Update

I've been ignoring this place again. But in my defense, life has had some MAJOR changes in the last few weeks and its been pretty hectic and a bit overwhelming in some aspects.

Most of you know that I signed up to go to Artists Within Makeup School. Well classes have started and I think they are going really well. Its harder then I thought it would be, but a ton of fun as well. We have our first test on Monday and I haven't studied for it and I REALLY need to do that because it won't be easy. Its all about skin care and skin diseases and knowing which ones are contagious, etc. As well as different skin conditions and what sort of products you should use with what. (Its actually quite interesting!). I think the best part about class though, is the fact that even if I am grumpy before class, by the time it ends I am always in a happy, chipper mood. The girls there are great and our teacher is awesome. Its a fun group and as I love doing makeup... what is there to be cranky about when I'm there?!

What some of you might not know is that I started a new job this week. I now work for the Solicitor General Department of the Government of Alberta. Its pretty intense and overwhelming actually, but really cool too. I am getting to know my criminal code of Canada better at least! I work in one of the parole offices in the city. Its neat, and of course all confidential, but interesting. I just need to learn a lot of things and my brain is a bit fried. Especially since I was left alone today already with no one to ask questions to! YIKES! I survived though!

What else is there to say....  I swear I have things to list in my shop... just no pictures of those things yet since I haven't had time to take any. I think I will try work on updating my shop this weekend along with trying to get my house organized.  I'll also stop rambling now.

Just a quick update for those who care!

<3

Red Hair and Makeup

I finally decided to do something with my hair other than the black and blonde... so what did I do? I went RED. Very red.

And since I think red and green look fabulous together, I did green makeup.


Eyeshadows Used:

Emerald by PureFusion
Jord by PureFusion
Bare it All by PureFusion

I also went and got my hair cut today, which I am not sure how I feel about. Its the first time I've actually gotten it cut professionally in about 2.5 years I think. I think I might have to fix it up though... hmm....

Spring Sale!

My etsy shop Tinged is having a sale starting April 30 - May 5th ! 10% everything in my shop (excluding shipping) as part of the Etsy Alberta Team Spring Sale! A whole bunch of shops from the teams are participating. You can see the list of all the shops and what they are offering  HERE

I am pretty excited. It's my first sale.

And on that note, have some pictures of some of the newest items!

Blooming Sunrise

 Ocean Sunset Earrings **SOLD**

Ocean Sunset Necklace

Wrist Cuffs!

Last night was product picture taking night! I never finished editing them all before I snuck off to bed, but I got a couple wrist cuffs done and posted!

Recycled Earth

Cream and Brass

I think my favorite part of these wrist cuffs is that all of them are made from almost entirely upcycled materials. Old bits of lace, an old purse strap, buttons from all over, etc. They are so much fun to make and use up all the scraps that I can never throw away because they always end up being useful! 

Ghost

The Adventures of Suzy and Sil

I feel like this should be a 'Part Three hundred' since we go on adventures so often. Seriously though, we have so much fun together dressing up like we are still little girls and going outside to prance around in high heels and take pictures of each other.... and freeze our butts off... get stared at... and have little dogs chase us because I've got fox fur on (I kid you not I just about had a heart attack when two Doberman's passed right after that. Thankfully they didn't seem interested!)... drink tea and pretend we are posh. 

Craft Fair with Handmade therapy

So this past weekend my sister, Hilda had her first craft show for her shop handmadetherapy. I went along for moral support and boredom preventer (because I am just that entertaining and charming). Despite the fact that there was a storm and therefore hardly anyone showed up, her table looked amazing and it was a ton of fun so here are a slew of pictures.

(the lovely shop owner)

Now go check out her shop since most of the things on that table are now up in her shop! Since she is a listing machine, unlike me who has a ton of things made and nothing actually posted recently. I should get on that! 

50's Inspired

I have to say that after starting with simple elastic type dresses, this one was MUCH more of a challenge. Really you don't want to look too closely at my stitching. I made a lot of mistakes. It was a lot of fun though and I do like the 50's vibe that it gives off.

One thing I did learn for sure though, is I really need a dress form. Since I don't use patterns (I tried that once, it was awful. Turns out I have no idea how to read a pattern!) I just cut things out how I think they should go and pin them... well basically on myself (please don't go thinking I stab myself with needles here... that only happens by accident) and trying to pin a dress behind your back is really quite difficult!

Piercings

I have ears full of holes and stuffed with metal. I got a new one on Sunday, the conch peircing (the hoop) seen above. Sometimes people ask me why I love piercings so much and last night I was thinking about it and when I first decided I loved them. Honestly, I can remember it clearly.

I was eight years old and I was taking the bus home. There was a girl on my bus named Suzy, she was a teenager and I thought she was the coolest person around (sharing the name might have helped) and she had an ear full of hoops. I was utterly fascinated and right then and there I decided that when I grew up, I wanted to have pretty ears like her.

Now I do.

And I love them.

All that Glitter is Gold

Gearing Up For Spring

Or maybe I am just dreaming. It certainly doesn't look very 'Springish' out there!

Regardless, by the time Spring does decide to show her face, I will have an arsenal of cute dresses to wear. That is my goal at least. Two done, fabric for a least two more to go!
 

Next up on the list to make: Blue dress with white Polkadots!

Also, can I just say that sometimes it is fun to be me? I think that if I have ONE positive trait, it is creativity and imagination. Intriguing, different things make me just want to create create create.

I know I have reiterated this probably too many times to count, but to me, makeup is an art form. While I love Canvas as well (Speaking of which I just bought a bunch of those and should really get to painting with actual paints!) I also love the human face. It has so much texture and depth and each is so unique. Yet at the same time you can take a face and completely alter the perception of it by playing around with a little makeup.

Now last night I didn't go to any great extremes, but I did have fun experimenting. Since I love red makeup and since I do looks for Pure Fusion Mineral Makeup I asked Chantelle if she had any. She didn't at the time, but what is absolutely amazing is, she thought that it was a good idea and wanted to try make some and let me be the tester! How amazing is she?

Actually that reminds me. One of these days I REALLY need to ask her how on earth she got into making makeup and how she does it! It absolutely floors me that she actually makes it on her own. So cool.

Right, back to the point. She sent me a bunch of samples and so I tried a few of them out last night with some other eyeshadows by Pure Fusion and came up with the following look:























Makeup Used:

Eyeshadows: Lemon (pure fusion), Tuscan Sun (pure fusion), Unnamed Red (pure fusion)
Eyelashes: Makeup Forever
Glue (for lashes and jewels): Duo Eyelash Glue


Is that all I had to say? I think so!

Green for St. Patricks.

Silly facial expressions aside, I had fun last night making the above pictured dress. It was really simple to make, and I didn't use a pattern or anything, just sort of winged it. I am pretty happy with the results! What do you think?!

Is it cute enough to do a tutorial over? Its certainly easy enough!!

<3

(P.S. For those of you that have tumblr, I started an account there to post random pictures and quotes of things I love and things I make. You can find me at http://tingedwords.tumblr.com/)

Inner Princess

Pastel Princess

I feel like its become habit for me to admit to falling behind on this blog. To be honest, most of the time I forget that I have it. At least I haven't forgotten how to be creative! In fact, I think my inner girly girl has come out to play lately since I seem to be in love with faux pearls, pink and lace.

And to make matters worse (or better depending on who you ask) I decided to play with tulle the other day to see if I could make a puffy, slightly tattered skirt befitting a ballerina.



(Don't worry, despite looks its not completely see through, there is a silk underskirt that comes to about mid-thigh. But I do want to make a lace overskirt for the whole thing... I think it would be pretty.... Also! please excuse my tummy, I was going to crop that out but now it seems like my photoshop has decided to quit working on me!)

Alright! Off to go finish my tea and do some work.

Next post: Try to remember to blog about all the tournaments I've been attending lately (Though I've deemed to give myself the roll as photographer instead of competitor. I'll leave the fighting to my dear husband who is actually good at it). In the mean time, have an amazing 'martial arts' type video.

Miss Christabel

One of my closest friends lives a continent and an ocean away from me. It is strange really, since we have never actually met in person, but we get each other pretty well and we write each other letters on a regular basis. She sends me the most gorgeous sketches in the mail, and other little presents, its so amazing. Maybe one day I will post some of them to show you.

We both love photography and makeup, and art and the same sorts of music so it's a blast to do video chats or just talk in general. Then this week we decided that even though we are so far apart and can't actually do a photoshoot together like we would love to, we'd improvise.

This is what we came up with:

It was actually pretty difficult to get the pictures to match since she has a flash gun and I was having major difficulties getting my lighting proper. But in the end I think it looks something along the lines of a slightly creepy/sad painting and I like it.

And here is one of just me. First time I have ever tried wearing black lipstick! To be honest, its one of the first times I've ever done 'gothic' makeup at all.

I love experimenting with styles so much!



Makeup Is Art

So yesterday I finally went and bought my copy of "Makeup is Art". My sister showed me this book online a few months back, but it wasn't released here (in Canada) until this month. It is GORGEOUS. I absolutely adore it and of course since I got the book I had to do my makeup today.

The book is amazing though, it is really informative and deals with a variety of different styles. Everything from conceptual, editorial, beauty spreads, etc. It also gives you lists of supplies and what brushes are meant to be used for what, the pros and cons of things, etc.

I would seriously suggest it for anyone who enjoys makeup and looks at it as an art form (much like I do). Plus I went to get it at Chapters and it was 50% off! Only $11.00 for the book, and its hardcover and gorgeous.

Inspirations

I realize this is probably a strange source of inspiration, but one of my favorite inspirations, makeup wise, is the guitarist Hitsugi, from the Japanese visual-kei band, Nightmare.  He nearly always has a bit of a frightening look to him, partially due to the contacts he wears, and due to his piercings and makeup, but it is always unique.

A bit frightening right? But somehow I think beautiful too.

'A Dress to Remember'

I had so much fun today! About a week ago, a girl from my etsy team (Bonnie from Bonton Vintage ) asked me if I wanted to model for fun at the A Dress to Remember Vintage event at Art Central. I thought it sounded like fun and so I agreed and it was blast.

I ended up wearing this... well honestly I don't know what to call it and I don't have a picture yet to show you, but it was brown hotpants with gold sequins under a see through brown chiffon skirt that split up the front, all attached to  a beige chiffon halter almost style top. It sounds strange I know, and it was, but in a totally unique and awesome way. I think I rocked it. It was a lot of fun and I got a ton of compliments on it.

My hair was done by Krista Dee from Krista Dee Rockin' Retro Hair and Makeup and it looks positively amazing. She did an awesome job.

(Sorry for the lack of a better picture!)

I ended up taking a few photos with my phone though since I didn't want to haul my camera to the event. So here you go.

(Necklace by Patina Design Works)

There were so many fun and gorgeous pieces that I could have spent an utter fortune there. Instead I just walked about with a pretty pink silk scarf, white gloves, rhinestone buttons and gold shoes.

I'll post more pictures when Bonnie sends me some of my actual outfit!

Afraid to Be

I think one of the hardest things in life is finding the courage to move forward and be who you want to be.

Even harder is finding the self confidence in yourself that you are good enough to be who you want to be.

I'm not there yet.

But I'd like to be.

I've stated over the past few years that I know I am a bit odd, that I like who I am. But its not always true. Nevertheless I stick to the belief that I would rather be ME than anyone else. I just wish I was a bit MORE than just ME. That ME had a bit more drive, a bit more substance.

I'm trying to find it.

I'm not there yet.

But I'm working on it.

Happy New Year!

I spent the last few days creating things and trying out new ideas.

First off, since I've always had a love of things like costume jewellery, I thought that I would make some earrings along the effect with old buttons and cufflinks. I ended up making about four sets as well as a brooch.

Next came a hair clip. I'm actually pretty happy with how it turned it, its pretty and feminine.

Then a crazy hair clip that is wild and fun.

And finally an vintage looking necklace made out of a vintage brooch and buttons and a thick chain.

Taking a week off work was well worth it, I'd say! Plus all the other things I've made and been posting. PHEW. Its been a creative splurge! I am content.

New Years Resolution: Make more things!