Author: claire

  • The Hypocrisy of Man

    The Hypocrisy of Man

    When I think that humanity can create healing medicines, antibiotics, and vaccines; create music and art; study the stars and explore the depths of the oceans; but also drop bombs on hospitals, rape and pillage land in the name of technology and progress, and divide people along arbitrary lines like skin color or religion I…

  • My Favorite Fashion Illustration Techniques Resources

    My Favorite Fashion Illustration Techniques Resources

    Finding a solid resource for learning fashion illustration techniques specifically has been my quest for the Holy Grail since I was in middle school. There are thousands of books on drawing techniques and on working in specific mediums like watercolor, acrylic, oil pastels, etc. but I have yet to find a single resource that stands…

  • Little Notes: Doing The Thing

    Little Notes: Doing The Thing

    My dreams are big and wild and wonderful, but I don’t want to just dream them. I want to live them and I want to help others live them too. If I can be an example of what’s possible for just one other person I’d be so thrilled. I’m being that example for myself and…

  • Sketchbook: 2024 Birthday Gown Design Progress

    Sketchbook: 2024 Birthday Gown Design Progress

    Right now I’m thinking gold and white with flowing ethereal vibes. Sparkle, drip, elegant, soft, petal, bold are the words that come to mind when I think of what I want to feel and look like when I step out in it. In the next week or so I’ll be illustrating ideas for the final…

  • Stitching the Stash: Fabric Stash Challenge Round I

    Stitching the Stash: Fabric Stash Challenge Round I

    A few times now, I’ve started to make a concerted effort to crack down on the amount of fabric I have in storage and then I would tumble off the wagon in a glorious fashion. I’ve been great, mostly, about not buying any new fabric unless I’m actively working on a project using it. I…

  • Developing A Sewing Pattern Line

    Developing A Sewing Pattern Line

    A collection of home sewing patterns was my first business idea that I really loved, but I was too resource limited to try 10 years ago. I opened an online boutique and while that was nice while it lasted. Though I learned a great deal from it, it ultimately wasn’t what I wanted. Things have…

  • Maximizing Space: Temporary Setup for a Portable Cutting Table

    Maximizing Space: Temporary Setup for a Portable Cutting Table

    My most active hobby is sewing, but having a cutting table ready to access 24/7 would make the space feel cramped. I thought about using my dining area for instead but it turns out I really enjoy having a dedicated spot to eat and socialize when friends come over. For years I’ve used one tried…

  • Little Notes: You Will Always Be A Work In Progress

    Little Notes: You Will Always Be A Work In Progress

    I first started writing this post back in November 2021. As you can see, we’re well past that time and yet what I have to say is probably more relevant for me now than it was even then. Since 2020, my life has had so many twists and turns. Some I was eager for and…

  • Sketching More to Make Good on My Yearly Goals

    Sketching More to Make Good on My Yearly Goals

    Finding time for sketching and doing just about any other project that takes concentration and time has been a bit of a bitch, but I think I’m onto something now.

  • Fighting Against Perfectionism or Why I Postponed Finishing My Bday Gown Until After My Birthday

    Fighting Against Perfectionism or Why I Postponed Finishing My Bday Gown Until After My Birthday

    Ivery much want to be good at everything I set out to do. I think most people do. That desire isn’t wrong or terribly unreasonable. But did you know that ability, time, unforeseen happenings, and being fallible — human— are all factors that affect outcome? I know that, yet sometimes I think I can overcome…