Craig's List Find and a Tease

My first Craig's List purchase.  I laugh now but I was so stink'n nervous.  Luckily the couple selling this bookcase were supper sweet.  I also got to discover a new part of my area that I did not know existed. The houses on this street were so cute. I loved them!

Anyway, here is the cute bookcase unit that I bought ($25), that I have absolutely NO need for. If you don't mind taking a minute to vote, I'd appreciate your opinion on what color I should paint this little guy.  Also, if you live near Knoxville, TN and would like this cutie, shoot me an email.  When I say I don't need this, I really mean it!

Now for the tease:

XOXO-

Durarara!!: Orihara Izaya

A master of parkour and very skilled with a flickblade, Izaya is a young man who enjoys torturing everyone and then observing their reactions because he "loves" the human race. He also enjoys giving Heiwajima Shizuo a hard time; such as having local gangs attack him framing him for crimes he didn't commit. Izaya's name is based on the biblical Isaiah and means "the one who looks over the crowd" in Japanese.

Cosplayer 香吏 (Kaori Ri) makes a convincingly great Izaya! I love how classy Izara is portrayed here. Character requested by Amelia!

Technorati tags: cosplay, cosplayer, holic, role, play, roleplay, costume, anime, manga, game, durarara, drrr, orihara, izaya, master, parkour, skill, flickblade, flick, blade, enjoy, torture, observe, reaction, love, human, race, heiwajima, shizuo, hard, time, local, gang, attack, frame, crime, commit, bible, isaiah, crowd, japanese, kaori, ri, convince, class, portray, character, request, amelia, コスプレ, コスプレイ, デュラララ, 折原, 臨也, 平和島, 静雄, 香吏

Matica Desktop Pinball Machine Papercraft

Matica follows up their popular Desktop Arcade Cabinet papercraft with a Desktop Pinball Machine, the model has a matching blue color and is proportional in size to the previous release.

Matica Desktop Pinball Machine Papercraft [Download]

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SSBB Bowser Papercraft

Look at all those spikes ^^, by far, the best looking Bowser papercraft that I've seen. Created by Brandon and test build by Fezco.

SSBB Bowser Papercraft [Download]

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Metroid - Ingmasher Papercraft (Robot)

From the Metroid video game series, the Ingmasher are hulking combat robots created by the Luminoth for the purpose of "smashing" the creepy crawly Ings. Papercraft created by Ignatius.

Metroid - Ingmasher Papercraft [Download]

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Light and Shadow Papercraft

Serene's new papercraft takes an artistic turn with the use of light and shadow elements. This papercraft is his depiction of the picture below, titled "Staking my fate on the shine of each moment".



The box is all black inside to represent the shadows and then he puts a hole on top of the box so that light can pass through and illuminate the figure inside.



Light and Shadow Papercraft [Download]

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Ninainvorm Ceramics

So pretty, so perfect. There is not a single thing I do not wish to possess in the etsy shop of Dutch artist Nina van de Goor. I have been trawling through her shop for hours and I keep going back for seconds. Created from both new and vintage materials, each piece is unique and perfectly 're-designed'. Nina also writes an absolutely beautiful (and interesting) blog Ninainvorm, you should totally check it out!

all images are courtesy of Ninainvorm

Star Trek - Borg Cube Papercraft 2 (Starship)

The Borg Cube (starship) that appeared in Star Trek: First Contact - the 8th feature film under the Star Trek sci-fi series. Papercraft designed by Shunichi Makino.

Star Trek - Borg Cube Papercraft 2 [Download]

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Mother's Day Gift Idea: The Season of Second Chances and Giveaway

The Season of Second Chances

by Diane Meier

Henry Holt & Co.

March 30, 2010

ISBN: 978-0805090819

My Review: I actually did not want to review this book. I told them that I did not have time to read nor was I a good writer. They did not listen. I told them that I only review decorating books (with lots of pictures) and that my blog readers don't want to hear about fiction novels. They did not listen and sent me this book anyway.  I am so glad that they did not listen to me and now you need to listen...

Have you ever read a book that at the end of each chapter you would count the pages of the next chapter just to see if you had time to keep reading?  I just finished The Season of Second Chances and my world stopped for two days. For two days I did nothing but sneak a chapter here and sneak a chapter there. I was hooked and hooked hard!

The Season of Second Chances is a story about Joy Harkness a 48 year old literary professor who is asked to take a new job in a new town.  Joy thinks nothing of moving and finds herself buying and restoring a rundown Victorian.  In comes Teddy Hennessy, the town's handyman, to help Joy restore her new home.  I was surprised at my feelings of trust toward Joy. When I realized that her vantage point could not always be trusted, I found myself mad at her and emotionally invested in her well-being. But more than these two characters, Diane Meier writes a story that is clever and funny.  It is a story of personal growth, taking chances, finding your way in life and when tragedy strikes Joy and her new friends, this becomes a story about family.

My favorite quote from the book comes from Joy "But my vantage point was perhaps, too close to the shore to see that I had, at last, begun to swim toward my own life" (page 162).

My mind was like a movie, playing out each eloquently written sentence, scene by scene. Even now my mind still drifts to Joy and her life.  I was left wanting more and will continue to follow Diane Meier.

I loved this book and so will you.

5 out of 5 Stars, This would also make a great Mother's day Gift!

From the Publisher: A world of possibilities opens up for Joy Harkness when she sets out on a journey that’s going to show her the importance of friendship, love, and what makes a house a home

Coming-of-age can happen at any age. Joy Harkness had built a university career and a safe life in New York, protected and insulated from the intrusions and involvements of other people. When offered a position at Amherst College, she impulsively leaves the city, and along with generations of material belongings, she packs her equally heavy emotional baggage. A tumbledown Victorian house proves an unlikely choice for a woman whose family heirlooms have been boxed away for years. Nevertheless, this white elephant becomes the home that changes Joy forever. As the restoration begins to take shape, so does her outlook on life, and the choices she makes over paint chips, wallpaper samples, and floorboards are reflected in her connection to the co-workers who become friends and friendships that deepen. A brilliant, quirky, town fixture of a handyman guides the renovation of the house and sparks Joy’s interest to encourage his personal and professional growth. Amid the half-wanted attention of the campus’s single, middle-aged men, known as “the Coyotes,”and the legitimate dramas of her close-knit community, Joy learns that the key to the affection of family and friends is being worthy of it, and most important, that second chances are waiting to be discovered within us all.


Resource Links:
Diane Meier
Henry Holt & Co.
Amazon

~Giveaway~

Now for the GIVEAWAY!! Evelyn Frison with Interpersonal Frequency has graciously offered ONE lucky commenters a copy of The Season of Second Chances. How to enter (any of these entries will work):

1. Leave me a comment with your email address.
2. Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway. Leave me a comment that you did (#bookreview #giveaway The Season of Second Chances by Diane Meier 5/5stars http://bit.ly/a3Ilbg @beachbrights @henryholt).
3. Open to US/Canada Only, No PO Boxes.
4. Contest ends Sun. April 4th.

~XOXO~

A special thank you to Evelyn Frison & Diane Meier for allowing me the opportunity to read this story from my mind and heart.

Yu-Gi-Oh!: Dark Magician Girl 02

While significantly weaker than the Dark Magician himself, the Dark Magician Girl gains attack points for every Dark Magician or Magician of Black Chaos sent to the Graveyard, whether it is the player's or his opponent's. She starts out with a 2000 attack point and 1700 defense point.

I'm guessing Eric Liao is the photographer behind this beautifully snapped shot, though I'm having a hard time finding his website. Thanks to Yoshite for sending this in!

Technorati tags: cosplay, cosplayer, holic, role, play, roleplay, costume, anime, manga, game, yu, gi, oh, yu-gi-oh, yugioh, dark, magician, girl, significant, weak, attack, point, black, chaos, graveyard, player, opponent, 2000, 1700, defense, eric, liao, photographer, beautiful, snap, shot, website, yoshite, コスプレ, コスプレイ, 遊☆戯☆王, 遊戯王, ブラック, マジシャン, ガール

The Crafty World of Hip Brown

This week the BrisStyle team caught up with Rachael Honner of Hip Brown, creator of fabulous belts for kids.

How would you describe your work?
I would describe my belt range as colourful, bright, simple and precisely made.

Hip Heart

How did your Etsy shop come into being?

The early inspiration for Hip Brown began from my own frustrations as a mother, being somewhat dissatisfied with mass produced, cheaply made and highly themed children’s clothes and accessories.... I knew I could do better so… I thought I'd start in a very simple way by creating a new line of children’s belts that were hand made with attention to detail, and a little love to boot.

I am really interested in labels that maintain this focus rather than those that focus on profits. I do have plans to expand beyond children’s accessories to women’s (itching to create some up-cycled belts and home wares) but I want to do it as time permits & without work load stress. My focus right now is to balance my business with chasing my very fast toddler, school drop offs and enjoying family life.

Hip Pirate

Who or What inspires you?

I am inspired by everything however I will attempt to articulate this more thoroughly….beautiful fabrics (really love mini sized, nana florals right now), beautifully made goods and creative people. I enjoy reading Frankie and Inside out magazines… both magazines are so visually creative and inspirational. I particularly love all things hand made, it can add an abundance of style, love, character and thought to anything… this inspires me.

Hip Lilly

Do you ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ as part of your creative process?

I reuse buttons from Op shops because it’s a good way to keep production costs low and recycle at the same time. Op shops also provide an alternative source for fabric. Provided I am inspired by the fabric, can envisage it will work with the Hip Brown range and there is sufficient quantity, I will use it. I spotted the fabric for Hip Charlie in a charity shop. It’s a lovely red vintage upholstery fabric. I like that it was most likely heading for the scrap heap, and all it needed was a tiny bit of imagination. I would never consider myself an intentional greenie, I just like to be open to such things because maybe even selfishly you never know where it may creatively take you.

Hip Charlie

Can you describe your studio / work area?

My work area is always changing, kitchen, lounge and even a friend's house. However we’ve recently completed some renovations at home which should allow me to have a dedicated area for focusing on my work, which is exciting. I am looking forward to making it a more inspirational space and more “my work area”.

What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?

I would have to say my favorite item in my shop right now is either Hip Polka or Hip Rosie because I love their fabric covered buttons. You can never have too many fabric covered buttons! I like each belt to have its own character even if it’s subtle/ conservative.

Hip Rosie

Do you have any other places that people can view/purchase your work?

My belts can be found at Rellie Bellies in Paddington, Brisbane and Mumma’s Home in Wilston and on my Facebook page.

Thanks so much Rachael for your time! You can check out more fabulous Hip Brown belts in Rachael's Etsy shop.

Al Bhed Sphere Papercraft (Final Fantasy)

Check it out, Jouzu has finished work on his latest Final Fantasy papercraft, it's the Al Bhed Sphere from FFX.

Al Bhed Sphere Papercraft [Download]

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Rise Upper & Shambhu Paper Toy

The fight is over between Neon Engine's Rise Upper and Vinsart's Shambhu paper toy, grab the templates now at the Paper Fight Club.

Rise Upper & Shambhu Paper Toy [Download]

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PDX Hipster Paper Fortune Teller

And for the last week of National Craft Month, the Curiosity Group drops a "too cool for school" paper fortune teller to help you find the hippest hangouts in town.

PDX Hipster Paper Fortune Teller [Download]

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Latch Hook Rug

For the last few months I've been latch hooking this rug in my spare time.  I don't think I'll finish it anytime soon though, as I don't really have spare time these days.  It was fun to design, and I like the brown and cream colors.  Hopefully someday it can be a foot rug next to the chair in my art studio.

It's best to cut your own pieces because the pre-cut yarn is usually polyester and I wanted to use high quality wool yarn.  I use a cardboard strip, and wind the yarn around it, then cut up the middle with scissors.

TRE Birthday Car Paper Toy (TOYSREVIL)

Custom paper toy created by Jack Hankins (Horrorwood) for the 5th anniversary of über toy blog - TOYSREVIL.

TRE Birthday Car Paper Toy (TOYSREVIL) [Download]

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Bunny Beer Maiden Papercraft

Another free paper model from Mabikaze Paperworks - a beer maiden with bunny ears to match the Drinking Kaziya and Dining Table Set (previous release).

Bunny Beer Maiden Papercraft [Download]

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Pokemon Buneary Papercraft

Buneary (aka Mimirol) is a Normal-type and Rabbit Pokemon that is the pre-evolved form of Lopunny, it resembles a brown bunny with cream-colored, puffy fur.

Pokemon Buneary Papercraft [Download]

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Samurai Goroh Papercraft (F-Zero)

Samurai Goroh from the F-Zero video game series, a former cop in the Internova Police Force, he now pilots the Fire Stingray. Papercraft created by Ignatius.

Samurai Goroh Papercraft [Download]

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Captain America VS The Axis Papercraft Diorama (Golden Age)

Diorama depicting Captain America teaching two Axis soldiers a lesson in fistic arts ^^.

Captain America VS The Axis Papercraft Diorama [Download]

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Sharon Montrose - Photographer

I love photography. I don't understand aperture or f-stops and I am constantly battling taking my camera off that green box setting. However, I do know when a photograph speaks to my heart. I also have a new appreciation for the photographer who can take the picture that draws me in and tells a story. These photographs make my heart smile and speak volumes to my soul.

Is your heart smiling?  Please take a moment to check out Sharon's Web Sites, you'll be glad you did!

Sharon Montrose Photographs

The Animal Print Shop by Sharon Montrose

Sharon Montrose on Etsy

Sharon Montrose's Blog

~XOXO~

colour your monday happy...

...inspired by gorgeous greens...

...Can smell Spring already... ~ Mundo Flo...

...Atelier LZC Hanging Peacocks ~ Paola: mirrormirror...

...untitled ~ Kelty of Steep Street...

...weekend is here... ~ Kobo H...

...Vintage coffee cups ~ svankatwijk...

...spring greens and vintage greens ~ from chartreuse to teal, and every shade in between...
...in my mind the colour of life and new beginnings, optimistic and refreshing...
...but also a familiar and reassuring colour that gives me a lovely sense of warmth and nostalgia...
...it always makes me think of holidays as a child, driving around the british country side on gorgeous sunny days. exploring nature and wildlife with a sense of wonder and fascination...
...it still fascinates me today...

...remember to pop on over to 'all colours in...' if you're in need of a wee colour boost this (dreary!) monday morning...

...wishing you all a creative day!
emma
x

new bird

some new work + news soon.

Cute cat videos website with Weebly

Warning: this is totally off-topic of math.

Lately I've made an experiment of sorts, and that is I've checked what it is like to create a website with Weebly. Weebly is a service that lets you build a website with a drag-and-drop interface.

My testing website is called Cute Cat Videos. I've collected a few videos of cats doing tricks, silly cats, cats and kittens with other animals, and such.



So far, so good. You can create a simple, small website with Weebly, without technical knowledge. It could be good for anyone (even kids) who want to build a small website without learning html, css, or any of that stuff.

I liked the selection of templates. Drag and drop seems to work fine. You can add custom html. You can add videos or other media, or Google Adsense.

Of course it has its limitations - don't expect too much. For example, in the two-column layout, I can't edit the html to change the background color. Or edit the html for the images so they wouldn't have borders. Or customize the title tags for the inside pages. But, for small needs it could work well.