Stop motion

Today we are thinking about hidden worlds where things are not where they should be.

There are two sources of inspiration for this, the first is the book I got Jack for his birthday Everest is Hollow which looks like it's going to be an exciting read about a hidden city. I have no way of knowing if it's a good book but perhaps Jack will let us know.

The second is my huge obsession lately with stop motion. This brilliant video I just found is so incredibly fantastic, it's illustrated by the amazing Katy Horan, music is by Yoriyos. c.

Happy Birthday Jackster!

Happy Birthday to you!! Hope you have a really fun day full of lots of chocolate!

xoxo,
Us

Humm

Tired. This is what we do; blanket, doll, demand lots of snacks, grumpy. Humm. c.

Playing with light

Last night we were all gearing up to watch the Oscars. I will admit that I love the glitz, the glam and the dresses. I must be living under a rock because I had no idea who was presenting and had not seen any of the movies but it was still fun to watch.

Last night little g. was playing in the dark with a toy that spins and lights up. The camera captures the movement in a fun way. c.

Breakfast Part 2

Today we are on part two of talking breakfast. Monsieur Eggstash is the inspiration for today. I hope all of you have time for a nice breakfast this weekend. c.

Berry good

I passed by these strawberries in the supermarket yesterday and they smelled so good so I bought them. Turns out they are just o.k., that's the trouble with fruits in the winter.

It's been quite a while since I worked on a card. Today Ms. Strawberry was talking to us. c.

Wit-Craft Wednesday

I recently found this really fun and super easy tutorial for making these 3D flower pop-up cards.

All you need is one sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper, a pair of scissors and some double-sided sticky tape. Note: I used cardstock. It is harder to work with; but I thought the results were more professional.

If you'd like to make the cards following the same tutorial I used, then go here. c.

Paving paradise

Just look at this amazing view! Wouldn't it be a shame to throw a big old concrete parking lot in the background? Well that is what's being planned. My sister-in-law is working tirelessly to prevent this development. If you'd like to help conserve this green space go here and be sure to click the "Object" button toward the bottom. Thanks. c.

XO

Simple addition

This lavender ribbon was originally a belt. The pants it came with haven't fit in a long time but the ribbon is still hanging around. Yesterday we decided to sew it to a plain t-shirt. I just tacked the ribbon down at the side seams and in the middle of the back. It looked so darn cute and changed it into something a little more special. c.

Paper lanterns

There's nothing I love more than a nicely lit room, all soft and glowing and flattering to the face. I love the warm glow that tree lights give off. So today we made mini Chinese paper lanterns in shades of pink for Valentine's Day and fixed them on to the tree lights. I used some scrap booking paper I got at JoAnn because the weight of the paper was perfect and the patterns are great.

Supplies:
Text weight paper
Scissors
Glue
Strand of tree lights

1. Cut out strips of paper that are 2 1/2 " x 5 1/2"
2. Fold these paper strips in half
3. Then cut slits in the fold - but do not go all the way to the edge - (see my photo)
4. Next, put glue on one end and wrap the other end around so that each end comes together and sticks, to make the lantern
5. Finally, cut thin strips of paper about 3" long
6. Use these strips to glue the lanterns on to the lights

Music and lyrics

Last night we tuned into the Grammy awards. The night started out with Lindsay's "real" husband, Bono kicking things off. Lindsay, I have to admit there was a moment, ever so brief, when he was strutting down the catwalk, with the glasses on that he almost looked like your pretend husband. I know what you are thinking, and yes, I was sober.

There were a few great moments, like when M.I.A. was out there totally pregnant and baring it all, in all her 9th month glory. I had this sense that we've come along way from the hoochie dress and skyscraper heals. Polka dots and tennies with a basketball baby belly. I loved it.

A few tricky moments like when the Jonas brothers wouldn't stay still and were jumping all over Stevie. I'm not sure why but I could barely watch.

A few moments to savor, Radio Head, what else is there to say except they are amazing and Cold Play, I mean what's not to like? Did you catch the 60 Minutes interview? Adorable.

The very best part of all was Allison Krauss who I've loved for a long time because her amazing voice transports me to another place. Apparently Robert Plant feels the same way. I think I've listened to New Favorite more times than I care to admit. c.

Update: Lindsay put a sidesplitting rebuttal up on Wit-Craft.

Bead Counting

We are still playing with beads. Couldn't help make myself a few simple necklaces. I'm still working with the beads we got at JoAnn the other day. They are strung on .5 mm leather cord held together by a spring ring (I think that's what they call them).

We're off to enjoy our first not so freezing cold day, high of 52F, yipee! c.

Wit-Craft Wednesday

The following is my post on Wit-Craft, Craft: Spud Love

The potato is so versatile and there are few people out there that don't love them but when was the last time you printed with one? It's an easy and inexpensive way to get great results. Something wonderful happens when the paint meets the potato starch and voila, a really nice print.

In the spirit of Valentine's day we are printing hearts on t-shirts. Today I took two of g's plain shirts and turned them into something she can wear on Valentine's Day.

What you'll need:
Fabric Paint
Potato(s)
Cookie cutter (or you can draw freehand)
Knife and spoon for carving
T-shirt
Embroidery floss (optional)
Sheet of paper or cardboard

Cookie cutters work really well, you just simply push them through the potato. We used both the negative and positive sides to print on the shirts. If you are carving the potato you might want to etch the outline of the heart into the potato first and then carve away the heart shape.

Next, spread some fabric paint out on a plate or pallet and stamp the potato in the paint. Do a practice stamp or two on some paper first so that you get the feel of it. Before you actually do the printing, slip a piece of paper or cardboard inside the shirt so that the paint does not seep through to the back side. Once you are ready, carefully press the potato down on the shirt. Lift off slowly so that you do not move or smear the paint.

After our shirts dried, I used embroidery floss to create French knots around the heart. If you don't know how to make French knots there is a nice video tutorial here. c.

No joke

Okay so I wasn't kidding the other day when I said I was wallpapering my kitchen orange. I really am. I'm a little nervous about it but what the heck. I can't believe I'm using wallpaper because I've been sort of against it (sorry paper lovers), but I may be a convert. I'll let you know once the Florida sunshine is emanating from inside my kitchen. My husband looked at me cross eyed with the news but only said, "Do NOT say you hate it after it's up." That was a warning and a fair one if you know my history with paint, and well, repainting.

Found this Jackson Pollock website when Google featured his birthday a few weeks back. It's keeping us both very entertained. c.