Family Tree

I served in the Us Army with a friend of mine and he requested that I draw up this tattoo design for him and his family. He described what he wanted as a tree with his first name in the trunk, his last name in the roots and the name of his wife and two children in the branches.

It took me a few weeks to finish, a big piece like this I had to do it in stages because I am so busy. But I finally finished it, so I thought I would show it to my fellow Surrendered family. I hope you enjoy it! And if you want something custom drawn up for your next tatto design, I would love to be the artist for you! Send an email to cecilia@sweetsurrenderart.com

As always, thanks for stopping by and hope that you join this blog for more art coming your way!

Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.

 Camille Pissarro quotes 

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Another Thrift Store Haul

It has been a while since I last filmed a Thrift Store Haul, I think the last one was when I had to go get summer clothes.  I have been wanting to get more black clothes..I know I know, sounds boring, but we can only wear black at school and now that it is about to be Autumn and I needed more clothes.

I have been on the search in many stores such as Macy's, Charlotte Russe, Papaya, Forever21 and other stores looking for "boyfriend" blazers. I didnt want blazers that were tailored too tightly or too short, and I wanted pockets and lets just say I tried on alot and none would fit right.

So, I went to the local CHKD that I love to go to that is next door to Jerry's Artorama.  I found 4 or 5 blazers and a couple pairs of pants. See my video below!



I love going to Thrift stores mainly because I like finding things that are unique and different, not to mention it doesnt break my pockets!!!

Do you like to go thrifting? What do you look for when you go? I would love to hear your shopping adventures!



I am working on a few halloween tutorials so stay tuned!

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A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.

 Coco Chanel quotes 

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

HOW Do I Look?

For those of us that are apart of the Kandee Family, you shouldve been glued to the Style Channel for the premier of How Do I Look America's Worst Dressed Woman. I am about a quarter of the way through watching it and I love it!!!

I am soooooo happy and proud of Kandee Johnson for getting this far and making it to a Network Show! She has come from being a simple mommy blog to doing youtube makeup tutorials. I just LOVE her!

I have always liked this show and the host of it, but I didnt pay as much attention to it I have to admit, but watching this show has definetly got me tuned in! I am in love with Jeannie's style and I didnt know that the blue in her hair is her signature look. And you know if you are a regular viewer of Sweet Surrender's then you know I LOVE color!!!!

I am just loving it! Well, I am gonna go so I can finish watching the rest of the show! What is your favorite part so far?

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

There comes a time when you have to stand up and shout: This is me damn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! I am a whole complex package. Take me... or leave me. Accept me - or walk away! Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don't fit your idea of who I should be and don't try to change me to fit your mold. If I need to change, I alone will make that decision. When you are strong enough to love yourself 100%, good and bad - you will be amazed at the opportunities that life presents you.

 Stacey Charter quotes 

All Dressed Up

dressed up in a suit- this blazer I got from the thrift store for $4 and its Banana Republic!

This week went by fast, like every week it seems.I cant believe it is already the 3rd week of October. More and more people are graduating from school and it has me wondering what I will do after I graduate.

This week I have been inspired by so much, my brain is just overflowing with ideas and plans and things that I want to do. I feel like I am in my "element".

I have been hanging out with family, my kids and my friends and trying to meet new people and really try to network. I have been doing hair as well on a few friends which has been really fun especially when they say I can do whatever I want to their hair. Here is my friend Maribel whose hair I cut last week.

A few nights ago, hubby and I went out with a few friends to celebrate more birthdays. We rode a limo up to a place called The Mansion. It was nice to spend some time with friends and dance some weight and stress off!

One of the best flarers in the 757- JW

I do not like to go out very often but every once in a while I like to cut loose!

What do you guys like to do to relax or cut loose?

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Quote of the day:

Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.

 Angela Monet quotes

Nocturnal

Its just past midnight, and I am not tired, not even a yawn creeping up. I just finished up some shading of a tattoo for a friend that I need to only add a few finishing touches. I got caught up on my Project Runway and all my blogs I follow.

Since I have been back into my groove of art and drawing, and I am juggling all these different things, trying to do everything, I am starting to realize that I am more Nocturnal than most people.

NERD ALERT: WHAT IS NOCTURNAL?????

Adj.	1.	nocturnal - belonging to or active during the night; "nocturnal animals are active at night"; "nocturnal plants have flowers that open at night and close by day" biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms diurnal - of or belonging to or active during the day; "diurnal animals are active during the day"; "diurnal flowers are open during the day and closed at night"; "diurnal and nocturnal offices"
	2.	nocturnal - of or relating to or occurring in the night; "nocturnal darkness"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

 

I can be a morning person if I want to be, but I work and function better at night. Its like I am still sleepy in the mornings, I am waking up around the afternoons, (so it is like my mornings) by the evening, that is my "afternoon" and around 10 to 11pm, I am in full creative force.

 

Photo courtesy of Google.com

There are many animals that are nocturnal like bats and owls, sugar babies, some cats, but what many people do not know is that there are also nonturnal flowers. Yea, you heard me, FLOWERS. There are many flowers of the CACTI family that only bloom at night and have the most unique scents.

 

 

What intrigues me about animals and flowers, is that even though they are surrounded by darkness, they still thrive and continue to grow and be active.

 

This gives me some inspiration as to possibly a story board for an upcoming photo opportunity. hmmmmmmm, see how can I go to sleep when everyday I find something beautiful and inspirational I feel like I just want to go into a drawing/design frenzy!!! AHHHHHHHHH!

 

I have to force myself to go to bed only because I have to go to school of course and then save my energy to spend time with the kiddos too.

 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you stop by again!

The man who has seen the rising moon break out of the clouds at midnight has been present like an archangel at the creation of light and of the world
Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes

Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Project Runway Final 4

I have been glued on my DVR watching Project Runway. It is down to the final designers and I cant wait to see what these designers come up with for Fashion Week. I have to say that I admire the designer Anya! I find it fascinating how she has an eye for design and silhouettes even though she has only been sewing for 4 months. She really held her own in the competition and I loved most of her designs.

She has a taste of the Islands and has a unique style of her own. She is so frickin cute and petite, and I can relate to her on a lot of levels.

Watching Project Runway makes me MISS sewing. I have been sewing since I was around 10. I remember watching my grandmother and my mom sew me costumes, clothes, curtains, blankets, pillows and I dont remember how I learned, I just know that I knew how and I loved it. Since I moved around alot, I would go to a new school and would always take an art class and a home ec class.

I went to a vocational school for fashion design and I loved it. I loved learning the technical aspects of construction, draping, illustration, fashion shows. I was sad that about 5 years after I graduated from the school that the school system felt it neccessary to cut the fashion design program due to "not having enough jobs available in the economy" WHATEVER. Dont even get me started on how big of an industry FASHION really is.

Anyways, I am getting off subject, like always. I just wanted to write this because I miss sewing. I feel like I want to do so many things, and that sewing has actually been put on the back burner for now, but its only like that because I am still searching for an industrial machine and a new dress form. I will eventually go back to it, but for now, I will just have to keep missing it. :(



Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.
Eskimo Proverb quotes

Salon on Wheels

I have juggling around with the idea of going mobile with quite some time since my Dad put a bug in my ear. He showed me a few websites that made salons on wheels. There are a few different websites and company's around, some here in the US and other in England. Here are a few sites I have been stalking:

Salon On Wheels

pull out table for nails

a Spray booth for tanning

This van is prolly the cheapest option for anyone thinking of going this route, except that this is made overseas.  I like the idea of this, but I think the major turnoff for me is that there are no windows. and the color Gray.....it looks like a dungeon. But then again, you can always customize the colors if need be.

The next one, is Mobile Salon Buswest. This one I think is the top notch Salon on Wheels. And for the price it starts, well, it better be something as awesome as this...

Supplies Storage and a fridge

The front of Bus and a restroom on the left

The Salon Chair with a built in Sink for washing hair

Demo for a mobile nail salon

Demo for Facial or Tattoo Bus

Of course, I fell in love with this Bus. I love how BIG it is for one, because its an actually bus and not a van. There are WINDOWS throughout, which I love. I am so big on windows because when I am working, I have to have light! And the best light is sunlight or natural light. (everyone in my family thinks I am nuts, because I will have literally every light in my room on while I am working hahahaha)

This bus has so many options not only for a salon, but nails, tanning, facials, and even tattoos and you know that got me super duper ridiculously excited.

This starts out at $105. My mouth dropped when I learned that, but at the same time, A vehicle like that, the very best top of the line goes into it. That is your business and it will need to be ready for whatever you need it to be! Everything comes with it, the custom cabintry, you get to pick the colors, generator for power, water , you do have to buy the chair you want to be installed or anything else that is different than shown.

I am in no way getting paid to tell you this, this is just something I wanted to share since this has been on my brain the past few weeks.

This would be an awesome way to do business once I get a steady clientele and start to build a name for myself.  This is definetely going on my list of  Long Term Goals. And yes, I make lists upon lists of things to do, short term goals and long term goals. I am just geeked out like that. You wish you could be cool like me...I mean geeked like me. hahahaha


I hope this inspired you to see what options are available to those in the beauty industry, that we are not limited by anything, you are only limited by you! Dont limit yourself, get out there!

Thanks for stopping by my Sweet Surrendered Artists!

Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.
Niccolo Machiavelli quotes
Surrender to Your Inner Artist