Airplane Custom Color Combo

if you are interested in your own custom color combo email me with your ideas

Paper Airplane Art Installation

I came upon this amazing art installation at the Central World Shopping Mall in Bangkok.  It's made entirely of orange paper airplanes! Such a simple concept yet so beautiful.

How great would that look as a DIY mobile for you nursery?! Maybe that's one to put on the project list when I get home?  For now check these two out - 1. by Beautiful Weirdos on Etsy, 2. An idea from Real Simple.

Cake Decorating 101: Airplane Birthday Cake

Last year about this time.  I helped my good friend make a cake for her son's 2nd birthday party.  It was robot themed so naturally we decided to make a robot cake.  We are both talented artists and designers and we were filled with ideas on how to make the cake look amazing.  Little did we know that frosting is not an easy medium to work in.  The result, although tasty, was slightly embarrassing.  See for yourself:

This year her son will be 3; we need to take it up a notch.  I invited my friend Karen from Katana cakes over to give  us a few tips on how to decorate a cake like a pro.  It's amazing how a few little tricks can make all the difference.

For more detailed instructions CLICK HERE

Sacha's room

On a visit to Montreal I finally got to see my Skårt up in Sacha's Room.  It was exciting to see how great it  looked on his wall.  It was also exciting to see how proud Sacha was to show it off to me.  We did a mini photo shoot so that I can now add the "room view" pictures to my website.  

Bedding is the island collection made by Babylicious

 

Decorating Ideas - Aviator Themed

If you are going to buy an airplane print from me.  You are going to need a few more airplane accessories to complete your room.  Here are just a few ideas of fun ways to bring the aviator theme into your nursery.

Fold down changing table by Bo Design.  It sort of reminds me of something you would find in an airplane bathroom (like on SAS airways or something!) 

Paper airplane pillow from defraction fiber on Etsy

Assorted pewter airplane and propeller drawer pulls - I think it would be great to collect a bunch of different ones. Maybe even vintage ones from ebay!

Wood toy airplanes - great for play, for display or buy a bunch of different designs and hang them from your ceiling.   These ones are from Mary's Country Craft, she's got a bunch of other great wood planes as well as other toy vehicles.

Aviator teddy bears --- aww how cute -- these ones are courtesy of The Future Flyers Club

Personal letters with airplane background - order them online or if you are feeling crafty, paint your own! 

Deluxe chrome pedal plane by American Retro

Big bed airplane sheets from Pottery Barn kids

Airplanes Series all done

I am so happy with the way they came out.  So glad I waited and waited, and printed them myself.  I printed about 5 of each design.  I would like to do some other color variations but I think I will wait a bit (ie: until I make a sale or two or maybe even get a request for a custom color combo) --- in case you are just stumbling onto this blog and you love what you see.  Everything is available for purchase through my Etsy site and through my own site.

www.skartshop.com

Special thanks has to go out to my husband who hand crafted the gorgeous frames that complete the look.

Here he his hard at work in our garage workshop studio! 

Let the printing begin

My machine came.  It finally came.  All right, you got me, it came a little while ago but I had a lot of setting up and figuring out to do before I could actually post about it.  My good friend and neighbor A.L. has let me set everything up in her garage.  I've been a busy, little bee, developing screens and printing away.  There have a been a lot of trial and errors, working out the kinks in paint types, wood materials,  color alignments etc.  But it's now official (drum roll please) ... 

I've completed my first series.  Woohooo.

I proudly present: Airplanes in Blue

Sneaking my art on set

I still haven't made any real prints yet. But the designs are separated and already to go. I have paper and ink print outs of everything and of course the samples I started with.  So when I was asked to make a "Cool Kids Room, that has blue accents and paper airplanes" for an upcoming Adidas shoot , how could I not take advantage of free publicity and use some of my own art.  

They wanted everything sort of haphazard and messy, with bold graphic elements.  Not necessarily my aesthetic.  I usually like things a little more orderly.  The client loved it, and that's all that matters.  Can't wait to see what the ads look like (keep an eye out for them in stores this fall!) 

From Concept to Creation

This is harder than I thought it would be.  I'm should have gone with my original plan. Now, after a few trials and non-tribulations I have decided I am going to screen print. 

I haven't printed anything since college.  I don't think I have silkscreened since I taught arts and crafts at summer camp.  Luckily for me there are plenty of people who have put up You Tube videos to refresh my memory on just what I need to do.  First step is getting a machine that will allow me to do more than one color.  I've placed an order on ebay for a simple 4 color, manual press.  It's a basic machine but as long as it can get my registration marks to line up it will work. Now I wait for it to arrive, and watch more you tube videos.

While we wait, let me take you through the journey that is bringing us right back to printing.

I completed my designs months ago but I've been humming and hawing on how to produce them.  My first thought was to paint.  My background (and degree) is in fine art and painting so that seemed like the natural choice for me.    I also loved the idea of using natural wood and allowing the grain to show through.  So here are pictures of my first attempts.  Acrylic paint on wood.

 I liked the colors and the feel of the designs, however, I couldn't get the lines crisp and neat and clean.  I felt like the designs were popping enough because the paint brush didn't allow me to keep it clean and crisp enough.  (maybe it was my unsteady hand, but it's my blog and I will blame the brush if I want to!) 

Next I played with the material.  I found a small local screen print shop with all natural paints and environmentally friendly practices.  I bought a roll of fair-trade, sustainable canvas hemp (one thing I never waivered from is my need to be "green") I commissioned them to do the printing for me.  Results are below.

Although the design seemed more graphic, I didn't like the way it soaked into the canvas and the soft texture. Despite my specific pantone color instructions, I didn't like how all the blues turned out.  It was then that I realized, to do it right I would have to do it myself.  By doing it myself I could experiment with materials, mix my own colors and make my own mistakes. 

Now I wait. 

Wait, and watch You Tube.