Crusty Scissors

Yes, I know the scissors I use for collage are crusty with glue. What can I do about it? It is pointless to clean them--they just get nasty all over again.

Heart Art

Anatomy of the Heart is a complete grouping of 9 ephemera blocks created using images from a 1937 medical textbook. More of these large sets, both ephemera and collage blocks, will be posted in the shop throughout the coming weeks. Just keep an eye out :)

Scepter Wall Doll

A new wall doll assemblage has been posted in the shop today, her name is Scepter cuz she looks just like one! The painting in the background, Body with Elegy, was one of my very first Etsy acquisitions back in 2006. Gabrielle Jesiolowski is a talented mixed media artist--you can view more of her work here.

Folk Object

I discovered this source of inspiration via Design Sponge yesterday and thought you may enjoy it too. Curator of Folk Object and designer Clifton Burke describes this project as "an ongoing collection of ornament & utility." 

Reading Material

We traveled to see the grandparents this weekend. As Lizzie puts it..."we traveled by car and plane, NOT boat or train or hot air balloon." After we reached our cruising altitude I took a photo of each family members reading material of choice. Lizzie read her Frog and Toad book by Arnold Lobel. This book has added many new, silly phrases to her daily vocabulary such as "this is my sad time of day" and "oh, drat!".

Patrick read class notes. At least I think that's what these are.

I brought along a recent issue of American Craft. Hope you had a good weekend too.

Sailing Away

Wishing you a beautiful weekend! I'm going to take a few days and meet you back here on Monday.

Doll Face Series

A new series of assemblage dolls has been brewing here at Sushipot for several months. I have been playing around with ideas to incorporate all the miscellaneous doll bodies I have stacked up here in the studio. Anyhow, a late night idea during the hectic holiday season was quickly sketched (see below) and tonight I'm finally launching the first 3 pieces of my new "Doll Face" series! 

Cozy Afghans

Today has been damp, cold and foggy. It's the perfect kind of day for curling up under a cozy afghan with a good book--if I could only find the time! There is an amazing selection of colorful, vintage afghans available on Etsy. Thought I'd share a few of my current favorites. The above knit, patchwork-style afghan at The Vintage Cabin is $26.00.

This chevron patterned afghan at Vintage Marmalade is $38.00.

What an amazing color combination! Teenah Time, $38.00

The calm, muted tones on this one make it a personal favorite: Vintagous, $32.00.

And last but not least, another vintage beauty at Finding Fabulous, $22.00.

Stay warm!

Sushipot At Poppytalk

Sushipot is participating in Poppytalk's Handmade Marketplace: Love Transforms which opened today through February 12, 2010. There is a wonderful selection of valentine themed items from affordable art to housewares and more. Be sure to stop by this month--visit the marketplace here and view my virtual "table" here.

Work In Progress

Spent the afternoon working on an assemblage I began last year but never completed. It's another carnival themed piece titled, "Siamese Side Show". Hoping to have it in the shop tomorrow. Enjoy!

Update: The piece is finished--take a peek here.

Puzzle Time

So today was Patrick's birthday and among his other "Dad" gifts (ie, books and more books) Lizzie and I picked him out this puzzle. Our family recently discovered that puzzles are something that all three of us really enjoy doing together. This will be our 4th puzzle in the last couple months and so far our most challenging. We thought we'd step it up a notch for Lizzie and see if she's up for 1,000 pieces of puzzle fun.

Birthday In Haiti

Happy Birthday to my big brother!

Been thinking about my brother all day as he crossed the border into Haiti early this morning. He's headed to Port-au-Prince with a truckload of relief supplies and his camera. We texted back and forth last night but have not heard anything except his tweet this morning. The picture above was taken in Bakersfield, CA 1976. 

Valentine Goodies

A few more Valentine goodies are available in the shop. Old school valentines from the 1940's and 50's are the best! Thought I should add some cards to the mix because Sushipot will be participating in Poppytalk's Love Transforms Handmade Marketplace opening on Monday, January 18th.

Heaven To Me

Dare I say this shop in Paris looks like heaven to me?! Found this link via Junk Culture while I was supposed to be packing orders. Enjoy!

Orange Fringe

Nothing quells the mid-January blues like orange fringed placemats! I purchased these from Yokohiyoko on New Year's day anticipating the need for a pop of color.

Little Things

My daughter Lizzie and I have a common interest in all things little. We like to look at tiny things, hold them, play with them, create with them and of course, collect them! She has reconnected me to a fascination of little things with her constant observation of minute details in the mundane objects around us. I came across this sweet little book over a year ago at Grandmother's Attic. The book titled, "Little Things" was published in 1968. It was written by Betty Ren Wright and illustrated by Hilda Miloche. This charming volume has become a consistent favorite since the first time we read it together.

Doll House no 333

The first doll house of the year is now available in the shop. It's hard to believe she's number three hundred thirty three in the series.

UPDATE: Doll House Giveaway for Sushipot's 4th Etsyversary

Found Scrapbook

This tattered elementary reader was found on a dusty shelf at an antique mall in Mobile, Alabama. Since I'm habitually seeking out old, damaged books this one jumped out at me with its worn binding and torn pages. I was pleasantly surprised to find that a previous owner had used it as a scrapbook to feature their collection of movie star clippings. The first several pages of the book are missing but from what I can tell the book is from the early 1930's. Here are some of my favorite pages.....

Collage Blocks

A dozen new collage blocks are available in the shop. Enjoy!

Winter Light

Winter light can be so persistent and some days it's difficult to photograph pieces for the shop. I really should have taken the time by now to purchase or build a light box so I'm not always dependant on the weather. Anyhow, I thought I'd share my makeshift set up with you today. A layer of tissue paper on the window does wonders for diffusing the light.

Stitching Collage

Spent the afternoon inside stitching a pile of collage pieces. They will be available here very soon.

An ordinary object turned art object. Take a peek over here.

Valentine Preview

Here's a sneak peek at the first Valentine ephemera blocks of the year! All of these sweet images are from the 1950's. The back of each block is covered with a vintage paper doily. These blocks will be in the shop by tomorrow with more Valentine goodies soon to follow.