Saturday, December 29, 2012

Warm Night

My Astro Lamp

Dylan got me my favorite album of all time for Christmas this year.  The vinyl reissue of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness sounds so much better than the original (I'm a snot).  Above is the tattoo I got when I was 18 of the hand illustration from the liner notes.  Yeah, I love this album.

Books Read 2012

Now that 2012 is coming to a close, I thought I'd share a list of the books I've read over the past 12 months.  The good, the bad and the slightly embarrassing (ekk! enter Twilight series here - though the awesome Katy Goodman of the bands Vivian Girls and La Sera tempered my bashfulness by writing this during the big K.Stew/R.Pattz thing this summer).  This year, I became obsessed with Neil Gaiman, got voluntarily sucked into the works of C.D. Payne with others at work, and got to see the author of The Night Circus at a local radio show taping.

I'd have to say that one of my favorite reads was The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.  The plot line itself wasn't much to write home about, but the world she creates and the atmosphere she builds around it is nothing short of magic. In her writings she paints delicious tastes and smells, warm atmospheric lighting and divine costumes.  Oh, and it's a period piece. Wet dream.  My sister and I went to see Morgenstern at the Fitzgerald this fall for a taping of Talking Volumes for MPR. It was quite interesting to hear about her writing process (or the sheer lack-there-of in the early stages of her work).

2012 Reading List:

Stories by Neil Gaiman
Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman
The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman
Youth in Revolt by C.D. Payne
Youth in Bondage by C.D. Payne
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Youth in Exile by C.D. Payne
Revolting Youth: A Novel by C.D. Payne
Just Kids by Patti Smith
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
American Gods by Neil Gaiman (not finished yet!)

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

The Babies


Last night we saw a great band "The Babies".  They are a dude from Woods and a girl from Vivian Girls.  Word.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Vanessa Bruno



Totally obsessed with these Vanessa Bruno sweaters.  So much going on, but totally unified.  Nice.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Ship & Shape Holiday!


My neon dip-dye mitts!

Lovely jewelry by ANNIKA KAPLAN

MADDY NYE of MN&CO.

Ship & Shape is out with a new collection!  You can find many fun wares from many great jewelry, textile and paper artists.  Check it out here.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

New Sweater: Take it Slow


Alexander Wang
NYC Streetshot - source unknown


Today I'm a little aimless in my projects. Not really working on anything in particular. I made a few swatches that I could maybe design a sweater from. Here's a few inspiration photos for a new sweater. It does feel a little liberating to take it slow.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Coolest Yarn Ever


I found this stuff today during a knitting emergency at the local yarn store. Holy crap, it's awesome.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Neon Dip


Working on this project this morning.  My bathroom, my studio.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Miniature Knitter


I know I've obsessed over "Coraline" long enough, but this is so worth sharing.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Sunday Funday



Sorry I've been a bit absent lately!  The fall has been somewhat busy, but I do have to admit that I've been lazy on the blogging front.  This week I travelled to NYC for work, so I was looking forward to a simple quiet weekend.  Some highlights included going to the Turf Club last night to see one of my favorite bands, Woods.  They put on a great show, and I got their new record "Bend Beyond", which I can't stop listening to.

I also made a run to the store to pick up some supplies for a special mitten kit request, and some more white roving yarn for my next contribution to Ship and Shape.  Stay tuned!




Tonight I'm enjoying reading some zines I picked up a few weeks ago at Minneapolis' "Zine Fest".  My favorites are Jessica Campbell's "My Sincerest Apologies" and Flat Mountain Press' "Flat Mountain Chronicle, vol. 2."
 




Monday, September 3, 2012

Béatrice Coron

Last night Dylan and I watched this amazing Ted Talks with Béatrice Coron.  In her work, she simplifies her experience of the world into such an understandable way. Enjoy.


More from Coron's website.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Tim Walker Photography






Above are some of my favorite images from surrealist fashion photographer/now film maker Tim Walker.  My absolute favorites are his bizzarly staged interior shots.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

A Project


Working on this photo commision for a friend.  My photographer mom helped me take these yesterday.  Thanks mom!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Beautiful Britain




I'm so excited to share this new collection from Tori Murphy.  I love the use of simple black and cream patterns.  All pieces are made 100% in Britain.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Ireland 2012


We just got back from a fun a relaxing stay in Ireland!  My cousin Kelly had the most beautiful Irish Catholic wedding, so we made the journey to join the party! Though it was a great trip, we unfortunatley lost a day and a half because of flight delays. With that aside, we had an amazing, inspiring and joyful time, spending time with family, taking in the magical landscapes and hanging with the open-hearted locals.


 Most of our time was spent in the south western coast (Co. Kerry, Co. Cork, and Co. Clare)


The first big landscape we enjoyed was that of the Cliffs of Moher.  This was a beautiful day, just a moment away from raining.  Scenic but deadly; people are often taken away with a gust of wind near the edge! 




We also got to stay with the coolest nuns I've come to meet at the Nano Nagle Center near Mallow.  They have organic gardens, hens, sheep, donkey and some cattle.  They also have signed "cosmic walks" around the property which took us through riverscapes, hills, fields and even towns.  Serving as a nun during the 1700's, Nano Nagle was determined to provide education to Irish Catholic children, since the English Empire outlawed the schooling of Catholics.  Here are her chickens.


A wedding ensemble is never complete without a hat according to the Irish! I say no ensemble is complete without peanut butter and jelly.


At the old Jameson distillery. That's a lot of drink.


The beautiful national park in Co. Kerry






My sister and I are self-proclaimed "baby animal stalkers", so Ireland was the perfect destination for travel.  We didn't see many wild animals, but Ireland definitely has its share of domesticated animals. And most of them are pretty cute.



Sorry you didn't get to come with us, but I hope our slide show made up for it