WE: What are you following?


Part one, originally uploaded by Nomys Vega.

Welcome new followers and participants! Read about the Weekend Exposure Project and play along. I hope you like it enough to spread the word.

Pretend Art

I love these two sites....

JacksonPollock.org easily lets you create colorful paintings like the famed artist the app was named after. It couldn't be easier, the width is determined by the speed you move your mouse, and change the color with a simple click. The three year old at work LOVES this.

This one is called the Scribbler and was created by ZeFrank.com. Make a simple line drawing then turn the "scribbler" on.   Mine was this little snail.  You can change colors, line width and transparency. And this site rocks with other interactive toys like Snowflake, Puppets (he dances to Beastie Boys), and Build Yer Own (you create your own digital Kaleidescope).

All time wasters, for sure, but fun.

A Song for You: Barrel Jumping



----------------------->
Astronautalis himself has crafted a persona as a sort of avant-garde rapper, influenced by the likes of Nick Cave and even Bob Dylan.
-Andy Young for NPR


Astronautalis on MySpace

Grace in Small Things 19/365

1. That car not hitting me on the homeward bound commute.
2. Surprise call from my NBFF.
3. Payday.
4. Facing the fear of a new project, coming out on the other side with excitement.
5. One cola free week.

Visit [Grace in Small Things]

WE: Where is your heart?


A question for Darwin, originally uploaded by Ahmed Zahid.

Read about the Weekend Exposure Project and play along.
Don't forget to post your link in the commnets once yours is up. We cannot share as a community if we do not know you are there.

What's with the three-six-five?

Everywhere I look there are 365 projects. Each day a new self portrait, piece of artwork, a list, a favorite song. I know why I am drawn to them and imagine there are others who participate that share my view. My needs to sustain my life:

1. Food & Water
2. Breath
3. Love
4. Creativity

There is beauty in the commitment to doing something creative for myself each day. That's one reason I started my Weekend Exposure Project (okay, I know that's weekly) and why I was instantly drawn to the Grace in Small Things project.  It thrills me each day and week I get to sit down and and ask my heart what wants to come out.

Here are two other 365/52 projects that I have come across that I simply adore.  

Firstly, The Lunch Box Project.  Lisa Ogler is an artist and designer and started this project as an outlet of multiple loves of food, art, and journaling.  She posts a little drawing each day inspired by some bit of food that has crossed her path.  They are simple and sweet and occasionally funny.  My recent favorite being "Strawberry Soup" which I read just before going off to work where I actually saw a box of strawberry soup. Yep.

Copywrite Lisa Orgler

Second, Cassie & Stacy are friends living on opposite coasts creatively staying connected each week by choosing a topic and taking a photo based on this.  The results are posted as diptychs on the blog.  Some of them complimentary and some contradicting.  It is an idea that especially resonates with me since I am so far away from all my friends. They are six weeks in and I can't wait to see what comes up next week for them.

Copywrite Cassie&Stacy


I'll close it off with todays list of grace:

1. a stroke of serendipity that knows no distance.
2. getting "lost" and realizing that it's always when I am lost that I am found.
3. sending off surprises.
4. laughing outloud.
5. pony.

A Different Way to Talk About Creative Genius


thanks Schmutzie

when surprised no work

I have had the afternoon off and used it to get lost in a part of the city I have not yet explored. I finished up the trip just in time, slipping into the coffee shop on the Domplatz (plaza in front of the cathedral) just as the sun disappeared and the snow started falling. It is a pretty sight and a nice change of scenery to get to work. The place reminds me a little of The Coffee Garden though a bit more diverse in it's clientele. That is to say, it is similar to it in all the positive ways without being so "hochnäsig" ("high nosed"-stuck up). :) Hope you have a fantastic Thursday!

things passed


Taking a break from cd making, crochet, and tackling my big to-do list, I went for a short walk with my roommate. And I saw this fantastic piece of street art along the way, reminding why it is so important to stop at times, abandon the bike, and go in a direction previously untaken, lest we miss something beautiful.

More of todays discoveries found HERE.

Todays GiST list

Another Go

Is the second time a charm on this one? In the end it comes down to just two. And the two are.......


Earrings: Karen
Mix CD: Melissa

Congrats girls and I will be in contact with you to find out where to send your prize. I am totally stoked to share my creations and look forward to compiling some music.

Thank you everyone for your entries. I loved reading all the comments and getting feedback about the music I choose. I will continue hosting giveaways and think I will make all of them a bit more interactive like this one. So keep on checking in because who's to say when it will happen next.

Also, inquiring minds want to know...  what do you think would make a good giveaway?  Do you like the mix cd idea?  How about product sneak peeks, gift certificates to the shop, random crafts, souvenirs from Europe?Recipes?  Give me your input and don't be shy about it.  My thought is, the more I give the more space I am clearing to receive.




Are you just visting for the Weekend Exposure Project? Just scroll down or click HERE to find this weeks topic.

Chocolate Pencils




I no longer remember where I first saw this, it could have been a link from Twitter. All I know is that the moment I saw it I went on a wild race through the internets to find both the source and where you can buy them because they quickly were mentally added to my list of Smart and Fancy Items to Procure. And yes, to make it to the list the item must be equally smart and fancy. Sadly it seems as though they are not available for purchase but it is not a total loss. In my search I came across the designer and I am inspired by all the other work on their site which includes interior design, furniture, and architecture among other things. Go forth and gawk, you know you want to: Nendo

Grace in Small Things 13/365

1. A mom who pretty much rocks and a reminder of how much we have grown together.
2. The white flag of truce that came after weeks of arguing, by way of a picture drawn just for me.
3. Subconsciously manifesting someone else to do something on the ever growing to-do list.
4. Acing a test and feeling confident enough to do so.
5. Cashmere + skin

WE: What are you giving another chance?

be do have


A mantra I constantly return to. One forgotten then remembered over and again. In the times I feel most removed and unbalanced it is this mantra that brings me back to center and rights me on my path. It has a lot of power in its simplicity. I think it is fair to say, however, that people often operate with these same words in mind, though in the opposite order. That is to say, if they have _________ then they can finally do _____________. What naturally follows, of course (!), is that they will finally be _________. But when I take a moment to pause be all the things I want to see in the world there is energy suddenly freed from worry and fret.  I am able to do and create more easefully then, much more naturally, I realize I have all I could want.

I love that it is this mantra that I came back to today, after weeks of imbalance, only to open a monthly newsletter from a friend with the heading, "Just Be It."  I laughed out loud and smiled at how perfectly, well, perfect things happen sometimes and was reminded that when I am centered I will always be exactly where I am supposed to be.  When I stop and ask myself what I want or need, I always thrive when I listen to the answer that comes from my gut.  I translate that over to not just career or relationship choices, but also to how and what I want to design or create next, what to put in my stomach, or where my bed should be in my room.  It is all connected.  And that grounded-ness allows me to create, love, and share in bigger and better ways than before.  It's more grounded, authentic, organic and loved.  Because in the end it's all about spreading the goodness and warmth around.  Whether it be through objects that I create or simply my knowledge, sharing is what creates the most comfort and joy in my life.

Grace in Small Things 12/365

Lots of internets and "stuff" love today:

1. Chocolate Pencils and the rebirth of an old project inspired by them.
2. The Yeti Club
3. NOT crashing the bike with a three year old in tow...that could count for all five on todays list. It's miraculous really.
4. The paper toy template group on Flickr.
5. Feeling sure of myself.

Also, tomorrow is the last day for the giveaway. One rockin' pair of upcycled earrings and a custom mix cd are up for grabs. To enter go [HERE].

A Song for You: My Love Is






My Love Is
Slowly but Surely
Holly Golightly


Holly Golightly Website
Holly Golightly MySpace

Enter to win a mix cd inspired by your favorite selection from the "A Song for You" series

One year ago...

Cold, grey skies, and an illness that lasted longer than three weeks. I have been less than inspired to get out of the house lately. So I am digging back a year for some photos taken on a stroll through the good old SLC.






AA

Ahhh.  Valentines day approached and I find myself wanting to spend my free moments slaving away in the kitchen.  Wearing, of course, one of these beauties.  I am addicted.  I began a decent apron collection before my big move.  Parting with them, however, was a part of the great purge.  Saying goodbye is never easy.  As I have yet to get a cute apron here, I think I will blame that for the fact that I never bake anymore.  Though it actually has much more to do with motivation and inspiration.

I am very excited though.  My sister knows me quite well and gave me this great book for Christmas this year:



With lots of ideas and patterns. My lazy bum will not be seeking out a sewing machine any time soon. It will however, sit itself down and admire all the cuteness that lay in the pages.  And of course dream of the day I own a sewing machine once again.  Thanks Lynz!

Where I found the fabulous aprons pictured above:
1. Palola  2. Ruby Goose Boutique  3. Boojiboo  4. Sassy Apron  5. momo's  6. The Way We Wear  7. 8. Made4You  9. AnniKae


~There are three more days left for the giveaway.  Scroll down or go here to enter.~

Todays GiST List

Grace in Small Things 8/365

1. Catching myself daydreaming in nothing but German.
2. A surprise, last minute short work day.
3. Coffee with a friend in front of the Dom.
4. Speaking about one of the most important things with a near stranger.
5. The continuous smell of blooms in the room.


Scroll down for the giveaway...it ends Friday

In which she asks for something despite the shadow of fear

I have found myself as of late really missing my favorite little boy. Not to say that I am missing him more or less than usual. Who could really say? As if the space he occupies in my heart and mind could be scooped out, it's weight measured and recorded. I can say there is a density to it, though it fluctuates from a light flitting to the unmovability of a boulder. It does not, however, fluctuate in it's greatness.

Lately he has shown up on the periphery of my conscious and subconscious thoughts. He has been in multiple dreams, both in sleep and awake. Glancing in the rear view mirror, I am snapped back into reality when it is not his face I see. In moments I am sitting, doing nothing that even closely resembles my "old life", I hear his voice call my name and instinctively turn to answer.

This is pretty representative of all my emotions coming up, not just those around missing Gabe.  It's  coming at a time when I am missing everything more than I ever thought possible.  The more I settle and become familiar with my, no longer new, surroundings I find myself grasping for my past.  Yearning, needing contact with those things and people I know.  Moving here has been the best choice, and I am also having a hard time.

So I am calling on the troops.  What I am needing most right now is love and contact with friends and family.  That can look like comments here, emails, a skype call, snail mail, a facebook message.  Whatever.  I am missing you all madly and would LOVE to hear from you.  A hello would be nice, but I would really love a story or anecdote, specifically about something in your life or an update about something you did or saw that you think I would have enjoyed, or maybe about somewhere we used to go together.  (Thank you Allie for the tea message.... though it was simple I immediately felt you near me).

My stubborness has prevented me from asking specifically, not wanting to say out loud that I needed anyone.  Thank you for listening.

Today's GiST list.

Getting Mixed Up



Comments Closed

Okay, I know I just had a giveaway a week ago, but I just have to have another one. Why? Well, the lucky winner hasn't contacted me and I just don't feel right not sending of the dear earrings to someone (hehe, or, per the photo, deer earrings).   So, this giveaway is new and improved because this time there will be two winners and two prizes.  What?  Could she be serious, you ask... oh yes.  Yes, she is very serious.

Prize#1:  Personalized mix cd just for you.  I have shared some lovely music on this little blog and want to share even more.  And do you see that photo above? I just found some great "vinyl" cds, how very retro cool. Now if only I had this to make a modern day mix tape.

Prize#2:  A pair of innertube earrings in the style of your choice (cascading or sweet dangles).  These will be offered in the shop after the giveaway.

How to enter:  Click on the "hears" tab in the menu bar, browsing through the music I have shared so far.  Then comment on this post about which song/artist you like the best and why.  I will create your cd based on what you tell me...plus it will give me an idea of what to share in the future.  WooHoo! If you do not have a registered blogger account please leave a way for me to contact you.  You will have three days to claim your prize.

Entry cut off date:  Friday, February 6th-Noon (PST)

Winners announced:  Saturday, February 7th

What am I Saying?