Monthly Archive for November, 2008

Page 2 of 2

Cloth Kits and Patterns

My blog friend Heidi always finds the most interesting and beautiful art and events to read about and see.  I love checking in and seeing what she’s found, and today, well, it made my heart beat a bit faster than usual.  In fact, I almost have to think she posted it just for me!

These wonderful animal illustrations from Louise Elliot.  She’s got 12 Animals of the World that you can download (free), give to the kids to color, or as Heidi suggests, use them as crewel patterns. As I like to stitch most of my gifts, I’ve been thinking about stitching animals for kids, and I think I might have to use these!

But as I explore even more, I am just swooning over her doll and animal kits.  I am totally drawn to these.  I think it is because they are printed on fabric (if you know me, I am obsessed with anything printed on fabric, and well, just fabric in general), and two, I am completely drawn in to each design, I just love her illustrations.

I am really intrigued by cloth kits.  Some, I must be honest, I wouldn’t make, but I would make Louise Elliot’s kit in a heartbeat, and anything from clothkits especially:

this Rob Ryan skirt.  SWOON CITY!!!

All Year Rings

I’ve been thinking about my holiday cards this year. Actually, I haven’t sent any out in the past few years, I start too late, and making most of my gifts, the cards get pushed aside. This year though, I have an idea, a greener idea, that involves email, but hopefully won’t be deleted. (Not that any of my family or friends would EVER delete one of MY emails) I’m thinking a “card” that can be emailed, and printed out and hung on the tree, or mantle or framed to be KEPT FOREVER.

Then, this morning, while clicking around, I found these:

I would keep these forever, wouldn’t you?

found at MoCo Loco

Charts

I’ve always been fascinated with charts and information.  I love how each item is carefully placed on the page, either illustrated amazingly well or photographed beautifully.

The two images above were found on BilbiOdyssey, which is an extensive collection of images and information, prepare to spend HOURS.

Rudolf Leuckart Wall Charts

From Morbid Anatomy.

Ernst Haeckel

Weed Charts

I could pour over the antique and vintage wall charts.

Have you seen the Cabinet of Curiosity, a Flickr group where you can find similar charts and collections of curious things.  Also, Organized Collection, another Flickr group, perhaps the modern version of the older wall charts. CollectionsVintage ScienceCool Data Visualization TechniquesDiagramsThe Walker Treasury ProjectMuseum of Samplers.

Lottie Frank

I have a little fashion illustration love.  It’s something I’ve been doing most of my life, for me, doodles on napkins, in my sketchbooks, on notes during meetings (shhh, don’t tell).

Remember this post where I mentioned Lottie Frank?  Lottie Frank is the beautiful work of illustrator/designer Lucy Claydon.  Well, I don’t know if you’ve been watching, but there’s new work in her Etsy shop.

There’s more treasure to explore in her Flickr too.

The Haircut Song

The before:
TheFirstHaircut1

The after:
TheFirstHaircut16

And all the in between can be seen on Flickr.

On the way, we asked her how she’d like to get her hair cut.  She said just the back, but not the ears.  She was really worried that her ears would get cut off too.  After explaining that ears don’t get cut during a haircut, she was convinced and totally excited.  She loves her new do.

I leave you with a little haircut fun:

I Am So Proud, I Can’t Stop Crying

It’s true. I cried while watching the election results last night. I cried hard. Why? For so many reasons. Really. Because voters came out and voted! Because people came together and got excited and rallied. Because a young, first term senator, African-American, (okay, I’m going to say it…) BLACK man got elected into office. I’m so impressed with America. I’m just floored. I feel so lucky. I feel so positive.

I wasn’t sure. Really. Watching the news (which actually, I rarely do), and catching all the hateful and racist and bigoted voters, I thought, is this what America really is? I didn’t want to think so, but honestly, I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know of any, except one who wasn’t voting for Obama because of his name (sounds educated doesn’t it?). And it makes me think, is the media really doing it’s job? Are they being objective. I can think of quite a few that aren’t, that are perpetuating the hate and divisiveness. I wish, wish, wish, they would do a more objective job. People are smart enough to make their own decisions.

America has voted. The REAL America. The melting pot. How lucky are am I, are we, to live here and be a part of all of this.

We’ve been chatting on Facebook, and I’ve been reading, how some are so disappointed. I get it. I think if Obama had lost and McCain had won, I probably couldn’t have gotten out of bed today. I like the John McCain from years ago, the one I saw giving his concession speech last night, the one that called for us to work together. I couldn’t vote for the one I saw during this campaign, he scared me. The hatred and nastiness was not flattering, in fact it was embarrassing. The choice for his running mate was such an insult, it left me speechless and eventually made me angry, really really angry. I saw such a contrast from the last time he ran, he didn’t seem like he was behind his policies or running mate. I wonder really how he felt. He didn’t use to be so conservative, I always though he was more of a moderate. But I am so grateful for his concession speech, spoken like a true HUMAN BEING!!! (I’m disappointed in the booing during his speech, please, people, I mean REALLY!).

I’m excited, so freakin’ excited for what the future holds.

Anyway, I got such a thrill voting last night:

Here’s to the next 4 years of hope and change. ROCK ON America.

Live Election Results…

I keep checking. I’m off to vote, taking Iz with me after school. I hope you are voting today if you haven’t already!

What To Do With Those Rags And Old Clothes

From the super creative Droog.  They are designed so you can add your own rags and clothes.  I also love Come A Little Bit Closer Bench, Nest House, Do Hit Chair, and check out their Labs, very cool.

Holiday Ornament Swap 2008

It’s sign up time again! Freshly Blended and cake & pie have announced it! Sign ups start today and end on Nov 10, so click on over and get your ornament on!

My Little Butterfly

Friday night was delightful.  When Iz woke up Friday morning I told her it was Halloween, and after school, she could put on her costume and we’d go Treating, so she declared during morning circle that today, after school Halloween starts!

Dressed in a lovely butterfly costume, we headed to Columbia City, where the lovely local shops were handing out candy.  At Retroactive Kids, Bellen Drake was photographing the kids.  I just love the shots, and I can’t wait to see them.  You can see more of her beautiful work on her web site.  (I wonder if they’ll be doing this for Christmas?  hmmm)

Costume Photoshoot

Treatin'

Sneakin' Candy in the Backseat

Iz was so delighted, she munched on a few pieces in the back seat while we left Columbia City and headed for West Seattle.

Little Butterfly

Treatin'

We had a sweet evening, with not a lot of sugar consumption.  The Halloween Monster (she’s friendly, don’t worry), did come last night and took some of the candy.  We leave her some of the treats so we can trick -or-treat next year.  The rest will be rationed off, and probably forgotten about in a few days.