Back to Watercolors

A painting I go :

 Mermaids in England

 Synapse

Baby Giggles

 Amoebas

All of these paintings are for sale for $20.00 each in my Etsy shop; MarthaHaskins.

Thanks for looking!

xoxo

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Sewing in Bed

Best bed rest set-up possible, I guess! Any other suggestions?

<3 Alex

Branding...Me?

A good friend of mine recently recommended I start reading "Make a Name for Yourself - 8 steps every woman needs to create a personal brand strategy for success" by Robin Fisher Roffer.  It arrived yesterday, I started it this morning, and I can't wait to start implementing these ideas!  In fact, I haven't waited, I just completely re-designed my blog because of this.  I know it will always be a work in progress, but I have to start somewhere!

Question of the day: What brand do I most identify with?

Newly inspired - I love this!

Yours truly,

Alex

PS: Strength in detail:

The Fashion Center - Source Book

Did you know there was an entire source book/guide to the NYC Fashion District?  Neither did I!  In all my google searches I must have never clicked on the right link.  However, at last nights panel "Made in Midtown: The Garment District Today & Tomorrow" sponsored by The Municipal Art Society of New York and The Design Trust for Public Space, Barbara Blair Randall from The Fashion Center let us all in on a big secret that she wishes everyone knew about!

THE NYC FASHION CENTER SOURCE BOOK 
(Click it for the PDF link.)

Also, I'm sorry to toot my own horn - but I got to meet Tim Gunn and Yeohlee Teng last night!  They were both so sweet and treated me like an old friend - lovely!  What kind people, thank you to Tim for moderating and to the panel for such interesting conversation!  I learned so much about the Garment District and how much work the next generation of designers has on their/our plate.  Here we go!

(From left to right, Tamara Francisco, a man from the High School of Fashion Industries, Yeohlee Teng, Tim Gunn, and myself: Alex Whatton)

Never be affraid to say "Hello!"

xoxo, Alex

Inspired by...

I can never resist finding new artists and seeing new techniques.  Interestingly enough, both artists I wanted to write about today are using "vintage" techniques, yet it seems so modern!  Carving in miniature, peyote bead weaving with pencils...what else is out there that I am missing?!

The first three photos are all work (and the artist himself) by Dalton Ghetti.  Middle photo courtesy of Carl David LaBianca for The New York Times (ARTICLE HERE).  Other two photos courtesy of Google Image Search (I hope that is enough - I don't remember where I got them from now, but thank you - I will be happy to post photo credits if you contact me!)

The last photo is pencil peyote beading by Jennifer Meastre.  A M A Z I N G!

And actually, I found all of this work by attending an evening of awesomeness at the New Britain Museum of American Art (certainly one of my favorites that I've been going to since I was a little kid).  WEBSITE HERE - this exhibit HERE through August 29, 2010 - enjoy!

Jennifer Maestre CLICK ME

They certainly are related and get me in the mood to craft!!!

Happy Inspiration Hunting!

<3 Alex

Anthropologie Intership Day 2

I am currently doing the Visual Display Internship at Anthropologie in Manhattan (Soho store usually) and it is ROCKIN' my world!  I am completely inspired to get my glue gun out and get to work.  Here's some eye-candy!

Weaving veneer between placed slats that have been curved.

The weaving so far plus the coffee filter dress and the rest of the Soho Store.  (I didn't work on the dyed coffee filter dress - before my internship - but isn't it AWESOME!)

Have a wonderful holiday weekend and CRAFT!

<3 Alex

Rootin' Scootin'

So...a guy stepped in front of me in the bike path this morning and I had to slam on my little scooter brakes and in doing so, I lightly bumped in to the back of his shoe.  He turns with this scowl and says "EXCUSE ME?!"  So I said "You are excused" (yes, just like a little brat - I was MAD!) and continued on.  As I'm scooting away I hear him grumbling to two cops and one of them says "Well, you did step in front of her, Sir" and the other one says "and she did ring her bell."  MUAHHAHAHA - Wish he could get a ticket for that!

I love it when a morning starts out with so much action.  I'm ready for anything today!  (Or just to perhaps purchase this necklace.  Isn't it awesome?!)

"A Kid At Heart Scooter Necklace" by KaringIsShering on Etsy.com!

I wonder if the wheels work?!

Happy Tuesday all!

~ Alex

PS: Currently reading "Your Money OR Your Life" and I highly recommend it.  My new motto: "Create and Save!"  (I should always make sure I am spending my time by creating something or saving something (whether money or the planet)...I'm loving it - I'm so much more productive when I repeat this mantra!)

Life - What an Adventure!

This post is inspired by a friend of mine named Lauren.  She just said the other day "Oh Life, what an Adventure you are" and she is just so completely right.  Every time I'm with her time flies and I feel like I am truly living every moment (as I should) of my life!  If I haven't said it enough, you should go out and buy "The 4-Hour Work Week" by Timothy Ferriss.  She told me to get this book and it has changed my life - just wait and see!

I just wanted to list the amazing things that happened to me/I learned this weekend.  I apologize, dear readers, but as this is truly my diary I feel that I can be somewhat liberal, if a little selfish, at some points.

1. Had a few to many cocktails and was literally saved by Lauren.  (Thank you!)  Only amazing because it really made me realize what an amazing friend I have!

2. Learned what it feels like to work for something you truly believe in and what a rush it can be to work hard for "yourself."  (Or Lauren - who feels like part of me at this point.)

3. S'Mores make EVERYTHING better.  Thank you Ness, I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer - I can't wait to buy some glitter now too!

4. My husband loves me unconditionally.

5. Everyone has an interesting story and you can never judge a book by it's cover.  I suppose I already knew this.  But, when a 16 year old girl came up to our HopeClips booth at the Expo. this weekend and told us that three years ago she saved a young girl from a brothel in Mumbai - I learned it all again.  What an experience.  What an inspiration that she had that strength at 13.  She told us this because my friend Lauren just recently started HopeClips in an effort to profit share with Hopes and Dreams International, a non-profit currently trying to raise money to build a healing center in California for victims of child sex trafficking.  When I was 13, I worried what to wear to school - I'm glad I have my priorities straight now.

6. Eating at Carbone's changes everything.

7. Thai cooking class at ICE - sign-up now.  What fun with Sarah and Erin last night!

8. Joe's coffee makes my whole day better.

And I'll leave you with a photo my dad sent me last night.  Apparently my mom found it in an old box and I think it's the first time I've ever seen it.  I've always loved food...  (By the way, Mom - look how organized you were before you had two teenagers reck havoc on your life in the '90's and '00's!  We're sorry.)  I love you both very much.

Have a great day and enjoy this adventure you're on!

xoxo,

Alex

Wayne, NJ Flooding - & my 100th Post!

Do you have any photos from Northern NJ?  Leave a link in the comments below!

Thanks, xoxo,

Alex

Four new pairs of shoes...am I feeling lonely?

I think yes.  Please see evidence below (thank you DSW clearance!), which also sparked a cataloging session of every pair of shoes...I will now know how many I own...

Happy Sunday!
xoxo, Alex

Happy Halloween!

The view from my back door - this flowers are beautiful!  I'm thrilled with this burst of color - especially with all the dreary rain days we've had lately.  (One photo of the mums is for sale on my MarthaHaskins Etsy site - click here.)  Both Leo and Tank are enjoying this lazy Saturday morning as well, although little do they know that we will be sewing and painting and gluing in just a bit to get ready for tonight!  Oh, wait, now they are wrestling....I love weekends.  Here's another one of these crazy photos I took the other day (a few are posted on facebook).  I thought it was appropriate for today.  Happy Halloween!

~ Alex

Start your project!

The day is here - time for you to start that project. I know I've missed New Years by a bit - but I have a new resolution. JUST DO IT! (And I can't believe how much I've already done this year!) I promise to keep up with my blog more. I'm getting a new computer in the next month or so and that will surely help. (My Dell crashed two months ago...which is why you haven't heard much from me. I give up on it.)

More soon! And remember, you CAN do it!
~ Alex

Where do I find my?...

Inspiration?

A great burger, raindrops on glass, candlewax pooling on a tablecloth the right breeze at the right moment...

you look around and you stare me down, grinding my heart with the sting of garlic until breaking and winding I fall. Glancing to catch your snicker as you wave at the girl in the shop window.

I treasure your hate as you bellow at the puppy pissing on your worn leather shoes.

I somehow love you for this

tinge

of

fear.

Eat a pear and stare down into the abyss that ate Alice whole.

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...who knows...I couldn't tell you! I wrote it on the bus ride home. It started out as a "Where do I find my Inspiration" note and this is what happened!

Happy Tuesday!

~ Alex

My bags are here!

http://www.valhallabrooklyn.etsy.com/

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Personally, I'm obsessed. I can't put these bags down...I don't even have anything in the clutches (that I'm using as wallets) yet! I just don't want to leave them at home! Look, even my cat Leo thinks they are GREAT!

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Have you Etsy'ied yet?! (Here I am!)

Sketches!

Sketches!, originally uploaded by Alexandra Whatton.

My first Fashion Studies class at Parsons - and this is my homework?! I'm in love.

Dream on!

~ Alex

My Custom Kicks!

Here they are! My custom Keds from Zazzle.com! They took me quite a while to design, but they were so easy to purchase once I got all of my designs up there...and I have to admit, I'm quite proud! They definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I love the color and that it makes me want to get to work in my studio each time I look down! Every time that I look down, I will instantly feel like creating - which is my favorite time in the world!

More photos here!

Your own Custom KEDS here!

Oh the things you can do in the world today.

~ Alex

My NEW Studio!

I think I'm in love...well, yes, my husband is great - but my new studio is REALLY coming together! I just got some great organization underway and the versatility of this space is starting to reveal itself. My new sewing machine (yes, the first I've EVER bought!) fits perfectly on one side. And when I want to sketch designs that I'm thinking of or get out something else to "play" with - I can angle the desk as a drafting table from the other side! I'm so excited about it. It's such an inspiring space. I can't wait to hang a cork board or separte hooks with clipboards for ideas! Oh the things I could do.

Have you been inspired lately?

Ciao for now!

~ Alex

Valhalla Brooklyn

I've come to realize in all my travels that I still don't have the perfect carry-on bag...insert AMAZING FIND ON ETSY here! Valhalla Brooklyn comes to the rescue.

Click here!

Karin, the woman behind the genius at Valhalla Brooklyn has been patiently working with me to design my dream bag! A combination of one of her XL Luggage bags in size and the Vigga bag (pictured above) in styling - I can't wait to feel the smooth leather on my shoulder and the funky lining sliding between my fingers.

Check out her website (with tons of amazing photos) here. She's got talent!

~ Alex

Gap "Vote For ____"

Well, there I am! And all over the country! The shirt I designed for Gap is featured in windows across the nation! GET OUT AND VOTE! (The photo below is what the window looks like!)

DIY - Photography Light Tent

(Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Bail on Digital Photography Forum Blog)

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While looking through the Etsy Forums I found a seller looking for ways to make a lightbox for better photos of jewelry. This article link was posted and I am so excited to have found it. It is perhaps the best lighting box tutorial that I have ever seen on the web - and also a very inexpensive way of increasing revenues in your store (or just taking better photos!). Read the original blog post here.

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Ciao ciao and I hope you find what you're looking for!