Gee How Quaint

The Libertarian (not to be confused with the Librarian)

Recently, I had the good fortune of setting up my stall right next to The Libertarian.  I had seen her stand in all sorts of venues, ranging from the Star and Shadow in Ouseburn Valley to the craft fair at the Tyneside Cinema.  Here and there and everywhere, the girl gets out.

As well she should.  Her offerings are unique, eclectic and eye-catching.  From fascinators to clocks made with records, she has quite a talent for making beautiful things from cast-offs.  

I really admire her hard work.  Being successful takes more than creating groovy little numbers.  You really have to take chances and put yourself out there.  Markets aren't always successful, but you still have to try to find where you fit in.  And where you stand out.  And where people can find you again and again once they've latched onto your name.

I hope to rock up next to the Libertarian at other crafty fair-like venues.   She is truly one of a kind.

50 things to be happy about

Recently, I've been chastising a fellow artist about his long lists of complaints.  To combat the dark side, here is my cheesy list of things to be happy/thankful/cheery/sappy about.  Feel free to add to the list with your comments.

1. Big, fluffy clouds, especially when they make the sky look like Simpsons intro

2. Spring is here!

3. And lots of lovely flowers, too.

4. Sales at Kurt Geiger

5.  Fabric patterns, the quirker the better

6. Sweet peas that we planted a month ago..thriving and climbing well

7.  Walkies

8. When husband brings me a cup of tea

9. My creative mind

10. texts from friends

11. When my parents call me (which isn't often, so quite the ocassion when they do)

12. My 2 year old nephew

13. Cheesey cheese pizza

14. Ravelry which full of knitting happiness

15. The sunshine on my face

16. The ability to learn new skills

17.  Massage....ooooh yeah

18.  The way that the Tyne River is always changing

19.  My Ford Ka, possibly the ugliest car on the planet

20.  Cool cinemas like the Tyneside Cinema, with it's retro groovy theatres and groovy coffee spot

21.  Milk Chocolate

22.  White chocolate

23.  Chocolate with peanuts

24.  Reese's pieces peanut butter yumminess

25.  OHG...ROOT BEER!!!!!!

*will continue list tomorrow...going to go stuff my face now.  

In case of Emergency...

 

I heart this sign.  Will have to treat myself to this at the end of the month if all things far exceed the breaking even point.

http://shop.misofunky.com/ for more 'emo-broidery.'  Warning: Some colourful words on display..and I'm not just talking hot pink and lime green.

Hostess with the Mostess Blog makes me want to entertain dozens

Sometimes, only sometimes, I give myself permission to play a bit during my lunch half hour.  Just to click and follow links and to see what gorgeous things I can find out there.  As I am feeling very under the weather today, I haven't committed much time to actual work.  Can't focus. Feeling too sorry for myself.  Pathetic, I know.

It was during my ramble through the gazillion pages of internet stuff, where I found this most delicious blog: Hostess with the Mostess.  Party advice for Bridal, Birthday and Beyond.  Cupcake recipes.  Gifts galore.  It's so full of funness and happy lovely things, it's so easy to get lost in it.  But that's okay.  It's a delicious place to be.

The above photo is just one example from one of their party pages.

Along this theme of happy, I am also currently diggin Kirstie's Home Made Home, found on Channel 4, Thursday at 8pm.  It has been lovely watching her deck out her delapidated house in her homemade craftiness.  Ah.  If only there were more shows like this. 

moo.com, your mini business cards delight me to no end.

 

Word.  I have recently joined the Mini Card Toting Posse.  The first time I saw one of these little cards was when I met Dr Payne (real name...I just want to say to him...Why hello Dr Payne.  Mwahahahahahahahahahaha HA HA HAH!), but I won't...because that would be an incredible embarassment to myself.  Where was I?

Oh Yes.  The Mini Card Toting Posse.  London based moo.com offers a groovy alternative to boring business cards and self promotion devices.  Here you can choose to have up to 99 different designs to the backs of your business cards, you can create stickers of your pictures, product photos or artwork...it's all just so totally fun and amazing and good quality that I won't go on and on about it.  Just trust me.  Give them a go and you will feel terribly smug and pleased with your good decision. 

The Naked truth

 

I'm not sure what's happening to me.  Is it old age? (eh-hem...I'm not THAT old).  Is it the anxiety of others swaying my decisions?  Is it Sarah Beany telling me about the baddies in many cosmetic products when she isn't telling me to re-check my house renovations plans?  And even though that little show was on over a year ago, why am I only now making an informative decision.

Whatever it is, I am suddenly very wary of what gets slathered on my person.  It's parabens that I'm specifically talking about.  This is only one type of baddy found in many cosmetics and creams.  So, last night I thought I would do a little hunt to see what I could find that was sans paraben.  Come to fine out, the Naked range (found at any good Boots store) is mad about parabens and other nasties.

Hope to NAKED to find out more. 

Indulgences

 

Pant. Drool.  Pant.  One lucky lady received a pair of these for Christmas.  And that lucky lady is ME! Okay, I bought them myself at the sales with Christmas money.  I have been wearing them around the house, glancing down at my feet and gasping 'Oh how lovely!'  These are the new addition to my growing family of Solea shoes. Funky.  Fun.  I can actually walk in them.  What more does a girl need?

Other Indulgences:

Pumpkin pie in a tin - My brother-in-law brought two cans back from the states.  A pie is in the oven now and I shall soon eat it all and not gain a single pound.  I am one of those annoying little creatures with sky high metabolism caused by nervous energy.  It's like I'm constantly fizzing.

Knitting whilst drinking something hot and watching Nigella cooking shows.

Chocolate in all its various confectionary wonderousnesses. (I'm American.  I'm allowed to make up words as I wish).

Watching the birds outside glide across the water.

Playing my new game Settlers of Catan, which my parents in the states had searched for MONTHS to find.  They enjoyed playing the game so much at a summer family holiday that they were on a mission to find it and give it to my brother and sister and I.  Mission Successful.  

Coffee by Taylors of Harrogate. Lazy Sunday, specifically.

World Domination! Mwaha ha ha ha

 

I love this notebook.  There are other cheeky varieties, which can be found at Beautiful Things.  As I was flipping through the current Essentials Magazine, I did spy with my little eye a notebook that had on its cover declaring quite boldly 'I'm going to be really rather naughty and this is my plan...'  

I may have to get the latter for myself.   My number one naughty plan at the moment is to trick my husband into allowing a brown Labrador puppy into the family.  I have already picked out names: Lolly for a girl and Simon for a boy.  How can he even think of breaking my heart by turning me down? 

Candice Tripp at Lazarides

 

Candice Tripp's exhibit 'Home is where the telly is' is both hilarious and disturbing.  The titles to her artworks are very imaginative: Still Rocking, Still Rolling, I Love Being Your Dumb F****** Monkey, and Clive: Especially Super on Tuesdays.  I found several artworks that I wanted to add to my personal collection.  And my brain started justifying a £1,200 spend, until I realized I needed to do things like eat and pay for hot water in which to bathe.   So maybe a print will suffice.

And, apparently, she does not take herself very seriously.  For proof of this, read her bio.

Katy Crebbin rocks!

 

Today I acquired a Katy Crebbin original artwork.  I am so pleased!  The above image is an example of her creative collage style.  What I like is her humour.  It takes a fun sense of perspective on life to create art like this, methinks.

Plus, I know the artist.  Want MY autograph?!  She is incredibly lovely and it is important to support people that are kind and have nice big happy smiles.

Other artists to support:  art by vicky mac and who is finn.