"When I was cutting these curtains out a few days ago, Michael asked me what I was making. I told him that the living room was a mess and the dining room/studio/office was being reorganized and I had card designs due next week so I was making new curtains for the kitchen. He said that sounded about right."

-Julie at Under the Tulip Tree

I wouldn't know anything about that. Ha! :)

I needed to come up with a photo to express my favourite colour for an ongoing photo project. After some failed attempts outside, I came back to the comfort of my studio and started pulling reds. It ended up being a fun little shoot, so I think I'm going to revisit the theme each week with a different colour. For now... red.

I was reminded of my favourite wheat-paster, jetsonorama when I found this old shot taken in Hamilton. I loved the idea that someone had wheat-pasted the recipe for past... to encourage more to play. Nice.

Michael Bierut on Clients

I just discovered the CreativeMornings video series at swissmiss. This talk by Michael Bierut is about working with clients. He is a designer speaking to an audience of designers, but I think there is much to learn for photographers, and other creatives.

2010/01 Michael Bierut from CreativeMornings on Vimeo.

Because I have a thousand things to do... I'm teaching myself how to crochet. Yeah, of course. I have to admit that I haven't always liked crochet, preferring knitting. But I'm being won over by the texture you can achieve when using natural materials. I have a lot of cotton on hand, so started in on a scarf. Making scarves is pretty much my go-to way to learn. Working this one up in double crochet, trying to get a handle on consistent tension. I'm quite excited about having an even more convenient project to keep in my bag and in the car. I don't mind whipping out the knitting while standing in line, but this will be even more convenient.

Learning from the book The Happy Hooker (put out by the Stitch and Bitch crew), and a great tutorial by Kim Werker here.

Also loving the work of Krochet Kids. Can I just say it... men who crochet are the coolest.

Because I am insane...

...there is one more blog in the fold. It seemed like Biscotti Togs was getting crushed under the weight of photography posts that just didn't fit. I'm such a random kind of gal, it's tough to figure these things out as I go. So I'll slowly be migrating photography related posts to Erin Wilson Photo. And things go well, I'll have a playground here for crafty things soon.

Where Books Come To Life

Brilliant stop-motion animation from the New Zealand Book Council. (via Kim Carney)

I heart letterpress

I've long been a fan of letterpress, but oh... be still my beating heart. LOVE this fab piece about letterpress.

Letterpress Coasters from Quarter Productions on Vimeo.

Pre-Planning

Fate=Decisions by Indexed

While I believe that sometimes our path involves simply letting go, I also believe that results come from hard work. The plan for 2010 is to organize the creative side of my life and develop something sustainable out of it.

Anyone else in the same boat? What are you putting into place to make sure that happens?

Choicemob

There's a cool movement starting up called Choicemob. The basic premise: encourage fairness, compassion and respect for the earth in the marketplace.

Today is their first event, focusing on Better World Books.

From Choicemob...

"How Better World Books Earned the Choicemob

The Choicemob stands for Fairness, Compassion, and Respect for the Earth. Better World Books has wrapped that ethos in a business.

The two key elements of BWB’s social impact:

1 - Funding Literacy Around the World - Better World Books has given $4 million to select non-profits for literacy programs globally and here in the US, and $3.5 million to libraries and book-oriented thrift shops. Literacy and education are two enormous challenges facing our world, and BWB is at the forefront of our collective answer.

2 - Saving Books from Landfills - Millions of books are thrown away each year, wasting natural resources and fueling unnecessary consumerism. BWB has saved over 30,000,000 (30 million) books from landfills, honoring their value as idea-carriers, and preserving our planet.

Moreover, BWB treats employees well and buys carbon offsets for all shipping.

And BWB is great for consumers who want a books at a discount, offering used books for great prices and free shipping anywhere in the US. Plus, books make great gifts, and ‘tis the season.

Win. Win. Win. Choicemob."

What a great choice to feature BWB! I've loved this company for quite a while. In fact, I found an email from them in my inbox this morning. I'd ordered a book over the weekend (No One Belongs Here More Than You: Stories by Miranda July) and received an email that it was being shipped out.

Now, here's the thing... they turned what could have been a regular (read: boring) business transaction into something that gave me great delight.

"Hello Erin,

(Your book(s) asked to write you a personal note - it seemed unusual, but who are we to say no?)

Holy canasta! It's me... it's me! I can't believe it is actually me! You could have picked any of over 2 million books but you picked me! I've got to get packed! How is the weather where you live? Will I need a dust jacket? I can't believe I'm leaving Mishawaka, Indiana already - the friendly people, the Hummer plant, the Linebacker Lounge - so many memories. I don't have much time to say goodbye to everyone, but it's time to see the world!

I can't wait to meet you! You sound like such a well read person. Although, I have to say, it sure has taken you a while! I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but how would you like to spend five months sandwiched between Jane Eyre (drama queen) and Fundamentals of Thermodynamics (pyromaniac)? At least Jane was an upgrade from that stupid book on brewing beer. How many times did the ol' brewmaster have one too many and topple off our shelf at 2am?

I know the trip to meet you will be long and fraught with peril, but after the close calls I've had, I'm ready for anything (besides, some of my best friends are suspense novels). Just five months ago, I thought I was a goner. My owner was moving and couldn't take me with her. I was sure I was landfill bait until I ended up in a Better World Books book drive bin. Thanks to your socially conscious book shopping, I've found a new home. Even better, your book buying dollars are helping kids read from Brazil to Botswana."

How can you not love that??!! And reminds me again about the powerful role of story, especially in unexpected places. Now... I wonder if there's something else I can order today? :)