I will stab you in the eye

Finally Friday

2008-08-08T19:31:40Z

The tassle-eared squirrel. So so cute. In the shop now.

I am pleased as punch that it is friday. This has been an unpalatably long week. But now it is over and it is the weekend! Well, nearly anyway. I have vague plans this weekend to go through my wardrobe; I purchased a bunch of new clothes and shoes over the course of the last couple weeks and I really need to weed out some items to make room. My closet is an absolute mess, it's embarrassing.

Also on my plate for this weekend; barbeque with Steve's family (yum) and Pineapple Express tomorrow at the bargain show! And lots of maxin' and relaxin', cuz that's how I do.

Have a really beautiful friday!

mel

Globe Thistle

2008-07-29T20:28:21Z

, originally uploaded by gregw.

Let me tell you, last night I was a crazy book making machine. I have a bunch of totally awesome new books now, I am so excited and I can't wait to share them. It's strange when inspiration strikes, I don't know what causes me to be stuck in a not caring rut all weekend then suddenly be unable to stop creating on a monday night. And now I am super bummed to have to be at work because I want to be at Goodwill scouting out more awesome records and looking for supplies for a new project I came up with last night (which will be a secret for now because I am not sure that it will happen). Such is life I guess. Well, my life anyway.

Oh, and about the globe thistle, one of my awesome birthday presents from Steve is a gocco (!) which hasn't arrived yet, but I am trying to be prepared for when it does so I am thinking about what I want to print with this amazing machine. I was reminded of a drawing I did some time ago of a flower I thought was a globe thistle, but google and flickr searches are turning up images which, while very lovely, are not the flower I drew. I'll try to get a scan of the drawing to post, then maybe y'all can help me identify it. Thanks!

mel

Indie Mart

2008-07-29T20:27:29Z

The indie mart yesterday was a ton of fun, I would certainly recommend it to any San Francisco residents as a lovely way to pass an afternoon. It was exciting to see a good number of shops I recognized as favorites from Etsy. I ended up walking away empty handed again (except for a couple of really delicious cupcakes), but this time it was because I had neglected to bring any cash. There were a few places I would have been happy to drop some dollars, including my new favorite, NousSavons. They have really lovely vintage inspired jewelry with whimsical names, like the above Parlor Lace earrings, which are made with vintage lace. The jury is still out on whether I will be submitting an app to participate in the next indie mart, but I will certainly keep you updated.
mel

Shoes Shoes Shoes

2008-07-15T16:51:51Z

I am a big time shoes person. I love love love shoes. Always have. I am super excited because I know I am receiving some really awesome shoes as birthday gifts. I am getting antsy with anticipation and have shoes on the brain, so I decided to do a little "safe" Etsy browsing. I say safe because I was browsing vintage shoes and since I have ginormous (size 10 wide) feet, there is no danger of me finding anything I could actually wear. Instead I can just lust after these beauties. As you can tell from the photos above, my tastes run the gamut of styles, but I am drawn to pumps and would say the overlying theme is "funky." Listing info below.
From L to R:
Row 1: Carved Leaf Wedge, Crochet Top - from vintageitville size 7 (10 inches long);
Palizzio Grey Suede peeptoe - from Lively size 7.5 (2.5 inch heel)
Corsiua Leather 1980s Electric Pink Kitten Heels - from jessjamesjake size 8.5 M
Criss Cross Peep Toe Teal - from cookiesandcreme estimated size 5.5-6 (marked 6, 9.5 inches long, 3 inches wide, 3 inch heel)

Row 2: Nike Sneakers Palettes / Graffiti Court Force - from saviourself size 8
Leather and Shoestring Huarache Sandals - from nstylevintage size 7 M (9.5 inches long, 3.25 inches wide)
Pastel Patchwork 1960s shoes - from mysweetiepiepie size 8 (9.5 inches long, 3 inches wide, 1.75 inch heel)
Saks Fifth Ave Gray Bow Heels - from vintagerevolver estimated size 9-10 (marked 10 AA, 10.75 inches long, 3 inches wide, 2 inch heel)

Row 3: Woven Brazilian Leather Pink Flats - from MariesVintage size 8
Mustard Yellow Dominic Romano Heels - from funkyfrugalfashions size 8.5 (10.5 inches long, 3 inches wide)
Bright Blue and White Shoes - from GreyBrocket size 7
Taupe Bow Detail Pumps - from NikitaJade size 8.5 (9.5 inches long, 3 inches wide, 3 inch heel)

mel

Sale - Last Days!

2008-07-14T20:32:37Z

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the last day of the Birthday Sale at roska handmade. That means you can still get free shipping on the great notebooks you see above, as well as many others in the shop. Check them out here.
Also, a sneak peek at a new bird notebook that I'll be listing in just a moment.

Pretty green and pink.
Sorry this post is so boring, but I am having a cruddy couple of days and am not really up to being an exciting blogger. Maybe tomorrow.

mel

Oh No

2008-07-11T21:32:11Z

I'm getting a little scared. For the last couple days I've been feeling a little bit under the weather, just a little sore throat and stuffy nose, but nothing a good dose of ibuprofen couldn't fix. Then today I woke up feeling kind of like I had a cut in the back of my throat. Now, before this year that wouldn't have bothered me in the slightest, it happens to me sometimes and it goes away at the end of the day (or I end up with a little cold, no big deal). But a couple months ago I had strep throat, and it started with me feeling like I had a little cut in the back of my throat. So now I'm a little freaked out. I really don't want to get strep throat right now. I mean, Renegade is tomorrow, and my birthday is on Tuesday! Getting a bacterial infection doesn't really jive with my plans, y'know? I'm trying to just relax, I know stress doesn't help these things, and drink tons of fluids and use the power of positive thinking to keep sickness away. If anyone has any suggestions to keep me healthy, I would be really grateful to have them, thanks in advance!
For some positivity, I have a couple new books in the shop, the one pictured above with the great rabbit painting, as well as one made from an album of the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico. It's really cool, check out a detail

I think the costumes are so gorgeous. Okay, keep your fingers crossed for me everyone, I DO NOT have strep throat!

mel

Rosy Finches

2008-07-10T17:58:55Z

I just listed this Rosy Finches Notebook in the shop. Aren't they pretty? The birds pictured above actually are not rosy finches, those are red finches and gold finches. The rosy finches are on the back cover, and they are really pretty, so you should take a look at them. You can see them and other new (super cute) notebooks that are not yet in the shop on my flickr page.
mel

HeliS

2008-07-08T20:01:52Z

Clockwise from top left: rings, Supergirl, Orange Pretzel Watchdog - Brooch, mini books

Today I have a super special treat for you; a Q&A with the wonderful and amazing Heli of HeliS! If you are not familiar with her work, I'm sure after this you will be as enchanted as I am.

Please introduce yourself.
Hi my name is Heli. I live in Istanbul, Turkey with my turkish husband. Originally I am from Finland.

Your handpainted animal brooches and wall hangings really took Etsy by storm! Your new watchdog brooches seem poised to do the same. Where did you get the inspiration for these? Are you an animal lover?
Yes, I love animals! When I was child we always had a cat or dog. I would love to have a dog now but at the moment it is not possible, unfortunately. My friendly wild animals in my etsy shop were born ‘by accident’ last year. I casted plaster and had a little shapes but didn’t know what to do with them until in the beginning of the year when the first Polar bear showed his face.

You obviously have a love for the miniature. Have you always?
I don’t love miniature speacially, I am not a collector nor have obsession to tiny things. Actually I have been wondering why I make these tiny things? Maybe one reason for that is that they are easy to ship and it is fun to make them.

I recently read about you in the Storque article about European expats. How does living in Instanbul influence your work? How did you adjust to your new home? By the way, I think your story is so romantic!
Thanks! I don’t know how much Istanbul or Turkey has influence to my work, maybe not very much. I think I have more influence from Finland especially for my little book covers.

Can you tell us some of your favorite spots in Instanbul?
The islands in front of Istanbul are must in summer. So peaceful and natural places without cars with a touch of old days. As a Finnish who have used to live in quite small cities noisy and crowdy Istanbul is sometimes a pain and the most favorite places are the places with nature and silence and no other people around.

To what do you attribute your sucess on Etsy?
Originality, good pictures and regular listing and relisting. Making treasuries and being on treasuries is the most efficient thing to draw people in your shop if you are lucky enough to hit the front page in etsy I think. I am a member of European street team EST and we help eachother to promote our shops by making treasuries and it is always a big happy happening in our EST thread when a EST treasury hits the etsy frontpage.

Where else can we find your work?

I have a shop in DaWanda where I sell also handscreenprinted t-shirts and bags: http://en.dawanda.com/shop/HeliS

Anything else we should know about you or your shop?

I quit smoking over 4 months ago and I am so proud of myself! Yeah! :)

mel

Monday = Sad Day

2008-07-08T20:00:31Z

I had such a wonderful long weekend, and I am not super happy that it is over. It was so much fun! I saw a bunch of movies at reperatory theaters and made my house all shiny and clean and worked and worked and worked and took a lovely walk in Golden Gate Park. Ah, if only it could last forever. But it can't, and, you know, that's really ok. If my whole life was a weekend, what would I have to look forward to?

I discovered this cool mosaic tool last week, and I've been having a bunch of fun with it. I used it to put together those two detail shots up there of a Surprise project I'm working on. I used it to make this cute montage of my cat Ava.

And this one of statues in Golden Gate Park.

Yep, fun stuff. That pretty much sums up my weekend. I have some cool stuff coming up for you this week, so stayed tuned.

Oh, also I was featured on this neat blog, Environmental Friendlies. The name is pretty self explanatory, it features products that are friendly to the earth. I am honored to have my books featured. You should check it out!

mel

Giveaway Winner!

2008-07-08T19:59:11Z

The summer giveaway is over as of this morning. I want to thank all of you who entered for the sweet birthday wishes and other kind words. But even though you are all wonderful, there can only be one winner. The random number generator has spoken and the winner is ... Lula Boutique!!! Congrats Lula, I will be contacting you soon to see which spirograph notebook you've chosen.

mel

Renegade SF

2008-07-03T16:29:51Z

Renegade Craft Fair, originally uploaded by DaveyWilson.

I'm getting really excited about the Renegade Craft Fair! This is the first year that there will be one in San Francisco, and it will also be the first time I've been to a craft fair since I was in kindergarten and my mom was selling her puffy painted tshirts in the Elks Lodge parking lot. I'm really looking forward to it. It's being held at Fort Mason, one of my very favorite places, on July 12th and 13th. I was looking at the vendor list a little while ago and it looks like there will be lots of awesome shops there. One of them is a recent etsy find of mine, honeylux, a letterpress company in Oakland. I love pretty much everything in the honeylux shop and am really tempted to buy it all up right now, but I'm thinking I'll wait until Renegade, it will be more fun to buy stuff there. Stuff like this

Twilight by honeylux

Yeah, I don't know if I'm going to be able to hold out for another week. If you're going to be at Renegade SF, I hope I'll see you there!

mel

Sleepyhead

2008-07-02T21:46:40Z

81, originally uploaded by lucy rose.

I'm so tired today, I am almost too tired to blog. In fact, I had pretty much decided that I definitely wasn't going to blog, but it felt really unnatural. It's been about a month now I think that I have been blogging everyday. Before that it was incredibly sporadic. I'm not sure what happened, it was like a switch was flipped. Now I am a blog-a-holic. And so you have this post, in which I can think of very little to say because my poor brain is so fatigued, and yet I am compelled to write you a little something. So I'll just say two things, one is LucyPlayer, who's work was very recently shared on this blog, has started her own blog, lucyplayer.blogspot.com, so you should pay that a visit. Also, her shop is growing chockfull of amazing things, so you might want to stop by there as well.
And the second thing is just to remind all readers about my giveaway. Don't forget to leave a comment on the giveaway post!
mel

Summer = Presents for You

2008-07-01T15:52:59Z

First, I have to share the present I bought for myself.

I bought it in the Modish shop's big closing sale and it arrived in the mail yesterday! Isn't it cute! I can't wait to wear it, I almost did today but I don't really want to wear it to work. You can get one too, or loads of other really adorable brooches, at the allira.com shop.

Okay, on to the present for you! I decided, since today is the first day of July, and July is my birthday month and all and I will be getting loads of beautiful sandals and other nice presents, it's only fair that I should give a gift to someone else. So, I am having my first blog giveaway. One of you lovely commenters on this post will receive your choice of one of my spirograph notebooks, like this one:

That's right, dudes, you get to choose! So, just leave a comment on this post at melroska.com, say something nice, and at the end of this patriotic week, I will randomly choose a winner!

Good luck!

mel

JFK

2008-06-30T18:48:03Z

Here's another short post; I just had to share this awesome find with you. These are plastic John F. Kennedy busts that also happen to be pencil sharpeners. Wow, right? I found these at SCRAP on Saturday, they had a bunch so I grabbed lots. I'm keeping a couple, but the rest I'm going to be listing on Etsy, so if you've always wanted a pencil sharpener in the shape of a dead president's head, you know where to go.

mel

ps - I did a little internet research this morning and found out that these babies were made in 1965. Cool, they're vintage!

Monday Monday

2008-06-30T15:50:04Z

Sigh. Mondays are such a drag. I'm trying to keep positive by reminding myself that this is a short week! Woo hoo! Three day weekend! I am really excited about that, mostly because I hope to get tons and tons of making done. This weekend I cut paper for about 4 hours, resulting in this:

Many many piles of paper, just itching to be made into lovely little notebooks. Like the one at the top of this post, but not quite like it because that notebook is 5 by 7 inches, and all those pieces of cut paper are 4.25 by 5.5 inches. Also, the above notebook is currently up in my etsy shop, so it's got a one up on those other guys.

Besides cutting up bunches of paper, I had a really nice weekend, I got to go to tea which I haven't done in a long time and that was really nice. If you live in San Francisco and you haven't been to Lovejoy's Tearoom, you should call them up stat and make a reservation. It is one of the nicest things one can do in an afternoon.

Have a happy Monday!

mel

New Drawings

2008-06-28T16:23:15Z

Nesting

Sky Phenomenon

mel

you will be seeing me again...ha ha ha

2008-06-27T23:00:53Z

Okay, so the deal with the entry prior to this one is that I will now be posting entries from my blogspot blog here as well. I'm probably not going to take the time to put all my old entries over here, but if you want to look at them, they are at melroska.com
it's good to be back.

this is a test

2008-06-27T22:58:43Z

I have some new books listed in the shop, including the two seen here, the Herons Notebook and I Love Text Number 4. There will be more coming this weekend, in addition to some new original drawings that I am pretty excited about! At least, I hope they will be coming this weekend; it is starting to get pretty smoky here (there are all kinds of crazy fires burning in Northern California right now), so I'm not sure if I'll have sufficient light to get good pictures. But hey, that might be a great excuse to finally get the scanner up and running! Anyway, be sure to check the shop this weekend!

mel

tie a piece of string around your finger

2007-09-08T08:50:29Z

Just wanted to remind everyone, you're supposed to be looking at my new shop where i am selling things and telling all your friends to look at it too.
roska.etsy.com
you won't regret it...or will you?
ha ha suckers.

i didn't think it was against the law to cry

2007-08-20T07:08:20Z

All right, so, sorry to people who have already heard about this, y'all are like, yawn, but anyway, everyone should check out my new blog, the address is melroska.com, you should tell me what you think of it, and you should tell your friends about it. it is about me making stuff and then trying to sell it eventually. so. yes, it is awesome. well, kind of. yes, so that is all, really, because i am so tired from updating my blog.

aaaargh

2007-08-02T23:43:32Z

This pretty much just blew my mind.

http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2007/06/some_days_in_th.html

pet friendly

2006-09-10T07:51:03Z

we have decided that we will name our cat nick nolte

my thingie...ewwww

2006-09-10T07:43:14Z

Create your own! Originally Written By ga_woo, Hosted and ReWritten by darkman424

bye_nicole @ 2006-05-26T18:31:00

2006-05-27T01:21:53Z

(1) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(2) Grease
(3) Pirates of the Caribbean
( ) Boondock Saints
( ) The Mexican
( ) Fight Club
(4) Starsky and Hutch
(5) Neverending Story
(6) Blazing Saddles
(7) Airplane
Total: 7

(8) The Princess Bride
(9) AnchorMan: The Legend of Ron Burgandy
(10) Napoleon Dynamite
(11) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
(12) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
(13) Anger Management
(14) 50 First Dates
Total: 14

(15) Scream
(16) Scream 2
(17) Scream 3
(18) Scary Movie
(19) Scary Movie 2
()Scary Movie 3
() American Pie 2
() American Wedding
() American Pie Band Camp
Total: 19

(20) Harry Potter
(21) Harry Potter 2
() Harry Potter 3
(22) Harry Potter 4
() Resident Evil I
(23) Resident Evil 2
(24) The Wedding Singer
(25) Little Black Book
(26) The Village
() Lilo & Stitch.
() Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch
Total: 26

(27) Finding Nemo
(28) Finding Neverland
() Signs
(29) The Grinch
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre
() White Chicks
() Butterfly Effect
(30) Thirteen Going on 30
(31) I, Robot
Total: 31

(32) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
() Universal Soldier
() A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(33) Along Came Polly
() Deep Impact
(34) KingPin
(35) Never Been Kissed
(36) Meet The Parents
(37) Meet the Fockers
() Eight Crazy Nights
(38) Joe Dirt
Total: 38

(39)A Cinderella Story
()The Terminal
(40) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
(41) Passport to Paris
(42) Dumb & Dumber
() Dumb & Dumberer
(43) Final Destination
(44) Final Destination 2
(45) Final Destination 3
() Halloween
(46) The Ring
(47) The Ring 2
Total: 47

(48) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
() Practical Magic
(49) Chicago
() Ghost Ship
(50) From Hell
(51) Hellboy
(52) Secret Window
() The Whole Nine Yards
Total: 52

()The Day After Tomorrow
()Child's Play
(53)Seed of Chucky
(54)Bride of chucky
(55) Ten Things I Hate About You
() Just Married
() Gothika
(56) Nightmare on Elm Street
(57) Sixteen Candles
() Remember the Titans
() Coach Carter
Total: 57

() Bad Boys 2
() Joy Ride
(58) Seven
(59) Ocean's Eleven
(60) Ocean's Twelve
() Identity
() Lone Star
(61) Bedazzled
() Predator I
() Predator II
Total: 61

(62) Independence Day
() Cujo
(63) A Bronx Tale
() Darkness Falls
(64) Christine
(65) ET
() Children of the Corn
() My Boss' Daughter
(66) Maid in Manhattan
() Frailty
Total: 66

() Best Bet
(67) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(68) She's All That
() Calendar Girls
(69) Sideways
(70) Mars Attacks
() Event Horizon
(71) Ever After
(72) Forrest Gump
(73) Big Trouble in Little China
Total: 73

(74) X-Men
(75) X2
()Spider-Man
(76)Spider-Man 2
() Sky High
() Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
() Catch Me If You Can
() The Others
() Freaky Friday
Total: 76

() Reign of Fire
(77) Cruel Intentions
() Cruel Intentions 2
() The Hot Chick
() Swimfan
() Miracle
(78) Old School
(79) The Notebook
(80) K-Pax
(81) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
(82) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
(83) Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
() Walk to rememebr
()Boogeyman
Total: 83

() Hitch
() The Fifth Element
(84) Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace (though I fell asleep)
(85) Star Wars Episode II Attack of The Clones
(86) Star Wars Episode III Revenge of The Sith
(87) Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope
(88) Star Wars Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
(89) Star Wars Episode VI Return of The Jedi
() Troop Beverly Hills
() Swimming with Sharks
Total: 89

() Air Force One
(90) For Richer or Poorer
() Transporter
() People Under the Stairs
(91) Blue Velvet
(92) Sound of Music
(93) Parent Trap Re-make
(94) The Birds
() The Terminator
(95) Terminator-2
() T-3
Total: 95

(96) Empire Records
() SLC Punk
(97) Meet Joe Black
(98) Nightmare Before Christmas
(99) The Silence of the Lambs
() Sleepy Hollow
(100) I Heart Huckabees
( ) 24 Hour Party People
(101) Blood In Blood Out
Total: 101

() Thirteen
() Manic
(102) American History X
() Deep Blue Sea
(103) George of the Jungle
(104) Canadian Bacon
() How High
(105) The Jacket
() My little pony 1986
Total: 105

() road to perdition
() Jesus Christ Superstar
() Rent
(106) Mulan
(107) Mulan 2
(108) Lion King
(109) Lion King 2
(110) Legally blonde
() legally blonde 2
() Pink Panther
total:110

Oh my god, remember how bad the jacket was? i think that was one of my biggest disappointment movies.
i'm really really tired.
i have to write a paper on the cult of dionysus.
and i'm hungry.

i don't care what anyone says

2006-05-16T04:19:44Z

i love tab energy. i am going to drink hella of it mixed with vodka at the mixtape party.