Sol LeWitt Exhibit at MASS MoCA

Last weekend, we checked out the Sol LeWitt exhibit at MASS MoCA. We saw it when the exhibit was first installed, but we wanted to take another peek.

It was just as impressive the second time. 

Lots Of Hearts

My computer troubles aren't over, but instead of letting it get to me I worked on a project. While I was uninstalling and reinstalling and downloading tons of things, I cut out tiny hearts. Lots and lots of tiny hearts.

After gluing them onto some paper, I framed them. Now I just need to figure out where to hang them! I'm really pleased with the result because they make me happy.

Unfortunately they didn't solve my computer problems. Now I'm off to deal with that. Wish me luck.

*Did you see this week's Lost in Thoughts?

Journal Of Drawings

Recently, I've been really inspired by Melissa Morris's 160 Pages (I actually wrote about it on the Everything Little Miss blog yesterday). I even started my own little journal of drawings for 2010. They're just quick sketches and short comments, but I like how it's going. I started on the 14th, and I've already done 10. This is the second one I did.

I've written about our disco ball before. One of my favorite parts about working from home is that I get to experience a sunlight party almost everyday.

Are you doing anything new in 2010?

Orange + Gold + Purple

While I was home for the holidays I got to visit my friend and mentor, Viola. Not only did she cook a delicious dinner for my mom and me, she also gave me me a beautiful gift.

Would you just look at this notebook? It's handmade, and I believe the paper (for the pages and the cover) is salvaged from scraps that were going to be thrown away. The binding is particularly nice; when the book is open it lays flat, no matter which page your on. Cool, huh?

And it's orange. She knows me so well. ★

Toaster Faces

The other day I mentioned that my brother has two lasers. Well they can be fun even if we're not playing with the dog.

Max used them to make funny faces with the toaster. It's fun to find faces in inanimate objects. :)

*Don't forget to head over to Everything Little Miss for today's Lost in Thoughts. Tomorrow there will be a holiday gift guide on Everything Little Miss, so you might want to check that out too!

JHill Design Studio Opening

Last night Eric and I headed over to South Boston (Fort Point) for JHill Designs' studio opening. It was really exciting to see Jennifer, the talented woman behind JHill Design, and her new work space. I forgot to bring my camera, but I had my blackberry, so I was able to get a few blurry photos. Stupidly, I didn't take one of Jennifer! What was I thinking?

Anyway, it was fun. And there were dogs!

We don't get over to South Boston very often, so I really like going there because the streets seem full of mystery since I don't know what to expect around the next corner.

A Miniature

When I was little, I was dragged to visited The Clark Art in Williamstown more times than I can count. While I didn't always enjoy the museum, I did love the sculpture of the ballerina - Degas' Little Dancer - that sits in the center of one of the galleries; seeing it was always the high point of field trips. The original was wax, but there were 74 cast in bronze [source]; it's one of the bronzes that I've grown to appreciate.

My family has a miniature replica that sits on a windowsill in the dining room.

I took this picture while I was home a few weeks ago. The lighting was just right.

*New holiday cards in my Etsy shop. Crane mobiles too!

The Screamer

A New Vase

My sister recently went to Alaska. She had a wonderful time and she definitely wants to return at some point. I'm super lucky, because she brought back a beautiful, blue glass vase for me.

Today I made some paper flowers, so the vase wouldn't be so lonesome. I had fun making them, and I was guided by a Zakka Life tutorial (via iDiY). If you want to make your own flowers, don't be afraid to try some variations (I did!). I also added old twisty ties as stems.

Paper Dragon

I woke up this morning and decided to make something with my hands. It was a great way to focus my energy and start the day.

A few years ago I made a paper dragon for my mom (based on a picture I'd seen in a magazine ad, but of my own design). I wanted hers to be good, so I made a practice version first. I never got around to making a nicer one for myself, so that was this morning's project.

I chose yellow and gold to cheer myself up. My happy little dragon.

Don't forget to check out yesteday's Lost In Thoughts (if you missed it) and the new Bon Voyage card over at Everything Little Miss.

★ Happy Friday, happy weekend, and happy dragons! ★

Newspaper Baskets

A few weeks ago I was inspired to make a basket out of old newspapers. I got a little carried away, and decided to try to make nesting baskets. It was successful, and I gave the first set to my sister as a birthday gift.

My mom liked them too, so yesterday I made these for her. I worked much faster this time around, because I had a good system. I used some glue to hold the first four strips of paper together. I also glued a strip around the top of each to finish them off nicely. Binder clips are my friends. The Wall Street Journal was my newspaper of choice, but I think any would work. These baskets are surprisingly sturdy, too. There's a tutorial here, if you're interested.

Happy weaving and happy weekend. Enjoy the sun!

Chilly Weekend

On Saturday, Eric and I went to the SoWa Open Market in Boston. I wanted to go for two reasons. 1) My friend, Jennifer Hill, had a tent and I knew she'd be showing her beautiful new animal alphabet prints, and 2) I wanted to check it out because one day I want to have a tent at markets like this! We didn't end up staying too long because it was see-your-breath-cold and seriously foggy! 

I stupidly forgot to take a picture of Jennifer in her cute little tent, but it was really fun to see her there. We wandered around and looked at the things people had to offer. Vintage clothes, magnets, photos, maps, pastries, pens, clocks, antiques - there was quite a selection. Just down the street there was also a nice looking farmer's market. We ended up eating a late lunch downtown. 

Sunday we spent way too much money. We bought a Dyson (not at full price, but still). Yikes! It was totally worth it though. The vacuum we had was an abomination. I'm telling you, it didn't do anything. We decided on this particular vacuum because it looked small enough to fit in our tiny broom closet (it does! it's amazing!) and powerful enough to actually clean our carpets. There were some other small vacuums that cost less (not much less), but they seemed too expensive for their features. Hahahaha, I can't believe how much I just wrote about a vacuum, but I'm pretty excited. I think this will really help with our dust problem. The rug looks amazing!
 

New Inspiration Board

click image to enlarge

Now that I've rearranged the apartment, I have space for an inspiration board beside my desk. I'm always finding things in catalogs and tearing them out and sticking them in weird places. Now I'll just put them right onto the board! So cool. Plus, I'll add my own sketches and notes. I'm just starting out, but I think it'll be full of gorgeous things one day really soon. 

I find many of the images and words that inspire me online, so they probably won't make it to the board because I don't want to waste paper by printing them (never fear, I have an inspiration folder on my computer). It's cool how many beautiful inspiration boards, lines, and folders can be found online. Do you have one?

Stop Motion Animation - Bold As Love

I made this fun little video in October 2006, while I was living with my gramma and working in New York City. At the time, I was listening to Continuum incessantly. When I listened to Bold As Love (track 9), I could imagine a short animation. I ordered the toys online and drew up a rough storyborad while I waited from them to be delivered. Once they arrived, I spent a day shooting and editing. It's not perfect, but I really like the outcome. 

Not many people have seen it, and I just redeiscovered it today so I thought I'd share! It was my first (and so far, my only) attempt at stop motion animation. The "actors" are stikfas. The music is John Mayer's cover of Bold As Love, originally by Jimi Hendrix. Here's my storyboard:

New Layout

Hey Everybody, 

Perhaps you've noticed that something looks different. This morning we switched over to a 3 column layout and updated the header. Hope you enjoy the new look!

Sincerely,

The Management

An Old Letter From My Sister

My sister wrote me this letter in February 2007, when I'd only been living in Boston for a little over a month. She told me all about her new class schedule and her weird roommate situation. But best of all, she included little drawings. She's always doodling, and sometimes she creates amazingly complex designs. She can also sing and dance! I don't think she knows how jealous I am. Jealous in a good, proud way. 

She has her own photo blog, and sometimes she includes photos of her doodles. It's also filled with the adorable misspellings I mentioned yesterday. 

Paper Cranes

I made a bunch of paper cranes today. I'm thinking of folding some more and then making a mobile. We'll see how that goes.

I learned how to make cranes in 4th grade. We all gathered around during a cold or rainy recess and started folding away. (We also used to play Uno during recess if we were inside.) I remember going home and trying to show my mom, but I kept forgetting one crucial step, so I my origami birds looked weird and sloppy. I probably ended up crying. But I was very determined; eventually I memorized each fold (when I say "eventually," I really mean "the very next day"). 

Valentines

I made these valentines for The Schwarz. They're the type I used to make in school - you know, folding paper to cut out hearts, glue, glitter. It was fun, and authentic.

Couldn't Sleep

Sometimes my mind races at night, and I can't sleep. That's what was happening last night, so I got up. I don't usually paint, but I just couldn't stop thinking that a watercolor mouse would be so much cuter than any mouse I could draw on the computer. I also had a few other ideas, as you can see.

I'm pretty tired this morning. 

Little Miss

Remember that project I mentioned awhile ago? Well, here are the results! It's the doll from the header of Everything Little Miss. Isn't she sweet?

After I posted about my project, it was put on hold because I was getting frustrated. But this weekend my mom visited and gave me the motivation (and a little sewing help) that I needed to finish this project. I spent all day yesteday -- seriously, like 8 hours -- adding the hair and face, and making the dress and shoes. My fingers still hurt from playing tug-of-war with the needle, but it's so worth it. I'm really proud of myself, and she looks a lot like my drawing.