Next Project: Texture

I find these images from Handcrafted Modern, by Leslie Williamson, so soothing to look at. I really love the variety of texture within a neutral palette, which keeps the rooms looking cozy and sleek instead of boring.

This is just the kind of inspiration I need for my next home project: For a while now I've been wanting to repurpose an Irish sweater into a pillow. The sweater is lovely piece of knitwear from the Aran Islands - it also makes me look like the Michelan Man. If I don't completely unravel the knit, this is a nice way to keep a lovely, well crafted souvenir and add some lovely texture to my home.

I'm thinking it will look something like the picture below. 

Not a Recap - LOVE that floral

Hello World! It's been soooo long since I've had a chance to post. And, yes, I realize that my last post Finding a Balance was all about blogging more and how creativity can sometimes go the wayside when you're busy paying the bills. Let me tell you, though, I'm so happy to be working full-time again. I think I just naturally like to be productive, which is why I tried to stay so busy making things, learning stuff, etc. So now I want to continue making things and learning stuff, but it's just a matter of finding the time. I'll figure it out.

If the above pictures look familiar to you than, like me, you're probably a huge Project Runway fan. Yes, I know many people didn't like Kenley, but I thought she really grew a lot - at least from what we saw on camera. Plus, the girl's got serious style! How many ladies went to the Emmys in a somewhat updated 1950's party dress with clunky taupe shoes? The navy dress was designed by Ven (the guy who has a problem with "real sized" women) and.... someone else, I forget. Anyway, the navy color was some lame project placement thing where they had to design a dress that was the same color as some sponsor's car.

I'm sure a lot of people will cry foul with the judging since technically she was supposed to wear the navy dress to the Emmys, and that was what the judges were supposed to be bearing in mind - i.e. is the navy dress appropriate for the Emmys? Answer: No. It's perfect for afternoon tea, church, a wedding, a cocktail or dinner party. But who cares? That floral number is just so fabulous. And let's face it. Being fabulous is always more important than the nebulous rules of some reality show.

Finding a Balance

After a VERY long blogging break I'm finally back! I didn't intentially set out to take such a long break. Actually, after working here and there at a number of different jobs and barely getting by I finally landed a full-time gig. It's been so long since I worked full-time; I forgot how much energy it takes - especially in the beginning when everything is so new.  And then working on the weekends at a part-time job, plus there's cooking, cleaning, shopping....

But I've really missed my creative projects. What I love about blogging is that even if you think no one is out there reading your posts, you're still publicly announcing goals, ideas, etc., which is such a good motivator to follow through. I still spend much of what little I have of free time jotting down ideas, sketching, dreaming about things I want to make, making lists. I even did make a few things these last few months. I just didn't blog about it.

So now that I'm settled in I would like to find a balance between my creative life and my work life.

For those of you who read my Project Runway posts, I had so much fun recapping and wanted to recap again, but I just didn't have the time. Maybe next season. If I were recapping I would not have had anything nice to say about Ven's response to the real woman challenge - grrr!

(P. S. The picture is something I may have posted before. I really need to update my flickr. Anyway, it's a pattern I created, inspired by sea urchins.)

Rob Ryan's Whimsical Image Making

 
I am in LOVE with this video of Rob Ryan's work, his approach to his work...even the music. It's all so pretty and it makes me feel like doing something creative.

Speaking of creativity, I've been feeling creative but also taking a little break from the internet this week. I spent most of my time using my hands to mix paint and using my eyes and brain to read words on a page. Will post soon to share my endeavors.

Happy Friday!

Peeking Into the Drapers' Pad

I'm still obsessed with the new Draper apartment. Here are some great pics of parts we didn't see. For more click here for an interview with the set designer. I'm digging the circular spice rack from Etsy.

Mad Interior

I think I audibly gasped when I saw Don and Megan Draper's apartment on the Season Five premiere of Mad Men last night. The texture on the wall, the brightly colored pillows against all that brown, the deck and the way the space is delineated so perfectly fits their image as a successful, urban couple in the mid sixties. I understand that the people who work on the show go to a great deal of trouble to find the perfect items in mint, vintage condition. And if they can't find it, they'll make it.

I love how it looks like something out of a magazine from the sixties. Perfectly appropriate because while I would imagine that most people's homes didn't look so magazine-perfect, they're in advertising. They are the models for the slick, idealized lifestyle that enables them to sell so many products.

Of course, what's great about Mad Men is that it's about looking beyond that perfect facade, but for now I just want to gaze at that incredible apartment.

Project Redemption -The Finale

Well, it's over. Project Runway All Stars began with such a bang, but unfortunately it fizzled out like one of those firecracker snakes that sort of die towards the end. That said, I'm always impressed by what the designers can crank out in just a few days. Austin's lace dress was really special, but the rest of his collection, though interesting, seemed too narrow in scope. Of course, he did only have a few days.... Michael, on the other hand, didn't really try in my opinion. I think he knew he wasn't going to win, and he just wanted to show that he could handle losing this time without bawling like a baby. Good for you, Michael.

So congratulations, Mondo! All hail the polka dot prince. You got an even bigger prize than the one many felt you deserved in Season 8. So it all worked out.

I just think it's a shame that Lifetime couldn't give them more than a few days. It doesn't seem fair to judge their collections alongside other season finales because they weren't given a chance to renew, recharge and create a thoughtful collection.

 But, hey, we got a lot out of this season:

• We learned that Kenley might actually be a decent person and not just a cat-throwing calendar girl. 
• We learned that Michael, with enough advance warning, can accept a loss with dignity and composure. 
• We learned that Mondo can be quite the little pill. 
• We also got to spend time gazing at the spectacle that is Austin Scarlett, that marvelous creature from another planet.
•  We were reminded of the awesomeness that is Rami. 
• We learned that Jerell has a lot, I mean A LOT, of confidence. 
• Finally, I think we all learned that the fashion biz is brutal, that designers will put themselves through a lot to stay on the public's radar.

So yay! We had some fun watching some talented folks jump through a lot of hoops -  all from the comfort of our living rooms. For those who say that they're never watching the show again, I would say, "Yeah, right." I'd watch another season of All Stars. I'd even recap it... totally!

Thanks so much to those of you who have been following along on my blog! Out of curiosity, who do you think they should cast for the next All Star edition?