Things I Was Missing

My first thimble, and the presence of my friends. I
choose their absence in the place of company less
caring. Gifts from the hands of Haylie (http://www.hayliebird.blogspot.com/)

Leather Bound: 1st ed.

To: Brandon Basino
nature and nostalgia

For My Sister on Her Birthday

This purse was a gift to my sister for Christmas/her birthday. I made her one before, but it eventually fell apart. (My sister's an avid reader). So, I hope this one is sturdier, because I really never want to make another one again. The straps are hand sewn leather, and stuffed with cording. Sewing the leather made my hands raw. My sister picked the outside fabric, and the inside is lined with wool felt. The bottom is the same leather as the straps, and is just something I happened to have, (left over from an incomplete commission). My sister was having a problem with the outside strap falling off her shoulder, so if anyone has any suggestions.

Happy Birthday To: Me

I have just added my first items for sale to my etsy account. Please visit http://www.etsy.com/ and type in my username: shortstories. Today is my birthday, but not the only day these things will be available. So, please visit often, as I will be adding more items that I have blogged about, or that I am currently working on. I am also open to suggestions, and custom orders: chyatt320@gmail.com. Thank you, and have a nice day.

My birthday playlist: me at 23 (no flash)
Ice Cube: Today was a good day
The Unicorns: 52 favorite things
Willie Nelson: Red-headed stranger
Sunset Rubdown: Are you Swimming in Her Pools?
Coquette: Should I Do It? (Don't)
The Mountain Goats: Cold Vodka
Jenny Lewis: Roll On
Jason Molina: Just Be Simple
Peggy Honeywell: Birthday Boy
Casiotone For the Painfully Alone: Scattered Pearls

Favorite Birthday Activities:
I woke up to the sweetest gift, in a cupcake shaped bag, at my door. It was from my mom and dad.
I decided to wear my birthday pearls
I had a croissant with cream cheese and black iced tea with cream only, and read Dave Eggers How We are Hungry. I also finished it, which was a real relief...
When I got home, James the cat head butted me, affectionately
My dad and I had lunch at Dandelion Cafe in Orlando (A Vegetarian establishment). It was nice, especially of Kimo to take a day in such a season as tax
My mom stopped by a gas station just to buy me milk, even though she just left the grocery store. Then, we each ate a vegan peanut butter cup, (from Dandelion), with milk.
I took a bath, then looked at the house which Birdie, Steph, and I will almost certainly move into, and it is so cute.
I took a nap, after starting, or in the midst of reading Crime and Punishment

There is a cherry cheesecake with my name on it- literally- and it's from Charlie's Bakery (one of the best Orlando has to offer)

Lost

Our Journey Through Florida: Making a Photo Album

Materials:
Two old books, The pages from one old book, Archival Glue (Yasutomo Nori book binding glue), Every picture from my life, Cotton 5/2 thread for binding, plus bees wax, two strips of fabric, a zipper, PVA glue

Process:

Using archival glue, lay out personal pictures in the pages of an old book

dissect the books you intend to use

Rebind the Pages
Before, then After

Resolving the Cover, and using every last drop

The Album, the closing, and the closure

I think these photos explain as much as I could, here now, but I did feel compelled to write something more on it. This took a lot of time, and I enjoyed the entire process. When I stopped enjoying it, I stopped working on it, until I wanted to work on it again. The accoutrements of the cover were an insight nurtured by patience, and stem from an appreciation for deliberation's place in the creative process.

Nomad 2029

Felted 3-dimensional robot. Made from 100% natural wool roving, hand carded for a mottled, green metal/marble effect. This robot was meant not to stay in one place, so he is generally accompanied by instructions on how to go about giving him away, and how to make another to also give away.

Nomad 2029

How To:
Begin with the instructions as a loose guideline. Make your own robot or revamp the one you have now. Rewrite these instructions clearly enough to get the point across. Give the robot and the instructions away.

Materials:One set of felting needles
6 oz wool roving
A soft form to felt around: Styrofoam for flower arranging, panty hose stuffed with batting, anything soft enough to poke your needle in without breaking it and that you wont mind covering (size 10x7x4)

Instructions:
Make forms into the shapes you want
Felt the pieces individually. Do this by taking wool roving and holding it against the form. Tangle the hairs of the roving by pushing them into the foam with the felting needle. Be careful, the needles are sharp. Cover the form completely. Felt around all the pieces
Connect the pieces in your desired final form by using extra roving to felt them together.
Once you have the completed form put together, you may decorate it by using wool and your needle around or through the objects you wish to add.
Once you are satisfied with the form you’ve created it, give it to anyone OR sell it to a charitable individual with deep pockets, and give the money away.

Rachel says it was part of a locomotive train

but she is famous for making things up out of thin air and stating them in a high, knowing tone


This book was found at an estate sale, for me by an old friend. It was meant to contain birthdays and other such information. It became a gift for a friend, and could not have served any other purpose. The crocheted piece on the cover was made by my grandmother, a long time ago and without this intention, but perhaps with another, of which I am unaware.

February 14, 2007: La Coste, France

Coptic bound. Title: Monsieur Jean (from the French market in Apt, France). Embellished by swan pin from Savannah, GA, hand embellished H for Haylie on spine. A sentimental reconciliation by the divine intervention of a secret Valentine's Day exchange.

The Damsel and the Sage: Coptic Bound

The Damsel and the Sage hails from Asheville, North Carolina. I believe from original form to deconstructed, it is perfectly suited for who it now belongs to.

a memento mori

In Memory of Mrs. Slater

Picture frame made from The Illiad, in memory of a friend's loved one.

To: Brittani

Avez-vous un peu de temps libre ce soir?

And Know That it Would Do Me Good to Hear From you: An Account of Separation Before it Occurs

I hope I can say my last words to you, "Safe travels," while they're exactly what I mean. And I hope I won't try to fit anything else into them, with a cock of my head, or the smile that makes you slap me. I don't know what I'd do, if you didn't arrive.

Errol: Custom Made

My nephew, Errol was born a little over a year ago now. My mom asked me to make her a book, so that she could record her version of his history for him. Right before she asked me to do it, I found a book at Goodwill. It had a cover which reminded me of Jay, Errol's father, who is tech and design savvy. The cover is a masculinely depicted machine, intricate, and strange. It seemed appropriate for a new boy. The book was titled, Lead, Kindly Light, and contained passages on Setting Forth, What is the Blessing?, The way of Action, The Appeal to Spirit, and so on.
I filled it with elementary school handwriting paper. The bind is a buttonhole stitch, and the recess was created with a utility knife. I used letter stamps to stamp Errol's name on the paper in the recess.