Lazy Dancer

I've never really listened to Metric. They're one of those bands that I know is good, but I've never bothered to get into them.

Until the past two days. Their new album Fantasies is all I've been listening to at work. The song above is my favorite song from the album, called Collect Call. It's wonderful.

I also forgot to post a picture. My nephew Benjamin is almost two and a half, and comes over to my apartment every few weeks to go swimming in my building's pool. The last time he was over he did something for the very first time!

So what was this amazing feat?

He drew on my wall. Yes, for the very first time, Ben scribbled on a wall. I think it's cute though, and I don't want to remove it. So sweet.

Craft

I've been meaning to post pictures of the latest craft I've finished last week.

I must admit, the project was not my idea. I stole it from Design Sponge, as per usual. They have so many good ideas!


First of all I gathered objects and arranged them into the shape of a key. I used vintage buttons, a few keys (hope they aren't for my parents' house, I couldn't remember what they were for), a clothes pin, a few jewelry charms, some key holes, and a few cut out shapes (butterflies and puzzle pieces) and other knick knacks.



Then I spraypainted all the objects a flat black. Note for future reference: do NOT spraypaint inside your apartment. The smell doesn't leave the air for hours.



Here's some of the objects. Don't they look cute? I love that they match.



Then I rearranged the items and used a glue gun to keep them in place. I took a picture when I arranged them earlier so I'd remember how they all fit together.



And it's on my wall! It's an easy craft that makes use of things you have lying around your place.

I didn't have any watercolor paper big enough to fit the frame I bought, so I used a thinner stock, which I now regret. The weight of the objects makes the paper bend at the bottom. Ah well, next time. I still like it.



While I'm on the topic of hanging pictures, I have to mention this product I found. Living in an apartment, I have a really long concrete wall that I can't put nails or hooks into.

I found a really neat product that lets you hang things on the wall. It's called Command Strips by 3M. They're essentially really strong sticky velcro/tape which you can remove without leaving any damage or holes in the wall.



I think you can hang up to 15 pounds with 3 strips on one picture, so quite a bit! Anyways, these things have been a lifesaver! No more huge white empty wall!

Two things I found on Jen Loves Kev

I found two of the most gorgeous things on Jen Loves Kev while poring over dozens of pages of her blog.

The first is two necklaces by Figs & Ginger. Figs & Ginger is a husband/wife team who make eco-friendly sterling silver jewelry.

This fawn necklace is so sweet. I want it. And it's only $40! I'm very tempted to order it.


Lovebirds necklace, also $40. All jewelry is made from at least 50% recycled metal and all are made by hand. So sweet.




The next thing I found was the most beautiful prints by Bryan Nash Gill, an artist from Connecticut. (descriptions taken from Ashes & Milk)


Through relief printing and a laborious rubbing technique Byran created the above piece Hemlock 82 (Bryan literally scratched his fingernails over every surface of the tree). At the grand size of 5 long x 38.5″wide the actual diameter, texture and pattern of this tree section is gorgeously translated onto paper.



Ink is rolled out and a piece of handcrafted washi paper is placed over the print block. Pressing little by little with his fingertips, Bryan imprints the texture of the wood on the surface of the paper.

If you want a print of this tree though, they don't come cheap. Prints cost a mere $4000. Yes, four thousand. But aren't they beautiful?

The Genius That is Frank Gehry

While I was in Seattle last month, I got my first experience of Frank Gehry's architecture in person. Excuse my excitement as I post a lot of pictures.

Gehry, a Canadian-born architect now living in LA, studied at Los Angeles City College, University of Southern California's School of Architecture, and topped off his education by dropping out of Harvard's City Planning program.


I'm a huge architecture nerd, so I was so excited to visit the Experience Music Project. The building was completed in 2000 and is home to many exhibitions about Seattle's music scene, as well as music from all over the world.



As soon as the EMP was in sight as we walked there from our hotel, I couldn't contain my excitement. This building did not disappoint!






It's truly a work of art, combining organic shapes with metallic and glossy materials in baby blue, copper, red and pinks.



It's curves were so gorgeous, and I love how the public transit train runs right through the building.


In one end....



... and out the other.


(Is this a sphynx? Intentional or not?)



The interior of the building is nearly as impressive. It's a seemingly endless interior of curves, halls, metals, and shapes, all accented with bright colors.


The tourist picture, complete with the Space Needle in the EMP's reflection. I look cool and collected here, but I was dying on the inside.

I think I spent more time gawking at the architecture than I did at the exhibits inside the museum (a common criticism of Gehry's work).


The EMP is just one of Gehry's works, though one of his more famous.



Among his other notable pieces is Hotel Marqués De Riscal in Alava, Spain.


The hotel is built into the Spanish country, and is almost like a ribbon on the side of a hill.


Another notable piece is the Disney Concert Hall in LA, completed in 2003.



Another Gehry building I hope to visit one day is the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

363 days left

I got the most wonderful Christmas present a few days ago (belated, I know, we blame the Postal Service).

I got four glycee prints by Stella Im Hultberg, from a limited edition run of 500, plus they're AUTOGRAPHED. I am the luckiest. They're beautiful, and I'll probably go get them framed, as in real and properly framed in a store.





Aren't they beautiful? Stella always paints women with stegasaurus backs, rosy cheeks, and big black hair. I've always wanted black hair. I love Stella's work.


Oh, before I forget, I must say CONGRATULATIONS to my old friend Kara and her husband Rob! Kara and I were very good friends in junior high, and she just happened to have the New Years Baby this year! I expect to see many more pictures of little Isaiah on facebook soon.


Here is the official picture on the news website of Kara, Rob and Isaiah. Look at his little toes poking out!

Snow is pretty on the trees outside

I bought a new Rocky Moutain Soap product yesterday. It's their foot butter and it's delicious. It smells like honey and lemons and makes my feet feel like whipped cream.
I made a painting last night. I like it. It's red and blue. I used this Grumbacher spray varnish to seal and protect the painting this afternoon. I've never used a varnish before, so I hope it works okay. The package said I was supposed to not breathe in the fumes. They smell potent. I have one more canvas left. I was originally going to do another one to match the one I did last night so that I'd have two to hang together, but I don't think I'm going to do that anymore.

It looks better in real life. I promise.

I regret to say that my favorite fashion blog website Fashionation has not had a new post since November 24. It is up for sale, and someone needs to buy it soon. I need to see more pictures. Here are just a few of my favorite pictures from Fashionation.


There is a lot more, but apparently the only page working is the homepage right now which is unfortunate. They have a beautiful archive of fashion photography.