New growth
This weekend I did my best to cheer up the dreary yard of our rental. It doesn’t look like much, but it’s a start…and it makes it feel a little more cozy.
As you can see, the yard is pretty tiny, so not much to work with. Can’t do anything about the neighbor’s trash can almost in our yard, but hopefully the rest of the stuff classes the joint up a bit.
There was just enough space in front of the garage for our two retro-inspired metal chairs. The matching table is by the back door.
This is one of two hanging plants I just bought. I love the purple in the leaves.
Another hanging plant on the garage. I’ve always wanted a spider plant. I find the tendrils fascinating, but also a little creepy.
When I saw this plant was called Rabbit Tail Grass, I knew I HAD to buy it. It’s so soft!
I put a bunch of smaller plants together in a big pot. Hopefully they don’t choke each other out.
I had some leftovers from the large pot planting so I put them into little pots leftover from the wedding. The table and matching chairs really needs to be sanded and repainted, but that’s a project for another weekend.
I have no idea how long these plants will last, but I’m hoping a do a better job than previous years. I’ve got a good feeling this time.
Christmas decorations 2008
Derek and I decorated for the holidays today. I made the wreath a few years ago, and the tree is a retro aluminum beauty. Love it!
In motion
In case you can’t tell what the moving black blob is…our rabbit, Sumi, washes his face.
A day of images at home…
Outdated-looking drawer in the kitchen of our rental. I liked the way the morning light was filtering in through the blinds.
I got this great Fiesta ware pitcher as part of a gift from my parents for high school graduation. I now use it to store cooking utensils on the stove.
Part of our vintage ceramic and teak lamp. It still needs a huge vintage shade to match it, but for now we’re using a fairly nondescript one from Target.
There wasn’t room on the book case for some film books I inherited, so they’re on display on the lone open shelf on a vintage cabinet we recently found. Next to them is an old air pressure gauge Derek found at his aunt and uncle’s consignment shop.
And finally: A hint of things to come. Out of difficult times comes creativity. I plan to put it to good use as I prepare for an art sale at my friend’s coffee shop next month.
The porch is our new favorite room
Who said romantic dinners had to be fancy? Chateau Ste Michelle Pinot Gris is a surprisingly good wine with pizza.
Ahhhhh! Summer!
It’s been a bit of a hectic weekend:
Yesterday was spent in Des Moines (first trip out of the area in…well…I can’t remember how long!) visiting the old gang from college. I wish everyone could have been there (big hugs!) but it was still great to see those who could make it.
Did some work for…work.
Today we finally got around to cleaning the back porch (aka alternative post-flood storage) and used it as a temporary office. It was lovely.
Lots of great late summer breezes.
I also finally got around to painting an odd bust I found while thrifting a few weeks ago.
While it was drying the backyard, I happened to get a glimpse of it from an upstairs window. It looked like a bright orange explosion! I’m sure whoever painted it its original faux-antiquey finish would have wanted to vomit at the sight of it. Yay!
My health behaved for the first time in a while, which made me very very happy. All in all, not a bad weekend.
After over a year of living here…
This evening Derek and I finally (finally!) got some art put on the walls in our living room. We had one grouping, but it long had some holes in the arrangement after selling some of the photos. I’ll take some photos of the rest when we’ve got some better light. But for now, here are two prints by Ryan Berkley, which can be found for sale here.
I bagged me a little one
Last week I found this miniature plastic mounted deer head at an antique store. I decided to use him as a jewelry organizer in the bedroom.
Budding interests
I decided to discontinue the match box project. There are too many other projects I want to be working on, and I’m really starting to wonder what I’m going to do with 12 completed boxes, let alone 30.
In other news, I’ve had lots of good luck thrifting lately. Man, this is going to be a long post:
A souvenir plate from Niagara Falls, Canada. Keeping this to hang on the wall.
A souvenir plate from San Antonio, Texas. I’m planning to sell this on Etsy.
A souvenir plate from Yellowstone National Park. Keeping this to hang on the wall.
A souvenir plate from Florida. I’m planning to sell it on Etsy.
A souvenir plate from Wisconsin Dells. I’m planning to sell it on Etsy.
A souvenir plate from New Mexico. I plan to sell it on Etsy.
A souvenir plate from San Francisco, California. Keeping this to hang on the wall.
A small brown Pyrex dish. I haven’t decided yet if I will keep or sell it.
A clay bowl by Dryden Ozark Frontier. It’s currently residing on our coffee table, holding remotes and cell phones.
A strange plaster bust of a small child with a big collar. I plan to paint it bright red and either use it to display a hat or sit on my desk in the home office.
A supercool chrome kitchen organizer with wooden handles. It must be from the 50s or 60s. I cleaned it up and plan to store art and office supplies in the drawers and bread bin.
And finally…a gawdy velvet painting. Derek won’t let me hang it up in the living room, but he said I can put it up in the home office…as long as it’s on my side of the room.
Kitty
Our rabbit, Sumi, seems to think he’s a cat.
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Recent tumblr posts
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brownpau: Illustrated Coffee Guide via woodlandcreature/thedailywhat Very nicely designed diagrams. God, I want a mocha right now. -
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dailybunny: Via That is one intense rabbit. -
cakeface: WWIII Propaganda: Loose Tweets Sink Fleets (via Brian Lane Winfield Moore) -
mutations: magnetical:(via killingbambi // feathers // annarellix // butterflyeffects // mabelmoments) 100% true. -
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cakeface: via dropular.net -
Hidden meanings in popular logos
I love how much thought gets put into them. So wonderful! [via stalk] -
stalk:iartistlondon presents the world’s first affordable DIY high art sets featuring Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and Banksy “iartistlondon is the cool new brand that enables you to make real contemporary pieces of art from the comfort of your home. All those pieces that you always wanted to have but couldn´t afford. We believe art should be for everyone. Our boxes contain all the necessary elements so you only have to concentrate on creating. In no time you will have a masterpiece created by yourself. It couldn’t be easier!” via -
robjensen:courtneyc: “The unicorn and narwhal are always bickering so I thought this would help them focus on what brings them together” —Etsy Shop ArgyleWhale -
Happy Father’s Day, Daddo! I love you! -
Fantastic illustration work by Emmanuel Polanco for Nuvo magazine. [via Kitsune Noir] - For followers on tumblr: I’ve changed my posting name from sumisumi to Brain Industries to go along with my freelance company of the same name. New name, same great taste!
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I can’t remember if I posted this before, but the design is too good to take that chance. Designed by Ork Posters. [via Street Anatomy] - Conversation Post
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People often assume the brand is the logo or symbol—and there’s no doubt that if that’s done well, it can give you a flavor for who the company is, whether they’re contemporary or traditional, and so forth. But I really see the brand as more than that logo or mark—it’s the totality of the way in which the company talks to its public.
Kit Hinrichs -
Is it dumb that I really want one of these? It’s a tissue box that won the 2008 Japan Good Design Award. [via MollaSpace] -
Poster design by Tom Eckersley [via grain edit]
