a fuzzy threat

If I were in a riot gang I'd throw angora covered bricks.

phew, it's all over

With all this recent air terror I think I'd rather commute via wingless bird from now on. Bird Power, circa 1906 Forget about horsepower. Ostriches pulled a sulky around a Los Angeles ostrich farm in the early 1900s. Although too heavy to fly, these strong-legged birds can reach speeds of 40 miles an hour sprinting and 30 miles an hour over longer distances.
little red blog of revolutionary knitting

The last thing you need to deal with during the holidays is added travel stress. Because getting up at the crack of dawn after too many Tiramisu martinis and leftover turkey isn't rough enough. Yesterday we had to arrive at the airport 2 hours earlier for added security measures. Mine & Parker's patience levels were being tested. I thought TSA was going to go apeshit on my bulging luggage, bags of foil wrapped candies and my suspiciously over sized Marc wool shawl. Fortunately we made it home in one piece.

warm habitation

I love this burrower knitwear series. Is this not the most novel idea? I think anyone with a tiny fur tot can appreciate this.

maximilian's pet shop: pet as trophy

In a few hours I'll be flying up to Boston to meet up with the in-laws for a chilly white Christmas. I'll be traveling with a very bundled up Chihuahua. I usually take Parker in her dog bag but she ends up nestling into my sweater mid way trip. She's mastered the art of burrowing into warm soft things. I need to knit up something to sling this critter around with me in style.

"Who me?"

500th post & Blogiversary

It's a tad belated on the 1 year anniversary here at me melodia but who really cares. Not only does this mark my first year of blogging about art, taxidermy, housewares and just a bunch of nothing about something, but this is also my 500th post. Wosh. Time has seriously whizzed by and in it's wake my head is spinning. In the past year I've maintained my sanity through continuing this blog, been inspired to pursue creative outlets and have made some darling internet friends (you know who you are). I love every single one of you who have visited and continue to stop by. Being committed and staying true to my integrity has always been a priority but it's really easy to get distracted. I'm happy to celebrate this blogiversary and hope the next year is as fruitful and rewarding. In the upcoming days I plan to introduce new features, incorporate a more interactive platform, update the layout and offer some exciting treats and contest.
Thanks again for hanging around!

Oh, and I'd like to thank Elaine Bradford for creating the above piece from her freaks of nurture series.
I've gifted it to the blog in my mind.

busy fingers

Jack Spade: knit rat ipod cozy

I'm planning on knitting one of these during my down time.
(That's if I don't fall asleep from a gossip magazine and cheap wine haze on my 4.5 hour layover)

great find: Esther Traugot

Esther Traugot, Bee 2009

bee, thread; 1/2in x 5ft
I really dig Esther's work; I suggest reading her statement. This bee piece is one of the cutest things I have ever seen. I want all insects to wear crochet sweaters.

On a random note, we are currently hosting this huge and semi aggressive hornworm caterpillar on our gardenia plant. We are no stranger to weird bugs here in Miami but this fat little bastard is a new one to me. I would never knit him a tiny outfit but I enjoy seeing him munch and loaf on my balcony. My bf wants to pin him once he morphs into a Sphinx moth but I'd rather just let him go on his way.

Nina Braun,Lovesculpture
wool, wadding, doll-eyes, cap, tape, button, wire, wood, 2007

I can't pick a favorite Nina piece but these cuddly bastards make me wish I was home squeezing my hairy faced man.

weekday link slurp up

R.L. Tillman,WE WERE # 1;
mini foam fingers, 2008

• nice gifts for a graffiti inclined pal
• pour a little out for MJ paper fold
• class of consistency
  
• adorable Chloe
• cute!!!
  
• Stripes, Sally Jane, and my dear "little" Sarah
• I love peeking in on the artistic process.
• sexy moto
• pugs
  
• I want to move somewhere cold and wear this coat.
• skysicle?!?
• antique sign yumminess
  
• Alexander Girard for UO
• knitted pouf
• what happened to helena horstedt
  
• katherine kaminski deer girls
• old vs. new
• Jess Rotter interview

weekday wrap up

eat me alive

• Karen of Color Me In has a beautiful apt
• Mary-Kate ring montage
  
• This concerned letter to TLC
  
• Ray Fenwick's Coffee Money Zine
• Microscopic Knits runway show
• Joshua tree trash house
• The biggest Wasson post everrr
• Kim Buck's soft pure gold
  
• Thanks Kitty Stampede, this really angry cat and his passive friend killed me:

my dogs are barking...

I wish I had these on my feet:
The snow queen- Garda's red shoes by Naori
These aren't cutting it right now.

marjojo

I recently came across the blog my art grows around me while researching paper shoes (a recent fixation of mine). I pleasantly discovered the beautiful work of Marion Michell. She creates delicate and startling objects with mixed media. Although she does make breathtaking tissue paper shoes I'm blown away by her textile work.

handlebar dress

tieing the knot

crochet one-piece-gloveshairy house
I love what her work says about relationships and childhood...and the fact that it's somewhat obsessive.

needle&craft

I don't know why but I've always really loved looking at vintage sewing patterns and craft catalogs. I can't tell you how many dusty and dogeared 25 cent sewing patterns I have at my parent's house. (I swore I would make those rompers and swing skirts every time.)
These scanned images from a 1971 fall/winter Ladie's Home Journal needle&craft magazine are making my 5 o'clock.

"this lane is our lane"

To say that my friends and now recently my bf have a bike obsession is an understatement.

Ben's new mercier kilo tt
Bikes and bike accessories have been a constant conversation topic in my household lately. I try to not be an old lady about speed and safety but needless to say I get slightly worried that something might happen to my lawn gnome of a boyfriend.

I absolutely LOVE this "sharrow" sweater project by Lisa of The little red blog of revolutionary knitting. After getting in a minor biking accident she had the brilliant idea to create this wearable lane sharing signage. This sweater is still being completed but I couldn't resist reposting. If you haven't checked out TLRBORK yet I recommend you do. She makes some pretty amazing knitted frocks and patterns like this Sara Palin inspired "cunty first" outfit:
I can't wait to see how the fiinished sharrow sweater comes out. I think my bf would not be impressed if i made him a diy bike safety outfit to match his fancy new ride.

2009: time to get down to business

As far as resolutions go I am terrible; I really need to start on a disciplined routine of making steady art. One of my major goals for 2009 is to start creating things again. Since I've been out of school I haven't been focusing on art-I've just been buying other people's work. To get the ball rolling I will pick up knitting again just to get my fingers moving.

see Eunny Knit
Along with commiting to my knitting hobby I will make a point to continue building a body of work. Here are a few recent inspirations that have been floating around in my head:

Daniel Arsham

bubble drawings by Charlotte X. C. Sullivan

An ad for Atmosphere's "when life gives you lemons, you paint that shit gold"

MishMash project by Misha Leikin & Masha Sumnina

Irving Penn frozen vegetables

<3 lab rat

I've been getting some Holiday shopping done recently and I have to admit I just love buying things. I love gift giving and I certainly enjoy treating myself to goodies. So with that said, here is something that would make a wonderful gift and addition to my growing collection of rodent theme art:
This hand knitted lab rat by The Crafty Hedgehog makes me squeal. Everything from his colorful felty innards, his pinned back mohair pelt to his teenie X eyes are precious. I would cuddle him and love him everyday and I am definitely putting him on my Christmas list this year. The Crafty Hedgehog is a wonderful Etsy resource that will not disappoint. One of my good friends purchased Monsieur le Moustache Grenouille (aka Marcel) last year and he is even cuter in person. Here he is traveling throughout England and Ireland with us: