A 95th Birthday Wish

On March 13, 1918, My Grandfather was born.  He was born and raised in New Jersey.  In the 40's he went off to fight in WWII.  When he returned, he married my Grandmother, and had 5 children.  They remained in New Jersey, where they raised their children, horses and dogs. In the 80's, they retired to a comfortable home on a little hill in rural Pennsylvania.

I was born soon after they bought their new home, and when I was old enough, I would spend 1-2 weeks with them during the summer.  I have many fond memories of the time I spent there.  I loved riding the horses from the barn to the field, where they would graze for most of the day.  The tractor was always fun--Pop would give me rides, and eventually, when I was old enough, I got to drive it solo.  Mostly, I just embraced all that the rural life had to offer--the fresh air, the scent of hay in the breeze, the fields to run though, the woods, with fallen trees for fort-building....and the list could go on forever.

I also remember following my grandfather around, like his little shadow, always curious about what he was getting into....Whether it was tending to the "farm" or creating something with his hands --he built wagons for the horses to pull, furniture for their home, wood plaques for decor...

Thinking back, I really understand why my Grandfather was drawn to the simple, old-school, traditional life...and I think it's genetic.  I live in a city, but have been and always will be in love with rural areas.  I dream of owning a farm and growing food, milking goats, sheering sheep for some wool....or maybe alpacas....and the dream list just goes on.

My Grandfather will be 95 on March 13th...He still resides in the house on the hill, and although his activity level has diminished with age, and he no longer owns horses, he still has a love of nature, learning, and creating.  He carves and paints on wood and sometimes canvas.  Most of his subjects are horses, people, and nature.

Last night, I set myself to the task of making a birthday card for this creative, traditional, person who has impacted my life to an extent that I have yet to fully understand.  I knew he wouldn't get my post-modern, minimalist, hand cut cards....

I figured a drawing of some sort would make the most sense--drawing is perfectly traditional, so he gets it.  A horse would have been too obvious, and he draws enough of those to fill a gallery.  Then, I remembered birds--he loves birds.....and the birds love him.  In the winter, the birds used to eat seed right out of his hand.

He still has feeders for them, talks about the different species,  and smiles when he sees lots of bird activity.  I decided on this for my subject, and picked a classic species: the American Goldfinch.

I wanted to make the card simple, with a vintage, Americana feel--like that of a photo album or scrapbook (my Grandfather also LOVES photos; he has a so many albums and piles of photos, and will share them with anyone who is willing to look).

I was so content when I had finished this little endeavor of mine.  I had made something that he could connect with on a personal level--it was more than just a generic birthday card....it said something about HIM, and him alone.  

This little creation reaffirmed what I aim to do when I make a card--I want it to become something more than just a greeting card.  I want the receiver to feel a connection to the piece; feel as if it were made just for them.  

I am so thankful to my Grandfather, for I would not be the maker I am without his influence and inspiration.  I can't wait to send him this little piece of my creative self to brighten up his birthday.

Wearable Art: BY BEEP

I am really not a jewelry person...I have it, don't get me wrong...but not much, and I don't wear it often because I just don't remember to. I have my ears pierced but never have earrings in....Yes, it's that bad.  I often tell myself that I will start wearing them again--maybe someday.

The lack of adornments also has to do with the fact that I just find most jewelry to be bland, boring, and monotonous.  It is very rare that I come across something and say, WOW I have to have that because it's just that awesome.

I like bold jewelry. I have to be able to look at it as art....it has to say more than nothing, or even a little something.

I blogged about a necklace I purchased from etsy about a year ago.
Check out the pictures here: necklace.

Other than that, the only jewelry I've purchased were a pair of long feather earrings.

The other day I finally had some jewelry speak to me again. And I will, one day own a piece by this artist.  Her work is phenomenal.  Emily Haworth, from ByBeep, makes jewelry that tells a story....She says it herself right in her shop description--and she couldn't be more right.

The wearable art objects Emily offers are mixed media--she uses chipboard, paper (with loads of paper hardener to keep it all safe and sound), and metal.  And for these pieces, it's really all in the detail.  Rather than simply creating an icon, and hanging it from a chain, she gives each piece character and life.  They have this industrial-rustic fusion going on, along with a whole lot of whimsy (which is great for the imagination)....When I look at her work, my imagination runs wild.  The stories I tell myself, exist in the past, present and the future (sometimes simultaneously)....and they are always adventures.

My favorite pieces of her's are the ones that have the titles existing as a part of the jewelry--The titles signify that these are something more than a simple accessory.  They are works of art; a sort of visual literature.

Emily stated in an interview, that drawing is her passion, while jewelry-making is her hobby.  I really hope she continues making time for her hobby, because they ARE works of art--miniature sculptures that are accessible to the "(un)common man".

On a side note, her drawings and paintings are really quite awesome as well.  When you look at all of her work, on a whole, it's obvious that she has been doing this art thing for quite sometime.  Her style is developed and consistent; I would say that she has certainly branded herself successfully :)

Emily's drawings and paintings can be found here: http://www.emilyhaworth.com
You can purchase her wearable art here: www.ByBeep.etsy.com
And, you can get more insight into her and her craft here: FreshShop

A Little Dotty Pot

I love to knit.  I began knitting a little over a year ago, and was instantly addicted. (It doesn't take much for me to get addicted to any DIY/craft).  Between all of the left over yarn from my knitting projects, and the vintage yarn I acquired though a family member, I currently have a huge basket and medium sized rubbermaid filled to brim with skeins and balls of the stuff....It's all just sitting there, waiting to be put to use....some use other than a cat toy...

My favorite kitty occasionally helps himself to a skein of wool.  He looks like a little drug addict, sprawled out and all tangled up in the stuff. And, oh boy, if I try to "help" him out of the yarn, to save it from his teeth and claws, does he get angry.  It's hysterical. One day I will have to remember to photograph him prior to removing him from the yarn. 

Anyway....back to the heaping quantities of yarn, and the point of this post.  Long story short, I have all this yarn, but each color/type is not enough for some huge project....like a sweater...and I refuse to buy any more yarn until I use most of it up. So, as of late, I have set myself to the task of decreasing my stash.  I know I could do it the easy way and trade it or sell it...but the thought of that feels like giving up--I committed to this yarn when I bought it and I can't just quit on it now.

In my search for knitting patterns to use up smaller quantities of yarn, I have come across some gems.  The first one I came across and began working on is really a huge project made out of swatches...It'll probably take me years to make but thats okay....Its this awesome blanket I cam across on Shelly Kang's blog, The Heathen Housewife. She knit up all these little swatches with sock yarn, seamed them all together and put a nice border around the whole thing.  I can't even imagine how many hours she must have spent on this beauty, given the yarn she used.  

Since I have yet to knit any socks and only have one skein of it, which has already been designated for my making of the Beekeeper's Quilt, I decided to use heavier yarn, simply adjusting my needle sizes to get the right size squares for me.  

After about 14 squares, I must admit, it became a bit monotonous (I'm obsessive, but I need variety in my life!).  I decided to take a hiatus from the quilt swatches and find something little and functional to knit (you can only make so many scarves and hats and mittens).  In my travels, I came across the Dotty Pot...Even the name is ADORABLE.  

It's simple but fun, due to all the variety in the pattern...and for a knitting project, it was basically instant gratification.  It probably took me about an hour to make.  The texture of it is wonderful to look at and to touch...it's DOTTY!!! This little guy is small; about 3"x3".

I love that this soft, squishy, mushy thing can hold things and it's shape!

I plan on making another one, very soon...Larger, with wool to hold some keys...I hope.