Books Worth Reading...

 Lately, I have really been enjoying my iPad as an e-reader. After years of reading e-books on my MacBook, I am loving having something more portable and manageable. I have gone a little book crazy, and my library is chock full of some great stuff. 

How Did You Get This Number - Sloane Corsley

- I really enjoyed Sloane Crosley's first collection of essays, I Was Told There'd Be Cake. Her writing style is easy and engaging, and her stories will appeal to most young singles.(Although I am sure married and family style folks will enjoy them as well) 

Babycakes Covers the Classics - Erin McKenna 

- Since I have given up dairy and eggs, I have been researching vegan baking. Babycakes, is obviously a Mecca for vegan foodies, so I thought this book, from the founder of Babycakes, would be a great starting place. It is fascinating to see how vegan bakers get around such baking staples as eggs and milk. There are quite a few recipes in here that I am dying to try. 

Packing For Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void - Mary Roach 

- Ever since I heard Mary Roach on one of my favorite podcasts, Jordan, Jesse, Go!, I have been interested in reading her books. Roach writes about fascinating scientific subjects in a humorous and inquisitive style. Packing for Mars is about the fascinating stories of Space Travel, and the efforts that led up to it. 

 Are there any new books you are excited to dive into? I am always up for some great book suggestions! 

Things that are Great...

Today, I thought I would share some of the best of what I have discovered on the Internet this week. There is always soo much beauty and inspiration to be found out on the interwebs!

*Blush Pink - I have recently been obsessed with this particular shade of pink. It is the perfect punch of color for early spring. This lovely photo is by Elena Rendina 

•Cool Shades - Speaking of pink, these shades from UO are just about the cutest, spring-y-est things I have seen in a while.

• Mirror Art - This concrete and mirror sculpture by Maryam Nassir Nadeh is so beautiful! I would desperately love to see it in person. I am a sucker for any kind of sculpture that plays with light or shadows. 

•Yummy Vegan Noms - I am dying to try my hand at this Vegan Chocolate Cake with Avocado "Buttercream". The recipe, from The Purple Carrot, looks more simple than fussy, and I think the avocado icing makes for a lovely spring desert. 

•Fun with Fibers - As a Fibers Artist, I am always looking for inspiration and insight into the work of other artists. However, this isn't always super easy for those with an interest in the medium of fibers. For some reason, there just aren't many blogs or journals dedicated to Fine Fibers Art. Fibercopia, is a wonderful, beautiful exception to that rule. This blog features so much international eye candy! Even if you have a casual interest into beautiful fabrics, this blog will offer plenty of inspiration! 

Embroidery: Part Deux

 Since my last embroidery post, I have gotten more, not less, interested in embroidery. I am bringing you guys some different artists than I had originally planned, but I am sure you will enjoy the work of these talented folks.

Lucky Jackson is a talented artist who is doing a project where she stitches a new piece, every day, for 365 days. I am obsessed with this lovely portrait of the amazing Amy Poehler. The candy necklace is a perfect ode to the character of Leslie Knope! Check out her blog for her daily embroideries, some of which are for sale! 

Liyen Chong's work couldn't be more different from that of Lucky Jackson. Her work is understated and elegant. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Chong's work, is that many of her pieces, including the one shown above, are stitched with human hair. Anyone who has ever embroidered, can appreciate what a detailed and difficult task that would be. Her website features a gallery of her work, which is crazy inspirational!

 Jenny Hart is to the modern resurgence of Embroidery, as Aretha Franklin is to Soul. Her company Sublime Stitching sales her orignal patterns, as well as patterns by young artists and classy tools for the stylish stitcher. Her patterns were some of the first things I ever stitched, and it was her excellent on-line how-to's which taught me how to successfully complete a French Knot. Along with her work getting the gospel of stitching out to the people, she is also an amazing embroidery artist in her own right. I think the above portrait of a certain Dolly Parton is proof enough. Check out both her blog, and her store for loads of eye candy and inspiration. 

 Inge Jacobsen does some amazing work stitching atop of photos, magazine covers and newspaper clippings. Her work is vivid, detailed and textural. She works mainly with images from the world of fashion. One of my favorite aspects of her work, is the fact that she often posts images of the backs of her work, which are no less beautiful or interesting that the fronts. Check out her website to read her blog or see those lovely back-side images.