If you really must give STUFF

Smokey gives 5 claws!

With the weekend upon us, you may be fixin' to go on a holiday shopping spree.  I've already given you my 2¢ on the matter.  Lest you think I am one of those Grinch or Scrooge types though—I do understand the desire to have physical presents under that tree, lookin' all purty + just begging to be opened.  And, so, I bring you a round-up of (drum roll, please) . . . my favorite Stuffs You Can Make for Loved Ones!

• For cat lovers, or your own felines of course - a repurposed cardboard kitty scratch pad.  My cats tore theirs to shreds over the course of a year or so.
• For little ones - a few playful ideas + a billion more ideas for toys + games to make (both for and by the kiddos).
• For photography lovers, or for anyone you think could get really into snapping dreamy, old-timey photos - how to make a pinhole camera Part 1 + Part 2.
• Last minute + stocking stuffer ideas.
• Not one, but two (TWO!) gifts in one - reusable produce bags, which can double as gift wrap for what I'm about to link you to . . .
• Everyone loves tasty treats, right?  How about whipping up fun + delectable ready-to-assemble recipes like this caramel apple kit, homemade pancake mix jars, homemade nutella! (perhaps a nice spread for the aforementioned pancakes?), or hot chocolate kits?
• For the bibliophiles in your life - sew a simple e-reader case.

If you simply do not have time to do-it-yourself, take advantage of all the craft fairs in December (Bazaar Bizarre!, Renegade Craft Fair!, and other Bay Area options listed @ KQED Arts) and purchase local + handmade gifts.  If you prefer to shop from the comfort of your footy pajamas, cozy sheets + laptop, go to town searchin' for fabulousness via the Local feature on Etsy. 

Whew.  And with that, I think I will shut up on the subject of holiday gift giving.  Probably.  ;]

Cleo gives 10 claws + a pink nose to the cardboard kitty scratch pad!

But back to that whole gift giving thing

2010

My car's thermometer registered 61˚ today.  Which can only mean one thing: it's the most wonderful time of the year.  Much mistletoeing, hearts will be glowing, and all that jazz.  Not trying to rain on the Christmas parade, but, as previously noted, I think the holidays provide a wonderful opportunity to give gifts that encourage loved ones to hang out with one another, help build community, and increase participation in cultural events. 

The very creative + sage Jordan of Oh Happy Day! agrees with me.  Check out these 10 brilliant gift ideas she suggests.  My favorites are tickets to a lecture series, reserve a campground, and the offbeat city tour.  If I may, I'd like to add to the list of awesomeness.  Behold:   

•  If you live in the Bay Area, you may know about The Parkway Theater.  'Twas a wonderful spot to view a flick.  Think couches, pizza, and beer.  Cozy, no?  Unfortunately, it closed its doors in 2009, and a group of dedicated, community-minded, film-loving souls embarked upon efforts to re-open The Parkway.  I remain hopeful that good will triumph over evil, and Bay Area cinephiles will soon enjoy beer with their movies once again.  Gift a membership to one such lucky duck.
• And speaking of the joy of film.  How about a subscription to Netflix (or if they pissed you off with their shenanigans this Fall, choose an alternative service)?  One of my favorite gifts I ever forced my father to give me was a Lord of the Rings marathon.  When I learned he had never seen any of the trilogy, I said, "Faja! You. Me. Peter Jackson's masterpiece. All. In. One. Sitting. I want nothing else for Christmas!"  He obliged.  We chose a particularly grey Saturday morning, gathered a bunch of comfort food (couldn't sell him on lembas, though), and watched the heck outta those movies! 
• I already mentioned museum membership, but it's such a rad idea, it bears repeating.  There are so many cool museums! 
• Is your friend or loved one keen on art, books, games, music, and various other creative ventures?  Donate to a Kickstarter campaign in his or her name.  You can easily discover projects to fund based on category or location.  With your pledge, you are helping artists', musicians', and creators' dreams come true, while simultaneously snagging goodies for your gift recipient.
• Want to make your parents smile?  Take a photo with Santa.  Yes, as an adult.  Bonus points if you + your siblings (or significant other) wear matchy matchy outfits.*  Print it, frame it, possibly festoon the frame with glitter.  Or candy canes.  Your call.  Don't pretend like you don't want to.

What are your ideas for "experience" gifts?

*We didn't dress as twinsies last year (see photo above) because we were pleasantly surprised to see Santa at the airport + this was an impromptu photo shoot.  On our part, at least.  :]

Which brings me to my next post, re: Fear and two more awesome quotes

a book on magic

Quote 1: "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." - Pablo Picasso

Oh, that Pablo.  So brilliant, so prolific.  Such understatements.  But I digress.  And I do apologize for the fact that these first nine posts probably feel like a collection of digressions.*  Here's the thing.  I've wanted to create my own blog for years (nay a decade!), but something unseen, yet almost tangible, has held me back.  That something?  In a word?  Fear.  Fear of not being good enough.  Fear of cluttering the unsuspecting cyber-world with worthless drivel.  Fear of having nothing to say, nothing to write about, nothing to contribute.  Fear of confirming what I feared.  So, I didn't; I haven't.  It was a vicious cycle, you see.  After all these years, I get what Pablo's saying.  Yes, Sarah, it's true: you have not written any crap—because you have not written anything at all.  Alas.  The gist of Pablo's quote?  One cannot create inspired art if one is not creating anything at all.

Which brings me to the second Quote of the Day, and why I finally decided to just start posting, even without a clear theme for this blog.

Quote 2: "It doesn't matter how big it is; it doesn't matter how fuckin' good it is.  If you're putting it out . . . it's worth something." - Hannah Dancing**

Hannah's talking about creating, and she's right.  I'm finished feeling this fear, and I'm tired of not writing about the things I care about.  Whether the result is "good" or not.  So, bear with me as the origins of this project seem to meander a tad.  This blog will not focus solely on crafting or fashion or yummy recipes or my cats (ha! You wish!).  I may choose to write about all of the above or none of the above.  Regardless, just because I don't have a theme, doesn't mean I don't have a purpose.  Prepare to read about the things I care about!  Prepare for joy, art, and hope!  :]

a sketch inspired by Harlem

What would you work on right now if Fear was not an obstacle?

* a "collection of digressions" actually sounds like the muse for a cool art installation.
** Hannah Dancing is a talented + all-around cool person, who is darn creative.

At the risk of being TOO discursive,

and forsaking a cohesive narrative, I give you a gem of a quotation. 

From Roald Dahl: “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”

spotted @ the Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna

through the Berlin Wall

sparkly Nyhavn in Copenhagen

And indulge me once more, as I add my elaboration.  Glitter and magic and wonder are everywhere.  All around us, everyday.  But, if all that sparkly whimsy is eluding your vision, make your own magic.

love locks in Englischer Garten, Munich

MacArthur overpass in Oakland

on the London Underground

Where did you spot some magic today?

On gift giving

Speaking of helping Mother Earth look her Sunday best, see that image down there on the previous post?  That's a temporary tattoo designed by Marc Johns.  Available here @ Tattly.  Dontcha think a monthly subscription to these truly stunning tattoos would make for a fun + memorable gift?  I wish more folks would remember that experiences trump stuff* when shifting into gift-giving mode during the holidays.  And all that crap we buy that comes in all that packaging and fancy, non-recyclable gift wrap?  Destined for landfill.  And all the pollution we create in the manufacturing of all that crap?  Sweet Valley High!  We can stop this.  In lieu of ye olde tradition of bestowing white elephants upon loved ones, consider giving theater tickets, museum memberships, donations in their name to organizations they support.  Or temporary tattoos. ;]  

rainbow

*stuff won't make you happy, experiences will

This I Believe

My purpose is threefold:

• to seek + bring joy
• to seek, make + share art
• to hope for more

And in so doing, leave this world a titch better than I found it. 

image source

"The best laid schemes of mice and men . . .

. . . go often askew."

- Robert Burns

But that will not stop me from scheming some more!

Dear London,

Thank you for yummy Indian food + reminding me that unicorns exist.

Not feelin' all the chicken spots in Hackney, though,
Sarah

Dear Jetlag,

I concede.  You exist.

Devastatingly, exhaustedly yours in London,
Sarah

p.s. but it's worth it to catch glimpses of corners of London such as this:

and this:

so, thanks . . . I guess?

It's time

to see more of the world.

xoxo,
Sarah