thoughts on work

i am kind of regretting not taking paper source up on the offer for the 4th and final itnerview for assistant manager. when i drive to carlsbad, i don't regret it, because i would hate hate hate the commute. it's just TOO far to go. but, i'm seriously, seriously, seriously, in need of a creative job. i can't sit in an office any longer. i need to be interacting with people, inspiring people, making art, around pretty paper and stamps and pens and stickers and cards and stationery. i need to be an idea person. i need to help others make beautiful projects. i need to plan. i need to organize. i need to have the freedom to create. i need to wake up in the morning (most mornings, at least) and be glad that i get to go to work. i am waiting for a new door to open - waiting, praying, hoping - searching. scouring the internet for opportunities, and networking. networking is key.

sigh.

weekend update

while i didn't accomplish everything that i wanted to this weekend (i should be used to this by now ... i hardly ever get everything done. i set out to accomplish so much & always fall short, oh well) ... i did get some stuff done! i made some layouts & a mini book for the polaroids from the photo shoot. i used the tutorial from rachel's steady hand, faulty heart class ... contact paper instead of colored duct tape (still on my to-buy list) but it looks great! i'll take pics/ scan it, asap.

i didn't get to work on the pillows because i didn't go to my mom's (no sewing machine) though my friend carrie was nice enough to let me borrow her mom's --- BUT i forgot the pedal, so no sewing for me. bummer.

PAPER SOURCE WAS AMAZING. i mean, i knew it would be, because i used to gush over everything in the cambridge store, but this carlsbad store is BIG and i just seriously wanted to move right in. we spent a lot of time there and i got some things that i'd been wanting for a while. a stamp, mini envelopes, three sheets of paper, rabbit business cards, labels, etc.

i also bought a few things at Z Gallerie ... two candles (green in a glass jar with white & copper designs) and a WOOD GRAIN candle. plus an awesome mirrored candle holder.

browed at anthro ... and wanted everything. oh man, i am so in love with that place. mmmmm it's so delicious.

sunday greg & i cleaned (For real!) and then we went and got a dresser at pat's for cheap! they are going to refinish it (light blue is the color we decided) - shabby chic it up, and then we'll pick it up. i asked them to drilly holes for knobs but not to bother putting any in, since i'll splurge and get mis-matched ones at anthro (i've been waiting forever) ... can't wait!

pictures/scans to come. and some more crafty goodness.

a crafty weekend awaits me ....

the plan for this weekend is:

to work on some art journal pages for steady hand, faulty heart [i am seriously excited about the newest prompts, they are JUST what i need currently] ...

to find [cheap] plain fabric to use for the backings of some pillows. i bought scraps of heather bailey's fabric from the fat quarter shop, and am going to make some awesome pillows. so, buy fabric & sew them up area major part of this weekend's plans.

to go to papersource's grand opening - i am beyond excited. i will try very hard not to spend a lot of money. but, papersource & anthro & zgallerie & freepeople in one shopping center = minor freak out.

to enjoy a lovely saturday night with my amazing friends. i have realized lately how blessed i am to have such a unique group of friends. a group of friends who are drastically different, absolutely crazy [more pics of the photo shoot will be up soon for proof], funny, loving, accepting, and honest. i spend some time feeling sad that i don't have any "crafty" friends here in san diego [sadly they live in boston] - but, at the end of the day, i am so happy with who we have become, how we have grown, how our friendships have shaped, how we continue to bring laughter & joy & support to each other's lives. ok, sappyness officially over.

in other news, i've been obsessively blog stalking my little sister marta's blog about her adventures in africa. i check is CONSTANTLY, waiting for new updates, new pictures, new tidbits about her life in a new land. i'm obsessed.

and now ... back to work. hopefully more pictures soon! gotta find a place to develop the film from my diana+ (this is the experimental roll, i have no clue if they'll turn out).

xox, d.

polaroids are perfection

earth mother, flower child, sassy athletic sax player.
Originally uploaded by dainjb

this is my favorite polaroid from the shoot ... we only took 7 and they are all great - but this one is just perfect. the others are uploaded to flickr.

auntie dain with ethan

auntie dain with ethan
Originally uploaded by dainjb

some pics from the photo shoot are uploaded on flickr. there will be a ton more uploaded soon, and then eventually film will be scanned & polaroids will be scanned tonight. it was so much fun and i'm lucky that i have such a crazy and amazing group of friends. it was a fabulous day. i'll post more later, but for now here's a cute cute cute pic of me (in real life clothes) and baby ethan (my friend marilyn's sweet baby boy).

my new friend diana+

i got a diana+ camera from urban outfitters (so excited) ... but i totally have no clue if the film is loaded correctly. i've done some googling and youtube video watching on loading the film - but i still don't see a number through the red window on the back - so whatever. we'll see. it's an experiment. (well kind of, the film was expensive!! ... and the only carried black and white. which is a bummer because i wanted color. but i'll have to find a place that sells color 120 film). anyway, tomorrow i have a "photo shoot" with my friends from high school ... luckily they have digi cameras and i'll bring the diana+ and the polaroid. FUN!

if any of you have a diana+ or similar toy camera - any tips will be appreciated. i'm super excited about the pinhole setting. gotta play around with it! i'll scan the results for sure!

xox, dain

friday i'm in love

i can see this website easily becoming my new addiction: polyvore - i haven't had a chance to play with it, since i'm at work, but i love the concept and can see myself wasting away a lot of time there. check it out if you haven't before.

brown paper packages

today i received not one, but TWO amazing packages. one, from the amazingly talented kate & the other from the red velvet kit club. the september kit is delicious! it makes me excited for fall (or lack there of, here in san diego) ... the colors are divine, the sass lass papers are perfection, i can't wait to make some projects!

kate's gift was the book that i won on her blog ... it's amazing. seriously, it's perfect and i love it and it's now one of my cherished mini-books on the coffee table. i will hopefully take pictures soon (or kate, if you have pics, post em so i can link!)

the 2nd "session" of Steady Hand, Faulty Heart ... the online art journal class that Rachel is hosting is off to a fabulous start. The first two tutorials were just what I needed, especially since they didn't require me to wait to take pics. I'm still way behind on the first session since i don't have regular access to a camera.

anyway, hopefully pictures to come (no more crappy scans if i can help it)

some more crappy scans are up on flickr. i need to fix this situation. it's getting frustrating to not have a camera. my craft of choice relies on pictures and i don't have a proper camera - just doesn't make sense. the polaroid of course is fun, but it just doesn't cut it for every situation, and film is scarce. can't go wasting it!

i need some new inspiration. i'll let you know what i find.

rachel's Steady Hand Faulty Heart art journal class starts up again tomorrow, so that will be fabulous!