Treasury Tuesday 6: Clouds, Clouds, Clouds!

It was a cloudy day in central Arizona today, and it put me in the mood from some cutesy fluffy cloud items.  You can view the entire treasury here on Etsy.

8x10 Black and White Billowing Thunderstorm Canvas by keithharding

Have I ever mentioned that I am a sucker for black and white photography?  I began my passion with photography on a beginner's 35mm SLR, and shot in black and white from the beginning.  There is something about the absence of color that makes a photograph more striking, more influential.  I agree that color has it's place, at my heart I'm a purist.  Give me my Minotla (circa 1969), my slew of manual focus lenses, and a few canisters of hand-rolled 35mm Arista and I'm ready to go.  This photograph illustrates many of the qualities I love the best about black and white stills; the dreamy farmland, stretching flat to the horizon, leading up to the stunning texture and contrast of the cloud itself.

Rain Storm Bangle Stacking Set of 5 by DrCraze

Stacking bracelets?  Like.  But stacking bracelets that let you design your own weather patter?  LOVE.  Totally adorable and great for fidgety folks like myself.  Neutral enough to go with any outfit, and certain to put a smile on your face.

Dreamy Little Clouds Set of 3 by Babycakes & Decor

These clouds are almost unbelievably realistic.  I can imagine that hanging these in your house would feel like having your own captured clouds.  So simple, but so inspiring in their creativity.

Getting in to Sewing Again!

I'll be the first to admit that I have a short attention span, especially when it comes to projects.  For instance, I got tickets to a great play in Phoenix for Christmas, and some lovely lace yarn.  So I decided that I would (finally!) get around to making myself a shawl and wear it to the playhouse.  I crocheted like crazy for a week strait, but didn't manage to finish.  I was so focused on getting it done in time for the play and now....well, I have like half of the edging rows done and haven't touched it in 2 or 3 weeks.

So after making about 2 dozen little amigurumi animals for my shop, stuffing them, embroidering them, embellishing them.....I'm a little burnt out on crocheting.  I'm finally at a point where the horrors of trying to use my very basic Brother sewing machine to make cloth diapers while I was pregnant have faded in to my memory, and I'm starting to get the itch to sew again.  But did I mention that my sewing machine is buried somewhere in the 3rd parking space of my garage, which is still stacked five feet high with boxes from moving?  Oi vey.

I did brush up my hand-sewing skills on the head of a little vintage-inspired teddy bear pattern, but so far only his head is done.  It brought a lot of lovely sewing memories back, and also the memory that plastic safety eyes are a little difficult to place on a sewn item unless you use your measuring tape.  (The result--slightly demented looking crooked-eyed dismembered bear head....but I digress.)

In my quest for a few simple patterns to brush up my machine sewing skills (once said machine is either found in the bowels of my garage, or I simply buy a new one), I came across this great article on Craftster that I had to share.  Nine Great Sewing Projects for Beginners by jungrrl.

I will admit that I did very little studying before I first started to sew in my late teens.  I simply asked for a machine and went at it.  Needless to say, I never learned the proper way to do a few simple tricks, and since it's been nearly 2 years since I touched my machine, I figure now is as good a time as any to start sewing the right way.  Hopefully I will be able to share with you a few little projects and tips on sewing very soon.  In the meantime, I'd love to hear what kind of sewing machine y'all use and love, since this little Brother (if it can be found) will probably be destroyed a la Office Space after the 100th time I have to rewind the bobbin because it ate/snapped my thread.  ;)

Don't judge too harshly....he's a little special.

Treasury Tuesday 5: Reminders

Well, Treasury Wednesday is moving to Tuesday....because hey, the alliteration is easier for me to remember.  I have worked out a new blogging schedule, which is written out neatly on a calendar at my desk, out in the open where I will see it every day.  This ought to keep my blogging more regular!

This week's treasury theme is Reminders, to go along with my new tidy blogging schedule intentions.  You can view the treasury in it's entirety here on Etsy.

Remember Seek Forgetting Find, E.E. Cummings, Hand Stamped Pendant by Hard Kandie
I'm a sucker for poetry, especially the kind with lines that ramble and twine and almost don't make sense, but somehow manage to hit you right in the chest, make your heart weak and yet seem to grow.  E.E. Cummings does that to me, and when I saw this necklace it brought back wonderful memories of reading his poetry on summer afternoons as a teenager, still enjoying the delicious feelings of summer vacation and hormonal discord.  The simplicity of this necklace perfectly suits the prose, it's quietly lovely and easy to appreciate.

The Reminder Ring by Ricci Worth Designs
Is there any symbol more synonymous with forgetfulness than a string tied around one's finger?  An ancient belief, literally trying the idea to yourself to keep it from escaping, now has a modern twist.  Simple and elegant, it's an item that is beautiful and useful.

Weekly Planner Chalkboard Calendar - Modern Vinyl Wall Decal by Simple Shapes
I had to add a little utility to this list.  I have a deep affinity for chalk--I can't explain why.  I remember being so disappointed when they switched to erasable markers at school.  The seller advocates the use of "chalk pens" (an item which I will readily admit to never hearing of before this week), but I'll ignore it.  I love the cleverness of the cut-through lettering.  Usually if I don't write something down, I have only half a chance of remembering it.  And having it written on the wall, where I have to read it every time I walk in to the room, is even better.

Treasury Wednesday 4: Hoot Hoot!

Happy Wednesday Evening!  A beautiful day in Arizona, away from the snow and rain.  ;)  Not very productive on the crafting front--a 17-month-old boy with grabby hands is not conducive to knitting!  I am slowly creating knitted amigurumi patterns, and am very happy with how they are turning out.  I am hoping to streamline my amigurumi line, and have picked 3 (o.k., maybe 4) "themes" to stick with.  Hopefully this will help me in creating more items on a regular basis, instead of spending so much of my time trying to create new patterns.

On to the Treasury!  This week's theme: owls!  This week I was thinking about how much I missed the woodland areas of Michigan (where I was born and raised), and the sounds of birds both day and night.  Owls are an uncommon thing in this part of the country, even more so when you live in the city.  So to celebrate the owl, here are a few owl-themed items!

Hoot Hoot! on Etsy

Micro Gray Owl by Su Ami

Almost unbearably adorable, and totally mind boggling!  I squee involuntarily every time I try and look at this little guy.  He measures less than 1cm tall!  The very fact that someone has the time and patience to crochet these tiny animals is amazing to me.  His perfect little details makes him that much more amazing!

Owls & Hearts - Valentine Cookies - 2 Dozen by Sweet Art Sweets
Adorable and delicious!  These little cookies are wonderfully detailed and sweetly petite.  These would make such a creative Valentine's Day gift.  Because let's be honest, roses are romantic, but you can't eat them.  ;)

Owl Art - Spotted Owl by amber alexander
Amber Alexander has been a member of Etsy since 2007, and has sold a staggering number of original paintings and prints.  When someone has 100% feedback after over having 9,000 sales, you know that she must be doing something right!  This owl print is a beautiful contrast; the detailed face with  wonderfully smudgy feathers; his charcoal back fades to soft tan, surrounded by stark whiteness.  So often in paintings, the eyes of the subject lack liveliness; in this painting, they draw you in.  They're fixed, yet softly staring, as if he's daydreaming.  It all adds up to something lovely and wonderful.

Life Sized Needle Felted Barn Owl by Handmade by November
When I showed this photo to my husband, he thought it was a real barn owl.  It's amazing to me what someone can do with raw wool and a simple barbed needle.  I love needle felting, and with my somewhat limited experience I can appreciate the time and care is put in to a large piece like this.

Classic Film Friday 1: The Apartment, which started it all

original movie poster source: www.oscar.com

Well everyone, it's happening!  I am officially adding a special weekly post dedicated to one of my biggest passions, classic film.  I know, it has nothing to do with crafting.  But my husband will soon volunteer for some horrid temporary-hearing-loss medical testing out of sheer boredom as a result of listening to me natter on about some black and white flick.  So I'm bringing the nattering to you!  (I can just hear you groaning...I mean cheering...in anticipation!).  Once a week I will tell you about a classic film, whether it is one that I have just watched for the first time, or one that I know well and love.  And of course, I sincerely welcome your thoughts and comments!  I would like this to be a discussion!

Week 1:  The Apartment (1960)

I adore classic film.  The first film I remember watching while consciously realizing it was a classic film was 1960's The Apartment, with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine.  It is a movie that is still vivid in my mind.  It was the first film to hold power over me, the first film to enchant me with the deep shadows of black and white filmography, to captivate me with the still alien customs of a bygone era.  It was a marked turning point in my life, a point that led to a deep fascination with film, filmography, and everything relating to mid-century.  That movie has led to what I am sure will be a life-long love of films.

The movie tells the story of C.C. Baxter (Lemmon), a lonely paper pusher for a large insurance company with high aspirations for his future.  He allows the 4 bigwigs of the company to use his city apartment for their extramarital affairs, and is running ragged trying to coordinate their demands for the use of his home.  Baxter's neighbors assume he is the one bringing women home every night, and have labeled him a "good time Charlie."  He takes in in stride, believing this situation will lead to his much longed-for promotion.  In the meantime, he attempts to start a relationship with elevator girl Fran Kubelik (MacLaine), who is secretly having an affair with a different boss, who soon demands use of Baxter's apartment as well.  A Christmas Eve disaster leads to Fran staying at Baxter's apartment for 2 days, during which he coaxes her out of her depression.  Fran continues her affair after they both return to work, until she hears that Baxter has quit the firm after finally saying no to his demanding bosses.  She rushes to his apartment, where she finds him packing his things to leave.  She nonsensically suggests they finish their last gin rummy game.  Baxter professes his love for Fran, to which she replies with the now famous line, "Shut up and deal."

The thing about this film that drew me in the most was Jack Lemmon's performance.  It was my first experience with Lemmon outside of Grumpy Old Men, and it surprised me.  He has a manic, powerful energy on screen that I have hardly seen in anyone else.  Sometimes when the scene is really emotional, and he is winding up, it seems as though he can't get the words out fast enough; that he has to say this, that he must get it out for fear of bursting.  His performance is brilliant.  Of course, Shirley MacLaine matches him blow for blow.  She looks so young, so clear-faced and venerable.  But underneath is a complex woman, older than her years and yet in many ways still a silly love-struck child.

It is the type of film that you sink in to, with characters that you fall in love with in a matter of minutes, whom you root for and sit on the edge of your seat for; that you miss when the film is over, in a husked-out emotional roller coaster sort of way.  It is one of the best films that I've ever seen; I came to it so early in my venture to classic film that it is the bar to which I hold other films, it is the film I compare all other films to in their capacity to make me feel and relate, in their ability to hold my attention.  To make sure I have done it justice, I have to say it one more time:  This is a brilliant film.

Treasury Wednesday 3: Edgar Allan Poe Day

Sheesh, I am no good at keeping this blog updated!  I will try, try, TRY to be better about it, now that we're all settled in our new house and work isn't so holiday-busy.

This week's treasury was inspired by the UK's approaching Edgar Allan Poe Day.  I love Poe's work, ever since I was first introduced to it in grade school.  The macabre lyrical quality is like nothing else--which is exactly why, so many decades after his death, he still has such a devoted following.  The full treasury can be seen here, but below I will put a few of my favorites.

 Raven Masquerade Mask, Handmade by Grin, Grimace, & Squeak

The time and effort put in to this mask is absolutely staggering.  It is delicate, intricate, and totally gorgeous.  Definitely not a price tag for your average masquerade ball, but this is the type of item you would want to display on your wall year-round, only to wear to that extravagant event to leave everyone else speechless.  Truly stunning.

Ink Pot and Feather Quill Pen Illustration by Collage-O-Rama

I'm a sucker for illustrations done on old book pages.  Thought I in no way advocate the destruction of antique or non-damaged books, some texts will simply not stand the test of time.  What better way to pay respect to the hard work of the author than to create something beautiful with a page from their novel?  In this illustration, I am especially drawn to the delicious contrast between the white of the paper, the deep black of the ink bottle, and the ruby crimson of the quill.  

Absinthe Tres Vert Perfume Cologne by Sobe Botanicals

Though Poe himself has been widely rumored for years now to have been a heavy absinthe drinker, Poe experts believe this to be an unfortunate lie.  He seems like the type of man who should have drank absinthe, and so the rumor lived on.  Despite this, when I stumbled upon this perfume, I knew I had to include it in the list.  The wonderful emerald hue is captivating, and though I have never so much as seen a bottle of absinthe in person, I am curiously drawn to the very idea of this scent.

Edgar Allan Poe Pop Style Portrait Illustration by Media Graffiti Studio

To round out the list, of course, a portrait of the man himself, done in a blotchy, wonderful mess of watercolor-like smudges.  An understated yet visually commanding piece.  I think I need this to hang near my bookcase: staring at those deep, shadowy eyes would surely helps steer oneself away from tawdry romance novels, and toward deep, captivating, meaningful novels instead. 

Treasury Wednesday 2: Knifty Knits

This week's treasury feature was inspired by a few fabulous knitting-related items I stumbled upon recently.  I just finished a lovely knitted scarf/wrap, and have been in a really knitty-mood all week as a result.  So sit back and enjoy, even if you aren't a knitter yourself!

Knifty Knits Treasury on Etsy

Metric Green Key Ring Gauge Man by Make & Krake
Because what die-hard knitter doesn't need a needle gauge everywhere they go?!

Ball of Knitters Yarn Sterling Silver Charm with a Silver Chain by AgHalo
This one started the treasury.  It's the type of object that would always been getting compliments and the non-crafter's obligatory awe-filled question "Do you knit?  It seems so hard!"

Cable Knit Ceramic Tall Cup by reshapestudio
What can I possibly say about a cup that looks and feels like knitted cables?  Drinking my morning cup of coffee from this every morning would be heaven underneath my fingers.

Knitted Handbag - Beige Bag Nr-0110 (15% off!) by NzLbags
I love knitted cables, they're easily manipulated to any project.  This bag looks so soft and pliable, and the deep orange ribbon adds an elegant statement against the beige bag.  Gorgeous.


So what do you think about these items?  Any other knitting-related items you'd like to share?  I'm all ears!