WW102: KATACHI, PARIS IN COLOUR, and UPPERCUP

Wonderful Wednesday........see the 5 things I LOVE this week!

1.) This is ADORABLE! Presented as part of maison et objet 2013 is rodrigo torres kastor's beaver pencil sharpener and paper weight 'kastor' for alessi is lovely!!! The design uses a simple clean form to playfully reference the wood-gnawing creature!

(thanks to designboom.com for this one)

2.) This STUNNING stop-motion video created by Japanese artist Shugo Tokumaru and called "Katachi". I love stop motion. I really do.....but I am amazed by the fact that this is all done with paper silhouettes!!!!! INCREDIBLE! The song is catchy.....although I am not as fluent in Japanese as I would like to be......

3.) These photos look like modern day photography, but thet are actually for-real coloured photographs, taken at the beginning of the 20th century!! All the images shown on THIS WEBSITE were taken using Autochrome Lumière technology. It's an early color photography process, patented in 1903 and invented by the famous French Auguste and Louis Lumière, popularly known as Lumière Brothers. They were the earliest filmmakers in history.....and the photos are ah-mah-zing:

YOU MUST CHECK OUT THE REST AT CURIOUS EGGS
(via http://curiouseggs.com)

4.)  BEFORE YOU GET TOO EXCITED......this is the UpperCup doesn't exist YET. The "UpperCup" is the brainchild of a Natwerk, a company in Amsterdam. They're currently trying to raise the funding to go into production. When they finally get the dough, I will HAVE TO HAVE IT!!! I mean, seriously, my Star Wars Angry Birds isn't gonna play itself....while I drink my latte!

(check out the video below of it in action!!!)

Uppercup - The first cupholder for the iPhone. Order yours now at: indiegogo.com/uppercup from Natwerk on Vimeo.

(Thanks to Cindy and Dale for this one
via http://www.buzzfeed.com)

5.) Jimmy Kimmel makes me laugh. I LOVE that Matt Damon took over his show last week! Here are a couple little clips! To see the whole thing.......check out THIS....

THE ARTIST PROJECT 2013

The final information is out about TAP 13 and here it is:

The Artist Project celebrates its 6th year with another exciting show featuring original works from over 200 carefully juried, independent contemporary artists. Artists from a variety of geographic and creative backgrounds will converge and connect with patrons looking to get a glimpse of tomorrow’s Art Stars. From seasoned collectors and first time art buyers, to gallerists and interior designers, visitors will find this art fair a rare opportunity to meet and purchase work directly from Canadian and International artists.

Discover all mediums, including installations and video art.  Experience special features, Art Chats and docent led tours.  The Artist Project takes place at the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place in Toronto.

Come out and see me at my booth:

This is the first year (of the 6 that I have done) that I am NOT in the first row.....
So we'll see how that goes!! ;-)
I hope to see you there!!!

HORSING AROUND: MY LITTLE PONY

Howdy y'all.
Sometimes I get 'stuck' artistically. I know you may find it hard to believe (given how much work I produce in a year) but it is true!!!
Sometimes inspiration comes in the oddest of places.
My friend Cindy suggested I create something for an upcoming show at Atomic Toybot.
The show is called "The Pony Paddock" and it opens on Wednesday February 13.
It is a show all about My Little Pony.
Yes, you heard me.
I know it seems like a strange fit for me, but sometimes, you just need to do something ELSE to kickstart your creativity. This was EXACTLY the kick in the pants I needed!!!
I will have more deets on the show in the next couple weeks....
But until then, please enjoy my take on the MLP phenomenon:

Yes. "Friendship is Magic" is actually their 'motto' or 'credo' or whatever it is......

My take is perhaps a bit more cynical.

What do you think??

WW100: HOT TUB BOAT, THE POCKET BOOM, AND INFLATABLE BAGGINS,

WOW! 100 Wonderful Wednesday Posts - THAT IS AH-MAH-ZING!!!!
I mean, that is 500 things that I have found inspirational and suggested to you(s).
CRAZY!!!
Ok......well let's hope I have another 100 in me.
For now, I still enjoy bringing you my top 5 things each week that are exciting!!!!
This past week I have been sick with the plague, so I haven't had a chance to explore the real world for you.......but I give you these:

1.) THIS IS CRAZY! But I need to go to there!!!!!!!!!!!  I give you the  'the hot tub boat'! PERFECT for cottage life.

 "Engineered and built in seattle, by a marine carpenter 'the hot tub boat' utilizes a vinyl-ester hull topped with a slatted deck handcrafted from african teak. positioned on the vessel's center of buoyancy, the vessel provides exceptional stability -  drafting only 20 inches, even when filled with its maximum load of 2,100 lbs of water and six adult bathers.

An integrated diesel-powered boiler with an adjustable thermostat heats the tub's water to a maximum 104° F - also powering the built-in waterproof MP3 stereo system plays through its two flush-mounted 50-watt speakers that pop-up from the deck. A 24-volt electric motor propels the boat up to 8 km/h on calm water, steered via a joystick. A rechargeable battery provides up to 10 hours of power from an overnight charge using its built-in 'smart plug shore power connection' and on-board chargers.
WAIT.......I don't have a cottage.
DAMN!!
(via)

2.) Meaghan Smith. I am enjoying her music right now. You'll see why:

It is from her album "The Crickets Orchestra". I like it! Here are a couple more tunes from her:

GO BUY HER ALBUM!!!!!

Great, huh??
Ok...moving on.....

3.) I am NOT a huge Lord Of The Rings fan, but THIS is amazing. Honestly, I saw the movies and even enjoyed them, but I am not a die-hard fan! Utah based balloon artist Jeremy Telford is a CRAZY FAN! He has constructed Bilbo Baggins’ hobbit house entirely out of balloons.

This Tolkien super fan spent over 40 hours with swollen fingers creating the life size structure right in the middle of his living room using only a hand held balloon pump, his imagination, and a spiffy green vest to hold the balloons in. The structure comes complete with a fireplace filled with wood and flames, ornate chandelier, ceiling beams and closet doors that open and close! Watch a time lapse video after the jump of Telford in action as he creates the ultimate nerd shrine to Lord Of The Rings.
CRAZY!!!!!! But amazing to behold!
(via and beautifuldecay.com)

4.) This is the coolest thing I have gotten this year! The "Pocket Boom Portable Vibration Speaker". I know......big name for such a tiny thing......ok....so here it is:

The X:VIBE

First, it is such good design.  I love that it is small enough to fit in your pocket or your small purse.
But then all you have to do to make it work, is turn it on plug into your phone,  unscrew the cap that houses the speaker part and stick it something! VOILA! Easy-peasy!

Yes, attach it to ANYTHING that makes the sound resonate.......anything from a cup to a window into a speaker! I have tried a cup, which was pretty good.......I tried a tin - which was.....well.....tin-y.....I also tried a cardboard box which I liked a LOT better.....it works well on the packaging it came in.........but my favourite place was when it was on my filing cabinet!!

The 'Pocket BOOM' is super cool.......and super effective too!!!

So now I can enjoy my music through a speaker ANYWHERE!!!!
WOOT WOOT!
I may try it on a window of a streetcar.....and see it people enjoy it!!
Here is a little example of how it works....I am maybe not tech savvy enough to make my own video.....but you get the drift from this:

Remember to check out more mobile phone accessories at Mobile Fun!

5.) OK. This is from last month......but I still like it. It is amusing!
     I give you the "Disney corporate retreat."

HONEST ED'S A TORONTO TRADITION, & STILL AN ADVENTURE!!!

Good day y'all!
I am still recovering from "the boo-bons" (that is short for the Bubonic Plague)....but I dont want you to think I have forgotten my loyal readers!!!
So, this post is about a trip I took recently to Honest Ed's.
Those of you from this area know Ed's well.....but for those you you who are not from 'round here...let me tell you a story.........

This is what it USED to look like....
thanks to lost-toronto.blogspot.ca

Honest Ed's started as a department store in 1948, by Ed Mirvish. It is prominently located on the corner of Bloor and Bathurst Streets, running the whole length of the block. The store consists of two buildings connected by a walkway. The interior is much more modest, with simple displays of low-priced merchandise, ranging from vacuum cleaners and winter coats to kitchenware, toys and grocery items. Much of the store's decor consists of posters and photos from old films and stage productions from Mirvish's theatres in Toronto and London, England, as well as of actors and musicians who performed in them (many of these inscribed to Ed Mirvish himself). Every piece of store signage is hand-painted. The outside facade is covered with puns and slogans such as "Come in and get lost!" and "Only the floors are crooked!"

Theses days, it has seen better days....but continues to amuse and amaze me!!

I love the sign. It is a Toronto Landmark!!!!

It's just like Vegas!!!

Ok.....so here is my guided tour through Ed's!

Enjoy my finds:

Purrrr-fect for your single lady friends.

Everything from soup.....to............free weights?? 

IS IT SENSORY OVERLOAD? or what??

Who wants big ass smores?
4" Marshmallows........or what I call diabete-mallows. 

Scary dolls.

This glass topped desk intrigued me.  I love this bunny meth lab motif!

"Singing heartful bird."
Terrible name. It may or may not be from the far east.

Love this colour!!

I have  a thing or the patterned background of this Dexter-plastic.

This casual shopper is waiting patiently for an associate to get a clock from stock!

Everything from fertilizer, to cellphones to electrical tape.....
WAIT ONE SECOND........it is sounding a little terrorism-y......

Have you seen any of these Oscar nominated films?
Super Sheep?
Soup of the Day??
Beneath the Crust (volume 2)????
Am I crazy....but do these all sound like snuff films?

FINALLY!
I havent had Youth hair in YEARS!

The thing I love MOST about Ed's is all the headshots and photos. Ed Mirvish was a real ambassador for Canadian theatre, and a lot of legends have posters and photos here....

Betty Ford.

Does anyone still wear a hat?
I wish! I could rock this one!!!

Yes. I did mimic this pose in the middle of the store...
...whilst sing yelling 'baaaaaaaargaaaaaains'..... 

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!!!

I believe proper oral care was important to Douglas Fairbanks Jr!

AH-MAH-ZING

Coochie Coochie!!

I always LOVED this poster for Crazy for You!!!!

NOT SO CRAZY for this terrible airbrushing!!!!

This clock is huge and amazing!!!

That's right lady-readers.........birth control BY LIGHT BULB!!
There is a joke here about keeping the lights on when naked......
.....if you can craft the joke yourself, i'd appreciate it!

The place is a serious labyrinth!!!!!

Back in men's furnishings.......the bow tie bin!!!
EEEEEEEEEEEEE!

NO MAN wants the word "mini" emblazoned across your undies.
Am I right gents????

.....on the other hand......"VICTORY" seems a bit over confident!

OH-MAH-GAWD!!!!
$1.99 for a sweater????????

Love the hand painted signs. I REALLY DO!!!!!

Um.....ok......it's a good deal..........but.......I feel like I can do better.....

YES!!!! I WILL TAKE 9 PAIRS!!!!
Just imagine how they feel on your feet?

I love how crowded and crazy the place is! I really do!!!

CREEPY! This area used to be the record area.....and now is barren and empty.

Also creepy. But great!

I was gonna buy this donut. But it was the last one on the shelf.
(seriously - why are people such pigs???)

So there you go!

Lots of great stuff at Ed's.

If you want to know more about Ed's go to the website:

http://honesteds.sites.toronto.com

Or just go in person and see what the fuss is about!!!