Queen of Pugs

Last night I went on a journey to the legendary Forever21 at Arrowhead Towne Center Mall on a quest to find the perfect dress to wear to Versailles Palace and I'm happy to say that I was successful in this quest. However, it was no easy task. Let me tell ya, that particular Forever21 is GIGANTIC! It's the size of a department store (and two stories) so it was quite the challenge. After an hour and a half and 6 dresses later I finally decided on a lovely white and pink floral number with a lace back. It's so cute I can hardly stand it! When I got home I went through my closet and picked out some strong pieces that will be versatile (since I'm only bringing a carry on suitcase) so I think I'm ready to go. All I have left to do now is WAIT. We're down to only 5 weeks now. It's so close I can almost taste it.

In other news, I'm really excited about tomorrow night. I'm going to an art gala downtown and it's formal attire only. There will be an art slideshow, food, dancing, the works. And it's FREE!

As a local artist I'm very excited to be going since this event is a celebration of the contribution of art to our urban environment. I'm mostly excited though to get fancied up. They asked us to wear lots of color so I thought I'd have to buy something new since I didn't really have any colorful fancy dresses in my wardrobe but then I remembered that I had stashed all of my formal wear into another closet. I found this amazing gem, a royal blue dress that I bought 2 years ago (at Buffalo Exchange for $10.00) that I'd totally forgotten about. It's a satin-y material with a square neckline and a big bow in the back. Mmmm...it's sooo good. I can't wait to wear it! ANNNNDDD I bought some ballet flats the other day that coincidently match it perfectly. Too bad it's going to rain tomorrow though, I hate having to lug a sweater around all night. Oh, wellz. Hopefully, there will be some cuties in attendance in fancy clothes too. Tbh, I haven't seen a cutie in ages. It really is a bummer. They must be out there somewhere but I don't know where they gather. It's a mystery to me. However, I'm expecting to see loads while in Europe so I'll report back on that next month (if I ever come back that is).

Oh, one more thing! I'm having my first art giveaway!!! You can enter through Facebook, Tumblr or Instagram. This is the hoop I'll be giving away.

 



Here's some links if you'd like to enter:

www.facebook.com/iggystarpup
www.iggystarpup.tumblr.com
Instagram: Iggystarpup

All you have to do is share, reblog, or repost this giveaway to be entered into the drawing. Right now the contest ends on March 10th but I might extend it to March 17th just for fun. I'll be shipping anywhere so international friends are welcomed to enter.

I've been a pretty busy worker bee lately as well. Here's my newest hoops:

Lady Rainicorn and Jake
$40.00

Ouran High School Host Club Usa-chan Hoop
$33.00

Parisian Pug
$34.00

Heisenberg Blue Sky Hoop
SOLD

Sherlock High Functioning Sociopath Hoop
*this is for me*

John Watson "Not His Boyfriend" Hoop
*also for me*



The Birthday Approaches

Yesterday was a fun day. I attended my Harry Potter bookclub (although I've read them loads of times but I'll take any opportunity to talk about Harry Potter). As usual we didn't discuss the assigned reading very in depth. Mostly we just talked about random topics including but not limited to cats, food, shoes, etsy, lion king, crafts, tobogganing, and okcupid. 

Maddie found us a Patronus test since we're currently reading "The Order of the Phoenix" and my patronus was a Snowy Owl. Not too shabby. The best part of the meeting was looking at Harry Potter book cover art from its various translations. Some were pretty wicked but others were just...strange to say the least. Anyway, I must say that I'm very happy to have met all of these lovely ladies. I don't think I've ever had an entire group of female friends. I usually hang out with one or two friends at a time and they usually belong to separate social groups so it's refreshing to have a whole gang who are all friends with each other. I'm also happy that these girls are active and like to go out and do things. I've always been a bit of a homebody and it's gotten a little stagnant over the years so I'm really enjoying going out more and trying new things. 

In other news, I'm currently planning my 29th birthday party. Since this will be my last year of my twenties I've decided to have a "Kid Party" theme. Everyone will dress in kid's clothes and we'll play lots of games. I might even buy an ice cream cake :p

I'm still in the midst of my job search but in between I've been working on inventory for my Etsy store. Here's my most recent embroideries: 

I guess that's all for now but if it's not too much to ask, keep your fingers crossed that Mama finds a good job soon. Thanks, lovelies!

Fancy Beasts

I can't believe it's almost been a month since my last post. It's not easy having a blog when you have a short attention span. I hate how easily distracted I am. I'll get on the internet with every intention of updating my blog but then I'll get sucked into the vortex of cute animal photos. I honestly could look at pictures of animals all day. I don't ever get tired of it. Anyway, let me get back on track here...

So I think in my last post I had a job interview...welp, I didn't end up taking that job. The position was for an Assistant Manager of a toy store and although it paid really well, I just didn't feel like it was the right job for me. First of all, I really don't have any experience in managing anything. I was a key holder at a toy shop 7 years ago but I didn't really have any major responsibilities. I simply put the money in the drawers in the morning, turned on the lights and music, and Windexed the doors. I trained the new hires since my boss was always hiding in her office but that was it. It was probably the easiest job ever.

This job I was offered though, was way more than I could handle. The GM was looking for someone "aggressive" (nope!) who could whip everyone's lazy asses into shape. Apparently all of the associates had bad attitudes and the store was in chaos so she needed a new sheriff to lay down the law. I'm the most passive, docile girl on the planet who also happens to look like she's 18 yeas old. Who is going to listen to me? No one. I get bossed around by cats for Pete's sake! There was no way that I was going to be able to manage 14 women. It just wasn't going to happen. On top of that, the AM was also responsible for managing the entire Toy Department. I would've had to create and promote all of the events that the store provided and the success of the store would've been on my shoulders. I don't know how to manage shit. If I would've taken this job I would've gotten crazy stressed out, the store's profits would've gone down the toilet and I most likely would've gotten fired. That's all I need, the horror of being fired from my first job in Seattle to haunt me. I'm the type of person who would rather avoid certain situations than fail at them.

So, yeah. I'm still unemployed. The good news is that I have another interview next week. The position doesn't pay very well, but I think I'd be much happier at this store. It's an art and craft store and I applied for a sales job in the craft section. I've looked at many Yelp reviews and people fuggin' love this store. It looked absolutely adorable and I'd be in my element. I've always wanted to work in a craft store and it seems like it'd be a low stress/chill work environment. I hope I get the job. I really do. I'll probably end up spending all of my money there though...it's a slippery slope!

Other than stressing over money and jobs I've been pretty productive lately. I've made a buttload of new hoops. I've made two dog portrait embroideries and a friend of mine suggested that I start taking commissions from people of their pets. I thought it was an excellent idea so I added a new section to my Etsy shop called "Fancy Beasts". People can just send me a photo of their pet and I'll make a fancy portrait that will immortalize their pet in style. Here's some examples:

 Sophie the French Bulldog

6 inches

felt, buttons, embroidery floss

Penny the Boston Terrier

7 inches

felt, buttons, embroidery floss

If you'd be interested in commissioning a portrait of your dog, cat, or bunny just send me an email to iggystarpup@gmail.com or convo me on Etsy at www.iggystarpup.etsy.com. I'll need a head shot of the animal, the sex (to determine if it should be clothed in male or female attire) and any color preferences you might have. Pricing will be determined on a case by case basis but generally will run between 35-45 USD.

Here's some other hoops that I've done since my last post:

  Two Totoros and Soot Sprites

6 inches

felt and embroidery floss

Sad Red Panda

7 inches

felt, buttons, embroidery floss

Hedwig

7 inches

felt and embroidery floss

I don't know what I'd do with all of this free time if I didn't have my art to work on. Bless it. Even with art to distract me it's been difficult to stay sane. I've been trying to walk a few miles everyday. My walks are probably the most enjoyable part of my day. Everything in life just seems to simple when I take my walks. It's very Zen. The downside is that when I walk I usually end up stopping in stores I pass along the way. Shopping is my weakness. I don't spend exorbitant amounts or anything but we all know that spending little bits of money here and there can add up pretty quickly. Gawd, I need a job. Spending money when you're not having any coming in is an awful awful feeling. But hopefully, by next week I'll be back on the workforce. (Crossing fingers!)

Okies, welp, I better get back to sewing but I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Laters!