Feeling Rich in Penny Nickel's World

If you are in the stitching world and haven't heard of Penny Nickels than shame on you! I really don't think there are enough adjectives that can describe the talent this woman has.She has sass and moxy that well, might even put me to shame.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I like ELO, Lil Wayne, Bob Fosse, "Jersey Shore", and Werner Herzog. I took chess lessons from the age of 19 to 26. I read a lot. I have several tattoos from my favorite books, including a gigantic illustration from Louis-Ferdinand Céline on my arm. My dad made me read "Willard and His Bowling Trophies" by Richard Brautigan when I was twelve and I believe it may have wrecked my young brain. I also have an extensive comic book collection. Yesterday, I had a hour long conversation with my brother about how amazing the movie Total Recall is. I listened to the song “Peg” by Steely Dan three times today, on purpose. I come from four generations of art fags. My favorite artists are George Grosz, Otto Dix, Max Ernst and Francis Bacon. I sound like an jerk off when I talk about myself, but I'm cool with it.

How long have you been stitching and what or who got you started?
I went to a “Fame” type high school where I studied printmaking, and I continued to do that for about ten years. I worked in mezzotint, aquatint, and relief. Studios and chemicals are hard to come by if you're not in school, and the gouges started to take their toll on my hands. A few years ago I realized that my prints would translate really well into embroidery because of the way they're designed and I started stitching them. It's hilarious because I can't get anyone to look twice at my printmaking, but once it's embroidered people really respond to it. It makes me feel kind of like a huckster. But I do think that embroidery is much more dynamic, it's like working in two and a half dimensions, so maybe that's why it pops. I also spin, knit and weave.

You are absolutely amazing! There are so many pieces I love from you, which is your favorite?
Thanks! *Blushing* Hmmmm... I really like my mythic commemorative stamp series, (Hypaepa, Tritonis, Asterion, Cithaeron) that's mostly me working out emotional baggage so they're really satisfying to stitch on. I'll be doing those forever. :)
I think the piece I like the most right now is the siphonophorae I've been working on. It's been going
on over a hundred hours of stitching, but I'm really impressed with it so far. When I look at it my brain hums.

What kind of advice would you give to the masses?
Be fearless! Be demanding! Don't be scared of sounding like an asshole! No one's going to take your work seriously unless you do! And most importantly, explore making your own patterns!
I have a lot of love for commercial and vintage patterns. Sometimes you see something really great that you wouldn't have thought of. They're also perfect to try out new stitches or a palette you might not normally use. But even if you don't have a drawing/rendering/stick figure bone in your body, it's really easy to snap a photo of something simple that looks neat, load it into the computron, print it black and white and trace it. Volia! You just made your first pattern, and it's all yours. Incidentally, I can only draw successfully from life or photo references, so I look at A LOT of online erotica to find my half naked ladies. But I do it on Johnny Murder's computer so he gets all the gross spam. :)
And if you don't want to make your own patterns but you want something unusual, you can find a ton of copyright free art online that can be used for stitching too. I recently saw some Egon Schiele embroideries that were amazing. I just started stitching a kooky Louis Wain painting that I ripped off the internet. I'm never going to come up with anything half as strange as his stuff.

Do you have a website or any upcoming shows?
I have a blog called Donkeywolf which is named after my favorite animal that I made up. It has interviews with other artists, fiber products and textile book reviews, pieces I'm working on and what they mean. I'm showing at Redux in Portland which opens April 2nd and Big Car Gallery in Indianapolis which opens May 7th. I am also doing a show at Good Gallery in Portland this April.

Bonus Question!
Grits-a food by themselves or a just a vehicle for butter and cheese? 

Grits are a vehicle for everything! I use coarse ground corn grits and I usually cook them with thyme, sauteed mushrooms and cheddar, but this morning I made them with spinach, garlic and Gruyère. It was amazing.


Okay, let's recap the reasons I love Penny. 1-sass and moxy, 2-stitching that is beyond belief beautiful 3- she's a southern girl who loves grits. I can't wait to see her shows and her work close up. I know it's gonna be breathtaking. I'm glad to call her an inspiration and a friend.

Tie One On Tuesday

Tiki drink awareness drill #1:

It is no secret we, the Pedersen’s, love the fruity concoctions know as Tiki Drinks. These are also known as girlie or fru fru drinks. I can honestly say that is as far from the truth as you can get. Yes, some of them are rather sweet or fruity but they do contain more alcohol in one drink then you can shake a stick at – not that you should go around shaking sticks at drinks!

This past Sunday night (1/17/10) we had the pleasure of attending the Teardrop Lounge in downtown Portland for it’s semi-annual Tiki night! A friend of ours by the name of Blair Reynolds was the guest mixologist behind the “stick” (FYI for you not in the know – that is slang for being behind the bar). He had researched and concocted a bevy of beverages for our imbibing pleasure. And might I say he did his research! Master Reynolds is also the mastermind behind his own line of syrups and bitters that will allow you to make all these fabulous drinks as authentic as they use to be in the hey day of Tiki, over 40 years ago. Visit: www.tradertiki.com for more information on these wonderful items (tell him kittykill and OMP sent ya)!

So with out further adieu, I am reprinting a few of his recipes from this past Sunday. I am including the drinks that did not call for any of his “special items” (but if you feel the need to order some of them form him he may include a few recipes – I know there are some printed on each label).


Hot Zombie (a warm take on the old knock out favorite!):
1 oz Pineapple Juice
2 oz. Cruzan Dark Rum
1/2 oz. Passion Fruit syrup
1/2 oz. Lime juice (fresh squeezed!!)
1 tsp. Brown Sugar
4 oz. Boiling water

Mix all ingredients into small barrel mug and then add Hot Water. Stir and enjoy!

Lei Lani Volcano:
3 oz. Guava Nectar
1 1/2 oz. Pineapple Juice
3/4 oz. Lime Juice
1/4 oz. Simple Syrup
1 1/2 oz. Coconut Rum

Mix all ingredients together and serve I a Coconut Mug with a Lime Wheel garnish!


Three Dots and a Dash:
1/2 oz. Lime Juice
1/2 oz. Orange Juice
1/2 oz. Honey (it calls for a special Honey Mix but you don’t have that - YET!)
1 1/2 oz. Amber Martinique Rum
1/2 oz. Lemon Hart 80 Rum
dash of Angostura bitters
1/4 oz. Falernum
1/4 oz. Pimento Dram (this stuff if you can find it – ROCKS)!

Mix all the ingredients into a double rocks glass. Garnish with three cherries and a pineapple spear.


These are not simple drinks to master but you should have some fun trying. Make sure you  give Blair's site a look over for more recipes, insights into drinks and of course his wonderful line of syrups and other ingredients!! You can say you knew him when, once he becomes a big food mogul!!

Bottoms up and remember – asphalt hurts when you fall on it so keep your bottom off of it!! Until next week!

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

I know it's been a little bit since I've had Scrappy Dog Sunday so to make it up to you, I offer you Abby. Oh yes, Abby had me at Jack Russell Terrier and kept me at  the scrap.

How are you feeling? I saw recently you had a little toe problem?
I'm feeling SO much better now, thanks for asking!  It turned out to be something Krissi called “benign.”  It was a rough few weeks while my foot healed, mostly because I had to wear a big bandage and a waterproof boot (Krissi made it from duct tape!).  I'm glad to say that I'm back on form, running around the dog park and playing with my friends at doggy day camp!

What's your favorite thing to do?
Wow, I love so many things, that it's difficult to choose, but I'd have to say that my absolute favorite thing is to chase after motorcycles when they drive down the street next to the dog park.  I like to chase them so much, that I'm not allowed off leash outside of the dog park!

Are you a mama's girl or a daddy's girl?
Ron is the Alpha dog, but I don't feel secure when Krissi isn't around.  I'm not sure what that makes me!

Do you have a favorite toy?
I like stuffed animal toys that make sounds.  I have a squeaky squirrel toy that I love, but my favorite toy is a wolf that howls when I bite it!

Any brothers or sisters? What about in the future? Maybe another JRT?
I live with a slinky grey kitty named “Gracie,” and “Mouse,” a cat/dog hybrid (her vet records say she's a cat, but she doesn't act like one).  I also live with a 50-year old California desert tortoise we call “Doodle,” but he sleeps half the year and lives in the back yard the other half.  Ron and Krissi like herding dogs and my best friends are Border Collie mixes, so when we expand our family, it will probably be an Australian Shepherd or a Border Collie.  Right now though, I enjoy being an only dog and we have a happy home, so there probably won't be any new additions for a while!

Bonus-
Happiness is.....
being found on a hiking trail by people who take you home and love you!

Awww, I heart Abby so much! What a sweetie! Abby gets the Lola Scrappy Seal Of Approval! She is 110% Jack Russell Terrier and that makes everything right in the world.

Feel Good Friday!

sarah_gardner's

Okay, so I'll admit, I was having a rough time figuring out what to be happy about -it's been one of those weeks for me. I decided to ask my friend Casey what I should be happy about. In no certain order, this is what we came up with.
1. Goldfish chedder crackers-but ONLY Chedder
2. Slippers
3. Godzilla
4. Seeing eachother in a week
5. Cuban coffee
6. Silly embroidery
Ah,,,,I love my friends. They always make me feel better and let me remember why I should be happy. Now that I found that special place (keep your minds out of the gutter) I'll share a few happies with you.

If you are in the Southern California area next weekend, you should come and see me. I'll be there with Craftster at the CHA show. It is in Anaheim at the convention center January 22nd and 23rd. I will be there with Leah (EEP!) and Jungrrl (EPP too!)on both days. Stop by the booth and say hello. Don't get too scared when I come up and hug you and demand a picture. It's kind of my thing.

Okay, normally I like to keep it somewhat clean around here but this seriously had me laughing so hard. I can't help if I have 12 year old humor. Thank you to sagespot for making my day

I love Tara Frey's blog. It is so crisp and pretty. She also put a book out that I am reading about blogging for bliss. It's so great and has so much information in it. 

I am dying from the cuteness! Check out joojooland on etsy.

As per special request. Kittens!

I just want to give them all big kisses!

So much better, stressing leaving body, warm fuzzy thoughts coming back into head, all okay with the world.

Life is okay.

There are some days when I think I'm going to die from an overdose of satisfaction.  ~Salvador Dali

You Get a Pattern and You Get a Pattern and You Get a Pattern!

Did I ever tell you that I have a bazillion patterns and vintage craft magazines? No? Well, I do and guess what-I want to share them with you. That's right! You get a pattern! And you get a pattern! And you get a pattern! Each week I am going to post either a pattern or a retro/vintage craft project or article for your enjoyment. My request-1-if you make or sew something from the site, you link it back here and 2-don't use for commercial use (cause that's just crappy, yo!)

So, here's the first in many for your viewing pleasure. These were originally an iron on from Vogart. I thought they would just be adorable stitched up. Enjoy!

 

 

I can't wait to see what ya'll stitch up. I have no doubt it will be fab! Hope this makes your day a little brighter.

No Bones About It! I Love Skelekitty!

I can't remember  how I found out about Krissi and her wonderful work. I'm pretty sure it had to be me gushing about her sweet little Jack Russell Terrier. She is such an amazing artist! Her choice of colors and content constantly blow me away.


Who is Skelekitty and what is she all about?
She's a hip and feisty skeleton kitty who was introduced to the world in the summer of 2006 when I donated the very first piece, “Skelekitty & Skelemouse,” to a local feline rescue's annual fundraiser. I have always loved animals and became fascinated with the Day of the Dead celebration when I lived in San Francisco's Mission District I suspected that the spirit of Dia de los Muertos (that is, celebrating the lives of loved ones) fit in perfectly with a kitty adoption organization. Pretty soon, people started asking to see more of Skelekitty, so I (eventually) created a whole line featuring Skelekitty and her skelecritter pals.

How did you get started with your art? Do you have any shows coming up?
I've been a compulsive crafter since my teen years when (GEEK ALERT) I started painting D&D figurines with teeny tiny little brushes. 20 years later I began experimenting with scrapbooking techniques and learned to quilt. As the looks I wanted to achieve became limited by the medium of art quilts, I started taking classes and experimenting with mixed media. I am currently using pyrography (burning) techniques on wooden plaques and artist panels onto which I place multiple layers of translucent acrylic colors and mixed media.

Thanks so much for asking! I am participating in several group shows this year. Right now, my piece “A Girl and Her Cat” is at MINT Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia for the “Not You” artist self-portrait show. Sacramento's VOX Gallery has a group show called “Let Me Count The Ways” in February and I will be submitting several pieces to that. I am also working to build up my collection of available art in the hopes of finding a gallery to host a solo show in late 2010 or early 2011 – wish me luck!

What inspires you?
My inspirations are many and varied 'm inspired by various aspects of popular culture including television shows like Doctor Who and The Venture Bros.,

Do you have a website or a blog?
Oh yes! Several!
Skelekitty has one of each at skelekitty.com and skelekitty.blogspot.com
My art & life blog is krissisandvik.blogspot.com and I am working on updating my website.
Photos of my artwork and family (including our wonderful dog, Abby the Wonder-Jack) is viewable on Flickr (flickr.com/misskrissi).

What kind of advice would you give to your fans/the masses
Do what you love and love what you do. Listen to your critics, but don't let them rule your life.

Bonus Question!

Favorite and least favorite Dr. Who character.
I think the same character is the answer to both parts of that question: The angel statue creatures from “Blink.”

Krissi is just simply awesome! I love her zest for life! She has such an amazing outlook! I love that no matter what is happening, she takes it on with sass, smarts and color. She is one tough cookie! Her smile is infectious, so be careful-she just might win you over. 

Tie One On Tuesday

Oh my aching head! You know the feeling. You went out, had a few drinks after work, met a cutie, did some dancing, had some more drinks, did some smooching and now you wake up and you feel like you got hit by a Mack truck-driven by Mr. T-who by the way was yelling, "I pity the fool" in your ear. Well, never fear my little drunk monkeys! I have the cure for you!

Let me just get this out of the way-HA HA! You have a hang over! Okay, now on to the cures.

First-you need sleep and lots  of it! Rest and sleep will give your body time to recover and allow the alcohol to work through your system.

Drink lots and lots of water and vitamin C. The water flushes out your system and the vitamin C stimulates the liver to break down the alcohol.

Try not to take aspirin or Tylenol. The side effects of these two pills only magnify the alcohol in your system and we really don't want you more drunk and in more pain. Plus, aspirin can upset your tummy!

Bananas are one of the quickest ways to cure a hangover. The best way to do this is to make a  a banana milkshake sweetened with honey. The banana helps calm the stomach, and with the honey, builds up the depleted blood sugar levels. The milk soothes the stomach and rehydrates your system. Bananas are also rich in the important electrolytes, magnesium and potassium, which are severely depleted during heavy drinking.

I swear by a good greasy breakfast. Bacon, eggs and toast or a cheeseburger will fix you right up.

So, there are a few little treatments to get you back in the saddle and ready to hit the dance floor for another night, but please, for the love of all things holy-this time-leave your clothes on.