Jimmy Fallon's Reading Rainbow

It is very rare that I will post a video of Wednesday, even more so a video of someone or something else. But this video of Jimmy Fallon singing The Reading Rainbow theme song as Jim Morrison had me in tears it was so amazing. I LOVED Reading Rainbow with Levar Burton, so this entire bit had me grinning from the first couple words. Also, I am so proud I recognized all the children's book quotes at the end. Please give it a listen, I promise you will NOT be dissappointed!

Nuno Magazine : Rustle

Today is the first day of Summer! Huzaa! The weather has been amazing for all sorts of things like T-ball games, family picnics and gardening. But when it rains it pours right? And sometimes it is just too darn hot and sunny (SPF 700 anyone?) to be outside. So you know what I like to do then? Make pretty things. You too? Well then, you will love the digital magazine Nuno then.

For those of you unfamiliar with Nuno magazine it is a seasonal digital format (PDF only) magazine created by the talented sister duo Elizabeth and Rachel Abernathy. Nuno focuses on crafts and art created from recycled and found materials.Some of my favourite examples fromt his issue are:

This curvy clutch made from recycled linen.

And these gorgeous water colour butterflies made from recycled book pages.

Some of my favourite past projects include:

This knitted fern pillow (Pattern included in issue) from the premier issue fall 2010. Made from from recycled yarn. 

These beautiful "kokeshi doll inspired finger puppets" from the winter issue titled Shades of Gray had my gears turning. 

The latest issue Rustle is guaranteed not to disappoint. With projects like this beautiful crocheted Irish rose purse.

And at $3.75 how can you resist this 95 page ad free, independently published, beautifully photographed periodical? It's a steal! But for those of you who haven't the dollars to spare check out the three previews below complete with projects.


 Click here to purchase the 95 page Spring 2011 Issue Rustle for $3.75.


Winter 2010/2011 Shades of Gray Issue Purchase the 125 page magazine here for five dollars.


Purchase the 150 page Fall 2010 issue here for five dollars.
For more great projects, tutorials, inspiration and vintage and artsy photo goodness, visit Elizabeth Abernathy's blog. For more photos and free projects from Nuno magazine, visit the website here.
Now I am going to grab a coffee and re-read my issues of Nuno.

Storybook Sunday : The Birdman by Melvin Burgess

Stay tuned for a bird related kids craft after the review!

With spring in full swing (for most of us) I have had birds on my mind for some time. Feeders and houses and such. So when I had an idea to do some related crafts I thought it fitting to share with you a book we recently discovered. It is called The Birdman and is illustrated by Ruth Brown and written by Melvin Burgess. 

Regardless of the controversy that surrounds the author`s more current works, this book I found to be wonderful. A little dark maybe, but that seems to be how we like our fairy tales around here.

The story begins with some beautiful carnival-esque imagery that I couldn't help but be taken with. (I love that sort of thing; Cirque De Soleil, Mirrormask etc.) Then slowly you are taken into a wonderful story that has a hint of mystery. A boy meets a man who sells what appear to be wild birds. At first the boy is apalled at the thought of it and uses his only coin to purchase one with the best intentions of setting it free. But we all know where good intentions get us! I won't tell you any more because this is a short story with a twist, a beautifully illustrated tale about karma.

♥♥♥

But we can make a little bit of good karma of our own, we are going to help some wild birds pimp out their nests. Without giving any strange men our last coins. In fact, this shouldn't cost you a single penny. We are going to help the birds build their nests this spring! To do so you will only need a few things from your craft cupboards (I know you all have said cupboard with these supplies!)

I used onion and apple mesh bags I had been saving, some scrap yarns (The green stuff had been pre-cut to 4: lengths for a project but I changed my mind at the last minute), jute twine, some hot pink synthetic twine for colour and wool.

I say this for two reasons, for super little ones (like mine) this is tricky and best done by an adult in advance. Also, trying to fill the mesh bag strand by strand is super tesious as they catch on the holes.

We used a mixture of synthetic and natural fibres. The natural fibres separate really nicely into super fine strands, the synthetic didn't like to be pulled too small but I couldn't help add a bit of colour to the mix.

 Please ignore the carcass like appearance!

The Mister fashioned this bird feeder out of an old satellite dish today. We haven't quite worked out a cover yet but when the tree leafs up nicely it shouldn't much matter. Like it? The birds do! Took them about ten minutes to scope it out the smorgasbord!

Now your backyard birds will have the hottest nests out there! I hope you enjoyed the how to and I hope you skip on down to your local library and check out a copy of The Birdman, I promise you will love the twist at the end!
I think we'll do at least one more kid friendly bird craft before the week is out, what with Earth Day coming up and all!
Cheers!

Storybook Sunday : Hooper Humperdink...? Not Him! (Read-Along Post)

When Polly of Helping Little Hands announced that March is Reading Month (And March 2nd was Dr. Seuss's birthday) and that she was hosting a read along of sorts I knew that was what I needed to get my but in gear for a children's book review.

In honour of Mr. Geisel's birthday I thought I would share with you Wednesday's and my favourite book; Hooper Humperdink...? Not Him! not just by him but anyone.

This book brilliantly runs through the alphabet in true Dr. Seuss fashion. Quick, rhythmic stanzas that you can't help enjoy. I mean c'mon, who wouldn't like to know an Olivetta Oppabeam and Pinky Pasternak?
Wednesday particularly liked the quintuplets, and the children in masks riding the Chinese dragon.
I love how in every picture, poor Hooper is watching the show become more and more fantastic and eventually, he gets invited to the party.
The picture I posted is of the cover that I have, but upon searching for that same edition it appears to be re-released with new illustrations by Scott Nash.They are pretty but they are not the Charles Martin ones I love. Charles Martin is the illustrator for this book and I wouldn't have it any other way. he gets the expression on Hooper's face just right throughout the book. He also creates one fantastical affair with every letter of the alphabet!

As an added bonus to the read along, any corresponding activities would be added. I had thought about doing another Fancy Nancy affair since Wednesday's favourite book is her Tag Reader Fancy Nancy at The Museum. But since A)our weekend magically filled with birthday parties and B) we have already done a Fancy Nancy activity I thought something simple would be perfect.

I visited the Seuss website Seussville.com and found some great printables to download and colour and play. Right now Wednesday is all about connect the dots and mazes so I thought these would all be groovy for you guys too!

Bartholemew's 500 Hats Counting Sheet
Cat in the Hat Colouring
cat in the Hat Birthday cake Maze
Hop on Pop colouring page
Hop on Pop reading worksheet
Horton Hears a Who connect the dots
Horton Hears a Who Colouring Page

For information on how to participate in the March Read Along visit this post at Helping Little Hands. To see what we have been reading and sharing check out the March Read Along Label at Helping Little Hands.

Happy Reading Month!

Nuno Magazine : Shades of Gray

With the imminent new year upon us, I thought I would sneak in a fitting review. What is your new year's resolution? Excercise more? Quit smoking (Been there)? Go vegetarian (Done that)? How about something less intense, just as ethical and lots more fun? How about, you (and by you I mean we) resolve to craft with more recycled resources? Sound good? I thought so. And, to help you with both inspiration and instruction I present the second edition of Nuno magazine.

You may remember the glowing review I gave the gorgeous autumnal premiere issue. Well this review will be just as adoring. I am in love with the simplicity of the projects, the love and detail put into the magazine and of course, it is a gorgeous resource for any environmentally conscious crafter.

In this issue full of gorgeously photographed projects, there is something for every skill level...

Feeling particularly crafty? Try your hand at these beautiful "kokeshi doll inspired finger puppets".

 Can you knit? I envy you because you can make this lovely knitted clutch.

 For those last minute, quick but wonderful crafts, you can always create some wonderful newspaper bunting.

Elizabeth Abernathy & Co. have pulled out all the stops yet again in this 125 page volume. (Always ad free!) This  is but a sample of the projects you will find in Nuno: Shades of Gray. If you would like a larger sample, complete with four projects you can view the preview below.

Open publication - Free publishing - More tutorials

If that preview has you wanting more, you can purchase the full 125 page issue for the low price of five dollars at both ElizabethAbernathy.com and NunoMagazine.com All for the incredibly low price of five dollars. Buying this magazine is supporting many movements in one, self publishing, paperless publishing, green-crafting, and of course the independent artist. That is a lot of bang for one's buck oui?!

Tonight may be full of champagne and sequins, but tomorrow when the new year is upon us you will want to grab a mug of coffee, your fresh new copy of Nuno magazine and a pad of [recycled]paper for the ideas that will ebb and flow as you read.

Have a very safe and incredibly happy new years! Cheers!

Storybook Sunday : A Tale of Two Denim Books

This Storybook Sunday is for the refashionistas out there. I have recently purchased two books about deconstructing and reconstructing denim. You know my love for recycled denim, so it is natural that I would start collecting books about using it in fashionable ways.

The first book I ordered, a little over a month ago is called Jean Therapy and was written by Scatha G. Allison aka Miss Velvet Cream.
This hard-cover-coil-bound beauty of a book comes with four full size patterns. (Conveniently they are for my favourite projects.) But, there are also twenty one in depth and well illustrated projects for you to do and twelve more gallery photos to further inspire you.
You know how some refashion manuals are more inspirational then do-able? This book is not one of them, while there are a few projects you would not catch me making and/or wearing, there are more that I am looking forward to both make and wear. Like what? How about the grommet cuff or Pencil Skirt? Two very simple projects that are too simple to personalize.

The second book I ordered (and received almost creepy fast) this week. It is called Denim Revolution and was written by Nancy Minsky who also has a fabulous blog called Jean Repair about restyling denim. This book as a whopping thirty two projects and even a chapter on distressing your denim that I found fabulous. (I can't wait to take a hammer and nail to my jeans!)
While this book does not have the full sized patterns that Jean Therapy does, it does come with patterns and templates for you to trace,copy and enlarge.
This book, had fewer projects that I myself would tackle but I found it more inspiring than Jean Therapy. (Did that make sense?) My notepad has a few full pages after reading this one. I should mention though, I love Nancy Minsky's use of trims and patches. Particularly on the Alice in Wonderland Pedal Pushers.

Both books had some similar projects such as denim cuffs of both a romantic and hipster nature. Both books had projects for gauntlets, jeans to skirt remodels and the denim bag. But, in all fairness these accessories are the go tos for many a crafster who loves denim.
That is wear the similarities end though. There styles as designers differ greatly, so even the projects that are based on the same idea branch out very differently. Which was nice, I was worried I would end up with two books almost exactly the same.
The one complaint I have against both designers is there lack of finished edges. While I love a shabby chic look as much as the next gal, and I do appreciate denim for it's beautiful fray, not every piece has to have unfinished fraying edges. With a lot of the projects in this book, where jeans were deconstructed rather than embellished, I found almost all seams to be unfinished. And while it works for some pieces, I think other pieces could use more finishing. Such as the Pencil Skirt from jean Therapy. For this particular project, added measurements for finished seam are given, but wouldn't it have been nice to see a more polished finished project? Just saying.

That being said, I would recommend both books for any refashionista looking to expand both their library and denim sewing repertoire. I can't wait to actually get to some projects from both.

 

Proactive Crafting Meets Proactive Publishing = Nuno Magazine

Just about a year ago, I came across this post via Wardrobe Refashion and I began following Elizabeth Abernathy's blog  (formerly known as Absynthe & Orange). I have been reading her blog full of retro crafts from scanned pages of vintage magazines, great refashion tutorials like this gorgeous Obi Style belt and features of indy crafters. Elizabeth's blog (Now a website.) has always had a very cool aesthetic, you know like that hip artist that you don't think you're hip enough to talk to? You know the sort I mean. But instead, she is a generous crafter with a passion for both creating and repurposing.

Enter Nuno Magazine. This proactive crafter has gone the extra mile and published the first edition of a brilliant magazine. The first issue is aptly named Forest (for the inspiration and materials it gives) and it is part e-book, part craft magazine and all awesome this E-zine is a whopping 150 ad free pages! Full of gorgeous photography, ideas and instructions for execution of thirty projects Nuno magazine delivers a feast for the eyes and the idea books(Seriously, you'll want to get out your scratchpad for this). And for a mere five USD this wonderful E-zine can be yours!

For your hard earned five dollars you get wonderful how to's for projects like;

These wonderful puppets made from natural and repurposed materials. (This was the project that convinced me to buy the issue.)

This knitted fern pillow makes me wish I could knit. Seriously, I love it so much I might pay someone to knit it for me.

And seriously, woolen rock rings. That is all I am saying because I really want you to buy this issue.

The magazine is a collaborative effort between Elizabeth and her sister and her husband and their efforts are much appreciated. And I am already looking forward to the next issue!

If you would like a sneak peak at some of the projects you can visit the Nuno magazine website or check out a twenty page preview that is also good for three complete projects with photos, instructions and patterns. So if you can't spare the fiver, you can at least get a taste of what you're missing. But, I think that five dollars is a small price to pay to help support both independent publications and a fellow eco friendly crafter.

So get out your toilet paper rolls and wool sweaters, go for a gorgeous summer day walk and collect some pretty pebbles and sit down with this magazine and a mug of your favourite fair trade-shade grown-organic coffee and be inspired by both the forest and Elizabeth Abernathy.

Book Shop

This was a widget in my sidebar, but as I am trying to de-clutter my blog front I thought I would create an entry with links to some of the books that we as a family have borrowed or purchased but definitely read and recommend. Feel free to browse through the selections and ask me any questions you may have. As the sections continue to grow I may separate them into different blog posts, but for now all you need to do is scroll down.

Sewing & Handicraft
   
Art

Cooking


Non-Fiction
   
 Fiction

 

On Wednesday's Bookshelf