February Fashion Screensaver

Click here to download or print your free February screensaver)
When I create a monthly screensaver, I simply can't anticipate where it will lead. It just sort of happens, with the fashion story unfolding, as I sketch. This month, is no exception.

Starting with the center of the month - Valentine's Day, I thought everything would be pink, but instead it grew into a story about discovery. One sketch is an inquisitive portrait. But (hidden to the viewer) she is wearing USLU Airlines Nail Polish "LAS (or Las Vegas) Eau de Colette.” Described as a “blued hex perfumed” polish, it sounds lovely, and, unexpected, like, a blue valentine. I haven't smelled it, but doesn't it seem like a reason to visit Paris and go to Colette? The other sketch is of a woman, as a dandy, strutting all her fashion on the outside. Sporting a printed floral, bell bottomed, pantsuit, with hair dyed to match, or almost match, her poppy velvet beret. She is wearing Dior’s sparkly nails “Mandarin Orange.”

Fashion is fun, and releasing one’s fashion desires feels soo good. It is also the best defense to fend off those bitter cold and dark winter days that are bound to happy all month long.
All kinds of wonders and delights await us in February. It is only up to us, to open our heart, follow new paths, and discover and enrich our life and those around us with the delights of the unexpected.
Wishing you to enjoy February, in all it's glory!
P.S. The LOVE poster is from YSL, dated 1992.

January fashion sketch screensaver

(click here to download the January screensaver)

There is nothing like a strong winter spell (at least in my part of the world) to make layering everyone's fashion statement. After loosing gloves and hats, without a moment to spare, a lofty, very 70s red wool boucle, was quickly knit into a fluffy hat, ... and that delicious red color, meant it was time to wear the old patched (it's in my book!) ski sweater, that my Mom had knit so very long ago, layer it over a couple of t- shirts (one was not enough,) leggings under overly patched jeans, and finally a pair of hand knit RL argyle socks were stretched on top of the jeans to keep the warmth inside. Feeling wrapped and bundled up, felt cozy and protected on a bitter winter day, especially, when Chanel "Le Vernis Riva" was gleaming on one's nails.2011 -- it sounds like a number that very recently, seemed so far, far, away, into the future, that it was only for the imagination and not for the reality ... but here we are, with a new year in front of us. I do hope that each and every one of you enjoys a fruitful year, and that all your hopes and wishes come true.
Best wishes,
Nancy

Free November fashion screensaver

(click here to download this month's fashion calender)

Bohemian

Feathers,

Fur, faux fur,

Plums and winter berries,

Layering, with a personal allure and style all one's own...

Like the freedom of personal expression felt in the 60s, pull out old, new and borrowed from your closet, and layer it on with creative liberty.

The cape was sketched in fur, the thought being - that it was a re-fashioned fur - but when I finished sketching, it had become a cape of feathers. And the little "Juliet" plum velvet vest, is patched with old denim, and found in my book, Denim Revolution. Postcards scanned into photoshop make up the background, one of the ceiling of the "Salotto di Psiche" (Psyche Room) in the Tea Palace in Mantova, Italy -- and the other of music from Troldaugen, Norway, with the phrase "Det Forste motes sodme," roughly, translating as -- the sweet taste of the first meeting. November is lush, filled with art, music, friends, family. All of it swept up in the beauty of the last, lingering, leaves of autumn.

Best wishes to one and all,

for a lovely month,

Nancy

October Fashion screensaver

(as a fellow blogger, just click here for the October screensaver)

Welcome to October!

It seems that every country (and religion) has their own festival, for make-believe and costume dress-up. I guess it's because we all have a need to pretend, to allow ourselves an opportunity to release and express a fantasy or another side of our character. In the states, it's the holiday of Halloween that everyone goes all out while in Brazil or Switzerland they have Carnival. Whatever your nation, whatever your inclination, be creative and make your own costume, surprise yourself!

Wishing you a lovely month,

Nancy

Free September Fashion Wallpaper

(click here to download this month's calendar

as your screensaver or to print a copy)

Each month, when I sit down to create the calendar, I surprise myself with the final results. Even though I start with a planned thought and direction, regardless the wallpaper takes on a life of its own, developing and evolving as I sketch, until I am content that I have sincerely expressed the mood that I feel about fashion and style - at that moment.
This month I knew I wanted to include a project from my book, since the special sale - of $10.00 (click here! for info) is continuing and so sketching the little Russian caplet project from the book was a natural.

With it's faux-fur collar, and rugged frayed edges it captures a way to re-cycle your old jeans to fend off that first gust of fall with carefree style.

From there it went to pony tails like on MADMEN, and then elegantly manicured finger nails, which were sketched with Serge Luten’s “Sang-Bleu” nail polish –

-- interesting and unique colors on finger nails are turning quickly into the key accessory this fall.  All of that is wrapped with thoughts about searching as an artist surrounded with the backdrop of André Masson’s “Leonardo da Vince et Isabella D’Este.” This woman may be in New York, Berlin or London, in the countryside, just somewhere where there is a stimulating mood to search, ponder and try to make sense of life, politics, art, the future and our roots.

Wishing one and all and yours a wonderful September!

Nancy

August 2010 fashion screensaver is here!

(as a fellow blogger, just click here to download

and use this month's screensaver or to print yourself a copy)

August always feels like back-to-school mode no matter how many years have passed since one last registered for classes.  The stores and magazines are filled with dreamy designer inventions styled and chosen by the editors.  They hope that we will take the delicious bite and wrap ourselves in something new - that we will be infused through their creativity with fresh energy and glamour as we prepare to pounce on the new fall challenges. Just the right pièce de résistance is so very invigorating.

In sketching this month's calendar, my thoughts drifted to denim worn simply with white cotton camisoles - the timeless way of dressing.  The look that found its way into brush and paint are from my book, Denim Revolution -- the ornate poet's beret with brass buttons and elaborate ribbons and the harlequin trousers with their plush ruby insets and gold braided bows.  Fun to make and so cool to wear.

Wishing one and all to enjoy August's gracious, grand finale,

of the sweet summer,

Nancy

The July fashion screensaver

Finally (...it's only July 18th after all)

the July screensaver has arrived!

(click here to download a copy)

With this denim trimmed vintage slip as the inspiration for the sketch,

I wish one and all a most happy second half of July.

And may you stretch your summer weekend

with an extra dose of lasting, lovely pleasure!
Best wishes,
Nancy

The June Fashion screensaver

(click here to download the June screensaver)

Still high on my wonderful visit to NYC. 

10th Avenue viewed from the Highline - wow! 

The glory and playful happening in Central Park's Sheep's Meadow --

and fashion at the MET. 

I felt like a carefree tourist --

and it was fun,

exceptionally so,

as it can only happen in NY, NY.

The May 2010 fashion screensaver

Just click here to download this month’s screensaver

Here we are, already the second of May, and everyone is sliding into the spirit to thoroughly relax and enjoy the soft end of spring (...especially following April which was up to the dickens all month long.) Around my neighborhood, the azaleas and tulips are fading rapidly with the scent of wisterias and lilacs in full bloom, along with plenty of dandelions and pretty weeds. So with high expectations, of all kinds, and the lovely fresh sweet blooms surrounding all of us in delightful and surprising ways, I drew, painted and pasted together this screensaver.  If you're predisposed to print out more than the calendar, here are some of the fun elements that wound their way into the screensaver…

Above is one, from my little Birthday book from Giulio Giannini & Figlio in Florence. 

And below, another, from my deck of cards from the Portland Rose Garden.

Free April 2010 fashion screensaver

(fellow bloggers - click here to download the April wallpaper)

Oh my, it is already April 4th and only today I am finally ready to upload the April calendar...I wonder what that means about the month ...certainly, that good things are around the corner!  The ideas for this month's wallpaper have been swimming around in my head for awhile.  It started with the romantic sound of the Mama's and Papa's song about going to San Fransisco with flowers in your hair.  As we enter into the heart of spring, dreaming about San Fransisco and all it's soft lovliness, is where I would love to be, right now.

The above postcard from Romania, dropped on my drawing table, with this little boy, or is it a girl, in her decorative hat, covered in grass, beads and flowers, and equally decorative jumper.  The image didn't end up in the wallpaper, but I wanted to share it with you, as it was an inspiration.

Finally, a couple images have been scanned and inserted into the painting from my set of playing cards, from one of my favorite spots, the Portland Rose Gardens.  It is an easy walk or bike ride from my childhood home, and full of my favorite spots, smells of the good earth, a seemingly endless variety of blooming roses, and my sweet memories.  Right now I'm remembering the day my younger brother and I visited, not so long ago, on a gentle April day, when he bought me this deck of cards.

March Fashion Wallpaper

(Click here to download or print out the March wallpaper.)

Wishing everyone a good month.

February's heartfelt wallpaper sketch

click here to download this month's wallpaper calendar

Maybe, because I have always adored hearts, especially deep, rich, handmade chocolates that are sunk into lush red velvet heart shaped boxes, and all the other tempting things associated with Valentine’s Day – that this month’s calendar had to reflect all of it and more. I started painting and drawing red, violet and pink hearts with this heavenly, real gold, solid gold painted background, like a golden heart … and from there the sketch developed. How many hearts can you find in the sketch? Wishing you a most love-ly month of February!

January 2010 fashion screensaver

Welcome to 2010 with the January 2010 calendar!

Click here to download and print a copy or use it as your screensaver.

It's already the 3rd of January - and I am filled with the giddy enthusiasm of entering a new decade. I'm already madly in love with 2010. The new inventions and goals of the last decade seem to have magically evolved into the wiser, better and more clear hopes of the future.

Today the ground is covered in fresh snow, so I've sketched the way the world looks -everyone bundling up, layers upon bulky layers, in their own individual way, to enclose themselves with the feelings of winter, the freshness of the air, surrounded by the faintest glow lingering from the fireworks that rang in the year only hours ago.

Cheers to all and one in twenty-ten!

A free December screensaver

Every month I sketch a screensaver.

As a fellow blogger, you are welcome to upload it.
Wishing you a wonderful December, may you enjoy and discover natural beauty wherever it may fall. Let the grand finale of 2009 be filled with dreams, hopes, winter bliss and more!

Free November fashion screensaver

click here to download or print the November screensaver

2009 is racing by and November is already upon us! I continue with my monthly sketches sharing my fashion thoughts and sketches with my fellow bloggers. This month’s calendar is about mixing the unexpected in highly personal ways. Sketched is a denim skirt from my book, Denim Revolution, that was cut and stitched with a sweep of red plaid insets. It is styled with over the knee boots, a lacey sweater and a retro, leopard printed bag. Hair is shaggy and the style is nonchalant, of the moment, fun. I hope you enjoy a wonderful November and freely discover and express your individuality in fashion and beyond!

October fashion screensaver inspired by Kirafashion

(click here to upload the screensaver or print a copy.)

In a whim, I drew the October screensaver inspired by the beauty, natural grace and stylish love for fashion, expressed by Kira, who writes the Brazilian fashion blog http://www.kirafashion.com.br/.

Until pen touches paper, I actually never know what I am going to draw, and this month was no exception. My pencils just sort of found their way around the page, until the message came through.

When I’m drawing I want to bring the viewer into an imaginary world that is filled with the mood, the feelings and the glow of the natural changes in the seasons that inspire my fashion swings.

For October, I’ve carried Kira into a forest, filled with the gentle winds of fall and styled her with a black leather biker jacket, thigh high boots, lacey tights and the denim Parisian pouf skirt (naturally from my book, Denim Revolution.) It’s a romantic mix of old and new, the familiar and the unexpected, reflecting the friendships that we value. I hope it inspires you to be free, express yourself and enjoy October and all that it blows into your world.

September fashion screensaver

(Click here to upload or print the September 2009 screensaver)

September’s calendar is inspired by our desire each fall to update and brighten up our wardrobes. Fashion whims are discovered through our feelings about the world, our dreams and our changing lifestyles. Sketched in this month’s screensaver is a DIY, re-constructed, denim jacket with hounds tooth check (sketched with faux fur, leopard shoes and a Coco belt) cuffs and collar from, naturally, my book ... Denim Revolution. I adore this jacket which was fun and easy to make. Sewing, re-fashioning cast-offs or new finds, mending, patching, playing with shapes and materials in individual ways, is very rewarding. You can make a difference in this world by your choices, by balancing your individuality and homemaking skills with new buys from favorite designers as you update your fall wardrobe and pack away the summer T’s. Updating your wardrobe is part of the process of giving a gust of positive energy to your outlook as you take on new challenges or set new goals for the upcoming year. Follow your urges and enjoy!

August's fashion screensaver

download this month's screensaver here,

to upload it as your screensaver or to print a hard copy

August is the time for travels and renewal. Coming home with flowers, tastes and sketches from journeys, this month's screensaver turned into a collage of memories. Cuffed jean shorts seems to be the summer '09 uniform for both genders worn with breezy white cottons by foot or on two wheels. And the awe of Pisa never fades. Below are a few more images. Handmade shoes in Florence...swimming trunks in patterns and colors like one can only find in Milan.

... And I'm collecting napkins (so descriptive of the spot) from favorite cafes like 10 corso como and Princi in Milan and another one from Caffe Florian in Venice, as dreamy as ever. Happy August!

A free July screensaver

(click here to download this month's drawing and use it as a screen saver,

or to print it out - it's free!

It's July, it's sunny and the weekends seem to stretch longer. It's time to enjoy a carefree barefoot dance on the beach ... dressed with a cut, cropped striped t and denim short shorts layered under a stretchy flowered mini. The drawing is rather silly, youngish and spirited this month. That's just what happened. I hope it inspires you to express yourself.

June fashion screensaver

(Click here to download the June screen saver or to save it and print a hard copy.)

It's free, it fun, enjoy!

June is always so very lovely. Sunshine, gentle breezes, raspberries and flowers fill the air with the kind of special delight that's as quiet and astonishing -- as the activities and songs of the wide variety of birds one is finding everywhere. The fashion sketch in this month's screen saver is a mix of that light hearted and dreamy mood that seems to prevail all month long. After struggling through some rather serious sketches, I finally landed on this one, which has the big over sized denim weekend bag (long weekend journeys must start now!) from a few posts ago, and a spontaneous layering of old and new clothes, based on a peplum effect. Don't we all feel like shedding our serious clothes and having some fun, defining our individuality and self expression? The background this month is a collage taken from my desk -- with a favorite birthday card from a friend and wonderful artist, flea market finds, postcard stands made from re-cycled plastic (which I'm really having fun with and will post more about it soon) and much more. Isn't one's desk always an expression of thoughts, wishes and things to do and not to forget... .