Inspiration

So I'm not exactly sure why, but I've recently started my own inspiration blog on tumblr. I guess I've just wanted a separate outlet to show the massive amount of inspiring images I see everyday. I've been using weheartit, but their site doesn't always work properly. So I'm givin' tumblr a go. So far, most of my posts are fashion related. I'm not sure if I'll keep that the focus or if I'll post a variety of things. Take a look at it, follow me if you want and let me know what you think!

campsmartypants.tumblr.com
image source: wild fox

Artist of the Day

I ran across the work of Daren Newman via oatmeal & cinnamon. I totally dig his illustration style and typography. It makes me want to start dreaming up tattoo ideas!





Check out more of his work on his website, Me & My Pen.

Kitty Love

So after recently acquiring a large amount of catnip, I decided to make some tie-dye catnip hearts (made from recycled t-shirt material)! I'll be selling them at the Urban Grind Valentine Craft Show this Sunday ♥

Dreaming of Summer...

How much better would summer be if I had this in my backyard?!

by Marimekko. Found via Oh, Joy Blog

Imagine Peace

I just came across this amazing site called Imagine Peace. Created by Yoko Ono, it truly examines peace and how we can make it happen.


"The contemporary society is competitive, logical (inasmuch as the society makes an attempt or pretense of basing its thinking on logic) and power-oriented in its structure. Hypocrisy, violence and chaos result from this structure. We can now change the society with the feminine touch, or rather with feminine intelligence and awareness, into a basically organic, non-competitive one based on love rather than reasoning. The result will be balance, peace and contentment."

John Lennon & Yoko Ono
It's Never Too Late To Start From The Start, 1971

Aida Coronado

Cari, this post is for you ♥

This beautiful mexican inspired collection by Aida Coronado leaves me breathless!

"This unique collection is based on handcrafted details from a traditional vintage style. You will notice the beautiful and carefully handcrafted feminine details full of tradition, culture and bright colors in every piece of Coronado´s collection, surely would make your inner flower child to fall in love with."

Wearing any of her pieces would be like dying and going to heaven :)




Check out more of her work www.aidacoronado.com

Vintage Finds

So last weekend my mom and I stopped in at Atomic Ashes, an amazing vintage boutique on West Burnside. Here are the things I found:

Craft Leftovers Monthly is here!

Kristin Roach has just added the new February issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly to her shop! The issue features an interview with me as well as a friendship bracelet tutorial (Camp Smartypants style!). Also included in this zine are indoor and small space solutions to starting up a garden, as well as a some great crafty how-to's. Head over to her shop to check it out!

Stay tuned as I will be hosting a giveaway of the issue in the next few weeks!

Is it spring yet?

Cuz I have flowers on my mind lately....








images found via weheartit.com

Girl Scout Collectibles

My grandma found this article in the February 2010 issue of Country Living Magazine on antique Girl Scout goodies. I'm always on the lookout for girl scout stuff whenever I'm out antiquing with my mom, but they are really hard to find! I mostly only find boy scout stuff. But I love the deck of official Girl Scout playing cards and the old badge designs in this article.


(click on image to enlarge)

Jewelry on my mind...

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about jewelry. I'd love to make a few pieces for Camp Smartypants, but I'd first need to learn HOW to make jewelry correctly. I used to make beaded necklaces and bracelets when I was younger, but never had any official jewelry-making tools and they always were pretty fragile. My to-do list is getting longer and longer. Learning a new skill, like making jewelry, would be a lot of fun! I just wish I had more hours in my day! Anyhoo... while thinking about all of this, I've been looking at some pretty amazing pieces by other Etsy sellers. Here are my favorites:
by Katie's Basement
by Bright Pirate
by LA NATIVE
by Oh, Hello Friend

Tattoos

So another thing I want to add to my 2010 to-do list is to get another tattoo (I want to get one before my next birthday). I stumbled upon the work of Amanda Wachob via Frolic Blog. Her tattoos truly are works of art! Maybe she will help motivate to start designing my own...

Valentine Cards!

Just listed in my shop today....


It seems weird to be thinking about Valentine's Day already, but it's gonna sneak up before you know it!

Finished Craft!

I finally finished this crewel embroidery kit (from 1974). I'm so happy with this sweet little owl. Now I just need to find a permanent spot to hang him. I bought the kit at Knittin' Kitten for $0.50 I think.

Mmm.. Garlic!

So last night I made two of my favorite dishes for dinner. First I made Gypsy Soup, a sweet and spicy vegetable soup that I have made over and over again. It's low calorie and delicious!

The next dish I made, unfortunately is not low-calorie, but it is sooooo good! (If you're a garlic fan). Garlic & Goat Cheese Spread served with Crostini:

I got this recipe from an old coworker. I'm only allowed to make it once a year, as it makes the entire house reek of garlic. Here's how you make it:

INGREDIENTS:
1 head of garlic (about 10 cloves)
2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp brown sugar
10oz goat cheese (I used an 8oz package and it worked fine)
Balsamic Vinegar
Fresh basil (for garnish), chopped
Baguette
Olive Oil & Sea Salt

1. Roast the garlic in the oven. About 40-50 minutes.
2. Saute red onions in butter and brown sugar, until carmelized.
3. Layer garlic and onions in oven-safe baking dish. Top with goat cheese.
4. Bake in the oven @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
5. Next slice up your bread and put it onto a baking pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sea salt. Bake/broil in the oven until toasted (on both sides).
6. Once the dip is ready, drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and garnish with the basil.
7. Serve hot!

Routine

The first thing on my list of goals for 2010 is to create a new routine for myself. Not having a normal 9-5 job to force one on me, its hard to create my own. I've been thinking about what the best routine would be for me with my new self-employment. This has sorta been my 'routine' lately:

9-10am: Wake up
10-11am: Stare at computer/check email/etsy/facebook
11-4pm: Work (with lunch added in somewhere between 1-3pm)
4pm: Go to gym/go to work
6pm: Shower/Dinner
7pm-11pm: Maybe work more/watch movie/craft/stare at computer

What I don't like about that routine:
-I've only been putting in about 5-6 hours of work every day or I'm working well into the evening after dinner.
-I have a tendency to stay in my pajamas all day
-I also have a tendency of snacking all day
-The gym at 4-5pm is always packed

I want to commit to a set routine because, having a 9-5 job last year helped me to understand that having scheduled work/food/exercise times every day really helped me stay motivated, get things done and feel good. Kristin from the Craft Leftovers blog really helped me to see what my routine needs to be. And as much as I hate getting up early, I gotta do it!

Here is what I think my new routine will be (starting tomorrow):

8AM: Wake up
8:30AM: Go to gym
10AM: Shower/Breakfast
10:30AM: Work
1PM: Lunch (only take about 20 minutes)
5PM: Tidy up/Wrap up projects
6PM: Dinner
9:30PM: OFF
11:30PM: Bedtime

From 6-9:30PM will stay open for doing whatever I want whether its be social/work/whatever. By 9:30PM I want to make myself stop everything that I'm doing. I make a lot of my product at night, while sitting in front of the TV. I can sit there all night until I go to bed! Another thing on my list of goals is to read more. I want to use the time from 9:30-11:30 to read or work on a personal art/craft project.

I recently started working part time at the Rose Garden. My shifts start at 4pm, so this will screw with the above routine. So here is my alternative routine for those days:

8AM: Wake up
8:30AM: Go to gym
10AM: Shower/Breakfast
10:30AM: Work
1PM: Lunch
3PM: Tidy up/Wrap up projects
3:30PM: Eat snack/Get ready to go
3:45PM: Leave for work

Yikes. We'll see how this new routine works out. I've found that it takes me about 6 weeks for something to become habit. I'm going to give myself that much time to get into this. After week six I will evaluate and make any necessary adjustments. Wish me luck!

Goals for 2010

PERSONAL GOALS:
- Create a new routine (w/ exercise at least 3x per week, regular eating times, work, sleep)
- Get my own apartment
- Read more
- Spend more time in nature (go hiking)
- Go camping
- Make my own clothes (I haven't done this since high school)
- Volunteer for local Girl Scouts
- Paint the wooden bowls my grandpa made for me

WORK GOALS:
- Relaunch my freelance portfolio website
- Redesign my blog
- Introduce new product lines (for Camp Smartypants)
- Be featured in a magazine
- Be a guest vendor at the Portland Saturday Market