Snowy Spring Sunday

While Saturday was rather dreary, started with rain, then ended with a big snowstorm, Sunday was a wonderland! Sparkly ice on the trees and a blanket of snow covering everything ~ it was nice to be able to spend the day at home and enjoy the scenery. Tomorrow the temps are to be close to 70 ~ guess what that means? Mud wrestling in the backyard ~ the scots will love it!

Springtime in Kansas City

This is what it is like living in Kansas City ~ unpredictable weather! To think I had considered moving all my plants outside ~ good thing I didn't!

So Glad it's Friday!

Well, not quite Friday yet ~ actually I am looking forward to the end of the workweek! Even though we are supposed to get a giant snowstorm this weekend, it will still be a nice break from work. Plus, Saturday there is a flea market ~ there hasn't been one since January ~ I am suffering from withdrawal! Hopefully the snow will come AFTER the flea market.

Isn't this little guy cute? I love these little sock creatures ~ they have so much personality even though they are made of such basic materials ~ socks and some embroidery thread. I wish I had bought him ~ he makes me smile just to look at him. I have seen and made animals from socks and gloves before, but I have not found any patterns for this type of character ~ anyone know of any?

{Happy Friday!}

Poor Misunderstood Tax Man

The more I thought about that evil looking tax man from yesterday's post, the more I thought he was just sadly misunderstood ~ here he is just innocently talking a walk in the garden ~ he doesn't look that scary now does he? Gina, please don't report me to the people at photoshop disasters!

{images from shorpy and nypl}

Tax Time again ~ groan!

It's that time of year again ~ gathering all those receipts for the IRS ~ I am finally at the point where I can drop them off at my accountant ~ woohoo!! The guy below may be the one responsible for all of this joy ~ Andrew Mellon, the Secretary of the Treasury, laying the cornerstone of the IRS building in 1929. A rather cryptic photo ~ I wonder if the photographer intended the end result to have such a creepy effect? Can you imagine that guy showing up at your door to audit you?! Yikes!

{image from shorpy}

Cardboard Artisan ~ Brentley

This is not my dog Sprocket, but he sure has similar tastes! This is Brentley, a handsome and creative guy I found on flickr ~ talented too! Made me smile ~ a good start for the weekend ~ Have a good one!

{image from here}

Corrugate Cardboard Artist ~ Mark Langan

After finding the office made of cardboard at Nothing, I did a little searching and found the work below ~ also made of cardboard. Mark Langan is an artist who creates work from corrugate ~ aside from his gallery pieces below, he also creates corporate logos ~ check them out here. I love the beautiful textures and color combinations ~ very inspirational!

{all images from here}

Something from Nothing

Came across an article here about an ad agency in Amsterdam called Nothing. They describe what they do as "commerical creativity". The whole idea behind the name of their agency is that "Nothing is the point from which all ideas begin." To further reiterate the concept, Joost van Bleiswijk designed their entire office of cardboard ~ the most nothing-building material available. People are encouraged to leave their mark as the walls and surfaces serve as a blank canvas just waiting for fresh ideas.

I've just always loved the simplicity and textures of cardboard, so it is interesting to see it used in this fashion ~ I just wonder how long it will last?!

{all images via nothing}

New Crafts Site!

Martha has launched a new site/blog ~ the subject is her crafts department ~ the talented people and work behind the scenes at Martha Stewart. This looks like it will be fun to follow ~ postings about crafts projects, what goes on behind the scenes, and information about the crafters that work at Martha Stewart! Craftastic!

Vintage Redefined @ Vintiques!

Several weeks ago I visited Vintiques ~ a Kansas City shop that has recently reopened in the City Market. What fun ~ the space (located next to the Steamboat Arabia Museum) is full of wonderful finds and treasures that will please any artist looking for bits and pieces to incorporate in their work ~ or for that person who has an appreciation for interesting objects! Everything from castoff casters to vintage office items, miscellaneous game pieces and other oddments, antique lace, buttons and ephemera ~ you name it, there is something to appeal to everyone.

Sheila and Craig are the helpful and enthusiastic proprietors of this wonderful venture ~ not only do they have wonderful wares for sale, they also offer an array of workshops ~ check out the selection here. These look like so much fun I am going to have to find some time to squeeze a couple in. Vintiques is also going to participate in the upcoming spring show: Miss Frenchie's April in Paris. Everything really is up to date in Kansas City!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

It's that time of year again ~ lots of rain and thunderstorms! While storms can be beautiful and I love listening to the sound of rain drumming on the roof as I fall asleep, I could really use a nice warm sunny day!

{1922 hosiery ad from here}

Bits & Pieces

As it is cold and miserable outside, I have been hanging around inside on the weekends ~ spending much of my time trying to organize all of the stuff I have managed to collect over the years ~ it is quite an overwhelming job! I can't wait for some nice days with good light so that I can get some decent photos to share with you. For now, I am going through my iphoto files and have found some interesting bits and pieces from a few of the antique shows I have hit in the last few months.

{a whole boxload of embroidered monograms!}



{loved this grouping of jewelry moulds/plaster casts}

{appealing display of architectural details}

{repurposed architectural fragment ~ bag organizer}

{handstitched sampler collection}

{neat little bits and bobs from Beth's booth}

{another inviting corner of Beth's booth ~ she had some great stuff!}

More Snow?!

Is anyone else ready for spring?!

{image from here}