Inspiration Projects

I feel like I draw inspiration from just about anywhere, but for the last month since I've been stuck inside with a back injury I'll admit that most of my inspiration is found online. While I've been keeping myself busy with projects like reorganizing the office/extra bedroom (and I think it's finally in a configuration that is a little more conducive to work) I've also been looking at other people's craft projects and decorating for inspiration.

I've also been crocheting an amazing amount of items - a case for my new digital camera (with my first buttonhole!), two cases for other people's ipods, more baby hats than I know babies, and a whole mess of play food/pincushion cupcakes. I'm sure all the theme of the crafting photos I've been looking at lately has to do with my penchant for crochet projects.


I'm planning to make a blanket based on this pattern from The Yvestown Blog out of cotton for a light summer throw (ah, summer.) and I really can't wait to get started.

In general I'm one of those people who just likes to make things. It's a little cliche but I find it cathartic to always have my hands busy and at the end have something I have managed to make myself. For this reason I love to learn new methods and new projects, so if you've got something you think I should try - let me know. Especially if it's something that will keep me busy while my back heals.

Ahoy Matey! Vintage Pirate Booty

Pair of Vintage Paint by Number Ships $26
from The Relic Trail

Cast Iron Ship Doorstop $42
from High Street Market

Vintage Brass Anchor Locket $20
from The Bumbling Bird

Sailing the High Seas... $28
from Ammelia Bedelia

Dear Deer, Etsy Vintage Discoveries

a tiny deer to fawn over $9
fromShrimp Salad Circus

Oh My Deer Vintage Planter $16
from Bright Wall Vintage

Pair of Deer Brass Candle Holders $17
from Happy Day Vintage


The Tiniest Deer Head $36
from Verabel

2010: Resolution #39

In my big old list of 2010 resolutions, I've added another.

39. Build/Buy a flea market wagon before the first Maxwell Street Days on May 30, 2010

This is really something I've been meaning to do for a while, and while I did give myself leeway to "buy" a wagon I'd really rather build one. And if I go in the direction of purchasing I'd really love to buy something home made, so if you have any leads - send them my way!

I've been looking at some diy tutorials on instructables.com and have found a couple that are promising, at least in an inspiration sort of way.

I especially like this milk crate one because I have quite a few milk crates around the house, I'm just afraid it might not be big enough for my flea market jaunts. I'm mainly concerned with size when it comes to bulky and heavy items, because most of the time my usual rig of backpack and extra canvas totes work for smaller items.

Etsy Vintage Discoveries - Be My Valentine

...all gussied up for St. Valentine
Ivory Beaded Vintage Clutch $40
from littlewhitechapel

1950's Red Polka Dot Party Dress $325
from TimelessVixenVintage

Vintage 50s LITTLE BOW PEEP Shoes $30
from Revolving Styles

Holga-moon

Right before Richard and I got married I decided to treat myself to a new camera. A holga, actually. I wanted to do some more experimenting with film since I've really gotten out of the film habit since I invested in a DSLR waaaay back in 2006 while working for the Advance Titan. It was one of those things where I started out carrying both my film and digital cameras with me so I could choose which one was better for the situation. Most of the time, if I was taking pictures for myself it was the Minolta (my film slr) but if I had to be able to email it the next day or send it over for the paper I used my Canon Rebel. After a while of luging both rather heavy cameras around I decided for the sake of my back to only carry one and by default that became the digital.


For ease of use I decided to go with the Holga 135 so I could continue using 35 mm film, after all I have a whole plethora of cameras in my collection that were designed to work with 620 film and are already really hard/expensive to find film for and get the film developed.


I'm still trying to decide how much I really like the holga. I like the style of picture it produces, and I like not knowing exactly what's going to come out of it. But there are somethings I need to work on, like understanding depth of field in this dinky little plastic lens, because contrary to popular belief there is a difference between soft-focus and way out of focus. I think I need to work on taking my small flash with me so that I can work with more than just "available light" - I've already wasted an entire roll because I've basically forgotten how to gauge light without a meter.


In the end, I know its a fun little camera, and as I keep trying to drill into the photo club kids - it's not the quality of the camera you use or even what you shoot - it's how you present it.