Target run

Leaving for Shanghai in less than 1 week!

Ran to Target to pick up last minute things for building a new life in Shanghai! Meds, carmex, and anti-perspirant for T. Cough, allery, headache, etc. woo! Not that I don't trust Chinese meds, which I've definitely found as a relief, but it's nice when you can actually read the dosages + ailments. Last time I got sick in Shanghai, I drew pictures of noses and symbols for coughing. Their nighttime pills were actually black, which made that one easy for me.

I've got about 15 books to bring over, some relationships, marriagey, family economics. I've got quite a collection of books, including some beloved "concept cars" and other design books which I'm debating whether their are worth their weight to haul to China.



As part of the cleaning/sorting/packing process, I'm recycling my old sketches from school, framing for my new apt, and giving the rest away. The link is here to my picasa album if you are interested in any! I have a ton of monotype prints plus some charcoal drawings. I spent a LOT of time on some of them and well- honestly just hate to trash 'em. Monotype, incase you didn't know is basically "painting" on a sheet of plastic (we call it a "Plate") and then putting the ink side facing paper, roll it through a press. Sometimes the ink squishes, sometimes I would print several layers of ink on one pieces of paper. The fainter ones are called "ghosts" as the second or third "press" of an ink'd plate.



Racking my brain on where my chinese cell phone is. blah.

very cool

handle & spout have some super creative takes on common things, like the chain above made of leather!

my fiancé

h e l l o l a s v e g a s

I spent this past weekend in good ol' Las Vegas visiting my cousin Jenn as well as setting for a trade show for Kangarooms. It was a quick trip; worked most of sat working in a NON air conditioned convention hall, hit the UNLV v. Oregon State football game, then went quickly through "The strip" checked out competitors at the trade show and headed home.

It was a great mini vacation from work and wedding stuff. How? I purposely left my laptop at home! Computer free! I'll admit to checking my email twice, to see about my flight stuff and work stuff... anyways had a fun seeing my very first football game. We played ladder golf and ate yummy layered dip while the sun set (what a big sky!) and then sat in plastic seats while I tried to figure out where the ball was. There was a TON of oregon state'rs. Like, hundreds it seemed like!



We also visited the Ethel M. chocolate factory where I learned that chocolate originated as a drink, and when it eventually reached spain, they kept it secret for 100 years before the monks who were making it passed it on to the french, and then the secret was out to all of europe. (And it was still only a beverage at this point)

Ethel M. Was Mr. Mars' mother, and they showed where all the diff "Mars bars" are made, i.e. Snickers are from Tenneesee, etc. I had a classmate in school from sweden who always called candy bars "Mars bars" and in one of his presentations threw them at us. (He was demoing a leg bag for snowboarders, of course) Sorry for that tangent... there was also a neato cactus garden there, all labelled and prickly. As it should be.

v e g a s

The city center building, in the making. Looks super interesting, and reminds me of LA's Gehry building for Disney(right?)


A cool lookin resturant with these walls that have a dizzying 3D effect, not too mention their fish tank walls!


I saw this snail, liked it, and for a moment considered it for my wedding... haha



Hi friend! On display in the bellagio with the snail. There were giant watering cans pouring water, and a ferris wheel with sunflowers in the benches. [besdies the cornocopias and other vast "fall" themed decor]


My flight was delayed and I stumbled upon this "vintage" display of bonanza air. Cute, retro, and inspiring in a different way.

sewn stuff

Last week had a room clean/ use up materials frenzy! Buttery chenilles, brocades, upolstry samples (good for little cosmetic bags), leather, and trims too!

A file tote for my friend's mom of some scrap ballistic nylon, screen printed. In the background you can see a bit of a blanket crocheted by my gramma; its black with neon flowers on it. (so hip, gramma!)



Pillow! I really like this one; rich purples and hues of green. I made it as a gift for my fianceé- which is why you only see the back!



My next project: aqua-gold-beiges with a dainty touch of coffee. Because I can't handle the caffiene. I really love the top swatch with the circles and dots, as well as the X's and Squares, which I believe is an eames pattern.

cleaning up

Time's not so recent article on how to live on 100 things has brought a challenge to Timon and myself. He's moving into our new apt and I'm ever-so-slowly slimming m belongings down to bring to shanghai in two suitcases.

My rules to get rid of things:
-Things I haven't worn in 2+ years. I have these last few months to work them into my wardrobe, otherwise they are OUT.
-Supplies I haven't used in 2+ years. I have boxes and bags of fabric goodies- I have the next month to use them up before I donate them. So far I've made a LCD monitor cover, 3 gadget bags, a pillow, and a tote. My goal is to make 2 tops, 10 rhinoceroos, use up all my zippers(10+?) and at least 1 more pillow.
-Books: Shanghai stack(limit 10), heirloom stack(kiddies classics), Free for all stack(TAKE IT!), donate(textbks)
-Notebooks and sketchbooks: a toughie! I think i have about 20... part of the kristina history
-I''m allowing myself 2 boxes of "Kristina heirloom" stuff to store my medals, baby artwork, and special sentimental stuff.
-Bags: (Shanghai: 5) Donate the rest.

woo. we'll check back later to see what I turn up with!