New Journal

I've always kept journals growing up. Actually, there are a few from my teenage years still living in a closet that I told myself I would burn someday because they are so silly. For some reason, I stopped keeping journals as an adult. I had forgotten how good it feels to jot down thoughts and dreams on paper. So I treated myself to a beautiful grown up journal. October has been a hectic month with lots of changes and decision making and this little guy has helped me sort out my thoughts.

I challenged myself to pour out my thoughts every day first thing. After doing so,I can start my day with a clear mind and clean slate. Harder said than done but I'm getting better at it. Some days when I don't feel like writing a little friend from last night's dream will sneak in and make a cameo appearance. With that said, here's a journal glimpse.

-Wendy

Inktober

So I discovered Inktober, halfway through October. Inktober is pretty much a monthly challenge of doing one ink drawing/ Illustration a day for the whole month of October. There was no way I was going to catch up but nonetheless I joined in on the fun. Because, why not? I had not idea what to start with and was just looking at a blank page, so this happened.

-Wendy

Late Night Studio Doodles

It's hard to force myself to sit down and get into "creative mode" late at night after a long day but sometimes it works out when you just show up and at least try. Snapshot of some of my late night doodles playing with some watercolors. 

-Wendy 

Chichicastenango Craft Market - Guatemala

During our time in Quetzaltenango- (Xela) in Guatemala I knew i wanted to visit the market in Chichicastenango which I heard is a must. I am from Guatemala and have never been before. We arranged for a bus to take us with a guide. On our way there we passed by a "mirador" or a lookout point where you can get nice pictures taken. Of course, we stopped and this is when I realize my digital camera battery is about to die. I snap one shot in my panic and pout all the way to Chichicastenango. Taking pictures was the most important part! So many colors, textiles to see and me with nothing but a disposable camera I had in my bag. In the end, it might have been a blessing in disguise. I only had 24 shots in my disposable camera so this forced me to just give up on the thought of endless colorful pictures and just enjoy the moment. And it was wonderful. With that said, I actually enjoyed getting the little disposable camera photos developed in a little shop in Xela and having my 24 tangible photos of this trip.

-Wendy

Trama Days

My long awaited trip finally happened. I had read about Trama Textiles year ago and had always known I'd make the trip to visit them one day in Guatemala. I have a special place in my heart for Guatemalan art and textiles since It's the place where my roots are. Theres more info about Trama on the Trama website. To make a long story short, me and Uy went to the highlands of Guatemala and spend all our time with the most adorable women who taught us the art of the traditional backstrap loom. We were in over our heads, but weaving this way was a true lesson in patience and one I will cherish forever.

Shay's Wedding- ( and my bridesmaid screw ups)

Being maid of honor means making sure everything runs smoothly on the big day. Well, I think I did pretty good. Even if I screwed up on some things such as...

1. Running out the door I thought of ONE thing only. Grab her wedding dress. ( Which of course meant I would forget my own bridesmaid dress only to realize it at midnight a few hours before the wedding ceremony)

2. After a midnight panic attack and tears ( which we made sure the bride to be did NOT see) my amazing boyfriend drove almost an hour or more to go get my dress and bring it to the hotel where we were staying in the wee hours of the morning.

3. A few hours later when we were back on track getting the bride to be to look her best.  Which meant I would be running around like a chicken without a head and would  proceed to burn a fist size hole in the lining of my chiffon bridesmaid dress while trying to iron it. ( yes, the one that almost never made it).

4. Panic ensues as the girls do their best to cover up and do damage control. Alas, the bride never knew till after the reception when I showed her the mess that was my dress under the top layer of chiffon.

You wouldn't know all the stuff that went down from the AMAZING pictures taken on her big day.

-Wendy

PS: Can I say how obsessed I was with the way the bouquets and hand painted table settings turned out?! They were all a unique combination of gorgeous flowers. 

* Credit to J&R Photography who snapped these special memories.

When artsy friends get married

My best friend Shay is married ! Helping her plan this wedding was a blast even though we spent late nights changing color themes and discussing fonts for her invitations.

This is what happens when you have two people who are best friends (more like sisters) who both bonded as kids over art and now as adults work in graphic design and fashion. It was the perfect recipe for brainstorming sessions and DYI projects. Shay designed her own invitations and letterpress plates. YES, we hand made her invitations and save the dates. This meant rolling on the ink and pressing down the letterpress at home till it was perfect. It also meant hand painting tiny canvases for all the table #'s during the reception.

All the work was worth it when you saw how happy she looked on her big day. I will post more pics of the big day on the next post. For now, below are some shots of us flower shopping in the flower district in NYC brainstorming bouquet ideas.

-Wendy