Ghost in the Machine

Impressive cassette tape art from iri5 via Flikr, here
Thanks for the tip-off Nate!

Code of Conduct

On a quest for a pair of curtains that I have created in my head, I stumbled across Nienke Sybrandy's website and had to share:







One of the best uses of ASCII code I've ever seen... Her website is amazing, If only I spoke Dutch!

Rising above the chaos...

Life has been busy in the typical, monotonous way that nobody else ever really wants to hear about. On the day job front, I've been working my tail off and have been rewarded with more responsibility and a raise, which in this economy is nothing to shake a stick at. Unfortunately, this has made me a bit of a hermit that can never seem to get enough sleep.

Creatively...I'm in a rut. I'm overwhelmed with chores and never ending projects, I haven't made jewelry in a while. I feel disorganized and sleepy. Luckily, a few sunny days have ushered in the promise of spring, and I realize that I need to get moving and take control of the chaos.

Yesterday, I cut out of work early and set out to the top of Tabor with Bonnie for a nice 2 hour walk. I'm excited to get out doors more, I've been cooped up for too long. I want the barbeque's and Popsicles.

Soon.

Note to Torre.

17.

It's a good age. You'll get to know yourself better. I think 17 for me was when I figured out the most fundamental aspects of life. There were sweet little life lessons. New BFFs. Pay attention. Have some fun.

You and me. We're the same. I love you.

My Girls

My little baby sisters are all grown up. I feel like a proud parent of a sort. From the age of 12 - 15, my mom had three baby girls. I was quick to learn how difficult babies can be, especially when there's three of them. Occasionally, strangers mistook me for a teenage mother, which would mortify me.

Kim was the oldest and my live baby doll. One baby was almost easy, three babies was another story. My brother and I helped my mom with raising the girls. It really does take a village. At times I act more like a parent than a sister, which can be difficult for the girls (Kim especially) to take.

But hey, I got them dressed, kissed their knees, and wiped their tears. I splashed with them in the kiddie pool. I got sweet little notes from them when I was far away. Here's one from Kim in December of 1999. She was about to turn 9:



Now she's picking out colleges and getting her senior pictures taken. I can't believe they are now young women, all of them unique and incredibly intelligent. Kim is a force to be reckoned with. It's true what they say, they grow up so fast.

Happy 18th Birthday Kim. I love you like my own.

Dream home

I often fantasize about having a bedroom with only a bed and large open space. Since we live in a 1906 bungalow and space is limited, this is a bit of a pipe dream.



Carrying on with this elusive notion, wouldn't an indoor sauna be nice?

Margot and the Nuclear So & So's

Margot and the Nuclear So & So's - As Tall as cliffs - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

I like these guys. Whiskey bottles and suitcases as instruments... how can you resist?
Plus, another addition to my hand clap mix.

I want a Mogwai for Christmas

I've had a serious hankering for watching Gremlins this Christmas season, so much so that I made a special trip to Fred Meyer to satisfy my craving.

I have to say this is one of my favorite Christmas movies ever, and since I totally geeked out and watched the commentaries immediately following the film last night - here are 3 fun facts I'd like to share with you:

1. Gremlins was filmed on the exact same sound stage as Back to the Future. I thought Kingston Falls' town square looked familiar!
2. This movie brought about the creation of a PG-13 rating. Previously, it went from PG to R...
3. In the original script, Gizmo becomes a gremlin himself... but when it was tested at a showing, the fuzzy little guy was just too adorable not to keep him around throughout the entire film.

Oh Gizmo... how I love you so!

Press play.

I played in the snow. Eric played with open shutter.

It's snowing (again)

As you locals recall, last Sunday we woke up to a winter wonderland as we prepared to make our way to Crafty Wonderland. I think Ryan Berkley must be some sort of sage, because he foresaw the wintry landscape well before the rest of us did.

I took some wonderful photos of the house and my jewelry display for Crafty (thanks to all you sweet souls who came to visit me!) We had a wonderful day and I love how Portland feels in a snow storm. Unfortunately our iPhoto managed to eat all of those glorious pics up and they seem to be lost forever.

Luckily, we are seeing a bit of a repeat today. Unluckily, the Handmade NW Winter Solstice fair was cancelled. Here are some wintry shots of our home taken earlier this morning. With a new roof and paint job, I think it's looking pretty good these days!






I also shot some video of me trying to coax the kitties outside. I will not subject you to the awful pitch that my voice can reach when speaking with them...so no video sharing today!

Mixed metals.

I'm loving the newest pieces I have made for Crafty Wonderland.

Above is a sneak peak. Old vintage enameled components have been paired with bright sterling, oxidized sterling, vermeil, rubies(!)and 14k gold fill.

See you tomorrow!

Animal Collective, take me away.

#82.2 - ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - Another White Singer
by lablogotheque

Screw Calgon. These guys are better than a bubble bath. They have a way of taking me outside of my head, and then back in again.

That 80's commercial has always stuck with me, and it was a terrible ad campaign. Those words have actually entered my mind when I find myself irritated in my dreary cubicle. I remember my Barbies screaming that catch phrase into the universe when their little plastic babies wouldn't go to bed.

The economy.

Since my "day job" resides in the financial services industry, the economy has been weighing heavily on my mind for quite some time. It seems that the writing has been on the wall since mid year, and the hammer came down today. This isn't the first round of layoffs my company has seen in 2008, but for me, this one hit closest to home.

I still have a job, and I am greatful, but many folks that I have worked with over the years do not. People with families. My heart goes out to them.

Let's just say I'm having a very difficult time getting into the holiday spirit this year.

Moving to the bedroom...

As the weeks drag on, and my attention span wains on the tasks at hand (sorry Eric), I am shifting my focus to the bedroom. There's something about winter that makes me want to crawl into bed before 10pm, and the current state of our bedroom demands attention.

Besides, redecoration is far more fun than renovation.

When we first bought the house almost 5 years ago, my tastes were different. I am a huge fan of color, and it often gets me carried away. In a moment of lesser judgement, I thought it was a good idea to paint our bedroom a deep, bright, 'Mango Tango' orange. The name alone should have clued me in. On Friday, I bought a gallon of a pretty pigeon gray and plan to get it on the walls... by the end of the month.

I'm looking forward to finally hanging some art without giving myself a grand mal seizure.

Here's an update on the floor situation. The dining room is underway. To those of you who have never laid true hardwood flooring, try not to judge our progress. I now understand why people go with the click together composite.



That said, our new floor is going to be beautiful.

Coming soon.

I've been getting ready for this sale for months now. I hope you can stop by and say hello.

For a complete vendor list, go here.

Shopping Cart Friday. Rings!

Ring a ding ding.

Only in the past year or so have I been a ring girl. I think Gemmafactrix might have single handedly won me over. I mean seriously, she's a jewelry genius. Take a look at these beauties.



Amidst my never ending search for stackable rings, I ran across a new little Etsy gem today and had to share her with you. UK based shop, A R Gonzales is filled with stackable rings galore. It's like a dream come true. Anna's descriptions are fantastic, she's quite the writer. Once I saw 'Beatricks' rings', I had to have them.



They're kspell's now.

Winter Wanting.

Just a few items I dream about adding to my winter wardrobe.

Wool belted poncho coat by Calvin Klein.
Frames by Chanel.
Bag by Hobo International.

Fantasy Sauna

Since Eric and I have been burning the midnight oil on various home improvement projects, I find myself over-fantasizing about building a modern master suite off the back of the house with large sliding doors that open up the outdoors and a sauna retreat.

These fantasies took a Kubrickian turn when I discovered the pod like architecture of the Saunaschiff in Berlin. With a swimming pool, bar, and lounge area, who would ever want to leave?

One can dream.

Found via Loyly.

This Modern Love

Bloc Party, 'This Modern Love' - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.
Another little gem from La Blogoteque. I find Kele Okerek's shyness very endearing. This is a sweet rendition of This Modern Love.

Happy Tuesday. Enjoy.

Dear Science

I cannot get enough of TV On The Radio's newest album Dear Science. Among the many great tracks, Lover's Day is my favorite. I think it's the most romantic song I have ever heard. It gives me chills.
Serious.

Download it here. Then go get the album. You'll thank me later.