Patchwork Party

Oh, man! So wonderful! Only in my dreams can I create a quilty thing that has more than nine pieces, so I'm totally enamored with Tamiko's gift to her taffy-loving friend. Where did she get this fabric? To quote Crystal, I die. Tamiko's blog, Patchwork Notes, has oodles more genius pieces like this. I will try to be inspired instead of wasting time slowly burning with envy at her skillz.

John Candy craft

Great Outdoor plushes, originally uploaded by tad carpenter.

During my monthly search for Jeff Goldblum crafts, I got sidetracked and started looking for John Candy crafts. This is the only one I've found, but boy, it's a doozy! I will never forget the steak scene from The Great Outdoors, an otherwise forgettable vehicle. So...much...gristle!

Just Kids

 I've always loved Patti Smith; she's one of those people who doesn't seem to have compromised much, with amazing results. I finally read Just Kids, her memoir about her early life with the artist Robert Mapplethorpe. She was/is tough, brave, and smart, and it was a great read. They basically hung out together, were totally committed to creativity, and lived on a budget of absolutely nothing. My favorite tidbit: Smith got a plum job working in the rare books section of a bookstore and used her knowledge of antique books to feed herself and Mapplethorpe during extra lean times.

After reading this book, it's clear that I have no idea what it is to truly sacrifice for art. I know it isn't the sixties anymore, but the atmosphere's different. However, I do know that the crazy friends you make in your early 20's can last a lifetime and continue to inspire, and all that time spent just hanging out is special, even when you're not a famous punk poet.

Psychedelic Sunday

This song isn't particularly psychedelic, but my response to it was when I heard it while shopping for jewelry supplies in a Beverly's yesterday. This is not a song you expect to hear in a store. I present for your listening "pleasure," Winchester Cathedral by The New Vaudeville Band. It's a real treat for the senses.

Reading

 {pic from A Better Oakland}

On Monday I got to show my support for the Oakland library system (the mayor is trying to shut down ten of the city's fourteen branches?!) by reading for a few minutes in front of City Hall.

I didn't want to be boring, and also wanted to read something that reminded me of how important libraries are. As an adult, I will admit to being a terrible user of the library, in that I don't utilize it enough. But as a kid? Oh, my god. It was the most important place. So I read from Harriet the Spy, which is just a truly genius book and so enjoyable to read again every few years. I don't think any other children's book asked the questions that it did (about religion, family, money, and human behavior) in such an honest way; the voice of HTS and its equally brutal sequel, The Long Secret, did a lot in terms of shaping me into the cynical but softhearted weirdo I am today.

It was fun to read aloud. I did an "old rich lady" accent that was enjoyable. I hope they don't shut down any libraries.

Psychedelic Sunday

This song is the flavor of the day. "California" by Robert Charlebois from 1966.

Hairs

I'm having a hair crisis. Every once in a while I commit to growing it out. This lasts about three days; then I get the scissors and start whacking. I guess this is why I have a wig (which I think people totally thought was real when I wore it in New York. I think.) However, my hair is long enough to sport a few bobby pins. I made these ones and want to wear them all at once. All colors ftw!

The End of an Era

 Most crafty people have heard the news by now that ReadyMade is no more. The magazine, brand, and blog are kaput as of Thursday afternoon, which was a big, sad surprise to me (although obviously I am aware that print media is generally in trouble). My main feelings include what a bummer, well, nothing lasts forever, and what now?

I've gotten used to writing about crafts almost every day for the past year and a half, and I don't want to stop now. It's been fantastic, and going back through my posts this afternoon to archive them for a future portfolio, I can say that I'm really proud of the work I've done (if you know me at all, admissions of pride are few and far between).

So for now, I plan to continue writing about crafts and the other things I find wonderful and compelling on the internets. I'll just be doing it here. I hate change, but sometimes it can be a catalyst for some good ol' fashioned forward motion. Here goes!

Vacation Prize

I just got back from visiting family in Denver, CO. Turns out, Denver is awesome! All the houses seem to be made of brick and perfectly covered with ivy, the air smells great, and the mountains are beautiful. I did a teeny bit of shopping with my mom and she bought me these paper dolls. I swear, I did some nature stuff too.

Yeah, I'll have one of those.

Today's vintage glassware that I do not need nor have room for is brought to you by Sunny Day Vintage. Adorable, right? In my dreams I will be eating little custards out of these.

Made it!

I've been making so much stuff lately, and somehow, stubbornly refusing to photograph it. Yesterday I mustered the strength; but by the time I got outside, it was raining. Well, I did it anyway, dammit! These are my favorite new thing I've made; I decided to put a little puff of wool roving in the bottles and I think it completes the look. Go me!

Stick team!

I was so mad when I first saw this movie. I thought it was the worst thing ever. It still may be, but now I've seen it ten thousand times. It has an irresistible power. Hopefully now that Christopher Meloni's leaving SVU, he'll play more sweater-fondling, dance-montage-having Vietnam vets. The above is an art show I might actually feel comfortable attending.