Ignoring Creativity

This is a piece I worked on when my mom was here. It is using the same transfer process used on my previous posts' piece. It's a little rough and I'm not finished but I like the overall idea and color. I think of it as more of a draft than a real PIECE but...thought I'd share anyway.
I was sick the past week or so. And I entirely ignored creativity all together. It was sad really. I could have done SOMETHING creative while I was sick...but I just didn't really want to use my brain. So I didn't. Heh. But I'm getting back into it. I sat down to paint last week and found...I'm missing half the paint I used to have. I have no idea where it is as the last time I saw it was in Washington several months ago. But I found myself suddenly with very limited options. I didn't even have WHITE. So...I just started by blocking out some old canvases and painting over old work that I didn't want anymore. I bought some white over the weekend (I had a spurt of "I'm feeling better!" on Saturday and then by the end of the day I felt crummy again...smart) and have yet to bust it out but I hope to soon. Who knows. Maybe tonight!

Mascara Whirlwind

Okay it's almost been a whole month. Shame on me. I won't even bother trying to explain all my excuses of being busy (even though they are true)...you know the drill. ;)
Probably the most momentous thing that has happened since my last post (and actually does have an artistic point!) was my mom came to visit for a whole week from Washington. I cannot even explain how much fun that was to have her HERE and have a whole week to just hangout and catch up. If you didn't already know (or care), my mom is my best friend. While she was here, we dedicated almost two whole days to being creative and she taught me some really awesome techniques using Modge Podge. Oh Modge Podge. How I adore thee. I finally have done something worth showing (gotta have some trial and error, right?) so there it is above and below. The title is 'Mascara Whirlwind.' I'm not sure if it's finished yet and I'm not sure if it'll make its way to the shop or not. But...maybe. I just need to play with it a bit more. ALMOST satisfied. Just not quite.
In other news, I did finish some collage bottles. Mostly. The lids are still in need of a tad bit of work. Which I'm putting off. As usual. But I have (on the bright side) found more time to be creative lately which I'm very excited about. I think I need to do this. For my own sanity's sake.
Until next time.

More than Sands

Some beautiful artistic ability to inspire you this weekend.

Welcome to the Studio!

I've been hard at work getting my studio/bonus room back in order so I actually feel inclined to use it. Not that it was ever really IN order to begin with since we haven't lived in our house for very long. I WISH WISH WISH I had taken a "before" photo because the "after" photo just does not do it any justice.
Welcome to my studio! I'm in the process of splitting the room in two so that half the room can be my studio and the other half can be a sitting area/movie room since we don't want our TV in the living room downstairs. The giant khaki tarp is just that...a tarp! For painting. On the right is my little collage table where I make all the collage bottles. And then the rest is just storage, storage, and more storage. But it's alllll ART storage. So you see before you endless creative possibilities. I know, it gives me chills too. :P
I'm getting one more wire shelf like the one on the right and am going to put it on the left to create the illusion of a split in the room. I will put another picture up once the whole project is done. But it's going to be pretty sweet. :) The idea of paint is settling itself in my mind as well. My husband is in "rent" mode meaning he doesn't want to paint. But he is so used to moving every year or so. So the idea of being somewhere longer is unthinkable. So...paint is on the horizon! It's going to be super kick-ass once it's done. I promise.
ALMOST done with the other collage bottles. Did another coat last night. One more to go!

Absense Pass

I apologize for the silent week. It's been a crazy fast one and I can't believe it's already Tuesday of this next week. So nuts.
This past weekend I took my husband to a No Doubt concert for his birthday...his favorite band ever. It was AMAZING...as you can probably imagine by the picture.
Creatively, I've had trouble fitting time in this past week. But I buckled down a worked on a tattoo design for a friend last night that I've been putting off (sorry Paula). It's not finished yet but it's coming along. I wasn't completely useless this weekend and went out and bought a BUNCH-o-crap of cool artsy stuff and supplies. Treated myself to a huge set of Prismacolor colored pencils...drool. And some more boxes to make some more collage boxes...hopefully soon. Keep your eyes peeled!

Sticky Business

LOOK BELOW FOR MY MAY GIVEAWAY ITEM!! COMMENT TO WIN!!
Remember: TWO more days to comment to win the collage box below. I did a little more work on the inside so that will be a surprise for the winner to see. :)
First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who has commented on my giveaway. It's so nice to see traffic in this new bloggity blog of mine and it tickles me pink that people are responding positively to my item.
In other news...I'm thinking of doing more collage-ish projects and offering them in my etsy shop when I get it launched...hopefully soon. So if you don't win the lovely piece below, have no fear, there will be MORE coming soon!
I'm still working out some kinks in the whole collage concept. But I think I made some progress yesterday and will continue to experiment. I want to expand to a variety of sized boxes out of different materials. In high school, I primarily worked with tin boxes which was awesome. But I never used a sealer so I'm in a different realm now.
Keep posted! More to come!

May Day!: Giveaway

The day has finally come:

May Day Giveaway by
Sew, Mama, Sew!
is HERE!
I'm Rachel, also known as Pretty Much LiQi, and I am stoked to be participating in my very first giveaway. Here is how it works:
All you lovely fine people have the chance of winning the wonderful giveaway item below. To do this, simply leave a comment on this post before the deadline: May 31st. I will then choose the Lucky Winner!
Without further delay, ladies and gentlemen, let me present what I'm giving away:

This custom collage box with a matte finish was made entirely out of one magazine. It measures 7.25" x 7.25" x 3" and is, obviously, different on all sides. Quarter above not included. ;) Here's the winning question: What magazine do you think I used and what would YOU keep in this box if it were yours? The winner will be chosen randomly after May 31st. Also, remember to check back at Sew, Mama, Sew! for all the participants and more chances at getting a free giveaway. Yay!! Remember to include your email when commenting so I can contact you when you WIN!

Some Oldies

I wanted to post some designs and art I've done to share...and get this thing going. And also to give you all a feel for what I'll be doing. SOME of what I'll be doing. ;)
Above is a tattoo design I did for a friend while we were brainstorming some ideas. This design was never used but I always liked how the waves turned out. It's a little grainy because I was stuck with a crappy photo editing program at the time.
Below is another tattoo I did for another friend. We never got around to finishing the whole concept she was going for but I enjoyed doing something a little different. More to come...
In other news, my business cards came in the mail today. I'm SO stoked. I look forward to spreading the word...

To Begin

You have stumbled upon Pretty Much LiQi Designs!

I have just launched this blog as my space for creativity and to post my newest creations. I am in the process of setting up an Etsy store. So keep posted for that. :)

In the meantime, I'm participating in the 'Sew, Mama, Sew' giveaway for May. For anyone unfamiliar with this, click the image for more information.

The rundown: creative bloggers get exposure and readers get the chance to win super awesome items from those bloggers. Sounds like a pretty darn good deal, right? Check.

So, dearies, keep coming back for updates on that as well as new creations from my ever original mind.