Scrawny Girl Shop Update

After weeks of working on sketches and paintings, I've finally launched my new line of cards! I had so much fun with these. There are 2 Valentine's Day cards, but they could be used for other lovely special occasions. I also made a get well soon, happy birthday, and just a cute card for any occasion. 

I am now offering a listing for Buy 3 Get 1 Free, where you get to pick the 4 cards you want. I also have 3 different colors of envelopes: white, pink, and kraft. 

There are also shrinky dink brooches based off the same designs. I love how these turned out! My favorite is the Make Out Bandit!

My inspiration for this line came mostly from the Kyary video Candy Candy. All her videos are just so visually inspiring and the music just puts me in a good mood. 

Check it out here:

Songs That Remind Me of You

My husband came home from a month long tour a few years ago with this album, saying this song reminded him of me. Every time this song comes on our shuffle, he always says "this song makes me think of you". I've never asked him why, but I think it's cute.

We actually had the chance to see Josh Ritter live at SXSW a few years ago in a church. It was the best show ever! He played acoustic and right when he said to the heavens, "please don't smite me for playing this song in a church," the power went out and he played it anyway.

 

Photo I took at SXSW

He's the best storyteller, and I love so many of his songs. I can listen to his albums for months, especially on vinyl. I am also in love with this song and video:  

 If you ever get a change to see him live, you won't regret it. I also recommend all his albums, although The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter is my favorite.

Wizard Love

I'm sure many of you have seen this by now, but I was just thinking of how cute this is. My husband sent this to me a few years ago when I was still working at the mall and having a rough day, because he's the best husband ever. November is the month where we marathon all the Harry Potter movies, and sometimes I try to re-read all the books.

My husband's boss just got back from Harry Potter World, and he did not know a thing about Harry Potter. I think that is the strangest thing I've ever heard! He must be that guy that lives under a rock....I want to go to HPW so bad, or just move close enough to go everyday.

My favorite HP character is Luna Lovegood, which I've talked about before. She's probably my second spirit animal behind Bubbles from the PowerPuff Girls. I also love love Neville, especially in the end where he kicks major evil booty!

I can't wait to share Harry Potter with Amelia! It's going to be so fun reading the books with her and watching the movies (when she's old enough).

Who is your favorite HP character?

On Repeat: Eisley

If you met me on the street, you would probably know that my favorite band is Eisley because I own at least five t-shirts and wear them all the time. My friend Brooke introduced me to Eisley in 2006 with Marvelous Things, which creates such a dreamy musical landscape that you can't help wanting to hear more.



The band members of Eisley are all related from Tyler, Texas and formed way back in 1997. They emerged on the Dallas music scene in 2001, and have since released four studio albums and numerous EPs.

I tried to catch them playing a few years ago when they released their third studio album The Valley, at SXSW where my husband was also playing. Sadly between running between my husband's shows, and the line to grab my RSVP pass I only got to listen from outside the venue.

Smarter is my favorite song off The Valley:



I finally got to see them live when they played here in Lubbock, and I bought tons of merch! Here are a few crummy iphone photos:

They just released their fourth studio album Currents, which is just as magical as all their other albums. You can definitely hear the progression of Eisley as a band, and the expansion of their musical prowess on this album. So far my favorite tracks are Save My Soul and Millstone.

Here is an acoustic session featuring songs off the new album:



If you just can't get enough, most of the members have side projects:

Sucre'

Perma

Rising Fawn

35/52

This past week Amelia attended her very first concert. My husband plays in the band Thrift Store Cowboys, and they were having a free outdoor show at the Buddy Holly Center here in town. Amelia didn't really know what to think of all the people and the loud music, but she had fun and got to see her friend Lucille.

My husband is the bass player in the bright yellow t-shirt.

It was nice to get out of the house, see friends, have a beer, and watch my husband's band. I hadn't seen them in about a year, since they played the Buddy Holly Summer Showcase the year before.

Have you seen any shows this summer?

 

Somewhere Down The Barrel

The other day I had the itch to sketch it out, here was the result:

This was a totally different outcome than my normal sketches of cute things puked into my sketchbook.

When I was in college I had an unhealthy obsession with Daniel Johns from Silverchair. He had a side project called The Dissociatives, which was completely insane to my alternative loving self at the time, but the lyrics really spoke to me.

Here is the video to give you a visual:

Maybe my morning pages have been giving me deep thoughts, but here are a selection of lyrics that were swimming in my head while drawing:

"when everyone's a stranger
they call for you by your first name
and laugh at jokes you once made
when you were a kid"

"i'm plagued by small town fascists
like a rash on my skin"

"when paintings seem like bargains
but they're nothing but wallpaper"

The illustration reminds me of myself a long time ago. Kinda quirky, ready for crazy, and usually smiling on the outside. I've been thinking a lot about being "grown up" these days, which had me reflecting on the days where people ask you, "Where do you think you'll be in 10 years?"

Are you where you thought you'd be? Where do you think you'll be? Something to think about for sure.

On Repeat: Coeur de Pirate

I stumbled upon Coeur de Pirate when I was pregnant and looking for French lullabies. I had seen on the internet that Beatrice Martin, the singer/pianist for Coeur de Pirate, had released a lullaby album, but it was not available on iTunes. That did not stop me from downloading her other 2 albums.

I enjoy the sincere joyfulness in her vocals and the whimsical piano, taking you from subtle innocence to mature melodies. If you like French acoustic and piano driven pop songs, Coeur de Pirate is the perfect balance with a splash of whimsy. Both albums are colorful and charming, you will keep them on repeat like I have for months.

Here are a few of my favorite songs and their videos:





You don't have to understand French to enjoy the music. Not understanding the lyrics helps me to get a feel for the music and focus on whatever creative project I happen to be working on.

What music do you have on repeat? Any music you'd like to recommend?

Blogosphere Reads

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I've been super busy working on new doll patterns and herding a crawling Amelia, but I managed to read a few posts this week (and some from last week). So grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!

I've been getting into zines, and this Beyonce zine is awesome and has a rad playlist.

Speaking of playlist, Sonya posted a folk punk playlist to help you get your creative juices flowing.

I loved this cute video on how to make Ponyo Ramen Noodles

Leave a link of your favorite posts, videos, or playlists!

Coffee Date

Something Inspiring Lost and Found Pets of Lubbock and the Dachshund Rescue. We still haven't found Duo but so many people have gone out looking and are keeping an eye out. So thanks, and I hope we find him soon.

Something Disturbing the amount of times I've dyed my hair recently. Hopefully soon I will find a color I like and stick to it.

Something New I'm currently reading a book about doing a cleanse, called Clean. I'm also reading Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling. Yes I'm that person who reads like 4 books at the same time.

Something I'm Listening To Paramore's new album. I haven't heard all of it yet, but I'm really liking what I've heard so far.

Coffee Date

I meant for this post to go up on Saturday, but a cute baby distracted me from hitting publish :)

Something Inspiring: My friend Debra and her husband Paul. They make the most amazing costumes (and look amazing in them!), and they go to events and make people happy. I think it's pretty awesome. I love how they give back in such a fun way, and they do it as a couple! You can check out her blog Fantastically Super and their Facebook page for their non-profit, Project Hero.

Something New: I died my hair, again. LoL. It is super fun. I call it super hero red.

Something Disturbing: The number of pictures on my computer that I've taken of coffee over the years.

Something I'm Listening to: My husband left a Sufjan Stevens cd in my car. I can't remember which one though.

Coffee Date

Something Inspiring: Massage chairs and pedicures.....amazing!


Something New: I cut all my hair off! I never had time to brush it (or wash it) and it was getting out of control.


Something Disturbing: Having to hold your baby's hand while they get shots. Worst feeling ever!

Something I'm listening to: Paramore's new single Now. The video is rad.


[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G133kjKy91U]

That's What She Said Sunday

Today we had loads of fun playing with the ShopKick app and taking Amelia about town with us. Right now, we have a fussy girl, but it seems the swing we bought today is calming her down...cross your heart and kiss you elbow that something works soon, her little tears break my heart.

This and That

A couple little peeks....
Only the cutest things in life....Happy Monday

Live and Breathing

This week in Lubbock, local bands are getting an awesome opportunity to be part of Live and Breathing.

Live and Breathing was created as a way for musicians to get their music heard by recording them in their most basic form at sites that few would ever conceive as musical backdrops. The goal is to “capture intimate performances by musicians in unique, personal settings.”

Here in Lubbock, they are recording in historic sites such as the Las Escarbadas from the XIT Ranch located at the National Ranching Heritage Center.

My husband's band, Thrift Store Cowboys, completed their session on Tuesday.

Jess Hale from Tomahawk Productions also booked all the bands at a local venue, The Blue Light to make it a full week of awesome music.

As soon as the sessions are up on the Live and Breathing website, I will post the link.

I'll leave you with a video taken by a fan at The Blue Light

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkN51ZtfdIw]

Photos taken from instagram: Jess Hale (jattomahawk), Live and Breathing (liveandbreathing), and Kristyn (rosemarycross16). Edited/filtered by me. Video from Dylan Rutter.

If you are in the area, there are more awesome bands to see through the rest of the week. Check out Tomahawk Productions for more information.

Favorite Albums of 2012

I remember the days I used to buy tons of music. Now a days, I am mostly hunting down vinyl and buying a few select records on itunes or while waiting in line at Starbucks. When did I get so picky? Here are few albums I've enjoyed this past year:

This was an album I picked up at Starbucks. In high school I was a huge Fiona Apple fan, and back then I could relate to her anger and angst. Sadly, this album hasn't found its way into my itunes library. I need to get on that, because I have a bad habit of scratching up cd's.

I was turned on to The Civil Wars by the song they did with Taylor Swift for The Hunger Games movie. This is a nice chill record that I like to put on while I work.

I actually bought this on vinyl for my husband. The first gift I ever bought my husband was a Shins cd (which we've lost). I've been on a mission to buy him all their albums on vinyl since we got a record player.

I'm in love with this album, and listened to it constantly. My husband on the other hand, can't stand it. I saw on twitter where they've started writing for their next album. Also, can't wait for the new Eisley release this year.

One of my old roommates has the best taste in music, and when he recommended this album I thought he was crazy. But I rocked out in my car most of the summer to this album with my windows down and hair trailing out the window like a rebellious high school kid.

Besides the new Eisley album, I am looking forward to the new Josh Ritter, Perma, and One Wolf albums coming out this year.

What albums were your favorite this past year? And what albums are you looking forward to in 2013?

The Halloween Party I Wish I Was Invited To

This morning I am drinking tea and going through my Reader, catching up on the blog-o-sphere, when I come across this post from Haute Whimsy about Kate Nash's Halloween Party. Now as a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and particularly the musical episode, Once More With Feeling (my old blog was named after it), I am floored by the awesome theme of her party!

I wish I was invited in all my 8 month pregnant glory to see Kate Nash dressed as Buffy and rock out with everyone else!

(My friend T took this picture of me handing out candy. She also gifted me the Hello Kitty shirt last year, and even though its from the Target little girls section I managed to make it work.)

I would jump on stage like the guy in this video:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqjg0s2dZ4Q]

Make sure to check out the rest of the videos on Haute Whimsy's blog. If you've never seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I recommend a nice marathon (last I checked it was on Netflix instant).

Happy belated Halloween!

Fashion Monster

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GivkxpAVVC4]

I'm a huge fan of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. She is super kawaii and creative as hell. I find her videos very inspiring! Take a look at this latest video, it's crazy!