Calamity Kim

Beware the Locust

Our story begins with a girl named calamity as she heads for the checkout after finding everything she was looking for at the local Publix. She has just come from seeing the new Jane Eyre movie which has left her filled with an air of tragic romance. Thank goodness she is almost done with her day, and can just imagine laying on the couch in her jammies, eating quiche and slices of deliciously ripe tomatoes. She places her items on the conveyer and glances at the cashier who is staring at her intently.

The conversation starts with the cashier saying: "You've got a bug on you!".

"Yes," says Calamity, "I do."

Without hesitation the cashier asks: "Is that a locust?"

"No, she replies, "It's a Cicada."

"Well, I have never seen anything like that before- locust or cicada! May I ask where you bought that?"

Calamity shrugs and says: "Sure, I bought it on Etsy."

"Etsy! What is that?"

"It's like eBay, except for artists. If you make stuff you can list it there and people can buy it."

"What does it mean? Etsy?"

"I don't think it means anything- what does eBay mean?"

At this point the cashier stops scanning items and even though there are 4 people in line after the woman with the fascinating love of insects, she leans toward her like they were in a cafe having a cup of joe with all the time in the world stretching out before them, and says: " Tell me more about this Etsy!"

Well, you need to know that the lady called calamity had just about reached the end of her patience. In fact the bucket that is filled to the brim each morning with the shining happy promise of hope and patience has about a teaspoon left and that has to see her through the drive home and jammie time!

With a glance at the bag boy who is rolling his eyes and dying of enui and a nod to the 4 people in line she begins to explain that Etsy is for artist's and it's an online community and place to sell their work. She holds up her bag and says: "I spun this yarn, then knitted it and then lined it. If I wanted to sell it someplace other than a store I would list it on Etsy. It's easy, you just use a digital photograph and write the listing, set your price and it's cheep too."

Checking the cashiers face for further confusion, our Calamity says "Google it!" The cashier says: "Yes! I will! I am an artist and I make things and I was thinking the other day that if I could make things really fast then I could probably, well, maybe, sell them someplace." "Thank you, thank you so much for telling me about this Etsy! You've changed my life!"

A better person might have explained about the Surface Design Guild and how she is the President and that they meet the second Tuesday of each month at the Waldemere St Fire station at 6pm but she was tired. Too tired to say it. Too in need of quiche and slices of red, beautiful ripe tomatoes to explain all that to this chick who wouldn't understand anyway. Too filled with lingering vestiges of English countrysides with lonely despair filled moments building cobwebs of sadness and tales of woe from Jane Eyre. Too unbelieving that there is anyone left on this planet who doesn't know about Etsy.

Is that really possible?

Do I live in some sort of artist filled bubble where people make stuff and sell it and that's what they do? Probably.

On the drive home I think about making a new line of jewelry with calamities like train wrecks, swarms of locusts, tornadoes and zombie attacks. Why didn't I think of this before? It's sooo appropriate for me- walking mess that I am! That'll teach me to wear my beloved cicada pin in publix, er, public!

People are stupid, aren't they? Like, if they never heard of it then you must be making it up! Why are they afraid of what they don't understand? Why don't they read a book or do some research before they stamp it with their negativity and deem it inappropriate!  I haven't gone on a rant here in a very long time, but I just have to say this: jewelry with insects is not scary! Do some research into scarabs or art deco period and maybe you'll see that spiders, dragonflies, bees and cicadas have been around for quite some time. It's not creepy- it's nature! I collect spider pins because I spin- get it? spinning yarn...oh, and I'm a witch, too, of course! Please! Sometimes, I just want to go live on a deserted island where I don't have to talk to anyone or explain to the cretens about weird things like cicada jewelry and why it's so awesome.

Thank goodness it's Friday and I don't have to get any groceries tonight!

Have a very nice and happy shiny day!

love,

Calamity Kim

 

 

What should I wear today?

Maybe a dress made from blue jeans?

Or maybe one that was upcycled from inner tubes?

Or maybe I'll just stick with my favorite bird cage ballgown.

So many fun things to wear...so few opportunities to wear them.

Hope you find something fun in your closet today!

Happy Monday!

Calamity Kim

Wire & Paper

A lovely little Blog about wire and paper flowers....

go see:  wireandpaper.wordpress.com

I wanted to share this lovely paper flower Blog before I forgot about it. I love the simplicity and delicate nature of her flowers. Check em out! Just browsing before I shut er done and go to bed...

sweet dreams,

calamity kim

have you ever been...

The Sketchbook Project

Do you dream about art?

Do you find a pencil or your favorite pen and start doodling or drawing on every scrap of paper or margin in magazines when you are talking on the phone?

Do you wake up and write down your dreams or after lying sleepless, get up to sketch the ideas swimming in your mind?

Do you communicate through your collage? Work out emotions with scissors and paint? Do you own at least one moleskin? Or are you addicted to them and have a shelf full bearing your journaled experiences and adventures?

Well, if you said yes to any of those questions, I have a challenge for you. As I was reading the current issue of Fiberarts Magazine I came across a call for participants for a Sketchbook Project that sounded interesting. The Art House Co Op has an incredible website (view here) and they are hosting a very cool opportunity to be one of the founding contributors to the Sketchbook Library. (read all about it here) For $25 you may choose the cover color and theme of your sketchbook and have until Oct 31, 2010 to sign up to receive your 5.5 x 8.5" moleskin book and have until January 11, 2011 to mail your book to them to be installed in the Sketchbook Library after it has toured at select galleries in LA, Brooklyn, Chicago, Atlanta and St Louis. Each sketchbook will be bar-coded and cataloged, allowing visitors to choose what they want to look at via theme, medium, geographic location, name of the artist, etc. Interested? Click on the links above to go find out more and make sure you check out the Art House Flickr Group.

I love books and think that this is a wonderful opportunity to put your stuff out there for other people to admire and appreciate. I have a full plate right now but just as soon as I get a little more time I am adding this to my list of things to do this year and will keep you posted. I started a journal with my friend Sara and we mail it back and forth and she does a little something and when I get it, then I do a little something and it has been going back and forth through the mail for at least a year. I wait until the mood strikes or inspiration hits and grab it and start doodling. I am working on the book cover right now- well, it's sitting on the cutting table in the sewing room. I just need to make the time.

If only I had a way to actually have more time without losing sleep or taking away from anything else...anyway...

happy creating,

xo, calamity kim

Certainly Woolly Fabulous!

One more mushroom arrangement, originally uploaded by woolly fabulous.

Odile Gova of Ontario, Canada makes the most wonderful wool and zipper creations. I keep an eye out for new things in her Flickr stream and check her Etsy shop often. I am lucky enough to own several of her brooches with wool and zipper owl, bird and heart and always receive the nicest compliments when wearing them.
This creation knocked my socks off and I just love her imaginative way with zippers. Part of recognizing good work is always getting that tiny surprise which makes you see things in a new way and I have been gathering zippers to play with someday soon myself.
Thank you Odile for the constant inspiration and beauty you share.
Have a woolly weekend everyone!
xo, calamity kim

"This Too Shall Pass"

Thank you Elizabeth for sharing this with me this morning! I am already rolling with the changes and seeing new possibilities in this brand new day! xo, calamity kim

Little Miss Matched Socks

When we were at the "Spin In" conference at Destin last month one of the people I met had on these socks. They were so cool! They are made by a company called Little Miss Matched and they come in pairs of 3 and are all different. Zany? Quite! I love these for wearing with yer flip flops- perfect for the weather we are having- and I just ordered a pair. I'll be sure and model them for you when they arrive. Check out the website and thanks to Peggy for the link to find my own pair, er, set!

so silly and fun!

have a happy day!

xo, calamity kim

a small smile for a sad week

Le Sens Propre from Cisma on Vimeo.

I don't know either, but it made me smile.

Paper Mache Pumpkins

There might still be time to make some paper mache pumpkins if you go to Stolloween and learn how. He somehow makes it look easy And scary too!

Happy Halloween!

Beware the Full Moon....

calamity kim

If I Had 3 Wishes

The first wish would be to go to New York and see the retrospective of Tim Burton's work at the Museum of Modern Art.

Tim Burton. Untitled (The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories). 1982–84. Pen and ink, marker, and colored pencil on paper, 10 x 9" (25.4 x 22.9 cm). Private collection. © 2009 Tim Burton

It runs from Nov 22, 2009 to April 26, 2010. Check out the MOMA website for more info.

My second wish would be to go get this month's Harper's Bazaar magazine which has a spread photographed by Tim Walker celebrating Tim's darkly delightful style.

Corpse bride.

Cape, $4,998, and gown, $10,000, Ralph Lauren Collection.

Shutterbugs and scissor hands.

Left: Coat, by special order, Salvatore Ferragamo. 212-759-3822. Dress, $3,455, and shoes, $815, Tao Comme des Garçons. 212-604-9200. Right: Jacket, $3,795, and gloves, $1,400, Rodarte. Bergdorf Goodman; 212-753-7300. Pants, $2,995, Phi. 877-354-9100. Boots, $3,500, Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte. Barneys New York; 888-8-BARNEYS. 

The third wish would be to have a copy of Tim Walkers book.

I love his visionary approach to fashion photography.

Does he make the props? Could you imagine getting that commission? Umm, you want a 10 ft white glove?

Did he cut out the silhouettes? Does he dream these images first?

I would love to help create those kinds of sets. Plaster everything , I say!!!

If only I had 3 wishes.

if only.

happy weekend!

happy Tim x 2 celebration!

Fluid Sculpture

Fluid Sculpture from Charlie Bucket on Vimeo.

Fluid Sculpture

skelly time

Feel like doing some spooky stuff?

Check out Peter Callesen's paper lovelies.

Do You Zentangle?

zenhand, originally uploaded by Tiny Silver Shivers.

Have you ever heard of it?
Once you start you'll never stop. Or so I have heard.
I have watched some of my friends get hooked and since I am already so hung up on fiber and sewing and quilting I have tried to resist the current obsession shared by so many of you out there.

Like a doodle but dangerously addictive.
Check out Maria and Rick's Website...
don't say I didn't warn you...

I keep thinking what neat quilting patterns they would be...

I'm not saying this guy made a deal with any devil, but he sure can paint!

sometimes when there is nothing on tv and the dishes are done, I wander back here and sit and stumble around until I find something that simply takes my breath and I know that I must right click and save it so that I can share it here with you.
tonight I stumbled across the work of Will Wilson.
here are a few that I fell in love with.

Behind The Scene

Black Box

Bouquet For Beverly

Goodie Two Shoes

Object of Affection

Pansies

Untitled

Pollination

The Artist In His Studio

The Spiral

Wee Willy Wilsons

First Sitting

Here is a link to his website...go see some more of his brilliant work, and remember to breathe.

I really will be back tomorrow with some calamity crafting fun!
Right after we get back from the beach....
:)
c'mon, the weather is the best it will be all year and we're looking kinda pasty from that long cold winter....
I promise to put on some lotion...spf whatever...
sweet dreams,
calamity kim

Barbie Autopsy Reveals No Brain

Every morning I wake up to the world with coffee and computer. I read emails and check out Flickr and then decide what to do for the rest of the day.
This morning began with an email from my friend Cheryl and I cracked up when I opened the link to Margaux Lange and her unique Barbie Jewelry.

This piece is called The Kiss and I really love it. It's available at Etsy where Margaux has a shop with a few unique items listed.
They are constructed with sterling silver and a dash of humor and are a great way to keep Barbie from the landfills.

It's all about re-purposing and this is a fine example in my humble opinion. I see them at the G-Will all the time and have seen them deconstructed, painted and transformed with paper clay or sculpy in recent years.
Why does it seem disturbing?
Maybe because of the skin tone- if it was all silver it wouldn't be so troubling would it? Seeing Barbie and Ken just as parts may resemble the work of a serial killer - imagine Dexter does Barbie!
She is hollow- no heart, no brain- she has always been courageous though- all those career changes takes guts!

The more I look at her work, the more I like it.
I think every kid has a relationship with Barbie at some point in their childhoods.
I always wished I had the whole dream house, corvette and Barbie case with over-flowing wardrobe, but I didn't. My sister did and I am not sure I was allowed to touch it.
Maybe that made her more appealing.
You always want what you can't have, right?
Now I can buy all the Barbies I want but they are not right- they look all pouty and Bratty and I miss the coolness of the 50's and 60's Barbies.

There have billions of Barbies sold world wide and I don't have the numbers on how many it takes to go to the moon and back but I imagine that could be possible. So, I applaud Margaux's witty recycle of Barbie dolls and I hope she can make a fortune from it.
She has a Blog named Midge's Mind with more personal insights into her jewelry and how it evolved.
 She also has some really cool friends like Kate Cusack who makes jewelry from zippers.

Kate also has an Etsy shop. Using unconventional materials for making jewelry is brilliant because it makes you say wow and go back for a second look while hoping there is enough in your Paypal account to get a little piece for yourself.

Remember that just as you are what you eat, you are also what you wear and if it's cool and hip, then so are you.
I bought a bag of zippers several years ago at a thrift shop and tea dyed them because they were all white and I use them occasionally in a small doll quilt or on an apron as a textural element.

Nothing as clever as this though.
Wish I'd thought of this.
Inspiring isn't it?

I really loved this Day of the Dead ring by Margaux that was pictured on her blog.

It is very sassy and chic and ties in one of my favorite things.

Amanda- do you see this?

Killer, right?
Totally.

I'll be seeing you...

***
dude-
is anybody watching Lost(?) and can they tell me how to keep from falling off my couch?
My mouth hangs open with every episode and I sit there, slack jawed in freaked out amazement.
back to the island, indeed.
snap!
that's the sound of my  imagination stretched beyond belief!
at least Kate had enough sense to get in Jack's bed before leaving to attempt the impossible.
and Ben- how evil is he?
will we ever know?
man, I'm hanging!

***
it helps keep my mind off other things- all this and you too- so thanks for all the kindness on the last post...
I climbed back in and shut the window.
I took the rocks out of my pockets.
sighed the big sigh
looked up and prayed
said thank you for better days
sat at the sewing machine and worked
feeling lighter by the day
at least until the next dump truck pulls up to the curb

all you need is love,
and Barbie parts,
xo,
calamity kim

Feeling Felty? Warm and Wooly? Felt Like Making Wool? Keeping Reading For More Calamity Cornballs like these...

Last night before going to bed, I researched felting vessels on the internet and then promptly dreamed of making felt all night long! I woke up several times to go to the bathroom, having drank way too much water during the day ( I guess?) and each time I woke remembering my dreams.
I feel tired and I've only just begun today!
Yesterday, I walked around the American Craft Council Art Show with my friends and we had a wonderful time- we all appreciate Art & Craft and it was great fun to have people who are as enthusiastic about handmade as I am!
My "art place in my head" was full to over-flowing with creative input and after I got home and we ate I tried to nap.
 I felt so tired, and yet excited by all the unique and original ideas I had seen at the show.
 I want to felt some vessels and even as I looked for tutorials online I thought- what am I going to do with them? If I continue to diversify my work I will never get anywhere because it just scatters me,  to add more and more to my already heaping plate of crafty goodness!
But, I have an overwhelming urge to explore this medium again- I used to wet felt back in the 80's and 90's when I wove baskets and I cut it into strips to weave with.

There were weaving shops around here then that supplied roving, and basket materials and now I have to order it online.
The wool, that is! I rarely feel like making a basket these days but with the advent of needlefelting and my embellisher machine- it certainly seems
 like the sky is the limit!
We saw felt jackets and scarves yesterday that were as light as cotton batting and very wearable- even in Florida.
 I only asked one artist if I could take pictures and I have used them to illustrate this post.
 Rebecca Welsh, part of the Hansard Welsh Design team graciously allowed me to photograph her space displaying work by her and her partner Lesley Hansard. I loved the "blooming vines" and small birds and flower pins. I couldn't afford them, but I sure appreciate the work involved to turn the raw wool into works of art like these.

Today I will be at Picasso Moon again until closing and then tomorrow and the rest of the week I will be cranking out the ornaments and paper dolls for the Atomic Holiday Bazaar Cavalcade of Crafty Chaos that happens Dec 14th at the Sarasota Municpal Auditorium on hwy 41 Noon to 6 pm! Be there or be square, baby!

Flowering Tea with Calamity

It's been a few days since I have posted, and as I sit drinking this delightful jasmine flavored tea, I want to back up and pretend you are here with me at the dining room table and the kettle just came to a boil and as I open the  round package of Flowering Tea and set out the 3 types:
 Juliet's Kiss, Gilded Lotus and Summer Bouquet
 for you to chose from you say, oh, how wonderful and I agree, as I slip it into the tea pot and we watch, eager as kids at the curb listening for the faint melody of the ice cream man, for it to bloom.

Oh, yes, Juliet's Kiss sounds nice...
Jasmine with Green tea tied in a bundle and when steeped in boiling water it actually blooms like a flower...and if you shut your eyes, you are there, with the midnight blooming jasmine perfuming the air and filling you with the sensation of being carried aloft on the wings of a beautiful giant peacock into the starry sky towards heaven above...or, maybe not.
Maybe that's just me being silly again.
 (Made by a company called Primula and found at Target next to the clear tea pots- finally I can afford to have this elegant and lovely tea experience.
I saw some at several kitchen stores but it was like 35$ a box and I just couldn't justify that expenditure on something so fleeting as tea. Here one minute, out your bladder the next!
I may wish I was a princess, but clearly, I am not!)
Anyway...forgive my rambling
Maybe you're just sitting here with me, while I tell my crazy backward stories, like,  I was at Target the other day, after not having been in one since probably Easter ( I try!) and I'm walking along, minding my own business and suddenly I see these giant wooden scissors.
Yes.
That's what I said!
You know I love novelty stuff and vintage stuff and would think I'd found nirvana if I ever could win an eBay bid for one of those old fashioned tailor or haberdashery signs carved from wood and dangling a thimble or giant scissors- so this is attainable, yet it's $19.99 and that seems like a lot for a giant wooden pair of scissors.
I hold them.
I lovingly touch the carved smooth wooden handles.
I put them back.
I keep walking.
I want to call someone and tell them that I just found Giant Wooden Scissors at Target and how I really want them and hope that they will talk me into buying them.
What kind of Sewing Girl am I without a Giant Pair of Wooden Scissors?
Ready for more tea?
It smells wonderful and tastes just like the flowers are blooming in your mouth.
I bet it would be wonderful to bake with.
Have some banana bread, won't you?
Would you like some honey?
So, as I continue walking through Target I see a whole end-cap set with wrapping paper and tissue paper and office stuff like desk pad and calender and file folders designed by John Derian with vintage script and butterflies and botanical Flowers and I quickly toss the tissue into my buggy because I am going to be making a paper garment for the upcoming Project Blogaway next week and it is perfect for what I have in mind.
I browse through the Halloween and though they have some cool candy and bar-tending supplies (nice brain and severed hand molds for punching up your party libations), they don't have it all out yet.

 I did see nice table setting stuff on another end-cap skull and bones beaded place mats and silver napkin rings that have crows, spiders, skulls shining nicely amongst the napkins and dishtowels.
 Adult spooky stuff not for kids- for the vampires and witches who take Halloween decorating seriously.
Anyway I looked at everything and went home without the giant wooden scissors.
It wasn't prudent when gas is ridiculously high and blah blah blah.
I did,  later,  tell Mr Super Fred about the GWS (giant wooden scissors) and then he chuckled but didn't say it was completely insane.
Then I told my friend Cheryl about them and she giggled and agreed that they would be marvelous and that I should have some.
So, I made a deal with myself - if the next Target I went to had them I would get them. After all, you only live once and maybe I could use them in my upcoming Art Shows as my sign or something?
The Target close to my house isn't a super duper uber Target like the one I saw them at originally and there was a risk that they wouldn't be there.
My fingers clenched and unclenched over the buggy handle until I found the department they should have been in.
My stomach jiggled as I almost ran.
My little sausage thighs were almost ready to ignite when there they were!
Not one pair, but 3 to chose from!
Thank you, Lord.

I say a prayer of thankfulness mixed with severe promises to be good, real good and finish aprons and get some sold and try to be more business like.
Get stuff done!
Be a real Artist!

Not some old lazy crazy lady shuffling along making doll quilts between baking banana bread and watching the mushrooms grow in her front yard.
Promises, promises.
I pulled the scissors out after dinner that night, making Mr Super Fred shut his eyes and promise not to get mad and he just laughed at me.
I said"Aren't they glorious?"
"Yes", he said.
"I'm glad they make you happy".
They do.
Giant Wooden Scissors and Flowering Jasmine Tea.

Life has it's moments when simple things can make us feel happy and satisfied.
So this weekend has been relaxing- I straightened up all my paper and stamping supplies yesterday- I had purchased a 4 drawer plastic drawer thing at Target, ironically enough it was $19.99, but sorely needed to organize my paper.

I have it all nice a ready for the next Paper Doll Making Day.
I have some new ideas and will work on it after I finish my doll quilts and aprons and the Paper outfit and dress form for Project Blogaway.
Lots to do as I sit back and sip the last sip and wish you a lovely day and can't wait to  get busy again this coming week.
Thanks for stopping by!
Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

Jennifer Collier's Paper Art

My friend Barb (from Green Wellies) sent me a fascinating link to Jennifer Collier's website. Her work is unique and I am in love!
Please enjoy these pictures from her gallery and then click on the link to see more!
I am off to work on my newest experiment-morphing a corset and an apron pattern to create "Tea with Mrs Lovett" Art apron to celebrate Sweeney Todd. I found the perfect fabrics yesterday and even got some blood red dupioni! Mwaaahaaahaaaa!!!!

Alabama Stitch Book

Yesterday I spent several hours at the fabric store browsing the new pattern books and took advantage of the $1.99 sale on Simplicity currently underway.
I bought #2966 Which features a "go green" corset that can be wearable art if constructed from magazine photos.

I have seen magazines made into tote bags and purses but not like this.
Merging paper and fabric into wearables is not practical but it doesn't have to be!
I think that I have to push past my desire for permanence and sustainability.
I think everything I make should stand the test of time and be used and loved and washed.
But this pattern gave me fanciful notions of using my Diary of an Edwardian book pages and vintage Better Homes and Gardens to create corsets that could be worn or displayed!
Hung on the wall.
Admired!
Works of Art.
I am a recent convert to Project Runway and was delighted to see patterns inspired by the show.
I grabbed Simplicity 3538 which is for a neat little cropped jacket. It has a design sheet included that allows you to cut up pieces and play designer to get the look you want! How fun is that?!
I love the rounded collar and the ruffled 3/4 length sleeves.
I saw the same linen shimmery fabric too at the store and considered it briefly.
I am going in a different direction with these jackets and shawls- I am going to do a line that is constructed using linen calendar towels and thrifted sheets and embroidered linens.

I like the way "bolero" rolls around my mouth and capelet reminds me of Romeo and Juliet. It's a bit like a shrug or maybe a bed jacket. I have been looking for some patterns to use my extensive collection of chenille on. Simplicity 2977 is from Threads magazine Collection. I also added this little apron pattern to my collection. I have some visions of creating appliquéd wearables.  I am  happy to see more innovative designs  in the pattern books-  I  buy them and then once I get them home and take them out of the envelopes and realize how much work is involved I usually  fold them back up and  put them away.  When am I going to make all these patterns?
  I hope I live a good long time!
If I sewed 14 hours a day for 10 years I might get it all done!
I'd be just a worn down little nub, sitting at the sewing machine, blind as a bat and callouses on my fingers from dropping the thimble too often.

My Broom Hilda hair sticking out from its pins! Crazy cackling heard every now and then...OK, so after I met Fred for a rare lunch ( first time in at least 6 months) at our favorite Sushi restaurant I found my way to the book store and had to get a copy of the Alabama Stitch Book. Now, I don't get out much, we all know that, but, I was in love with the style of wearable reversed appliqué art that these up-cycled T shirts employ. Maybe you have heard of Natalie Chanin and her Alabama Chanin company? Her designs have been in magazines- I am almost certain that I have seen her quilts and chairs in Country Living or maybe Country Home.

I highly recommend this book to add to your library of sewing books. The photography by Robert Rausch is gorgeous and evokes a wanderlust to travel to Alabama and seek out fields of cotton stubble and pick up a discarded boll and feel the fluffy fibers in my hands.
I will never look at a T shirt the same way again.
There are full scale patterns for the corset and skirt and a stencil that can be taken out of the book and used. I also love the brown craft-paper postcard that has pierced holes and directions for beading. There are roosters on quilts and tablecloths and roses that remind me of Art & Crafts era  Stickley stencils. Here is the link to the blog site. Please fix a cup of tea and then go experience this wonderful womans  vision of  living her art.
It makes me feel like what I do is crap. Too simple.
Not enough time spent under the needle.
She describes "loving your thread" and not only explains why your thread wants to knot but how to control it while at the same time imbuing your work with an almost love spell for the intended wearer.
If I ever wrote a book I would want it to be like this.
Projects that  include  bandannas and  head bands, book covers and flowers and boas,  all made with t-shirt knit fabrics that  are natures colors.
The sky, the dirt,  the  sage green of lichen and moss.
  Spending most of my youth in the countryside of Western NC has  deeply instilled a love of nature and  its  diverse textures.
Looking at a field of queen anne's lace  is  transformed in my mind to an  embroidery  of  french knots and  calico  and 3-dimensional leaves and  honeysuckle vines  meandering around the border. 
I want to go into our dressers and closets and purge the t-shirts and deconstruct them and create something totally  organic and  free from  hems and  necklines.
I have always cut the necks from my t-shirts, not caring about what other people perceive about my sense of style or lack thereof.
I wear skirts because they are loose and comfortable and there is nothing like a ruffle to inspire a bit of sass or flirt in your steps!
I have cowgirl boots that make me feel like going to a hoe-down and satin chocolate espadrilles that make me feel sexy and tan when their wide ribbons are wrapped around my calves.
So, why not start wearing my art as well !
It will announce who I am before I even say a word.
I already wear aprons and smocks but to create t-shirts with calamity will be a new venue for me.
I don't enjoy sewing stretchy or silky on the machine and part of the allure provided in this book is that it is all hand sewn.
It is controlled and constructed using your own stitches.
You are putting yourself into each piece.
That is the drawback to the speed at which I normally sew. The push-me-pull-you of two methods. Hand verses machine.
The machine is fast and I want to make so much!
Sometimes it is nice to go slow. To savor the creation under your needle.
Transforming plain fabric into something totally unique because you had a vision.
That is the common ground in this post.
Designing something that is unique because you took an idea and ran with it.
Project Runway, Denyse Schmidt, Amy Butler, April Cornell, Mary Engelbreit, Martha Stewart, Tasha Tudor, Holly Hobbie, Patience Brewster, and now Natalie Chanin continue to inspire and challenge me to grow and explore and dream.   

when i looked the moon had turned to gold...

If you read my Blog regularly, you might happen to remember back in Dec when I did the Atomic Holiday Bazaar and how a few lovely ladies that I met there invited me to come to their Surface Design Group Meeting.
Well, I did!
I never blogged about it afterward, but if I had, I would have told you about the interesting chicks and their great and diverse talents.
The Pres invited me to do a demo of the paper doll that I had made for my swap card, at the Jan meeting.
That was Tuesday Night.
I was nervous and hot-flashy, but they were gracious and kind and it was fun.
I only put one person to sleep.
And she may have either:
a. Eaten turkey for dinner
b. Been narcoleptic
c. Gotten up at 4:30 am
d. or, Not Really  into paper dolls   
***tee hee, forgive my jest, I was glad only one person snoozed!

  We will meet again for a play day on the last Sunday of the month and everyone is going to bring their paper and scissors and we are going to share in some paper doll love!
Then, last night, they twisted my arm , sweetly persuaded me to join them for Knit and Bitch at Picasso's Moon.
So, only knowing how to do one of the two, I went!
That was amazing! Imagine stepping into a shop filled with yarns and antiques and its everywhere- on the ceiling- hanging from ladders hanging from the ceiling- and comfy chairs that you can sink in and relax and yarn like colorful candy confections that make you want to grab some kneedles and start clicking away!!! It is a very nice atmosphere with smell good stuff and soft conversations and cackling laughter (that was me) and sighs of contentment.
I learned about Scrumbles!!!
I am going to learn to crochet me some funky stuff to add to my art aprons and its gonna be awesome fun to make little sweet sweaters with flowers in 3-d for my dolls...wait that was for dogs! Well, you know what I mean!
Ladies sitting and knitting and sharing and trying to count stitches and oh, how I fell in love with some of the beautiful things they have made!
Now it's Thursday!
Wow! Is this what it's like to have friends in 3-D?
No offense cyber sisters, but I am suddenly with friends!
Pregnant with expectations and events hastily jotted down on bits of papers and phone numbers scribbled and stuck in my bag.

I am going to be at the Arts Day booth, on Sunday, with some of the other Surface Design Sisters and figured I'd better have something snazzy to wear.
Yesterday, I went G-willing with my new BFF, Sue Handman, and we found some clothes to re-purpose and collage.
I got this simple linen dress that I am going to wear with some tights and my mary janes if it isn't too hot.

I collect so many different novelty fabrics that it makes it both easy and difficult when I am collaging.
Easy because there are so many images to chose from.
Difficult for the same reason.
I had a theme in mind,  from a song that I just love.Blue Moon. You saw me standing alone. without a dream in my heart.

Blue Moon
You know just what I was there for,
You heard me saying a prayer for,
Someone I really could care for,
And then, there suddenly appeared before me,
The only one my arms will hold.
I heard somebody whisper "please adore me" And when I looked to the Moon,
it turned to gold.
Blue Moon
Now I'm no longer alone.
Without a dream in my heart.
Without a love of my own

written by Frank Sinatra Rogers and Hart ( I stand corrected)
So, here I am. Just playing in my wonderful studio. Listening to music and taking breaks to play frisbee with Miss Sadie.
Sticking to the diet.
salad.
grilled chicken and burgers.
no sugah.
oh well, it'll be worth it!
Korean food tonight so I don't have to cook.
What a dream week this has become!
I will show n' tell when I finish the dress and I promise to take my camera on Sunday to get some pics to share.
Thanks for stopping by- I know I am so behind on emails but I will get over there and say hi back to all of you soon- who knew I could be this busy? I am happily running on my wheel as fast as I can go! Yeehaw!

A is for Awesome and Apple or maybe Awesome Apples

As I sit and wonder what to write about I quickly pull ideas out of my near empty coffee cup. Discarding them almost immediately as too lame, stupid, repetitive, uninteresting.
Should I show you the mile high apple pie that I baked last night?

Naw, I just showed you a pie a week or so ago that I made for Pushing Daisies Night. Go back here to get the recipe.
Should I talk about Catherine Moore and her marvelous collection of stamps? I just ordered some of the clear constructions- some from the Mad Tea Party and then a crinoline de camp and some French Laundry hangers. I love to make paper dolls - remember this girl?

Naw, that's not fun! I need something new! Something AWESOME....(Maybe I can search the internet...)

Like maybe this: or maybe this: well, that's certainly awesome in a awesome God sort of way. But I want to talk about something cool and clever. Something spacey and recycled...maybe something like this: or this: Created from the fertile imagination of Paul Loughridge. Click on his name to visit his website and here to see more of his awesome robots at Flickr. You know I love robots... But,  maybe if robots aren't your thing you might find these surreal sidewalk drawings by Julian Beever interesting...Here is his link.Wait!!!!! I know!!!! This!!! You must See THIS!!!!!!!!!!and more of her designs here          How wonderful is that? A beach glass gown. What? You say you need a cup of coffee too?Come over here and get some while it's hot. If you enjoy art with your food then maybe you want to check this out Well, it's Monday. It's a holiday for some and Fred is off today. Maybe I should go wrangle him up some kind of breakfast...After I go see skull-a-day for what's new. If you feel like you still need a little bit of stimulating visualizations then travel over to Dark Roasted Blend. It has an awesome collection of posts to entertain you. If you have an awesome link you'd like to share then leave it in the comments section. I'd love to see some of your awesome stuff! Like maybe this- does your apple get cold? Maybe it needs a jacket? Check out her Etsy site for more Fruit Jackets

Oh, to be HBC

If I could be anyone besides myself...I might like to be Helena Bonham Carter.

First because she is beautiful, tiny and elegantly funky.

Second because she lives in England, has partnered with another chick to make these incredible clothes - her line is called Pantaloonies and she is having babies with Tim Burton.

Third, because she is an actress with great roles offered to her and she gets to travel alot.

Did I mention she was stylish and tiny,  with a tiny little body and looks impossibly cute and yet still very sexy in her little pantaloonies? I am probably the last to know- Amanda gave me a link to HBC's website. Who Knew? I adore the giant hat, and the pig in a carrage, but the giant scissors and thread? COME ON!!!!!!!

more giant yoyo's

more giant yoyo's, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

how sweet is that?

Godzilla YOYO's

So lovely, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

Then I saw this and lost my mind briefly.
When I came to, I realized this would take a lot of fabric but if you used thrifted sheets you might stand a chance of not ending up with a $500. dollar quilt!!!