Want to go shopping?

I do. But my version of shopping is looking at beautiful things, pretending like I am actually going to buy them, and then getting off the computer or leaving the store. I don't do it too often because you walk a thin line between fun and covetous depression. But, this post on the real simple blog about art for kids has led me to my new favorite girl. Elizabeth Soule.
I plan on unabashedly copying her for some personal work. I love taking photos of things - way more than of people. So, it's like TOTAL eye candy. Go and shop - or at least pay her site a visit.

What is blik?

I think I may have posted about this company before but I felt it deserved an update. If you haven't checked out the wall decals at blik you must do so today. There is something for every style - at least in my opinion - and they are so rad. I'm not much of a hanger of art on my walls - I can't narrow it down to something I feel is really me - but these I love. I've included images of some of my favorites - though there are still more I'd love to show...I had to stop sometime. Tons of companies are doing this now and you can find some cool ones on etsy but no site that I know of has this many good ones in one place. Go and see it now - the prices are totally reasonable and the effect is HUGE.




p.s. Why don't some of us by one of the vinyl cutter machines and start our own business?

I wish I were a paper engineer...

Last year I became obsessed with paper snowflakes - completely. I spent hours making snowflakes and some of them got to be pretty darn good. I dreamed up a beautiful snowflake book that would get me on Martha Stewart and other morning shows. I got so crazy that I couldn't even stop while I was out. I would sit in a corner during primary at church and cut out more and more - trying to make them have a religious theme so I could justify it a little. A few weeks into my obsession I found a Robert Sabuda pop-up at a thrift store and my obsession transferred to making my own pop-ups. If you have yet to see a pop-up book by Robert Sabuda then you are truly missing out...his books take pop-up art to the level you always wished it was at as a child. I didn't realize I owned one of his when my mom got me America the Beautiful for my birthday. It is truly astounding - they say other pop up artists are mysitified by his work and don't understand how he does it. The thrift store pop-up was Alice in Wonderland and it is magical. With tunnels that Alice falls down and huge arches of cards - it's amazing. And you know how most pop-up books are always trying to close on you? His don't - you can open them up and put them on a table to inspect each and every 3-d detail. Also they aren't as fragile as so many are - my two boys(5 & 2) have yet to destroy either one! I hope to continue to add more and more to my collection.

To participate in my obsessions you have two options - first got to martha and see how a basic snowflake is made - once you understand the basic construction you'll start to see the possibilities open up.

Or go to Sabuda's site and try some of his basic pop-ups. He's got holiday and birthday themed designs that can help you make some nifty gift cards!