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.

Family visits and back pain, not actually related

It's already Thursday, but this is the first time this week I've had the time to sit down to write.

We had family in this past weekend when one of my Aunts brought her parents and her three little boys up for a visit. It was so much fun to see them, and it was great to give the little boys the crocheted cupcakes I made for them. I'm working on more and should have a picture of my batch sometime next week.

But then some things happened - somehow right as they were leaving I managed to pull a muscle in my back just by leaning down to open a kitchen cabinet. I thought it would be fine, after all I'm young and should be able to bounce back, but it just kept getting worse. I went to the Dr yesterday and came home with some muscle relaxers and instructions not to move and to come back Monday for xrays if it isn't getting better.

Mamu, my grandmother, was taken to the hospital today with heart pains. She's been released as it was only a minor incident, but I'm still worried and rather upset that because of this back thing I can't get down to North Carolina to see her.

I guess the only good part of not being able to move is that I will finally get some things done that require me sitting still - like more crocheting, some paperwork, work on the website, etc.

Resolutions, as it were

I know we're already twenty days into this new year, but I've been perfecting my list of resolutions, as it were.

I usually only make a few really big resolutions, but this year there are so many things, both big and little, that I really want to accomplish. So I’m writing myself a list, and setting deadlines.

I really could just list all of the many projects involved in buying our new house and making it into a home, but that somehow feels a little bit like cheating. I am including a lot of the bigger plans for the house and a couple of the smaller things that we really want to get done. Lots of these are little crafty resolutions, or projects I want to complete, but if I don’t make the list I’m afraid they’ll never get done.

1. Develop a business plan for Suitcase Art and apply for the appropriate licenses

2. Open a business banking account for Suitcase Art

3. Develop a logo/identity for Suitcase Art

4. 365 photo project (starting on May 10th – my 24th birthday)

5. Close on the house (we don't know when this might happen...)

6. Pack one box a day until we’re sure about the house, then – pack like crazy.

7. Build a darkroom (contingent, of course, on buying the house)

8. Participate in NaNoWriMo (in November - and complete it!)

9. Plan my train trip to New York – see my father’s childhood home, make a trip to Dead Horse Bay, and celebrate our family’s 100th anniversary of arriving in the United States with the rest of my crazy relatives

10. Save $500 for the New York Trip (saved $100 so far)

11. Refinish (at least) one new suitcase by year end

Etsy Vintage Discoveries - Yellow as a Daisy

Six adorable vintage yellow flower plastic buttons $3.75
from Chica's Eye Candy Shop

Mellow Yellow Jacket $40
from Dear Prudence Vintage

Bright Sunshine Yellow Small Vintage Tape Dispenser $12
from Suzi's Corner Boutique

Etsy Vintage Discoveries - It's all about color!

And that color is red!

Vintage 60s Hooded Ribbon Trimmed Wool Cape Jacket $85
from VonlenskaVintage

Perfect Bright Red Suitcase with Bright Red Interior $36
from pinguim

Ladies 80s bright red knee high riding boots 5.5 $65
from Boomboxblitz

Etsy Art Discoveries - Let's Go

Three's Company - 8x10 Print $25
from Believing is Art

Airplane Dropping Hearts - Print of original mixed media painting $20
from Deified Art

Faux-Polaroid Print of a Fountain in London $7
from elizabethonetsy

London Love II gocco art print $15
from artsharkdesigns

Etsy Handmade Discoveries - Take me somewhere, I want to go

LUDINGTON Michigan Map Pendant in Silver $18.00
from Chellas Collection

EXPLORE........Hand Stamped Sterling Silver Tag and Airplane Charm Necklace $26
from Tiny Tokens Designs

Vintage Sterling Map Necklace. Custom Location Made to Order $42
from Sherry Truitt

The Amelia Locket Necklace $38
from verabel