Paper to make you Smile

So in this dreary weather, when summer feels like an eternity away, what better way to pep yourself up than with pretty slips of paper ...Notecards

Invitations

Mousepad Calendars

From Ann Kelle Designs found via Print & Pattern

Seasonal Anthropologie Roundup!

here are my most coveted anthro items...









The chandelier is only $1800... Juice is headed to SF on Saturday: fire up that MasterCard!
Have a great time!

A mutiny is upon us

Now that the warm, lazy Christmas mornings filled with hot chocolate and homemade brioche are gone, I'm slowly realizing the damage that has occurred to our schedule. The days of synchro naps are but faint memories in this monkey's brain. For those of you blessed with the lifelong burden- by burden I mean joy- of kids, you know that a day without naps is not a real day. It's a fake day where there is no time for dinner, no time for laundry and even less time for The Internet. It's a day filled with half negotiations, half eaten snacks and full on tantrums.
Today seems to be one of those days. Ethiopia has been crying for the last half hour and I AM NOT GIVING IN.
We got hit by another flu this week and this time, we had to call back up. My mother flew in on her umbrella and totally saved the day. She left this afternoon. Hence the constant crying. Sure his molars are coming in and YES he is in the process of weaning... but I say NAY to this mutany. We WILL reinstate synchronized nap and that is all. Babies are meant to sleep together and mothers deserve to have a minimum of ONE HOUR to themselves. Those are the known clauses in the Mothers' Collective Convention.
The Captain has spoken and she WILL be respected, or at least heard. If she's lucky. If not, she's calling in her union rep.

Ringing in the New Year.. slowly

By Dunny found via Yokoo on Flickr

So I'll have to admit that although I'm looking forward to 2009, things have been off to um, a messy start! Gastro for B and Mateo on NYE, weird rash thing for me and a whole lot of sinus congestion. Well we managed to get the tree down and to clean the pantry... that's good right? I've always tried to ring in the New Year with a clean, uncluttered house. Ok, that's a lie. I could never live in a bare environment. Like NEVER. In my dreams I live in a stark white loft with floating stairs and lots of glass. In reality, I'm addicted to the Sally Ann and love found treasures. Why go against the stuff that I love so much? Like toast and butter.... yum.
I had also been questioning my presence here- as I often do- but this time quite seriously. I felt like such a slacker for not having posted since the 22nd. But heck, I was offline for 8 DAYS! Anyways, I've been catching up with my regular reads and feel so much better. No one has posted anything. The blogosphere is on hold until next week.
Until then, we write lists: TO DOS; BEST OF; RECAPS and MOVIES TO SEE FOR OSCAR PREP...
So get to it! Crack open your Moleskines and if you're making life changes remember to believe that you can do it, that you've always been able to do it but it just hadn't been the right time.
Time to Change.

Holiday Sendoff

So the lasagna is in the oven, the pterodactyl is sleeping and Mateo is destroying my address book. What better time than to pop in here and say:

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

I should really recap the last couple of weeks for you or write something truly heartfelt, but my fingers are ravaged by holiday gangrene and my brain is still wired on 5am wake-up call. So forgive me.
I DO want to thank you for popping in here and posting comments (the highlight of my bloglife)... it's been a fun blogging year and I can't wait for 2009.
But for now, there's work to be done and dishes to ignore!
So be kind and be patient towards your loved ones. Try to make this holiday season a bit more um, life-giving? It'll come back to you tenfold. I promise.

love
Evil Le Dary

I'm back, however still in need of a temp

I may have glued my fingers together with industrial strength adhesive. At least I won't have any finger prints left... I'm opening myself up to the wonderful world of crime!
So until the authorities nab me, here's some ceramic work from Turkey:



Pretty cute, eh? From Studiotto
Ok, back to my torture.

Temp Needed

Blogging will resume later on this week. I'm too busy wiping up peepee, being angry and watching this.

Uh oh

Photo courtesy of The Small Object

So the annual Christmas insomnia is upon me. Whip up is certainly not helping any, nor is the incredibly slow Jean Coutu online photo department.
My mind is abuzz with ideas of stitched craft paper envelopes and photo booth surprises for B; threaded ornaments and embroidered owls; new craft blogs and amazing roundups: bref, everything. Even my jigsaw puzzle and newfound breadmaking fever are keeping me from my sleep.
Oh well, I guess there will be sleep in January?

Ornaments

So here I am, trying to sort out all the projects that need to happen between now and December 24th, and all I seem to do is gravitate towards the computer. Damn you, hordes of readers (ha!).
I found this Etsy vendor who also has a great blog (well, who doesn't?)
Found through Whip Up (aka: best site on the world)

Ansel Villedary

Hilary once found me in tears in the Photography section of Chapters. The tears were neither caused by a hangover, an evil boy nor my mother. Nope. These were real tears inspired by Ansel Adams.

Taos Pueblo, New MexicoTaos Pueblo, New MexicoTaos Pueblo, New Mexico

So when my sister sent me her photos from New Mexico, the same emotions were triggered. Photos by Gwen Villedary (click them to see them large scale, the small format doesn't do them justice).

Hunting Fashions

Aren't these AMAZING? Handmade in the U.S, it's a shame these are only for men, and that they're only $350 at Bergdoff's.


Read here for a brief history of hunting fashion. They would go so well with my red plaid jacket.

Samplings of a Christmas list

Wood
Nails
1" Screws
Robot Book
Beer making kit

Quick Kidneys

On Friday November 29th 2007, my sister received a kidney from an anonymous donor.
Being a donor is not for everyone, and before this all happened to Gwenny, I don't think I would've checked that little box on the back of my Medicare card. But I since have, and I'm happy. So take a couple of minutes tonight over dinner and talk about it.
Thanks,

Happy kidney anniversary!

Weekend Recap

Where to start...

Taking up an impromptu babysitting offer
Walking arm in arm with my mom
Learning a whole whackload of stuff from this lady
Getting a chance to see my Munkee in her element
Visiting 738 Walker and leaving with delicious cookie in my mouth and warm fuzzies in my heart
Being totally floored by this movie
Feeling quite relieved that I was alone and free to bawl my eyes out free from judgement
Fearing the week ahead and the countdown to Christmas
Despising the virus season and thus turning the TV back on after its' long hibernation

Crochet Hook

For all you crochet lovers, here's a complete tutorial on sculptural crochet techniques...
It's pretty amazing... oh and check out Whip Up for an infinite wealth of tutorials and how-to guides for creative gift giving and general goodness. Have I ever led you astray?

Lazy Post

Illustrations by Christopher David Ryan originally posted on Oh Joy!

I like them

Advent Calendars (or other Christmas crafts that I often threaten to make, but then forget about... )

Okay so my photo setting is off, but I'm far too lazy to erase this post and start up again.
We somehow got on the subject of Advent Calendars last week and I've been struggling to get them out of my head. But how much fun would it be to open, one door every morning and to have one surprise? Here's some inspiration for your guys...


Left-The felt tree is from Green Kitchen and is actually a Solstice Calendar

Far Left- The felt pockets are from our clever girls at the PurlBee

If you don't feel like pumping yourself, or your kids full of chocolate, you can click here for a great Advent write up
and original ideas that avoid 27 grams of sugar and a whole lot of tantrums.

Weekend Recap

Stretching my downwards dog to this film
Visiting a new library
Eating the most delicious hazelnut cake
Having that delicious piece of cake intercepted by a baby whose name rhymes with Puca
Watching Mateo and Luca dance to this song
Eating some bacon and patates with B
Playing hopscotch in our hallway
Waking up with neither laundry to do, nor meals to cook, just a full day to enjoy
Prepping a pretty lame week of posts here at Cochonet!
Knowing that the Weekend Recap is irresistible to some...

Branching out

I've been thinking about coniferous branches for my seasonal foliage basket and I stumbled on this Brooklyn based botanical boutique. The store is called Nettleton Hollow and stocks the most amazing branches, pods and grasses. Everything you need to make a statement like those grapewood branches or these great mossy sticks. Oh and did you know that a wreath, a FAKE wreath can knock you out $200??? I saw one at the Bay a few weeks ago and nearly fell into the nearest silver and turquoise Christmas tree. I mean, $200?? Come on now.
Maybe I should make real wreaths and sell then for $100. Any takers?

More Patterns

Ok, from now on only post photos. Ok?

*Photos from anamariahorner.blogspot.com

I hate writing. Funny thing, eh? Love blogging and the writing part is what held me back for so long. It's not so intimidating anymore, but it's still a pain.
Anyways, Anna Maria Horner is a fabric designerwho has recently written a lovely book and updates an even more lovely blog. I'm digging her bold blues- the only good blues. She's also launching a homewares collection- aprons, rugs and things.
Perhaps the next Amy Butler?

If you love color and you have nothing to do:

Click here
I found this on HowAboutOrange last night... she is one savvy gal.

Weekend Recap

00Taking notes on a Friday night
This song
Slurping soup and dipping grilled cheese sandwiches
Playing with trains on a rainy morning
This song
Getting kisses from Luca
Realizing that I may not have much time to blog this week
This Flickr Group
Planning our weekly meals (any ideas?!)
Knowing that I'm married to a good man, one that I'd want my daughter to marry
Feeling lost in the blogworld and lagging in my correspondance
Eating impromptu breakfast with my parents
Listening to stories from New Mexico
Trying to not be too hard on myself, but also hoping to get some stuff done

More on Yokoo

Remember Yokoo?


Well, since our last post, she's been featured EVERYWHERE! Urban Outfitters Blog, Nylon, Style Bubble, Refinery 29! Yay for her!

Flickr Dreaming

Meet Marcinema:


Isn't she the cutest? I've been browsing through her Flickr photos all afternoon. She kind of reminds me of pre-babies Emeline. I seem to forget about her sometimes, it's nice to be reminded.
Flickr, Blog

EtsyFind

Hedgehogs are the new reindeers?


All from AppleandEve...Flickr, Blog, Etsy

Patterns

Ok, so if my computer wasn't so slow and if I didn't have a baby hanging off my jeans, I'd post a million pictures and write up a mini bio on Julia Rothman. In the meantime, just check out her stuff: super fun patterns, ceramics and other wonders. Also check out her AMAZING blog.
To my ladies, I'm really sorry about my MIA status- naps have been unsynchronized and there are two small pterodactyls barking orders at me all.the.time. As soon as this darn moon isn't full anymore, everything will be good again, right?
Thanks

Weekend Recap

Spending a quiet morning here
Walking in my old hood, looking at all the new shops
Spying on the koi fish at the greenhouse
Unwrapping my new Moleskine
Zipping through the Westmount craft fair
Spending an evening with B., sans children
Drooling over this book, this book and finally buying this book
Dreaming of expanding my creative book collection
Getting to the church on time

Mini Break

I'm taking a mini-break from blogosphere. It's too nice outside.
See you mid-week, hopefully with some fun stuff.
Good luck to Aimée and jam crew at the swap!
Later

Working Idea

Ever get a flash of genius, like 5 minutes too late. Story of my life. I give you example 7 410 056:
The Workroom, the first Toronto sew-and-craft-by-the-hour-shop.

Genius. Check out their blog here.
Thanks to PoppyTalk for the pics and the link.

Weekend Recaps (from a few weekends)

Flipping through this book
Looking forward to more lazy days spent here
Enjoying- ok more like loving the new look
Pulling pranks and playing in our family magic show
Watching this movie, popcorn in lap, beer in hand
Wondering why D locked Mateo outside. Alone
Snapping shots of crisp fall mornings
Lusting over late harvest produce here- with my Monkey
Kicking back and watching storytime unfold- papa styles
Laughing my DeeDee Ramone head off
Hiding and seeking with Mateo
Checking things off my list

Things that were left behind

Of all the things I miss from my former life, I miss music the most. It was almost too easy to let go. You fall back and listen to some classics and you never bother to try and listen to anything new. And when you're married to someone who's stuck in the late 90's, musically, well, you kind of just give up.

Sure, I'll read Paste here and there, and will always catch up on the Top Ten Lists of various music critics, but I don't enjoy music in the same way. I think I've even googled "good cool music". So I'm not totally clueless, but still.

I've spent a bit of time by myself and upon this recommendation (and many others) I went to see this film. Well, I almost fell over when, at a the culminating point of the film, this piece of music played. It hit me so hard and so honestly. It reminded me of the power of music.
Now, I barely ever play YouTube videos on other blogs- but I BEG YOU. To sit down, close your eyes and just listen.


Eric Satie Gymnopedie No1.

More heaven

More from Smosch...



I can't get enough.

I like

Party Tricks

Lady on Chair

Birds with Red Dots

I read encyclopedias from all different era’s to get a good feeling for how history or stories change over time. I read all kind of magazines or books, from all different eras on subjects ranging from biology to biography to how to throw a party for young children. I take a lot of notes on things that I think would be useful or unusual as a subject matter, a title, or the springboard for another idea. I think that is how a lot of artist refine their experience in the world, they dig and then organize what they find.

Excerpt from Q&A with Dawn Cerny here.Via HeySusy

Oops, where is my mind?

Okay, so this week has been a bit loopy. I'm extremely scattered and for some reason ALL MY PANTS ARE TOO TIGHT. I need a winter mumu.
Anyways, breaking news: Cochonet turned ONE on the 23rd! Well not exactly, as I had started in November of 2006 with this lame post but sadly, had never looked at it again until a certain someone outted me to B. Well, I got back on that blogging horse and I'm so very happy I did.
Some posts are redundant, others are unoriginal and most are clumsily written... but I like them just the way they are.
So there you have it! One year already.