Archives for category: Art

Spring (and not) Things

April 1, 10 //

~image by Lucy at Attic24~

Now that our house is on the market and we’re thinking of where we might move next, I’m in daydream-mode about the next step already. Where will we live? We’re definitely going to downgrade size-wise, but only so we can live a bit more simply and upgrade our family time. How will I do the next kitchen? If we rent for a bit while we try out a new city, how much work do I want to put into making the temporary home “hom-ey?”

All sorts of thoughts.

Anyway, when I saw this spring wreath tutorial over at Attic24 I really fell in love with it. A fun handmade way to bring a little bit of spring inside.

If you follow my blog, you probably already know about my obsession with the work over at Beast Pieces. Well, check out these business cards! The whole Vista Caballo stationary set is gorgeous, but those cards… Not really spring-related. But ~sigh~ had to share.

Putting together easter baskets or a care package for a spring birthday? Check out these gorgeous great free printable cd sleeves and candy bar wrappers at Benign Objects.

Going green this spring? Try out this great grocery bag from an old t-shirt tutorial from Between the Lines or read about adventures in laundry soap making at Apron Strings.

Happy making… ogling… Thursday!

Things Thursday

March 25, 10 //

1. Bubblegum Betty Print $16, The Black Apple 2. Cheeky Monster Takeaway Poche $19, Little Odd Forest 3. The Magnetic Doodle Face Set $14, The Small Object

4. Kitty Girl $20, BadBird 5. Dreamy Face Wooden Box $28.50, Runaway Dreams 6. Vinrace Zombuki Kokeshi Doll $35, Zombuki

7. Just Stay Little print $24, Sarah Jane Studios 8. Duo Bird Vases $106, Pretty Random Objects 9. Atomic Moon Ballon whisper A Secret print $14, Pinky Toast

See This! Saturday: Beast Pieces, Books and Peeps

March 20, 10 //

More amazing work by Beast Pieces:

~image by Beast Pieces~

Feast poster here.

~image by Beast Pieces~

Illustrated by Katie Kirk available for purchase here. More info here.

What to do with those old books? Read about Book Crossing at Asthmatic Kitty’s Sidebar here.

These Easter staples become quite expressive in The Decorated Cookie’s Emotional Life of Peeps. And in case you missed it, here’s a link to her Emotional Life of Candy Corn.

Things Thursday: It’s Anime-zing

March 18, 10 //

So, I originally hoped to put together a collection of handmade Anime influenced items for your viewing/purchasing pleasure, but I try not to put “stuff” up just to slap together a post. I have to really like something and want to watch, read, buy, use, bake… it myself before I pass it along. Well, I couldn’t find many “things” that I absolutely loved that corresponded to the specific anime series that I love.

Here are a few things that caught my eye:

1. Your Friend Totoro at LapTatt 2. Robot Retractable Badge Holder by NancyM4 3. Animeye Painting by Thomas Deininger 4. Kumagoro Fleece Hat by Shori Ameshiko

Yes, I know that robots don’t specifically represent anime. It’s a way funner way to display your work badge though right?! Anyways, there are plenty of robots in anime *sniff*

I started thinking. One of the reasons I really love anime and, more recently, manga is because of the wonderful artwork. I love how artists can convey such a wide range of complex emotion with these characters. Some of the story lines are just so deep (or SO hilarious! …and many times both). Many times I have started a series thinking, yeah this is silly, only to find a much deeper theme the more episodes I watched. The very first anime series I watched was Elfen Lied. Whoa! Pretty much gore from the start. It was the only time I ever guiltily looked around my house expecting my mom to walk in and scold me for watching something so bloody. Of course I was married, in my mid-twenties and NOT living at home. So, the chances of this happening were pretty slim, but you don’t know my mom… ninja. No, seriously! NIN.JA!

Back to my story though…

Elfen Lied actually has a lot of tender and hilarious moments. So, if you’ve never watched any anime, remember that you can’t always judge a series from the first couple of episodes. Please make sure that if you’re not into violence you do your research! There are plenty of anime shows and movies that don’t contain gore, nudity and violence. Just make sure to check ratings and descriptions. Some of the series I have listed below contain all of the above. Some I’ve had playing ever since my little girl was born and are her favorite movies ever! The images I’ve chosen to represent each title are all original pieces and link back to the artists.

My Top 20 Anime movies and series: (available for purchase here)

1. Nana (image by Hybreed Rainbow) 2. Elfen Lied (image by Synister Smile) 3. Appleseed (image by Tyrant Of The Arts) 4. Serial Experiments Lain (Image by Moosaka)

5. Paprika (image by Softmeanie) 6. My Neighbor Totoro (image by Sxan) 7. Trigun (image by Retrolex) 8. Berserk (image by Tobiass85)

9. Spirited Away (image by Niki UK) 10. Howl’s Moving Castle (image by Tirael) 11. Bleach (image by Nekozumi) 12. TekkonKinkreet (image by Coey)

13. Ouran High School Host Club (image by Kyate) 14. Full Metal Alchemist (image by Dark GX) 15. Kiki’s Delivery Service (image by VL Arancia) 16. Cowboy Bebop (image by Vintana)

17. Death Note (image by Katikut) 18. Gunslinger Girl (image by J. Trojen)19. Samurai 7 (image by Black Saiyan) 20. Blood + (image by Miss It Girl)

To learn more about anime and specific series check out:

Anime on Wikipedia

Anime News Network

Anime Studio

Many series are available to stream for free online at:

Hulu

Anime Crunch

Kumby

Netflix (if you subscribe to their service)

If a specific episode is missing from any of the above sites I usually check out sidereel.com or veoh.com

Happy watching!

See This Saturday: Hitchcock Re-Envisioned

March 13, 10 //

Hitchcock Re-Envisioned: Complete Set by Laz Marquez

I love Alfred Hitchcock movies! Rear Window is one of my all-time favorites. So, I was pretty excited when Graham Smith of I’m Just Creative mentioned this set of posters. See Laz Marquez’s blog here for more great illustration.

Things Thursday: I Want A…

March 11, 10 //

1. Set of amazingly eye-catching business cards like these for Many Fold Farm by Beast Pieces 2. A Bioshock Little Sister Rapture Silver Bracelet like this one by Bottom of the Coffin Designs on Etsy 3. These free printable Journaling Tags by Creativity Prompt. I think they’d be really great as geeky bookplates too!

4. A pair or two of Warby Parker glasses thanks to the tip by Benign Objects. I could seriously buy two pair from them and save money compared the price I pay for one pair from my optometrist WITH my insurance coverage. Amazing. 5. Headphones with ears like these Pandemonium ones from Late to the Revolution on Etsy 6. This Underwater Kate Tdress or the hoodie version from NYIllustration on Etsy

7. This Robot Geek Love bag by CraftieRobot on Etsy 8. A print of every illustration John Martz makes available in his illustrated Hitchhikers Guide series. In the words of Paul Overton of Dudecraft: “Okay, I’m flying my geek flag high on this one, but come on, an illustrated version of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, drawn by John Martz? What’s better than that? Nothing.” 9. A flash drive as cute as this Hello Kitty Mimobot 2G one on Delight.com

Wee Ones Wednesday: Hey Bebe

March 10, 10 //

Aren’t these wonderful?! All of these DIY projects are by Holly at Chez Beeper Bebe. I love her tutorials! I want to own pretty much every children’s book she reviews and try all of her recipes. Overall, if you haven’t taken a look at her blog (or if you’re doing the head bob totally-falling-asleep-but-not-wanting-to-admit-it thing before you get to the C’s on Google Reader… ) your missing out! Go! Go now!!!

Then, whip out your scissors and start making:

1. Plush Alphabet Magnets 2. a Rainbow Sunshine Plushie 3. Beddy-Bye Beasts (also with a baby hat tutorial)

4. Doll Accessories for Emily’s (of Inside a Black Apple, please tell me you’ve heard of her, AWESOME!) Doll Pattern 5. Cloth Napkins. a girl after my green heart 6. a Paratrooper Softie

7. a Don’t Forget Memory Game 8. A Paper Crafts or Paper Doll Booklet 9. and some Counting Bean Bags

then, check out her shop, and Flickr group!

Wait, why are you still here and not here!?

See This! Saturday: Atreeeeeyuuuu!

March 6, 10 //

~”Give Me A Namem Bastian!” by Amy Sol and Greg “Craola” Simkins~

Isn’t this great!?!?! The 80’s child in me is jumping for joy. It’s a collaboration by Amy Sol and Greg Simkins for Crazy 4 Cult. I love the contrast between Greg’s rich colors and Amy’s almost etherial muted palette.

See more of Amy’s work at her site or blog (LOVE the latest Alice in Wonderland themed pieces!).

See more of Greg’s work at his site or blog.

Things Thursday: Hey Dollie

March 4, 10 //

All the dolls in yesterday’s post reminded me of these beauties:

~image by Sabrina Eras on Flickr~

~image by Amanda M. Hatfield on Flickr~

~image by itulu26 on Flickr~

~image by Sabrina Eras on Flickr~

~image by kitty27 on Flickr~

~image by itulu26 on Flickr~

Cute? The first year of my marriage was spent with me here in Vegas and my husband in Iraq. You know how some of us eat or bake or shop (or al of the above… ehem) when we’re trying to cope with some thing hard? I started collecting Blythe and Pullip dolls to take my mind off the stress I think and have been an admirer of Japanese dolls ever since. Mine are not customized and are wearing the clothes they came with for the most part. I love seeing what others have done to their dolls though. I love the time and detail you can find put into everything from the hair and outfits to eye colors and makeup. What a fun creative outlet!

For a more handmade approach to dolls I’ve put together a dollie roundup for yah. Hope you love it!