Farewell, 2011...

It's been one heck of a busy year... lots of activity, lots of going going going, lots of trying but still pretty much refusing to take proper breaks to just rest and breathe (baby steps), but mostly really incredible moments of wide open inspiration.  So tonight... New Year's Eve... we're staying in with maybe a good friend to join us.  Keeping it slow moving in activity, but full of happiness and celebration for what 2011 offered up and for thoughts of how 2012 will unfold. 

 Enjoy a safe and festive celebration tonight with your best of peoples or with your special love or with your self and your dreams and hopes.

Cheers to you, dear friends.

Love,

Cath

{photo from The Library of Congress archives}

OOooOoOoooo....*

 Fact is, I sometimes think I could wear black all day/every day and then I see color combos with this kind of vibrancy and think I will never go back to wearing just black ever again.  Still... I'll keep the black around for reasons such as spilled coffee, melted chocolate, and watercolors that all too often find their way onto my clothes (thank you, aprons!).

Swoooooooon....

{Giovanna Randall for Honor}

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Wanderlust Wednesday* Sidewalk chalk

Are you a fan of sidewalk drawings?  The colors, the impromptu pictures, the hopscotch (I was never an althlete in school, but man did I kill it with my mad hopscotch skills.  I was THAT good.).  So imagine my gasp when I came across these patches of color on dog walk the other day.  What a treat.

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Note to self: optimism/pessimism

Yep.

{Found HERE via Pinterest}

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Guest Blogger: The Best Thing(s) Ever, This Week.

Today's Guest Blogger is Brian Newlin- who happens to also be one of my very favorite people in the whole  world.  Need a laugh... go to Brian.  This boy is also a super talented animator for Dreamworks (as is his incredibly awesome wife, Jen <- I did a post on her HERE.) 

Onto Brian's guest post...


Oh, hello! I didn't see you there.



Ok, that's not really me, but it's how the internet makes me look.

My name is Brian, and my old friend (meaning I've known her for a long time, not implying that *she* is old) Cathy has asked me to contribute to her already wonderful blog. I'm not sure exactly why she would want me to do that, but I think I owe her money so I said "why not?"

I work in the animation industry, so most of my days are spent sitting at my desk, looking blearily at a computer monitor, waiting to be told by a director that I need to put 3 bananas in the shot with the rabbit, or to try and make someone getting kicked in the crotch look funnier. It's my dream job. But I do tend to have a lot of chances to discover new and weird things on the internet and here is where I will share them with you, whether you like it or not. I kid! You will like it. Please like it!

I just saw a couple new animated things this past week, and they are both amazing in different ways. First up is "Boxcar Fair" by Little Tybee. I can't say I'm a huge fan of the song, but the fact this entire video is done in ONE take, performed by the team of puppeteers truly blows my mind. I've done a couple very small projects with puppetry, but I can't even begin to imagine the work and skill in putting this video together.

Little Tybee - "Boxcar Fair"

Little Tybee - "Boxcar Fair" from Little Tybee on Vimeo.

In the feature film world, I'm very excited to see the next stop motion film brought to us by Laika Studios up in Portland, the same studio that gave us the awesome-but-underrated "Coraline" in 2009. Again, as someone who deals only in computer animation, I'm fascinated by these kinds of projects where the artist can actually feel and touch the characters they are working with. And I'm a huge sucker for stories about zombies and ghosts, so this one looks great to me.



So that's it for this week! Until next time!
"Always onwards, ever upwards and forever twirling, twirling, twirling."


-Brian

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Wanderlust Wednesday: Tattoo Shop*

Contrary to what rumors say, I am not a tattoo artist.  I am often asked if I am since I, once in a while, stop by Sebastian's shop to say hello or to get them coffee.  And I don't work there, except to confirm appointments and do "the books" for them once a week.   But I do consider this shop my second home.  I wander in and get to chat (Read: bother) Sebastian and J and whichever clients happen to be getting tattooed that particular day.  One of my favorite sounds is hearing the buzz of multiple tattoo machines as I am walking down their block... soothing, meditative, activity, art. 

Throughout the day and night, passers by will peek in the window to look at the art and then, as if embarking on an adventure of discovery, slowly make their way inside to take a closer look, ask questions, or just witness tattooing in action. 

When I wander in I get see what sort of beautiful images are being tattooed, I get to meet new people or catch up with longtime clients and friends, and I get to see Sebastian do what he loves and do it well.

I am so proud to at least be a wee part of this shop.  And I'm proud of Sebastian and J for putting out such incredible art into the world.  Otherworld Tattoo = Wanderlust heaven.

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DIY Postcards*

GUEST BLOGGER: Meg Sullivan

Here on Wishlist, we are very lucky to have Meg contributing the new DIY posts for our happy enjoyment.  Meg's a gifted singer and, yes DIY Queen on her blog artsy/craftsy.  She is currently living in San Francisco. 

Now for some DIY action... Postcards!

MEG SAYS: When it comes to holiday shopping, I’d rather stay home. This year my hunny and I are filling homemade stockings for each other, so I’m getting trying to get crafty and make some fun stocking-stuffers. I’ve had this old San Francisco map sitting in my laundry room, so I decided to make him a set of postcards for Christmas.

The Method

Materials

• Paper of your choice (old map, wrapping paper, recycled holiday cards, etc.)
• cardstock or cardboard
• Spray adhesive
• x-acto knife
• pen and/or stamp to decorate

Cut equally sized rectangles from cardstock and use spray adhesive to join them to the paper of your choice. Let the adhesive dry and cut your postcards out with an x-acto knife. Decorate their backsides with lines and/or homemade stamps (I made a stamp stamp — silly, I know — but if you’re interested, you can read more about stamp-making here).

Easy peasy! If you don’t have any time left for holiday crafting, these would also make great thank-you cards. I bundled a few together for my hunny’s stocking and kept a few for myself.

Thanks, Meg!  For this and more DIY goodies, visit her blog HERE!

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Belly Flip Monday*

True.

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{Found HERE}

Wonder

I wonder if this light gently chimes when it is touched by a breeze from the window.

That would be so cool.

{Found HERE}

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Wanderlust Wednesday*

So last weekend, there was a boatload of festivities going on and I somehow managed to hit most of them.  Some I went to with friends and others, if I decided to check it out my own, I was lucky enough to bump into a totally random assortment of my peoples and ended up having a really great time.  Such was the case with a show I stopped by to see on Sunday night.  And I mainly went for two very wonderful reasons: 1. The band, Holdfast Rifle Company- shown in photo above (friends, Becca and Ralph are two of the band members).  and 2. to pick up some beautifully made fused glass gifts from Sukiku (this artist is incredibly sweet and so talented).

Now to save up the energy for the next round this coming weekend...

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Belly Flip Monday*

Yes.

(That is all.)

Wait... maybe just a few words for impact: Holy freakin' god.  I've never needed anything so much in my life as I need these cheesy quinoa cakes right now.

 {Recipe HERE}

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Into the weekend*

This weekend there are no less than three kagillion Holiday parties going on around here (and slightly under five kagillion next weekend).  So this means I'll be out and about with pals going to an evening art opening, seeing my friends' band play at a holiday spectacular, and getting some gifts at a local art show.  I'm hoping there will be just enough by the way of high spirits to distract me from feeling so darn nostalgic for New England Holidaying.

But first... I'll dive into finishing up a wave of orders (it's been a busy week!) and then... THEN the fancy dressing up and, naturally, some eggnog.

Have a good weekend, friends.

Love,

Cath

{Photo found HERE}

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Behind the Design*

Now in prep mode for Ciara Obscura's Spring/Summer 2012 photoshoot, I've been on the hunt for great backdrops.  And then this morning I came across this photo series from artist Sivan Askayo.   What's so alluring about these images is not only the variation of color and texture, but the defining moments of a normal everyday task turned into a collage of art.  It's a good example of how perception can mold our view of life into a vista and vision of incredible beauty.  Enjoy...

{Photo source via Honestly...WTF}

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Wanderlust Wednesday*

Three doors down from Sebastian's tattoo shop is a barber shop, M.O.B.S., that decorates its storefront every Winter season with a Holiday festive theme.  This year it's a gingerbread house.  And it's very very difficult to not touch it when I pass by.  The trolley tour always swings down our own East Victoria Street to show off this sweet little spectacle.  

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Top Five Tuesday: Window Displays*

Have you seen these Bergdorf Goodman Christmas window displays on 5th Avenue?  This link has been passed on to me by several of my friends and I can't stop looking at these.  I don't think a person can take in all the imagery in one sitting... it's rather overwhelming and, from one perspective, maybe even way too gaudy.  BUT, the very fact that some lucky window merchandisers/artists were given this much freedom to create such a wild eye candy wonderland is downright incredible.  Over the top?  Kind of.  Well orchestrated?  Yes, indeedy.

Holy cow.

{Found HERE}



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Belly Flip Monday*

Snowglobes!  When I was a little girl and it was wintery outside and I had my swiss miss hot chocolate with those really nasty, but so good when you are 7 years old, marshmallows and I would stare outside and watch the snowfall... those were some of my favorite all time memories.  And sometimes I would sneak a snowglobe with me to bed at night so I could fall asleep with that being the last thing my eyes saw and the last bit of silence my ears heard.  

Snowglobes = Awesomeness. 

{Found HERE}

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Weekend*

Looks like I'm a bit late getting to the weekend post this time around.  We just finished up with our Holiday Pop Up Shop (with Ciara Obscura, Vintage Trunk Show and Shaybu Chocolate... which was so  sweet and fun). And now- once with plans to venture out for the night- have decided to stay in and just relax.  So that's what I'm about to do.  Have a mellow and colorful rest of your weekend.  See you on Monday...

{p.s. I love this photo.  Makes me want to nestle up with morning tea or coffee and a neat book or the Sunday New York Times.  Photo found HERE.  Thank you, CHRIS for sharing!)



What's in my bag*

It seems to be a running theme in a series of blogs out there, this "What's in my bag" concept.  I like it and find it really really fascinating to peek into the bag or purse of the various peoples, but- you know- without getting arrested.  Here's mine:

*I'm slightly embarrassed that I carry this much stuff around with me, but - and for starters- I cannot leave the house (or the room) without taking my journal with me.  This red one is just about filled up and I'm on the hunt for a new one (I'm very particular about these things.).  Inside you'd find design ideas, sketches, visual references/clippings, names of books/music/movies that I'd like to read/listen to/watch, quotes that I think are awesome, and my inside thoughts that are best left for my eyes only.  If this journal escaped from me, I'd totally freak out.

* Pens and coloring things. 

* A swiss army knife (This was my father-in-law's and a gift received when he passed away.).  I love being prepared for any predicament, if need be.

* Red lipstick and strawberry lip balm (I'm a pale girl, so the red gives me much needed color and the lip balm is there just because I love the smell and taste of it.)

* Keys.  For all areas of my life and one other that I have no idea of its source.

* The camera.  This one is fairly new and now I carry it to capture itty bitty moments in time.  It'll be my way to bring you the new post, Wanderlust Wednesday.

* Wallet.  A gift from my mother-in-law. It holds all the fixens for buying coffee, materials, and racking up bonus points at CVS (which I always forget to use).

* Sunglasses.  Cheapies from the drugstore.

* And the purse.  A gift from friend, Amy.  She made it and it's beautiful.

* Not shown: a crapload of receipts from mailing packages.

That was oddly therapuetic.

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