Weekend Re-cap, Serial Killer Decor and a Pretty Lamp. It Must be Monday.

This weekend went by in an absolute blur. We spent some time visiting friends that we haven't seen in ages, which was lovely, and the rest of the time we were trying to get caught up on work and school work. Januaries are always really busy around here, and I have a feeling February is going to be more of the same. 

Here are a couple of amazing design and decorating ideas that caught my eye this weekend. 

How's this for a fine dining experience? This Dexter inspired dining room by Amy Lau is amazing. Completely macabre and also absolutely stunning. Although I wonder what you serve for dinner in a room like this? Raw steak and fava beans, perhaps?

Now for something a wee bit daintier, but also very cool. I've seen a number of projects made out of upcycled lace and doilies but this lamp by Shannon Smith has to be the prettiest. What a fantastic DIY.

Secret Packages

I got a lovely surprise in my mailbox yesterday. My magnificent Californian friend Lisa sent me a mysterious package. What was inside?

Surprise! Two Pageant magazines from the 1950's, full of all sorts of interesting tidbits like the difference between blondes, brunettes and redheads and an article about how to get on a quiz show. Lots of great fifties photos too. I especially enjoyed these ones.

Happy Friday!

First Time with Gocco

This is my very first Gocco attempt. My wonderful mom got us a Print Gocco for Christmas (thanks mom!) and we tried it out a few weeks ago. I'm not entirely happy with how my prints on paper turned out, but the ones printed on felt turned out decent.  

Here are a few of the things I learned:

1. The screens are really expensive so make sure you have everything exactly right before you try flashing your image. We messed up the first screen which meant wasting a set of bulbs too. 

2. Use more ink then you think you're going to need. 

3. print! print! print! the screens are a pain in the butt to clean, so try and make as many prints as possible.

For more info on the world of Print Gocco the site save gocco has tons of resources. 

Paul Octavious

This series of photographs featuring books by Paul Octavious are very cool. The way he plays with colour and composition is fantastic.  The rest of the photography on his site is great as well, definitely worth checking out.  

Five for Tuesday

Here are a few lovely objects and images that made me happy today.  I hope they can bring some joy to you too! Is it just me or is there a hint of spring in all my picks?

 

                                                                    

                                                                   

                                    Top to Bottom

                                    Craft Studio of Jasna (Anastasia Drawing and Dreaming)

                                    Egg Cozy by tabi designs

                                    Print by Julie Morstad

                                    Gypsies at Heart by Three Red Apples 

                                    Green Apple Vintage Dress by traven 7

Brrrrrr

It was a crazy cold weekend here in Toronto (-17 without windchill). When it's this chilly out there's nothing much you can do except; watch movies, eat lots of fatty foods and spend a lot of time indoors.

We did manage to make it out to the AGO to see the Maharaja exhibit, thanks to the free pass my mom gave us. It was really neat to see how Thomas reacted to the paintings this time. We brought him to the AGO for the first time when he was only a couple months old and he slept through the whole thing. What a difference with this visit! He was pointing and babbling and making disgustingly adorable neighing sounds every time he spotted a horse, which was surprisingly often.

I also made butter chicken on Friday. I've made it before but this recipe was a definite keeper. I meant to take a picture, but I got too hungry, oops. I did manage to take a picture of the pancakes I made on Sunday morning.I used  Martha Stewart's basic pancake recipe and I whipped up a simple blueberry syrup. I cut the sugar in the syrup to 3 tablespoons and it turned out perfect.

Sweater Girls

I am loving this fashion spread from the Globe and Mail. Vintage styling, pigtails and typewriters what's not to love. I am seriously fighting the impulse to put on some fake eyelashes and break out the hairspray.

Lori Nix

I spotted Lori Nix's work last week on Craft: and I was immediately smitten. If I had the patience there is nothing I would rather create then highly detailed dioramas, not that I could ever come up with something this amazing.

I absolutely love her series entitled "The City", with scenes of post-apocalyptic emptiness. The attention to detail is just mind-blowing, as well.