Happy New Year!

So it's been a while indeed, but what better time to start fresh than the new year...

I was just kinda over the whole blog/chair/revival thing in 2010...like to a point of disgust. I just felt very limited by my skills and resources, and I was not happy with any of my projects. I can't promise that 2011 will bring any renewed interest (and that's okay, right?), but I thought a post would be nice before this blog falls off into some sort of webspace oblivion.

The end of 2010 was full of holiday festivities...the parties, shopping, and traveling were all extensive, exhausting and enjoyable all at the same time. Being home for Christmas was wonderful as usual (minus the flat tire on my drive back down south and sitting on the 405 freeway late at night hoping a serial killer didn't get me) and ringing in the new year with my oldest friends in Las Vegas was something I will never forget (especially the 11 hour drive home through a blizzard). I like to maintain the privacy of my lady friends, but I've posted a few pics that sum up last weekend's adventure. Viva Las Vegas!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Weekend Project = Chair #3 (Continued)

Going out on Saturday night is for chumps! Ya hear! This week I finally got around to painting Chair #3, and today I picked out some fabric and got busy upholstering the seat back which took me into the wee hours. After a few attempts at duplicating the tufted look (and slicing my finger open with an X-Acto knife) I decided a single button on the seat back was a simpler and more modern approach. I'm actually really happy with the way it turned out! Sooo I'm done for the night...I wish someone would make me something to eat...my fingers hurt! I'll tackle the seat tomorrow after some sleep and gym and other good stuff. Night!

Etsy Artist Shout Out = TushTush

 

Ran



vintage lady / print



I've been a long-time fan of TushTush. This amazing shop is run by Tali, a freelance illustrator living in Tel-Aviv. I purchased one of her original acrylic paintings a while ago, and I'm so in love with it I find myself constantly checking back to see what she's painting. She also does custom paintings of photographs that would make amazing Christmas gifts...just an idea for anyone looking for gift ideas :)

Sea / print

City Streets/print

Time for a New Camera!?

Now that I finally own (and love) my new digital Canon G11, I am still really wanting to invest in an SLR. I could have bought a low-end digital SLR for the same cost as my point-and-shoot G11 but decided the smaller size of the G11 and video capabilities ultimately made it a better first-time camera purchase. I wanted something I could easily carry so that I wouldn't ever have an excuse to leave my camera at home. I love my G11, but now I'm still aching for an SLR...and instead of considering a budget busting D-SLR what I REALLY want is a vintage film SLR. I've been doing some research and the Canon 35mm AE-1 seems to be a good choice. More than five million were sold back in the 1970-1980s so there are a lot that are hanging around pawn shops, goodwill and reasonably priced online. I'm sure there are some other great options as well...I plan on buying one soon and giving film a try! 

Weekend Project = Chair #3 (Continued)

Today I tackled the back of Chair #3. Taking off both sides took about 4 hours, but at least this time I avoided blisters by remembering to wear gloves (but not before puncturing my hand with a rogue staple). Meh...lessons learned. I kept the fabric as intact as possible so I can use it for a pattern for cutting the new upholstery. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to try to duplicate the tufted look, or if I will opt for something simpler. After I got all the staples out I sanded the whole chair. Tomorrow I will do some more sanding and crack filling, and then get started on painting. 

Dreaming of sleep and white walls



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I've had a cough all week..probably the result of too much fun and not enough sleeping this past weekend. I finally caved and took some Nyquil around 2am last night so my alarm in the morning seemed like some sort of bad joke. In my groggy haze today I came across emmas designblogg, and am loving the crisp all-white Norwegian look. Those Swedes really know how to do it. It's all so clean and peaceful. Makes me want to crawl into bed...right...about...now.

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Weekend Adventure = Kenter Trail

When I wasn't in character this weekend, I was enjoying the AMAZING weather we have been having. Seriously, it's summer in fall and summer was winter and really it's all very confusing. If you live in LA you learn to be quick on your toes and just take advantage of the clear days as they come. We hit up Kenter Trail in Brentwood on Saturday. This hike is my favorite because it takes you up to a beautiful tree with a bench under it where you can just sit and enjoy the view of the west side, and even downtown LA on a clear day like Saturday. It's quiet and peaceful. The bench has a placard that reads "In Loving Memory of Tony". I don't know who Tony was, but he must have been for a pretty great guy.