Chicago Trip - Fashioning the Object Exhibit

A few weeks ago I went to Chicago to meet up my best friend. I also went to see the incredible fashion exhibit at the the Modern Art Wing called "Fashioning the Object" the fashion of Bless, Boudicca, and Sandra Backlund which runs till September 13th.

I would show you pictures of it except that of course like most special exhibits you can't take pictures. Here are some photos I found on Google of a few of the pieces I got to view while at the exhibit.

I was very refreshing to see the pieces in person because as gorgeous and wonderful as the photos are seeing them in person made me feel much more "safe" about my own work. I could see stressed stitches, or how simple the shapes are. How she combined knit with padding and crochet to get certain effects. It was truly eye opening to see her work in person. It gave me a much needed boost of confidence in the work I am sketching and planning out.

The other two designers I wasn't as familiar with.

Bless is known for their interactive fashion displays where their inspirations are actively part of their presentations. You can't exactly call them a fashion show all the time but more like interactive sculpture and performance. For their display it was a curtained room with both inspirations and garments hung all around. You were invited to touch and to move through the curtains to view everything. I love interactive sculpture, it is much more meaningful to me and makes the experience personal. Below are some images from some of their Fashion Presentations.

Boudicca I had heard some about but still did not know much until the exhibit. They are known also for interactive fashion shows with technology such as videos, projections, and music. They also had this perfume called Wode where when it was sprayed it would be this indigo blue and as it dried it would wipe off the skin and clothing leaving only the scent.

The rest of the trip was the typically shopping and photos in front of what we always call the Bean but it's supposed to be a cloud. The day was gorgeous and I think it was one of the few times where I think it really captured the look of a cloud when I visited. They sky was just the perfect blue to reflect with the wisps of clouds above.

These were some outdoor Sculptures on display at the top of the Modern Art wing walkway. I just loved how they were all iconic in their own images then displayed in mono chorme matte colors very close and a bit random. It was like they were all intruding onto each others space and identity.

Everyone always talks about the Marc Chagall windows at the Museum but I never spent much time looking at them. To me they were something pretty on my way to class everyday when I went through the museum to get to my studio art classes. I took some time on this trip to admire them and they are breathtaking. The amount of work to go into creating each panel with all the curves and angles from the glass is impressive.

Hopefully if you have an interest you can go check out the fashion exhibit before it leaves. My next exhibit to visit is at The Met in NYC "Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada’s Impossible Conversations" Which ends August 19th so I need to save up for another trip to NYC. I'm sure it will be another amazing memorable exhibit.

Minty Gold - OOTD

I know it's been a while since I've done an outfit. I may have another lag coming up as our house is soon to be a construction zone for a new kitchen. Then again I don't have many excuses since the weather has been surprisingly pleasant here in the OH.

Majority of my clothes were from my trip to Chicago a couple weeks ago.

Jacket - Top Shop

Mint Rhinestone tank - Top Shop

Boyfriend Cropped Jeans- Express

Gold and Silver Heels - Top Shop

Owl Earrings - Thread

Necklace - Dongdaemon Korea

Watch - Baby G

 

I was ecstatic to find these shoes and even better they were on sale for $70, the last pair and in my size. It was like the fashion gods knew we were meant to be together. I'd been lusting for something patent silver or gold since fall and these are hitting all the right marks.

To go along with my current obsession of mint and gold I got my first gel manicure in my proclaimed colors for the season. I went to Elli Nail spa per my friend Amie's suggestion and was very happy with the service and the finished product. My nails have still been flaking since the harsh acrylics I had for  my wedding and normal polish just wasn't cutting it anymore with how tough I am on my fingers. The gel is thicker and stronger so I'm less likely to snag an edge or have chipping.

Hope you all have a great weekend! I have some good stuff lined up to show you next week!
Cheers!

The Crafter's guide to Taking Great Photos - Book review

I know ironic, I took some really crappy photos of a book about taking great photos.  It was late at night I was in a rush, but the content is still the same.  I just didn't want to be hit with fines from the library.

So this books is a great little guide. If you have never done photography before. Even for me with my limited photography skills found a lot of it to be a boring read but also since I've worked visuals in several retail stores some of the set ups seemed very obvious. It is wonderful for a beginner though, explaining ISO, Shutter Speeds, Aperture, manual vs. auto focus. I think the way everything is explained is very clear and makes sense so it is an easy read. I also like that it tells the pro's and con's of each scenario even if it is something they would never recommend you using (like flash on a macro setting of a shiny jewelry).

The illustrations they use are also clear and helpful. They site a ton of examples of other people's work and their photography which makes it pleasant just to flip through. It is also a little distracting because you are seeing such great products and you forget to look at what makes up the photo and makes it so engaging where it shows off the product. I think that is a challenge either way because you want a great looking book with great looking content.

The chapters move fluidly through each phase so you can set up and follow their exercises along with it as you read through. I book marked a few new tricks I learned but personally it wasn't enough for me to want to buy the book and keep in my collection. I took my notes and put it on a list of books that I can easily borrow from the library. If you are a beginner I think this would make a great book to keep in your studio to help inspire and as a reference for when you just can't figure out why the shadows are so harsh or the photos are coming out too dark or yellow tinted.

Another thing that I liked about this book is that it also gives you some great DIY tips for making things the help with your photography.  I especially like this lightbox idea. There were also tips of making a photo box to put items into and take photos, diffusers for your flash (if you must use flash at all).

Overall it is a great book. It's just not a book that I need in my collection. If I had a friend or student starting out in etsy who was struggling with their photography I would  definitely suggest this to them or get it for them as a present. It would also make a good reference book for people who aren't aspiring or current photographers. If I gave it am amazon rating it would be a 5 Star.

Birthday Plunders!

Finally took a little time to capture pictures of majority of my spoils from my Birthday!

To start out my friend an artist John Mallet gave me this snazzy print. I always love his work!

A collection of books my Hubby got me and a Japanese paper craft book from my crafty friend Mary Moon.  I'm super excited about the pastry book and the Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty book since I went to that exhibit in New York.

A small cache of jewelry that I treated myself the week leading up to my birthday.

Gold Bracelet is from Mary Catherine's

Owl Earrings from Thread on Grandview

Turquoise earrings from Spring Flea seller is Rubyblu

Gold Gnome necklace from Substance

The colorful bed bracelets are my own soon to be sold on my etsy

Close up of the Gnome.

My friend Beth got me this super awesome Alice print that is the words to Alice in wonderland making up the background. I'm trying to think of  a super special place I can put this so everyone can marvel at it when they come too the house.

Lastly this wonderful mint scarf from my friend Claire! She knows my trends too well.

The texture on this is divine! I only wish it was a little more spring like with cooler winds for me to flaunt the beauty about town. She got it from Scarf Shop.

 Last night my friend Angel gave me this sweet little bracelet that is mint, coral and gold. Perfect colors for the coming summer.

Tonight I meet my parent's for a birthday dinner of Korean BBQ and relaxing at home.  I have a huge stack of books to go through for inspiration from both the Birthday and Library. My spark is lit again and I'm getting back on track. You know it's good when you have a problems sleeping because your head is full of ideas and designs.

You say it's your birthday!

Mr. Rabbit it has now been one year of us jumping down splendid rabbit holes together.

I however have been doing it for 31 years now.

I was born on Mother's Day in 1981. The only daughter and youngest sibling in my family.

 

I have been having a rather excellent birthday. Started this morning with a lot of kitty love with my husband bringing me each cat when I woke up for snuggles.  Last night he also let me watch all the K-drama I wanted while knitting on the big TV and gave me my presents  bit early, a lot of books! I'll post more pictures tomorrow since today my flickr is being disagreeable.

I also got my beautiful Bulky Knitting Machine from ebay!

The best thing which I had theorized is that the punch card patterns that I already have would work on this machine as well. Which they do! There was a small snap with the shipping where the knobs on the knitting carriage were bent out of shape and mostly destroyed.

 It makes me a little sad but I was inventive and took my rubber mallet to it.  The screws are straightened out enough that I can attach the knit carriage to the machine but the knobs are still destroyed and I need pliers to take them on and off.  Also if I ever want those screws replaced I will have to dremel them off the knit carriage which I am a bit afraid to do.

There are few things I want to get done this week on the blog. A book review, outfit of the day (or many days), snapshot of what I got when I was in Chicago a few weeks ago and snap shots of what I got for my Birthday both for myself and by loved ones!

Cheers friends!

Inspired to be Afraid

This morning I saw some local friends posting on their Blogs "Things I'm Afraid to tell you" which originated from Creature Comforts.  Not to hop on the bandwagon but how perfect is it to start off a Monday with some bits of truth?

Image from Creature Comforts

I'm always financially struggling. My husband and I keep separate accounts. I've been struggling since I graduated college due to a bad relationship where the guy put me into severe debt without my knowing (because we were engaged and I thought I could trust him).  Since then it has been a constant struggle for me to pay off the debts, draining my entire savings and now I'm building it back up very, very slowly.  When I do any shopping it is 90% on some sort of sale or deal, or I save up a rainy day stash and cut loose. I might have a shopping problem, I have more then once shopped first and delayed the bills which is part of my financial problems. I see my best friend buying designer bags and clothing and I get jealous and feel guilty that I haven't done better for myself.

I used to be a cutter when I was younger. I had a very rough time growing up emotionally so I turned to cutting in middle school and parts of high school till some things resolved at home. I never went deep enough to leave scars or when I did they are places you'd never see.

I never think I am good enough. I have a really hard time in believing in myself and my work artistically. I feel embarrassed most of the time when people compliment me because I don't think it's good enough.  Right now I am having an incredibly tough time with this from being rejected from Grad school this year. I would say I am still pretty depressed. It doesn't show all the time or everyday but I can feel the heaviness in my gut.

I'm afraid of having kids. I want them but I don't want all the changes and demands they will make on my life that I feel like I have barely lived. Cold feet, who knows. I don't want them to interfere with me and goals I have. I also am afraid of losing myself just to become _______'s (insert name here) mom. I don't want a child to become my personality, so I am afraid to becoming one of those moms who just posts pictures of their kids on facebook, uses their kids photo for their profile picture, someone who can't stop gushing about their child. There is nothing wrong with those people if that is what they want but that is NOT what I want for myself.

I'm afraid when I do have kids that they will never know their grandparents. One of the saddest things for me is having no grandparents there at my wedding day.

I'm afraid people think I am stupid or just superficial because I don't like to talk about things that are overly deep or political. I am an extremely emotional person I just wear my mask very well. I used to do nothing but think deeply and worry about the state of our government when I was young and it would get me very depressed. People would think me cold outside but as soon as I went home I couldn't stop crying and would do this for days or weeks. This was very destructive behavior so I left that all behind. I only fill my mind with surface distractions and avoid anything overly philosophical or political.

On the flip side let me tell you some things I am not afraid of.

Dying. It's inevitable so why worry about it?

The names of my 3 wonderful furballs.  Sir Benjamin Franklin, Princess Sophia Loren and Miss Rambo Flufflington

I'm never afraid to try anything new for a project or most anything in life in general. I try to live by my Motto "Jump into the Deep end" to keep me from being afraid of living life.

Failure, that just means I need to try harder the next time and learn some lessons along the way. 

I have an uncanny obsession with zombies. I am always prepping and  making note of my surroundings. I plan at least 2 exits and a hole up location where I could stay safely for 3-4 hours. I notice drywall, ventilation, possible weapons and food options.

So there is the worst and truth of it.

Tomorrow we get back to our normal programming!

Treat Yo Self - B-day Week

Sorry for the MIA, I've been floating around on many thoughts in my head. I am going to be firm, that I don't wait to air dirty laundry or negative feelings on my blog. I want to keep this as a positive and inspiring place for myself and my readers.

My Birthday is fast approaching next week and I have been treating myself very well.  With a little influx of cash from some side projects I was able to get myself one of my long coveted dream knitting machines the Brother KH 260 Bulky.

Please excuse the bad photo, this was off of Ebay and I am expected to receive my lovely in the mail today.  I have so many amazing ideas for her. Some of my friends say that a knitting machine is cheating but there are so many more amazing things you can get done with a machine and faster then handknits.  I'm reminded of this great blog post by StyleBubble on a designer called ALL Knitwear.

 photos from Stylebubble

These pictures get me so excited to get the machine in my hands and to get to work.  I've been away from knitwear too long where my heart lies in design. I'm slowly refocusing and designing a few small run collections.

Aside from that I bought myself this pretty dress from Nasty Gal

Lastly my Weaving teacher Pat Bullen is letting me borrow this little beauty for a month so I've spoiled myself with some new yarns to play with on the loom. It is a 4 harness 26" Kyra table loom with attached legs.

 

This is only the beginning as well.  I have a birthday party this weekend with friends a bit early since my actual birthday falls on a Tuesday.  I look forward to the local Spring flea, Columbus Zoo (which my hubby and I have done every year since we've been together) and dinner with my Parents.  I also plan to pick up this cute Gnome Necklace I spied last week when I was shopping for another friend's B-day present.

 Hopefully they still have it!