Friday Favorites

PS22 Chorus

Can't you just feel your heart melting? Seriously.

Thanks Neatorama!

Giveaways Galore!

Diana from Our City Lights is giving away a Marc Jacobs clutch in gunmetal *gasp*

Alliteration is doing a giveaway for her etsy shop. This necklace is one of my favorite pieces.

That Unreliable Girl is hosting a giveaway for Moonflowers Photography. I enjoy her carnival-themed photos.

Yellow Goat is also hosting a giveaway for one of A Alicia Accessories' gorgeous brooches.



Hellooooo Kitty! Here's another giveaway from Polygnome.



p.s. do not enter any of these giveaways, because I want to win!

D.C. Richmond Trip

Last week I took a trip to D.C. and Richmond to visit with my good friend Monica and her sweet baby boy, Hudson. We had a great time shopping, eating good food and laughing it up. As an added bonus, my other good friend Erin and her darling daughter, Lillie were also in town. Baby bonanza!

In Falls Church we ordered take-out at my favorite vegetarian restaurant, Sunflower, then picked up tasty bubble drinks (avocado, strawberry, lychee) in Eden Center. The donuts reminded me of Homer Simpson.

Lastly, here are some goodies I discovered on Cary Street in Richmond:

Gnome Onesie - World of Mirth
California-themed charm bracelet - vintage shop
(I might keep as is or refashion it)
Pin & Mug - Mongrel

Friday Favorites

She generally gave herself very good advice, (though she very seldom followed it). Lewis Carroll

Rosielee Clothing
Tilly Bloom: Music to her Ears Brooch
Danita Shop: Alice in Wonderland
tape measure bow tattoo

Thomas Allen: An Encore

I know that Thomas Allen has made an appearance on numerous blogs, but I couldn't resist. His work is incredible! He takes pulp fiction paperbacks and like a skilled surgeon, slices up the covers and creates these amazing dioramas. The characters literally jump off the pages.

Thomas Allen was kind enough to share with me, a folder showcasing most of his work over the past 9 years. And I quote, "something other bloggers won't find online." Thank you Thomas Allen!

Here are some of my favorites.

Strawberry Picking

This past Saturday we went strawberry picking at Brookdale Farm. It's our annual Mother's Day tradition (delayed this year). Despite scattered showers and muddy fields (hooray for wellies), we had a great time. We filled 5 baskets with big juicy berries. And it was my nephew's first time joining us.

Friday Favorites

Every Friday I will be sharing favorite finds via etsy, flickr, youtube, etc.
Happy Friday!

I Beg Your Pardon Print
Rosette Fascinator Headband
A biscuit to rule your heart.
This American Life

Rock Paper Craft Stickers

This is a great week for mail! First I got a MJ key ring from Diana and then my Rock Paper Craft stickers arrived. These lovelies are from Self Production Design. Thanks Kenna!

If you would like a sticker, please email me your address and I will gladly send you one.

Land of Make Believe

On Tuesday evening I discovered the wonderful world of tilt-shift photography. Tilt-shifting manipulates photos and makes them appear miniature. You can make your street look like it belongs in Mr. Roger's neighborhood of make-believe. And tiltshiftmaker.com lets you do this without any special lenses.

Take a look...


link

link

Here is my feeble attempt. This picture was taken on our vacation in the Outer Banks last summer. It helps to have an aerial shot. Thankfully we were on top of a lighthouse for this one. Can't you just imagine Mr. Roger's hand reaching down over the house? In a friendly way.

Many Thanks

Recently Diana from Our City Lights and I collaborated on a Rock Paper Craft giveaway and it was a great success! Many thanks to her and all those who participated. The winner got this lovely tea set.

Also, Diana sent me this gorgeous Marc Jacobs key ring. She's the best! Be sure to check out her blog for more giveaways.

Happy Mother's Day

This post is in honor of my mother, my sister, my mother-in-law and all my friends who are mothers. Here is one of my favorite poems.

Why My Mother Made Me by Sharon Olds

Maybe I am what she always wanted,
my father as a woman,
maybe I am what she wanted to be
when she first saw him, tall and smart,
standing there in the college yard with the
hard male light of 1937
shining on his black hair. She wanted that
power. She wanted that size. She pulled and
pulled through him as if he were dark
bourbon taffy, she pulled and pulled and
pulled through his body until she drew me out,
amber and gleaming, her life after her life.
Maybe I am the way I am
because she wanted exactly that,
wanted there to be a woman
a lot like her, but who would not hold back, so she
pressed herself hard against him,
pressed and pressed the clear soft
ball of herself like a stick of beaten cream
against his stained sour steel grater
until I came out on the other side of his body,
a big woman, stained, sour, sharp,
but with that milk at the center of my nature.
I lie here now as I once lay
in the crook of her arm, her creature,
and I feel her looking down into me the way the
maker of a sword gazes at his face in the
steel of the blade.

Happiness and Harmony

I've always been fascinated by barbershop music. The harmonizing sounds of a cappella music is both raw and beautiful. So what do you get when you combine Ben Folds' greatest hits and a cappella? An amazing collaboration! More here and here.

Ben Folds on iLike - Get updates inside iTunes

Here are some other a cappella groups that I enjoy:

Straight No Chaser



Canvas (pssst...they do The Simpsons song here)

Hello World!

Welcome to The Studious Crafter! A place where I can collect and share things that I love. If you click on the "About Me" frame and find that we have similar interests, you might enjoy this blog. But you don't have to take my word for it!