So much fun happend, we ran into comedian Dave Chappell at MacWorld, and I got some awesome fun new gadgets for my iPad, iPhone and software for my iMac. Including, new stylus pens and paintbrushes for my iPad, a cool attachable camera for the iPhone that lets you take Fisheye shots, wide-angled shots, and macro shots with your iPhone. I bought a little plastic deal that connect to your iPad that moves the sound from the back of your iPad forward towards you which makes the sound loud. If you have an iPad or iPhone you’ve done the whole hand cupping around the speakers…well this solves that.

My favorite the Mimobot people were there! They have the cuuuuutest USB drives, custom designed to be awesome pop-culture characters. Last year I bought a Hello Kitty one, and this year I bought a Emily the Strange, Darth Vader, Chewy, and Wonder Woman drives. And I received a awesome Darth Vader t-shirt with my purchase. I got a new keyboard for my iPad that is separate and connects to any blue tooth device like your phone, Apple or Android. And my favorite which I am currently installing now is my new Topaz Software. Its all these different Photoshop plugins that allow you to do amazing photoshop tricks that I can’t wait to use on my new book covers coming out soon!! (4 currently in the works).

Here are some pics from my trip. Ohhh I miss the sun already.

In my full time job day-to-day, I am a mobile app designer. Basically I create the pretty graphics and buttons you click on in a iPhone or iPad app on your device. I love my job and it’s an exciting avenue in design. Tomorrow I get to go to work and meet with my colleagues in San Jose and work with and meet new people who do what I do, and I’m very excited about it, and making new connections. I want to blog this week about my week as the days go on, so here it goes:

Earlier this morning…

I was in a bit of a frenzy after realizing that I actually had to start packing and getting my stuff together for this trip. It wasn’t until 2:30-3 that I finally got to leave my house and get coffee and a quick bite at Starbucks on my way to the bank and store. To tell you how frazzled I was and in dire need of some caffeine, after I purchased my coffee and got my change and receipt back from the barista, I started out the door and grabbed my keys, before I realized, I left my coffee and banana loaf bread. Fabulous.

My best friend and I got to the airport in plenty of time, and sat around and chatted, got onto our plain to San Jose, and we’re talking about what we’d expect to find this year at MacWorld, that we can guilt free spend our $500 winnings on.

When we landed we grabbed our bags and headed for the car rental center, got our car info and rode the elevator to the car port where our shiny white Chevy Cruze was waiting for us. We load up the car with our luggage, and get inside. “Where the hell is the ignition?” I asked. Ooooh the technology with a “Push this button to start and feel like an idiot because when you bush this button the car won’t start and we won’t tell you why button”. So after 10 minutes of figuring it out then realizing like any car foot on break first while starting the car, you will have magic appear. Wow did I feel like a cave woman. (and I’m supposed to be super into technology….I’m sorry my ’99 VW Jetta is now considered almost classic, with it’s old school key ignition.).

We headed out of the car port, and started on our way before “…wait..why isn’t the car shifting?” I said. Then Liz asked, “Why is it soooo loud?” so we pulled off to the side of the road, and we’re trying to figure out what the deal was…ohhhh…so this car automatic car has a “manual” option….seriously? So once the car was finally in “drive” and able to shift on its own, we headed to our hotel with the wonderful fragrance of ode de skunk on our way.

Tomorrow I get to work and spend time with some pretty rad people, and then, Wednesday, off to drive to San Francisco, for MacWorld 2012!!!

Until tomorrow.

(original image of Mac below)

I wanted to show you how easy it is to make something like this, but wanted to focus mostly on the main part, gluing your image to the glass/plastic. So Im focusing on that by creating a Pin-Up coaster.

What you’ll need:

1. A piece of square or round flat glass or plastic (you can find these at Jo-Anns or
Michaels).
2. An image, you’ll want to use either scrapbook paper or an image that is printed on thicker paper, not just out of your printer (there is an entirely different process to do with that type of ink, and if you do this method on an ink jet print, you’re image will bleed/change colors).
3. 1 Bottle of Diamond Glaze
4. 1 Square flat tipped paint brush

Step 1

Take your image on a flat surface, your brush and diamond glaze, and make sure your table is covered with something to protect its surface.

You are going to squeeze a little bit of diamond glaze on top of the center of your image. And then use your paint brush to help spread out the glaze on your image and remove bubbles.

** When you are done with this process quickly rinse off your paint brush so that the glaze doesn’t ruin your brush when it dries.

Step 2

Take your piece of glass or plastic and carefully lay it on top of your image.

Then press down on the glass or plastic (it’ll probably slip and slide a little bit at first, but just square it up on your image how you want it), and push down and move all the “blue” colored diamond glaze out so that it squeezes out the sides, removing all bubbles under the glass/plastic.

See the blue ^? You want to push that “out” of underneath the glass/plastic, like this…

You’ll need to hold it like that for a minute or two so that the glue under the glass dries and the edges dont seep their way back in. Then just take your paint brush and brush away the excess diamond glaze, and just let it sit. You’ll want to let it sit about 15-20 minutes on each side, so that back of the paper dries too.

After its dry you cut away your excess paper with scissors or an exacto knife.

Some people put backings on their images, and for this you should probably use some cork baking (also available at most craft stores).

I’ll get into the other tips and tricks of diamond glaze and pendants/coasters in another blog.

Hope this is helpful though!

Design + Craft = <3

Thank you to everyone who voted to help me get noticed by the judges!!

Pollyvore is a tool online that lets you find clothes on the internet and see the costs and be able to put together your own photo collage of an outfit look from shoes to necklaces and everything else in between. I created this look a little while ago, and added it to the “My Style” Pinterest board I have. I’ve also added a hair and eyeshadow look that I think would be fabulous with this outfit.

I love this shadow because it’s bright and simple. It’s just very natural looking and gorgeous.

For your hair, what’s better than a “messy” inside-out bun? Its up and done, but is simple and easy to do.

Kim Novak, is one of my favorite actresses, and 1950′s fashionistas. Two of her most popular movies of all time, are to this day two of my favorite classic films, Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo“, and a perfect Halloween style film “Bell, Book and Candle“. In both films she costarred with actor James Stewart. Their on screen connection was just impeccable and irresistible to watch, time and time again.

The quality of Kim Novak, that is different from other actresses of her time, was her mystery. She had this mysterious quality about her, in her fashion and her looks. Always making you wonder what she knew that you didn’t. It was a big reason why she was one of Hitchcock’s leading blonde ladies in his films. She just fit the mark.

I wanted to take some images of her and then come up with a look, today, that would represent her and her mysterious style. So here we go:

My Inspiration:

The Look:
(click on the images to be directed to where you can find these items. *if available)

Have you heard of “Rent the Runway.com” yet? How about “borrowing” a dress, including the one above for only $50, like a purse on Bag, Borrow and Steal!

Those adorable shoes…are only $28! Coats can be tricky and depends on your style I loved this one because of the red liner! Click here for the cape.

Seriously! Try Butter London! It’s THE BEST nail polish I have ever purchased. NO, it isn’t cheap, but its going to stay beautifully on your nails for at least a full week if not 2. It doesnt crack and chip and can handle the work. TRUST me, I’m a crafter, and designer, I’m always in harms way for my nails. You can get it at Nordstroms, or online here. Get the Trio set, its what makes it last longer (base, color, top coat).

For your hair, try this tutorial by Keiko Lynn, her cute hair do is so simple, and suprisingly quick to do. I used it for my hairdo for New Years eve, but added a side pony. For this look, with the gorgeous neckline of the dress, and to be a true Kim Novak fashion icon, you want your neck exposed, so an updo is the only way to show the beauty of the dress, and your neck. This look is all about confidence, mystery and elegant beauty.

For your makeup, there are sooo many wonderful tutorials online, if you got Pinterest and search for “Winged eye liner” Im sure the above image will come up, and you’ll find lots of video and picture tutorials. Its a clean look, and such a WOW! factor to finish the look.

This IS the 21st century! Clutch bags are great, but THIS is revolutionary! Perfect in its simple look, but its elegant and still has the ability to hold your iPhone 4! Now thats mystery!

I hope you enjoy this look!! Be sure to check out her films and see my two faves, if you never have! You’ll be hooked!