Creativity, Crafts, Books, Movies, Greyhounds & Favorite Things

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Taylor® Kitchen Timer

I should have titled this fave “Big Buttons,” because that’s why I love my new kitchen timer.  It’s big, easy to read and simple.  It has a flip down stand, to sit on the counter and a strong magnet, to hang on the refrigerator.  What’s not to love.

Masterpieceâ„¢

Premiering on January 10, 1971, Masterpieceâ„¢ is the longest running weekly prime time drama series in America.  It began as Masterpiece Theatre®, but in 2008 it was divided into three sections:  Masterpiece Classic (beloved signature period dramas), Masterpiece Mystery! (the best British mysteries), and Masterpiece Contemporary (dramas set in today’s world).  I love them all.

A cute little story…When my daughter was about 6-years-old, I was watching Masterpiece Theatre.  In her very best 6-year-old British accent she said, “Masterpiece Theatre, producted by the Children’s Television Workshop.”  Well, almost.  I did many things that didn’t fall in the “Good Mother” category, but withholding PBS wasn’t one of them.

Nad’s®

This isn’t for everyone, but if you hate shaving with the purple passion that I do, this is a great alternative.

Mead® Organizher™ Password Keeper

I think this is very cool.  A neat, pretty place to collect and organize all the User Names and Passwords that modern life requires.

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Me, in front of a mural painted on my aunt’s living room wall, 1969 

I’m working my way through the e-course, Make Art a Part (of Your Life).  This week, I read through the section on “decoration.”  Kaitlyn talks about public art and about the art we choose as our decoration.  Kaitlyn covers the different types of art available to us, from original art to import art.  This was interesting to me because I wasn’t familiar with many of the types and terms, and I enjoyed learning about all the ways art is available for us to own.  This section was jam-packed.  Kaitlyn discusses buying art (what you should consider), adding art to your home (placement and installation) and care.  Kaitlyn also offers great thrifting tips.  At the end of the section, Kaitlyn asks, “Pick an object in your home that you believe to be art. Write a show and tell about why it’s art, what it means to you, where you have placed it and why. What were your reasons for bringing this piece into your home and how does it inspire you?”

I chose two figurines that my mother kept in her curio cabinet.  She gave them to me because I loved them so much.  They are art to me because I remember, as a little girl, how beautiful I thought they were and how proud I was of my mom for owning them.  I was glad I came from a family that owned such lovely things.  I have them displayed on the top shelf of my bookcase in the family room.  I keep them there so that I can enjoy them every day.  I still think they’re beautiful and they remind me of happy memories and a blessed life.

These figurines are an example of import art and are inspired by two famous paintings.

Pinkie and The Blue Boy are two paintings by two different artists of two people who did not know each other.  They only became associated with each other when both were displayed in The Huntington in the late 1920s.

Pinkie was painted by Thomas Lawrence in 1794.  The subject is Sarah Barrett Moulton, the daughter of a wealthy plantation family in Jamaica, who came to England for her education.  She was called “Pinkie” by her grandmother who commissioned the portrait  Sarah was only eleven when she was painted and died within a year of the portrait’s completion.

The Blue Boy was painted by Thomas Gainsborough in 1770.  The subject is Jonathan Buttall, the son of a successful hardware merchant.

The creation exercise this week was jewelry.  I decided to use some pieces I had on-hand to fashion this necklace.

If you’d like to participate in this e-course, you may register at any time.  Once registered, you’ll have access to the full course for one year.  You can complete it at your own pace.  The cost is $45.00 and you can sign up here.  Kaitlyn also had a wonderful blog, isavirtue.

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One of my resolutions for 2011 is to simplify.  I want this idea of simplicity to include my seasonal/holiday decorations.  Everyone in my family is brilliant at holiday decorating with one exception…me.  Over the years, I’ve collected things that I like but that make no sense when it comes to my decorating style or my holiday decorating energy level (which is very low).  I’m looking for a simple plan that encompasses all my seasonal/holiday decorating.  Here’s what I’ve come up with:

Floral Arrangements

I have a few floral arrangements around the house.  Changing them out is easy and packs a nice punch.

Candles

I LOVE candles.  They’re already in our home, so changing them to seasonal colors and scents is easy.

Centerpiece & Place Mats

This sets the tone for the dining room and is an easy switch.  I need a few good ideas for centerpieces.

Tablescape – Living Room

This is one of the first things you see when you enter our home, so keeping it seasonally appropriate makes a lot of sense.  I’ll change the runner and add seasonal accessories. 

Couch Throws

This gives me a change to play with color and it makes sense from a practical standpoint.  Changing pillows might be nice too.

Door Wreath

The jury’s still out on this.  I really don’t want to store a bunch of wreaths.  I need to look for some fun, easy to store door decorations.  This might be my first Pinterest project.

Wall Art

Many years ago when I could still see, I stitched 6 seasonal/holiday samplers.  If I empty out my retirement fund and have these framed, they would be an easy switch every season.

Mantel/Fireplace Hearth

Like the tablescape in the living room, the fireplace dominates our family room; so a simple seasonal update here makes a powerful statement.

A Couple Favorite Pieces

I’d like to identify a few spots around the house where I can add those fun little items that I like.

What do you do to decorate for the different seasons/holidays?  I would love to hear your ideas and tips…especially if they’re simple.

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This is an elegant, intellectual mystery.  Set in 19th-century Madrid, Don Jaime is a fencing master and a man that holds to the old traditions.  Into his life comes a mysterious woman who seeks fencing instruction and who demonstrates amazing talent.  What follows is a satisfying, intriguing mystery.  If you love beautifully written, intellectually challenging, original mysteries, give Arturo Pérez-Reverte a try.

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This sumptuous movie depicts life among a group of 18th-century French aristocrats.  It is a beautiful film, but the subject matter is the artful, well-mannered wickedness of the two main (and monstrous) characters.  The dialogue is razor-sharp, the intrigue and deceit is complex, and the results are devastating.  It is a movie about power, seduction, revenge and betrayal…and it is delicious.

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Inspiration:

Creating Fantastic Vases by Suzanne J. E. Tourtillott – Pg 85 (Equisetum Columns)

 

 

Supplies:

Glass vase

Decorative paper

Bamboo

Glue (I also used Glue Dots)

Twine

Scissors

1.   Cut a strip of decorative paper to wrap around  the vase.  Apply glue dots.  Because my strip of paper wraps around my vase with no overlap, I put glue dots on both ends.  Ideally, you want your paper strip ends to overlap so you don’t see the glue dots on the inside of the vase.

2.  Wrap the paper strip around the vase and secure.

3.  Cut 12 bamboo pieces the height of the vase.

4.  Tie 3 pieces of bamboo together with the twine, for a total of 4 bundles.

5.  Trim and fluff the twine tails.

6.  Apply glue to the bamboo bundles at the point where you will adhere the bundles to the vase.

7.  Glue the bundles on the paper.  To space the bundles evenly, glue on the first bundle.  Then, glue the second bundle on to the paper directly across from the first bundle.  Glue the third bundle in between the first two bundles, then glue the fourth bundle directly across from the third bundle.

8.  Let your imagination run wild.  Just think of all the different looks you can achieve, depending on the paper you use and the decorative elements.

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Sweet Nikki

In July, we added a third Greyhound to our family.  If you missed that post, you can read about it here.  It’s time for a Nikki update.

Nikki has adjusted well.  It’s been interesting watching the three of them adjust to each other.  Freedom and Casper were very gentle with Nikki the first couple weeks.  They still seem to take it easy on her, but Nikki doesn’t make trouble and when trouble is brewing (meaning Casper), Nikki just stays out of it.  Freedom has done a few minor corrections with Nikki, but Freedom’s main mission in life is Casper.  Good luck, Freedom.

 I am not a problem.

Here are a few things about Nikki:

Nikki has earned the nickname, “Licky Nikki.”  When Nikki gets excited, out comes the tongue.

 Freedom, Casper and Nikki

We’re working with Nikki on “sit.”  Nikki is not excited about this.

When Nikki gets happy and excited, she does this cute little bouncy thing.  Perhaps I’ll capture it on video one day.  I think it’s what “happy” looks like.

Gettin’ a little lovin’

It took a couple weeks, but Nikki is roaching.  That’s the sign of a happy, relaxed Greyhound.

Nikki is an angel.  She’s well-behaved, loving and patient.  She’s a wonderful addition to our family.  We love you, Nikki.

 

No more pictures, please

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Cold Cream

I don’t use cold cream every day, but I love to have it in the medicine cabinet.  When it comes to removing stubborn make-up or in the winter when my skin is begging for moisture, cold cream is wonderful.

Beth Moore

Beth Moore is an evangelist, teacher and author.  I love Beth Moore Bible studies.  The Bible studies are generally presented in a 12-week format that includes a weekly hour-long video and 5 days of workbook homework.   Beth Moore always helps me understand more about myself, the Bible and my faith. 

Fun Fact:  Another famous Beth Moore…P!nk.  Her given name is Alecia Beth Moore.

 

Silicone

Silicone is popping up everywhere in the kitchen, and it is terrific!  I like the heat resistance, the bright colors, the flexibility and the easy cleaning.  Pictured above are silicone oven gloves from QVC.  My husband loves them for moving things around in the smoker and carrying hot dishes.

Huggable Hangers

I’m updating the hangers in my closet.  Here’s why I like these:  They don’t have the little strap indents (I just don’t like those), they are shaped to reduce “shoulder bumps,” they’re thin yet strong and because of the flocking, clothes won’t slip off.  I also like the cascading hooks you can add to the hangers.  Note:  If you’re the type of person that likes to pull your clothes off the hanger, DON’T GET THESE HANGERS!  That flocking really works and you’ll end up ripping your clothes or pulling down your closet rod.  Don’t ask me how I know this.

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Der Dada

This week, my work with the Make Art a Part e-course had me reading about “education.”  Kaitlyn present a concise overview of art history, media and color and then asks, “Visit this web page.  Click on one of the art historical periods – each page will offer you a couple artists and images that represent that period.  Choose an image that you like and research that artist.  Write a couple paragraphs about him or her.  Include facts that you find interesting, but also discuss why this style of art affects you.”

 ABCD – Raoul Hausmann

I was overwhelmed when I saw the Wikipedia list of Art Periods.  I scrolled down the list and saw “Dada – 1916-1930.”  I’d heard of this before, but never knew what the period and art was about.  I was fascinated.  This artistic movement developed in Europe at a time when the horror of World War I was being played out.   Loosely banded together, these writers and artists used any public forum they could find to defy and spit on nationalism, rationalism and materialism.  They were fed up with the society and order that brought the world to the senselessness of World War I, and they wanted no part of it, including artistic traditions.  

Raoul Hausmann (1886-1971)

Raoul Hausmann was a key artist in Berlin Dada.  One of the techniques he used was photomontage…making pictures from cut-up photographs.  This became one of the forms most associated with Berlin Dada,  Raoul Hausmann was the first editor of Der Dada, a periodical of drawings, poems and other writings.

 The Mechanical Head (Spirit of Our Age) – Raoul Hausmann

The Mechanical Head (Spirit of Our Age) is one of Hausmann’s most famous works.  Constructed from a hairdresser’s wig-making dummy, it has various measuring devices attached including a ruler, pocket watch mechanism, typewriter and camera segments and a crocodile wallet.  I think it’s intriguing commentary of what determines “thought” in Western culture.

I find this style of art compelling because I’m interested in this period of history and how the art so perfectly reflects that turbulant time..the prelude to our modern age, for better or worse.  I also find this style of art intriguing because it ushered in so many of the styles and techniques that I love and use myself, in particular, collage.

This week’s creation exercise was stitching.  I chose the needle felting project.  Isn’t this little alien cute?

If you’d like to participate in this e-course, you may register at any time.  Once registered, you’ll have access to the full course for one year.  You can complete it at your own pace.  The cost is $45.00 and you can sign up here.  Kaitlyn also had a wonderful blog, isavirtue.

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Recently, I was introduced to two websites.  I haven’t played around with them yet, but I am very intriqued.

 

Kickstarter is an exciting way to fund creativity.  Here’s what Kickstarter is about (copied from the Kickstarter website):

Kickstarter is the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world. Every week, tens of thousands of amazing people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields.

A new form of commerce and patronage. This is not about investment or lending. Project creators keep 100% ownership and control over their work. Instead, they offer products and experiences that are unique to each project.

All or nothing funding. On Kickstarter, a project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands. Why? It protects everyone involved. Creators aren’t expected to develop their project without necessary funds, and it allows anyone to test concepts without risk.

Each and every project is the independent creation of someone like you. Projects are big and small, serious and whimsical, traditional and experimental. They’re inspiring, entertaining and unbelievably diverse.

What a fun way to help make someone’s dream come true!

Pinterest is a virtual pinboard.  Here’s what Pinterest is about (copied from the Pinterest website):

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. 

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

Check out this link to see some examples of what you can do with Pinterest.  I can’t wait to play around with this!  Thanks, Amy, for introducing me to Pinterest.

Have you “found” any interesting websites?  I’d love to hear about them!