Ok, so I stumbled upon two really great give-aways and wanted to pass them along to you. Check out Mary Ann and her surprise box of goodies at A Very Mary Design
Another from the "People are Strange" lot. My question, why was this even made into a post card? Right click the image to save it to your computer. And of course, leave your own caption for the photo.
I have started a new project. Not that I need a new project, but I started one. Maybe it came from my summertime frustration of not having enough personal time to be creative; maybe it stemmed from my long time fascination with them; maybe it was the recent article in Somerset Studio Magazine that pushed me over the edge.
I started to make inchies. Inchies? you may say. What are inchies? Inchies are 1" x 1" collages of any topic, theme or design. I guess they are sort of a miniature ATC. They can be traded, collected or made into mosaics. They can, very clearly, become an obsession.
I have been fascinated with the inchies that Lia has posted in her blog Art Junk Girl. The miniature nature of them is enticing and challenging at the same time. The possibilities are endless. When I read the article in our recent copy of Somerset Studios, I decided to give them a try. 
First, I got out some nice, heavy paper and painted a watercolor wash. Then, I started cutting. We don't have a 1" square punch, so I used the paper cutter. Some of my inchies, I must confess, may be a little bigger, or smaller than a true inch.
I started creating the miniature collages right away. I love the collage process. The quantity and variety of collage materials that Kerry and I have collected since we opened the studio is really wonderful to work with.
My observations after my first inchies experience:
Well, one small art project started in this summer filled with kids and interruptions. I have a few questions for you: What should I do with the inchies? How do you cope with summertime and kids at home?
Paddy and Seamus were walking home from the pub. Paddy says to Seamus, 'What a beautiful night, look at the moon.'
Seamus stops and looks at Paddy, 'You are wrong, that's not the moon, that's the sun.' Both started arguing for a while when they come upon a real drunk walking in the other direction, so they stopped him.
'Sir, could you please help settle our argument?
Tell us what that thing is up in the sky that's shining. Is it the moon or the sun?' The drunk looked at the sky and then looked at them, and said,
'Sorry, I don't live around here.'
I was recently talking to a friend of mine from California. Carla and I have been friends since the 9th grade when we met at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. We survived High School together and have always stayed in touch through all of the changes over the years. Carla is the type of friend who you can pick up the phone and instantly reconnect with no matter how long it has been. She is a friend forever that I am lucky to have. Not only is she is a great friend but also a loyal reader of our blog. Although have you ever seen a comment from her? No. We spent about 2 hours on the phone yesterday discussing our 20 year reunion where she filled me in on the evening since I could not attend. She confessed her love for our blog but when asked about commenting, she said she didn't know what to write.
Well, I have to say, I don't think she is the only lurker out there. When you don't comment we feel like you don't read as well. Sometimes we fell like we are back in high school and not winning the popularity contest. Yes, I know Rachel and I over analyze things and think and talk far too much about this, but it is who we are and at this point we aren't changing. Comment away, let us know you are out there, that what we write touches you in some way. Do you want more giveaways? Do you want more surveys? Do you want more personal mentions? I swear we'll do whatever it takes.
So let's make this post the one with the most comments ever. (It can't be hard, our record is 5 comments of which 4 were spam.) And Carla, comment please. Public embarrassment is only something you can forgive a friend of 24 years for.
Zakka (from the Japanese 'zak-ka'（雑貨）or 'many things') is a fashion and design phenomenon that has spread from Japan throughout Asia. The term refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life and outlook. It is often based on household items from the West that are regarded as kitsch in their countries of origin. But can also be japanese goods from mainly fifties, sixties and seventies. In Japan there are also so called asian zakka stores, that usually refers to Southeast Asia. The interest in Nordic design or Scandinavian design, both contemporary and past, is also part of this zakka movement. Zakka can also be contemporary handicraft.
Zakka has also been described as "the art of seeing the savvy in the ordinary and mundane". The zakka boom could be recognized as merely another in a series of consumer fads, but it also touches issues of self-expression and spirituality. Cute, corny and kitschy is not enough. To qualify as a zakka, a product must be attractive, sensitive, and laden with subtext.
Another gem from the "People are Strange" series. Right click the image to save it to your computer. Leave us a comment with your own interpretation of the photo.
Meet Elsa and Alma Fanning, "The Great Fanning Sisters!" They are awaiting the start of their synchronized fanning tour. Be sure to catch it when it comes to your town. They will be all the rage in towns like Frankenmuth, Michigan; Sugar Land, Texas; Joshua Tree, California; and Brooklet, Georgia. Their show will include singing, dancing, and of course, synchronized fanning.
