The two best things I ever got from someone's trash pile.

(Ok, maybe more like "stuff to be taken to the dump eventually" pile.) My little vintage Tele-tone portable record player and this record!

I was listening to it today while cleaning up around the house. It's kind of cheesy and kind of makes me smile the entire time I listen to it. My mom thinks it's corny that I love it so much. You guys should listen to Eydie's version of One Note Samba, it's my fave on the record:

Little drink?

Anyone want a to have a little drink?

Well you can't because this here little bottle belongs to Capt. Weirdbeard. Although, he looks like maybe he had one too many already!

My friend Casie asked me to help her make a new bottle for the Captain today. So I quickly free handed that little bottle. I think it's about 2 inches tall and it came out so cute. I can't wait to see how it looks.

(Here is the Captain with his old bottle.)

TA-DA!

Well I did it, just in time. I finished my first afghan! I can't show a full pic of it because it's a present and also, the other pictures I did snap of it are pretty awful.

I'm excited to try out some more patterns eventually but right now I must resume the wedding crochet party.

Buddy Monday - Tim Aste

Many years ago my main squeeze, Adam, moved here to Eugene, OR for an internship, which then led to a job and him living far far away (I was in Maine!) and living with some dudes that he worked with. One of those dudes was named Tim Aste! When we moved here a few years ago I finally got to meet Tim and I'm so glad! He's one of the nicest people I have ever met and he makes everyone laugh like crazy AND we share a love for Archie comics. Tim is an artist, musician, adventurer, super supporter of this blog and all around awesome. Adam and I can't wait for him to be in our wedding and show him around Maine a little bit!


1. Tell us about yourself?

I'm Tim and I make computer art! I went to a formal four year art school for Graphic Design but after three semesters I decided it was for chumps and dropped out to move back to my hometown and eventually pursued other interests (booze and dames). I kept up with my art in my spare time, but my real interest was in 3D and sadly there weren't as many programs around for that style of art nine years ago. I tried to keep up with my own art as a hobby and after a few years of adventures and shenanigans I had my portfolio noticed by GarageGames in Eugene, OR and eventually moved cross country for an internship there which turned into a career. Never did get that degree, but I guess that's ok. Outside of art I like to hike, photograph, drink beer and compose goofy music.

2. What do you make?

Like Adam (who I met at GarageGames years ago) I also make video game art for a living. I am currently the only artist in a small company so this covers a very broad spectrum depending on needs. I am not masterful in any one area, but I have the ability to do a lot of things averagely. That can be a good thing I guess! Depending on what is needed I will either be creating 3D Models, Animating 3D Models, creating 2D images, performing a variety of Branding/Graphic Design tasks, or designing Websites. That covers about 90% of my time, the remaining 10% is party time.

3. How did you come up with your shop/business/blog name?

Our little company, PushButton Labs got it's name because one of my partners already owned the domain name and we all thought it was pretty good. Afterwards, designing the logo was a pretty straightforward deal since it's a pretty easy name to iconify. I still did about 50 thumbnails, but the simplest idea won out, and probably for the better.

4. Influences?

Oh man, well I guess it depends on the project. For the project I'm working now I'd say Todd Pickens, The Sims, Kodomo Manga, and Valve's Team Fortress 2. Actually, probably Tyco Toys too, remember those awesome trucks? For some personal art I've been working on when I am motivated and have free time I'd say it's pretty Warhammer influenced, it's a nice "sharp" contrast to the very "bubbly" looking stuff I'm working on at work, I enjoy both. It's hard for me to figure out key influences as hundreds of things come to mind. Like a lot of people I usually delve deep into research before setting out to concept a new look or idea, I have a whole bookcase full of good research material I constantly rifle through.

5. Who would you like to collaborate with?

Mostly a lot of the guys I currently work with! I am lucky enough to currently work on site with another company here in Eugene, and it's got tons of great talent there. I wish I could show off the project I've been working on for the last few months with these guys as it's probably the best looking project to date in my career. I can't wait to show it off! It would be fun to work with Mark B. and Adam (read Adam's Buddy Monday here!) from Mad Otter someday, if only because we'd have a good time regardless.

6. 5 songs you like to work to?

Well, this week I'd say:

Eluvium - New Animals from the Air

Godspeed You Black Emperor - Dead Flag Blues

Russian Circles - Geneva

Nine Inch Nails - Just Like You Imagined

Reggie & The Full Effect - R

Listen Here!

To learn more about Tim click on any of the images in this post, become his friend on Facebook, follow him on Twitter or visit the PushButton Labs site.

Real quick

I know this song is probably all over the place right now...BUT! It's getting me so pumped up for warm weather and summer time!



I wish I wasn't wide awake right now. Maybe I will work on today's Buddy Monday!

Rosie

A couple weeks back I shared the gem chart I had made for one of my Sims and mentioned that I had started a notebook just for game notes. Well, this is the start - Rosie Maxell. 

I've gotten into the habit of giving my Sims the last names of whatever is around the computer. There have been many Hewlett, Packard and Altec families. So very many. So here is Rosie. She likes to travel and has quite the collection starting of artifacts in her basement, has mastered fishing (did you guys know you could catch robot fish?!) and also gardening. She just built a nice house in Egypt. Yep, things are going good for Rosie and I think I kind of want to embroider this drawing.

Oh, and I totally spared you guys all the other notes that are actually on that page. I didn't want to bore you too much.

Buddy Monday - Graham Kahler

I met Graham many years ago through mutual friends while we were both attending Maine College of Art. I don't think I knew he was an illustration major for quite some time until he showed me some of his work. I think I have loved every piece I've seen since that day. To me, his illustrations and comics are a little magical and a little mysterious and everything my imagination could hope for. I have a lot of good memories of hanging out and being at parties with Graham and of him always looking sharp (partly due to his salt and pepper hair, which, to this day, Adam is still kind of jealous of). I have a painting he did for me when we did a swap a while back and I cannot tell you how much time I've spent just staring in admiration at it!

1. Tell us about yourself?
Salutations! My name is Graham Kahler, and I’m a cartoonist. I use my free time (such as it is) for making comics, illustrations, and paintings. I print other people’s work at a digital printing place to pay the bills; and can usually be spotted at bars and public outings as the overdressed guy with the bowtie consuming ridiculous amounts of gin.

2. What do you make?
First and foremost I write and draw comics, which are sometimes found in self-published mini-comic form, and are sometimes published by New Reliable Press. I’ve also been involved in a number of gallery shows, where I have a tendency to paint watercolors of characters based on puns and other forms of wordplay.

3. How did you come up with your shop/business/blog name?
My blog, The Curiosity Dept., takes its name from the title of a long comic that’s been in my head for a number of years now. I’m a naturally curious person, and wanted my own private corner of the internet (as private as the internet gets, anyway), to reflect that.

I’m also building a personal publishing imprint called Periodic Tables. The name comes from two puns: one based on my favorite sentence from Virginia Woolf’s To The Lighthouse (“Crazy ghosts of chairs and tables.”), and the other from the fact that comics are sometimes labeled as periodicals. This was probably too much information.

4. Influences?
I have a laundry list of 19th and early 20th century illustrators and cartoonists that I draw inspiration from. The short list includes Arthur Rackham, Winsor McCay, E.C. Segar, Edmund Dulac, and Cliff Sterrett. Contemporary influence comes from Maurice Sendak, Sammy Harkham, Kevin Huizenga, Seth, my roommate and friend Julianna Swaney, and my girlfriend Rebecca Artemisa Urias. And those are just the art influences; I read a lot of classic and experimental literature, and watch an unhealthy amount of independent, foreign, and classic films.

read pages 2 and 3 here

5. Who would you like to collaborate with?

Rebecca and I are brainstorming up a collaborative mini-comic right now; so that’s pretty much at the forefront of my mind. In addition, I’d love to be in an anthology with some of the cartoonists I’ve been lucky enough to connect with on the internet and in real life: such as Chris Wright, Phil McAndrew, Sean Christiansen, Julia Gfrörer, Andrew Lorenzi, Kate Beaton, and Doug Frey.

6. 5 songs you like to work to?
In no particular order:
The Clash – Tommy Gun
Hauschka – Freibad
Efterklang – Step Aside
Wire – Ex Lion Tamer
Neutral Milk Hotel - Ghost
Listen here!

To learn more about Graham or see more of his work visit his blog, Flickr or click any images in this post.

HEY

<3 to you all!

Now back to News Radio on Netflix, some games and as always more and more crocheting!

Good day.

I left this little note right outside the front door for Adam today and he totally missed it! Oh well. Saying "have a good day" always reminds me of one of my favorite Calvin and Hobbes comics.

Buddy Monday - La Petite Vie

You know there are some people who, whenever you get a glimpse into their life through their blog or Flickr it just makes you really happy? This is how I feel about Megan. I met Megan when I did the first Meet Your Maker show almost two years ago. I remember feeling really nervous because I had never done a craft show before but both Megan and co-founder Amy were so nice that I felt better right away. Megan is a maker of many things (including one of the cutest little girls I have ever seen and another baby on the way!) but focuses mainly on eco friendly home and body products. She inspires me to want to live simpler and want to hurry up and get married to Adam and someday have adorable babies! 

Tell us about yourself? 
I am married and a mama to little Ruby with another one on the way. Formerly an early childhood educator, I now stay home to parent full-time, which I love. Last year I co-founded the Meet Your Maker craft shows. Most of my days are centered around my family and my home, trying to create a creative and loving space for us.

What do you make?
Like most crafters, I make lots of things! I am selling natural body care and housekeeping supplies. Everything is good for your body and our planet and smells lovely. I believe strongly in self-care and like that I can help people with that.

How did you come up with your shop/business/blog name?
La Petite Vie translates to the small life. I am short, I have a small house, small child(ren) and try to live simply. My life is small, and I like it that way. I lived in France one summer with a family through an exchange program and have been slightly obsessed with the country and culture ever since.

Influences?
My mother is always crafting, especially when I was young and she was not working outside the home. It seemed normal to me to be surrounded by handmade goodness. No project has been too big for her. She made my wedding gown! She bakes, sews, embroiders and amazes me by it all.
My daughter inspires me to keep things simple and healthy. I’ve learned much from my husband about the health of our ecosystem and together we are constantly striving to scale down and connect.
I’m also influenced by friends, the natural world, crafters I meet at shows, the crafty blogosphere, Audrey Hepburn, Amelie, and a really good glass of wine. 

Who would you like to collaborate with?
My good friend, Lourdes Irizarry (http://lourdesirizarry.com) is a gifted designer and has inspired me much by following her creative drive. I feel as though I have much to learn in the crafty world and would love to work alongside so many people. I wish I could go back in time and knit with my grandmothers. My mother is a talented sewer and I wish we lived closer, so she could help me along. I would love to work with Rosemary Gladstar to learn more about herbs and how they work with our bodies. 

5 songs you like to work to?
Oh, this is such a hard question for me to answer. I love music and the answer completely depends on the mood I’m in. It seems that most of the time I grab a moment to myself, I am trying to also find some calm, so the music I choose reflects that. And, it is winter, so it seems more of the music I listen to now seems to promote hibernation.
So here goes - this is as close as you get to 5:
Hard Life by Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy
By Your Side by CocoRosie
I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes
Naked As We Came by Iron and Wine
Mrs. Cold by Kings of Convenience
This is Not the End by Laura Gibson
Ada by The National
Tom Courtenay (acoustic - the one where Georgia sings) by Yo La Tengo
Listen here!

To learn more about Megan visit her blog, shop, Flickr or click on any of the images in this post.

This is not winter!

I think I am finally getting used to the winters here. All the rain and clouds can be a bummer but I still really love how green it gets. Today is a beautiful, warm and mega sunny day so Austin and I went for a nice long walk around the neighborhood. When we got home I looked at our route on Google maps and we walked about 2 miles! I was kind of surprised!

We walked in some new areas that we hadn't been before and up many steep hills. I cropped this picture because there was a big ugly truck in the way but the hill that we were at the top of went straight down. It just looks like a drop off in the original. Needles to say, we are kind of pooped.

But it was worth it to see all the pretty hills and sites around where we live annnnnd also crocuses! They are my favorite thing to see in the springtime. (Or, when you live here, early February.)

Crochet Necklace

Before I moved away from Maine with Adam my mom gave me a bunch of old yarn. A fair amount of it was baby, sock and fingering weight and I wasn't really ever sure what to do with it. I've been seeing some really beautiful crochet jewelry lately so the other night I decided to try out some of that yarn and a very small hook and here is what I got!





It's simple and it was really fun to make. I feel like the possibilities are endless!

Buddy Monday - The Lulu Bean

I first talked to Shelby in Etsy chat when she wanted a custom order. We exchanged IM names to better talk about what she wanted and have pretty much been chatting with each other ever since! She has been a great friend to talk to about all sorts of things like what is going on in my day to new craft projects and everything in between. I love seeing what she is working on because she is always switching it up but always rocking the cute. She is more than willing to take on new projects and a total pro at making you happy whether you are a customer or just need someone to cheer up your day. (P.S. LOOK, Shelby a gray banner just for you!)

1. Tell us about yourself?

I'm Shelby, and I'm pretty much awesome. Actually, I'm just a laid-back 28 year
old straightedge vegetarian that would rather stay in and knit than go out and
party on a Friday night. I'm like your grandma without the old lady smell.

2. What do you make?

A little bit of everything, really. Right now, I am mostly knitting. I have been
making a lot of custom hats and scarves lately since it is cold, but I also
like to make unexpected things like bracelets or little stuffed toys.

3. How did you come up with your shop/business/blog name?

"TheLuluBean" came from a nickname I had for my pit bull, Lulu. She would curl
up so tight when she slept, that she looked like a big bean.

4. Influences?
Boredom! I'm really easily bored, so I try to learn new skills and techniques in
order to keep things fresh. I also love color. Seeing a beautiful color
combination makes me want to knit something up in it.

5. Who would you like to collaborate with?

I love collaborating with Shannon and Ursula from Sunrise Lodge Fiber Studio
(SunriseLodgeFiberStu.etsy.com). I'm always going to them with ideas for yarn
that I want, and they consistently come back to me with just what I had in
mind. It's like they're in my braaaaain! My dream collaboration would be to
team up with Sam Brown from ExplodingDog or Natalie Dee and do some super
stick-figure embroidery, though. Their work is fabulous.

6. 5 songs you like to work to?

Anything off of "Songs to Scream at the Sun" by Have Heart
"Hammering In My Head" by Garbage
"Dinosaurs Will Die" by NOFX
"Mad As The March Hare" by Most Precious Blood
"A Three-Legged Workhorse" by This Will Destroy You
Listen here!


To learn more about Shelby visit her shop, flickr or click any of the images in this post.

Griddlers/Nonograms

Since around September I have been crazy about these puzzles called nonograms or griddlers. They are a kind of logic puzzle where you fill in squares on a grid to make pictures. The puzzles range all different sizes, difficulties and images. The site I have been doing them through is called Griddlers.net. I love it because the puzzles are all made by members and it's so fun to see what people come up with. Last night I made a couple of my own puzzles while watching SNL (If you missed, watch it here because Jon Hamm was hilarious!) and snuggling under a blanket.

 

It occurred to me today that these, especially the little town, would make great cross stitch patterns so I might try that out soon. So yeah, I think they are lots of fun and can be a good challenge. I definitely recommend you guys try them out! If you want to try the little city puzzle you can just click on the image above.