hippodrome

and i feel i have much to share, but have barely been able to sit down!

what’s been up? i’ve been craft fairin’, printing printing printing, and filling orders in the shop. all good! but now i am very much looking forward to a little downtime/crashtime for christmas.
so here’s a bit of a round-up….

even though i’m sure the parameters for the printshop would drive some people crazy (only certain hours, closes down for break, sometimes annoying and too cool for school young art students), i think it actually makes me produce more. i majorly need limitations - why i love printmaking to begin with - and so if i know i have a deadline, suddenly everything gets done. so it was a good semester in the printshop! knocking out some napkins, a silly book, and special order kids shirts right at the last moment. bunnies and firetrucks oh my!

for craft fairs, i did the squidfire art mart again, which as usual was great, and got a nice little mention too from the awesome indie fixx!

then, went up to volunteer at craftland, which is so amazing and cool, a good set of pictures here (by faythe levine of course). not so amazing is getting caught in a snowstorm on the way back, and it taking three times as long to get home. but the snow was pretty incredible to watch coming down.

at least optimus prime was near by…

last, but certainly not least, just finished doing the brooklyn lyceum show in park slope. it was their first craft fair, and was packed the entire time! it’s a really cool place, and i can’t believe i hadn’t been there before, but they have loads of neat events (it used to be a bath house) and i think we’ll definitely be going to other things too. i had such great neighbors as well, so nice and so talented!- rocks and salt , Lingua Nigra and michelle han.

hats by rocks and salt (josh might have gotten me one for xmas?? hmmmm???)

it’s really wonderful to see people still supporting crafts even in this crazy economy, it means so much to everyone involved.

and, now, oh my goodness i still have stuff to print. but it’s all good busyiness. finally, we finally got our christmas on, and decorated the house (somewhat, rudolph set STILL not up!!).

lately my life is involving a lot of walrus. which sounds quite hilarious.

like this test walrus. hey guy. he is aptly with a giant pile of yarn, as i’ve been knitting far too much lately.

also, i’m totally psyched i FINALLY, after oh like 7 drawn out weeks, finished my giraffe accordian book. he’s so tallllllll and smallllll.

and now for my list. i’ve been a little behind in keeping myself on track of myself. but i’m back at it.

TO DO THIS/NEXT WEEK:
logisitics/business:
- receive new cover copies
- assemble coloring books
package and label stuff for craftland
- send wares to craftland
- email blogs for promo-ness
- create game plan for xmas shows
- more info on jingle bell bazaar?
- really design wholesale sheets for moleskines + possible other things
- follow-up temp and review PT c.

printing/art:
- print (2) new moleskine designs
- print pom scarves (possible new color option - frustrating)
- separations for walrus print
- print first walrus print
- turkey trot designs & amanda send shirts

home/craft stuff:
- finish secret xmas project 1b
- start dad’s slippers
- clean house for cousins
- finish painting front door

around town/shopping/sites:
- Find more organic blah blah bamboo jersey
- purchase blue fabric at mood
- buy printing paper at NY central
- make copies of coloring books

COMPLETED (review from last week, with additions):
logisitics/business
- payment for squidfire
- applied brooklyn lyceum show
- final designs to T&C for tree farm
- researched sign co’s for t&c - investigate places on c.i.a.
- sent out coloring book packets

printing/art:
- printed envelopes/notecards for coloring book packets
- printed yellow napkins
- printed (blue) scarves
- designed/printed amanda/mark heart shirts
- new designs for moleskine (2)
- walrus work: first draft completed, reviewed with my teacher
- printed tea towels
- finished bunny design for cathy
- printed more groovy and shucks
- finally finished giraffe book

home/craft stuff:
- paint test of small hallway in dark gray paint
- sewing mini-rug
- finished sarah baby booties
- started second part of secret xmas present 1b
- continued work on mom’s scarf
- finished chris hat

around town shopping/sights:
- go see babar exhibit at morgan library
- acquire new small screens from standard for fabric printing

this is the picture of a president. i am so proud of my country. i feel hope. and so elated i can finally feel pride in my president again. this is what America needed. i look towards the future.

wow. after 2 years of constant speculation. it’s finally here. i don’t see how i’m going to sleep tonight until i know. i remember in 2000 staying up so late, then going to sleep, turning on the tv in the morning, expecting to hear an answer…and didn’t.

i have cnn and npr on at the same time. i can’t even help myself. i waited an hour in line today, and was happy to wait. i couldn’t believe it. in 2004 i just waltzed in, there was barely anyone there (and i went in the morning!). not the case today. i feel everyone in line was quiet, anxious, ready to go in and help steer the course of america.

hopefully tomorrow we will have a new president. and a new era of this country can begin, we can hopefully break this 8 year stretch of ineptitude, mediocrity, and selfish special interests. let’s hope.

so….i meant to post inbetween my to-do listings. ah well. this list thing is really helpful. anytime i stop making to do lists, really my life starts to break apart.

anyhoo, the main thing that’s been going on lately is i’ve been obsessed with walruses. i’m working on a little idea about them, but basically i’m ensconced in walrus! visited the ny aquarium out in coney island and been reading some jacques cousteau. who, by the way, is really hilarious. of course i watched cousteau stuff growing up, and know life aquatic is a parody of him, but reading him now? it’s such a melodramatic travelogue, it’s genius. i shall maybe quote from him at a later date.

i spent a lot of time looking at the underground walrus tank

walrus mini video

TO DO THIS WEEK:
logisitics/business
- really design wholesale sheets for moleskines + possible other things
- payment for squidfire (once payment from BIM goes through)
- brooklyn lyceum show?
- jingle bell bazaar show?
- final designs to T&C for tree farm
- continue to research sign co’s for t&c - investigate places on c.i.a.
- finishing touches on wholesale CB sheet, print out
- send out coloring book packets
- follow-up temp and review PT c.

printing/art:
- print tea towels (need at least 20)
- print envelopes for coloring book packets
- print notecards coloring book packets
- print yellow napkins
- print scarves
- design and print amanda/mark heart shirts
- new design for moleskine (started tracing but didn’t finish)
- go asl drawing thurs
- continue walrus work

home/craft stuff:
- cleanup everything before josh comes home!
- paint test of small hallway in dark gray paint
- finish painting front door green (which josh stink pants doesn’t like)
- sewing mini-rug
- finish sarah baby booties (mon)
- start second part of secret xmas present 1b
- continue work on mom’s scarf
around town shopping/sights:
- - go see babar exhibit at morgan library
- purchase pink fabric mood
- acquire new small screens from standard for fabric printing

LAST WEEK: (i’m leaving the things i didn’t do to shame myself)
- design wholesale sheets for moleskines + possible other things
- orders from catprint arrive
- craftland volunteer investigate sign-up
- squidfire payment
- apply to bust
- apply for other temp places
- check out/write newnew
- get new york public library library card (finally obtained brooklyn one, and craft catalog is NOT extensive enough)
- continue to research sign co’s for t&c - investigate places on c.i.a.

printing - art - craft:
- print napkins
- print paper bags for shows (purple and small)
- print critters tote bags
- print tea towels
- finish printing y&c shirts
- print wine weekend shirt
- new design for moleskine (started tracing but didn’t finish)
- walrus designs

home stuff:
- paint test of small hallway in dark gray paint
- finish painting front door green (which josh stink pants doesn’t like)
- sewing mini-rug
- wash new tea towels

around town, shopping & sights:
- go see babar exhibit at morgan library
- visit natural history museum
- see drawing exhibit at hanahou
- purchase pink fabric mood
- acquire new small screens from standard for fabric printing

alright. list to keep me on track!

but….before that, because that’s boring to look at. i did the brooklyn indie market this weekend. it was a little slower than i hoped, but everyone there was so nice! and it was great to meet some more crafters in brooklyn. my mom came in and helped which made the day a fun one.

i did a trade for a beautiful print from katriana parn…she’s so so nice and her work is amazing! and these super awesome mittens from better than jam. i was down the aisle from her at renegade acouple years ago. she’s so nice, and i just love her stuff. these guys are perfect for fall, and were only $15!
.

logistics & business:
- design wholesale sheets for moleskines + possible other things
- orders from catprint arrive
- craftland volunteer sign-up
- squidfire payment
- apply to bust
- apply for other temp places
- check out/write newnew
- get new york public library library card (finally obtained brooklyn one, and craft catalog is NOT extensive enough)
- continue to research sign co’s for t&c - investigate places on c.i.a.

printing - art - craft:
- print napkins
- print paper bags for shows (purple and small)
- print critters tote bags
- print tea towels
- finish printing y&c shirts
- print wine weekend shirt
- new design for moleskine (started tracing but didn’t finish)
- walrus designs

home stuff:
- paint test of small hallway in dark gray paint
- finish painting front door green (which josh stink pants doesn’t like)
- sewing mini-rug
- wash new tea towels

around town, shopping & sights:
- go see babar exhibit at morgan library
- visit natural history museum
- purchase pink fabric mood
- acquire new small screens from standard for fabric printing

i’m feeling a little slumpy and adrift this week. a little numb. i don’t know why. maybe it’s this perpetual weird summer-fall, or that i only went to the print shop ONCE SHAME this week or a host of other things. but i gave myself a little talking to mid-week (YOU guide the direction of your life! it’s up to you! that sort of crap) and i feel a little back on track.

i think i might start listing my weekly goals here on a monday, and then make it a challenge to accomplish all of them. i have to remember that this time. right now. is such an amazing time for me to see what i can do, push myself my hardest…creatively, and i feel i’m never doing enough. but that angst is good. i must keep it up.

what gave me a good kick in the butt this week was going to see the yarn harlot, aka stephanie pearl-mcphee. I wasn’t going to go, because i know i’m not a SERIOUS knitter…i feel i’m more a person who knits, so would i feel a bit of a poser? but audrey encouraged me and i’m so happy i went!! besides the fact that she was HILARIOUS, she also reminded all of us about the importance and validity of craft. in her case, knitting, but i apply it to all. “Crafts” can be seen as such a silly thing, “crafty” seems so girly, so lame…to non-crafty times. but it’s not. for me, which i know i’ve rambled before, it’s not cute, it’s not silly. it fills people with happiness and makes the world better. for reals.

art and craft are fully linked for me. they go hand in hand. they are different, but deeply connected to each other. and seeing the yarn harlot speak reminded me of the importance of being proud of what you do, even if other people think it’s frivolous, it’s not. and yes crafty things can be silly, or ugly, or whatever. but it doesn’t matter. it gives people joy. and that’s an important thing.

i only took two quick shots…here’s everyone waiting, and of course knitting. the best was that everyone just continued knitting (with some pretty elaborate pattern following) while she talked! it would have been rude to NOT continue knitting. at first i put my things away but in the spirit of the moment, got my stuff back out. the crowd was so into the talk which was great. the girl next to me had the most AMAZING tattoos, one of which was a big yarn ball. hurray!

had to get a picture of the sock being taken of the sock…

so in the effort of FOLLOWING THROUGH and STAYING DISCIPLINED, a little retroactive what did this week:
- designed wholesale sheets for coloring books to send out (way too late but still will send out for xmas)
- sent in our info and logo to craftland
- got a library card (yes i’m listing big AND small)
- finished gocco swap and sent it off
- designed end papers for giraffe book for class
- went to the aquarium to see walruses for possible book idea (going right after this post)
- started painting book
- started orange big scarf
- finished wrestling team…FINALLY
- midway through (will finish by weekend) cowl of kindness
- went to art students league for figure drawing as i’m in desperate need of it (will try to go every week)

what wanted to accomplish but didn’t:
- design wholesale sheets for moleskines + possible other things
- paint test of small hallway in dark gray paint
- finish painting front door green (which josh stink pants doesn’t like)
- go see babar exhibit at morgan library (still might fit this in)
- finish printing y&c shirts
- print napkins based on scarf designs
- print wine weekend shirt
- print end papers and cut down book for monday class
- new design for moleskine (started tracing but didn’t finish)
- apply for other temp places (may still fit in)

preview of gocco swap…more details to follow

finally i am not wrought with sadness when entering our apt. we moved in in nov and we are finally on our way to having a cohesive place to live. the ferbisis visiting made us get our act together. paint! a credenza! and we actually found a chair this weekend, which was exciting. there is still so much to do, but i feel like we’ve started to turn the ship around.

the before and after. #725 benjamin moore aura. which, let me tell you is incredible paint. ONE coat, all eco friendly, and looks amazing. it’s more expensive, but you use less. totally worth it.

new credenza hiding about 200 dvds. we have alot of media. too much one would say. in our last place we had a wall of dvds piled into two ikea billy shelves. it looked completely gross. this time around we must merge style and functionality. i’m so jazzed by this credenza. AND the doors are reversible. bought through my trusty navy yard ebay seller.

these shelves still need to be made to look pretty, but this is a start. when josh assembled them at first he started filling them with books (to repeat the aforementioned billy shelf situation), but in slow mo i yelled noooo! display shelves! the kid in the corner will be hung above the credenza. the wall is a taupey color. also b.moore aura.

new chair. i’m SO SO excited about this guy. eventually it will be reupholstered….by me if i’m daring, or by a professional…which would probably be the best idea. purchased at the brooklyn flea. i’ve also realized that every piece of furniture i purchase seems to have spindly legs. i can’t help it. i love them.

the blue paint on the walls just makes me so happy. it makes everything in the room look better. and it’s really the exact color i had in my mind. now we just need a warm reddish toned rug to warm up the room a bit.

luke and dawn came to visit this weekend for dawn’s birthday weekend. awhile ago, dawn mentioned she wanted to do a yarn crawl of sorts, and luke mentioned wanting a cupcake crawl…thus yarn and cupcake weekend was born!! yarns were seen, cupcakes were consumed, the weather was so perfect (if not a little too warm) and i couldn’t have imagined a more perfect weekend. seriously.

who are these fantastic people?

we traversed nyc up and down, and the transit system was magically on our side with trains/buses arriving the moment we stepped onto the platform much more than once.

we took in the guggenheim, traversed central park, checked out uptown, downtown and brkyn yarn stores, ate cupcakes every which way, ate korean bbq followed by karaoke, took in troll 2 twice, and headed to the brooklyn flea.

the gugge

singing 2 princes

The specific yarn stores we checked out were: string (super fancy pantsy upper east), the yarn company (lovely store until our checkout annoyance), knitty city (lively and fun store), Purl & Purl Patchwork (super crowded yet super lovely), and last but certainly not least Brooklyn General (the fav, with TMBG playing the whole time!).

oh deliciousness at brkyln general

Cupcake-wise we took in Amy’s Bread (a good starter), The Little Cupcake Bakeshop (bayridge’s best! a close 2nd for me), Buttercup Bakery (good but not the best), Crumbs Up and Downtown (the group fav), and Royale. We were thwarted in getting Magnolia (line so long we walked away) and Kumquat. We split the cupcakes at each place, but damn, it’s still alot of cake to take in. Crums was definitely the favorite. Of course, though i can’t stop picking at the cupcake remnants we have left. Basically we need to have a Y&C 2 considering there is so much ground left to be uncovered. bonus!

hello pretties at royale

crumbs carnage

it makes me sad that pittsburgh is so far away that we don’t visit each other’s respective cities more often…cause i love me some pitt…but this weekend was full of super fantasticness! i sense a pburgh trip is in our future in the spring.

thanks guys for a wonderful time. Who’s visiting next? I need to do another yarn crawl (Audrey let’s talk!!)