Bag-nifique!

I love bags, so making them is a natural progression. Choosing the fabric and adding a little unique detail gives them personality. So much fun!! These will be sold at the holiday show in December. Hope you like them! ;0)

Cute little bead embellishments. Reminds me of a friendly winter day.

It's hard to see them from this picture, but there are smoky grey beads sewn on top of the bigger flowers, and to glam it up a tad I added a big faceted shiny black button.

I adore this fabric. Has a vintage appeal, and the adorable old world flower buttons give it added charm.

Couldn't resist adding a flower. ;0)

A World of Inspiration is a Bright One

Creativity builds on inspiration. Inspiration has us in the moment. Living in the moment makes a better world (I personally think.) Taking something that you find unique, beautiful, or interesting and running with it is a great thing. Many influential artists and dreamers that found inspiration have left a mark or continue to leave a lasting impression.

Versace was inspired by "Alice In Wonderland" for the whimsical 2010 Spring/Summer collection, which will form next season's retail market. Canadian artist, Emily Carr, was moved by her experiences with Canada's aboriginals, and has left a legacy of Canada's history. The Wright brothers were impressed by the way birds could fly and observed their movements, which led them to being the first to fly, and paved the path for air travel for the world.

Wonderful things come out of inspiration; some life-changing, and some humbling. Either way, all positive. Inspirations comes in all sizes. The one constant in the quest to find inspiration is following your instinct. I was going to write a list of things that inspire people, but that would contradict the message. Your inspiration is your inspiration. Trust yourself, create a better world, and go get inspired!

Here are few things that inspire me as of recent...

Music by Matt & Kim, bold and feminine patterns, and finding beauty in the little things.

'A' is for Apron

With a December Holiday Show in Vancouver coming up, I've been busy making things. Last week was aprons.

Here are some great uses for aprons...

Wear them while cooking. You'll feel fabulous!



















Aprons are perfect when you're cutting your ketchup bottles...



















Or when you're feeding your plants...



















Company is coming over? Pour them a cup of tea in your apron...




















And don't forget to water your plants in your apron...

Out and About in Fall

Everything about Fall speaks to our creatures comforts.
Maybe it's because the season is naturally so earthy...
celebrating harvest and enjoying the change of seasons.
Here's a cozy little getup with the necklace being the focal
point.

My first sewing pattern - Lost in a Sea of Fabric

Since I've been taking these sewing classes, gained confidence, and have little fabric envelopes, panties, and amazing tote bags, under my belt, I felt inspired to graduate myself into sewing for big girls by attempting a pattern. Patterns always seemed so complicated and intimidating...like cooking did until recent. So with this fresh inspirational spirit, I stopped in at the closest fabric store.

First hurdle, finding a pattern. It poses a challenge when you want to make everything, and there are thousands of patterns available. After perusing McCalls, Vogue, Simplicity, and some other pattern directory that starts with a "B", I narrowed it down to baby garments or cool pajama pants. Searching for a pattern without a focus is like shopping for clothing. It's the harboring ground for indecision and impulsive behavior. I picked two patterns: a baby dress and cool looking wide leg pants that would make great pjs.


Next challenge, picking your fabric. I felt like those women on "What Not to Wear" when they are let loose to buy new clothes. I was overwhelmed with the selection. Lots of beautiful patterns, but not the right material. The pattern called for "Lightweight fabric such as crepe de chine..." What the heck is Crepe de Chine...Chinese crepes? Not having my sewing teacher right beside me, I decided to go with a cotton. It's lightweight and I love cotton jammies.

Okay, picking out fabric was HARD! 30 minutes in I had to abandon my sights on sewing a dress for my best friend's newborn baby and focus on the pants; for their sake and mine. Give me a break, I had to pick out 2 fabrics, for the yoke and flange, and leg bands. Don't ask me what those are yet, the pattern just called for them. It takes me another 30 minutes to finally choose fabric.

Even though I'm far from it, I can't help but feel experienced, "Yes, I'd like 2 yards of that and 1/1/2 yards of that" (because I'm making friek'n awesome pjs from this pattern...because I can do patterns!!" I smile and envision my triumph.

I'm ready to tackle this. Sliding the flimsy pieces of paper out on the envelope, confusion quickly sets in...am I sewing pants or building a small home?

How to cure a sad day...

The cure to any depressing day - German Apple Pancakes! Not that I'm having a sad day; quite the contrary, but as I'm eating this delicious dessert (for lunch) I'm envisioning myself in Vancouver on a cold, wet, dreary day and this scrumptious piece of heaven lifting my spirits. Plus, the recipe isn't your everyday snack with all the sugar and butter. Mmmm...buuuuutter! The consistency is like bread pudding (unless the moisture is because I stirred the batter during it's "let stand" time. When there's a spoon in a bowl of batter I just have urge to stir. My bad.)


Another reason to love it. Even with mistakes it tastes great. Super easy recipe. I'd definitely recommend it if you are looking for something simple and low maintenance with a bunch of flavour. It's like apple pie without all the labor intensive crust making. Click here for the link to the recipe.

Enjoy!

Trunk Show Success & German Apple Pancakes Will Become My Beading

Yay trunk show success!!! The prep; cleaning, merchandising, and the non-stop mincing and chopping to make the food and drinks was well worth it. Even when my index finger and thumb went numb for 4 hours from chopping...I would do it all over again.

Last night I had my second trunk show here in San Diego. It was an intimate affair, and I quite like it like that. Fantastic company, declious home-made guacamole and salsa, and the second reason people came...amazing SANGRIA! ;0) It was goooood..dangerous, but good! I will definitely be sharing this in my next Miele by Michelle Glossy. I also showed and sold some of my new Fall/Winter pieces, which I've been working on recently. All in all, a great event!!! Can't wait for the next Spring/Summer one.

Sangria had always seemed like a daunting feat, and I'd shy away from it because the work involved was more than I wanted to handle. I think that WAS my look on a lot of cooking. Funny, I'll spend hours making chandelier earrings, but not on a beautiful meal, which I could eat...hello, instant yummy gratifcation!! Making the sangria was a process, but like beading and wire wrapping, there's meditation in it, and of course creativity. So now I'd like to learn how to make something new every week. I'm not taking on the complete Julia Childs cook book like Julia did, but I've got to start with a reachable goal, right? This week German Apple Pancake!

Let me leave you with a creativity challenge. Some time this week, make dinner at home using what you have in your fridge. Don't go out and buy ingredients. For some of you it's the everyday, but for others, like me, I'd usually just give up and go to a restaurant. I'm just not very good at unintentional recipe making.....or cooking on the fly. So Chuck and I did this a few nights ago and came up with a beautiful pasta casserole using pasta, zucchini, red pepper, pasta sauce, mozzarella, oregano, and onion. Yum, so glad we stayed home.

No gauntlets here

Some things make me frustrated or even make me want to cry (in a lame girlie over-reactive way) when certain things happen. Surfing; a prime example. I just got back from a (what I thought would be) promising surf sesh...1-3 foot waves, warm Santa Ana winds, sun shining, life is good...ERGH, instead I feel defeated, my equilibrium is out of whack, and I'm finding sand in all the wrong places! I still love the sport, and everyone says you're going to suck for a long time before you get "good." Patience just wasn't my friend today I guess.

So to reset I'm going to make a beautiful necklace. Arts and crafts doesn't run you through a gauntlet, and no matter what you're doing you feel good about the result. Surfing 1 - Michelle 0.

Jewelry Trends - Fall 2009

<-- Kenneth Jay Lane - Amethyst Drop Earrings

In the Spring and Summer we saw a mix of Bohemian spirit, Modern Boudoir (or French Chic), and a merging of various cultural inspirations. The colors and looks were bold and bright. Perhaps it was a prelude to what's to come this Fall. As the cooler weather approaches, the leaves start falling and we bundle up in our cozy sweaters and share memories with our loved ones over the holidays, adorn yourself in bold and luxurious accoutrement.

You'll see more of the dreamy Bohemian look, and bold statement pieces, but with more glitz and decorative glam. The old world feel of charms, pearls, tassels, and shimmery gemstones meets modern strong female as the 80's memories continue to inspire. You'll also see lots of multi-strand and torsade necklaces, and ornate chandelier earrings. Think luxurious sparkle in the rich colors of purple, ruby, gold, black and cobalt blue.

Fall 2009 is an eclectic mix to create a perfect palette for the upcoming holidays. Mix your own style with this Fall's inspirations and be the sparkle in the room.

Be sure to check back end of September to see Miele by Michelle's Fall inspirations!

More beautiful Fall designs from outstanding jewelry designers.


Martin Grant - Katrina Necklace


Janis by Janis Savitt - Gold Crystal Multi Chain Necklace



Alexis Bittar - Black Shell Pearl and Crystal Necklace



Oscar De La Renta - Lucite Enamel Teardrop Earrings

Hello, let me introduce you to my old friend, Creativity

Remember being a kid and making puppets out of brown paper bags or drawing a magnificent landscape using finger paints? I vividly remember in kindergarten creating an elaborate scene of animals having a party using felt fabric on a black felt board. When we were young, art and creation played a large part of our growth. For a child with boundless imagination, it's the medium of expression.

As adults we leave it behind. It's not that we've lost it. It's still very much there. Creating and using our imagination, building things, is a hard wired innate ability in us since our days as cave people. Some of us just hide or suppress it for a while or forever. As it was a tool for growth and a medium of expression as children, it still has the same benefits for adults.

Using your imagination and creativity taps into your soul. You dig deep and act on what truly makes you who you are or what makes you happy. You'll find things about yourself that you didn't know. It's a great form of meditation or relaxation. And I'm sure you'd agree, we all need a little R&R in today's busy world. For those who can't completely remove the figures and results from their thinking, creating has the satisfaction of a result, and stretches and exercises our brain on a different level.

Getting back in tune with your creative side doesn't have to be an expensive or intricate endeavor. Start simple, set aside time, and enjoy the process. Pretend your a limitless five year old. Here are a few ideas:

• Cook a dish that you absolutely love, but never cooked before.

• Make a hand made card for a dear friend.

• Plant a mini herb garden that you can use for your cooking.

• Hand sew a simple design on a place mat or plain pillow case.

• Bake and decorate a cake or cookies.

• Pick a tall vase or terracotta potter and paint a design on it.

• Draw a picture for yourself or someone you know.

Since I have a “Do it yourself” attitude, I've focused more on the physical creation of things. There is a plethora of liberal arts; dance, writing, music etc. Pick your interest. They're all great.

It doesn't matter how good you are at what you are doing. There is no critiquing when it comes to your own creativity. Of course, you'll have an end result, so you can feel good about the work you've put into your new masterpiece. What really matters is the experience you feel. That in itself is immeasurable personal growth.

The Beginning of Something Special

Hello to whoever is reading this!!

Why am I writing? After a few years of moving around, adapting to physical, environmental, and mental changes, and staring "Adversity" in the eye several times, I've realized that my creative expression has been huge in stability and all-round happiness. Making "things" has a healing, consoling...therapeutic benefit. If "arts and crafts" has affected me in this way why wouldn't it be a positive for someone else out there. Hopefully you, the "whoever is reading this."

So, in my blog I'll be regularly sharing my "crafty" and random experiences, providing ideas, and in general, hopefully be a catalyst for finding your daily creativity. Thanks for visiting!