tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16535176392635173682024-02-06T18:09:29.698-08:00Squirrely Whirls and Doodle TreesA blog about sticking to creativity! Crafting, knitting, sewing, needle-felting, repurposing, nature, documentaries, and my little theories about things...Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-80735343701361125002010-04-25T11:46:00.000-07:002010-04-25T11:52:25.748-07:00Just Another Thing to Take a Gander At<div style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure how this would hold up outside or how much shelac-type substance was involved in creating this, but it's pretty neat to look at.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://whipup.net/wp-content/images/2010/04/velvet01.jpg"><img src="http://whipup.net/wp-content/images/2010/04/velvet01.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div>ooooo-- and after following the link for this, I found that there's a whole company/group called <a href="http://www.bokjadesign.com/">bokjadesign</a> that covers all kinds of things in bright delightful vintage fabrics. I want to see their stash! </div>Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-59871745646962102532010-04-25T10:33:00.001-07:002010-04-25T10:40:01.722-07:00Button Art<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://assets.burdastyle.com/project_images/assets/000/107/439/Tights_5_large.jpg?1272046582"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 500px;" src="http://assets.burdastyle.com/project_images/assets/000/107/439/Tights_5_large.jpg?1272046582" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I just stumbled across these crazy funky button coated tights over at <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/">Burda Style</a> (tons of great free patterns there). They're certainly conversation starters, and you must be a brave, confident soul to wear these. I appreciate the time that went into these fancy pants-y tights.Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-56753577687946608842010-04-05T07:42:00.000-07:002010-04-05T07:56:56.157-07:00Delightful Sculpture ArtistMy dad gets a copy of "Angie's List" every month here in Indianapolis, and I've started saving all of the covers from them because they're made by an amazing artist I had to look up: <a href="http://www.rednosestudio.com/index.html">Red Nose Studios.</a><br />Here's a video about how the artist created the scenes for a children's book called<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKag0LPVISA&feature=player_embedded"> Here Comes the Garbage Barge</a>:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RKag0LPVISA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RKag0LPVISA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The style of his figures knocks my socks off, and I love the enormous amount of creativity involved in all of the elements of his sculptures.<br /><br />Here's another about his work for "Angie's List." Good advice- "stick to your gut."<br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y8dpiz6jex4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y8dpiz6jex4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-43699862054665684862010-04-02T08:12:00.000-07:002010-04-02T08:16:49.261-07:00Colleen Atwood- Amazing Costume Designer<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colleen_Atwood">Colleen Atwood</a> has designed many of the costumes for Tim Burton's films- from Sweeney Todd to most recently, Alice in Wonderland. I think I mentioned before how much I loved the costumes in the film, and I just stumbled across this video that shows a lot of the detail on some of the costumes:<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tAlTsIAH9lE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tAlTsIAH9lE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Who knew there was even very detailed embroidery on the costumes?!Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-7776324196083557922010-03-27T14:59:00.000-07:002010-03-27T15:10:24.284-07:00Admiration and where I'd like to be...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.jordansimax.com/liveupdater/ImageLibrary/alice_in_wonderland_johnny_depp_as_mad_hatter_new_picture_tim_burton.jpg"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/03/27/arts/27ouroboros_CA0/27ouroboros_CA0-popup.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 392px; height: 217px;" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/03/27/arts/27ouroboros_CA0/27ouroboros_CA0-popup.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(Photo from NY Times)</span><br /><br /></div>I just stumbled across this <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/27/arts/design/27ouroboros.html">NY Times article</a> about the "Ouroboros: The History of the Universe" installation off in a far away place where I am unable to visit. It's only as far as New York, but it might as well be as far as the stars. Its message comforts me and brings to light some extremely interesting and admirable concepts. Reading this article made me experience a deep sense of longing for an opportunity to create something like this. A girl can dream...<br />It looks stunning.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.jordansimax.com/liveupdater/ImageLibrary/alice_in_wonderland_johnny_depp_as_mad_hatter_new_picture_tim_burton.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 303px;" src="http://www.jordansimax.com/liveupdater/ImageLibrary/alice_in_wonderland_johnny_depp_as_mad_hatter_new_picture_tim_burton.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(love the Mad Hatter's sash of thread spools)</span><br /></div><br />Speaking of dreaming, my favorite part of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014759/">Alice in Wonderland</a> was when Alice says (quoting her father), "I've sometimes believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."<br />1.) I love to think about impossible bizarre things.<br />2.) I love breakfast.<br /><br />The costumes were also pretty amazing.Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-13653607431410283812010-03-03T17:57:00.000-08:002010-03-03T18:00:22.190-08:00Eeeeeee- New PES Stop MotionI have a borderline-unhealthy admiration of the stop motion animations of PES. Hey, I said borderline.<br />Here's the latest:<br /><object width="285" height="170"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JgM3DB9anks&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JgM3DB9anks&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-87643452374908844342010-02-23T18:29:00.000-08:002010-02-23T18:34:57.432-08:00Jackalantern is your new favorite bandInterested in some new music with lots of wonderful oh-I-didn't-expect-that's and wow-this-is-awesome's? <br /><br />Head over to Jackalantern's <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thejackalantern">MySpace page</a> or watch some videos on their <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/jackalanternband">YouTube site</a> to get a feel for the delightful sound waves they produce. Your ears will be happy. (and on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jackalantern/206661806376?ref=ts">Facebook</a>)<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_Knz6In82aE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_Knz6In82aE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-40196920130589161332010-02-23T18:21:00.000-08:002010-02-23T18:26:30.142-08:00D*A*N*C*E*!!!!!!One of the things I miss most about having a totally functioning healthy body is D*A*N*C*I*N*G!!! Although I may be shy about dancing to my full capacity around many folks out there, I have some pretty ridiculous moves that I miss letting loose into.<br /><br />Have some dancing:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bNF_P281Uu4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bNF_P281Uu4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />and then go dance, and check out <a href="http://www.modishblog.com/modish/2010/02/inspiration-az-d-is-for-dancing-like-nobodys-watching.html">Modish's little tribute post</a> to inspire you. If you are able, you must dance...Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-26277397980869937112010-02-23T18:03:00.001-08:002010-02-23T18:11:33.439-08:00Long Time, No ReadI've been away for quite some time. Well, not really away, but I'll spare the details.<br /><br />I'm deep in my "exploration," to put it cheesily, and I have many new ideas that fill up my mind and also make me overwhelmed. I'm stepping along the stepping stones and this makes me happy and keeps the inspiration level up up up:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oFNG-sxLnM8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oFNG-sxLnM8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />(...so much so that I'm actually blogging about it. Things are looking up. No one said it would be easy.)<br /><br />I like the widespread anonymity that the Internet and blogging provide. I can simultaneously feel as though I'm writing in a diary that no one will read and that I'm writing something anyone in the world can access. Hmm...time to ponder.Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-69198186753312987712010-01-01T19:49:00.000-08:002010-01-01T20:03:56.298-08:00this is what I did tonight.<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy6lZ0ZzF6rHKUhttpUW7t_NqHGb-AAsJQrR8OL9Q4FOYS1q9akHE2s0EKM2Hofr-JSXJXwAUEEbXkYU5bXkg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-6078396628630381302009-12-01T08:59:00.000-08:002009-12-01T09:06:51.796-08:00Far Off, But Pretty Far OutOk, that's a cheesy title for this post. I'm feeling lazy and not really wanting to write much, but I am very excited that I found out about Tim Burton directing <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/aliceinwonderland/">Alice in Wonderland</a> </span>starring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.mannythemovieguy.com/images/johnny_depp_helena_bonham_carter_alice_in_wonderland_tim_burton.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 190px;" src="http://www.mannythemovieguy.com/images/johnny_depp_helena_bonham_carter_alice_in_wonderland_tim_burton.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://www.mannythemovieguy.com/images/johnny_depp_helena_bonham_carter_alice_in_wonderland_tim_burton.jpg">link</a>)</span><br /></div>Watch the HD trailer <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeWsZ2b_pK4">here</a>. Oh yeah, and it's in 3D (!!!)Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-12371186735354936292009-11-20T08:13:00.000-08:002009-11-20T09:03:29.013-08:00A Delightful Accidental Find<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zoKP5pb0Xls&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zoKP5pb0Xls&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />While browsing the tube (yep, the tube) the other night, I came across the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472160/">Penelope</a> (Mark Palansky, 2006) starring Christina Ricci. I was intrigued because the description told me it was about a girl born with a pig face, and I like Christina Ricci. Freak type things = interesting things. So, I watched.<br /><br />It was the most delightful romance movie I've seen in...I can't remember how long. The colors in the movie are rich and whimsical, and the sets are pretty amazing too (especially Penelope's room). The visual effects are fun, and Penelope has a crazy royal purple coat with random colorful funky buttons going down the front (this was a special bonus treat for me).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://celebrities.biteus.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/Christina%20Ricci.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 291px;" src="http://celebrities.biteus.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/Christina%20Ricci.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://celebrities.biteus.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/Christina%2520Ricci.jpg&imgrefurl=http://celebrities.biteus.org/celebrities/christina-ricci/&usg=__IJ7gNjLnef8efBBZeGj_gFrvpeA=&h=400&w=300&sz=39&hl=en&start=16&sig2=3Swwd9Olxv0FXiTB8wFqyw&um=1&tbnid=eUuJ-ucvJ6gxNM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=93&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpenelope%2Bchristina%2Bricci%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rlz%3D1G1GGLQ_ENUS320%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&ei=ccMGS7ztBYG4lAfDiqCFBA">link</a>)</span><br /><br /></div>The moral, as a child at the end says, is "it's not the power of the curse, it's the power you give the curse." I love this! It's so true and applies to everything. You don't have to be anxious or angry or any of those feelings if you don't want to fuel them.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.collider.com/uploads/imageGallery/Penelope/penelope_movie_image_christina_ricci__3_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 411px;" src="http://www.collider.com/uploads/imageGallery/Penelope/penelope_movie_image_christina_ricci__3_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://www.collider.com/uploads/imageGallery/Penelope/penelope_movie_image_christina_ricci__3_.jpg">link</a>)</span><br /></div><br />That brings me to another wonderful movie I just saw recently (and have since watched twice): <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0844286/">The Brothers Bloom</a>.<br /><br /><object height="425" width="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RlSE3iRLtxM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RlSE3iRLtxM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="425" width="344"></embed></object><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(Sorry for the crappy formatting)<br /><br /></span></div>It coincidentally has a main character named Penelope too (Rachel Weisz). She says, she "owns it" and that's why she's convincing when she accepts changing "roles." This is so true, and I keep thinking about "owning it" when I go to my first <a href="http://squirrelywhirls.blogspot.com/2009/11/gearing-up-for-craft-fair.html">selling of my wares</a> on Saturday. This is also one of those movies that comments on itself commenting on itself commenting on itself....the ultimate goal in making any kind of art-- self reflexivity or whatever "po-mo" term you want to give it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nypost.com/r/nypost/blogs/popwrap/200809/Images/200809_Rachel-Weisz-brothers-bloom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 353px; height: 235px;" src="http://www.nypost.com/r/nypost/blogs/popwrap/200809/Images/200809_Rachel-Weisz-brothers-bloom.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.nypost.com/r/nypost/blogs/popwrap/200809/Images/200809_Rachel-Weisz-brothers-bloom.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/popwrap/all_is_weisz_in_the_world_wBISwlxEL2261YieutnkXL&usg=__oXzQQjM2LTN7uVg808JtYu35DiU=&h=300&w=450&sz=23&hl=en&start=35&sig2=TY61SjNzIJYaqyzh2lTCZw&tbnid=c7hjJ_kLIc3JWM:&tbnh=85&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Bbrothers%2Bbloom%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26start%3D21&ei=GcYGS8DUE4GzlAe-rfyyDA">link</a>)</span><br /></div><br />I love it when you watch movies or read books that are so crazily serendipitously in line with what you've been thinking about. It feels quite nice. Here's one of the funniest parts if you want to "spoil" it a bit for yourself: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7_f1zlkHwM">Collecting Hobbies</a>. I enjoy this-- being a bit of a dabbler myself, but unfortunately (or fortunately?), not to the extent of Penelope.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://blog.newsok.com/bamsblog/files/2009/06/brothers_bloom1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 432px; height: 241px;" src="http://blog.newsok.com/bamsblog/files/2009/06/brothers_bloom1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-29637719378890692012009-11-18T11:41:00.000-08:002009-11-18T12:02:24.921-08:00Egon Schiele gefaellt mirOne of my household treasures that I enjoy most is my set of Egon Schiele prints. I love his short, intentional gestures and bold, yet understated colors. The general mood interests me as well-- there's a seductive, sensual, somber quality to most of his paintings. He often uses a medium called gouache (sort of a mixture between oil and pastel). I enjoy his portraits most of all.<br /><br />Enjoy:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://fearlessart.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/schiele.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 497px;" src="http://fearlessart.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/schiele.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>(<span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://fearlessart.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/schiele.jpg&imgrefurl=http://fearlessart.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/thigh-highs-and-the-music-in-the-work-of-egon-schiele/&usg=__qi0SzXWiASah3fJUSUXltjbbrWo=&h=497&w=312&sz=41&hl=en&start=54&sig2=BLyhFNvEtr92me8qXAbD4Q&tbnid=DawVE6JDnT8mwM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=82&prev=/images%3Fq%3Degon%2Bschiele%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26start%3D42&ei=Wk8ES4bZLerg8Abg24igBA">link</a></span>)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://silencio.weblog.com.pt/images/eyes/EgonSchiele_TwoWomen1915.GIF"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 424px; height: 281px;" src="http://silencio.weblog.com.pt/images/eyes/EgonSchiele_TwoWomen1915.GIF" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://silencio.weblog.com.pt/images/eyes/EgonSchiele_TwoWomen1915.GIF&imgrefurl=http://www.sonicyouth.com/gossip/showthread.php%3Ft%3D35503&usg=__OvPssJbqQfAa01ssGoGN07a1NPI=&h=365&w=550&sz=159&hl=en&start=23&sig2=zG27ajS6Xb0LX7aZyf9pxw&tbnid=yMSUywyc7bK8IM:&tbnh=88&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3Degon%2Bschiele%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26start%3D21&ei=wU4ES-i9F9He8Aa954mgBA">link</a>)<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy2ASVV4EsKKV9H5M7nRZVCNbNdk3-NgStBt2SjPVJo7FEf26PQWV4RNORzNxNLHKr3_d6EUVfNJRnpAwEhXBHfJxE7hJyaYRE9xtPd1eQ33QAd-iEbnwlss4E5-cbOaNJ6bcPLmjrXQ/s400/Egon_Schiele_079.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy2ASVV4EsKKV9H5M7nRZVCNbNdk3-NgStBt2SjPVJo7FEf26PQWV4RNORzNxNLHKr3_d6EUVfNJRnpAwEhXBHfJxE7hJyaYRE9xtPd1eQ33QAd-iEbnwlss4E5-cbOaNJ6bcPLmjrXQ/s400/Egon_Schiele_079.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>(<span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy2ASVV4EsKKV9H5M7nRZVCNbNdk3-NgStBt2SjPVJo7FEf26PQWV4RNORzNxNLHKr3_d6EUVfNJRnpAwEhXBHfJxE7hJyaYRE9xtPd1eQ33QAd-iEbnwlss4E5-cbOaNJ6bcPLmjrXQ/s400/Egon_Schiele_079.jpg&imgrefurl=http://spoilurbrain.blogspot.com/2008/12/egon-schiele.html&usg=__wGw-nfSOvndpHqW0EOgrbvz7bKE=&h=322&w=400&sz=32&hl=en&start=33&sig2=50Y-fngv_lVG8fNAfsG4Mg&tbnid=xOE_7J4LvSrZLM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Degon%2Bschiele%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26start%3D21&ei=wU4ES-i9F9He8Aa954mgBA">Link</a></span>)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.poster-und-kunstdrucke.de/images/product-pics/artist/schiele/schiele_wally_in_roter_bluse_mit_erhobenen_knien.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 427px; height: 291px;" src="http://www.poster-und-kunstdrucke.de/images/product-pics/artist/schiele/schiele_wally_in_roter_bluse_mit_erhobenen_knien.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.poster-und-kunstdrucke.de/images/product-pics/artist/schiele/schiele_wally_in_roter_bluse_mit_erhobenen_knien.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html%3Fgpp%3D2243%26pst%3D37660&usg=__dBiZfvLJuE8zVYMlo2F-uezPzqo=&h=341&w=500&sz=44&hl=en&start=71&sig2=pq_m_h9nLk5yAMnhCstk7w&tbnid=BcT_Kz2QZxihZM:&tbnh=89&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Degon%2Bschiele%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26start%3D63&ei=ok8ES8jsCMqZ8AbfvvifBA">link</a>)</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.forbes.com/images/2001/11/21/feat_schiele_306x400.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="http://images.forbes.com/images/2001/11/21/feat_schiele_306x400.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.forbes.com/images/2001/11/21/feat_schiele_306x400.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.theauteurs.com/users/58824/comments&usg=__MB1wu_GOsobTRZ5q_Q3hCQbCDUc=&h=400&w=306&sz=38&hl=en&start=72&sig2=qUitl5-EeoQJvkBXmWyZpQ&tbnid=0BIn4xqJYb-NxM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=95&prev=/images%3Fq%3Degon%2Bschiele%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26start%3D63&ei=ok8ES8jsCMqZ8AbfvvifBA">link</a>)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.worldgallery.co.uk/i/prints/rw/lg/1/9/Egon-Schiele-Nu-assis--1910-190759.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="http://images.worldgallery.co.uk/i/prints/rw/lg/1/9/Egon-Schiele-Nu-assis--1910-190759.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.worldgallery.co.uk/i/prints/rw/lg/1/9/Egon-Schiele-Nu-assis--1910-190759.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.worldgallery.co.uk/art-print/Nu-assis,-1910-190759.html&usg=__ynIk9qxpVEohQINLGGFe-bhY-Ks=&h=400&w=280&sz=15&hl=en&start=68&sig2=-WJufrKtmjQ_OWm4XAL3wQ&tbnid=xCt10lJHL5zNIM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=87&prev=/images%3Fq%3Degon%2Bschiele%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26start%3D63&ei=ok8ES8jsCMqZ8AbfvvifBA">link</a>)<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bagelofeverything.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/egon_schiele_003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 374px;" src="http://bagelofeverything.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/egon_schiele_003.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://bagelofeverything.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/egon_schiele_003.jpg&imgrefurl=http://jotternotes.wordpress.com/2009/08/&usg=__Bs9J3MknNgRrkKYvHxOF8Hr9Ze8=&h=374&w=300&sz=29&hl=en&start=86&sig2=CfmQpKnL1zKlD_CfPTSftA&tbnid=0v6q5P9FhD0CYM:&tbnh=122&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3Degon%2Bschiele%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26start%3D84&ei=0lAES9XyJZ-B8QbU15igBA">link</a>)<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.artsjournal.com/culturegrrl/IsrSchiele.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="http://www.artsjournal.com/culturegrrl/IsrSchiele.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.artsjournal.com/culturegrrl/IsrSchiele.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.artsjournal.com/culturegrrl/2007/08/&usg=__q-LQeuNzGxRvmId-0QjLjOcuzLE=&h=314&w=400&sz=42&hl=en&start=145&sig2=OyFBqRQ0-f9gYjyEGDz3ZA&tbnid=w6DPEAt6H1MZmM:&tbnh=97&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Degon%2Bschiele%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26start%3D126&ei=NlEES7SUGcqZ8AbfvvifBA">link</a>)<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thehashmark.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/gelber_maennerakt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 367px; height: 367px;" src="http://thehashmark.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/gelber_maennerakt.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://thehashmark.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/gelber_maennerakt.jpg&imgrefurl=http://thehashmark.wordpress.com/2007/03/25/the-arty-bit-ah-bliss-egon-schiele/&usg=__GtJdi87J8wVoohgP7hxzXkwUTIU=&h=600&w=600&sz=31&hl=en&start=220&sig2=Y4I3vmt6NcZIrC3S3cLwiw&tbnid=b6-96R_uh3ZL3M:&tbnh=135&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Degon%2Bschiele%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26start%3D210&ei=5VEES9r9JYnO8Qb69rigBA">link</a>)<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div>Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-27148835099936556062009-11-18T09:10:00.000-08:002009-11-18T09:19:11.306-08:00Fantastic Mr. Fox in Stop MotionI already got super excited about this <a href="http://squirrelywhirls.blogspot.com/2009/08/stop-motion-rocks-and-i-want-to-learn.html">once</a>, but I'm excited all over again after checking out the <a href="http://www.fantasticmrfoxmovie.com/">website</a> for The Fantastic Mr. Fox in stop motion film-form. It's based on Roald Dahl's book (all of which I adored as a kid). I wish I could sit in a theater!! Maybe by next week when it comes out, I'll have some graceful lucky hand make it possible. In the meantime, I don't mind geeking out over the website and watching the little "Featurettes" that show glimpses of the process-- including hand painting, sewing, and sculpting all of the lovely lovely puppets! Their teeny tiny little clothes sure tickle my fancy.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BN9VS2uwoJ0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BN9VS2uwoJ0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-6852425879652326392009-11-11T20:09:00.000-08:002009-11-11T20:21:26.199-08:00Great Collage AnimationThis video by <a href="http://www.jeffchangdesign.com/main.html">Jeff Chang</a> is a wonderful use of print media in video. It's for Human Fly by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHoKu5xKzNE">Nouvelle Vagu</a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHoKu5xKzNE">e</a>.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nHoKu5xKzNE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nHoKu5xKzNE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-91751130684757520082009-11-11T09:40:00.000-08:002009-11-11T20:26:31.458-08:00The Peculiar ThereminDear Theremin,<br /><br /> You are a peculiar instrument whose eccentricity intrigues me. Your combination of science, music, and atmosphere spills out with your engaging and vibrating sound. You have captivated my attention since the first time I met you and learning to play you is on my list of things to do before I die. You have a lovely ability to camouflage and vary your form adding a charming mystery to your presence. Those who play you look like sorcerers of sound, and I long to be still and aware enough to make you sing. I like you best as a gnome. <br /><br />Thanks for existing,<br />Natalie<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.29239677.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 333px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_430xN.29239677.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>(From <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12523658&ref=sr_list_16&&ga_search_query=theremin&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=date_desc&includes%5B%5D=tags&includes%5B%5D=title">theremaniacs</a> on Etsy)<br /></div><br />P.S. Check out <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/freak/pamelia_kurstin/welcome1.htm">Pamelia Kurstin</a>, a theremin virtuoso to see the potential of this peculiarity. She plays in a band called <a href="http://www.barbez.com/first.html">Barbez</a>-- they are amazing, and I was given the stroke of luck to see them perform and it was one of those great shows where you know nothung about the music beforehand. It was wonderful.<br /><br /><object height="172" width="212"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/X-ywH1Vj8_U&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X-ywH1Vj8_U&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-21072464590000415812009-11-11T08:56:00.000-08:002009-11-11T09:11:14.877-08:00Yay For Squirrels and Collage Animation!I was drawn to this artist's work by a <a href="http://www.modishblog.com/modish/2009/11/happy-weekend.html">blog post over at Modish</a> that included this image:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.modishblog.com/.a/6a00d8341caca853ef0120a65cb461970b-800wi"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 338px;" src="http://www.modishblog.com/.a/6a00d8341caca853ef0120a65cb461970b-800wi" alt="" border="0" /></a>Um, you might notice that I enjoy our bushy-tailed, nut-hoarding friends (haha, yes, let's move on).<br />The artist's name is <a href="http://jackywinter.com/artists/clemens-habicht">Clemens Habicht</a>, and his collage-y style intrigued me. I've been thinking about collage and animation lately as I have this surge in my gut to make some sort of animation, but right now need to find a way to do it without a camera. That pretty much rules out stop motion of created things (i.e. my <a href="http://squirrelywhirls.blogspot.com/2009/10/out-of-head-and-into-real-life.html">antler-ed butterfly</a> flapping its wings). But, as I'm progressing with Photoshop, and I work with Final Cut, I knew there could be a way.<br /><br />Habicht also does animation, and this video spelled out a "simple" (only in some sense) key-framing method of making collage and animation come together in baby steps of experience:<br /><br /><br /><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=748329&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=748329&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/748329">QUASIMODO JONES 'RocknRollDream' - by Clemens Habicht</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/jackywinter">Jacky Winter</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p>As I've been trying to not put too much on my own plate and focus on recovering right now, I think I'll move onto this after I get these 2 <a href="http://squirrelywhirls.blogspot.com/2009/11/gearing-up-for-craft-fair.html">handmade markets</a> out of the way.Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-15115718622576991342009-11-11T08:07:00.000-08:002009-11-11T08:54:24.279-08:00Look and ListenOne of the things about creativity is that you have to have your bunny ears up and your eyes wide open for observation all the time. Everything is interesting. I thought this <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Washington Post</span> article</a> demonstrated that nicely (albeit late-- it's from 2007).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://truefire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/joshua_bell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 240px;" src="http://truefire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/joshua_bell.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(http://truefire.com/blog/?p=424)</span><br /></div><br />Joshua Bell, world-renowned as a prodigious violinist from Bloomington, Indiana, hooked up with some journalists to do a "social experiment" in which he casually strolled into a subway station (L'Enfant in DC-- many busy government workers going by). He was wearing normal street clothes as opposed to his tidy, dapper look while performing on a stage where the cheapest tickets go for $100. He began to play a piece by Bach; Bell referred to it as, "not just one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, but one of the greatest achievements of any man in history." Each piece he played in the subway was similar in greatness. Oh, and he plays on a violin estimated to be worth $3.5 million (from 1710!).<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hnOPu0_YWhw&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hnOPu0_YWhw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />So, what happens when we see "<span style="font-weight: bold;">art without a frame</span>," as the writer so eloquently put it?<br />Over a 1,000 people walked by Bell in the 45 minutes he played.<br /><br />It took 3 minutes before anyone even noticed Bell, but that man kept going.<br /><br />After 6 minutes someone stood and listened for a bit.<br /><br />As the 45 minutes went on, seven people stopped to listen for a brief moment, and 27 threw in some change. Approximately 1,070 didn't notice anything. Children more frequently paid attention than adults. One man, unfamiliar with classical music, stopped to listen and said, "Whatever it was, it made me feel at peace." Only one person recognized the musician. The reporter writes,<br /><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>"If we can't take the time out of our lives to stay a moment and listen to one of the best musicians on Earth play some of the best music ever written; if the surge of modern life so overpowers us that we are deaf and blind to something like that -- then what else are we missing?"</blockquote>I think being attuned to finding something interesting in everything helps you to take in moments like hearing Joshua Bell play in a subway. I'm not saying that if I were busy on my way to work in a bureaucratic bureau, that I wouldn't have maybe passed him by too. Trying to be more aware doesn't hurt anyone. It's a good practice that turns into healthy routine-- like taking your vitamins. A daily dose of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Vitamin See</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/78/155638394_0a5c61ac7a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 223px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/78/155638394_0a5c61ac7a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(http://www.flickr.com/photos/simoncockayne/155638394/)</span><br /></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">(don't forget to check out the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html">article link</a> for an interesting discussion of the philosophical side of it all. Kant is the big reference point for them.)<br /></div></blockquote>Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-57990137613865875502009-11-09T21:22:00.000-08:002009-11-09T21:24:58.236-08:00I like this little guy...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIc9RmKrcbhmYQHl5RUb-J0aKMNJTZlg4aPld2BCPkyUaEYk9eU7lYaYVF-CZ-hnc0GGMvjEA-1D6OOHzrCCIkFIb36APdxuAFrITz60iEa_WXVRo81XV90kkE8IP6PH90uRMp0olxymJ/s1600/3981022205_63f697dcf1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIc9RmKrcbhmYQHl5RUb-J0aKMNJTZlg4aPld2BCPkyUaEYk9eU7lYaYVF-CZ-hnc0GGMvjEA-1D6OOHzrCCIkFIb36APdxuAFrITz60iEa_WXVRo81XV90kkE8IP6PH90uRMp0olxymJ/s1600/3981022205_63f697dcf1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I'm just liking this ba-man-na's lovely 'tude. He looks like he's ready for a grand performance.Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-44145770640364949062009-11-09T10:20:00.000-08:002009-11-09T10:33:13.426-08:00Yo, InspirationI keep a bookmark folder titled, "Inspiration." Here's some of what I've kept:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://whipup.net/wp-content/images/2008/05/susan-schwake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 408px;" src="http://whipup.net/wp-content/images/2008/05/susan-schwake.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I really like the style of this graphic, for whatever reason. <a href="http://whipup.net/wp-content/images/2008/05/susan-schwake.jpg">Link</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwb_RsKJogzsuiYe9emhPLr6rjF04GUAIbM7h4zESLWELrogRDLuiEsHTTr_NZtx7v_sMpFFJ8Vpe9FJyUDypOLhjCjvSbNXWHDHdS5_izMnGstJJsdYnX10CjLf6Vcsp6HPELP1MX00/s400/Playing-with-The-Moon-12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 367px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwb_RsKJogzsuiYe9emhPLr6rjF04GUAIbM7h4zESLWELrogRDLuiEsHTTr_NZtx7v_sMpFFJ8Vpe9FJyUDypOLhjCjvSbNXWHDHdS5_izMnGstJJsdYnX10CjLf6Vcsp6HPELP1MX00/s400/Playing-with-The-Moon-12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This <a href="http://funnbee.info/2008/08/playing-with-moon.html">site</a> has tons of "Playing With The Moon" photos. Clever, whimsical, playful, wonderful.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.treehugger.com/bottle-shed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 237px;" src="http://www.treehugger.com/bottle-shed.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/garden-shed-from-bottles.php">Garden Shed Made of Disposable Bottles</a>. Creative and amazingly useful.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nikonsmallworld.com/images/gallery2009/fullsize/16266_1_Parais.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 417px;" src="http://www.nikonsmallworld.com/images/gallery2009/fullsize/16266_1_Parais.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Aquatic larva, part of the <a href="http://www.nikonsmallworld.com/detail/year/2009/15">Nikon Small World</a> gallery of microscopic photo imaging. Just downright fascinating.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2295261&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2295261&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="300" width="400"></embed></object></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/2295261">This Is Where We Live</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/wherewelive">4th Estate</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>. Amazing, creative, time-dedicated stop motion with paper craft.<br /></p>Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-19130947978470153732009-11-09T09:06:00.000-08:002009-11-09T09:26:31.187-08:00An Admirable Artist With Words of Wisdom<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/11/08/realestate/08habi-1/articleLarge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 349px; height: 220px;" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/11/08/realestate/08habi-1/articleLarge.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(From <span style="font-style: italic;">NY Times</span>)</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Something I have found about myself is that I have a fascination with miniatures, so <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/realestate/08habi.html?_r=1&8dpc">this article</a> and photo in the <span style="font-style: italic;">NY Times</span> really caught my eye.<br /><br />Sturgis Warner, an actor and theater director, builds miniature sets in his apartment to help him with decisions regarding movements and placements in his theater pieces. The one pictured is so cool, and wouldn't it be a nice place for some stop motion?<br /><br />He also uses his past experience in set design to aid him in finding wonderful ways of using a small space to your advantage. His bathroom converts into a darkroom complete with black tarps that roll down like blinds on the walls. He's facing eviction, however, because the original owners of the building, the producers of the Blue Man Group, want to convert the space into residences for their group.<br /><br />Warner also mentions that when he first came to NY it was perhaps "easier" to "make" it as an artist, but nowadays, you have to earn a full time income just to get by with the essentials. He says, "To be an artist in NY, low overhead is everything...If you have low overhead, you have a show."<br />I think that's also true wherever you are, and it's seems to be harder and harder. I guess that's why I'm choosing to forego the city and try to make ends meet more easily somewhere else (although I don't exactly have a choice anyway).<br /><br />It also got me thinking, can't we possibly look at everyone's home/space as a Wunderkammer (in an anthropological/sociological/ethnographic kind of way)? Hmm, I'm going to chew on that a bit. On that note, there's a great documentary by Chris Smith about people with super quirky homes; it's called <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275408/">Home Movie</a>.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.siegelproductions.ca/filmfanatics/images/homemovie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://www.siegelproductions.ca/filmfanatics/images/homemovie.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span>Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-73036746621001596862009-11-06T11:22:00.000-08:002009-11-09T10:09:14.204-08:00Lovely Crumbling and Inspiration = Super Long PostDear Anyone/Whoever/Human Being,<br /><br />I promise if you read this post, you'll learn/read something about creativity . . . if you want to.<br /><br />You'll have to listen to me complain a bit first.<br />One of the things I'm able to do better while lying down now is type. After being bed-ridden for so long, my wrists started to ache because I can't stop using my hands and putting my wrists in funky positions when I'm lying down. Did I mention I'm 25 and this "shouldn't" be happening? Have no fear, my mom has supplied me with wrist thingies to keep me from doing silly things with my feeble wrists. Therefore, here I am typing in the Blogosphere (I like being able to use that word because it's silly like Bio-Dome dun dun dunnnnnn). Have a photo for sustaining interest:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.timeinc.net/recipes/i/recipes/ck/06/11/cran-crumble-ck-1545790-l.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 220px;" src="http://img.timeinc.net/recipes/i/recipes/ck/06/11/cran-crumble-ck-1545790-l.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(this is the first thing that comes up if you type in crumble to Google images)</span><br /></div><br />I feel a bit like I'm slowly crumbling-- my nerve pain won't go away and every doctor I've seen is puzzled (but heavy meds improve it). Now my wrists are crapping out on me. But, it's also <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovely">lovely</a> because I get to do creative things all day long. I can't do everything, but I enjoy the things I can do-- edit, knit, type, surf the internet for awesome-ness and inspiration, write, read, watch, observe and so on. But really everybody is slowly crumbling in a lovely way.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/images/4/2008/12/vent_miser.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 141px;" src="http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/images/4/2008/12/vent_miser.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This is a vent.</span> (from http://gizmodo.com/tag/pst/energy/)</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">This blog has become somewhat of a venting unit for me, and I apologize for this seemingly <a href="http://bored.com/">boring</a> post (that's why I'm throwing in strange photos and links).<br /><br />Anyway, what I wanted to share regarding <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lovely Crumbling</span> was this that I wrote in my idea book after taking my prescribed rigorous physical exercise of walking to the mailbox:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;">"If you think, 'That's just life--equally positive and negative,' then you can see the world and life or being or whatever you want to call it in a bright and brilliant way even when it's negative (sadness, pain, and on and on). Somber isn't necessarily a bad feeling if you are able to embrace it as an integral part of being. Pain, sorrow, suffering, the negative only make you wiser to the inevitable. Feel inspired all the time. Paranoia, worry, and anxiety hinder inspiration and the creativity we <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> have."</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Quoting myself feels kind of silly, and I think it should. I know that what I wrote is much easier said than done, but I like to strive for it. Being inspired feels calming-- even somewhat somber at times. It's positive and negative. You're off in another place, but you're somewhere that can feel good or somber or bad or many, many things. Think of when you're at the height of creativity and inspiration...wherever you may find it.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://architecturehell.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 215px;" src="http://architecturehell.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(From http://architecturehell.wordpress.com/)</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Inspiration is truly everywhere. It may sound la-dee-dah to say that, but it </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >really</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> is. You just have to figure out how to use it. "But how do you do that," you might ask. Here's a helpful hint: <a href="http://www.kerismith.com/">Keri Smith</a> has some great resources to start with like her FREE downloadable <a href="http://www.kerismith.com/ask.html">Artist's Survival Kit</a> (I think it can be applied to many fields other than art).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.kerismith.com/ask-illo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 346px; height: 196px;" src="http://www.kerismith.com/ask-illo.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I have yet to try it, but I'm going to download and print it out today. I've been meaning to do it forever. I have her book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Explorer-World-Portable/dp/0399534601/wishjarjourna-20/ref=nosim/">How to Be an Explorer of the World</a>, and I love it. I admit to feeling self-conscious about carrying it around (as if it's childish or something), but I made it a cover by fusing sheets of plastic bags together and taping yarn on, and it's quite nice now.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.kerismith.com/explorer_thumb2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 240px;" src="http://www.kerismith.com/explorer_thumb2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(sorry-- no photo of my copy. I'm not feeling up to the hassle)</span><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;">Check out her <a href="http://www.kerismith.com/funstuff/funstuff.htm">Play</a> section-- it's almost, but not quite (in a good way) overwhelmingly wonderful. Great stuff for adults and kids. Just a small suggestion that won't work for everybody. You do have to <span style="font-style: italic;">try</span> to make your creativity work at it's best, shiny-new-car-smell potential. (For me the smell would be burning wood-- I LOVE that smell, but I'm not entirely sure why). It all boils down to persistence and confidence. I've had the first part down, but the latter part has been superficially very difficult for me to overcome. Understanding my visual sense has helped immensely.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://gf.state.wy.us/images/expo/campfire1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 215px;" src="http://gf.state.wy.us/images/expo/campfire1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(from http://www.sodahead.com/other/)</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I think "<a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_2377841_pour-heart-out.html">pouring your heart out</a>" is a wonderful phrase because it so visually and emotively describes the action. I did that a little bit in this post (kind of like when you throw up in your mouth a little bit- "Huh? What does that have to do with anything," you ask yourself.)<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cellarmasters.com.au/t-shirts/images/bottle-pour-large.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 242px;" src="http://cellarmasters.com.au/t-shirts/images/bottle-pour-large.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(from http://www.cellarmasters.com.au/t-shirts/t-shirts.asp)</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />I'm trying to be more honest with myself, and I know everyone can do that a little more no matter who you are. No one ever really talks much about the things that are "deep" or "expressive" unless with someone you're very close to, and it's too bad. I wish we could all "pour our hearts out" more instead of passively writing a blog post for people to maybe read. If someone confronted me about this in person, I think I would feel my usual awkwardness, but it feels nice to put it out there into the digiworld at least.<br /><br />The moral of the story is: I'm in constant physical pain, but I'm trying with all my might to check into other parts of my brain for some relief. Take the positive with the negative and be an overall neutral, inspired, confident person. It's being "at peace," as they say.<br />Or as this popular print likes to put it,<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0001/8314/products/KEEP-CALM-POSTER-LOW_medium.jpg?1257244740"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 240px;" src="http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0001/8314/products/KEEP-CALM-POSTER-LOW_medium.jpg?1257244740" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(from http://www.keepcalmandcarryon.com/)</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Most people like to lie to themselves and think they are adhering to the message by hanging it on a wall or wearing it on a t-shirt, but, alas, it is a good reminder. First you have to be able to find that "calm" and the "carry on" though.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/2282260008_3878863fda_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/2282260008_3878863fda_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(this is "the pile of the unfinished" from an felt artist whose work I admire, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tobiahmundt/sets/72157602811589645/">Tobia Mundt</a>.) </span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />You can look at the things you make or have left "undone" and feel a sense of dread, or you can look at them as a stream toward your accomplishments and things you have done. The same applies to experiences in your life. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trust-Process-Artists-Guide-Letting/dp/1570623570/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257789523&sr=8-1">Trust the Process</a> is a great book that talks about accepting that there are challenges and failures in creativity and moving on from them is best (in a nutshell). I am, albeit slowly, realizing how to internalize these things to combat the anxiety I experience very frequently. I'm finding as I find the peace in myself, I find peace in my relationships. Sound cheesy? Yes, but I still find it true.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I hope this is helpful in some way to some person (besides the therapeutic respite it offers me), and that you/anyone/whoever can look past the "cheesy" surface and really think about these things.<br />If you'll excuse me, I have to walk to the mailbox again.<br />Thanks very much for coming along.<br /><br />-Natalie<br /></span><br />P.S. Wow, longest post ever. If you've made it this far, I feel the happy.<br /><br /><br /></div></div>Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-16938584511551809432009-11-05T15:11:00.000-08:002009-11-05T15:18:41.623-08:00Whole Tree Houses = giddy with awesome-ness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/11/04/garden/31222443.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 500px;" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/11/04/garden/31222443.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/garden/05tree.html">article in the NY Times</a> about an architect, Roald Gundersen, makes me giddy because it's such a super-eco-friendly-artful-happy idea! Why would you <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> want to live in a house like this? He built his first house with $15,000 (for plumbing, paid labor, etc.) and uses whole trees instead of treated/cut lumber. The end result is nothing shy of stunning. It's like living in a modern forest house. <br /><br />This is just one more reason why I wish so badly I could build my own house-- if only I could apprentice with <a href="http://squirrelywhirls.blogspot.com/2009/09/dan-phillips-in-ny-times.html">Dan in Huntsville</a> and had a bit of money to do it. <br /><br />(Make sure to check out the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/11/04/garden/20091105-tree-slideshow_index.html">NY Times slideshow!</a>)Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-86337600261448567792009-11-05T12:49:00.000-08:002009-11-05T12:58:48.863-08:00Gearing Up For a Craft FairMy first ever craft fair is fast approaching, and I'm anxiously trying to get everything together. Oh, and I'm needing to make more stuff to sell! It's funny how you end up in a direction you never saw coming, huh?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0C6lmuRSMMLJH2xVnnTA61MAFET7OSu5NGQkLTC1JfSND8X8-oJfFYhpGfCdM5AUkhf7ynXYAfR9wot0_5J_fqo9D-DGer_VL-QD6j0XhWNs7Pg1eyhfaZKMjE3vC74UV3DghsXJrtI/s1600/callforvendors_color_web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 374px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0C6lmuRSMMLJH2xVnnTA61MAFET7OSu5NGQkLTC1JfSND8X8-oJfFYhpGfCdM5AUkhf7ynXYAfR9wot0_5J_fqo9D-DGer_VL-QD6j0XhWNs7Pg1eyhfaZKMjE3vC74UV3DghsXJrtI/s1600/callforvendors_color_web.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I'll be at the <a href="http://bloomingtonhandmademarket.blogspot.com/">Bloomington Handmade Market</a> on Saturday, November 21st, so if you're in the Bloomington area, I'd love to see you! I'm just hoping my silly chronic/yet to be explained nerve pain can hold off long enough for me to stand around at the booth! Luckily, Nick will be lending a supportive hand.<br /><br />I'll also be at the <a href="http://www.indieanahandicraftexchange.com/">INDIEana Handicraft Exchange</a> Holiday Hoopla "mini" on Friday, December 4 from 5-9 pm in Indianapolis. Cross you fingers for me!Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653517639263517368.post-47810584735408671552009-11-03T09:23:00.000-08:002009-11-17T13:44:37.866-08:00Sewing on a Button<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoJGdooawS8G0DOtd5SGNc3XWGbds-0V6vBrieZuLMRqI67xtbZCCiDoOpj31zmT-cgiOVa727-0dh4ej-ib_4hVxnTOun2uj9kr_gq9cQwzP1Y0h_62wblXVoJtOgI5K9sq1lyePC-DT/s1600-h/somebodypushthefunkybutton2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoJGdooawS8G0DOtd5SGNc3XWGbds-0V6vBrieZuLMRqI67xtbZCCiDoOpj31zmT-cgiOVa727-0dh4ej-ib_4hVxnTOun2uj9kr_gq9cQwzP1Y0h_62wblXVoJtOgI5K9sq1lyePC-DT/s200/somebodypushthefunkybutton2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399929376689923938" border="0" /></a>Helpful Hints...<br />I've been making a lot of buttons to sell lately, and I thought "hmm, maybe people aren't motivated to buy interesting buttons because they're not into sewing the button on." So, I figured I'd print a link to this post on the back of my button cards so that people can find some easy peasy help. Maybe they will turn into button and sewing lovers!<br /><br />Here's the first good tutorial:<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hrSs_DiJ-ZA&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hrSs_DiJ-ZA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />And the second:<br />For another knot-tying method, the "<a href="http://www.howcast.com/videos/265181-How-To-Make-a-Quilters-Knot">Quilter's Knot</a>" is a super easy way to tie a quick knot and not have to fuss with the thread (I promise it's even easier than it looks in the video).<br /><br />Thanks for coming by, button-iers!Squirrely Whirlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348717015579172454noreply@blogger.com0