This Week in Review

Reading… The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach. I was intrigued by the book after reading a great article about it in the October 2011 edition of Vanity Fair magazine. Although it’s a novel about baseball, it’s not really about baseball… I’m really enjoying it so far.

Listening to… Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s United We Swing album. It has definitely helped bring up my energy level while making books and other lovely items.

Watching… 8th Fire – Indigenous in the City on CBC Television. A fascinating documentary on some of Canada’s Aboriginals living in our cities, how they got there, and how they are coping. I loved the story about rap group Winnipeg’s Most, but the explanation about the Indian Act, 1876 made me very angry at the injustices inflicted on Aboriginal peoples.

Discovering… Toronto’s lovely Roncesvalles neighbourhood. I had never really had the chance to look around the area until this afternoon, while on a fun date. The traditionally Polish neighbourhood has lots of funky little shops, cafes and restaurants that I’m looking forward to exploring further.

Learning… To let go of the need to always be doing something and to just listen to my body when it’s tired. For several weeks now, I’ve been rediscovering the joy in guilt-free naps. Fantastic.

Loving… The birthday wishes from friends and family this week. I felt surrounded by so much love and warmth.

Hating… Constantly cold feet. Despite the thick woolly socks and shoes that I wear inside my loft, my poor toes are always freezing because of the cement floors. Thank goodness for heating pads and hot water bottles, I tell ya.

Feeling… Exhausted after a long week on the road for work. Ten-hour days, too much night driving, and very little sleep made for a somewhat cranky birthday girl!

Wishing… I wasn’t having to do so much travel in Ontario during the winter months…although I am grateful not to have to do it on crutches with a broken ankle this year.

What have you been up to this week?

Tuesday Tunes: Spoon

I discovered Spoon about 7 years ago, thanks to one of Paste Magazine‘s ever-wonderful CD samplers. I Turn My Camera On, from the 2005 album Gimme Fiction, was the catchy tune that caught my attention:

I took an immediate liking to the Austin, Texas-based band’s 2007 album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, especially the You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb track. As if the song itself wasn’t fantastic enough, the music video includes PAPER CUTOUTS. *happy sigh*

The Underdog is another favourite song from Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (it can also be found on the Horrible Bosses and I Love You, Man soundtracks):

So much crafting to do, so much great music to keep me motivated – it’s all good!

This Week in Review

Reading… Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane by Andrew Graham-Dixon. After seeing his painting The Deposition (which moved me to tears) at the Vatican, as well as the Caravaggio and his followers in Rome exhibit at the National Gallery in Ottawa this past summer, I’ve taken an extra keen interest in the talented but troubled artist.

Listening to… Cary Brothers’ cover of “Something About You”. I have always loved Level 42′s original song; this version is a bit more mellow, but just as beautiful.

Watching… The Walking Dead. After a friend raved about this AMC show, I made the mistake of watching the first episode just before going to bed. But I still got hooked.

Discovering… The fun in crafting again. The past few months were so busy with prepping for craft fairs and filling orders for shops and customers that I was too tired to really enjoy it. After a wonderfully restful holiday (with many naps), I am enjoying staying up late and making a mess with art and craft supplies again. It’s great to have my mojo back!

Learning… So much from my recent adventures in online dating. I keep discovering new things about myself (in a good way) every time I interact or meet someone new. It’s been a surprisingly pleasant experience, so far… I’ve even gone so far as to recommend online dating to other friends (which I never thought would ever happen!).

Loving… Handmade Ryan Gosling – This site is like porn for crafty girls. Without the nekkid porn shots. 

Hating… The dread I feel about my work schedule – 11 events to organize and implement in 7 weeks means travel in winter conditions, sleepless nights in hotel rooms and back pain from too much stress. I hope I make it to March in one piece.

Feeling… Melancholy after spending 2.5 hrs on the phone with my oldest friend, who lives far away. So many of my closest friends live in other parts of the world, and I miss them dearly. I wish we could see each other more often.

Wishing… The mild weather could last all winter: +5C in January? Yes, please!

What have you been up to this week?

Tuesday Tunes: Hawksley Workman

I discovered Hawksley Workman several years ago when a friend sent me a mix CD that included the song Jealous of your Cigarette. Not only is it a fantastic song, its music video is just so much fun:

Did you notice that the entire video was filmed in a single sequence? Yah. Freakin’ amazing.

Hawksley definitely lives on the eccentric side of the street, but he is incredibly creative and prolific –  not only as a singer-songwriter, but also as a producer (working with Great Big Sea, Serena Ryder, Hey Rosetta!, and Tegan and Sara, amongst others).

Another of my favourite songs of his – Warhol’s Portrait of Gretzky – was released on the 2010 album Milk (warning: strong language):

I has the pleasure of seeing Hawksley perform in December as the Vinyl Cafe Christmas tour’s invited guest (an interesting choice for Stuart McLean). He definitely has a cabaret flair about him, but he is quite entertaining. And man, that voice.

Finally, here is a slower, sadder (but just as beautiful song) – Autumn’s Here:

For some reason, this song gets to me every time. Love it.

Capturing Memories…The Easy Way

I used to journal a lot. I would spend most days writing about what was happening in my life, how I was feeling, often trying to work out any issues that were challenging me at that moment. I used written journals from my teens to my late twenties.

As a child I was very creative and loved spending hours drawing, writing short stories, and making crafts. Sadly, this part of me was abandoned when I went to university. It seemed there was no time for creativity in between all the studying (I now realize how huge a mistake this was). After going through a dark period about a dozen years ago, I set about re-discovering my artistic and creative side (I was inspired by my new artist boyfriend). During this process, I learned about art journalling and would spend hours upon hours painting, writing, and gluing ephemera into my journals.

As much as I enjoy journalling, I just don’t have the time to devote to it on a consistent basis anymore. I often felt like I was forgetting so many great moments in my life because I wasn’t capturing them as they happened. It saddened me, yet I couldn’t find the time or energy to journal about many of these experiences.

Then two years ago, I found a solution that works perfectly for me. Hurray!

I had come across designer Amanda Hawkin’s lovely DIY planner templates and promptly fell in love. I desperately wanted to find a way to use them on a regular basis just because they were so cool. I decided to print the monthly calendar template onto booklet-size envelopes – one for each month. These would be my journal “pages”. Then I made covers for the journal and kept everything with binder rings. I tried out my new journal throughout 2010 and it worked wonderfully for me, so I did it again in 2011! Here is what my journal looked like this past year:

The front cover (I love love love the paper I used, BTW). It is bound with binder rings and a fabric elastic band to keep the pages from wiggling too much.

One of the envelopes with the monthly template printed onto the front. I keep track of important events, dates with friends, appointments, and other things I want to remember.

On the back of the envelope I keep track of the books I read and movies I saw that month. Inside the envelope I place all the mementos I’ve collected throughout the month: photos, ticket stubs, pamphlets, cards, letters, etc. Some months the envelopes are quite thick, others not so much…

As I said, this system has worked so incredibly well for me these past two years that I wanted to continue with it again this year. Yesterday I made my 2012 journal using beautiful paper printed I bought in Rome last summer, featuring classic Italian movie posters. Now I can relive La dolce vita every day!

As you can see, this type of journal is quite easy to put together and even easier to maintain throughout the year, no matter how busy you are. And the best part is the pockets to store all the mementos that would otherwise clutter your life, or eventually become lost or thrown out. I also use these booklet envelopes in my travel journals whenever I go on a major trip – you can see my Greece journal here.

This Week in Review

Reading… Just finished reading The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides – brilliant. I love everything this man writes – now, if he published more than once every 10 years, I’d be completely ecstatic. Now I’m on to Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane by Andrew Graham-Dixon.

Listening to… Fitz and the Tantrums – Groovy tunes that make you want to dance all day:

Watching… Saw Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows this week. The chemistry between Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law is amazing (and I don’t even like Jude Law). Guy Ritchie has done a fantastic job directing this film, and I hope there are many more to come.

Discovering… Lots of new music, especially with all the “best of 2011″ lists floating around the internets.

Learning… Italian (and loving it). I definitely need to apply myself and practice more, but I am picking it up fairly quickly (being fluent in French certainly helps). 

Loving… The calm after the storm. The past few months have been so crazy with a heavy workload and travel related to the pesky day job, teaching bookbinding workshops, preparing for and selling at craft fairs, and trying to keep the local shops stocked with merchandise (I could barely keep up with the demand!). I’ve been resting, relaxing and reflecting this past week, and it feels wonderful.

Hating… The thought of having to go back to the pesky day job on Tuesday morning.  :(

Feeling… Grateful for the amazing people, adventures and opportunities that came into my life in 2011. May 2012 be even more amazing!

Wishing… I could come up with a great plan to quit the pesky day job once and for all. I will definitely keep working at it…

What have you been up to this week?

what an amazing week it’s been.

In large part because of this.

Where working like a madwoman finally pays off.

I’ve been making stuff whenever I have a spare moment in preparation for craft fairs and local shops’ holiday rush. There really isn’t much spare time or energy between planning and travelling to events for the pesky day job (7 in the past month), taking Italian classes, teaching workshops, fulfilling custom orders, and laundry. But my efforts are paying off in a big way.

Last weekend was the Crafternoon Tea fair, organized by the wonderful girls at nathalie-roze & co. As always, it was well-organized and well-attended. I sold more than expected (a good thing), which meant that I spent all day Sunday making new stock (a tiring thing, since I was hoping I could take the day off). This was what my booth looked like at the fair:

Crafternoon Tea booth

Sunday evening, I received an email from a new local shop, scout, with a message that they’ve sold out of my travel notebook and LP coasters and need more asap! Yikes! There go my plans to rest next weekend…

And tonight I’m putting together the final preparations for the CBC Charity Craft Sale taking place tomorrow. You know that last blog post I wrote about gifting George Stroumboulopoulos? This is what has happened since then:

Yesterday his assistant sent me a lovely email to say that George sends his thanks and loves his Clash LP journal. And today George tweeted about me and posted a photo of himself and the journal – how exciting is that?

I honestly wasn’t expecting such a fantastic response to my journal – I am truly flattered by his going out of his way to thank me publicly. All the more reason to be excited about tomorrow’s fair at the CBC!

Gifting George Stroumboulopoulos

This week seems to be all about making gifts for celebrities. It sure feels that way.

A week from tomorrow, I’ll be showing my wares at the annual CBC Charity Craft Sale. Last year was my first time participating in this event, and I have to say I had so much fun! I’m really looking forward to participating again this year, and now I know what to expect…

Even though I don’t own a TV, I am nonetheless a huge fan of George Stroumboulopoulos (aka Strombo). This recent interview with Kermit the Frog cracks me up every time I watch it – George’s giddiness is so completely adorable (particularly at the 5:09 mark):

I’ve taken the initiative to make Mr. Strombo a special gift (it’s made with an LP of the Clash, his favourite band):

I’ll be shipping it to him in advance of the CBC fair next week. Hopefully he’s so impressed he decides to stop by my booth on the day of the event! I’ll keep you posted!

Gifting Ginnifer Goodwin

Through my membership with The Artisan Group, an exciting opportunity recently came about – I was given a chance to send actress Ginnifer Goodwin one of my LP journals!

Source

After some online research, I wasn’t able to find any information on her musical tastes, so in the end I decided to design a journal made from a Johnny Cash LP – since she played his first wife in the movie Walk the Line. I hope she likes it!

I apologize for the picture quality – it was taken earlier tonight in poor lighting. It’s hard taking good photos when the days are so short…

Tuesday Tunes: Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra

In the same vein as last week’s Tuesday Tunes post, I’d like to introduce another group from New Zealand that has caught my attention [and my heart]: the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra.

What’s so cool about a ukulele orchestra, you say? Well, the incredibly creative and inventive group of artists who form this ensemble (including one of its founding members, Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords fame – do you see a trend here?) have a knack for taking retro tunes and giving them a beautiful, new life. They also have a wicked sense of style and humour. And they love Canadians (well, Canadian ukulele virtuoso James Hill).

Take Bonnie Tyler’s classic It’s a Heartache, for instance. Just when you thought this song couldn’t be any more melancholy…

We can never have too much Prince in our lives, can we? Especially a ukulele version of I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man:

Close your eyes, and imagine you’re on a safari, beside a beautiful waterfall. This tune immediately comes to mind, doesn’t it? (please excuse the video quality and simply focus on the voices and the ukes):

And finally, this is for all us vertically challenged people (aka Short People, a cover of Randy Newman’s classic):

And because I just can’t stop, here are a few more awesome covers, should you wish to further your discovery of the WIUO:
Hey Ya – yes, the Outkast version!
The Bucket – Kings of Leon cover
Dreaming of You – The Coral cover

Craft Fair Prepping

Now that the madness has FINALLY subdued at my pesky day job [at least for a few months], I’m super excited about focusing on Papermuse Designs activities and other personal projects (i.e. my upcoming art retreat in Italy!) over the spring and summer.

I’ve been busy making lots of items for the Movies and Makers show next weekend. Head over to the Movies and Makers blog to read an interview with me! If you’re planning to attend the show, you can expect lots of movie and musical soundtrack LP journals, in addition to the usual fare (70′s & 80′s LP journals, LP coasters). I also plan to introduce one or two new products, if I can make enough in time for the show!

There’s still so much left to do for the show, and so little time left to get it done:

- Design, print and deliver coupons for the grab bags
- Pick up small change at the bank [for the float]
- Make a few more of each item
- Prepare inventory and pricing list
- Make a special business card holder
- Wash and iron the table covers

…and that’s just for THIS show. I have several other projects on the go right now [including some very BIG news – an announcement will be made very soon!).

Cool New Product: LP Folios

Once in a while I’ll receive an inquiry from someone asking if I accept custom orders. About two months ago, I received such a message from Hunter Residential Developments in Calgary. They were preparing to launch Coventry Station, a condominium development in North Central Calgary and were looking for unique packaging to hold official documents going to new buyers. They asked if I could create a prototype to their specifications, while somehow integrating a vinyl record in the design.

Now, I love creative challenges and was thrilled to be given this great opportunity! After a few trials and errors, I came up with the following design for an LP folio:

The folio can hold up to 1″ of documentation, and because I use the actual album sleeve, it’s quite sturdy. I covered the front cover LP label with a Coventry Station sticker, but the one on the inside cover was left intact, so you can see which album was actually used! What makes these folios most exciting [to me, at least] is that each and every one of them is one-of-a-kind!

The client also commissioned me to create a binder for their showroom [keeping a similar look]. It proved to be a much greater challenge figuring out how to keep the “essence” of the vinyl record while shaping it into a book/binder that would be sturdy enough for lots of handling. This is what I finally came up with – I used post binding so that the client could add extra pages, if needed:

I thoroughly enjoyed the creative problem-solving process for both these items. Back when I used to teach classes at my local scrapbooking store, I’d have to come up with new projects every month. I now realize how much I miss finding innovative and creative solutions to issues or problems!

Tuesday Tunes: The Phoenix Foundation

I’ve had an obsession with all things Kiwi for some time now. It started with Flight of the Conchords, then progressed to the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, Neil Finn, Taika Waititi, Age Pryor, and most recently, The Phoenix Foundation. New Zealand has produced some pretty kick-ass, creative types, all of which seem to have an awesome, quirky sense of humour.

The Phoenix Foundation has numerous connections to writer/director/artist Taika Waititi. Several of the band’s songs can be found on soundtracks for Waititi’s two feature-length films, Eagle vs. Shark and Boy. I love the dream-like quality of many of their pop melodies – they remind me of happier versions of Great Lake Swimmers or Arcade Fire songs.

The video for Going Fishing [from the band's debut album, Horsepower] contains hilarious clips from Eagle vs. Shark [which stars Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords fame, in case you hadn't recognized him]:

40 Years was directed by and also stars Taika Waititi. I love how it was filmed in one long, single shot:

And finally, a video for Pot, from The Phoenix Foundation’s most recent album, Buffalo:

ENJOY!

Movies and Makers Art + Craft Show

I’m super excited about being a vendor in the upcoming Movies and Makers Art + Craft Show on May 14 – hurray! The show takes place at the Fox Theatre in Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood. I love the idea of spending a day selling my wares in a movie theatre – what a great concept!

In preparation for the show, I’ve been making a number of LP journals from movie and musical soundtracks – including these lovely gems from Back From The Future and Annie:

Check out the Movies and Makers blog for a full list and profiles on the other show vendors. You can also join their Facebook fan page for the latest news and photos.

I hope to see you there!

Head-Crushing Fun

I came across this tonight while playing on my spiffy new computer. Here’s a little something to make you laugh by sketch comedy troupe Kids in the Hall (oh, how I miss them!):

Capturing the Moments

I’ve always been big into journaling. I’ve loved writing out my thoughts, ideas, memories, etc. since the age of 13 or so. My journals have evolved over the years – for the first few years, they were the traditional, written form.

Then about 10 years ago, I started experimented with art journaling and immediately embraced this form of expression. For the first time ever, I could let go of my Type A, anal retentive personality and just play with colours and images, without judgment. It was fantastic! During this period in my life (mid-twenties), my creativity slowly started to resurface, after being dormant for too many years. I also felt that I was finally coming into my own and really getting to know the authentic me during this phase.

Since I started blogging a few years ago, I’ve been struggling to keep up my personal journals. Between the pesky day job, making books, teaching workshops, working on other personal and professional projects, and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, I’ve found it difficult to find the time and/or energy to journal. Yet I desperately wanted to find some way of capturing the moments, great and small, that make up my life.

Right around this time last year, I serendipitously found Amanda Hawkins’ wonderful blog, Ahhh Design, and the fantastic DIY planner templates that she designed. An idea formed in my head!

I downloaded her [free!] Index Cards template, and printed the Monthly Plan page onto 12 booklet-size envelopes. I made two covers, punched holes in the covers and envelopes, and voilà – my easy-peasy 2010 journal!

Calendar Envelope Journal

Monthly Calendar

I kept the current month’s envelope in visible location so I wouldn’t forget about it. On the calendar side of the envelope, I recorded events (big and small) – concerts I attended, birthdays, appointments, dinners out with friends, etc. On the back side of the envelope, I listed books I read and movies I saw that month.

Books and Movies

The envelopes I chose for this journal were large enough to fit cards, pamphlets, brochures, photos, ticket stubs, and other mementos [such as the x-rays of my broken ankle].

Envelope Contents

I haven’t shared this journal until now because I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep it up consistently. But I’m delighted to report that I’ve recorded in this journal every single month in 2010. This format has been successful for me because it’s so easy to add to it – all I have to do is jot down a quick note or stash a memento in the envelope. Some months, the envelope is thinner than others – and that’s okay! It’s been a great way to capture the moments with very little effort, pressure or perfectionism.

As 2010 comes to an end, I plan to add my thoughts on the past year in greater detail as well as my goals for 2011.

And I definitely plan to repeat this journal format for 2011 – but I also want to add to-do lists, project ideas, sketches, and other elements so that it becomes more of a planner.

What about you – do you have an alternative journal format that works for you? Please share!

Boxing Week Sale!

Happy boxing day! To celebrate and show my appreciation to y’all, I’m offering discounts on all stock until December 31.

Save 25% on all orders when you enter coupon code BOXING2010 in my Etsy shop.

I added lots of great LP journals to the shop earlier this week, including this Elton John gem:

Happy shopping!

Craft Fairs Have Made Me Paranoid.

I’ve been working day and night (at least it feels like it) in preparation for a few holiday craft fairs this season (hence the blog neglect). Although I now have a good amount of inventory in stock, there’s always this hovering feeling that I should make just a few more items. Well, just a few ended up becoming fifteen more books this weekend alone.

I’m exhausted (in addition to spending every waking moment doing something creative and productive, I’ve been travelling A LOT for the pesky day job), but I can’t stop producing. I have thi paranoid fear of running out of stock at a show and looking like a complete loser – a highly unlikely scenario, but one that keeps me up at night nonetheless. I’m totally Type A, no question.

Anyway, I thought I’d share more info on the evil craft fairs that have made me so paranoid. If you’re in the area, stop by and say hi. These are great opportunities to find unique, handmade gifts at pretty decent prices.

Saturday, November 27, 11 am to 5 pm – Crafternoon Tea

Crafternoon Tea takes place in Toronto’s charming Leslieville neighbourhood – check out their Facebook page for more details and a vendor list.

Wednesday, December 1st, 9 am to 6 pm – CBC Charity Craft Sale

[You may have noticed my LP journal on the poster - *blush*!] The CBC craft sale will take place in the Canadian Broadcasting Centre’s large atrium. You can find more info and a complete vendor list here.

I’ve gotta get back to work – there’s still a few hours left before bedtime… It’s amazing how productive I can be when I’m under pressure (even if it’s paranoid, self-inflicted pressure)!

This Week: A Summary

I know I’ve been terrible at updating the blog this past year. I’ve been spending most of my time on Facebook and Twitter, to be quite honest – short status updates seem to be all I can manage on most days.

This week has seen a significant number of happy moments, so I thought I’d share a few of them here:

1. Walking home from the coffee shop last Saturday, I came across a new boutique that sells handmade goods. Went in, talked to the owner, and now she wants to see my products!

2. During one of my lunch breaks, my friend and I ran into Scott Speedman! I can confidently say that he’s extremely handsome in person…

Now I want to re-watch every season of Felicity!

3. On Wednesday night, I saw the Canadian premiere of Boy, a film by Kiwi writer/actor/director Taika Waititi. I had wanted to see it for many months and serendipitously discovered it was playing at the imagineNative film fest. What a fun coming-of-age movie! Bonus: Taika himself was there!

There was a Q&A with him after the event, which was entertaining yet fascinating. (Did you know the movie was shot in Taika’s grandmother’s house, the actual house he grew up in?)

A few more fun Taika Waititi/Boy clips:
- Crazy Horses Gang Intro
- Crazy Horses Gang Rules
- Crazy Horses – How to Pick on People
- Shogun on the Crazyhorse Name

4. I’ve been accepted to be a vendor in three craft fairs this holiday season – yikes! With the pesky day job keeping me busy traveling at events, I’ve been trying to produce a little bit every day, slowly but surely. I do have to admit – making holiday cards, books and gifts so early in the year has made me feel incredibly productive and organized!

5. Last night, my friend B. and I went to see the international premiere of Inuit Knowledge and Climate Change, a film by Inuk director Zacharius Kunuk (“Atanarjuat, The Fast Runner”) and scientist Ian Mauro. The movie documented Inuit elders (mostly hunters) from several Nunavut communities talking about the environmental changes they’ve witnessed over the past decades, and some of the stories were quite disturbing. There was a Q&A with Zach and Ian after the viewing, and the highlight of the evening was when an aggressive audience member criticized the fact that many of the observations conveyed in the film were not backed by scientific evidence. When Ian Mauro retorted that “Elders should be able to express their point of view without scientists having to validate it,” the audience applauded enthusiastically.

So much has happened this past week! Today I must focus on producing stock for the upcoming shows, since I’ll be on the road all week delivering events…