diy denim pt.1of2

in a world where everything is a 1or 0 and i'm glued to a computer screen, i realized i had to go back to my roots and create with my hands using my lovely swing machine. and what better time than now with this lovely spring weather :) i bought a pair of acid wash jeans thinking i could convert them into cute shorts but they're too big! i'm still gonna see if i can make it happen but if not i'm turning those bad boys into pillow cases! but back to the cute short...
studded shorts are all the rage these days

i'm digging the fabric and that jumbo stitch!

to see what's available i headed to the fabric district. first stop, the amazing M&J Trimmings:

endless possibilities!

here's what i'm working with...geek chic with a tres loose crotch

i'll be able to transform these suckas this weekend with a full diy post on either pillow cases or revamped shorts or both :)

almost there

everyone seems to want to know how my ghetto bathroom is coming along. it's coming! we ran into a series of setbacks but we're almost there. thank goodness i was procrastinating on painting as we had a mean flood that was ankle deep throughout my entire place destroying the plaster work both David and I had done. let me not get into details as i'm finally in a good headspace :) but isn't this a breath of fresh air compared to that monstrosity a while back?

that would be a very 'cool' gray on the walls that is translating to light blue on camera. either way i love it! now we're headed to home depot to get some wall paneling up. do you see that crack that is running horizontally across the wall? the plaster isn't helping so panels it is.

i'm not in the clear yet. still so much too do! and finally i quit one of my jobs...well not quit but i'm only working on call which means i can refocus my energies towards things that truly matter. i'm so looking forward to january when i can be a full time artist again :)

inspired

my move to NY is just around the corner which means the inspiration boards begin :)
my hubby and i decided to tough it out in his place, which happens to be the grimmiest of all projects in Harlem :S on the bright side i get to save money and i always love a challenge :) i wish i had photos of the apartment on me but as soon as i'm down there i'll take photos and post. i can't remember where i found all these darling images. when i come across something i like on the web i just grab the photo and put it in my inspiration folder. i usually prowl flickr, apartment therapy, or a few of the design blogs i follow here on blogspot. i'd like to go for something playful and retro of course and similar to my vangroovy pad you can see here. but this time around i'm going for modern touches here and there... a little more refined frugal if you will :)
here are just a few images. my keyword searches include: eclectic, retro, bohemian, modern

Vancouver's Heritage meets Modern

this weekend i'm switching it up and photographing home interiors. a few friends of mine (Ronse Massey) are in the business of home renovations and turn out hot-mess homes into modern, luxurious habitats while revitalizing Vancouver's Heritage. for those of you who don't know Vancouver, BC is known for it's cottage-esque architecture. however, mass production developers have done away with the old (quality) and in with the new (cheap) condo-shoe-box living. team Massey on the other hand has pulled out all the stops while maintaining integrity and I absolutely love what they've done. the amount of detail they paid attention to is insane! lovin' the clean lines! next up for Maya Washington...livin' large :)

the magic touch

as per your request here are my before shots of my flat. it doesn't help that i took the before shots with a flash on my dinky point and shoot, adding to the already atrocious look and hightening the exquisiteNess of the after shot.
when i walked into my $680 a month, 10 foot high ceilings, barf blue walls and burnt puke red floor apartment, i knew it was mine

you can't tell here but my kitchen was an ugly mint green....BARF!!!

a look inside

bringing it back to the dwellings; here's my multi-million dollar studio after 2 years of hoarding. i found installing this make shift erasable board with Home Depot plexiglass for $10 and a few screws an easy alternative for my love of scribbling all over my walls. measures 2x4 feet

i had to move the frames over to this wall since i installed my million dollar back drop on the other wall

my throwback singer doubles as a end table and clearly i love clustered artwork.

when plotting my color scheme i wanted the living room to be pitch white while looking into bright colourful rooms hence my bedroom's "irie irie" turquoise

and "get yo ass up" orange