Motivational Monday - The New Year

 The New Year is upon us!  This is a time when many are brooding and brainstorming on ways to be better than the year before.  Have you thought about a resolution? Do you usually make one?

The New Year is right around the corner, and the pressure is looming to make a resolution. I have come to realize I do not usually make a resolution at the years finale and I wonder what the true reason behind my inability to "jump" on board (so to say) with all the other of millions of "resolution-ers".

Is it possible I know I will most likely fail miserably at my most hopeful beginnings of my bestest year ever?  Ha, well it's possible.  Could it be I am just that perfect that a resolution would be meaningless for me?  Doubtful.

Or is it something more powerful, more magical, and much less expensive than all those silver sequin tank tops being sold as dresses to under age girls that think since it's for sale it's a good choice.  It's the new year what the hell, maybe they resolve to wear more cloth next year.

I realize every day is a new beginning for me, and I don't need another "commercialized party" to get me excited to start over, begin again, make a goal ( and possibly fail miserably : ) ))

But…if for some reason the New Year is what gets you motivated to make a jump…

...then so be it.  JUMP! 

Happy New Year!  

Here is to a light at the end of all your tunnels.  

Happy New Year my friends!

Peace, Love, and New Beginnings Always!

Erin

Fiber Frenzy Friday - Handmade Paper Torso

Pulpa also makes 3 dimensional paper sculptures such as this white torso.  She is embellished with rose petals just to the left side of her belly. I love the way the rose petals bleed out into the white pulp. Do you?  

This particular torso was designed for a Canadian jewelry maker to display some of her longer necklaces.  I also have a paper torso for that some reason.  : ) She is encumbered by at least 8-10 necklaces, this poor beauty!!  

These are varnished for increased durability and the ability to later clean them when they become dusty.  

Also because they have been varnished it is possible to hang these in room that have higher than usual humidity, such as bathrooms or covered porches.  

Peace, Love, and Handmade Paper,

Erin

www.pulpapaperproducts.com

Whimsy Wednesday - Doo Dah Days

If you are local to central Ohio then you may be familiar with the Doo Dah Parade held in downtown Columbus on July 4th.    This tradition is one full of satire, humor, and freedom!  

Anyone is allowed to enter the parade.  You don't need to sign up, you just need to show up on time!!!  :) Go to www.doodahparade.com to learn more.

I have attended a handful of these parades in the past.  It was much easier to attend when I only lived to blocks from High Street in the Italian Village.  Driving and parking wasn't necessary since I could just walk.  

This is one of the most interesting parades I have been to in Columbus, short of the Gay Rights Parade.  

The above picture is one of the many Fidel Castro's in the parade.   This group just stops periodically and takes naps on High Street mid parade.  It's silly and I like it.

Watch...

The Doo Dah Parade.

1:00 p.m.ish – 3:00 p.m.ish

It’s Free!

Bring a chair or blanket

Umbrella

Sunscreen

Leave the water guns & balloons & pets at home please

March...

in the Doo Dah Parade.

Line-up @ noon on Park Street

(between Buttles/Goodale)

heading north bound.

Enter in from Goodale Blvd.

There is No Entry Fee!  

You Just Show Up!

No Pre-Registration Required.

(ya, we know that's unusual)

 

 

OK how funny is this!  The lady above is holding a sign that says "Abolish the environment! It's hard to keep clean anyway!"  Satire, remember?  

Below you see few more of the cars people decorate to drive down the main drag during the Doo Dah Parade. 

  

As you can see even Spongebob made it one year.

The Red Hat Ladies wouldn't miss this parade for the world!

Ummm, I don't know either. 

Wow, He is tall.

Just a few more interesting people I have come across at the Doo Dah Parade!

This last gentlemen I have seen at many outdoor social functions.  If he sees you with a camera he will walk up to you and tap you on the shoulder and point to the camera and then to himself.  He wants his picture taken.  As you can see I have done so a couple of time.  I still do not know his name.
He seems to always have those keys around his neck and a measuring tape clipped to his belt (god knows when you will need one of those).

 If you ever have a chance to check this out, you should!

Peace, Love, and Handmade Paper,
Erin

I had to sneak into this photo one day as the Red Hat Ladies walked by.  Can you see the look in that one ladies eyes up front.

Motivational Monday - Word of the Day

Nuannaarpoq  

                                      -------   "the quality in taking extravagant pleasure in being alive"



This is an Alaskan word and one of my favorites.  I love language and interesting words. Do you?

Some words are like photographs to me.  They say "a photograph is worth a thousand words".  I say, it depends on the word.  I have listened to vernacular that makes photography unnecessary.  All one needs to do is close your eyes, lower those noir curtains, and listen.  Before you know it visions form and take shape.  Sugar plums dancing yet?

Doesn't television make us lazy to our own imaginations?  All television is is someone else's imagination made publicly shareable in a visual way.  To use your own imagination would mean things can constantly change and develop, and change again and morph.  How exciting!

Certain words motivate and inspire me to combine them with other words.  Isn't this how great novels, speeches, and poems are born?  Not only the meaning of a words gets me though.  I find the sound of a word or combination thereof and the way it rolls off the tongue or the way the mouth feels as the sound is accentuated.  As well, there are words that feel awkward and graceless as I spit them out.

I take extravagant pleasure in words and nuannaarpoq is one of them.

Peace, Love, and Handmade Paper,

Erin

Erin

Fiber Frenzy Friday - Seed Paper Favors

Seashells

 Pulpa offers a line of seed paper favors that will match just about any theme can you dream up.  :)  With so many colors to offer Pulpa will do it's best to make sure your favor matches your event.  

Click this link for a 15% off coupon good until the end of year!!

www.coxpon.com/coupon/?coupon_id=148

Flowers

If the quantity on my website is not suitable for what you need please convo me and I will set up a custom listing for what you need.  

Customized Hearts

 If you are interested in purchasing any of these unique favors, please visit www.pulpa.etsy.com to get your order under way.  You say you don't see a design that suits you.  Tell me what you are looking for and I will do my best to make your vision come to fruition.  

Stars

Keep in mind Pulpa's favors are "tree free".  So not only are these favors totally unique, they are earth-friendly as well.  Go green, Go Pulpa for your next event!

Tulips with 3 layers of seed paper!

www.pulpa.etsy.com

www.pulpapaperproducts.com

P.S- click this link for a 15% off coupon good until the end of year!!

www.coxpon.com/coupon/?coupon_id=148

Peace, Love, and Handmade Paper,

Erin

Whimsy Wednesday - Holiday Whimsies

Christmas can be such an exciting and whimsical time of year for so many of us.  We start pulling out ornaments we may have made as a child, or just a cute knick-knack that tickles our fancy.  My husband is a huge fan of this time of year. He owns more Santa Clause's than I do underwear.  Nostalgia sets in for him and he is like a "kid in a candy store" when the Christmas totes come out.

Today I roamed around the house to photograph of few of our Christmas time whimsies.  Please come meander with me.

Santa is getting the holiday season ball rolling! Can I get an O -H …..

I think Santa could be protecting our liquor cabinet. Anyone who tries to steal the top shelf vodka gets a football to the eye.  

Santa busy in his workshop readying for all the children!

Santa & Rudolph

Santa is catching up with Rudolph to make sure he has been eating well before the big day and also to make sure he has polished up that rosy red nose to guide Santa's way!  Rudolph shows us that it is not only OK to be different, but sometimes it's useful!

Hermey!

Who doesn't remember Hermey the misfit elf?  All Hermey wanted to do was be a dentist!   Hermey is a great example to follow your dreams and do what is in your heart!

Yukon Cornelius

Mr. Yukon Cornelius is a prospector of silver and gold: two very important colors come the holiday season!

Charlie in the Box

Do you remember Charlie in the Box, from the Land of Misfit Toys?    Charlie believes that no child will want him because of his name.  Hasn't anyone told Charlie that a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet?  Charlie's ending is a happy one. Eventually he realizes there are children who love Charlie's in Boxes.  

Matryoshka Dolls - Russian Nesting Dolls

My nephew is quite fond of the Matryoshka dolls shown here.   Also, commonly referred to as Russian nesting dolls they are well known for the intricate paintings on the exterior and the themes ranging from soviet political figures to holiday related mythology as seen below.  I am amazed at how long my 8 year old nephew will take apart and put back together these amazing dolls.  

The last figure is turned from a solid piece of wood.  

Are you all getting in the holiday spirit?  Obviously we are!  

Peace, Love, and Good will on Earth,

Erin

Motivational Monday - The Ocean and Sunny Days

The Ocean and Sunny Days

These are two things that motivate me to want to be outside and make the most out of a day.  

I believe living in Ohio and being surrounded by white and grays for 3-4 months out of the year, frigid temperatures, and freezing ice and snow storms can take a lot out of a person.  The lack of sunshine and subsequently a lack of Vitamin D can make one feel sluggish and depressed.  

Oh how I long to live where I can wake up on any given day and take a walk in flip-flops.  

The warm sun, cool breezes, lush greenery….these things motivate me.

What is in the picture below motivates me to want to go back to bed and hibernate.

See you all next spring. Just Kidding! :)

Peace, Love, and Waiting on Warmer Weather,

Erin