WW179: THE CORNERSHOP, GROWN UPS READ, and THE SAPPHIRES

Sorry I haven't blogged since last week……I am bring to take some time off…..but I didn't forget about you, dear readers!!! Here are the 5 things I love this week:

1.) Lucy Sparrow in the UK…..transformed an abandoned Cornershop into a unique pop-up grocery store filled with hand made felt products. Each item- from the bean cans, to the snacks, drinks, frozen dinners, chewing gum and newspapers are made entirely out of felt: each meticulously hand sewn, stuffed and priced to sell! Just look at this…..

 CRAAAAZY!!!!
I love it so much!
Now if you are like me, and simply cannot make it to the UK this month…..go to her website…
http://www.thecornershoponline.com

AH-MAH-ZING! Right???
(thanks to Junk Culture for this!)

2.) You need to listen to this Canadian podcast (if you don't listen to the CBC Radio One) Grownups Read Things They Wrote as Kids.

The premise is simple and wonderful (and perfect for my friend Cheepay!!) Adults recite passages written by their younger selves, culled from old school assignments, letters from camp, poetry, short stories and personal diaries kept safe over the years.

The series is hosted/created by Dan Misener and taped all over Canada! It is marvellous!!!!
GO GET IT ON ITUNES!!!
or go to the Facebook Page or follow on Tweets

(thanks Deb for sending me to this!!)

3.) THIS!!! Belle Air bathtub hardware designed by Christo Lefroy Brooks!

COME ON!!!!!!!
So fan-freaking-tastic!!!

4.) Way behind on this…..but I really enjoyed the movie "The Sapphires"

From 2012 -- this is an Australian musical/comedy/drama film based on the 2004 stage play of the same name which is loosely based on a true story! It is really enjoyable….and is about four indigenous women, Gail (Deborah Mailman), Julie (Jessica Mauboy), Kay (Shari Sebbens) and Cynthia (Miranda Tapsell), who are discovered by a talent scout (Chris O'Dowd), and form a music group named The Sapphires, travelling to Vietnam in 1968 to sing for troops during the war.

Enjoyable!!!! Here is a clip:

(GO HERE IPHONE USERS!)

I thought the music was great, it looked great. Loads of heart….what else do you need????

Go see it!

5.) Unnecessary Censorship. THIS is amusing….a bit filthy…..but amusing…..(the YouTube links are below if the clips don't show up on your phone! ;-)

Frozen…..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0v7rFSUrGE#t=77

or UP…..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9HQJ8OhBuY#t=97

SIGN LANGUAGE PART 2: THE RETURN OF NEON

How do I love you, neon?
Hello friends.
Well, as I work on new drawings, I have very little to show you.
:-(
Sad, I know....BUT to keep you interested.....all 2 of you......I am gonna post some of my FAVOURITE pictures of Neon signs. Some are lit, some not so much. But I love them all the same!
I always take pictures of neon. On vacation, or even at home.
I am not sure what I will do with them, I had painted a few of them already check out my entry
SIGN LANGUAGE PART 1 to see them!
So who knows, these might just be paintings at some time.
What do you think? Should I try painting more of these signs?
And remember, I LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear from you!
OK.....so here they are, enjoy:

SOOOOOO GOOOD!!!!!

Cleveland downtown at night. Deceptively safe and attractive.

SPOOOKY!

I love a good showgirl. So very Vegas!

Quickie chapel/motel.

I love the Holiday Motel sign!

This sign lit up one Mickey at a time. LOVE IT!

Wax museum in Hollywood.

I like it when neon goes out too....This should say "The Supply Sergeant"

In Little Italy in Cleveland.

Games in neon. I tried it - and was SUPER STRONG.......

Neon and shoes - together again - for the first time.

GREEEEEEEN!

Old Town Bull.....need I say more?

This one was fabulous when it was lit. But it is still pretty good in daylight!

I like this sign. Very 50's.

A very deco looking sign.

A light up robin....c'mon.....how cute is that??

The Pagoda in Hamilton, ON.

What do you think of the "Sign of the Times" blog entries??
Interesting?
Interesting enough to post more???
What do you think?

CITY MEETS COUNTRY

Well, it is that time of year again. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
For those of you who have never been, SHAME ON YOU!
Let me run down the event for you.
Yearly, all the best of the farm comes to Exhibition Place in Toronto.
So, I mean, the best in ALL agriculture, and farming.
I am only one generation away from the farm myself, and as far from rural as I am, I always find a lot to enjoy on my yearly trip to the Royal!
I was fortunate to be a part of the art exhibition there....but more about that tomorrow!
Here are some fun photos from my big day at the farm.

ENJOY!

I loves me some butter art. 

Vertical farming - read about this.....it is AMAZING!!!

The gayest tin man EVER.....why was he at the Royal? Good question!

This is a Dalmatian. I think? (I don't really know my animals)

Ah, cow love. So moooving.

Artists working on animal portraits!

Gourd grief!

It's a beet. I KID YOU NOT!

Baked apple. YUM!

I guess it sounds better than 'hot dog pigs'. Get it? Weaner = Wiener?? GET IT??

Pigs with tattoos. Very 2011!

"Don't you just love my earrings?"

I believe this is the rare Adam Lambert Breed of Rabbit.

YIKES! Even its folds had folds. Someone needs to do a bunny intervention.

1100lbs of pumpkin pie = YUM!!

The Horse Building at the CNE is stunning Deco architecture!!

Authorized parking only. Really? 

I love this style of architecture!!

Homeward bound!

Well?

What did you think of my tour of the Royal?

Next year, I encourage you to check it out!!

DESIGN EXCHANGE MURALS

Hello friends. Last night I attended a lecture at The Design Exchange:

It was really interesting! I learned a LOT about the tutu (insert joke here).

The Design Exchange building is beautiful!! For those of you who don't know the DX here is some info:

http://www.dx.org/

"The Design Exchange (DX) is Canada's design centre and museum with a mission to promote the value of design.  We are an internationally recognized non-profit educational organization committed to promoting greater awareness of design as well as the indispensable role it plays in fostering economic growth and cultural vitality.  We build bridges by improving communication between various design disciplines, educators, businesses and the general public through programs, exhibits, lectures, and workshops."

So anyways, the lecture was located in the old Toronto Stock Exchange Trading Floor. It is SPECTACULAR!!!! Here are some images of the space. These murals are by Charles Comfort. I love them!

The Trading Floor in the 80's

The Trading floor in the 30's

The Trading Floor today!

I LOVE THE MURALS.....and the CEILING!!!

YUM!

Close up on a mural. They are stunning!!

 So, there you go. You should check it out! They rent the space, but have a bunch of other spaces available too! With tonnes of programming, there is always something happening!