Book Review: Jim Henson's Doodle Dreams

Inspired by the picture from my youth in 80s Recollection, I decided to continue to reach back and reflect on other stuff from my childhood--meals, fashion, and TV shows. This process led me to a charming book, entitled Jim Henson’s Doodle Dreams: Inspiration for Living Life Outside of the Lines. The book features text by Jim Lewis and the art of Jim Henson, the creative genius behind numerous things colorful and furry, like the Muppets and Sesame Street. I recommend this little book for anyone, of any age, who is ready to be inspired and sparkle with glee into the New Year!


A few quotes from the book that I love:

Creativity. Taking something enormously strange and somehow making it strangely familiar.

Being afraid isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes you need that trembling feeling to remind you how exciting it is to be doing something new.

If you worry too much about the way things are supposed to be, you’re a lot more likely to end up following the crowd.

A sense of wonder is the most incredible gift you can share.

Happy Holidays.

80s Recollections

I can still remember this childhood moment. It was Easter and my mother was up all night making me this coat, hat, and a white eyelet dress. Before church we hurried off to have a photo shoot.

This is one of many treasured childhood memories because it says a lot about the woman I am now. I am still a huge fan of coats, tights, and [single-strapped] Mary Janes. And soon I’ll be able to sew a coat!

Check out the white maxi piping—my mom has skills!

Present Pizzazz

ReadyMade magazine published a snazzy article with tips on how to rethink your gift wrap this holiday season. I've included a few of my favorites below.

(click me)

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Gifted: The Wrap-Up by Steven James

In 1917, the Kansas City-based Hall brothers (founders of Hallmark) reused French envelope linings to encase customer gifts. In that spirit, we offer a few suggestions for reinventing the wrap every time you’ve got something to give.

Map Wrap
Mailing presents back home? Prepare them for the cross-country journey with wrap made of recycled maps. Use pushpins and geographical postcard cutouts for the card.

Bubble Wrap
Paper’s plastic cousin makes its way outside the box. Cover the gift directly so a hint of it shows through and use double-sided tape for a clean seal.

Scrabble Board & Letter Tiles
Make a color photocopy of the game board and individual tiles onto sheets of 81/2” x 14” paper. Glue on your message using cut-out, copied letter tiles.

Can It
No scissors, no tape. Coffee and tea tins, cookie canisters, and unused paint cans offer no-fuss alternatives.

Tabloids
Nothing turns heads like a three-headed alien baby fathered by Elvis.

Click here to view the entire article

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...Making a List

The holiday countdown has begun! For me, it means I’ve started to buy and make gifts, schedule multi-city travel plans, and more. This morning while riding into Manhattan I began compiling a list of artful (and some practical) tasks that I hope to accomplish during my holiday vacation. If your life is anything like mine, completion typically relies on a plan. Below are some of the ideas that came to mind first.

• Read a good book
• Finish sewing shirt, skirt, and tote bag [+something new & fancy]
• Decide on wedding details [date/location]
• Shred, organize, file [make order for 2009]
• Reconnect with old friends
• Make a new collage
• Relax

Wish me well!

What’s on your to-do or not-to-do list this holiday season?

Super Supermarket

Support indie artist at The Supermarket at Design Within Reach. It's happening today, Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 7-9pm at the Tribeca Studio [for those of you in the NYC area]. To find out more, or to view the store online, click here.

Remember, there’s nothing wrong with taking a break and letting someone else do the creative.

Birthday Wish

On Sundays I often go to a cute café near my internship for brunch. This past week, I found myself at the cafe being seated aside two women who looked like they just walked off the set of the Golden Girls. I made eye contact, gave them a shy smile, slid into the booth, and pulled out my notebook. As I was writing, I caught a glimpse of a sprinkled chocolate cupcake with a blue candle next to the older of the two ladies. I wondered if it was her birthday, so I asked her. She responded that it was coming up on December 3rd; it would be her 96th. I sat in awe for a moment and then the three of us began to giggle and chat like old buddies. When it was time for them to leave and for my food to arrive, the birthday girl gave me her secrets to longevity. She said that one must:

• never hold grudges
• laugh hard daily
• love her/his profession/job

If I could have any birthday wish today it would be that every life would contain these three elements. I believe that her advice was a gift to be shared.

Now I am off to find a cupcake of my own!