TO THE FINE 2009...

...I am not too sad that you are over! Don't get me wrong, I loved you in your own right, but I am excited to get to know 2010!!

So, a final farewell...thanks for the magical moments.

I made this photo-collage with the intentions of sending it to my grandma so she could get a glimpse into my life this year.

Lots to share....hopefully time will find me before I chase after it!
Hope your 2010 is starting off with optimism!

A GIFT OF MUSIC {2009 STYLE}

KARMA BUTTON'S FAVORITE 2009 MUSIC 

{as in the albums that came out this year because I can't possibly keep up with all of the music I listen to!}

• Goodway by Monsters of Folk
• French Navy by Camera Obscura
• And the Hazy Sea by Cymbals Eat Guitars
• Troll Nacht by The Dodos
• DLZ by TV On The Radio
• La Llorona by Beirut

 

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• My Night With The Prostitute From Marseille by Beirut
• Someday by Tegan and Sara
• Black Rainbow by St. Vincent
• Hysteric by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Southern Point by Grizzly Bear
• "Thank You" by Jay-Z

 

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• Dominos by The Big Pink

 

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DISCLAIMERS:

**The Big Pink was a last minute add because I haven't listened to the album, I just became cheesily obsessed with the song while watching the BBC series "Being Human"

**Sorry for the multiple embeds, had issues with the embedding!!

I hope you enjoyed this playlist and hopefully discovered something new to love! If you are on ilike, find me so we can share more music!

xoxo

"If music be the food of love, play on." -William Shakespeare

INSPIRING BLOGS OF 2009 [and beyond]: LOVE THOSE HOOKERS

Thank you Royal Sister for this tutorial!

AND by hookers I mean, CROCHET HOOKS!! {yes, cheese is one of my middle names}

One year ago I dislocated my shoulder (which was THE worst experience of my life so far) and taught myself to crochet because I go insane if too many days pass and I am not making or doing something, my main {left} arm was immobilized for some time and crocheting predominantly requires one's right arm--voila a new obsession....and since then I am ever so thankful that I filled a negative part of my life with a skill that keeps on giving!! That's right, I said SKILLZ!!

KARMA BUTTON'S 2009 TOP FIVE CROCHET BLOGS:

ATTIC 24

Attic24 you have made me obsessed with granny hexagons, taught me how to join as I work, and offered me so much inspiration to hook away!! {lol}

THE ROYAL SISTERS

OMG Royal Sisters you make me use abbreviations! Thank you for the awesome pictorial instructions and the star tutorial-- I sold about 15 for our 1st Holiday Fair {ALL proceeds went to our club-- I didn't even pay myself for supplies} Those stars kept my mind busy during some hard times this past month!

CREATIVE YARN

This is one of the sites that made me want to get good at crocheting!! I love her patterns and have made SO SO many variations! {some showable, some beginner's crud}

CROCHET SPOT

Great place for beginners and for so many user-friendly practical projects!

ROSEHIP

A very recent find with so much more creative inspiration than crochet! I love her style and personalization of an age-old craft!

There are really so many great crocheting resources on the internet. I attribute the computer to my own development--whether it was the latter blogs, the plethora of group sites, youtube for tutorials, or just random searches for a specific project. Hope anyone reading this gets a glimpse at why I love this newish {and overabundant} hobby! 

xoxo

INSPIRING BLOGS OF 2009 [and beyond]: PEOPLE OF {my} INTEREST

Been a busy bee cleaning up the studio in the hopes of it eventually being a functioning workspace, regrouping from the past holiday and the coming New Year, figuring out what is exactly wrong with my gastrointestinal system, and crocheting like a mad hooker. Regardless of all the crazies, here is some reflection-- my top five inspiring personal blogs. Each of these individuals {lovely ladies} motivate me to do so much more, and bring beauty to my internet world on a regular basis. In the hopes that I complete my series of 2009, here is phase I:

KARMA BUTTON'S {INTERNET} PEOPLE OF INTEREST [2009 STYLE]

ELSIE FLANNIGAN

I have loved this super cute chica for years. If I were to partake in fandom beyond the realms of LOST, she would be on my list! She bestows me with so many ideas, eye-candy, and hope in one day being an independent artist of sorts.

Isn't she adorable?

RACHEL DENBOW

When I started following the work of Elsie, I inevitably fell in love with her partner-in--crime Rachel. The two of them make me dream of meeting my creative soul mate too! I love Rachel's practical and stylish approaches to life, her insight, her honesty, her photography, and her overall great taste!

DANIELLE THOMPSON

Besides her gorgeous photography and love for all things vintage, Danielle is the creator of Kitschy Digitals which makes me want to hone my photoshop skills! I have a cetain "je ne sais quoi" fascination with her photos and use of PS actions. Sigh!

               

I want to make all of these!!

SILJE of LITTLE BIRD CRAFTS

Besides being overall beautiful, Silje supplies me with a belief in doing it all and saying eff it to the world. haha. silly, but true.

I covet her sewing skills and body art!!

KERI SMITH

always!!!

Keri Smith has been one of my ultimate sources of inspiration and confidence for years now. Here amazing books have given me reasons to explore my creativity and continue as an true observer and explorer of the world!!

If you want to challenge yourself as an artist, and as an inhabitant of this world, I suggest checking her out!!

Well, it looks like Round I is about the ladies...and as anyone who reads this knows about me, crafters/artists. Hopefully this little blog challenge will inspire you, help me organize, and most of all recognize the patterns in what I enjoy and wish to share!

xoxo

"I make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes."
– Sara Teasdale

HALLS ARE BEING DECKED...

Here are some peeks inside my home...

On the mantle, my modest collection of knee huggers!

  

And this sweet little elf!

Vintage light reflectors!

 

The full view:

 

And my literal hall is being decked as well!

Just little bits of joy amidst a rather rough holiday weekend!
Hope you are making the most of what's around!

"You can't always get what you want...but if you try some time you just might find, you get what you need!" -Rolling Stones

ONE WORD, A THOUSAND MEANINGS

Which should it be?

START BY UNCLEPHIL, BELIEVE BY HEIDIB, ADVENTURE BY LELLO, ART BY SZENVOLTA, CLEAR BY WEBPONCE, DECIDE BY SP33078, CREATIVITY BY SEATTLEBRAD, BE BY LELLO, DO BY BRILLIG, ENJOY BY ARTSYFARTSYCANUCK, FINISH BY LELLO, FREEDOM BY FUGITIVE, OPEN BY GRIT, REFRESH BY NH, SEEK BY LELLO, RELAX BY CYKOCHIK

Usually these things just come to me and I let things be...why do I feel I need to change a pattern? Maybe there's a part of me that wants to start this year differently. Prepared. Ready for whatever comes at me...yet I revel in letting things happen...do I need to decide? Are people better off when they are prepared? Does this mean I need to be more active in my life? Hmmm...