Review for Crafty Chica

the cool book!

the fab author! Kathy Cano Murillo

Charming Crafty Author Entertains as She Educates! , September 2, 2007

by Jean Yates 5 stars, vine voice!

Kathy Cano Murillo, the author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul, Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life, has delighted me with her craft book. I don't normally get all excited about making purses out of 50 cent hardbacks (That cool project is called "Hardback Book Purse" and is fabulous!), nor do I relate to holidays such as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which I find slightly scary. However, with Kathy as my guide, I understand that this tradition of honoring the dead is similar to the manner in which we honor our ancestors no matter what our ethnic background. After reading what she wrote, I opened my mind and learned what I had never understood before about this holiday, and now I find it compelling and fascinating. Not only am I willing to learn about a culture which is different from mine, I am totally charmed by this craft book. When I first started reading it, I began giving my husband orders: "Jim: PLEASE go get me a balsa wood box! Please get me a roll of silver embossing tin! I want a knob! A really cool one! Please!(my husband is a builder). Yes, my first project was "The Empowerent Box". I particularly liked this project because it is beautiful and because you store your favorite quotes in it. You hand write them out, place them in it, and keep it next to your bed. I have several favorite quotes. One is "Hope is the thing wth feathers." As a parent with disabled children, I never give up hope. Another is "The buck stops here". Do you have any favorite quotes? A keepsake box, made by you, is such a lovely place to keep treasured words which mean something special to you. Kathy Cano Murillo is quite an amazing person. Not only does she set you aflame with desire to create her projects, with your paintbrush flying and your glitter shooting sparks all over the place, she writes fun stories. Some are about mishaps she has endured (read the Chocolate incident and you will relate totally!), and some are touching stories about her family. It's a lovely combination: you get projects like "The Mighty Mosaic Address Sign", with has cool marbles and loteria playing cards decorating it, you get tales, suggestions on movies with crafty aspects to them, (this is cool--trust me), fun tips on how to take each project to the next level, and a style of writing which engages you from the first page. I am not Hispanic, but because of Kathy Cano Murillo, I have a high respect for the family values, the hard work, the humor, the love, and the creativity she offers, here in this book, as an unofficial ambassador for the Hispanic people. She should be very proud of this book. It is superfun and cool. Other than the projects I already mentioned, several of my other favorite projects are: "Wonderfully Worn Flower Fence", ALL the "Potions for Passion" (and why not!), and the "Love Letters Pocketbook". That one is really pretty. I think this author is one in a million. Try this book and you will soar--she will be the wind beneath your wings! A great and unique experience! I love this book!

new review

The Secret of Rusty Things, By Michael de Meng

As a child, I spent many hours reading fairy tales and myths. The myths I read and studied were ancient. I loved them and they came from all over the world. I related to each one of them intuitively. I couldn't help it! Many readers, like me, begin as chldren, loving myths. Possibly you agree that the human condition, our joys, trials, everything, is distilled myth, be it Inuit, Hindu, Greek. Myths can seem grand and off putting, but paired with the humor and charm of an assemblage artist/teacher such as Michael de Meng, they are lively and fun to depict as artworks! Read this book and you are reading two books side by side: de Meng recounts the myth he is concerned with, then begins to discuss the process he goes through when he creates an art piece representing that myth. Simultaneously, he comments in journalling script form on the side of each page about what is going on in his real life with a different sort of emotional immediacy, as he is making the art piece, or recalling something to do with it. Both segments of the book intersect and cross over in certain ways...but the main segment essentially deals with the original myth and his work on creating the piece he makes inspired by it, using bathroom scales he alters, or funky "Brady Bunch '70's clocks", the insides of irons, and things he likes. You read a vaiety of discussions and tales of the processes he goes through in order to do create his art pieces. The notebook part basically discusses life stories: where he was when he found something, how he was feeling, why it was great. What is super unique and good about this book? Without being "grand" about it, Michael de Meng explains that artists are the people who climb to the top of the pyramid...who get that chance to look all around with that "all seeing eye" (he mentions eyes quite a bit and uses them in his work frequently), and then, when inspired, they climb back down to earth and, without being frightened by being judged, express themselves through creating. Some readers have commented that the photography is too dark in this book. I disagree. This is a mysterious book and the photography s perfect for it. It is extremely cool. I don't want to be Mr. de Meng, however, if I lived near him, I would certinly take a class from him, because I believe he really has a lot to offer, and he offers up his heart and soul, in an incandescent manner, in this remarkable, fascinating book. If I were teaching a class on found objects and altered art, I would insist that this book, The Secret of Rusty Things, by Michael de Meng, be on the reading list. It is illuminating.

New Review also at amazon

This review appears at Amazon, for

In This House, by Angela Cartwright and Sara Fishburn

I am a jewelry designer, attempting to branch out, for fun, into mixed media. I was immediately attracted to this book because of the appealing cover, and, additionally, because I am familiar with the authors. Angela Cartwright and Sara Fishburn are already well known in the art world. They imbue beauty and energy into their projects. I particularly liked the fact that I received a template in this book so that I might design my own house, just like the ones the reader can wander all over, here and there and everywhere, in the world created within this book. "A Collection of Altered Art Imagery and Collage Techniques" is the subtitle for In This House. However it is much more. If you liked fairy tales as a child for example, you will fall in love with the manner in which the authors have laid out this book. To begin with, in order to unite the artists who participated by creating individual houses, each house with its separate style and name, there is a map, entitled "Shortcut through the Neighborhood", so you can see where you will be off to. I sometimes wonder: what is a house? To me, a house is representative of a person's soul, identity, dreams and hopes. To gather together in a community such as the one these authors present, the work of a number of artists, all designing the art/dream houses they choose for themselves, is an illumination. It is more than just what altered art can be. It is a mirror held up concerning what humanity is, for us to see. It is what we are and can be. The houses, which are named by each artist, ("A Family House", "The Wonderland House", etc.) unfold from the same template so the reader can see how they are set up and how the designs are arranged upon each one. There are artist's tips and explanations. There are lists of raw materials, such as fluid acrylics, jumbo rick rack, and rusted found objects. There are many quotes in this book, some of which moved me intensely. Here is one: "home is heaven for beginners" --Channing Pollock. The illustrations, which are by Alice Scott-Morris, bring everything together in a delightful way. It isn't cutesy, nor is it pretentious. It's a really nice job. A gift from a bunch of super artists. You have to look long and hard at In This House, even study it, in a sense, for it to impart you all the potential there is has within it. That potential might help draw out the beauty you have within you. It is worth owning In This House, as it is a terrific book with a truly unique and lovely concept behind it.

So you think you can dance

yeah, like Jim lets me watch this.

BUT HE WASN'T HOME LAST NIGHT.

SO THEREFIRE I AM TOTALLY WATCHING THE WHOLE THING TONIGHT.

afterwards, check these videos, sound on: in order, please: and watch to the end--that aspect is essential!

1)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QqfJ5E1B1Oc

2)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FhZY7BOY040

..would me and my 17 year old lead you astray?

Hall and Oates review

this is my review for amazon.com-- go hit positive on it there if you like it!

leave comments, disagree, whatever, here, if you don't. So far I haven't heard from them concerning my Amazon Vine thing. I wish they would hurry up! I am looking forward to it!!!

review:

under Hall and Oates Rock 'N Soul Part 1:

It is interesting how the reviewers of this album seem to choose distinctly different favorites from this classic '80s album, at least as far down as I read. I have a total soft spot for Hall and Oates when they are singing their live version of "Wait for Me" on this album. That song is my absolute favorite. I prefer all their more romantic ballads in fact. However, because this song is live, it has an urgency and rhythmic energy which I think is part of what made them so popular. It is brought to the fore in this song. The response of the crowd and the guitar solo add to emotion of the song in a remarkable way. That is why I keep buying this album, in its various forms, from record to tape to CD. It strikes a really fine chord with me. On the other hand, I do have some songs I am not crazy about. I skip right over "Maneater", for example, but I understand why people like it. It has a certain tempo and quality which actually pretty much sum up a lot of eighties songs. I mean I get it...It has a bop to it which is an eighties bop. I know--I was there. I just don't place it in my list of favorites from this excellent album. I don't like thinking of women as maneaters, either. Things have changed! So ultimately, I would rather sway... give me the slow sweet songs that Hall and Oates deliver so well. Then give me my car, some privacy so that no one laughs at me as I sing along really loud, and let me listen to "Sara Smile", "One on One", and some of the other more sensuous songs the famous purveyors of blue-eyed soul served up back in the day. As Chef, in the cartoon South Park, once said, "Girls love Hall and Oates!"

Review for Amy Winehouse

As far Amy Winehouse is concerned. I think she's great. Original, low down, and full of soul, she has helped me appreciate jazz, blues, r&b, classical 60's music reborn anew, what it means to be a crazy person or possibly, put another way: what it means to be a modern chanteuse who doesn't care. That's right, she doesn't care. What I think.





I like that. I also relate to her. Seriously. I found out when I was researching this that she is a Virgo, like me. Possibly that is why. I have hair issues, and she certainly does. I like lying around on my bed. How much more could we have in common?





Anyway, you please yourself when you sing, or you're worthless.





Back to Black is a great album. It has won a ton of awards and so has she. Let's hope she makes it, emotionally, for years and years.





It's not healthy for her public to find her self destructiveness interesting and fun to watch. That is stupid. There is more to her than that.


Here is a song I chose for you to watch to see what I like about her: other people like different songs:http://youtube.com/watch?v=I6LVGcIC1Tc





As to whether or not she entered rehab today (it's not an act, she is incredibly self destructive), I don't know yet. She was rumored to heading there.





Here are some cool quotes I gathered up from people I know about her and whether they like her:





"Amy Winehouse - a raw talent. So raw it needs Savlon"<--note: Savlon is like Desitin. "Not Bad" is my quote....." "I think she's rockin' a totally unique visual vibe and her eyeliner is beyond the beyond. This is coming from a gal who learned the liquid liner tricks from the best drag queens in the Bay Area! She worries me with the not showing up at gigs, that's bad form." "I love Amy! I have her CD - Back To Black. She's that Bad Girl we all have a little of inside us. Great tattoos, naughty attitude, potty mouth. What's not to love? :0) Now if she can handle fame and get her sh-- together, she has places to go. Otherwise.... just another heartbreak.....Guess that's about it.... except maybe - I think she has a ton of talent, and look forward to hearing more form her." "I love her 'Back to Black' CD but I have to admit that this track isn't among my favorites. I am stuck on 'You Know I'm No Good, 'Back To Black, 'Just Friends', 'Rehab' & 'Love is a Losing Game' - almost in that order but not quite. The language on these is most definitely not suitable for the young amongst us. In the video clip, are they deliberately aping Massive Attack's iconic video for 'Unfinished Sympathy'? If they have, they've made a rather tawdry mess of it. Her voice IS the most wonderful instrument & her phrasing is superb. She has so much talent - it must be hard to keep your cool & control when you're still only 23. I sincerely hope she recovers soon. I like one bit on the sleeve of the CD: 'Thank you to the founder of PWRB (People Who Read in Bed), Gilly Mixer. Thank you for making me secretary.' Based on that I'd say she has a very good sense of humor."

here's another one:

"I've heard her before on Radio Paradise, an Internet radio station that I listen to at work. I'm lukewarm about her. I don't turn it off, but rather wait to hear what's on next. She sounds good at first yet somehow becomes annoying. I like her band a lot, but her singing is too stylized and almost sounds "lazy" to me. The retro sound she's going for seems to end up sounding mostly unoriginal. She seems talented, so maybe if she got clean and serious she could further refine and develop??? "

Cool!

Thanks everyone! and if anyone else wants to put in a thought on this, go right ahead, either by commenting or emailing me!

CandiJean

This is my first day reviewing, in anticipation

Today we saw the movie "The Astronaut Farmer" with Billy Bob Thornton, which came out this year, 2007. This is the sort of movie which is sort of-kind of watchable, from bed or wherever your favorite DVD comfort spot is. However, it is pretty slow going...Jim said it needed editing. I concur.

It is about a man named Farmer (get it? And he's an astronaut?) who used to be in training at NASA, but he had to leave and go home to save his family from losing their farm when his father dies. So he loses his chance at going into space, but keeps ahold of his dream, and decides to build his OWN rocket in his backyard.

As Judy Tenuta always says, "Like this could haaaaapen!"

Billy Bob's movie family are loyal and true, except for the occasional tantrum from his wife when they run out of food. I hate when my husband is a failed astronaut and we run out of food, too. Of course the family are all adorable looking and look like they all came out of a Hanna Anderssen catalog and frequently run around with wildflowers filling their arms. I don't know what it is that they farm. Possibly I was dozing off at that point. Billy Bob stares into space, a lot. He does some serious emoting in this movie. It's pretty heavy, being him.

Jim chose this movie, about rockets and outer space, obviously.

Does this sound like something I would eagerly wait to watch?

However, it has a Don Quixote aspect to it, which is poignant. Therefore, watch out: because...

You might not want anyone to see you crying when this movie gets sappy. And sappy it gets. I cried several times. Or let's just say this: I got "dust in my eyes " several times, and snuffled quietly from "a sudden hay fever attack".

Let's also say this movie is ridiculously improbable. If it is a true story I will eat my cowboy hat. Or my laptop.

It has lovely performances by supporting cast members Virginia Madsen and even Bruce Willis: you have to figure Billy Bob has a lot of pals and cronies in Hollywood. None of which you can hate! Yes, Billy Bob WOULD have cronies. I think I might have seen wildman John Sayles in there. He rocks. Look for him as the sheriff. And Bruce Dern apears, looking a zillion years old. Either that is a really good make up job, or The Dern Family has the genetics of Yoda. Whoa!

One good thing about this film is that you can do a lot of stuff like wash dishes, etc., and come back to check in on it, and nothing much has happened. I liked that aspect, as I always have stuff to do around the house.

The son's acting was great--he was loyal and devoted... and his name in the movie was Shep. Note to self: I must name my next kid (or German Shepherd) Shep--awesome name! What is THAT a nickname for? Shepardly? Shepardoo? Shepardusty? I could go on all day.

Ah!

Jim just made me feel stupid and said the kid was named Shep for Alan Shepard, OBVIOUSLY.

Jim just further informed me that Alan Shepard was the first American in space. What is known as "Shepard's Prayer" goes as follows:

"Please, Dear God, Don't let me fuck up."

I think we can all relate to that.

There is one inexplicable scene which appears to have spun crazily back in time to the 1800's for gratuitous reasons and as such is very dramatically shot, with sunset back lighting and stark silhouettes. Because one of my favorite movies is "Unforgiven", by Clint Eastwood, I see some references to that film shoehorned in there at that spot for dramatic effect. You'll know what I mean if you choose to see this.

I do love a nice Billy Bob movie upon occasion, even though I find him, as a person, incredibly frightening. I would not like to be caught in a dark alley with Billy Bob. In REAL LIFE. Or in an elevator, a rocket, a bar in Vegas, or in the same state, for that matter.

I would give this movie, The Astronaut Farmer, a B minus. I did indeed watch it, and I did indeed cry, so that is why it gets a B minus instead of a C minus. I wonder what Tennessee Williams would have done to the screenplay. Just an idle thought for fun.

Well, there's nothing left to say but that I admit I like movies about people who have hopes and dreams, no mater how idiotic. I am just a sucker for that. I love people who try.