DIY: Delegate it Yourself

Whether you know how to do something, or just know someone who knows how, the most important thing to remember is to never stop creating. I am afraid of losing momentum; I am afraid that if I'm not in motion, then nothing is happening. Something isn't happening.

Here is the most recent project I worked on. I screen-printed 30 shirts for Surfin Serf's 2006 kia spectra tour http://www.myspace.com/surfinserf. I hope to do more of this kind of thing. I hope other people are doing more of this kind of thing. Commerce of skill. A changing of hands so local that it's a handshake. Kindly leave your talent where others can see it, and at least perspective will come to light, and at most something huge will eventually happen.

Surin Serf is a band local to Orlando. They're touring a bit, and doing a couple shows in Florida and Maryland. I know they want to play more, so if you'd like to have them, invite them. They will come.


Supplies:
A bath tub/shower/water screen
screen filler
drawing fluid
pigment
extender
a steady hand
a kitchen table
cardboard
30 shirts
Cost: approximately $170

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.