniBird. If you want to have your own Ismoyo "Cherry Love" NaniBird, you can download a template for free, print, and cut and fold it. The templates are very clear, but there are additional tips for making your birds on the site under 'info'. You will find lots more bird designs there too, you can make a whole birdy family! If you like, you can even add a photo of your bird to the NaniBird Flickr Pool.

Download Ismoyo NaniBird LTR size or A4 size.

Edit: I would love to see your finished Ismoyo NaniBirds, you can post them on Flickr, but i would love it if you would send me a picture too! contactATismoyo.com

Another Secret Project

Me and my secret projects. I am really not one to have a lot of secrets, but there are these kind of projects you are working on that might lead to something great and wonderful, but until everything is for sure, you can't really say anything about it. Thus a secret project. But since it actually can lead to amazing things, i am excited and bursting to tell all about it. But i can't. I would not want to jinx it. So here you go, a sneak preview.

Making It Ends Here

The first installment of the Making It series on the Heart Handmade Blog ends here. 11 Weeks of sharing. It has been fun. Did i "Make It"? I don't know. I'm still working. Will i ever feel like i made it? I guess not. There will always be a new project to work on, a new craft to learn.
These weeks flew by and the Friday Posts became a moment for me to put the breaks down and sit and think of what to share. I do that every time i blog about something, but these Making It posts felt like they needed to be extra-interesting.

Looking back it have been good weeks for me, my first craftbook got released, i got a couple of wonderful online features, an interview in a Japanese NY Newspaper, made a lot of new illustrations, worked on my shop and did a lot of pre-work for possible future projects. It felt good to share all these highlights with my loyal readers and the new visitors that found me through the Heart Handmade blog. *waves hello!*

Marichelle of HH has been a lovely hostess, thank you girl for setting this up. If you are so lucky that she contacts you to participate in a possible second Making It series, go for it! It will be a fun ride. One that i will miss. Making It might be over, but my blog will still be here in it's regular form. Until the end of the year the posts will be a bit sporadic, but believe me when i say that as of January 1st it will be full steam ahead!

Flowers and hoops

Isn't a sale at the local craft store one of the best things? I stocked up on embroidery hoops and small fabric flowers. Pretty!

Happy December!

Wallart in progress

One of those work in progress projects that was re-discovered during my autumn organizing!

Embellished wallart!
Finished pictures soon.

Finding New Inspiration

Maybe it makes sense that you first have a couple of blah and boring days before you are hit with new inspiration.

I feel i have lost a lot of time on nothing most part of this week. Not a good thing. I'm relieved that i am currently hit with new creative ideas and some fun projects to work on. Guess this was just one of those weeks that i wasn't really satisfied with myself. If i would have had a boss, he or she would definitely raised an eyebrow this week. Like, Issey, what's up? Lost your groove?

I think what changed it around was when i started re-organizing my desk and craft supplies. I like a good amount of nicknacks around for inspiration, but when it gets too much and it also gets messy it is cluttering. Cleaning up feels like uncluttering my mind. And going trough my supplies brings a lot of new ideas.
So there's not much to tell besides that i'll be doing some more re-organizing in search of order and inspiration.

What do you do when in need of inspiration?

Getting samples ready

I mentioned before that i will be contributing to the Sampler next month. I am busy getting sample packs ready with vintage image magnets. They look so pretty all stacked up on my desk, there is a part of me that just wants to keep them all! But how many magnets does one person really need? (i must say since i moved to the US i am very happy with the large refrigerators they have here, so much space to put magnets on!!)

Making It!

If you have visited the Heart Handmade Blog this past week you might have read about it already: "The Making It series". Today, finally, i can announce that i'm honored to be part of this series. I love the passionate subtitle of it: "Four designers. For stories. One common goal... To make it in the world of handmade."

I can't promise you that after the 12 weeks that this series will run, i will 'have it made', but i will promise you to give some more insight as to what i'm doing in regards to my crafts and my business. The ups and downs. The struggles and the positive breaks.

Read my introduction here and also visit the other designers involved, Dana, Tina and Kristina.

Sticker sets

I used some of the images from the vintage Dutch comics to make stickersets. Kinda like how i made the magnets. I also gave them a protective coating, but instead of magnet backing, these obviously have sticker backings.

Top left: Size: 2.25 x 3"
Translation: "Gosh! I didn't know that! Auntie saves all her papers behind locks." "Leny wouldn't care about one lock!"
Top right: Size: 4 x 2.75"
Translation: "I'm sure that she took something and still i'm not missing anything. Hey, wait a second..."
Bottom left: Size: 2.5 x 1.75"
Bottom right: Size: 4 x 2.5"
Translation: "On Saturday when Judith and Leny arrive for the major sports game..." "Hear the crowd! Look who is busy!" "Wow! Frida! We have two good athletes instead of one!"

Top left: Size: 3.25 x 2.75"
Translation: "I would want to get those ten bucks back that i lent her last month." "You know, i have a date with that guy that moved into our street recently."
Top right: Size: 3 x 2.5"
Translation: "And i threw in immediately..." "And i know that you find me irresistible too! Just like when you asked me out to the movies."
Bottom left: Size: 2.5 x 3"
Translation: "Why can't a boy be on time for once! Gone with that worthless thing!"
Bottom right: Size: 2 x 3.25"
Translation: "But that waiting for him... horrible. I don't wish that to my worst enemy, what do i say, no even to Dorien Snijders. Besides, if it takes too long he won't smell my 'Lucky Spell' anymore."

Top left: Size: 1.75 x 1.75"
Translation: "Hurry up snow shufflers!" I need and will go to Jeroen's house!"
Top right: Size: 2.25 x 2.25"
Translation: "It was horrible what he told and i felt sorry, for him, for those unhappy people and for myself..."
Bottom left: Size: 1.5 x 2"
Translation: "Oooo!"
Bottom right: Size: 2.25 x 2.25"
Translation: "I couldn't believe it..." "So... than i'm rich!" "Yes... twenty thousand pound!"

The first two sets are made from original images, for the last set i used repro images.

Fan with a face

The work in progress that i posted yesterday turned into this. A fan with a face! Like pimp your fan. It is so hot in NY, enough with all the heatwaves already! So we bought another fan for our house. My Love is the best. Why? The first thing he said when i had assembled the fan was "You know it needs a face." I do. I know.

This is what happened the next day. Obviously i hadn't found the time to make a face for the fan yet. So Love took it upon himself to use a sharpie and draw a face! He was trying to make a point here. Baby, please make a face for our fan. Ok, we're crazy like that.

So easy-peasy, while watching a movie, the fan got a face. I know (or do i hope?) there are people out there who understand a fan needs a face. ;)

If you're anything like me and my Love and you want to give your fan a face, it's real easy.
Here is a fast "revamp- your-fan-tutorial":
Dive into your fabric scrap stash, cut a circle as big as the plastic inner circle on the front of the fan. On most fans you can easily take this off, so trace around it for the right size. I used some embellishment glue to attach a white felt circle onto the plastic fan circle. Next i did a quick sketch of how i wanted the face to look like. I cut pieces of felt in the shape for the eyes, brows and mouth and used fabric glue to attach them to the main circle. Place the whole thing back onto the center of the fan and voila! A fan with a face.

I'm thinking of maybe even adding something to the actual fans inside. Not sure what that will do to the breeze, if anything. If i do expand this fan revamp, of course i'll show it here.

Ismoyo Stamp

My latest adventure in stampmaking. I wanted to make a stamp for the girl that is currently residing on my site layout. I know most people draw their stamp designs on paper first and then transfer those images to the rubberstamp, but i tend to like to skip certain parts of the process. I'm a big fan of saving time where ever i can. So i drew the girl right on the stamp.

This is how it turned out after a lot of careful carving. With the thin lines on the stamp i was a bit scared to put too much ink on, i didn't want it to bleed, but as you see, i should have put a tiny bit more on it. Wouldn't it be cute if i would stamp her on all packages i send out?

I am very happy with my new stamppads. I got the Palette Hybrid in a red tone and a green one. You can use the ink on any surface, Hybrid, so it works on paper and fabric! Haven't tested it on fabric yet, but soon will.

Edit: Tess had a good question, what size this stamp is. Sorry forgot to include that earlier. It's 3 inch high, like 7,5 cm.

500+ Giveaway Goodies!

EDIT: Thank you for all your comments! Winners will be announced tomorrow!

I announced it before, my 500th post giveaway! Did i really share 500 posts with you all? It has been a lot of fun. A big thank you to all my loyal readers is in order. I so appreciate you all. The ones who drop by daily, and the ones who stop by every now and then. Those who leave comments and those who send sweet encouraging emails. Those who just read and enjoy in silence. I am grateful to you all. I feel blessed that this blog has brought me so many things, i got involved in new creative projects that i would otherwise had not, i met some great people from all over the world, i love you all. There are those kind people with such big hearts to wish me well when life is hard, and who cheer me on when things go great. Thank you. All those who send me surprise packages just because they thought i would enjoy it. I did! You are so kind.

Now it's my time to give back. 500th posts. That's a lot. In my book at least. So i'm doing a 'Times Five Giveaway'. Five packages, five recipients. The only thing you have to do is leave a comment here and if you happen to have a preference let me know your first (and second) choice of package you would like to receive.
It doesn't matter if you comment here a lot or have never left me a message before, i will randomly choose the lucky winners on Monday the 16th. If you don't have a blog, pls make sure to leave an email address so i can reach you!

EDIT: It seems most of you are loving all the cuteness (hello kitty seems to be a favorite) so i'm thinking i'll throw some additional sweet things in the other packages too. Just to make you happy!

A lot of cute paper goodies in a Sanrio Usa Hana drawstring bag. You like scrapbooking or other paper crafts? You might be able to use the Japanese origami paper or Chinese papers. There is a Petit Petty San-x Notebook, very cute paper strips to make lucky stars, a vintage looking postcard and a blowup paper balloon.

Or go for package number 2. Kawaii all around. Stickers, a little blue plush, Little twin stars hanger, San-x pencil and hand towel, a leather cinnamoroll keychain, and Hello Kitty candy necklace and mouse pad. Is this all for you?

Do you want this blue elephant tote bag from San-X Sweet face line? Included are a bunch of stickers, two pretty illustration postcards, a cute pencil and notepad and two vintage postcards by 'Jaklien'.

You like reading and home decorating? Three books that you might like. Instantly accessorize everyday objects with Terri O's Easy Embellishing, personalize your living space with Embellish your home and design your dream pad with Home Swell Home. Hope you enjoy!

Just want to be crafty? A cute cross stitch package, vintage ribbon and zippers, blue feathers, decorative green felt band, fabric, a star applique, some buttons and bells and a pack of D-rings.

Now i'm just hoping there will be at least five people entering my giveaway... ;)

Kokeshi stamp

Showing my stamp making progress. Tried to turn a Kokeshi doll into a stamp. Left out the facial features. Which i drew in on one stamped version. I think if i would use this stamp i should do that. Draw the face. Could make it cute.
The scribblings on the paper is what happens when you leave your paper next to the computer and Love needs something to write on..

Apple stamping

I really like making rubberstamps. Still need to get a better hang of it. Practice makes better and time will tell.

Mail sent and mail received

Yesterday was a wonderful mail day. I got some mail sent out and there was some mail received. By me and by people who were waiting to get something from me.
First of all, Suki has been sent on to the first part of her journey!

Then there was the email from Mandy saying that she received my Pay it Forward crafts. I made her two mini (3"x3") fabric art pieces. One with one of my illustrations turned into a felt applique and one with a felt flower on the front. I added two bottlecap magnets with images taken from my vintage postcard collection.
More surprises arrived at new homes. I did a cute and crafty swap with Roxanne and she got the goodies I've sent her. I don't have a picture of all the goodies i put in the box, but do have a picture of what i made for her. I felted this little bear like animal for her. I found this pretty box which made a perfect little home, it fitted like a glove!


Last month i was the very lucky winner of this gorgeous milk glass set from the wonderful blog at happydash! It took awhile for it to arrive here, due to the wonderful service at my local post office (yes, this is sarcastic).
But let's say it was just to build up anticipation and my joy was even greater when it finally did arrive! It is soooo gorgeous i can't even explain. The two cups and plates with their lovely prints and the shape of the plates resemble painters tablets. Oooohhh... loving it, thank you Tonya for spoiling me with these!
And i got even more spoiled when i opened up a surprise package from Jonah of Maluhia Designs. The prettiest and cutest fabric! I really needed to catch my breath for a second. I can't think of any crafty project that is so wonderful that i will be able to really cut in these fabrics. But i'm also aware they are meant for me to use. Maybe one day i'll think of something. Thank you sooo much for this amazing treat!

JCaroline's Fabrics

Have you got your fabric fix today? Let me say i Adore the J Caroline Creative online store. And i am feeling so lucky that Caroline has sent me lovely fabrics to use on some of the projects in my upcoming book! The shop makes me feel like a kid in a candystore, so many gorgeous pretty fabrics. And if all the patterns are not enough, there is also a page with a lot of project ideas and tutorials!
Go go go get your fabrics and inpiration!