The kissing knees craft

Annie Leibovitz and the Queen

2007-12-26T10:01:00.000-08:00

Lovely mini documentary of the Queens photoshoot. Learn a thing or two by watching it a couple times- Annie really has everything to a tee.

2007-12-15T11:31:00.001-08:00

Kat Heyes - prints available at etsy

Creative Thursday

2007-12-15T11:16:00.000-08:00

Creative Thursday is many things.. An Etsy Store, a gallery, a podcast, and a blog.
Her words are inspiring... i'm listening to the second podcast... There are dozens. I feel like she's talking to me. I've read about others who feel the same too. Download & Enjoy.

Walter Martin and Paloma Munoz

2007-12-15T10:55:00.001-08:00

Storys in snowglobes by Walter Martin and Paloma Munoz

Artists of all kinds and other interesting things

2007-12-15T10:14:00.001-08:00

I love Saturday mornings. Snuggling with my rat and browsing the wonderful artists and crafters online. I'm doing christmas cards today.. I think. My moms making cinnamon rolls. Mmm.

Loving:

Annabelle Print by Katy

A Spectacle by Ashley

Circling and Tending by Sarah

Fox Speak by Julianna Swaney

Deer Necklace

AMAZING headbands

Masha Dylans holiday work

Cute things from Twig

Kris Khau

2007-12-15T10:05:00.000-08:00

Always on the lookout for inspiring and lovely artists, Kris Chau has come to my rescue.

Brielle Duym

2007-12-15T10:01:00.000-08:00

Brielle Duym has a new site up...It's lovely.

Bokeh shapes!

2007-12-08T20:10:00.000-08:00

I am a really big fan of bokeh (I use my 50mm for it) and just found the coolest mod you can do to your DSLRs for shaped bokeh :) Hearts, stars, trees... It's neat!

All images and a tutorial are here

Raindeer Pop Up Card

2007-12-04T14:49:00.000-08:00

Over at MarthaStewart.com they have a raindeer pop up card tutorial. It's really simple and adorable. All you need to do is print out the templates, grab some paper, a card, a knife, some glue, a hole punch, and a knitting needle. Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart directed this craft on the show today. Check their website to get insipred.

:) Good little ideas

2007-11-20T21:26:00.000-08:00

StyleBytes

2007-11-20T20:58:00.000-08:00

StyleBytes <3 Good fashion, good diy, good everything.

mmmm love this glasses chain.

A deer antler necklace
"So I had my husband saw the antler in smaller pieces. The biggest still quite huge, the smallest more in the line of what Alex + Chloe make. Then I drilled holes in two of the pieces. Easy peasy. All you need is a man with a saw and a drill. I haven´t finished the biggest of the necklaces yet, but the smallest is actually the nicest one."

F0-Fox Stole

fp!

2007-11-14T15:09:00.000-08:00

Free People always has the cutest little things.

ipod holder? aww....

mmmmmmmm

2007-10-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

Craving:

sorry

2007-10-23T21:28:00.002-07:00

Sorry i haven't updated. Fires have come and gone near my home. All is safe and fine now, though.

xt decor mag :)

2007-10-09T20:03:00.000-07:00

....My new favorite.

Entelepentele/Others

2007-10-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

My Flickr Photographer of the Day is entelepentele

Favorite use of color:

Most creative:

Favorite subject:

Favorite Compisition:

All around Favorite:

///other photo favorites from today///

[click to be transfered to the photographer's page]

///from me///

New hair from friday :) Cherry red streaks

2007-07-26T23:08:00.000-07:00

With school coming back into session in the next few months it's time to start shopping for those much needed "back to school" items that will make everyone else stand in awe. These are my top recommendations.

Handbags/Totebags:

Cat Tote by Kathleen Lolley, Revamped Crochet Bag by Nicole Rae Styer

Books:

Best Bakesale Ever Cookbook, 1,001 Ways to Save the Earth.

Odds n Ends:

Forest Friendly Colored Pencils, Decorative File Folders, Somewhere Over the Rainbow Notes.

Cat and Bang

2007-07-05T13:14:00.001-07:00

London based Cat and Bang calls out to the mermaids, sailors, princesses, and vintage collectors in all of us. "I'm inspired by the paintings of Alphonse mucha, seasons, the ocean, little notions like animals falling in love and keys dropping into ponds as well as just designing and making items I'd like to wear and haven't seen anywhere else!" said Jen, creator and crafter or Cat and Bang. You better get your hands on this stuff while you can, C&B has already been seen in photo shoots for Avenue Girls as well as hairstylist John Carne (featured nationwide) and popularity is rising, which can be seen for the three week waiting period it may take to receive your handmade treasures. Note to self - It's worth the wait.

Cat and Bang for John Carne

Approaching Midnight Necklace and Vodka Necklace

Butterfly and Dragonfly hairclips

I couldn't resist putting a picture of Jen in here. This jewelry is so much like her, unafraid to be herself and have rabbits in the bath.

To purchase visit catandbang.com.

Also visit the C&B myspace at http://www.myspace.com/cat_and_bang

Mushroom Soup

2007-06-30T12:49:00.001-07:00

Creamy Mushroom Soup
2 tbsp butter
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 asorted mushrooms, such as shittake and cremini, sliced
1 1/2 tsp chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
2 tbsp all purpose flour
4 cups chicken stock
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup medium-dry sherry (optional)
2 tbsp chopped fresh chives or parsley

In a Dutch oven or a learge saucepan, heat butter over medium-high heat. Cook onion and garlic, stirring, for 2 minutes until softened. Stir in mushrooms and thyme; cook stirring often, for 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender.

Sprinkle with flour; stir in stock, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 25 minutes. Let cool slightly.

In a food processor or blender, puree soup in batches. Return to saucepan. Place over medium heat; stir in cream and sherry, if using. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Heat until poping hot. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with garnish.

Noulou

2007-05-24T16:45:00.000-07:00

When you send a loved one these whimsical and adorable cards not only will you be brightening someones day, you'll be doing the planet a favor too. These hand painted designs are all on recycled paper, so there is no need to cut down those extra trees if you want to say hi to your family and friends. Most importantly, all card sets are on sale for $12, a modest drop in price from the original $15 per set. Grab yours before this great deal ends. Also, Erin Moniotte, the artist of noulou has tipped me off that there may be a "supersale" very soon with some cardsets as low as $8!

The Crafter's Companion

2007-05-22T16:41:00.000-07:00

The Crafter's Companion by Anna Torborg is for everybody who loves the world of hand-crafts and anybody who's ever wondered what exactly there is to love about it. An on-line community of skilled artists have come together to answer questions about their inspirations and work. In addition to the interviews each crafter has included an increadibly cute project for you to work on. There's even a section about begining your very own craft blog (i wish i had this earlier!) to help you get to work with your very own crafting dreams. Here are some of the features projects that can be found in the Crafter's Companion

Perfect for Mom!

2007-05-11T17:15:00.000-07:00

Over at Subversive Cross Stitch they are offering a free pattern for their MOM Tattoo piece. This is perfect to make last minute as a mothers day gift (SUNDAY!). The link here will take you to the pattern and instructions.

While you're there it's well worth taking a look around at the other patterns. Warning..these are not your mother's cross stitching patterns, though she, too, may find them irresistible.

$15 dollars for a kit with pattern, thread, material, and instructions. $20 for a kit with pattern, thread, material, instructions, needle, and embroidery hoop. $5 for a pattern (without thread or material).

Charming.

If you simply can't get enough, check out the Subversive Cross Stitch book avaliable on Amazon from $5.04 (used) and $10.95 (new).

Happy Stitching!

Adorn Magazine - Summer

2007-04-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

Out May 9th!
Some things in this issue inclue:
Button Up: Cute funky jewels and accessories with our favorite notion.
Craft Workshop: Potato Stamping. Play with your food!
Fashion goes POP: Art inspired dressing
Craft Fair 101: How to survive-- and make some $$$
Travel Crafts for summer: you can take it with you!
Sewing Lesson: One bag, Four ways
DIY Brides: Craftily Ever After
What Inspires You: Denyse Schmidt lets us know.

Also, if you've missed the past three issues they're avaliable in backorder at vogueknitting.com/books

Help!

2007-04-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

Just a couple days ago i made a post about Wonderland Q. It's been brought to my attention that Alison Gordon has just undergone emergency surgery and hospitalization without insurance. Etsy.com and Renee have generously set up a fundraiser on her behalf at

http://www.wonderlandretreat.etsy.com

Shop there to help raise funds for her surgery.

Fellow crafters and artisans can donate items as well!

Paypal donations can be sent to info@auroraseven.com

Here are a few of the items for sale towards her surgery

CIY (color it yourself) Bears prints

Art School Girl Sampler Pack

Sugar And Spice Earring Set

I really think everyone should take a look at some of these things, %100 percent of all proceeds go to Alison to cover her unexpected medical expenses. Thanks!

Not "i want"... it's "i NEED"

2007-04-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

Although alot of things are out of stock, (and i'm anxiously waiting for t-shirts to be restocked), I just placed an order for the cutest patches and barettes ever. I think you should do the same.

Bear Patch; $1.50

Cat Patch; $ 1.50

Deer Patch; $1.50

Bunny Kite Barettes; $8.00

2007-04-12T09:09:00.000-07:00

LittlePaperPlanes.com

Little Paper Planes was started in 2004 by Kelly Lynn Jones for her and her friends to show off their crafts while they persued their painting careers. Since then the website has taken off and now showcases tons and tons of artists and designers selling all kinds of wonderful goodies. My favorite items:

Antler Girl shirt; $20

Fighting Tote; $15

Yummy cinnamon toasted almonds

2007-03-25T17:01:00.000-07:00

sublimestitching.com

2007-03-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

Over at Sublime Stitching Jenny Hart has just released a new set to her endless collection of kick ass embroidery patterns. This new Kurt Halsey embroidery kit gives you everything you need to put some of his most famous doodles onto your own things. So cute and only $ 3.00.

Nice to grow you!

2007-03-19T20:14:00.000-07:00

A great way to grow tons of yummy tomatos and keep them away from the bunnies by yours truley. Make sure you read the COVER instructions before filling your bottle with any soil! :)

Turn a Hardcover Book Into a Sketchbook

2007-03-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

By the Beard of Zeus

2007-02-28T17:28:00.000-08:00

http://www.bythebeardofzeus.com

By the Beard of Zeus, or btboz as it is sometimes referred to, is finally back from a month long hiatus and is newly stocked with wonderful handmade necklaces. At this time the rest of the store isn't available, but other items, such as badges, totes, bracelets, earrings are soon to come. Keep your eyes peeled. But in the meantime, check out these fantastic necklaces.

Victorian Stag $16

Swans $24

Tiger Medallion $18

Blissen.com

2007-02-28T16:36:00.000-08:00

http://www.blissen.com/

Blissen offers affordable few-of-a-kind items made from recycled and sustainable materials created by Jill Bliss and her friends. These organic crafters delight in "Improving our corner of the world - and inspiring others to do the same - using our hands, minds, and conversations, mixed with scraps of found and left over paper and fabric." Blissen is indeed a breath of fresh air that truly appreciates and celebrates the genuine and irreplaceable aura of handmade objects. The paper crafts are printed with soy and vegetable ink on recycled paper, an unusual finding for such a mass producing world. As Bliss herself stated "I must confess I prefer the irregularities of nature than the perfection of technology." I couldn't agree more.

the necklace notecard $3

the redwood forest datebook $15

2007-02-23T16:56:00.000-08:00

http://www.craftster.org/craftopedia

You see projects you would like to make every day... but how? Do you waste your time searching endlessly in craft forums seeing beautiful pictures, ideas, and discussions, but absolutely NO explanation? Do you browse the library in an endless search in the end to find nothing but confusing diagrams and dreaded unknown crafty jargon? Not anymore!

Leah of crafster.org recently released the best thing for new(and old!) craftsters since craftster itself. The new Craftopedia Wiki is a "just the facts" repository for crafty information such as term definitions, techniques, and procedures. Never spend time picking though the forums to learn what you need to make what you want. I haven't heard of anything this good in a while, and it really works, too. Although Leah says that some small kinks still haven't been worked out, the website appears to be running quite smoothly and efficiently. Perhaps the best feature of this new website is that because it IS a Wiki, people can contribute and change information on the many available craft tutorials and explanations. Craftsters helping other crafters. This world has now become a better place for all those who create. AMEN! And happycrafting!

http://badbuttons.com

2007-02-21T08:10:00.000-08:00

http://badbuttons.com

http://kateblack.etsy.com

Kate Black : A tad vintage, A tad controversial, and I LOVE it. This grrl knows where it's at with her bold statements and unique patterns. Some of you may recognize her work that has been seen in Gawker, BUST magazine & TLC's Crafty.

I especially love her pocket mirrors, which use recycled & rescued images from the pages of vintage magazines and books to give life to any woman (or stylishly inclined man's) purse. If you see one you like my advice is to get it fast! These 3.5 inch cuties are a steal at a range of $6 to $8 dollars with a $1.25 shipping charge($0.80 if you order more than one) and are normally one of a kind and sell fast.

This crafty diva also offers one of a kind bound books that can range from a Spiral 3d Postcard notepad to a Vinyl Record notebook. Record your world in style and class for anywhere from $5.00-$45.00

One last thing; the BUTTONS themselves! I personally think that these amazing pieces speak for themselves. I can think of a handful of people that would enjoy these straightforward pins...*cough* Marti...

Boygirlparty.com

2007-02-20T16:13:00.002-08:00

http://www.boygirlparty.com

Boygirlparty is a website and more specifically a web store for the wonderfully quirky illustrator and musician Susie Ghahremani. Her illustrations are delightfully youthful and energetic, offering insight into our favorite childhood memories and delights. How can you not fall for frolicking foxes, baking bunnies, and kitschy owls?

I am overly in love with this new (and long awaited) addition to her shop: Recipe Cards! At 4x6 they are big enough for all of my mothers old recipes and are presentable with their flawless satin finish and rounded corners. A must for every crafty kitchen.

boygirlparty.com recipe cards $8 for a set of 10

A noteworthy delight, these new greeting cards are a gift in themselves.

boygirlparty.com cards $9 for a set of 4 + 4 designer envalopes

If you would rather wear than write, Susies original artwork can be found on tees, totes, and other accessories.

A new addition, Organic! There is nothing I love more than American Apparel Organic Tees. Sweatshop free and baby soft, this Organic Finch Tee is a dream come true.

boygirlparty.com organic finch tee

ArtGirlz.com

2007-02-19T20:05:00.000-08:00

www.artgirlz.com

Artgurlz.com is the creation of the Rhode Island born Stiwell sisters, Allison and Tracy. Both imaginative and talented designers, their self proclaimed goal of artistic freedom and exploration fires their drive to provide unique and one of a kind ArtGirlz Creativity Kits and charms that dare you to express yourself in bold, new, and unpredictable way.

Try a crafty way of recording your life with ArtGirls Creativity Journal Kits, at $12.99, avaliable in four colors, which contain a 20 page blank journal, handmade paper, wool felt, painted tag, mixed yarns, beads, paper borders, words, and illustrations to fuel your journalistic creativity.

If you're more into collages, art cards, scrapbooking, or just random bits and pieces you can choose the equally great Creativity Packs, at $6.99, also avaliable in four colors, that contain the same materials as the Journal Kits, minus the journal.

Something that really caught my eye was the Oddz N Endz pack, at only $5.99, which contains a random (and neat!) assortment of fabric, ribbons, paper scraps, yarn, clear plastic, and glitter net.

If jewelry is more your speed, these sisters have something for you too. They have an excuisite collection of unique and artfully created pewter charms that are just asking to be affixed onto a necklace, bracelet, or key ring. You can buy individually at $1.99, a combo pack at $4.99, or a value pack at $9.99. The craftmanship of these charms matches the allure of these never-been-seen-anywhere-else designs and is defineatly a great bang for your buck.

If you're more of a consumer than a crafter (and who isn't at times!) there are necklaces and pins as well. I am particularly in love with these two pins, both going for a bit pricey but well worth it $15.99.

If you're feeling crafty (or in the mood to give) you can get this huge kit, rightfully named the Artgirlz Extravaganza, which comes in its own handpainted box, chock full of hand made papers, books, rubber stamps, charms, pins, and wool felt among other things. At a whopping (but again, worth it) $99.99, this box is begging for a crafty get together with your pals.

So, you've seen all of the colorful paper, sparkleys, yarn, pendants, and stickers. Now you're probably wondering what you could possibly do with these super scraps. Well, as I believe i've stated enough, these Girlz have you covered there too! The section on their website entitled Creative Ideas offers ideas, inspirations, tips, and suggestions to boost your creativity. My favorites are below: