The Creative Cookie

Inspired Blogversation

Throughout the year I'll be chatting with a group of blogging women on a panel called Blogversation 2012!

Conversations will be had on the site and our blogs. Follow me and the eight other Blogversationists on Newvine Growing the lovely site of Colleen Newvine Tebeau.

Here's our latest conversation question & my response:

Who or what inspires you?

I’m inspired by many of the things that I see in everyday life and sometimes dreams.

In the fall of 2010, I launched a scrappy handmade zine (appropriately) titled Easily inspired. We published two issues and then it disappeared onto a shelf. Its focus was on the people, places, and things that give me ideas and energy to create.

This post’s question has inspired me to revive it. Told you it was easy:).

<<Cover artwork for a past issue of Easily inspired by Lacee Swan>>

 

Who or what inspires you? What would you like to see tweeked for a new Easily inspired zine?

Tell me -- I'm all ears, really.

Dream & Create

Earlier in the week I designed this little flyer. The illustration is from the November 1967 issue of American Vogue.

Sewing class details soon:).

Creative Cookie artist talk w/ Don Oehl

I always find fall to be a highly creative, fun, and productive time. Sooo, in the spirit of the season, I'll be presenting and hosting an artist talk with an amazing fashion illustrator, Don Oehl at Clic Gallery & Bookstore in Manhattan this Sunday, October 2nd from 3p to 5pm.
 
Don Oehl's illustrations explore fashion, movement, shapes, and color—all with lots of whimsy. I'd LOVE it if you could join the fun and conversation. We'll have a fun photo booth provided by kamau studios and goodies from 16 Stone Vintage. Of course I'll have some updates to share too!

If you can attend, RSVP so we'll know how many cupcakes to bake:-).

"w" wedding, pt. 4

This is the end of the wedding chapter and the start of a new chapter as Lesley Ware -- The Creative Cookie. I'm pleased to present the photo album that tells the story of our special Brooklyn DIY wedding! I totally tangled myself in creative projects from making bow ties for the groomsmen to crafting a tent from tulle...I could say more but I'll let the photos speak for me♥♥.

*NOTE: if you are new to issuu there are three ways you can view:

1) click the arrow to the right to view on this site

2) click anywhere on the image above to enlarge 

3) go directly to the issuu site click here

Gorgeous!

The countdown to the wedding is on -- less than two weeks away. Today I tried on the bodice of my dress and I must say its gorgeous! Epperson, my fiance, and I tucked into an itsy bitsy corner at the Starbucks, on 42nd & 6th Ave, near Bryant Park. As Epperson quickly tied the top over my bulky winter dress an audience of people waiting in line for coffee peered.  Here's the latest sketch! 

kamau & I are designing & assembling our invitations, programs and favors. I'm even sewing bow ties. These are some of the patterns, books and templates guiding us: 

I must say a DIY wedding planned in 30 days is the craziest thing that either of us has ever done but somehow we're staying laidback & relaxed;). Posting more photos soon.

Yes; I colour

Pages from My Wonderful World of Fashion by Nina Chakrabarti, a fun way to spend creative time.

Dress for Impressions \ Amy Schroeder

Say "hello" to Amy Schroeder! I met Amy while working together at a national nonprofit. After realizing that we had several things in common, including our Mid-West roots and a few friends, we instantly clicked! Amy is a pioneer & a visionary who understands the craft of building things that last. She founded Venus Zine, in 1995, which has bloomed into a fantastic source for coverage of women in music, art, film, fashion, and DIY culture. She is now focusing her talents on her latest love, The DIY Business Association! This newly founded organization is all about supporting people as they live their creative dreams.  Check out the article that Amy wrote about me on her blog & learn more about Amy below. Happy Friday:).

>>My name is Amy Schroeder

>>I live in Brooklyn, NY  

>>My blog is DIY Business Association www.diybusinessassociation.com

>>Five words that describe my blog are empowering creative small businesses

>>When I blog I change my clothing and blogging locations throughout the day, so that I don't get that "I'm-sitting-at-a-desk-all-day-long-blah" feeling.

*follow DIY on Twitter: @diybusiness

The Creative Cookie zine at Bluestockings

Good News!

The Fashion Fiction issue of Easily inspired is on the shelves at Bluestockings bookstore, on the L.E.S. of Manhattan, in their snazzy zine section! 

Be sure to grab your copy; yay!

The 2nd issue of Easily inspired is Off Press

I am SO happy to announce that the fashion fiction issue of Easily inspired is officially off the press **insert cheers**! This second issue of Easily inspired features fashionable stories of fiction from 12 writers. Click here to view the first couple of pages & to order your copy of our handmade zine ($9 e-copy/$15 printed copy). 

illustration: Lacee Swan, I Want My MTV

2010 Fashion Fiction Winner

Grace Lo Porto is the winner of our first Fashion Fiction contest! Grace will recieve a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble and a tote with fun goodies as her prize. I'd like to thank all of the writers who submitted their work to the Creative Cookie--we received writing from all over the World reflecting imagaination, fashion, and fun! I also have to express grattitude to our fab panel of readers who had the difficult task of judging--Amy, Blane, Beth, Brett, Cleo, Zaneta, Jamashia, kamau, & Selena--THANK YOU! Grace's story & 9 other were selected by the judges, to be included in the newest issue of Easily inspired which is now avaliable!! Click here for more details & info on ordering a copy.

...I'm so happy to present Grace's winning piece, For the Love of Pants, ENJOY:

 

FOR THE LOVE OF PANTS

I love opening up my closet and just looking.  There’s the boots I bought in Greece—a little scuffed, but I think it just makes ‘em more sophisticated.  Poofy things that George got me; he may have been a bozo, but he did have excellent taste.  A sweater from Paris, that time I was broke and could afford either the sweater or a taxi; I bought it and walked the five miles.  Thank God I got the gig.  Sweats buried in the back so they don’t mess up the ambiance.  A silk jacket, leather belts, sparkly stole, everything a woman needs.  Except…something’s missing.

Easily inspired, in Chi-town...

Hello, I just made it back from Chicago this evening due to crazy inclement weather....soooooo, the Fashion Fiction issue of Easily inspired & the winner of the writing contest will be announced tomorrow. Right now, I'm putting the final touches on the zine & tallying up the scores from our panel of judges. Looking forward to sharing the details of my excursion shopping boutiques, vintage, and art fairs in the Windy City, too. Thanks for understanding!