It's Sewsew-a-Gogo!

I'm still a little under the weather but one thing that definitely makes me happy is Sewsew-a-Gogo! She is the sweetest person and I can't get over how unbelievably talented she is. She has two of my favorite qualities, cute and sass!

What's the real story with Sewsew-a-Gogo?
Ha! There's not much of a story here. Most of my projects are produced from boredom. I've been a stay at home mom for the past five years so crafting is one of the only things that keeps me sane. Plus, It gives me an excuse to lock the door and demand that everyone leave me alone. "I'm busy! Go away!" is my favorite saying.

I love everything you do-it's all so cute. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Actually, I just love anything that's tacky. I come from a long line of still-life paintin', sock monkey sewin' crafters so kitsch is in my blood. It just comes naturally.

Do you have a website? Where can we find all your cool stuff?
I do actually! 2 years ago I opened an Etsy store and then totally forgot about it. I just remembered it about a week ago and opened it back up! www.23skidoo.etsy.com It's the hip place to be.

What advice would you give to the masses?
Advice? Hmmm... Okay, here's a smart little gem for all those crafters who have trouble finishing projects. Always remember that the project that's taking you forever to finish may make you want to pull all of your hair out, but you WILL finish it one day and it WILL be beautiful! ( Do you hear me Epic Punch Out project? I will finish you!!!! )

I love your tattoo, is there a special meaning behind it?
Why thank you! No special meaning... I just thought is was adorable. It's actually a graffiti piece by an artist named Mademoiselle Kat. She's awesome!

BONUS QUESTION!
What song describes your life?
The Smithereens Blood and Roses... because I'm tough.

Sewsew-A-Gogo is awesome and is definitely one tough cookie! She can be in my girl gang anytime!

Tie One On Tuesday with OMP!

So apparently people are reading this and actually are trying the drinks. I say this as Kittykill has received a request for some Tequila recipes. Tequila is basically know for two things – shooters and Margarita’s, neither of which will be seen here today.

Now I am a rum guy if you haven’t picked that up yet by reading all the previous installments. I will do my best to give you a brief overview of my knowledge of Tequila.

Tequila: It’s origins are traced back to Mexico, Yadda yadda yadda. Agave plant. Yadda yadda yadda.  Famous song in the 1960’s, Yadda yadda yadda. Pee Wee Herman and big white shoes. Yadda yadda yadda.  Sammy Hagger’s Cabo Wabo. Yadda yadda yadda. Bad drinking experience in College. Yadda yadda yadda. Haven’t really touched it in years.

So there you have it – my knowledge in a nutshell. Now onto the drinks (plus a little surprise at the end)!!

Juan Collins: the Southern take on a classic cocktail

3 parts Hornitos Plata Teuila (or any other Silver Tequila)

1 part fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 tsp simple syrup

6 parts club soda

Combine all ingredients into an ice filled Collins glass EXCEPT for the Club Soda. Stir/mix the contents until blended. Top off with Club Soda – enjoy! The drink could also be shaken, but care should be taken not to “over shake it” and water it down.

 Paloma: (thanks to our friends over at www.drinkoftheweek.com)

2 oz. Blanco (white) or Reposado (or aged) Tequila

1 oz. Fresh squeezed lime juice

4 to 5 oz. Grapefruit juice or Soda (that would be Squirt people!)

a pinch of salt

Build the drink in a tall glass. Pour in Tequila, lime juice and a touch of salt. Mix up and add the grapefruit juice. Garnish with a lime wedge. This will cool you down on a hot day – or any other for that matter.

Now as an added surprise. I am going to tell you about a recipe you need to seek out (space does not allow me to reprint it here). It was published in the May/June issue of Imbibe Magazine. If your not familiar with Imbibe, you need to be. It is a great mag published out of Portland Oregon that deals with all things drinky!! Beer, Wine, Liquor, Coffee, soda, etc….. Occasionally they give some baking tips with said liquid refreshment. This recipe came from Joanne Weirs book “Tequila: A Guide to Flights, Cocktails and Bites. These sound delicious - Coco Loco Tequila Cupcakes!! Kittykill and I will be trying this mouth watering recipe VERY soon.

So there you have it, some simple “Ta –kill-ya” recipes and I didn’t even get sick from the smell. Until next time – That’s all!!

She's A Beast!

I'm not really sure what kind of crud is going around but man do I feel it! I feel like a BEAST! So in honor of me feeling like, and I'm sure looking like something that stepped out of a horror movie, I give you lady monster movies.. Oh yeah, don't expect these movies to make you feel any better- it's more of a "Dear Lord, at least I look better than that broad" kind of moment.

The first on the list is Daughter of Frankenstein. In this fine film we have Dr. Frankenstein's grandson making a monster that's part sumo wrestler, part smushed green pumpkin face, but 100% all woman.  The story is pretty much the same as any monster movie. Man creates monster, monster goes crazy, monster smashes, man dies. This is a grade "B" movie that is on par with anything Ed Wood ever did.

So you survived Daughter of Frankenstein and now it's time to move on to The She-Creature. I'm not 100% sure you can even get this movie in the US but it's still worth mentioning. The smoking hot assistant to a hypnotist has no idea that she is a descendant of a horrifying prehistoric female sea monster or "She-Creature". I'm suspecting that's not something they bring up when you are doing a search on ancestry. com. The evil hypnotist uses the She-Creature to do his bidding and go on a killing spree. Can you guess what happens next? That's right, monster goes crazy, monster smashes, man dies.

So your eyes have been beaten to a pulp and you want more?  How about Invasion of the Star Creatures? Not so much in scary department, more of the big chested space beauties, slow witted armymen department. Two bumbling soldiers are sent to investigate a crater. They encounter a scary plant like monster and two alien ladies who plan to take over the Earth. What do you think happens next? Well, monsters smash, but man doesn't die. Instead man discover to save the planet he must love up the aliens. I know, I was kind of hoping for these guys to die but love's okay too, I guess.

So I still have the creeping crud even after watching these three films. But I take solace in the fact that I can't possibly look as bad as these three ladies did. As a matter of fact, I hope no one ever looks as bad as these beasts. Yowza!

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

When Texas came for a visit last year, I instantly fell in love with him and  he almost fell into our pond several times. He is the sweetest silliest pup.I love his laid back attitude.

Just what is Texas all about?
I'm a pretty laid back guy. I really like having maximum touchitude with my mom and dad when they are chilling on the couch or in bed. I guess my life philosophy is ride waves don't make them. I'm pretty good about following that rule unless I have accidents in the house. That tends to create a wave or two.

I heard that you have a crush on someone?
Well there is this one lady in Portland. She is petite and spunky and has some really wild hair. *sings* Lola. Lo lo lo lo Lola.

What are some of your favorite things?
My most favorite thing ever is my blue bunny but I also really dig walks to the park and car rides where I get to ride in the front seat. The back seat is alright but the front seat is way better. My dad also gives the BEST ear rubs and I love sniffing stuff, its a beagle thing.

What's your favorite holiday?
Halloween! Last year I was a hotdog and this year mom is trying to get me to be Zero from "The Nightmare Before Christmas". We both have a thing for Tim Burton movies.

What's the meaning of life?
Thats a hard one! For me its always finding the best spot on the deck to sun yourself, remember that if you bark at the birds and cats they run away and you can't enjoy watching them anymore, and always kiss your humans goodnight. Do those things and life is pretty swell!

Oh Mr. Texas! Could you be any sweeter? I don't think so.

Feel Good Friday!

picture courtesy of isofoto

This week has been trying for a lot of my family and friends which really got me thinking. What does everyone need? What do we really want in life? The only thought that kept coming back was love. Love for our family-both related and unrelated. Now don't worry, I'm not gonna go all "wind beneath my wings" on you, I won't have everyone join hands and sing kumbaya. I think by now you know that's just not me. Good grief, if I had to do that, I'd probably kick my own butt. Now where was I, oh yes, love. Love is what drives us, it makes us feel all warm and snuggily. It provides us with the passion to make this world a better place. It allows us to write silly songs divulging our emotions. So, for all my friends that had a rough week, hell, even if you didn't have a rough week. This silly little love song is for you. You make my life complete.


Okay, you can wipe that tear from your eye. It's time to kick off your shoes and dance around the house. My friend Lori turned me on to Minnesota's NPR, more specifically The Current. This radio station is AMAZING! All you guys in the Twin Cities already know this. You can hear everything from Johnny Cash, Tom Waites to David Bowie. Lots of really good indie music from today and yesterday. I love the fact I can hear The Replacements and Grand Master Flash in one day without changing the station. The Current brings me back to my teenage years, growing up in a college town with great music.


I was cruising around the interweb yesterday and came across the cutest site. Superkawaiimama.com is just adorable. Candice DeVille is so sassy! Her style is amazing and she basically loves everything that I do, so she has to be great, right? Sunday is her birthday so go on over and wish her a happy birthday!


I love the way Rectangel describes herself on Flickr, "Chaos hating. Rule enforcing. Curmudgeon.". Hey, at least she doesn't beat around the bush;). Anyhoo, she is a beyond belief amazing stitcher that does beautiful work. I love her pin up girl. The lips are so perfect. She can whip any craft swap into line with just a bat of an eyelash. I gotta respect any lady that can herd cats.

picture courtesy of sleepyneko

Finally, my friend Eva requested a list of 10 things I am happy about. Here goes the short list.
1. Mark and my puppies
2. My friends
3. Even though my job can be rough, I still have hope in the world.
4. Cheerwine
5. Cooler weather
6. The color pink
7. My friend Kelsey and I laughing about having matching Christmas sweaters.
8. Barney Frank
9. Getting my crafting mojo back
10. You!

What's on your 10 list for today?

Super Kawaii!

I Love little foods, wait let me rephrase that. I love all kinds of foods but when it comes to collecting, I love little Puchi Petite foods by Re-Ment. They make cute little "toy" foods that are do die for.

I am not the only person who loves these. There are Flickr groups and Re Ment forums all around the web.

The sweets are my favorites.

They really do make everything, right down to chopsticks, whip cream, dried squid. There are little pickles in the pickle jar. It just makes me giggle!

They also have clothing, animals, household goods- everything to channel your inner child.

Even better than the actual toy in the box is the packaging. I believe that they are all blind boxed (you don't know what you are going to get) but I may be wrong. If someone knows how to tell what you are getting, please let me know.

I know that it is disgustingly cute but I can't help it! I love them! They take me back to when I was a little girl and I would play with my dollhouse so they make me happy, so there (that's my inner child coming out)

Look who kitty brought home! Lisa Petrucci!

I met Lisa a few years ago. I had ALWAYS been a fan and when OMP told me that they were good friends and we were heading out to her party I almost fell over. I was SO nervous meeting her. She was the biggest sweetheart ever! Lisa is so sweet and thoughtful and just down right nice.Geez, I hope I'm not ruining her street cred. She if full of sass, which gets high marks in my book!

Your work is amazing! How did you get started?
Thanks! It wasn't always that way! I've been making art since I was a little kid. I used to draw pictures of Snoopy and Woodstock and the Archies in elaborate scenarios. I went to art school for graphic design then got into painting at liberal arts college. I worked in art galleries in Boston and New York for most of the 1980s, and got into painting pin-ups and cuties in the early 1990s.



What's new in the world of Lisa Petrucci?
My book Kickass Kuties - The Art of Lisa Petrucci (which is published by Dark Horse) came out in April! It's an overview of my pop paintings on wood and other projects over the years. So that was really exciting for me. I've been laying low this past year and have just done a few groups shows here and there. I'm actually in a transition phase with my art, I plan on taking it in a different direction once I've used up all the wood plaques I have! Other than that I'm mostly working on our video business, Something Weird Video. OMP will tell ya, I'm usually making dvd cover art for our packaging. We have a new catalog supplement coming out in the Fall, so that's keeping me busy!

I'm also participating in a fancy-pants pop surrealism survey show entitled "Apocalypse Wow" at MACRO (the museum of contemporary art) in Rome this November. It will feature the usual suspects with an emphasis on apocalypse culture.


Do you have any advice for the masses?
Don't take any wooden nickels? Keep your hands clean? Um, as far as being an artist goes, I'd say to constantly look and learn, but keep true to your own vision and aesthetics. There are way too many copycats out there nowadays. And every artist should have a website gallery of their art. More people get more exposure on the interweb, although nothing will ever beat seeing art in person at an art gallery or on a collector's wall.

You have an amazing collection of dolls-do you have a favorite?
My Liddle Kiddles from the 1960s! I love them all!


Who are your favorite artists?
Margaret Keane and anonymous illustrators who did adult paperback pulps in the 1950s and 60s.
I also dig Glenn Barr and Aaron Marshall's paintings.



BONUS QUESTION!
We both have a love for bad "B" movies. Which one would be the story of your life?
It would have to be a combination of FEMALE TROUBLE, COLOR ME BLOOD RED, and SPIDER BABY. Now figure that one out!

If Lisa is visiting a gallery near you, make sure you stop by and say hello. Also check out her book, it is amazing! If you are the crafty type, she also did patterns for Sublime Stitching and they are CUTE! Thank you so much Lisa! You are so dear to my heart and I'm so glad to call you a friend (you still need to come down for a visit!)