Handmade Canvas Floorcloth...say what?

It's not very often that you go to a craft show and see something completely and totally unique. Something that no one else around is making. Something, well, magical. Okay, maybe not magical.

Two years ago at Urban Craft Uprising, I found StyleGarden. She makes all kinds of great lampshades and cake plates -- but that's not why we're here. She also makes hand painted canvas floor coverings. Like carpet, but not.

I bought one with a fleur de lis pattern the first time I found her. It's perfect because our whole house is tile and VERY COLD in winter time. I put it next to my side of the bed so when I get up in the morning my little feetsies don't get quite as cold. Or at least the cold is delayed for a few extra seconds. It's nice.

This year at Urban Craft Uprising, I ran into her again - our booth were kitty corner from each other so I could basically shop while sitting down in my own booth. Ahhhhhhhh....

I bought another one for Doug's side of the bed so now he has warmer feets too.

Another added bonus that I've discovered: the cat doesn't throw up on them. She only throws up on the other throw rugs that we have -- but so far, these have gone through life unscathed. I don't know about you, but that's a HUGE bonus in my book. Huge.

Missing Arrested Development

I'm watching Arrested Development for the third time. My memory is so bad that I only retain the funny for a few weeks after watching and then I start missing references that our Bridge partners and my LA friend make. So I begin again.

I think this might be the best part about having a bad memory. That show is so great and it got cancelled way too soon. But with a bad memory -- every time I watch it is like the very first time. In a way -- I'm blessed.

It always amazes me when people say they haven't seen this show. It is -- by far -- the funniest thing ever put on television. Ever. So watch it now. And watch it in a row. It's way funnier if you can remember enough to understand the callbacks (always a challenge for me).

You may think I am cruel for introducing you to something so special and fantastic when you know that it has already been cancelled. I know. But try to pretend you're European -- they try to end shows while they are still popular -- granted, they also sometimes wear fanny packs but so does my mom. And she's alright.

Take heart though, the movie is in the works.

This is what 24 hours worth of movies in one weekend will get you

I'm sick. It started with a sore throat that I started feeling moments before beginning an hour long trampoline aerobics class. After an hour of bouncing around...well...I didn't feel any better. Woke up the next day with a brain cloud, and now finally, I'm at the booger stage. It's been a long weekend. I've watched no less than 8 movies. Pretty much in a row. The only conversation my husband and I have had consists of me whining, "I don't feel so good." and "I'm dying." Over and over. I try to alternate them so it's not too repetitive, but I can tell it's wearing on him. In any case, during my 20 or so hours of marathon couch time, I've managed to create this: Yes, I multi-task even while sick. It's a curse. The pattern is from Sublime Stitching. It's artist series #10 Tara McPherson. If you know anything at all about the Indie Craft Movement, you know that Jenny Hart, owner of Sublime Stitching is a true inspiration. She is one of the first folks I think of when I try to pin down who started the craft revolution. In short: she rules.

Art that Speaks to Me - About COFFEE!

Sometimes you see a painting that takes your breath away. That's what happened when I saw this painting in my JanetPlanetArt's Etsy shop.

I met Janet awhile back after a friend recommended her Encaustic Painting class. I didn't need to be told twice so I signed up right away and then spent a lovely afternoon painting things with beeswax.

It was awesome. Although I have to be careful where I hang my creations because Mr. Gale swears that they smell like sex. Don't ask me. I just married him.

So -- back to the painting. I love coffee. So much. Sometimes I lie awake at night -- excited for it to be the next morning so that I can have more coffee. Mmmmmmmm....

And now I have coffee that says, "I believe in you." I brought it to work and my co-workers insist that the coffees are saying that to each other -- not to me. I told them to eff off and that I could interpret it any way I want. Jerk-butts.

Newest bARTer Sauce Trade: Mondo JubJub

bARTer Sauce's added a new trade to the family of currently available objects.

I gave Nik (a frequent Sauce trader and proprietor of scary-art.com) a painting I called "Proud Green Boobs" and a huge metal bra to cover some huge boobs that I call "Full Metal Bra."

He gave me this painting called "Mondo JubJub" and a book called "Aku Aku: The Secret of Easter Island."

Read Nik's answers to my "interview" questions.

"What's bARTer Sauce" you ask. What's bARTer Sauce?!

bARTer Sauce is an experiment in trading for art and odd objects. Whatever I get -- I offer up for trade for something else. And everyone I trade with has to tell me a story. That's pretty much the poops of it.

Is it wrong that I....

really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really want this cat toilet?

Stuff Out Of Things

This was the highlight of our trip to Portland for Crafty Wonderland.

A butter dish. With a monster on it.

We don't have exactly this one -- ours is green and has a second weird head coming out where one of the baby arms is -- but this gives you an idea.

I don't even use butter. But I'll have to start because I could not pass this up.

Check out their blog.

And their Etsy shop.