KARMIC GOODIES: THE THIRD AND THE SEVENTH

Beauty of epic proportions by Alex Roman. Hope this inspires you as much as it did me!

The Third & The Seventh from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

Thank you to Jason Joseph for sending this my way!

xoxo all!

KARMIC GOODIES: TO-DO LIST TEMPLATE FOR YOU!

KARMIC GOODIES: 
TO DO LIST TEMPLATE FOR YOU!

I really believe I have Adult ADD...or at least when I am home. Earlier today I started a new blog post for a series I want to start and it disappeared...rather than fret, I moved on to millions of other tasks. Vacuum for a few minutes, then stop and craft, then more housework, stop and create...and so on.

So...in the midst of everything else I want/need to do, and share, I made new pocket-size to-do list pages. (Which was on the to do list for this week anyway!) There are many awesome (and free) planner pages around the internet-- like DIY Planner and Ahhh-Design-- and inspired by the latter and this great tutorial and template I made my own to share.

You can download my template and follow these steps, or just doodle like I did. Either way I find the act of using creativity for the daily rigamarole gives me incentive to actually commit to the things on the list!

1. After doodling 8 list templates on cardstock, I made a copy and got my trusty bone-folder and Xacto.

(You can use any straight edge for folds, I just love the ease and precision of the bone-folder.)

2. Fold in half lengthwise.

(If you are doodling your own, make sure to make your images facing in opposite directions so they are all even when you fold. You could measure your drawing or make fold marks with the cardstock so you know your drawing perimeters.)

3. Unfold and prepare to cut along the fold between these two points only!

Just like this!

4. Then fold all of the pages in to make an accordion.

Like this!

5. Then open the slit and fan out like a diamond.

Like this!

5. Then fold your little book any way you want!

(Notice I only put 7 lines per day, I read a study that if you give yourself only this magic number of tasks to do, you are more likely to accomplish what is on you list!)

I hope you enjoy! I left these simple so they can be colored and played with throughout the week. I already started filling mine out! I would love to see what you do!! Link up!

xoxo

Here's the LINK to the PDF! Let me know if there are any problems!

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

KARMIC GOODIES: MORE FREEBIES/UPCYCLING

PRINTABLE POCKET CALENDAR

by To Have and To Hold

(I love that you can embellish the template to suit your style and/or available supplies!)

TREE CONES

by Kind Over Matter

(You can paint the tubes or even if you don't have toilet paper tubes around, you can 

just glue the cones on top of each other for a paper tree!)

COFFEE SLEEVE WREATH

by Magpie & Cake

found via Craftzine

(I am not going to lie, I both save and steal these for projects but you could use 

any recycled cardboard!)

TEARDROP ORNAMENT

by A Little Hut

(You could even paint some newspaper or use magazine paper!)

"The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect men."
– George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)

KARMIC GOODIES: VISUAL THERAPY

I am ever-so-thankful for flickr!

1. evolve, 2. Untitled, 3. inspiring...., 4. sweet affirmation, 5. not to put too fine a point on it, 6. u lune, 7. Don't Give Up (first explore!), 8. positivity, 9. Group hug

BE AN EXPLORER OF THE WORLD...

because I love Keri Smith...

because this is the meaning of life...

KARMIC GOODIES: QUOTESKINE

Just an, "i -exist-have-lots-of-things-brewing-but-wanted-to-reach-out-and-share" post!

If you have looked around my little cyber living space you will know the following:

i love art.

i love typography.

i love sharing.

i love quotes-- or any little poignant thoughts that resonate.

thus i love:

QUOTESKINE

Lee Crutchley's work is fun, satirical, thoughtful, and inspiring.

There is an addictive sardonic quality about this project of his, but I also love his form, simplicity and dedication. Art is an action. Sometimes I believe it's a civic responsibility. Other times I think it should just be great to look at!

Too many that I love! Check out his flickr set!

KARMIC GOODIES: LOCAL ART I HEART

I have been desperate to find the energy to blog...I have been pulled in so many directions lately (all of my own doing really) and pray that I establish some sense of true balance one day. Either way, I wanted to share some local goodness and love of these awesome friends!!

JOHN "EXIT" TREMBONE

photo taken at recent art gathering "Bridge the Gap II" 

A little bit of background: seriously a local legend, I have so much respect for John because since I first met him 14+ years ago he has kept creating, expressing, being true to forms of art that have been misused and forgotten at times. John built this pyramid himself and had a bunch of us add pieces to the top to make it a communal message.

I think my friend JP or Cyndy took this, but this is one of the only pics of the piece in it's "completed" state. I think I look totally silly here, but my darling Jenny said I looked like a curator!

John's photo-- from "Homeless Art Gallery II"

DEMETRIUS FELDER

photo taken at "Bridge the Gap II"

There is nothing Demetrius can't do. An amazing spoken word poet, a dancer, a painter-- another local genius! I have been lucky to spot a lot of his work and love the energy he brings to any venue!

photo taken at "Van Duzer Days Part I"

this is Demetrius's photo of a mural done on the side wall of a local haunt "Martini Red"

KEVIN MAHONEY

of Robots Will Kill

photo taken at "Bridge the Gap II"-- So lucky to watch this gorgeous piece take shape. The subject is his adorable niece (who I got to meet that day!) Even though Kevin doesn't live on the island anymore, he is another one of those people I knew "way-back-when" who has continued on his path as an artist and is out there doing some amazing stuff!! 

Kevin's photo!

Kevin's photo! This is one of my new favorites!

There are so many talented people hiding out here on Staten Island...and I love it. Rarely do I show pride, but lately I am proud of my home and at least a fair amount of people who inhabit it. I thank these and so many more friends who have made this place happen again...there will be more local love to share here! xoxo

KARMIC GOODIES: UP-CYCLED/ MIND-BENDING ART

I can't remember where I first stumbled upon the eye-brow raising work of Tim Nobel and Sue Webster, but I felt the need to be yet another blogger supporting their concept.

Image by: pashasha

Not only do I love the use of trash (or any resources available to you!), but the intricacy and depth behind this project are so profound! Anything that can be deep, saavy, playful, and mind-bending is worth sharing with others! Enjoy! And honestly, do you find yourself getting chills by looking at some of these? Maybe for me it's the shadow concept, or the shock of the figures being projected so clearly through trash.  Tell me what you think!

taken from Raw Art Weblog

I know this one is naughty, but it is pretty amazing to see:

taken from an awesome article on  Environmental Graffiti!

photo via Simplistic Art

CEREAL BOX UPCYCLING: A COMPENDIUM

UPCYCLING CEREAL/SNACK BOXES: A COMPENDIUM

Image by: Chris Toumanian

Why I love Cereal/Snack Boxes:

-->They are the perfect thickness for many craft projects! You can generally cut through these boxes with ease!

-->They are a great size for so many projects! You can turn one cereal box into at least two journals and two bookmarks with ease!

-->They are usually very colorful and fun (thus requiring little necessary decoration!)

-->They are altogether so versatile, but mainly they are ABUNDANT TRASH! 

    There is nothing better to me than finding ways to artfully or pragmatically reuse items rather than even exerting the initial energy to recycle. After seeing so many people using my literal garbage to paint at Van Duzer Days I was elated to know that all of the trash got new beautiful life for awhile. Everyone created with abandon and I felt comfortable fostering that since essentially our canvases would have been more landfill anyway! 

So, to inspire you all further:

 

Things I Have Made: 

-->magazine files

-->journals/ notebooks/ notepads

-->artful diorama 

-->bookmarks

-->blog banner!

-->dry erase boards

-->stencils

Other uses/ideas:

-->I have now learned that these are the perfect canvases to paint on!-
-->But I tend to use boxes as my pallete or floor mat
-->penants!
--> kids face masks
-->paper dolls (for kids to decorate!)
-->wall art (I love so many of the colors and designs of cereal boxes!)
-->photo-mats (though you may want to use archival spray unless you want your photos to fade!)
-->place mats (you can cover them with clear plastic contact paper or vinyl!)

Awesome Tutorials/Templates:

-->Shala Beads of You Have To Wonder: Mega-List of Crafty Ways to Reuse Cereal Boxes!

I particularly like these Match-Book Style Mini-Notebooks. My version, I call "Mini-Art Pads make these with cut recycled paper and some pretty cardstock scraps. These cannot be more simple since all you need to do is cut, fold, and staple once!

-->Her Cup Overfloweth's awesome Cereal Box Tote

-->Replayground has so many fun ideas for upcycling! This Food/Cereal Box Wallet is easy and fun to make!

-->Plum Pudding uses cereal boxes as postcards, and Decorative Globes! 

-->Applehead's Elastic Bookmarks (Cyndy and I made these awhile back and they were so cool!)

-->The Long Thread's Make-It Monday Cereal Box Journal! (I have so so many easy versions that I will have to pour into a visual tutorial a la karma button! A few of you at Van Duzer Days learned my super quick tricks!)

-->Whimsy Love's Mini-Cereal Box Organizers are so cool!! I have a bunch waiting!

-->Cereal Box-- Gift Box 1 (via Curbly)

-->Cereal Box--Gift Box 2 (via Instructables)

-->Cereal Box Gift Bags

And PLEASE, cue me in one any other cool ideas you find or come up with!!

RENEGADE CRAFT FAIR, BROOKLYN: HIGHLIGHTS IN THE DAYLIGHT

This Sunday, Jay, JP and I went out to McCarren Park for the Renegade Craft Fair! I love this area so much and being here makes me miss living in Brooklyn so much!! There is so much to love and enjoy here, so really I could write a blog solely on this...so here are some of the highlights from an awesome day of exploration and discovery!

VENDOR HIGHLIGHTS:

Something's Hiding In Here!

I was so excited to see their stuff in person!! I really wish I would have bought more, but I did snag a cute little "Hello" flag (shown below and in my goodies pic!)

And I loved loved loved SHIH's display!! This was my favorite little detail!

Final Approach

I desperately want one!!

Cherrybox Studios

You have to check out their stuff!!! It is one of those see it to believe it experiences!! I must say I seriously contemplated owning one of these!!

Dolan Geiman

This picture does his work no real justice. I was completely captivated the moment I walked into the fair and really need to own one of his original pieces one day!

Etch-a-Sketch-Day

I got the pleasure to talk to the artist behind these crazy-cool pieces!! I was teasing how one would have to be extra gentle when purchasing one so the work wouldn't disappear!! Conversation ensued, and I learned that Nate empties out the sand and the design stays safe!! This one was my favorite.

MY GOODIES FROM THE FAIR:

I really budgeted myself, so as much as there were loads of things I wanted, I came home with my "Hello" flag--which I waved around dreamily for a good amount of time!; the recycled journal from: Ex Libris Anonymous --and got another free one that was damaged, so so cool (gave it to JP!!); the cute print set is from: Rifle Design; the pin was free from the named company (so cute); and the keychain was given to me by Jay!!

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS AT THE FAIR:

Sadly, I was so enamored by the surroundings and weather to stop and get a love letter written!! So so cute!!

Messages were written in chalk around the perimeter of the park to promote the weekly Artists and Fleas Flea Market

JP and I walked into this puppet show en route to the bathroom and were instantly pulled in with amazement!! Besides how lovely the puppets are to watch, what made the moment even greater was that these guys performed "Strawberry Fields" through the puppets--- and it ROCKED!!!

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Other vendors who rocked:

Miniature Rhino

(especially love the little embroidered pieces!!)

Nicole Deponte

(I want to own or make one of these neck cuffs so badly!!)

Laura George

(total cuteness)

Arcane Arts

(I kind of regret not buying a print!)

Claire McDermott

(Definitely the most unique vendor! I adore her upcycling!)

10/365: "What a Renegade"