Books, books, books...

Credit: http://features.cgsociety.org/stories/2009_05/2009_05_stockholmlibrary/15-render-FG.jpg

The Introduction to "ReadyMade: How to Make (Almost) Everything: A Do-It-Yourself Primer"

"This is not a book.
It is a picture frame, a straight edge, a demonstration of how gravity works (look how swiftly it falls from your hands!), and a good anchor when your balloon is in danger of floating away."






Berger, Shoshana, and Grace Hawthorne. ReadyMade: How to Make (Almost) Everything: A Do-It-Yourself Primer. Crown Publishing Group, 2005. Print.

It's a good thing.

I have a very strange fascination with the one and only...Martha Stewart. From extensively complicated pie recipes to scandalous jail time to themed holiday crafts, she's definitely a landmark icon. I thought of her when I was thinking back on TV shows I used to watch when I was younger. I turned on some home channel a few weeks ago and she was on, and it all came screaming back to me. I think what I really liked when I watched her show (other than that kind of fascination with watching a train wreck, of course--but a train wreck trimmed in lace) was the crafts. I've always enjoyed projects that I can touch and create more than abstract, theoretical readings and essays. (Which brings me back yet again to why I shouldn't have been a math major, but...I digress.)

Credit: http://www.shoppingblog.com/pics/marthastewartcrafts.gif

Sparkology & Books

As inspired by both my mom and by Bill Nye, I'm looking into the term sparkology.

"Sparks are the things in your life that get you the most excited, the things that make your brain so hyper it starts bouncing around inside your head." - Bill Nye


Credit: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/01/07/earlyshow/saturday/main147239.shtml

Credit: http://www.billnye.com/images/consider-the-following.jpg

Speaking of things that get me excited, and children's TV shows that I grew up on and loved, anybody remember Reading Rainbow?

Credit: http://www.kued.org/uploads/logos/185-160_reading_rainbow.jpg

A little ironic that there was a TV show about reading but hey, whatever works.

Couch + Lounge + Love Seat + Sofa Bed

Credit: http://dornob.com/combo-couch-all-in-one-lounger-love-seat-sofa-bed/

Smoke Painting

Unknown Artist

This actually reminds me of a drawing/painting idea I had while taking a shower. Similar concept, but with shower steam.

http://infectedfx.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/geliografic00.jpg

Calgary Farmer’s Market

 

Calgary Farmer’s Market

Credit: http://bumbumbum.me/2010/07/14/calgary-farmers-market-open-all-summer/

Creative Print Ads

Koba: Long lasting batteries

Bose: Acoustic noise canceling headphones

Credit: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/19jZYS/iniwoo.net/inspiration/creative-smart-print-ads%3Fawesm%3Dfbshare.me_AM1E8

FOOOOOOOOOOOOD

 "A Tiny Gingerbread House that Perches on the Edge of Your Mug"

http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2009/12/18/a-gingerbread-house-that-perches-on-the-rim-of-your-mug/

"Encyclopedia of Spices"

http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/spiceref.html
Photo credit: http://dowlerseoul.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/spice-rack.jpg

 

 "The World's Best Egg Roll Recipe"

http://ihatemymessageboard.com/2009/08/30/the-worlds-best-eggroll-recipe/

"Meat Hand"

Disgusting and tasty, just in time for Halloween!
http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2009/10/27/meat-hand/

"Poor Girl Eats Well" Blog

www.poorgirleatswell.com/

"Parmesan Rosemary Sweet Potato Fries"

http://sarahscucinabella.com/2008/04/07/parm-rose-sweet-potato-fries/

Baked Eggs in Bread Bowls

http://noblepig.com/2010/01/17/baked-eggs-in-bread-bowls.aspx

Glass ceiling creates a simulated room "inside a pool"

Credit: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/05/simulated_swimming_pool_with_room_i.html

"Weird Roadside Attractions"

Photo courtesy of Mac Maroon.

"On a wooden dock in a pond near Syracuse, New York, sits a teeny-tiny church. The pint-sized house of worship was built in 1989, and is just 3 feet by 6 feet and has only two seats. There are no regular services, but Cross Island Chapel is available for special occasions, like a 1990 wedding in which guests had to sit in boats outdoors. Address: Sconondoa Road, Oneida, New York
Photo courtesy of Martin Beales."

This house is covered in over 50,000 beer cans.
Photo courtesy of Ann Aurbach via Flickr.

Photos and quoted captions found at: http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Family-Lifestyle/Travel/15-Must-See-Roadside-Attractions.html%3Fcid%3Dwd%3Astu%3Alifestyle%3Aroadsideattractions%3A

Repurposing

Kitchen sponge bike pedal cover

Rubber glove olive oil tip

Similar to my earlier post of the soda bottle sprinkler, this website has some great ideas for re-purposing around-the-house items.

Found on http://reubenmiller.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/extreme-repurpo.html.
Credit to http://static.iftk.com.br/mt/2007/10/new_uses_for_old_products_almo.html.

Subway swing

Photo credit: Audrey Penven

In order to liven up the daily commute, someone installed three red swings on the BART in San Francisco. Daily mundane life just got more fun.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/05/red-swings-on-bart-train-san-francisco.php

DIY fixes

Soda bottle sprinkler

I especially like this website because it ties into my independent study; this shows great ways to reuse items that normally would've been thrown out or recycled.


Credit: http://thereifixedit.failblog.org/

From "5 Creepy Beach Sculptures to Scare Off Sunbathers"

Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhinosaurus/3062678617/sizes/l/

Credit: http://deputy-dog.com/2008/07/if-you-go-down-to-beach-today.html

http://www.premier-holidays.com/info/5_creepy_beach_sculptures_to_scare_off_sunbath.aspx

Unique Wineglass

http://www.inewidea.com/2009/12/28/16155.html

Credit: Kyouei Design

Bear Sleeping Bag

http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2009/11/25/bear-sleeping-bag/

Credit: Eiko Ishizawa, eikoishizawa.com. 

Introduction--Independent Study

The purpose of this blog is to track my research and sources of inspiration through this fall '10 semester of my art independent study. This will most likely function as some extended version of my "Journal of Amazement", or "Holy Shit Journal", from last semester in Advanced 3D. Here goes!