project lemonade: dead tree

I make no promises that this will become a regular feature, because let's face it, there is nothing regular about any of my postings as of late. BUT, the intention here is to occasionally focus on those not so great situations or blights in life that pop up every now and then, and find the positive spin. Some people call this making lemonade.

Today we unfortunately have to say goodbye to a gargantuan tree that's in our front yard. We've known that it's diseased, however it still looks glorious and provides a ton of shade. The moment that a giant limb basically plopped onto our house in a very mild rain storm we knew the time had come to take some drastic measures. The downside.. well, it's a lot of money. Also, it's a living time capsule. It's kind of hard to make the conscious decision to remove a thing of beauty. (Quick note: there is an implied "we" in this story, but the tough choices have landed in my better half's court.)

So what can you do with a tree that's been given a death sentence? Find out after the jump...

weekly prescription

• I have fond memories of watching 60 Minutes as a child with my parents. Maybe that's odd... I don't know. One segment I could always rely on enjoying was Andy Rooney's closing. Salty and big-browed, I was transfixed not so much by his image, but his insightful reflections on the everyday. He seemed simultaneously bothered by and beholden to the world around him. He's someone I wanted to know, but would be too afraid to talk to. I think his passing is a very unfortunate for us all. 
• Another childhood love was Woody Allen. I'm creating a detailed map of my upbringing aren't I. Aside from his tabloid dramas and possible strange personal life his movies and books are some of my favorite things. I'm really looking forward to the PBS documentary about him.
• Glee clubs... not so much. Glee clubs singing punk covers...  yes, please. A standout track is Dead Kennedys' "California". 
• 52x52 is a wonderful project developed by artist Jessica Hische. The object is recruit folks to commit to donating $52 every week for 52 weeks to charity (a suggested charity, or one of your choice). The really great part is that you can also choose your own dollar amount if $52 is a bit too steep (which it probably is for quite a few/most people). Giving to others really couldn't be much easier. 
• If E.A.S.T. Austin Studio Tour is something up your alley then you've probably already heard about it. So consider this a reminder, not a revelation. 

HELPFUL WAYS TO GET THERE:

Read -- [ CBSnews.com ]

Watch -- [ PBS.org ]

Listen -- [ Blueribbongleeclub.org ]

Do -- [ 52x52.org ]

Austin Event -- [ eastaustinstudiotour.com ]

charity auction for japan

At this point I am sure that everyone is well aware of the tragic situation in Japan, when our planet decided to throw a huge tantrum and unleash horrific natural disasters upon them. It's beyond me how individuals and communities rebound and start over after this sort of experience. Where do you start?

I know that this will barely make a dent in potentially helping those facing hardships in Japan, but when I was presented with an opportunity to auction one of my photos for charity I couldn't say no. Currently I am offering this photo in the Charity Auction for Japan. Leave your bid in the comments on my Flickr. The highest bidder by Sunday will receive that photograph and also know that they did a good deed. The charity can be your choice (suggestions are listed on Flickr). Please help out if you can.

wiener time

Hey, one of my favorite blogs, Bad Postcards, wants your help. I finally made good use of my Tumblr account, after months of doing nothing on it, to recommend BP for the humor directory. You can do it too here.

weekly prescription

HELPFUL WAYS TO GET THERE:
Read -- [ Simon & Schuster ]
Watch -- [ Vimeo ]
Listen -- [ Gil Scott Theron ]
Do -- [ Yizzle ]
Austin Event -- [ Paramount Theatre ]

wiener time

Care to have your own wiener? Well you can buy this vintage pattern from Etsy seller cakescakescakes and make one. FYI, there's also a donkey, kangaroo, panda, duck, and lamb to choose from. I can't knit, so... I'm out.

weekly prescription

HELPFUL WAYS TO GET THERE:
Read -- [ Day Trip Society ]
Watch -- [ Cooking with Dog ]
Listen -- [ YouTube ]
Do -- [ Mr. Doob ]
Austin Event -- [ Mellow Mushroom Facebook ]

weekly prescription

HELPFUL WAYS TO GET THERE:
Read -- [ Alton Brown ]
Watch -- [ Flower Films ]
Listen -- [ YouTube ]
Do -- [ One Meal a Day ]
Austin Event -- [ Capital Area Food Bank ]

and then she saved - anna newell jones

Here's another item I've been hanging onto for too long. Anna Newell Jones and I met through Etsy. She's a super talented photographer that was kind enough to buy something from my shop (thank you again!). Now seems like the perfect time to introduce her with all this consumption talk. Anna started a blog/project this year called "And Then She Saved". In her own words:

My idea is to go on a spending fast for a year - spending money on necessities only- to see what happens, how much debt I can get out of and how much I can get into savings.

When I mentioned to a good friend that I was thinking about going on a spending fast for 2010 she sighed and said "Well, that doesn't sound very fun." Then, I told my husband what I was thinking about doing and he wasn't very excited about it either. He said "Great. No more fun. No more eating out. This is gonna suck."

I have to tell you, I feel the same way. Who would want to not get want they want? I'm the type that buys what she wants when she wants because I work hard and I feel like I deserve it. I know plenty of people that have the same feelings as I do about work and money and spending and not spending.

Inside my head I hear this loudly: "YOU DESERVE IT DARLING!" and truly, I believe that I do. I mean, I woke up early for goodness-sake! I did what was asked of me and I was even nice while doing it! I DESERVE that super cute trinket or hat or whatever from Etsy dammit! Besides, I work a full-time day job AND I run a full-time wedding photography business AND what else can I think of? I do a lot and my spending is justified... until it isn't anymore.

And.. that's where I am today... starting January 1st 2010 I'm gonna spend money on necessities only and I'm fully prepared for this to suck.

As a fellow wanter and I can totally identify with her; spending habits are hard to change. Take a look at her blog and really dig in. I'll bet you can relate to a lot of it too. And maybe say hello... I bet she'd like that. Oh, and maybe ask her about What Not to Wear.

LINKS:
[ And Then She Saved ]
[ Etsy ]
[ Newell Jones and Jones Photography ]
[ 1 comments

soft food

My adult self says "Erin, the last thing you need is a felt version of your favorite foods... try the real stuff, as in go to the grocery store once in a while". My child self says "with a small portion of my allowance I can make yummy toys that are huggibly delicious". I'm not sure who to listen to. Scenarios involving fuzzy fabrics generally win.

For those less conflicted you can go to July Hobby's Etsy and buy your own set of patterns.

[ via Made in England ]

overcoming creative block

There is a great post on ISO50 discussing with 25 artists how they overcome a creative block. Bottom line, it varies from person to person. What to truly gain from the article is a comfort in knowing it happens to everyone. My strategy generally involves not trying (or making fun of my lameness). Genius right. I however do not have any sort of career that is dependent on my creative juices, as much as I wish I did. That would be a fun challenge.

Link via Swiss Miss.

weekly prescription

Hey look who's back... it's the Weekly Precription! I'm just sure everyone has been clamoring for a dose of to-do. Or not. At any rate, in an effort to maintain some sort of consistency (aside from also trying to post on a more regular basis) I'm bringing Dr. Recovery out of unofficial retirement.

This week I feel like it's a good time to embrace youth, whether it is going back to before you were born (I can't believe The Wizard of Oz is 70 years old), watching a story from the past continue, hearing something that makes you feel young, revisiting a dying format, or pretending to be somewhere else.

HELPFUL WAYS TO GET THERE:
Read -- [ NPR ]
Watch -- [ Amazon ]
Listen -- [ YouTube ]
Do -- [ We Love You So ]
Austin Event -- [ Do512 ]

say hello and stick it

Post-its® are and have been a part of my life forever. As I think I've stated before the love/reliance/dedication to the wonderful pad of paper was handed down to me from my father. So in a continued effort to embrace them and share their versatility I introduce you all to "The Hello Project". It's simple... write down/illustrate "hello" in whatever way you would like and submit it to Thehelloproject.com. For more info check out The Donut Project. You can also follow THP on Facebook and Twitter.

this is home

Design For Mankind and Christa Jonathan have partnered up for a project called "This is Home". The concept is similar to a previous DFM (and Booooooom) collaboration that took place earlier this year.

The idea is this... write a one sentence anecdote about what home is to you. Send it to them and watch for your submission, as well as others, at This is Home. Then you can choose a phrase you like (yours or not) and create an image to accompany it. The winning designs will be made into limited edition postcards which will be sold.

The deadline is August 31st. I have already submitted my idea, which is pure over sappy dribble, but it's simply impossible for me to turn the cheese off sometimes... so why fight it.

lazy felt

(photo by Resurrection Fern)

If you are equally (and bizarrely) obsessed with all things felt, like I am, then here is a project for you. As deemed by the crafter, it's The Lazy Girl's Guide to Felting Rock.

poster for the people

(photo by gosarahpalin)

While I'm talking politics... I saw this site on Urban Prankster today. A Frightening Prospect is an interactive wheatpasting project, urging people to spread the word via poster that Sarah Palin is bad news. To better ensure that Americans with a devious/artistic/political streak have the proper tools the site not only supplies wheatpasting how-to's, but a high quality print out the poster. It's that easy. It's that awesome. Thus, we have a topic that has also called "awesome" 100% out of retirement.

sympathy for the doll

(link to Bre Pettis)

So sad they're cute. Let their "ugly" cuddliness sweeten a dour day. Learn to make your own using the template provided here.

smarties and crafties

This past weekend Make magazine (and its sister publication Craft magazine) hosted their second annual Maker Faire. Previously held in San Mateo, Austin had the honors this year.


The two day fest was the weekend home to tons of crafters, creative types, and MacGyver-esque people that can build/make/shape/show a range of nifty devices and artsy artifacts. From robots to fire starters to gore experts to crocheted animals, the list goes on and on. Someone would be hard pressed not to find something that appealed to them, whether it was via a learning workshop, a shopping spree, repurposed bike rides, or suped up cars.


I was humbled and inspired by the wealth of talent and knowledge... although I have to come clean; I left pretty much as I came, with DIY dreams and teetering motivation. Not a heck of a lot smarter or craftier necessarily. There's still hope for me though and with events like this to remind me of the possibilities I may someday be a real live "maker". Photos can be seen here. Also go to Make's website for a streaming slide show courtesy of everyone that posted to flickr or simply check it out for a little creative spark.

new hobby?

Always on the quest to find more things to occupy my time or learn how to do something new I was elated to find this book. Quite honestly I think I already have enough interests to keep myself busy (now acting on it is another thing... I AM a recovering lazyholic), but you never know when you're neglecting the hobby of a lifetime. If you need MORE hobbies or a place to start check out this book. Aside from some of the usual suspects (knitting, scrap booking, soap making) what about taxidermy, urban animal husbandry, falconry or seed trading for instance. The world is your oyster so it seems. Buy it at Alibris and get started on your new life.

puppet de sock

Not a good looking fella (except of course the snazzy moustache). This is Victor the sock puppet. I love sock puppets. I love puppets in general (for some strange reason... parents, any help here?), but sock puppets I especially like. They're traditionally a little sad looking (in styling and materials) but they're also like the little engine that could, not realizing they're kind of ugly and quirky; they try to play just as hard. I'm being a bit liberal in my personification of a sock with eyes, but beyond the easy d.i.y. factor they represent to me making the best out of what you've got. Sock puppets are repurposed lost singles (unless you want to split a pair up for the sole reason to make a puppet) that go on to have a creative new lease on life. So simple toy, 10 minute project, or mascot... it's all great.