a new idea I had the other night when I was watching What About Bob…(my favorite movie) and thinking of how I feel like sometimes I am Bob Wiley and my husband is Dr. Leo Marvin.
and it just kept going from there….
you are the milo to my otis.
you are the fraggle to my rock.
you are the elliott to my e.t.
(can you tell I grew up in the late 80’s/early 90s?)
oh yay. my husband and I have this debate every year at this time….when is it okay to put up Christmas decorations? We figure we have to at least get through Halloween.
So…..November 1st?
I know, I know, it is getting ridiculous, but I love the Holiday Season. I think besides the standard reasons to like Christmas (building a snowman, lighting the fire, drinking hot chocolate, spending time with loved ones) I love it because there is so much fun stuff for me to DO! Making gifts, wrapping them, DECORATIONS!
And I have a REALLY good excuse to make a mess b.c. if anyone loves Christmas more than me it’s my husband: “But babe, it’s a Christmas decoration!”
I’ve already got a list going of Christmas DIY ideas and if I can’t put them up on November 1st, I can at least start making them, right? RIGHT??
okay, laugh if you want…but this weekend I found out about A.T.C’s for the first time ever! I can’t believe it has taken me this long to get it in on this wondrous artistic movement. Maybe this is old news to you but A.T.C’s (or Artist’s Trading Cards) are these lovely little baseball card sized pieces of artwork that artists then trade with friends, family and artists around the globe!
Here are just a few of some the amazing cards I found and love:
The only rule to A.T.C’s are that they must be 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ in size. But that’s it. I stumbled upon ATCs while I was looking for some good art lessons for an after school art club curriculum I am putting together for 2nd through 4th graders. I found an art lesson on the subject of ATC’s on Dick Blick’s website: http://www.dickblick.com/lesson-plans/atc-artist-trading-cards/ (They have so many amazing art lessons). After looking over the lesson and getting excited about the idea….I then googled ATCs and it was like a hidden (or I guess not so hidden) world of ATC artists, galleries, international swaps, ideas, ect. Needless to say, I spent about 6 hours glued to my laptop (nothing new there I guess) and then another 6 hours trying to make some samples…and I am hooked. HOOKED!
And of course, you didn’t think I could spend so much time falling in love with these things without trying some out for myself…so here are my first attempts at ATC cards:
So…if you are interested here are some websites that I found along the way…..
Also, if you are interested in a swap or know of any swaps I would LOVE to be apart of that. Also, probably in the spring of 2012, I will have a group of elementary aged kids who would love to swap with other kids (preferabbly not in Illinois).
hello!
I just wanted to share that I have started a new blog for DIY Decorating Projects….If you are at all interested come on over and share your ideas, tips and projects. http://ohappydiy.blogspot.com/
Here’s a taste of what you will find….
This one too!! Just click here: http://ohappydiy.blogspot.com/
Just click here….
Lately, the urge to get another tattoo has been gnawing away at me. I have two at the moment:
I told myself after the peacock feathers that I would wait 5 years (plus, I’m terrified of needles and had to go back to the Tattoo Parlor at least 4 times because each time I came, I would pass out). I’m 27 now and so much has happened since then. I’ve gotten my Masters degree, got married, got a job I love and feel much more stable and solid than I was 8 years ago.
Also I’ve lost two important people in the last 2 years: one of my best childhood friends (not one of the ones who got matching tattoos with me) past away from an aggressive cancer, leaving behind a beautiful 5 year old daughter and my grandma who was so beautiful and also happened to be my favorite person and passed away after suffering with Alzheimers’ disease for 16 long years.
 |
| grandma in all her 90’s glory (in the silk blue suit) |
 |
| about 5 years into her disease, after a stroke (around 1999) |
 |
| right before she passed |
Before I lost these two people, I was very very lucky to not have to face death and deal with the sense of loss, anger, confusion, and the infuriating feelings of guilt for leaving things unsaid and undone.
 |
| my friend’s arm
I had an idea of what I thought the bands might symbolize and knew that he treated each tattooed band with stoic reverence. I finally asked him to tell me about them and what they meant to him. Ever the philosophical fellow, he replied with:
“Humans, like trees, grow rings of memories.”
Which I loved because I have always loved trees (such a silly statement to make, I mean, who doesn‘t like trees??). I love how they look, how they smell and what they have symbolized throughout man’s existence (life, death, wisdom, nourishment, hope, growth, security, family).
Anywho, I am thinking of getting two thin bands on my left forearm, one in honor of my grandma and one in honor of my childhood friend.
Although, my friend also warned me of getting a tattoo that symbolizes the loss of someone you love in a place that you have to look at all the time. He said that every time he looks at his tattoos it only reminds him of those he has lost and makes him sad.
I thought about this and realized that I think the reason I want them in such a visible spot is to remind me to make the most of the time I have with my loved ones and to act in such a way when I am with them, that on that very distant day in the future when I have no more time with them, I will be left with no regrets.
But, I will continue to evaluate the real reasons I want this tattoo, where it should go, and what it will represent to me.
In the meantime, here are some badass tattoos that I find to be lovely and inspiring (via this cool website I just stumbled on: http://fyeahtattoos.com/:
|
 |
| by artist: Dan DiMattia |
 |
| Illustration from my favorite book The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein Tattoo Artist unknown |
(the Japanese poster for the movie Paris je t’aime)
Yes, I guess it is true…I’m obsessed with everything French (I am even willing to forget about the restaurant tonight that refused to serve us because we were American). Aside from a few haughty shopkeepers and a near fatal collision whilst I was biking near the Seine River, everyone and everything has been so lovely.
 |
| me, professing my love to the Eiffel Tower. |
 |
| I shouldn’t be allowed on bikes in busy areas. |
To help me cope with the sadness of leaving Paris today, I spent a few hours finding French “things” to hang on our walls, or to wear and remind me of this trip that i wish didn’t have to end.
 |
| “Sucrees” Fine Art Photography 8 x 10 by honeytree $30.00 http://www.etsy.com/listing/54822193/paris-photography-sucrees-sweets-shop |
I love this photo because these bakeries are everywhere! Full of tempting and delicious treats. I honestly have no idea how French people stay are so thin! If I lived in Paris I would weigh 300 lbs!
 |
| Champagne Beaded Eiffel Tower Headband by bethanylorelle $23.00 http://www.etsy.com/listing/71653257/eiffel-tower-champagne-beaded-headband?ref=tre-622649955-6 |
 |
| Pin-back button badge pack of 4 by poosac: 4 pounds or roughly $8.00 http://www.etsy.com/listing/79053007/say-bonjour-ooh-la-la-vive-la-france-or?ref=tre-622649955-7 |
These buttons are so cute especially the one on the bottom right which I think translates to “I love cheese.”
 |
| Maro Kits: The French Twist by Maro Designs $5.95 http://www.etsy.com/listing/66638034/maro-kits-the-french-twist?ref=tre-622649955-14 When i am really desperate for a bit of Parisian culture, I will make my husband wear these, give him a french loaf, a striped shirt and a bicycle.
|
 |
| French Tuxedo by ZephyrGraham $199.00 http://www.etsy.com/listing/66625845/french-tuxedo Handmade to fit, oooh la la la!
|
 |
| Handmade Eiffel Tower Rubber Stamp by Dramaofgiftedchild $7.50 http://www.etsy.com/listing/75906150/travel-serie-french-eiffel-tower?ref=tre-622649955-4 I love a good stamp! There are so many things you can do with them, the possibilities are endless!
|
 |
| Bonjour Mismatched Wooden Letters by APKHandmade $22.00 http://www.etsy.com/listing/78494084/bonjour-mismatched-wood-letters-with?ref=tre-622649955-2 I LOVE these mismatched letters that spell “bonjour”, the best part about them is that they are decoupaged with vintage French Archie comic strips!
|
Greetings from Central London!
Spending a few days on my own recharging my batteries in a lovely little boutique hotel in Central London (Montague at the Gardens) while my husband and his two best “mates”are on a bachelor party trip to Northern England. We spent the past few days visiting my husband’s family and even though I love them dearly, I am EXHAUSTING.
After sleeping 14 hours, I grabbed a map of Central London from the concierge and spent the entire day walking around the the city, getting lost in the process, taking pictures, and looking like a typical American tourist. Even though the riots are happening all around London, I haven’t come in contact with any of the mayhem, except for hearing the odd police siren.
Walking around London today reminded me of the amazing street art that can be found on the buildings, street signs, doors and where ever there is a blank spot on a wall. I have sort of been collecting pictures of street art I have found during my travels to places I’ve visited: Paris, Prague, London, New York City, the Phillipines, Chicago, and so on. And so I thought I would post pics of some of my favorites. So here they are….
Okay, I apologize for the following bit of shameless (or shameful) self-promotion…. but I am just so excited/honored that I had to share!! A few months ago I sold a greeting card of one of my wave carvings to someone through my etsy shop. Here is a picture of the stamp:
What’s the big flippin’ deal right? Well, this amazing individual messaged me a few days ago to show me pictures of her arm.. Why did she send me a picture of her arm you might ask….BECAUSE..she got my wave carving tattooed on it:
Just a new little art project i’ve been getting obsessed with!
They are just watercolor raindrops or funny shapes that I then design with a black pigment ink pen.
Don’t know what to do with them really..
 |
felted scarf/ jewel orange with red accents $35.00 by Karlita |
 |
| “Guardian Angel” 11 x 14 Print $24.00 by CollectArtWork |
Recycled T-Shirt Sphere Pillow in Bright Orange MINI $50.00 by talkingsquid
 |
24k gold Turquoise and Carnelian necklace $350.00 by omiya |
Maybe it’s the changing seasons or the feeling that I have no control over several areas in my life right now…whatever the psychoanalysis might be…I’ve changed a few tiny things up in our apartment and it has seemed to make a huge difference.
jessbobess 