Oh Mother’s Day, no other holiday fills me with as much ambivalence as you. So here’s my two favorite mothers and their words of wisdom: “How long have you been a smoker?” “22 years.” “Well I think you should quit.” (yes, I know the second picture is from a different scene, but I love her…
Category: life aquatic
So ready for Fall Fashion!
Last week we had a brief moment of cooler weather which I took advantage of. I mentioned that I inherited some clothes from my husband’s great Aunt, and here are a couple of them. The soft brown tea length skirt has wooden button that go down the side. I had to take it in about…
7 Years? Happy Anniversary!
August 2nd was our anniversary. Seven years of marriage! We think. We actually can’t remember. Two days before, I was lying in bed trying to nap while our baby Tony was napping- yes, sleep when the baby sleeps is the best advice ever. Suddenly I remembered and texted my husband in the living room- “holy…
All The Better to See You With!
Well, these eyes have finally gone blurry. It’s pretty common for people in my family to need glasses in our early 40s, and sure enough I hit 42 and whammo! My eyes just gave up focusing up close. Reading and more importantly drawing and painting were giving me a headache. I’d heard about Warby Parker…
One Year Later- Living a Flesh and Blood Life
-from an “The Art of Dan Clowes: Modern Cartoonist” I read that a little over a year ago. Afterwards I immediately asked myself, “Does the internet make me happier?” The answer was, “no.” The next question I asked was, “But does it make me a better- and by that I mean a kinder, more considerate,…
Simple Modern Sewing- Maternity Dress
I made this dress last year when I was pregnant with Tony. These photos were taken in late August or early September- when I was around 8 months pregnant. The pattern is from the book, Simple Modern Sewing by Shufu To Seikatsu Sha. It’s pattern 3, the “Boatneck Dress. I LOVE this pattern. It’s incredibly…
Words, Words, Words: On Toxicity and Abuse in Online Activism
Originally posted on Cross With You:
Digital Shodan by Chris R (http://twitter.com/offby1) To all new readers: I’ve written a follow up to this article. Not long ago my partner and I were seated in her car discussing the arbitrary nature of certain holidays and I opined, perhaps halfheartedly, that New Year’s was a worthwhile holiday…
Mr. Blue Sky
“Hey you with the pretty face! Welcome to the human race!” Mr. Anthony Thorbjorn is 4 months old! I went in for a scheduled c-section in October. Kaiser has upped its game- everything was really nice. After Karl’s disastrous birth (not at a Kaiser) which involved a neglectful midwife, hours of hard labor, & baby…
“We’ll join this cosmic saga”
Happy Valentine’s Day to my beautiful husband, Mikael. Today is one of those days where I don’t want to do anything other than cuddle up with my husband, eat some cookies, and maybe power watch something mindless like “Scrubs.” We’ve both been sick with a sore throat cough so the most romantic thing I can…
Happy Galentines Day!
Vanessa made these awesome Valentine’s Day cards!
Backstrom (imagine skeptical emoji here)
Watched Backstrom last night. I love Rainn Wilson, but I’m over the trope. I was WAY over it while watching House- but the fine supporting cast kept me hooked. “Brilliant Asshole” still has the ability to provide some fun, but it’s going to have to be fresher. I don’t need another “not really racist-sexist cause…
National Coffee Day!
Some places you can get free and/or discounted coffee today on National Coffee Day~ Shhhhhhh! I don’t want to hear any grousing about made up holidays when they involve free coffee ;D And yes, I definitely got my Agent Cooper on and had a damn fine cup of coffee!
Murder! Mystery! So much good tv!
For a not particularly violent person, I love murder mysteries. As I mentioned last time, I don’t find tv watching relaxing. The minutes crawl by, so I have to have something next to me to distract me, usually my phone where I’m reading an article (I don’t have social apps on my phone except Instagram)….
6th Anniversary & the marriage of cookies and ice cream
My husband and I celebrated our 6th anniversary yesterday, sort of for the second time. The first time was a couple weeks ago, when Mikael’s parents visited. We don’t eat out very much, maybe twice in a month, so food I don’t make from scratch is pretty luxurious for me. They watched Karl while we…
Happy Father’s Day with Kraang and a Ninja Turtle that’s not a turtle.
Happy Father’s Day to my beautiful husband! I bought a mug at Starbucks that came with a black and white porcelain pen. Karl and I drew on it, then popped it into the oven for 20 minutes. Once it was dry it’s ready to be hand washed and filled with lots of coffee! Karl is…
Happy Birthday to my husband!
Today is my husband’s birthday! We celebrated with cake, ice cream, cream cheese bean dip, and chips last night. I developed hives after an allergic reaction to medical tape, so we had to post pone a get together with friends 😦 I made a yellow cake from this recipe: and chocolate frosting by modifying my…
Valentine’s Weekend
Thusday evening, Mikael brought me flowers and candy. See’s is my absolute favorite! (Yes, I already have candy on my pants.) We went to dinner at a local mexican restaurant and relaxed and people watched with our son. Friday I took Karl into San Francisco to Kinokuniya in Japantown. I found an awesome sewing magazine,…
Singing Songs of Love~
The sun had set and I’d just started watching David Fincher’s “Zodiac” for the first time. My cell rang and it was an unfamiliar number. I got a sudden thrill. “A cute boy is calling me!” I was pretty sure it was the guy I’d given my number to the day before. I let it…
Juggling Projects
Feeling incredibly rejuvenated. Karl is back in pre-school. Finished a large job for a client. And I have personal projects organized and ready to create. Today I put on Grant Morrison talking on Keven Smith’s Fatman on Batman podcast. I loved Morrison’s “Supergods,” which made me feel like I could accomplish anything despite my anxiety….
Gifts
Recently two friends gave me the most beautiful gifts. They were complete surprises and way out of my current budget for myself. Everything I make currently goes toward paying for Karl’s preschool, and since we’re isolated from family and most of our friends up here, preschool is important for his socialization. Both of these were…
Happy Thanksgiving!
This land is your land This land is my land From California to the New York island; From the red wood forest to the Gulf Stream waters This land was made for you and Me. As I was walking that ribbon of highway, I saw above me that endless skyway: I saw below me that…
LADEE -fly me to the Moon!
My husband started his archiving internship at the Nasa Ames Research Center. He’s wearing grown up clothes! Last Friday we went to the Nasa Ames research center to watch a broadcast of the launch of LADEE (Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer) from Virginia. There were lots of people all geeking out about science. And…
Press your space face close to mine~ 5 years with my beautiful husband!
So, my husband and I forgot our anniversary. Someone well wished us 2 days before on facebook and that’s when we remembered. Whoops! In our defense, we were preparing to have Mikael’s parents come up for a 10 day stay, so we were scrambling to get the apartment into not just clean, but, “guest clean.” Five…
“Behold and Love This Giant” ~ David Byrne and St. Vincent
Last night I saw David Byrne and St. Vincent perform in Oakland. They were spectacular. It was nice to see musicians who wanted to perform instead of looking embarrassed to be onstage. I didn’t take any photos bc I really hate it when you’re trying to watch a show and people are flashing their phones….
Dolly
My doll making progress so far: That crocheted octopus was a gift from my sister-in-law Lauri. It’s amazing. The chicken was a gift from my grandmother-in law, Farmor (her real name is Ruth, but she’s originally from Sweden). learning to paint on fabric & experimenting with faces. Whoops! found out the dry time is about…
Moebius~ Arzach and Big Wow Comic Con
So in love with my Moebius Arzach. I can usually only find “Blueberry” here in the US, so I was pretty stoked to find a guy selling a bunch of Euro comics. This is all in Italian, but I’m primarily interested in the art. And of course some awesome Cosplayers! This is Anthony Misiano and…
Happy May Day/Beltane~ Teen Crush Edition
Legend, along with Labyrinth, was one of my go to early teen movies. Even at 13/14 when this movie showed up on HBO/Showtime (who knows, we had EVERY pay station) I realized I wasn’t into Tom Cruise but I was totally into Tim Curry- who is dressed as a giant red devil/minotaur creature. And I…
40
My 40th birthday came and went. Lovely and mellow, it involved ice cream, buffalo fries and family and friends. I keep wondering if I’m supposed to have some sort of epiphany or meltdown but so far everything’s great. I feel as though I’ve already worked through all the freak outs I’m supposed to have had…
Angles and Lines
On my 3rd cup of coffee this morning. Reviewing the sketches for my maps project. Some I love & some are ho-hum. But hopefully the work as a whole will be strong. Yes, those are daffodils and ranunculus in an “Astroids” glass. Ranunculus win for the best “most ridiculous to modern ears” flower names. Daffodils, why are you so…
Happy Birthday to my beautiful husband!
Like the leaf clings to the tree, Oh, my darling, cling to me…
V is for Valentine
My husband and I exchanged gifts on tuesday. We have a set budget and simple desires. He wanted another Elric book, along with a DC reprint “Ghosts” and the Mars Trilogy by Burroughs. I asked for a book of prints by Ernst Haeckel and “DIY Couture” by Rosie Martin (book reviews for both later.) Last…
Papillon Parade Blouse
“You took my hand and led me down to watch a papillon parade, And we let the kittens lick our hair and drink our chalky lemonade” ~Andrew Bird, Masterfade I finally finished sewing something. Finally. FINALLY. It’s only been three years, so I may be a little excited. I sewed up a frenzy while I…
posing for some new work
Yes, I do pose for my own work, simply because well, try explaining that look to another person. “more snarky- woah- no, ease up there! mmmmm, i dunno, can you get your mouth over on the side of your face?” And yes, I raided my husband’s closet for the shirt. Hmmm, on second thought, I…
Elsita
p.p.s.~ the white paper made the rest of this photo so dark. However, you can see my Nosferatu hands rather well. I have finally bought a print by Elsa Mora! Her work is very lovely. Whimsical without being saccharine and perfectly ageless! I became a fan of hers when I was pregnant with Karl, but money was…
Colette Patterns
Yesterday I went to the Colette Patterns Fall 2012 Launch at A Verb for Keeping Warm in Oakland. My husband, son, and I started off next door at James and the Giant Cupcake. Yeah, delicious cupcakes and an awesome low key atmosphere. They even had a table with paper and markers for kids to sit…
Happy Anniversary!
Wow! 4 years! My husband & I have been married for 4 years. He’s my best friend and the best First Mate a Captain could hope to have. I’m so lucky to have met him. Reflecting on these last 4 years I’ve come to some conclusions: if we can survive a baby and hammering out…
my comic book inspired wedding invites
My anniversary is approaching {August 2nd} and i was thinking about our wedding and such. in addition to sewing my wedding dress i also drew our invites, r.s.v.p. postcards, and our thank you postcards. my husband and i are both comic book nuts {he said he fell in love on our first date when i…
39
i just realized that i didn’t post a picture for my 39th birthday. Here i am, freckles, acne, and acne scars all.
Book Love~ books and Betty sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens may actually be some of my favorite things, but these books definitely are! i wanted to do a quick post about some of the books i keep closest to me and frequently use for inspiration. There are boxes more still unpacked and i’ll post an update when i get…
TARDIS cake for my husband
so, yesterday was my husband’s birthday and i wanted to make something special for him. he’s been really into Doctor Who {and has gotten me into it too- which is totally what i need, another obsession, right?} i also ended up making a bunch of Doctor Who tshirts and phone cases: HERE i knew i…
finally moved!
finally moved in! blogging will resume maybe next week 😀
karl’s super 2nd birthday!
my son celebrated his 2nd birthday january 5th. we threw him a super birthday party. i made felt masks and sewed elastic to them. i also made karl a yellow cape for derring do! the day before i made an yellow cake from an amazing recipe i found {see below}. it recommended using shortening in…
moving!
we’re in the process of moving, so posting will be be erratic for the next few weeks 😀
leaves of gold and silver
i love fall for the beautiful leaves. when i walk with karl we collect the prettiest leaves we can find. but forbidden fruit is always the sweetest. our neighbors have the loveliest tree in the loveliest setting. all gold and silver when i look out of my window. i sneaked a peak and felt a…
super halloween!
halloween was wonderful this year. karl loves to wear dish towels as capes so we figured he’d get a kick out of being superman. while matching halloween costumes are not in our future, the all black garb of the evil kryptonians was an easy one for us. daddy, karl, and mommy as general zod, superman,…
gift from japan
when he was just a little boy, my husband’s family hosted an exchange student from japan. she became close friends with them, especially his older sister and they’ve visited over the years. recently, i had the good fortune to meet her for the first time. she was very lovely and kind. she brought karl a…
sewing~ wedding dress
my 4 year anniversary approaches on august 2nd! i can’t believe it’s been 4 years already. my husband mikael is my absolute dream man. now that we have karl i don’t have much time to sew, although after i’m done with my current art project i’m going to take a month off from painting and…
18 months- post baby thoughts
in 3 days karl will be 18 months old. i try to restrain my mother hen crowing about how completely amazing he is and how i’m sure he’s already a child genius on par with anything salinger dreamed up. {mostly bc the italian side of my brain is afraid of the evil eye.} usually i…
easter eggs
with all the new egg color kits i still prefer paas. green bicycle egg i made for my husband, mikael. tri color blue egg. 2 color, yellow & blue egg. alien face egg, again for mikael. 3 color orange, green and blue. peacock blue egg.
hot cross buns
i ordered hot cross buns from “all of the above bakery” in temecula. they’re a gluten free bakery, among other things, & they’re fantastic. check them out if you’re in the area! where are my hot cross buns? the fluorescent light in the previous pic was bothering me so i used a yellow gel. karl’s…
nouvellegamine 