Photography + Embroidery = Love

Lauren DiCioccio may well be one of my new favourite people ever. She has combined to of my favourite things (photography and embroidery) to create these tiny pieces of art. Each one is the size of a real 35mm slide (2" by 2") and is completely hand stitched.







Just when I thought I've seen everything there is in the craft world, someone comes along and makes me gasp with their ingenuity. Lauren, I salute you.

Leaf Silhouettes

Knowing my obsession with papercuts (Rob Ryan is my actual hero) it's no wonder I fell head over heels in love with these leaf silhouettes by Jenny Lee Fowler. She cuts each one freehand, using a photo of the subject for reference. Her talent and patience amazes me beyond words.




You can commission Jenny to make a leaf silhouette of you, or a loved one, by going to her Etsy shop. Or to see more of her work (who wouldn't want to?!) check out her Flickr. You will not be disappointed, she is so talented.

Thanksgiving

I am not American. As often as I wish I was, I was not born in America, and I have never lived there. This means I tecinically shouldn't celebrate Thanksgiving. And I'm not really going to, as there will be no big turkey meal, no pumpkin pie, no family gathering. But I just love the idea of a holiday that is all about celebrating the things you are thankful for. Because, when I think about it, I have so much to be thankful for. And I know, I know, you shouldn't need an excuse to be thankful, but sometimes it helps! So here are some of the things in my life I am so very thankful for right now:

* feeling totally supported - right now I am struggling a lot with a few aspects of my life, not least being the fact that I'm studying on a course which is sapping all my energy and all my creativity. But I know I will get through because I have the most amazing people behind me, and they will never let me down.

* blogging - silly, I know, but even though my blog is still teeny tiny, I love the whole blogging community, and I love being a part of it, however small and insignificant. I feel inspired and motivated, and for the first time I am meeting (even if only virtually!) people who really 'get me.'

* gingerbread lattes - they make me feel like it's Christmas every day

* creative friends - I've never felt so constantly inspired. Having so many 'arty' friends who encourage me to always be making or doing something is definitely something I am so so thankful for, as well as having so many people around me who encourage me and tell me what I'm doing is worthwhile.

* my cameras - they are the tools that let me do what I do, and I love each and every one of them in a very special way. Even when they jam the film/won't wind on/don't focus properly/their batteries fall out/though themselves on the floor for no good reason.

There are so many more things, but I don't want to gush too much. (yes, I'm a gusher at times, and what?) I just want to wish all my readers, wherever you are from, a very Happy Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for? xxx

Instax Mini Part 1

I'm pretty sure I have never posted any of my instax mini photos on here before, and I honestly don't know why. For those of you who don't know the instax mini is an instant camera made by Fujifilm, and it takes wee credit card sized instant photos. I bought mine about a year ago, and I am completely in love with it.

As one of my New Year's Resolutions I resolved to take an instant photo every day for a year.... it started off very well, but about halfway through I started to run out of money in a big way (the film is way cheaper than polaroid, but still pricey compared to regular film) and so had to give up.

I fully intend to start the project where I left off as soon as I can afford the film again, but until then I thought I'd share some of the photos I took with you. (these are not in any order!)











I have quite a few of these (I ended the project on about day 150!) so will scan in some more to share very soon. Looking at these has made me miss my little companion.... maybe I will take her out with me today!

PS. if anyone has any questions about the instax, or wants to know more, just let me know :) xxx

Out of Print

Ok, so I'm pretty sure everyone knows about my obsession with all things literature related. What with being a Creative Writing graduate I feel it is my duty to promote reading to others. Ha, that makes me sound like equal parts total geek and snobby, opinionated literature buff. I am neither. I like good books. But I'm well aware that the definition of 'good' when it comes to books is extremely varied depending on who you ask.

But I digress. As much as I love books, I think I love book-related stuff even more. So when I discovered Out of Print Clothing it was always going to be love at first sight. Basically they make t shirts with classic book covers printed on them. Which is pretty darn awesome. But they are also a company with a conscience, so for every t shirt that they sell they donate a book to communities in Africa, in order to promote literacy in third world countries.









Picking a favourite was always going to be very difficult, not least because I am the most indecisive person EVER. But I'm pretty sure the Moby Dick one will be my first purchase. Or the Slaughterhouse 5 one. They are very reasonably priced, so if anyone fancies getting me one I'd be very grateful. Ta. xxx

I Heart Terrariums

I'm not sure where I first clapped eyes on one, but at some point in the last few weeks I became obsessed with the idea of wearable miniature terrarium jewellery. I've always been fascinated by terrariums, and have a few too many images of them saved to my computer (what a geek!) But I'd never seen such teeny tiny ones before. So, just in case there are any fellow terrarium lovers out there, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite finds.

these dinky mini vintage vials are by Erica Weiner

both of these terrarium necklaces are from Woodland Belle

yeah, so it's not a terrarium, but this shadow box is so gorgeous
(also from Woodland Belle)

and this one is just absolute perfection
(from Doodle Bird Imaginariums)

Definitely putting one (or three) of these on my Christmas wish list. I will wear it with a peter pan collar dress and pretend I'm in a fairytale.

Truth

"but the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. this is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. there is one picture of the three of them sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4 and 1. and I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less."

anna quindlen

Ok, I don't have children. But I feel this still applies to me and my life. I spend so much time trying to plow through the million and one things I feel I absolutely NEED to do that day, that I so often don't take time to enjoy doing them. And I really want to remember all the little things in my day, because sometimes the little things are the best.

So I am resolving to capture it all in photographs. Every little detail of every single day. Because I know one day I will be so very grateful I did.

Mary Blair: Peter Pan

So here it is, the final part of my Mary Blair post, and this one features her concept art for Peter Pan! Although it's never really been one of my favourite Disney films, I've always had a soft spot for the mermaids, and Tiger Lily, and the idea of being sprinkled with pixie dust and flying across the rooftops of London.







That last image is pure magic. I get goosebumps when I think of the moment in the film when they realise that it all really happened...

Well, I hope you feel inspired looking at these images. They are very special to me, because as a child Disney was pretty much my world. If you'd like to see more of Mary's work there are books available using her Disney concept art; Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and also Cinderella.

Mary Blair: Alice in Wonderland

Okay so earlier today I posted about Mary Blair, and promised to post some of her concept art for Disney. Well first up is Alice in Wonderland, because it is one of my favourite Disney films of all time, after The Little Mermaid and Mulan obviously.











I love that you can see just how Mary's artwork influenced the actual film. Even though the character's and the scenery look different in the film, they have the same eclectic kind of feel that makes Alice in Wonderland so magical.

Oh, and check back tomorrow to see her concept art for another Disney film.... not telling which one yet.... but it's beautiful :)