I picked these up at Michaels today. Yeah, I know....it's the 4th of July weekend...crazy to be buying Halloween stuff but I HAD TO. Hard to tell in this photo but these are meant to sit on a surface, and are over an inch thick, about five inches high. How Cool Are They?
Enjoy the long weekend....especially the fireworks.
sometimes you just need a good cry. this very dear performance last night did it for me. thank you kevin for going out on a limb to share your talent. wishing you much success.
Tomorrow is the last day for the current GPP Street Team Crusade. We've been Making It Our Own and many artists have come by to share their inspiration and interpretations as we strive to add an authentic and personal touch to all that we do. Often we turn to custom tools to keep things original and unique - like carved stamps or cut stencils. There have been many times where I have created an element simply because it didn't exist and I needed/wanted it. THAT is how I began designing and selling rubber stamps. I made images I wanted to have that weren't available yet.
As you know, we are huge HIM fans in this house. I have an entire drawer of HIM shirts, at least 5 hoodies, several bags, and countless accessories with heartagrams thanks to Hot Topic, Spencers, Heartagram.com, and concerts. In the early days there was not alot of merchandise with the heartagram on it....so we had to Make Our Own.
I carved these stamps and we used them with fabric paint or even cooler: bleach, to make tshirts and stuff. I cut stencils too. And the heartagram pendant came by request of Peter and his friends (they all wanted one), made from pink wire. It's awfully primitive but pretty cool of me don't you think?
A couple summers ago I made these for my NJ/NY HIM Street Team. Super quick and easy and inexpensive. Great party favor.
The heartagram selections at Hot Topic these days are kinda scarce again until the new album comes out (too long from now!) so I may have to go back to Making My Own HIM merch. (Very closely related to Make It Your Own is Do It Yourself!) Stop in at the Street Team to see what we are doing....and then come back later in the week to see the new challenge and play along with us.
*Swooon* My favorite font, hands down, is Blackletter. So imagine how fast I ordered up Fraktur mon Amour by Judith Schalansky featuring 333 historical and contemporary Blackletter variations. Yes, it's pricey, but it comes with a cd containing 150 of them...and it's a gorgeous volume that makes me so happy just to page through.
Can you stand how cool this is? I love the random and abstract graphic play with the fonts on the left pages....had to have a go at it...with my fave song title.
* post title 'oh my goth' borrowed from lisa.
As soon as I found this site, Villainess, I knew I wanted to share it with you. I also wanted to tell you about a *sign* uncovered there - the synchronistic kind of connection I was not looking for but smacked me in the head. First, the cool site....they have some terrific products. Perfume oils, soaps, and body scrubs with clever and inventive titles, and interesting scents.
Brooke kindly granted me permission to use images from her site. How could you not be intrigued by these descriptions? Signature scent, Villainess: all ball gowns and combat boots - raw, smokey leather and sweet vanilla musk engulfed in a sheer haze of exotic florals - ylang, neroli, jasmine, lilac and tuberose. Or Byzantium: precious woods and resins - cedar, pine and sandalwood, frankincense, amber and myrrh - at play against a sheer base of Egyptian musk, barely spiked with imported spices, and lightly veiled in smoke. I got these two and a handful of adorable and equally appealing samplers of soaps and scrubs. Go check out the fab selections.
So here is the unlikely connection....Do you see the floral background from Brooke's site? It reminded me of a similar fabric in brown/black I had scored at Wal-Mart a while back. Yes, Wal-Mart! Here's the thing: on my to-do list before family arrived was to clean my dining room chair seats (a filthy ivory). By Tuesday night (troops were arriving Thursday) I hadn't touched the chairs and most likely they'd never be dry in time. It was Tuesday that I stumbled upon Villainess. So Wednesday afternoon I dashed over to pick up a few yards of the fabric from Wal-Mart, and by dinner time I had recovered 6 chairs! Scissors, tacks, and less than 3 yds. for less than $30. A great solution don't you think? That's how it is when you are open to signs....at the 11th hour unexpected inspiration channels in. Now my chairs looks great and I smell stunning.
Condolences to the family, friends, and fans of familiar faces who left this week....Ed, Farrah, and Michael. I can't say I was ever an MJ fan, but I have heard him in our home almost daily....Sam watches Free Willy over and over, it's his special connection to the orcas....he rewinds this track.....HERE. So another unlikely connection...respecting that Micheal Jackson was not only on the soundtrack for Free Willy, but he is on the soundtrack of our generation.
Serendipity, synchronicity, coincidence.....I pay attention and feel like I'm in tune to the meaning of what happens around me. I look for connections, significance, in art-making and in life. Not long ago Lisa pointed me toward these books. Mr. Rushnell is my kind of guy. He not only identifies with my favorite, *winks*, but he takes the position that they are God-sent. I'll buy that.
This month my friend Kathryn posted to her True North Arts blog about serendipity and synchronicity, and the role it plays in the creative process. I was honored to be an invited guest - you can read her interview with me HERE. She then challenged her readers to invent a compass. I didn't have the time to create something this month, but in my studio overhaul I came across a portfolio of old sketches. Synchronicity! Check out my compasses.
This doesn't really count as an entry to her challenge, but the message is timely....especially as our oldest has just graduated. The deadline for Kathryn's prompt is Friday, therefore I'm not-so-timely in directing you her way. Don't let that stop you. There is alot to read and think about over there, and I'm certain she has more up her sleeve with future projects.
Our annual family gathering usually takes place in Minnesota. This year they all came to Jersey. It was the first time my brother brought his family here so we gave them the city tour (x2) and didn't let the rain stop us.
We missed having Andy here this time, but we felt Shannon with us. Summer is officially here! Enjoy.
One leaves high school, and two will enter it. Three ta-das in one day! Happy to have my family here from Minnesota to celebrate with us.
Wishing Graham, my Dad, my brother, my Father-in-Law, and dads everywhere a Happy Fathers Day.
If you've caught the spray paint frenzy you no doubt are onto Shepard Fairey. He is masterful...and you can see him in action in this video HERE. *swoon* Then catch him in Arkitip #51. This is perfect spraying weather and I'm itching to get outside with some of my new stencils. The studio is still in-progress and company comes Thursday, all three kids have graduation ceremonies Friday, so the cans will have to wait a little longer. In my excavations I came across this journal....the first weekend I started spray painting. I completed an entire journal in two days. That's how it is with spray paint....fast & fun. Watch Shepard....you'll agree.
Not going to show you the inside YET. It's still in-progress but nearly done. Feels so good to shake off stuff and declutter, organize....and rediscover some of my supplies! When I'm short on surfaces to work on there is always the trusty clipboard, one of my favorite studio tools. I clip under a page I'm working on - sometimes one under each side. They keep my pages flat which is especially nice if there is something lumpy on the previous spread. I can cut right into a page with my exacto, the board acting as a cutting mat too.
During the clean sweep my eyes were opened to just how many clipboards I have accumulated. I won't even admit to how many scissors I have *grin*.
I do admit I'm a terrible put-away-er. Mail bins seem to multiply in my studio. No more! No fines for me. (The U.S. Mail bins clearly warn against misuse of postal property. I'm returning these today.)
Most of the trash bags left on Friday but more will go out on Tuesday. Dude! I'm nearly done! Who wants a tour? Bribes required.
Check out this perfume! What clever packaging. One even sprays in color (then it fades). I'd love a whiff of it....might have to pop into Barneys next time I'm in the city to see if they have a sample. I wish my favorite room spray came in a can like this. THAT I could afford.
I've been tucked away in my studio doing a major overhaul and shaking off alot of stuff. It feels good to invest time in this place - way overdue. I've cleared a path so you don't have to hop on one foot to get around, and soon you won't need a helmet or tetanus booster to visit me here. All my books are finally in one place, all my spray cans, stencils, and brushes are neatly organized. I have 5 large plastic bins filled with bottles of acrylic paint. If I ever mention I'm going out to buy paint STOP ME. I can even see a cleared work surface. *faints*
Did ya know? Today is BBF Day. Below is one of my fave *friend* songs that I love to crank up and sing to in the van. What's on your friend playlist? Maybe THIS or THIS or THIS or THIS or even THIS.
I remember this from Girl Scouts: Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver, the other gold.
To my gold friends, my silver friends, the ones I see often, the ones I see not so often, and the ones I've never seen: xoxo
The other day Martha's guest was a 'rosarian" from the New York Botanical Garden. I learned a few things about planting - good to know as we just introduced 3 more rose bushes TODAY...making 13! I love that title and figured it was reserved for official rose specialists or rosologists...is that a word? When I looked it up at Merriam Webster is simply said: cultivator of roses. I'm that. I'm a rosarian ;)
Above is the view of my five original bushes. If you are considering getting one for yourself let me suggest Double Knockout. Ours are really growing up and out and I have been cutting roses from them daily. Here's the thing - when I first got these last July I was afraid to cut the roses off. Once I finally did it I was rewarded with many many more. Don't be afraid to cut some and bring them in to enjoy. I promise you they grow back.
I have lost count of how many roses I have cut this year. The first bloom opened only two weeks ago and I'll bet I have had 100 since then. Seriously. I did some reading and came across a great trick - have a bucket of water out with you to drop the roses into when you cut them. And cut early morning or late afternoon when it's cooler because the stems are more likely to be filled with the food that keeps them nourished and they will last longer in your vase. I'm sure that's good advice for any kind of flower you cut from your garden.
I noticed our newest roses came in a container from Jackson and Perkins - the same company that Martha promoted on her show. I went to their website and uh-oh.....I think I found a few more things I need for the sunny spots in our yard. Climbing roses called Stairway to Heaven? Need 'em. I'm ready to tackle climbers (I think) and so I was looking at the arches and trellis options when I saw these dome things. Need 'em. Yep, I'm a rosarian.
EDIT: Linda commented about using coffee grounds on roses....my mother-in-law in England does that too, so we have been saving both coffee and tea and have used it on the Mother's Day rose bushes as a test. I'm still waiting for that garden to begin showing optimism. (I think the rabbits have been enjoying them.) My morning check brought this.....just yummy....it's yellow down in the center.
She was hopping around online and somehow found me....wrote me...."I love your work and I want some". That was four months ago. She built a website and I did her graphics. Since then she's been lobbing assignments my way and I do my best to complete them. It's been fun! Little did I know when I started messing around in Photoshop that my playtime would become a day job. You put yourself out there with no real agenda and the people you are meant to meet find you. Here's what I've been doing:
Irina has boutiques in Carlsbad, CA and Del Mar, CA. If you ever stop in there let me know - I'm dying to hear all about it. Her online store is FairenDel.com
Over on my Street Team site I have posted a new challenge, Crusade No. 31 ~ Make It Your Own. Come on over and see what it's about. If you're at work you might want to turn down your speakers as the loud music may cause a stir.
Did you vote last night? I hope you dialed 01, 03 or 05! Whoever wins (it better be Adam) I think it's a great show. Fun to see people step up and go for it, using their talent. It's always interesting to hear the judges, especially Simon. I appreciate his honesty. They are looking for star power, for uniqueness, for individuality. I hear them say many times "you really made that song your own". Stand out. Be extraordinary. We may not sing well, but we can strive for that same personal expression in our art. THAT is exactly what we are sharing with Crusade No. 31.
UPDATE: Congrats to Kris Allen. Great show - fun to see KISS and Queen. The P!NK song the American Idols opened with sums it up "so what, I'm still a rock star...." I'm with you Adam.
Yesterday was my 45th birthday. I think that almost as hard as July 10th will be, yesterday was tough. I really missed her. For forty years we shared the same birthday. And while we shared many other things, like our brother, our parents, a bedroom, a wedding dress,....sharing a birthday was something really special.
There were many years when Shannon and I got matching gifts. When we each turned forty our parents gave us these charm bracelets. I got mine five years ago, and she got hers last year. Her last birthday. She is still wearing hers, filled with charms from all of us. Forever, the 40 on mine will now mean the forty years I was gifted with her presence.
I've been thinking about that...presents & presence. I look at the many wonderful presents I received this birthday and I am ever more thankful for the presence of each giver, both nearby or long distance.
And then there was this....
Literally dozens of buds are reaching straight up, toward the sun, toward heaven. My plants from last July, with blooms ready to open....and one did. My Mothers Day roses are thriving, spreading their optimism. And roses arrived at my door too....
Thanks for all the kind words and wishes. xoxo
Oooh! Up for pre-order is the new Dan Brown novel The Lost Symbol. And this weekend Angels and Demons hits the screen. Can't wait. I loved the Da Vinci Code (book was better than the film) and soaked up all the connections made with signs and symbolism. On my drawing table is a study of symbols, with my own personal connections....the obvious: a cross, a pink rose, and a four leaf clover. and the secret: an "S".
Friday @ 4:15 I will be honoring my sister with this permanent sign. If I could see her reaction I know it would be a roll of the eyes, just before they well up with tears.
On Sunday, Shannon's husband Andy will be honoring her with a team of walkers for Great Strides to benefit Cystic Fibrosis. Love that their mantra is to turn CF into Cure Found. Love that it is on our birthday.
