Adventures in the forest

I met up with a good friend and her son at the park yesterday.  It was so nice to get out of the house after being cooped up in my room for three days with a cold.  We ended our excursion with some treats at the Trails Cafe. 

Take Care of My Cat

"Take Care of My Cat" is one of my favorite Korean movies to date . . . although I haven't watched very many Korean movies recently.  If you have any suggestions on good Korean films, let me know.

Anyhoo, the movie is about five high school friends dealing with transition in their lives and in their friendship.  I also really appreciate the film's glimpse into the growing multicultural face of Korean society.

I also love the soundtrack.  I discovered Byul (not to be confused with the female Kpop star) through this movie who created the score for the film.  This first clip shows him introducing the director of "Take Care of My Cat", Jeong Jae-eun and playing an alternate version of "2" from the movie. 

The second video is a music video for the movie, and the song title roughly translates into "Where did the genuine french fry period go?"  Yup, I'm feelin' it. 

I've been searching for more of his music online but haven't been able to dig up too much yet.

I hope these talented artists keep creating.   

 

Todd Selby

I sometimes visit The Selby when I'm looking for some interior eye candy and views into imaginative spaces.  Todd Selby is a gifted photographer who takes pics of creative people and their spaces.  I guess he started out doing this project for fun and it turned into a big sensation.  Never underestimate what can happen when you pursue something you love and share it with other people. 

As much as I find the flashier homes and personalities entertaining, my favorite photos are of quiet homes close to nature.  

Photo from Hitoshi Uchida's home tour in Kamakura, Japan by Todd Selby. 

From Tracey Tawhiao and Daniel 'Hype the Native' Haimoana Dam Native home tour in Auckland, New Zealand

Antiques and Old Towne Orange

Did any of you grow up watching PBS' Antiques Roadshow?  I remember catching it here and there on PBS with my brothers when we were little.  We enjoyed watching the reactions of people finding out what their treasures were worth . . . or not worth, at which point we would laugh at the TV like we would laugh at one another if we had accidentally tripped over a rock while walking to school.  We weren't very nice.

Fortunately, when I watch the show now I'm a bit more sympathetic to people's reactions.  There was one episode where a man started choking up when he found out how much his antique mug was worth.  It was almost as if he was in a tough situation and needed the money.  This made me tear up. 
And speaking of emotional reactions on this show, there's a stark difference between the American version and the British one.  The people on the British version of the Roadshow are far more restrained and controlled in their reactions whereas you've got Americans hugging the appraisers once they find out that great-grandma's old painting is worth thousands.  It's very entertaining.

I enjoy the history and uniqueness of antiques but find that thrifting and flea markets fit my budget a bit better than hardcore antique shopping.  It's just exciting for me to look through piles of junk to find unique treasures and objects that I can give a second life to.  I seriously get an adrenaline rush hunting for those hidden gems.  There are all these junk shops and thrift stores in my new neighborhood so I can't wait to explore soon.

I found these pictures that I took over the summer during my visit to the Orange Circle Antique Mall in Old Towne Orange.  I took a trip with some of the college students I used to work with.  I love this area of Orange County because it feels like a quaint, small town.  They hold an International Street fair each summer so I took pictures of some of the banners lining the different blocks.

Are you an antiquing/thrift store fan?  What treasures have you found recently?

New painting/card and randoms

I like how this watercolor turned out.  It's a little crazy but has a friendly, sweet air about it.  I'm thinking of making color prints of it on card stock for cards.

I also created that leather circular thing/sculpture from a broken purse strap some time ago.  It just needs to find a home on the wall somewhere.

I haven't been feeling too well in one way or another for the past three weeks so I'm looking forward to getting all this sickness behind me.  Health is one of those things I take for granted until I get sick.

I took these photos from the window of our office/my brother's old room.  The open dumpster just looked kind of funny, and I liked how the clouds looked on this day.

My friend sent me a Christmas card with these cool vintage stamps.  Thanks, S!

Projects from the week

This week was a creative and productive one.

I was recently commissioned to make Christmas cards for a client (aka my Dad) so I decided to try potato printing.  I've never printed with potatoes but I've always wanted to try this very cheap and easy method of printmaking (this would be a great project to do with kids).  

If you'd like to try it, just cut out shapes (I carved a small circle and a Christmas tree shape using a russett) with a paring knife and use a water-based paint.  I used water-based printing inks.  I suppose acrylics would work as well, especially if you're printing on fabric.

Accents on the cards were added in with my Micron pen and watercolors.  You could also try adding fabric cutouts, string, glitter, etc. to add more texture and variety.

I also attempted a second round of bread-making and it actually turned out well.  I had leftover ingredients for pumpkin pie so I also baked a pie earlier in the week.  AND I made chocolate chip cookies.  Wow, I'm a baking fiend these days.  I'm making the most of unemployment and it's great!  I should have a regular feature called "Unemployed and Creative".

 

And finally, here is a GPOD: Gratuitous picture of dog.  Look at that sweet face :) 

Christmas cheer

I finally brought out the Christmas ornaments, made some fun green and red paper chains, and bought a poinsettia to place by the door.  It's nice to have our home look a bit more festive.

I'm also enjoying all the cards and holiday photos all my friends are sending me!  Thanks, guys!

I know our "tree" looks a little sad but I really hate the mess a tree brings into the house (falling needles, dying branches . . . yes, bah humbug).

I've also started shopping for gifts.  I've decided to make all my gifts this year so I'll be baking away (don't worry--I won't be giving away any bread turds), painting cards, and finding creative ways to wrap everything.

Speaking of creative and thoughtful ways to wrap gifts, have you checked out Charissa's awesome blog on the art of gift wrapping?  Check it out at the Gifted Blog. 

Image courtesy of Gifted Blog

I especially love her tutorials.  This one on making your own gift bag looks handy.  I love me a homemade gift bag.

Now to keep the Christmas cheer coming, I must drink some hot apple cider, watch my favorite Christmas movies (Little Women, Elf, and the movie with little Ralphie), and enjoy the spiritual significance of this season of waiting, giving thanks, and celebrating.