Paper Dolls for Boys

Raising 2 crafty boys and thrifting every chance I get.

Get Stuff? June 10, 2009

Filed under: Uncategorized — twlowenstein @ 2:38 pm

amazon_kindle_2

Anyone have one?  Like it? Waste of money?

I used to buy books all the time.  I also used to have time to read them.  But then I had children and found myself with neither the time nor the money for books.  The library has become an important part of our family life.  I still don’t have much time for reading other than blogs but I’d like to start reading more again.  Should I stick with the library even though the Due By dates stress me out?  I’m intrigued by the Kindle but worried it would be another piece of technology I felt I HAD to have but then really never used it to it’s fullest potential.

Can you tell I’m thinking of gifts for me from my husband for my 40th.

This is my ‘if we won the lottery’ choice.

image_811

At about $30,000. this Hasselblad camera is  just a wee bit out of our range.  But isn’t she a beaut?  I wonder if it’s possible to rent one for a week.

I am making my self sick with this post so I’ll round it out with a little trailer for, Consuming Kids, on how we are ruining our children’ with a culture of consumerism.

I like a little guilt, due to  my poor modeling for my children, to go along with my dreaming of new STUFF.

 

This Here’s a Photo Post June 9, 2009

Filed under: Random Bits — twlowenstein @ 8:47 am

I have strep throat again.   Seeing a specialist this afternoon and have a feeling I will be saying goodbye to my genetically massive tonsils in the none too distant future.  In the meantime I am thinking happy thoughts and taking happy photos “through the viewfinder”.

3570253300_dbfd5d6b74

3572957533_4646d252d6_o

This little hand making art makes me smile every time.3573754038_2f552369e4_o

Turtle’s name?  Pickles, OF COURSE!

3575909382_a635eabb6f

Edit:  Thanks all for your kind words, you guys rock!  The steroids and anti-biotics are working their magic and I am feeling much better.  I will be getting my tonsils out in August.  The doctor said it’s a 2 week recovery process.  Anyone else had their tonsils out?  How long did it take you?

 

Something From Nothing June 7, 2009

Filed under: Uncategorized — twlowenstein @ 10:42 am

And because you can not get enough of my video posts!

I would sure like this dude (monster-man.com) to make me a deer head trophy.  Who’s turning 40?!!

Must get my sore throat back into bed, but am swirling in the vortex that is youtube.

There is a whole paper machet world out there I never know about.  Me and my stupid pinatas.

 

Oh, Zooey! You’re as Cute as a Button. June 6, 2009

Filed under: Random Bits,Uncategorized — twlowenstein @ 3:17 pm

A twisted little vintage button.

 

Vintage Photo Friday June 5, 2009

Filed under: Vintage Photo Friday — twlowenstein @ 8:07 am
Tags: ,

My scanner is a prissy little thing.  She refuses to scan if the printer inks are not all full and to her liking.

Luckily I have this darling photo of  my little brother.  He “time enhanced” it to provide a more accurate representation of his fabulousness.

-5

More vintage photo goodness this way:

Green Jello

Knot Sew Crafty

Sheep on a Spring

Pineapples & Artichokes

Pamdora

Through the Looking Glass

Handy Crafts

My Own Crafty Wonderland

Woolanthropy

Los Angeles is My Beat

The Bee Bonnet Report

Living, Laughing and Loving in Austin

A Jen Too Many

Raine-works

 

Thrifting is a Thing of Beauty June 3, 2009

***I would like to apologize in advance for my liberal usage of CAPS in this post.  It’s my fingers getting in on the excitement of the day.***

For I had a banner thrifting day today.  And I really needed it.

I was feeling peeved about the closing date looking like it’s going to move back and just needed some cheap therapy.

I know you are supposed to appreciate and try to understand peoples’ differences but I can not fathom why a person would not love the heck out of thrift store shopping.

I went to a shop today that I had not been to before, and there are not many of those out there.  Someone told me about it and I can not remember who.  Whoever it was, I owe you a kiss, beer or babysitting (your pick).   The place was a treasure trove .  I am not ready to be as selfless as the forgotten one who pointed me in the direction of the shop in the first place, so it will remain nameless for now.  Sorry Kate, love ya!

Drink up the goodness below:

DSC_0019

Little faux bois tin, with a touch of fake wicker (anyone know how to say that in french?) thrown in for good measure.

DSC_0016A beautiful vintage umbrella that functions.  It has the most delicate wooden handle.  I am thinking of doing something with it on the porch.  Ideas?

DSC_0017

I picked up a funky old chair that is the color of the green in this lap blanket.  I am thinking of painting the new craft room teal and chartreuse and think the old chair with this blanket thrown over it will work nicely.  First I have to vaccuum what looks to be the excess fur of an entire cat clan off of it, cut the skirt off, paint the legs and fabreeze it with a vengeance.

Are you ready?

DSC_0025

Then I came across this vision of crafty win!  Do you SEE it?

DSC_0028

This little birdcage appeared to never have housed a bird (or their droppings).  It came stuffed with fake flowers that I generously donated back to the store.  The cool guy at the check out counter asked what I was going to do with this and like a dork, I replied, “I’m going to do something crazy with it!  Like paint it hot pink or something!!!”  Seriously, I said that.  Then just to try and dig myself out of the old lady hole I fell into I added, “I know.  I am CRAZY.  Lookout!!!!”  But if making a fool of myself is the price to pay for such thrifted goodness then a fool I be.

DSC_0034

I also picked up a few pieces of Pyrex, a yellow mug, an orange leftover dish, and an avocado mixing bowl to add to my growing collection.

I loved the shop and the people working there so much that I trekked out to their second location.  When you are feeling the thrift mojo, you do not question, you ACT.

Initially the second shop seemed like the uncool cousin of the first.  It may have had something to do with the 20 month pregnant woman with the hoarsest smokers voice I have EVAH heard gabbing into her cell phone the whole time.  She was not RESPECTING the THRIFT.

DSC_0008

I found this painting that is a little more “pop artish” than I usually go for but I felt like it was painted well and after I walked by it once, it beckoned me back.

DSC_0010

But then, then I saw it.  At first I didn’t bust any sudden movements for fear someone else, like the lady standing RIGHT in front of it, would grab it.  Then I panicked and made an ungraceful lunge for it.  In the process I knocked over a few hideous photo frames which the aforementioned woman caught while giving me an annoyed look.  Again, DO NOT CARE.  Fool I be lady, get the F outta my way!  I caused such a commotion that one of the workers came over and said, “Let me help you get that down.” in her best talking to a crazy lady voice.  Do not care for it is MINE.

DSC_0002Oh good gawd I love it.  It’s massive, it’s fetching, it’s MINE!

DSC_0003

It is the rare bird that looks better close-up!

DSC_0004

ahhhhhh.

DSC_0035Dayenu already but then I spied these beauties on the shelf and flipped when both skates were actually in the box.

DSC_0038

PRISTINE condition.

You hate me a little bit, don’t you?

 

Let ’em June 2, 2009

Filed under: Craft,Uncategorized — twlowenstein @ 3:08 pm
Tags: , , , , , ,

In our house the boys cheer excitedly when the “Sharpie Mushroom” comes down off the shelf.  I used to call them the “Mommy Markers” but they seemed to intuit the superior quality of the Sharpies compared to their washable markers and their calls for the “Sharpie Mushroom” increasingly became louder and louder.  Then one day, I let them use them.

The house did not fall down, they did not make themselves mustachioed bandits, and the wee one didn’t even run down the hallway screaming as he made a wiggly permanent line.  All things, I guess on some level, I feared.

Sharpie Mushroom of Joy

One of my favorite projects the boys made with the Sharpies was decorating wooden clothespin dolls.

Made by Eben.

I have a thing for wooden dolls (see, I told you I’m morphing into a crazy cat lady who collects toys instead of cats) so my oldest made me this beautiful beast of a doll.  I adore the colors he chose, especially the teal boots.

He made the instrument/sculpture that sits behind the little dude at school.  I love that he goes to a school that allows him routine contact with nails.

Hell, next to nails, the Sharpies are kids-play!

 

Do You Have a Dream Sofa? June 1, 2009

Filed under: Random Bits,Uncategorized — twlowenstein @ 1:17 pm
Tags: , ,

I need your sofa help. I need all the sofa help I can get because  I am sofa challenged.  Officially diagnosed.

I have lived with many futons and hand me down sofas, I have appreciated them all but they were uncomfortable or stinky or just not pleasing to look at.  My husband and I bought our first ‘real’ new couch from the clearance room of a furniture store in Harvard Square about 10 years ago and we were so proud.  Then a friend mentioned upon seeing it for the first time that she saw in the print a certain symbol reminiscent of Germany & WWII.   Enough said, we’re also no longer friends but for a totally different set of reasons!

This is how that couch ended upcimg40357

So then we got one from Craigslist just as filler before my dream couch.  Turns out the CL sofa had some rotting foam that turned to yellow dust that I could just see being inhaled by my asthmatic children.  So that one also ended up on the curb as well and I went to look for the second ‘filler’ sofa.  I went to Jordan’s (never again) and got a sofa that permanently looks like it’s doped up on pills.  The cushions WILL NOT stay on and it drives me nuts.  So now we’re moving and in theory, it’s time to get my dream sofa.

We’re thinking about this one in a different color.

giselleminisofa.altWe nixed this one in orange leather because it was crazy costly.

PetrieSofaS05_SM_Cocoa

Boy, they sure do look similar.  I like the 2 cushion look more than the three or better yet, one big cushion.  One big stays-in-it’s-place cushion.

So I’m sofa shy now.  I do not trust my judgement when it comes to sofas.  I read this post over at Fresh Milk Delivered Daily and it got me thinking I should ask for advice from all of you.  What are your dream sofas?  Do you own it or just oogle it from afar?  I’m not looking for a zillion dollar hand tied masterpiece (unless you’re giving one away!) but just a solid, clean lined sofa.  I’d appreciate any links and/or photos you could throw my way!  Be sure and check out Mollie’s Wordy Butterfly Mobiles and contribute to her dream sofa fund if you’re in the market for the beauty she’s sellin’!

Edit to add: Chris raised a good point in the comment section.  This will be in the living room, a read a book and hang out with guests room but not the primary lounge/tv area!  For that I’ve got my eye on a leather sectional from Craigslist…