my first bunting!

 

Nothing cheers me up like bunting! Recently, I acquired this adorable trio of mini bunting (above) from the Knotted Nest store on Etsy. 

Knotted Nest

Inspired by this crafty idea, I took on a quite a challenge for my first sewing project ever.  With a dear friend having a baby soon, I thought it would be the perfect handmade gift for decorating the new lil' one's room.  Needing an inspirational message, I turned to Hip Hop, my go-to for life mottos!  Nas' "The World is Yours" is pretty much the best advice for a new baby, so I started there.  

After a crash course in operating a sewing machine from my awesome roommate, I began the project with some nervousness, but mostly determination.  Measuring and cutting came first.  I made a triangle stencil, 7 inches on each side for good luck!  I cut the fabric out using serrated scissors, which make an adorable zig zag edge.  Each triangle had another triangle behind it, so that the banner could be reversible!  Then I cut out the felt letters, using fabric chalk to outline the font.  After all the cutting was finished, it was time to assemble!  To hang the banner, I used a thick mint green ribbon.  I folded it in half, ironed it, and tucked the triangles in, pinning them securely. After sewing was complete, I added some finishing touches: streamers on each end and white Ric Rac trim on the letters. 

The finished banner was a hit!  Handmade gifts are always so charming and I was thrilled I pulled it off without it looking too much like a Dr. Frankenstein job.  Cheers to baby Willem, who hopefully won't get the wrong idea and end up a dictator:)  

my best friend forever makes art.

Meghan Rennie takes pretty photographs about the space in between things.  The opening reception for "We're so Much Alike, We Must be Brothers" is on May 6th in Toronto.  Just sayin'.  Also, I love her.

PIGEON FIGHT

www.meghanrennie.com

flower party!

Each Spring, one of the most enchanting events takes place at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens: Hanami.  Hanami literally means "flower viewing" in Japanese. Since we don't have the cherry blossom forecast  (sakurazensen) here in America, I went twice to experience the different stages of this amazing process, as the blossoms only last one or two weeks! The first time I went the blossoms must have just bloomed that morning all at once.  They were so perfectly in place, as you can see in the polaroids.  When I returned a week later, it was just completely different and magical!!!  The breeze had created all this wonderful blossom snow, and tiny petals were flying through the air and showering down onto the ground.  It was the most cheerful and relaxing vision I've ever seen!  Nature is really cool.

new art story: Process Makes Perfect!

(Jodie Jill, 2009.  Ink, gouache, and colored pencil on paper. 58 1/2 x 42 1/4 inches. By Storm Tharp)

CHEEK Magazine has a hot new issue out!  In issue sweet 16, I wrote a little story on this year's Whitney Biennial.  The MVPs of this year's selection use some pretty mind bending processes that can be read about here:

Process Makes Perfect

enthralling.

I have a huge crush on Efterklang's "Magic Chairs" album.  They are from Copenhagen Denmark, which makes them cooler than you and I.
May 15th would be a perfect day to take me to Brussels, Belgium where they are playing with CocoRosie.  Just sayin'.  Afterwards, we can go look at Flemish art like Hans Memling, Jan van Eyck and Peter Brueghel the Elder.

all dolled up!

I treated myself to a little nesting doll tattoo.  You know, LIFE reward for a job well done! I've been fond of Ashley Love's work for quite some time (I've mentioned this NC southern belle before), and I am thrilled to be all dolled up by her!  She is a total perfectionist, and took the time to work with the available space on my arm.  
This little beauty is so precious. I love the design, which is totally balanced with love arrows, berry branches, and a single rose. Isn't the color pallet just so modern and dashing!? Ashley's work is next level, what I like to call post-traditional.  She is a rising star for sure. And that lavender rose is on my elbow folks!  (Ouchie.)  It makes me feel kind of tough;)

Fun fact: 

Nesting dolls, a.k.a. matryoshka dolls, are a Russian tradition, but actually based on a 1890 Japanese figurine called "fukuruma." 

(fukuruma)

banner fever.

Tender Letters

I love banners!  Every celebration deserves one.  Some of the most lovely banners I have seen as of late can be found in Gina's Etsy store, aptly named, Tender Letters.  I love how rugged her designs are, it gives them tons of personality!  "Love Ahoy" with the mini anchors is my favorite!!! I mean, how stupid cute us that!?

I am eager to start my own banner projects with vintage fabrics and inspired phrases!  Below is a banner I made last fall for my birthday dance-'til-you're-dead party!  Of course the letters were rearranged in honor of one of many pet names I have been given over time.