Against the Woodgrain

Cut & Paste // Volumes 1-2

2012-01-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

My dear friend Suzanne and I are both taking Elsie Larson and Rachel Denbow's new art journaling course this year, which is filled with 52 weeks of inspiring prompts. Suzanne had the brilliant idea to create a regular blog feature to share our pages together, as well as to encourage us to make art journaling a regular thing. For the next year, we'll be sharing what we're making every other Friday. I am thrilled about this extra motivation to collage and journal every week. I need a deadline every now and then; I'm a slacker like that .

I decided to start a fresh journal for the occasion, and I chose a 4x6 sketchbook. It's smaller than most of my art journals, but I'm feeling good about the fact I can tote it around with me in my bag easily.

Anyways, make sure to check out Suzanne's blog to see her response to this week's prompts. Trust me - they are amazing! What I love most about the online course is how open-ended it is. The possibilities are quite endless, so I'm quite happy I bought the e-course.

If you are you taking the class too, let us know! We would love to see what you're coming up with.

Cheers,

Ashley

Stampede

2012-01-25T00:33:00.000-08:00

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Isn't there just something special about customized stamps? They are one of my favorite little life pleasures. I would love to order the one on the left (and really, any stamp from Future Primitive's Etsy Shop). Wouldn't they be a sweet gift for your favorite teacher?

I love the silliness and randomness of the ones on the right - they make those kind at any Office Depot or Staples type store for around $18. Just let them know what size, color and font, and it'll be done in 30 minutes. This is probably one of the universe's best kept secrets - go forth.

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That customizable home return address stamp is so darling, and the inspector stamp by the Cranky Pressman is perfect for on-the-go folks. With these in my arsenal, I would without a doubt turn into a stamping machine - in the good way, don't worry.

And finally, an ode to Yellow Owl Workshop. These stamps are so quirky and joyful. It makes me want to try my hand at block printing again. I wasn't very good at it when I took Introduction to Printmaking in college, but maybe a fresh dose of patience might help, and their dear book. Ok, ok - and maybe some of my husband's master printmaking tutelage. Yes, that sounds like just the thing on a snowy day.

Cheers,

Ashley

PS The Future Primitive is offering 20% off your entire order with coupon code AGAINSTTHEWOODGRAIN, good until 2/25/12!

DIY Forget Me Knot Ring

2012-01-23T21:57:00.000-08:00

I have always loved these beautiful rings from Tiffany's. The little forget me knot bow feels a bit vintage and nostalgic, so obviously I was head over heels. Luckily, I have mad DIY skillz.

Supplies // Wire (I used .22 gauge in gold), Wire Cutters, Jewelry Pliers

Step 1 // Cut 2 pieces of gold wire, about 18 inches

Step 2 // Hold one of the pieces of the wire firm, and wrap the other strand tightly around it. Do this until you run out of wire.

Step 3 // Mold into a ring and bow. This is a bit tricky; I didn't actually tie a bow - I just made the shape and then cut a little two-inch piece of wire to wrap around the middle to secure it.

Step 4 // Wear it to brunch - I hear breakfast and Tiffany's go well together!

Cheers,

Ashley

Holiday Magic

2012-01-01T14:18:00.000-08:00

Well, the holidays have come and gone. We spent Christmas with our families, and had a special night in just the two of us for New Year's Eve. I made a huge seafood feast for dinner and a special cocktail for the occasion (champagne, pear-infused vodka, sparkling pomegranate juice and orange slices). It was fun to play gourmet chef for a day, but um, yeah, it took like 4 hours. This is why the Trader Joe's frozen section is my secret best friend. For Christmas, I also did a lot of baking for our family, including cake pops! They were very time-consuming (also, like 5 hours, how do these people find the time?), but everyone loved them. I'm such a sucker for internet sensations.

Cheers,

Ashley

PS I got my very own iPhone for Christmas this year, and you can now find me on Instagram, instead of me using Brad's - ha. It is incredibly addictive. My username is ladyreynolds. XO.

Around the WWW // Volume 1

2011-12-18T04:48:00.000-08:00

Promise's inspiring "Gifts that Give Back 2011" gift guide

The Girls with Glasses Show is kind of awesome

That's it. I can't stand it anymore - I'm making Cake Pops for Christmas. They're just sooo cute. Like kittens. So basically, how can I resist? I think I'll use this recipe by Emma at Food Coma (one of my favorite blogs - she never fails to make me chuckle)

Bentlily - a poem a day project

Uh yeah, and totally going here on our next trip to Portland

This striped hallway is almost tempting me to paint again

I'm a huge "Marcel the Shell" fan, so the sequel made my heart gooey, assuming a heart isn't gooey already

This Shakespeare Insult Kit, perfect for my future career as quirky English teacher

A thousand kisses for T euxdeux.com for always organizing my life

I'm going to make so many cute movies of my cats with t his app

Cheers,

Ashley

Art Parties are the Best Parties

2011-12-13T00:09:00.000-08:00

In early October, Ashley posted about our acceptance into the Terrain show downtown Spokane. It was an amazing night filled with local Northwest musicians, slam poets, break dancers and some very talented artists. They even had a makeshift photobooth full of balloon animals, as you can see above. The Music City building on First Ave. was packed until 2 am and ended with a crazy dance party fueled by the Portland based Purple and Green. The greatest thing about the Terrain show is their support of emerging artists. As a newcomer, I have found that it is quite difficult to get plugged into local art shows and events, but Terrain provides a necessary "in" for young people trying to get their work out there. I was very nervous heading to the show, and it was equally exciting and scary to see other people viewing my artwork. Having my friends and family there definitely helped calm my nerves. Terrain hosts several shows throughout the year, and they have even started working with the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture to bring more mixed media events to Spokane, so keep checking the Terrain and MAC websites for updates if you're local.

Cheers,

Brad

Day Tripper

2011-11-19T10:57:00.000-08:00

Noah and the Whale at the Neptune // Tacoma Art Museum // Public Art Installations // Dale Chihuly // Hadley + Maxwell // Family // Belltown // That Hilarious Coffee Shop from a Portlandia Sketch // Inspiration // Vintage Shopping // Washington History Museum // Old School Pizzeria // Friends

Go places with people you like. Get lost a little.

Cheers,
Ashley

Killer Craft Books

2011-11-10T14:51:00.000-08:00

Let's be honest. Most craft books out there are pretty cheesy, generic and um, lame. However, there are a few gems in the rough. A few that challenge the form and push you to think outside the box. I look for books that are unique, inspiring and great for reference. Here's my top 5.

The Big Ass Book of Crafts, Mark Montano

Montano, an interior designer by day, has created an encyclopedia of nonstop crafty ideas. The book proves that creativity and a little craftiness can go a long way. If you’re looking for a book to give you tons of ideas for gifts and home décor, this one is for you. I have made the body scrub and decoupage plates – both turned out lovely and made great gifts the year we had a Handmade Christmas.

Indie Craft, Jo Waterhouse

This book features subversive and surprising crafts that push the boundary of craft and art. This is not a how-to book, but it has a groundbreaking feel that is sure to unleash creative ideas all your own.

Handmade Nation, Faythe Levine and Cortney Heimerl
This book is the companion to its documentary counterpart. It takes a close look at the heartbeat of American crafters. It’s no secret that the world of craft has seen a revival in the past decade with the launch of Etsy, and this explores the social reasons behind the renaissance.

Printmaking Bible, Ann D’Arcy Hughes and Hebe Vernon-Morris

Everything you need to know about printmaking, from screenprinting to block printing - all wrapped up in a constant stream of artist inspiration! Brad's BFA emphases were printmaking and sculpture, and even I took Beginning Printmaking in college for fun, so it's no surprise this sits on our shelf.

Sew Everything Work shop, Diana Rupp

Sewing is, for me, the craft I struggle with the most. It is the most technical and certainly the least forgiving. For goodness sakes, I still can’t even change the bobbin on my machine without glancing over chapter 1. Rupp’s friendly and patient tone ease even the most anxious of sewers into successful projects. It was this book that taught me how to sew Brad boxer shorts; I used faux bois fabric. ;) Oh, and you know, we can hem pants and dresses and whatnot, which is pretty useful when plotting Halloween costumes or shopping at Goodwill.

Cheers,
Ashley

November is for Reading

2011-11-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

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How amazing is Miranda July? No, really. Seriously. The installation piece below particularly has my heart aching in the good way.

The Hallway on Vimeo.

Or her film, Me and You and Everyone We Know. I suppose my Miranda July rampage began when I realized her new film comes out on DVD at the end of this month.

Then I discovered she wrote a book of short stories last week (w riter friends are so good to know). My copy is being held at the library for me as I type this. It's going to be love at first sentence.

The second brilliant woman I'm going to totally fangirl about is Mindy Kaling. Her new book just came out this week, and I can't wait to get my hands on it (*cough* local library take note *cough*). She is so hilarious and also the writer of my all-time favorite show, The Office. I would rather not admit how many times I've seen this show, but I'm pretty sure it's north of a 100. Literally, you guys. It is my favorite guilty pleasure. And I still laugh out loud every time. And Brad still says, "are you seriously watching The Office again?" But that is neither here nor there, because the main point is how delightful this book is sure to be.

(Is it super strange I'm more likely to fangirl over inspiring women than cute boys? Let's attribute this to the fact I'm happily taken. Although, I will admit my inner dismay when I heard of Zachary Quinto's coming out. What can I say? I love a sharp-eared man.)

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Secondly, I'm back in full-on research mode. I've always been the type to have research interests. I know this is not a common trait among most folks my age, but I can't deny it - I'd rather be drinking in the library than in a club. This month, I'm inhaling all things photobooth. It's about time I take back up with creative nonfiction; I did a bit of personal memoir work in college (mostly tragic drool), but I felt stronger and more fulfilled when I got over that whole thing and started working on pieces a bit more research-driven. My favorite pieces were personal essays I wrote about craft vs. art or the overlap between graphic novels and scrapbooks. But now I'll be tackling these magical and mechanical photobooths. Here's hoping I don't trip over writer's block.

What are you reading this month?

Cheers,

Ashley

"You know, you really are...fantastic."

2011-10-30T20:16:00.000-07:00

For Halloween this year, Brad and I recreated the looks of Mr. and Mrs. Fox from Wes Anderson's The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Earlier this month, I found a vintage, yellow dress at a thrift shop. Brad already had his ensemble in his closet - he would right? The final step was cutting out felt pieces and sewing them together. As a bonus, it was really fun watching the film on repeat this week. You know what I'm cussing saying?

If you haven't seen the film, consider renting it this week! It's a favorite and has a dreamy Fall quality to it.

Cheers,

Ashley

Birthday Lady

2011-10-24T00:06:00.000-07:00

Life is a growing expedition

through the tangled and unfilled-in

parts. What happens

after age nine?

Because of the fear we don't trust

Our own life?

Our story?

Our colors?

To be afraid and leap regardless

there is such power in that.

to live into the questions of our

lives - when nothing feels

clear.

We have this chance to do absolutely

anything, to reach out to another,

vulnerable and true.

To dance on the roof in euphoria

To pray into the ocean and let go.

We have this chance every moment

to be alive and jive to this world, which needs

each one of us.

We must show up for our own life.

Be brave be messy

Be loud be strong

Trust yourself

Sabrina Ward Harrison

Here's to a 23rd year of this lovely journey. Gratefulness is spilling out of my heart today. Mostly because of this guy. He generally makes my years pretty cool. Sappiness.

Cheers,

Ashley

Home Sweet Kitchen

2011-10-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our kitchen! I finally had a few spare moments to share some details from it (by that I mean, it was clean and daylight out). This DIY (stencils + acrylic paint + canvas + lace) graphic sign melts my heart. It says "I love you more than yesterday less than tomorrow," a french sentiment penned by Rosemonde Gerard and repeated in my wedding vows. So yeah, I am a total cheeseball, and I'm OK with it.

A faux-bois vintage bicycle. Brad thrifted this bad boy, and while it wasn't really rideable, it looks good on the wall.

My favorite Black Apple print. It seems fitting in the kitchen, since she also just so happened to have posted my favorite homemade brownie recipe that we make often. Spray painted bird friends from Goodwill add just the finishing bit.

Finally, our button collection turned magnets. One of these days we'll fill the whole fridge. Whenever we travel, we pick up one up here and there. Sometimes we find good ones in thrift shops, and sometimes friends give us ones as jokes (those ones are secretly my favorite).

Cheers,

Ashley

Walking Gertrude

2011-10-09T15:56:00.000-07:00

Cheers,

Ashley

Terrain 2011

2011-10-07T14:42:00.000-07:00

Tonight Brad and I are so excited to be featured at Terrain 2011 downtown Spokane. It is - without a doubt - such an honor. Imagine a handful of dedicated young people organizing a free event that showcases emerging creative talent through music, art and literature. What a treat! Brad is showing his animal screenprint series and his etymology vs. entomology altered books. Excerpts from my collage journals are also on display. Last night was the artist reception, and we got a sneak peek of the show. There are some extraordinary pieces and truly moving work. It was so inspiring to just be there, let alone be a part of it. Tonight is going to be really special and in my heart forever. Hope to see you there if you're local!

Cheers,
Ashley

Thoughts on Occupy Wall Street

2011-10-06T14:01:00.000-07:00

I have been following the unfolding of the Occupy Wall Street quite enthralled this week. There is also a protest going on in my lovely city of Spokane, WA. Although I'm not one for protesting (I'm more of a boycott gal myself), I am excited to see how this shift of consciousness impacts the elections to come. It is also my wish that, as a member of Generation Y, we can go beyond holding up signs. It's great to get us started, don't get me wrong, but it's not enough. Let's live it. Let's take a little responsibility - myself included. I refuse to be a victim, which is the only part of the movement that slightly rubs me the wrong way. We all make choices that impact the economy every day.

Here are my personal favorite ways to make a difference day in and day out.

via anthony burrill

Live inspired.

via handmade nation

Buy handmade.

via pjchmiel

Vote third party; our political system needs real change by people brave enough to challenge the status quo. (Ok, ok - I couldn't help but push this. I'm passionate about it; it's a whole thing.)

Boycott big banks.

Shop Ethical. Educate yourself, and try to shop organic, free-range, secondhand, sweatshop-free and local. Even when it's hard. Even when it's expensive, and even when you feel controlled by advertising. Fight back; shop with heart.

Learn about Injustice Facts. Volunteer. Petition. Support public education. Run for office.

Cheers,
Ashley

The Creative Classroom

2011-10-05T19:17:00.000-07:00

via bendelavintage

One of the perks of being in my class when I'm a teacher will be that my classroom will be awesome. Yeah, I don't mind saying it. Awesome. My DIY soul will put a ridiculous amount of love into creating a creative, fun and inspiring space. I don't think I will even be able to contain it, so hopefully that's going to be okay with the powers at be. Some days, I'm so excited to teach, but other days I have my doubts and fears. I feel so scared for the future of public education in the United States. Did you know that the US spends 7 times more on the military than education? It just doesn't seem right. I want to dedicate my life to education, because I believe it is the best way to make the world a better place, but obviously not everyone on Capitol Hill agrees. Today, I read this quote from one of the books in my lesson-planning course, "Since we can't know what knowledge will be most needed in the future, it is senseless to try to teach it in advance. Instead, we should try to turn out people who love learning so much and learn so well that they will be able to learn whatever needs to be learned." It would be nice if policy-makers could wrap their minds around that, don't you think? Anyways, rant over, I promise. Hopefully one day soon I'll have a lovely English classroom that looks something like this!

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via Public School

via HoofAndAntler

via tinyowlstudios

Finally, one of my best friends, Lindsey - who is in her first year of teaching at a high poverty middle school - is currently trying to raise money to buy the sequels to the Hunger Games for her students! They read it in class and can't wait to finish the series - how awesome is that?! You can donate at DonorsChoose.org here.

Cheers,
Ashley

Autumn Sale

2011-10-03T22:21:00.000-07:00

Cheers,

Brad

DIY Halloween Costumes

2011-09-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Dressing up like a black and white photo was totally Brad's idea. He is a costume genius, and it's contagious - let me tell you. Anyways, one year we just wore all black and white and covered our exposed skin with gray face paint. In hindsight, I think we should have worn gloves. Our house was covered in gray fingerprints for weeks, but hey - it was still pretty awesome. We even used an upcycled frame for a witty prop.

I love costumes that were lovingly created and scavenged about 80 times more (exact figure) than the ones that are just purchased. Take for example, our Han and Leia costume from last year. All we did was decide on our favorite Han and Leia "look" (marathon highly recommended), made a list of what we needed and hit the thrift shops. The trick here is to stay flexible. I could not find a white dress to save my life all month, but when I started looking in the pajama section, it was so easy to find something that worked! I also found a gold belt and borrowed some boots from my mom that had little buckles that I swear looked like the Rebel Alliance logo (cough nerd cough). Brad just plain got lucky, let me tell you!

When we were dating, Brad and I dressed up as Barbie and Ken. What I love about this is that you can find an excuse to wear the most outrageous vintage pieces you can find. We found neon work-out gear from the 80s and went as Work-Out Barbie and Ken. Super fun prom dresses could also translate well into this look.

via

Ok, I love this idea. Love, love, love it. I probably have a special affinity for it after Brad made me my very own paper doll. This could easily be made with cardboard and paint, but I'm not sure I would want to go that route, as it seems a bit confining for a party. So I was thinking you could just make the white tabs and tape 'em on your favorite dress.

I love this beautiful Antler Headband by Doublespeak. Throw this on with a quirky dress or plaid shirt, and I think you would be ready to go.

A few years ago, I bought a white skirt and top, and then I went all Jackson Pollock on it in our backyard. It was so fun, and I love the idea of being a work of art. This could translate to a million different ideas; this hand-painted dress by Caterwauled for example!

Anyways, I hope I got your creativity flowing for Halloween this year. Dressing up is one of my top 10 favorite activities. This was shown at an early age when I would dress up like Pippin for the Lord of the Rings film premieres. Or the time I wore gloves to school the day X-Men came out, a la Rogue (cough, nerd, I told you, cough).

Yours,
Ashley

Pencil Skirts Forever

2011-09-27T14:25:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I love a good pencil skirt, especially the vintage variety! It's surprising how many I've found at thrift shops; is it just me, or is this wonderful item in abundance? I was particularly joyous this week when I found this gorgeous camel color. I'm in love with camel and rust colors right now. Is it just Fall fever? Anyways, this is how I styled my find yesterday for class and tutoring. I might swap out the concert t-shirt for a blouse and a wedge for the wellies and it would be a more professional take for teaching.

Oh speaking of, teaching - you have my heart. I have been loving this semester; we're working on lesson-planning, and I'm doing field observation right now. It is so fun, inspiring and challenging. You have no idea how freaked out I was that I would hate it, or that I would change my mind, or that I would have a panic attack halfway through, or I would royally suck at it...but those fears dissipate more and more every day. In a weird way, I feel like I was born to do this. Everything has really just fallen perfectly in place. I feel so happy knowing that Brad and I are both passionate and inspired by our careers and life. It's so funny to me, because I resisted this for years and years. Sometimes it's best to just give in to destiny and the universe. It'll hug you back - I swear by it.

Cheers,

Ashley

Grunting and Pointing at Art Prints

2011-09-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

Here is a collection of my favorite prints on Etsy at the moment. Full of hilarity, beauty and downright awesomeness, I would own them all. Who cares if I have enough wall space?

The Roadtrip Art Print - January Jones Prints

I love this because it is totally customizable! Choose your color and the trips you would like to display - such a great way to commemorate those epic roadtrips we have all taken (if you haven't yet, DO IT!).

White Bison - Sandra Dieckmann

Sandra does such a wonderful job of portraying the spirit of American wildlife, and she does it from across the pond in East London to boot.

Boba Fett Riding a Bike that is Frozen in Carbonite - Linedraw

No collection of favorite prints is complete without a clever Star Wars illustration. Linedraw you are hilarious, and I love your quirk!

Lacy Owl - Teva Gallery

Such a talented water colorist. The patterns she creates are just plain great!

The Very Many Varieties of Beer - Pop Chart Lab

Any proper man cave needs a chart such as this, because inquiring minds want to know.

Washington and Oregon Dreaming Print - Berkley Illustration

Ryan Berkley never disappoints, and as a true north westerner, I can appreciate any and all Sasquatch lore.

Darth Fader - Harshness

Another great Star Wars print. I can never get enough.

Cheers,
Brad

Apple Brides Feature

2011-09-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

Brad and I were so excited when the lovely Rachel of Spokane's very own Apple Brides asked us if we would like to be part of a beautiful inspiration photo shoot! The photos taken by Easy Dreamer Photography turned out so beautifully. The romantic and rustic inspiration was perfect, and it was so fun to see one of the shop's products in the photos!

Cheers,

Ashley

A Clog Story

2011-09-18T18:28:00.000-07:00

This is a thrifting story that ends in happily ever after, which is of course - the best kind. You see, I was totally obsessed with clogs. I don't know why. But my inner 70s goddess just really wanted some clogs. I was probably subliminally brainwashed by fashion merchandising, but that is of little consequence to the heart's desire; I'm sure you're familiar with the feeling. I had fallen in love with the above pair via Solestruck, but they rang up at $124.95. This was more than I had ever paid for a pair of shoes, let alone the just-for-fun variety. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a delightful vintage pair at a thrift shop. That moment when your heart flutters, and you think, "please, please $%^&^*&% fit."

They fit perfectly, and I happily snagged them for only $2.99 (less than my pumpkin spice latte, might I add). The next day, I took them to a local shoe shop and had them cleaned and polished for $10.50. The moral of this story is obviously that thrifting is awesome and dreams really do come true.

Cheers,
Ashley

DIY Round-Up

2011-09-14T23:50:00.000-07:00

I recently organized my online bookmarks. This is an activity I would recommend to all my other fellow internet addicts. It was a bit of a mess, but I kept coming across things I had saved and promptly forgotten about. I thought they deserved a bit of a resurrection. The biggest offense was DIY projects I always meant to do or DIY projects I attempted - even though I could not find the instructions due to lack of organization. For example, I have made two of these custom camera straps, but neither look as pristine as this one.

Via Design*Sponge

I've also dabbled in laptop sleeves; I made one for Brad with an elbow pad (tee hee). It would have been a lot less crooked if I had used this lovely resource.

via PS I Made This

I die over this ombre top (pun intended, because I'm corny - we've gone over this people). I totally forgot about it, but now I shall remember to scout a thrifted top for this purpose.

via Studs and Pearls

This headboard made from reclaimed cabinet doors is genius! Although we already have a DIY headboard that Brad made of barn boards, I think this could translate to wall art easily. I love how Elizabeth mentioned she painted on these cabinet doors as well - so creative!

via A Beautiful Mess by Delightfully Tacky

This is the cutest little cardigan embellishment - such a great way to spruce an old piece up. I can't believe I forgot about it!

via Thimbly Things

This quilt is so dear. I've always wanted to make a quilt; they seem like lovely and sweet gifts, but I'm easily spooked by my sewing machine. In fact, I've sworn it off several times, but my crafty nature keeps dragging me back to its pedal, and the instructions on this tutorial seem simple and thorough. Maybe I'll give it a whirl in the near or distant future. No promises.

via The Purl Bee

My doily addiction is no secret, so obviously I'm dying to do this pumpkin DIY for Halloween this year - perfection.

via Better Homes and Garden

Hope you'll find some oldies but goodies in your bookmarks too!

Cheers,
Ashley

Montana Meanderings

2011-09-09T10:38:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we ventured to Montana [insert Northwest love]. Some highlights included the 50,000 silver dollar bar - full of chintz, kook and tackiness. We grabbed lunch there and considered purchasing a stuffed jackalope (passed, still regret it). We stayed in Bozeman, which is where our friend who we were visiting lives and goes to school. Bozeman is home to the Museum of the Rockies; we spent a few hours there. There was a star myth show. Needless to say, I was pretty excited; I adore planetariums. I have fond memories as a child in them marveling at the universe. There was also a frog exhibit and lots of dinosaur fossils, which Brad was really excited about, but I was like, "eh." The other highlight was without a doubt the Cateye Cafe; we stopped in our way out of town. It was so quirky and lovely! I ordered the kitty pancake (who knew such magic existed?!), and there was kitschy cat memorabilia everywhere. Also get this, the sign for the bathrooms said "litter boxes." Ha - I'm so easily amused. Party on Bozeman.

Cheers,
Ashley

Where We Spend a Lot of Time

2011-09-08T17:05:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share a picture of our updated living room, because we're into that sort of thing. Brad just finished our coffee table last week. No more using vintage crates - woo! We're such grown ups. The metal bottom was salvaged from a thrift shop, and he used a laminating technique he learned in a Sculpture class to build the inner shelves then finished it up with a plywood top.

The wood mural behind the television was also built and designed by him. He is all kinds of awesome. He's blushing now. I can feel it. So yeah, this is pretty much where we spend most of our time I would say. Pets too you might notice. It's cozy.

Cheers,
Ashley

Embroidered Heart

2011-09-07T19:38:00.000-07:00

Well, these days I was craving a project. The focused and serious kind. The word art makes me uncomfortable, but sure, why not - an art project. A writing project without a keyboard. The kind with nothing but glue, papers and a pen. That's it. Brad is such an inspiration to me; he's constantly working on his Etsy and his art, and it's kind of contagious. So I created Embroidered Heart. It's a quiet place without my banter. It's my goal to update it once a day with a bit of cherished ephemera, a written thought or a collage. It's secretly just for me, but I supposed I would share it in case it might inspire any other soul who's wanting just that sort of thing too.

Yours,
Ashley

On a Boat

2011-09-06T00:51:00.000-07:00

Oh dear, where does time go? We've been out and about so much! Last week, we rented a little boat and spent a day on the lake. It was glorious. The kind of glorious that only August knows. I crossed off my goal of making a home movie this month too; it was much more difficult than I remembered from high school, but I didn't feel like agonizing over it, so I embraced the mess. It's the best cure.

Yours,

Ashley

Justine + Austin

2011-08-09T14:31:00.000-07:00

In preparation for the upcoming wedding I'm photographing, I really wanted to get some practice in. Luckily, when I was hanging out with my good friend and mentioned it, she was willing to be my model, along with her husband Austin. It was so fun! I also got a lot of practice with different lighting situations, which is what I was most wanting to practice with. Light is scary, ok?

I'm a self-taught photographer, but I have inherited the trade from my family. My grandpa has had a camera in his hand since I was born, so I've been shooting with him since I was old enough to look through the lens. Anyways, I'm really excited to try to build up a photography portfolio over the next year; I honestly just really enjoy it. I love to show people what I captured. It's genuinely relaxing to me. Unlike, say, sewing, which makes me curse like a sailor.

Cheers,
Ashley

Plywood Pennants

2011-08-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

We just listed a new product in the Against the Woodgrain shop. Meet our Plywood Pennants in red, walnut and blue. As you can see, they've already made up residence in our backyard; they make every day feel like a fun party!

Cheers,
Ashley

Summer Love

2011-08-07T22:12:00.000-07:00

August is for days by the pool, iced tea, The Happiness Project, sunshine, favorites on vinyl, picnics, retro sunglasses, birthdays, iced mochas, the Blitzentrapper and Ages to Ages concert, puppies, swimming and barbecues.

I would say I'm a pretty lucky lady.

"The days are long, but the years are short."

Cheers,
Ashley

Found Treasures

2011-07-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

via lillianna

via joettamaue

via fancy fine

via frl. zucker

via stealinghearts

via ashleyg

via woundupladybug

Some finds that have been endlessly inspiring me this week, including a brand new song from my favorite band. I've felt like for the past few weeks I had fallen in one of those slumps; I was feeling bored of everything and forcing myself to do things I normally enjoy. I'm pushing through though, cause really, what other choice do we have?

Cheers,
Ashley

Car Talk

2011-07-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

Brad and I ventured downtown last week to find an awesome vintage car show going on. It was pretty neat. There were VW buses galore; I'm pretty sure I'm going to have one some day. Brad has always been into VW Things too, so it was cool to stumble upon one - they're pretty rare! I am definitely a Volkswagen girl for life. It runs in my blood.

Above is my grandma with her Beetle. My mom now drives a Jetta; my first car was a bright red 1991 Volkswagen Fox, and I now drive a new Beetle.

A Bus and a Thing are just the next logical step. Obviously.

What's your dream vintage car?

Cheers,
Ashley

Instax Mini Photo Album

2011-07-22T21:31:00.000-07:00

Everything I love pretty much all captured by my trusty Instax Mini. I found this amazing album at a vintage shop in Spokane. I've been saving it for something special. Summer seemed appropriate.

Cheers,
Ashley

Darling Deer

2011-07-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

As mentioned previously, we have a thing for thrifting collections. This helps our home look a little more focused and a little less all over the place. Thrifting on a theme, such as deers or owls, can really help create cohesion in your flea market style, as well as help develop your thrifting eye. I think a reason a lot of people feel overwhelmed when they walk into an unorganized thrift shop is because they don't know what they're looking for or they're looking for something too specific. Thrifting can be as fun as a treasure hunt if you're willing to embrace the quirk and kitsch with an open heart, because seriously, if you would have told me five years ago we would have paint-by-numbers in our house, I probably would have thought you were crazy. But now I can honestly say that our home is one-of-a-kind, I have more money in my wallet and I reduced my environmental impact by buying used instead of new, because every little bit helps.

Cheers,

Ashley

A Week in Cell Phone Snapshots

2011-07-10T01:48:00.000-07:00

A found nest left undisturbed // Long summer drives and sunglasses // Hiking by the lake // Favorite lawn on the block during evening walks // Neato Burrito dates downtown // Inspirational ending to my first graduate course // Finding my way into an English Department again // A float during OutSpokane

Cheers,

Ashley

Backyard Summer

2011-07-05T12:16:00.000-07:00

Warm summer nights are for dining outside, listening to music and hanging out around the fire. Last week, Brad grilled us up some Greek kabobs and made the most amazing tzatziki sauce. We love Greek food - mhmm. Our backyard is probably my favorite place...from the giant lilac bush to the rickety fence, it's a peaceful space. Our garden of peas and peppers is also peeking through - hooray!

In other news, I started grad school last week; I'm working on my Master's in Education at Gonzaga University. It's more work than I've ever seen but hey, it's also endlessly inspiring. I can feel my passion growing every day, and I'm fluttering with excitement. I'm going to make a difference in student's daily lives, and that fact gives me a sense of fulfillment I would be incomplete without.

Cheers,
Ashley

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be." -Patanjali

And the Winner is...

2011-06-30T22:25:00.000-07:00

And the winner of the arrow giveaway is...

Kristin! Thanks so much for entering and for stopping by. We hope it adds something special to your quirky apartment! Please email us your shipping address at againstthewoodgrain@gmail.com

Cheers,
Ashley

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip

2011-06-24T07:12:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it's been one year since our two-week road trip along the West Coast. We left after I graduated from college, and it was such a significant time of my life. I felt and experienced so much that shaped every decision I've made since then. It provided me with endless inspiration and encouragement in the last year. I've been asked a lot of questions about how to plan such a trip and tips for keepin' it real, so I thought I would share some of the wisdom we picked up along the way in case you find yourself fantasizing about the open road too.

Before we left, I picked up a few travel books to get an idea of popular stops and routes. My favorite one was Road Trip USA. The book gives an example of 10 different routes, and after we settled on the Pacific Coast Highway, I read up on local restaurants, quirky roadside attractions and one-of-a-kind hotels along Highway 101. I think doing a little bit of research before our trip was super critical, because we were able to find out about a lot of unique places we probably would have driven right past otherwise. I know it seems to geeky to "read up" but seriously, I was a literature major, so...yeah - habits die hard.

We both started planning by making a list of 10 things each of us really wanted to do. We organized our driving around specific sights and experiences, and it worked really well. Brad's list included an iconic tattoo shop in Portland, the Lincoln City Kite festival, the Triangle Tattoo Museum and the giant statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Mine included Hobbiton USA and the Drive-Thru Tree in the Redwood Forest, Haight and Ashbury in San Francisco and Salvation Mountain. We both also wanted to see a show in Vegas and settled on Cirque du Soleil's "Beatles LOVE." After we knew what we wanted to see, the route formed itself pretty easily while looking at a few maps. We chose to drive along the coast, and even though it took longer, it was definitely worth it - so beautiful, so take scenery into consideration too!

Something really important to us was not having everything "too" planned though. The majority of nights we spent camping, but we didn't make reservations along the way in case we wanted to stay longer at one destination or skip another. This allowed us to remain flexible, and finding campgrounds was super easy along Highway 101. When it would start getting dark, we would just keep our eyes open for a sign. I kind of loved not having a set schedule and when you have a car, it's a luxury you can afford to have on a road trip. There is a freedom to it that just has to be felt!

If you're planning on extending camping, I would suggest springing for an air mattress with a pump that plugs into the car - definitely made every night much more enjoyable. We also brought a few lanterns so that we could sketch, write and art journal after dark. We did a lot of campfire cooking and brought a few mini pots and pans. Check out a Campfire Cuisine: Gourmet Recipes for Outdoor Cooking for some ideas. Foil dinners were our favorite though - such easy clean up! We just grocery shopped along the way, and this really helped keep costs down. Camping was a great option for us, because we wanted to travel with our pup, and we didn't want to spend too much money, but remember to have some cushion if you're going to be traveling, because we definitely checked into a motel one night unexpectedly due to a rain and thunder storm in the Redwoods.

Something really important to me was avoiding anything that we could have at home. This meant any sort of chain restaurant or hotel - this is code for I'm an indie snob - ha! This was also a great decision, because the trip felt so unique the whole way. We stayed at two boutique hotels - the ACE hotels in Portland and Palm Springs and one quirky motel along the coast that boasted multiple meditation rooms and yoga classes. We ate at a diner with walls filled with velvet paintings and a place that only served food on skewers. Don't settle for the expected!

We also completely unplugged while we were on trip. We didn't call anyone, although we did send postcards. We both deactivated our facebooks and didn't blog the whole time. When we're traveling, I want to live in the moment - not on a screen. It was a great reminder of how wonderful taking a technology break can be, and it added to the road trip magic. Taking a long trip can also be a great opportunity to visit far away friends and family in-person. We stayed with friends in San Francisco and family in Southern California. Take advantage of their knowledge - having a personal tour from a local is super special, and well, they'll probably let you use their washer and dryer.

Lastly, don't forget about car tunes! I'm not talking one mixed CD either, that will quickly get worn out, I'm talking about a 200+ song playlist. An iPod adaptor is well, pretty crucial. We both made epic selections on theme, and now those songs have carved out a moment in time in my heart forever.

We also download tons of This American Life podcasts, which are so great to listen to in the car (um, and anywhere really). Books on tape are another great option, but well, I guess I was pretty booked out. :)

Cheers,
Ashley

Dates on the Cheap

2011-06-16T04:44:00.000-07:00

Image by Keri Smith

Hoping to have an adventurous weekend on the cheap? Tell me about it! Here are some of my favorite low-priced date ideas for your favorite fella or dame. Enjoy!

Pack a picnic and spend the afternoon taking in some sunshine at your local park. Bring the pup, or heck, even the kitty if you're crazy like me.

Take in an older film at a discount cinemas. Spokane's Garland Theater has $3 shows and loads more history and character too.

Visit the local library. Get lost in the stacks. Bring home a stack three feet high.

Visit a local thrift shop. Cue girly music and a laughing track while in the dressing rooms.

Stay in and build a fort. Flashlights and scary movies are a necessity.

Take in a college or high school play, they're often much cheaper than your local theater troupe.The flub-ups totally make it worth it too.

Thermos of hot coffee and a long drive. Enough said.

Dance party to your favorite songs. In your living room. In your backyard. I didn't say it would be pretty. Fun props help. I enjoy sparklers and funny hats.

Lastly, always check your local entertainment guide for free local events. We're always hitting up First Fridays, and you'd be surprised how many free poetry readings and concerts you can find if you just take the time to look. Going to these lower-key events really help support local creativity, and you'll definitely discover something fresh.

Cheers,
Ashley

Giveaway

2011-06-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

Guess what? We're giving one of these away to one of you! This light fixture is just the thing for adding a bit of vintage-inspired direction to your space, next event or to give as a special gift!

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»

There are three ways to enter:

1.) Become a follower of this blog

2.) Tweet about this giveaway

3.) Heart Against the Woodgrain on Etsy

And make sure to leave us a comment letting us know how you entered - you can do all three if you like! We can't wait to pick a winner next week!

Cheers,
Brad + Ashley

Six Years Ago

2011-06-11T11:39:00.000-07:00

Six years ago yesterday, Brad asked me to be his girlfriend. I said "Um, Ok." Best decision ever, obviously. We celebrated with a heart-shaped balloon, silly string, temporary tattoos, photobooths, long walks reminiscing (mostly about what gigantic geeks we were/are), cake pops and coffee. It was so fun, and we just did silly little things. My favorite part was leaving our balloon in the photobooth for the next folks to find - sharing a little magic and love with strangers was the perfect, dreamy end to the evening.

Cheers,
Ashley

Welcome to the New ATWG

2011-06-07T19:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the new Against the Woodgrain blog! We're so happy you're here. This is the home of everything awesome, as told by Brad and Ashley Reynolds. It's going to be fun. It's going to be real. It's going to be real fun. Have a poke around, and feel free to say hi!

Also, keep checking back this week, because we're going to do a super special giveaway very soon!

Cheers,
Brad + Ashley

DIY Chicken Coop

2011-05-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

The Chickens have a new coop! They recently started laying eggs like it was going out of style, so I decided it was time to take action. Their new "loft" is complete with nesting box (easy access for picking up the eggs), sleeping perch, heat lamp, fenced yard, and a private entrance with ramp. I built it almost completely out of recycled wood from shipping pallets. The only things I bought were a few eight foot 2"x2" boards and chicken wire for the fencing. The metal roofing I got for free at a local salvage yard.

I elevated the coop so it would be free of moisture seepage as well as creating a covered dry area outside to keep their food when its raining. I still want to paint or stain the outside, as well as insulate and water proof for the winter, but other than that the chicks seem to be digging their new loft life outdoors. Urban farming win.

Cheers,
Brad

Arrow Light Fixture

2011-05-20T09:07:00.000-07:00

I recently added this arrow light to my etsy shop! I had a lot of fun making it (although figuring out the angle cuts brought back nightmares of high school geometry). It was cut out of steel using a plasma cutter, and then framed in a dark, stained pine. Vintage signage is one of my favorite sources for inspiration. I think this would be perfect in a rustic pub, vintage inspired wedding or industrial loft. Anyways, I am hoping to make a few more with different colored stain on the wood, coming soon.

Check out the listing here!

Cheers,

Brad

P.S. A big warm thank you to Grace from Design Sponge for the feature, check it out here!

Home Sweet Home

2011-05-19T21:54:00.000-07:00

Home to my instant cameras, our record and book collection, and of course, family photo albums. Topped off by our most epic red arrow (salvaged at a junk yard) and the thrifted dinosaur collection.

Cheers,

Ashley

Meet Me at the Center of the Earth

2011-05-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

My favorite part of our trip was the Nick Cave "Meet Me at the Center of the Earth" exhibit going on at the Seattle Art Museum. It was probably the most inspiring hour of my life - no joke. His use of found and thrifted objects and bright colors, as well as his brilliant way of juxtaposing cutesy and creepy is simply...profound. So beautiful. It has a fanciful Alice in Wonderland vibe, but also very fresh, modern and relevant. The soundsuits (as Cave calls his sculptures - they are named after the sounds each suit makes - *heart melts*) are also wearable, which is oh, so divine and genius! They play video of some of the suits in action, and the way they move is so inspiring to me. I seriously can NOT gush enough about it - can you tell?

Cheers,

Ashley

Weekend Warriors

2011-05-01T20:52:00.000-07:00

Good times at the Seattle Ace. Sometimes what you really need is to laugh your ass off.

Cheers,
Ashley

Seattle

2011-04-13T20:16:00.000-07:00

Brad and I roadtripped it to one of our favorite west coast cities for a dose of inspiration last weekend. Seattle was just full of beautiful weather. We visited the Seattle Art Museum, ate at a great thai restaurant and wandered to our heart's content. What would life be without time to explore?

Cheers,
Ashley

The Flea Market Life

2011-04-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

We had such a grand time at a local craft & vintage fair last weekend! It was so fun getting to meet other crafty folks and chatting with them. I feel like we made so many friends and our style fit right in with the Funky Junk feel. It was a great experience. One thing I will note is that it was exponentially more work than I thought it was going to be - not for the faint of heart! It was also totally freezing most of the time, but luckily the Maple Street Bistro was serving up hot tomato, basil and gorgonzola soup and fresh pressed coffee all day. Mhmm. Definitely going to be visiting their brick & mortar a lot this summer!

Cheers,

Ashley

Spring Tuneup

2011-04-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

We've been dancing in the backyard with sparklers to our favorite albums for Spring. I mean really, why not?

Noah and the Whale // Peaceful, the World Lays me Down

Brett Dennen // Loverboy

Josh Pyke // Memories and Dust

Matt the Electrician // Animal Boy

Cheers,

Ashley

Inner Geek

2011-04-04T13:35:00.000-07:00

Just listed some new Star Wars inspired paintings in the shop - "Go for the Legs" and "All Wings Report In."

Cheers,

Brad

Java on Sherman Exhibition

2011-04-03T14:47:00.000-07:00

It was an honor to display my work at one of my favorite coffee shops in the Northwest. I received tons of great feedback, and possible shows are in the works as a result. I'd call that a success!

Cheers,
Brad

Altered Vintage Plate DIY

2011-03-31T21:08:00.000-07:00

Vintage Plate + Sharpie Paint Pen + A Touch of "Look at me, I quote Hemingway."

You know the type.

Cheers,
Ashley

Collage Necklace DIY

2011-03-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

Old necklaces + vintage brooches

This was so simple - just layer and collage it up! I took apart some old necklaces I was bored of and just made up all new designs. Now I'm totally in love. Just another reminder to try repurposing what I already have before becoming a shopping robot, or whatever.

Cheers,
Ashley

Music by Brett Dennen

2011-03-03T10:32:00.000-08:00

I love this song so much. Brett Dennen has this really great and simple way with words that just speaks to me. This video also pretty much makes me tear up every time. I think I've always been the kind of person that just has a hard time coming to terms with how the world is - unfair, cruel and kind of awful. Sometimes it just seems so fucked up and sadly, fated. And I'm just supposed to grow up and live day by day. It seems like such a simple thing, but I don't know, injustice just irritates my soul like a rash. I have been slowly learning that an optimistic heart gets more done to help than a cynical one. There is so much goodness and love in this song, and I believe that there is hope for a better world every day.

He's coming to Spokane in June, and I don't think we'll be able to pass the show up. Before Dennen takes the stage, he invites representatives from local non-profit organizations to take the floor and educate the audience on how they can get involved with the community at every concert. Activism is so sexy.

His new album, Loverboy, comes out April 12th, 2011.

Cheers,
Ashley

Just Another Weekend

2011-02-21T21:46:00.000-08:00

Brad and I were out and about at all our favorite vintage shops in Spokane this weekend. I was dying of goodness and inspiration from Unified Groove Merchant, Tossed and Found and Metro Home Furnishings. Spokane is a delightful treasure chest. After about 10 stores (when did we become some furniture nerds?), we managed to find a new sofa and loveseat. Much cuddling will probably take place.

My brother was also in town, which is always a pleasure. Some of my favorite nights are simply hanging out with our brother and sister around the fireplace just laughing and talking. I'm pretty lucky that our siblings double as our best friends. I can't wait until we're old - it's going to be a riot. If you know what I mean.

Cheers,

Ashley

Valentine's Picnic

2011-02-14T21:20:00.000-08:00

a lovely afternoon // hot tea // chocolate // puppies // lovey-dovey playlist // bunnies // rainbows

Then a Matrix Trilogy marathon. Who do you think we are?

Cheers,
Ashley

Puppy Love

2011-02-05T22:27:00.000-08:00

This is our darling Gertrude. I think she's pretty darn cool. She loves to lick everything all the time, go on walks, sniff, cuddle, play tug of war, snore (a lot), chase our cats (in a nice way), toot and squeak toys. We are craaaazzzzyyy about her, which is saying a lot. When I was a teenager, I hated the very concept of pets. I had a theory that people should send the money they spend on pet food to starving children instead. Then I realized that pets are awesome, and I can still help people. Supposedly. How the mighty have fallen.

Cheers,
Ashley

Spokane's First Friday

2011-02-05T21:29:00.000-08:00

Last night we participated in Spokane's First Friday. The first Friday of every month, Spokane's art scene comes out to play. It's a grand ol' time. We went with some of my friends from the interpreting agency where I work. Anyways, every month you can find a list of events here. Last night we went to the Barrister Winery, the Avenue West Gallery and a beautiful home with a great art collection.

I'm quite heartbroken though, because the Northwest Museum of Art and Culture was recently axed from the governor's annual budget in Washington (read the full article here). Due to private donations, the museum will stay open this year, but most of the staff has been laid off. It's super tragic, and if you love art and/or live in the Northwest, you can donate to the museum by becoming a member, visiting or giving here.

Cheers,

Ashley

New Screenprints

2011-01-27T22:29:00.000-08:00

Brad just finished his screenprint series he's been working on for the art show coming up at Java. They are inspired by animals that are or once were endangered. They turned out so beautifully. I think he's so freaking neat. But that's pretty obvious I guess. You can also find them in the etsy shop.

Cheers,
Ashley

Fine Art Portfolio

2011-01-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

I just launched my new website/portfolio. Stop by check it out (here) and let me know what you think. As for now I am off to a weekend filled with art making and preparations for my show at Java.

Cheers,
Brad

Spokandy

2011-01-21T10:44:00.000-08:00

I made this little mini-book about life in Spokane last night. It reminds me to cherish the small moments. This year has been a year of waiting, patience, planning...nothing too big or exciting going on, but there is still so much joy. I really want to slow down and not be constantly waiting for the "what's next" in my journey. It's kind of a chronic problem I suspect a lot of young adults have. This is about what is right now and how lovely it can be.

Something I really believe in as a "scrapbooker" or "art journaler" (whatever the cool kids are calling it these days) is utilizing authentic ephemera...after doing research on scrapbooks from the 20th and 19th century while earning my BA in literature, I just really can't help myself. Those real scraps from life...those are the best. They have so much more meaning to me than any "product" I could buy at a scrapbook store. I do like using vintage papers and scraps as well, the kind I find discarded at thrift stores and antique shops, you know, the kind I can rescue and return to their former glory. Something heroic like that. Anyways, these are my memories, and I want them to stay true. I crave truth, history, story and handmade with heart.

Cheers,
Ashley

Winter Vintage Update

2011-01-20T08:42:00.000-08:00

Just listed some new vintage goods in the shop - check it out right over here.

Cheers,
Ashley

Brad's 22nd Birthday

2011-01-10T17:12:00.000-08:00

This weekend was Brad's birthday. I surprised him with the Into the Wild Soundtrack on vinyl; his reaction was magical. I loved it, and I'm so glad he was born. We spent most of the weekend thrifting, going out to breakfast and getting in some family time. We're so old.

Cheers,

Ashley

Lampshade Makeover

2011-01-06T21:13:00.000-08:00

Boring lamp + vintage photographs and raffia.

I had been scouting out lamp shade diy ideas for a few weeks, but they all just seemed too fussy. This was simple and fast, and it has a one-of-a-kind feel to it because of the sweet snapshots. I love peeking into stranger's lives. I mean that in a poetic sort of way, not a creepy way. Ha.

Cheers,
Ashley

Beat Up Creations Etsy Shop

2011-01-03T10:37:00.000-08:00

This is probably the coolest thing I have ever seen. Found in Beat Up Creations Etsy Shop.

It's only a tuxedo cat, dressed up as a boy scout, on a vintage floral plate. I'm just sayin'.

Cheers,
Ashley

The Eve of Another Year

2011-01-02T21:49:00.001-08:00

New Year's Eve was filled with mimosas, a movie, romantic dinner with Brad and a hilarious time at a club - with a countdown and balloon drop. Although if you can picture Brad and I in a "club," you're probably already laughing. It was a great time, although 0 degree weather + tights + platform wedges + fireball whiskey = falling down a few stairs (I would - right?). A total riot, but I played it cool and walked away with not a scratch. Bring it on 2011.

Cheers,
Ashley

Self-Image Reality Check

2010-12-28T21:26:00.000-08:00

via Michael Wriston

"You are not your bra-size, nor are you the width of your waist, nor are you the slenderness of your calves. You are not your hair color, your skin color, nor are you a shade of lipstick. Your shoe-size is of no consequence. You are not defined by the amount of attention you get from males, females, or any combination thereof. You are not the number of sit-ups you can do, nor are you the number of calories in a day. You are not your mustache. You are not the hair on your legs. You are not a little red dress.

You are no amalgam of these things.

You are the content of your character. You are the ambitions that drive you. You are the goals that you set. You are the things that you laugh at and the words that you say. You are the thoughts you think and the things you wonder. You are beautiful and desirable not for the clique you attend, but for the spark of life within you that compels you to make your life a full and meaningful one. You are beautiful not for the shape of the vessel, but for the volume of the soul it carries."

Michael Wriston, The Myth of the Fingerprint

I came across this, and I had to repost it. The author is a wonderful analog photographer - the above photo is his. The idea behind this quote is so beautiful, so true, and yet - so unfortunately easy to forget. Last night, I whipped it out and read it out loud to some lady friends, and I know it touched them too. Pass it along!

Cheers,
Ashley

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T21:34:00.000-08:00

Wishing you such a very Merry Christmas!

Cheers,

Brad + Ashley

Upcycled Industrial Lamp

2010-12-22T09:09:00.000-08:00

I am finally starting to get caught up on projects that are long overdue such as posting this lamp in the shop. Also my work is going to be for sale on the art wall at Java on Sherman right downtown Coeur d' Alene, Idaho for the entire month of February. I am really excited to be working on art outside of school, whatever comes of it I enjoy the practice and the experience. I also hope to meet some local artists.

Anyways, Happy Holidays and all that!

Cheers,
Brad

Cat Lady Confessions

2010-12-01T21:39:00.000-08:00

This new air freshner suits my car so well. Found it at Boo Radleys.

Don't worry, it doesn't smell like litter.

Crazy cat lady angst perfection for the win.

Cheers,
Ashley

Josh Pyke // Memories & Dust

2010-11-29T01:11:00.000-08:00

Cheers,

Brad

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

2010-11-10T21:49:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra came to Spokane. With the chance to see this mind-blowing show live in reach, we just couldn't pass it up. We usually aren't into stadium shows (they can lose their heart so quickly, can't they?), but this was an exception. It was truly amazing...a combination of the Spokane orchestra, a massive light show, lasers, flames and video all synchronized to the music. It, um, rocked. But what else can you expect from a rock opera? The Trans-Siberian was created by Paul O'Neill (oh you know, the guy who managed and produced AC/DC, Joan Jett and the Scorpions). In an interview I read in the Inlander last week, he said his vision is inspired by Pink Floyd, the Who, Queen and Zeppelin...it shows. It dazzles. The melodies were contagious; the lyrics were poetic, and the visual experience was the cherry on top. Anyways, it's so refreshing to see a group of people come together to push the boundaries of music and art - pretty much my favorite activity. Make sure to check out their website to see if they're coming to a town near you.

I did have one small request for an intermission sometime during the 3.5 hour show though...I'm kind of ADD, even with flashing lasers and such.

Cheers,
Ashley

Illustrations by Maren

2010-11-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

Last week I stumbled upon the blog and flickr of Maren. It was easily one of the most inspiring hours of the season. Browsing through her thoughts and illustrations is pure enchantment. It's one of those so inspiring moments that you promptly want to shut the computer and go do something. I encourage you to visit her site!

Cheers,
Ashley

Fall Vintage Update

2010-11-01T21:43:00.000-07:00

Check out the new goods in the shop.

Yours,
Ashley

Han + Leia

2010-10-31T16:00:00.000-07:00

I think we had a little too much fun this year for Halloween. Geek love forever.

Cheers,
Ashley

Global Perspective

2010-10-25T22:35:00.000-07:00

Brad got cute with my label-maker this weekend. He wrote "you are here" over the Northwest.

He thinks he's so funny.

Cheers,
Ashley

My 22nd Birthday

2010-10-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

It's official; I'm now 22 years of age. Feeling more adult than ever before; it's quite odd. I celebrated by going thrifting for a whole day with Brad. I found a new dream coat (oversized, vintage, fur collar - swoon), a vintage leather tooled bag, midcentury modern teacups and a gigantic stash of vintage photographs for under ten dollars. I'm a cheap date; what can I say? We also got my favorite coffee in the whole wide world at Java on Sherman. Mhmm. I fantasize about their bowl of soul, so it was pretty much the perfect day!

Cheers,

Ashley

This American Life App

2010-10-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

So my new job is delivering for a screen printing supply store in Spokane; therefore, my days are filled with driving. How do I fill the lonely days on the road you may ask? Listening to This American Life is how. I bought the app. for my phone and I am an addict. My goal is to listen to every single episode starting from the beginning

I hope to continue posting about it with my favorite episodes and such. For now I leave you with this episode about comedian Julia Sweeney. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Brad

DIY Retro Table Resurface

2010-10-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Before

After

This project was really fun and really easy. All that I did was take a piece of plywood and trace the tabletop onto it. I used a jigsaw to cut out the new tabletop; then screwed the plywood top to the table. After some vigorous sanding, staining, and enough polyurethane to deflect bullets, the results were rather awesome!

Cheers,

Brad

New Chicks on the Block

2010-10-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

This is Belle and Sebastian! We decided to get two chickens for fresh eggs and pure entertainment. The notion all began after seeing Food Inc. awhile back.

Their names are Belle and Sebastian (both girls.....?). We are hoping to get about 8 eggs per week once they are a bit bigger. For now they live in a dog crate with a heat lamp, but I cannot wait to build them a sweet coop.

P.S. I wanted to share this awesome episode of This American Life called Poultry Slam. Enjoy!

Cheers,
Brad

DIY TV Mount

2010-10-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been building all sorts of things for the house out of wood. I really enjoy experimenting with different tools, and stains. I have mostly been using reclaimed lumber from the pallets at work for all of my recent projects, and it has proven rather fruitful. Here are some photos of my biggest project so far, a mounting system for our TV.

I cut all of the different pieces to the same size then wood glued them to some plywood in a brick-like pattern. I am quite satisfied with the result. I hope to continue posting woodworking projects every week, 'hope to' being the key words.

Cheers,
Brad

Guests Welcome

2010-09-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

Since we moved from our shoebox, college apartment, we have a lot more space - including a spare room. We always have lots of company, and it's so nice not having to pull out the couch bed every night when we have visitors. When we moved in, this room was tangerine orange - even the ceiling! It was...too much. Since it's a rental, we were told we could paint it white, so three coats of paint later we had a blank canvas. The biggest design challenge for us was budget. Obviously as a couple just starting out, we don't have a lot of extra money laying around.

Luckily, we had the bed and dresser in storage at our parent's house from our teenage bedrooms. I scored the school desk at a thrift store for $5; the reader board was also a steal - Brad found it at a garage store for $3. The liquor box/night stand was salvaged from Brad's parent's garage - we couldn't believe our luck!

All the other accessories (doilies, vintage camera and clock, luggage and artwork) were either thrifted or wedding gifts (the cuckoo clock and mirror - both from Target). I think the only thing we actually purchased from a real store was the pillow (the color inspiration from the room) from Urban Outfitters and the curtains (which we actually used on our slider door at our old apartment), also from Urban Outfitters. I've always been really proud of our home, because it feels like "us," but manages to do so on a shoestring budget.

My favorite part of the room is my cutesy little idea for our guests; we set out our carving tools on the old school desk for company to leave their mark. We also added two lines of wire to house some of our favorite visual inspiration and postcards; I love that I can change it out often to mix it up.

Yours,
Ashley

Summer Art Journaling

2010-07-16T16:59:00.000-07:00

I love making messes with scissors and glue. Do you?

Cheers,
Ashley

Road Trip Art Journal

2010-06-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

Lots of photobooth and instax action led to lots of art journaling after dark on our two week trip. I had brought just a small tote of some supplies. I loved being able to art journal on the road - at camp sites and hotel rooms. What I loved most about it was being able to incorporate found objects the same day...something so *fresh* about it.

We talked, dreamed, tried to find ourselves (kind of futile isn't it?), decided, enjoyed, laughed, read, made art, wrote, observed and loved for two solid weeks, and it was the most inspiring time of my life.

Cheers,
Ashley

West Coast Dreaming

2010-06-17T16:42:00.000-07:00

I do not even know how to begin to describe our west coast road trip. It was so amazing and inspiring and freeing. The perfect end and the perfect beginning. We stayed at the Ace Hotel in Portland and Palm Springs, camped a lot, visited Ashley's family in Southern California, met up with one of my good friends from high school in San Fran, got a tattoo, explored the redwood forest, went to a tattoo museum, saw the Beatles Love show in Las Vegas, and we drove along the coast the whole way south with our dog, our bug, and our playlists. It was absolutely beautiful.

Cheers,
Brad

Spring Art Journaling

2010-04-30T21:08:00.000-07:00

A peek into my art journals as of late...I've been taking Rachel Denbow and Elsie Flannigan's art journaling course, and it's been sooo inspiring. I've met so many other great folks who are also crazy about journal collages, which is probably the best part.

Cheers,
Ashley

Vinyl or Die

2010-04-22T08:00:00.001-07:00

Thrift stores are in constant flux. There is a continuous movement of items in and out, so it is best to thrift as often as possible if you want to find the roses among the weeds.

Vinyl records are probably one of the most obnoxious things to look for in thrift stores. It seems like they always either have 10 or 1000, and they are almost never in alphabetical order which makes searching for specifics near impossible. I definitely have to be in the right mood when record diving. Despite all of the labor involved it can be relatively exciting because you never know what is going to be in a batch of records. The majority of them I guarantee will not interest you, but I have found some real gems in thrift stores. I am talking The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and I even found the original soundtrack to Star Wars (not to mention Ashley's growing ABBA selection). My record collection has nearly quadrupled in the last couple of years because I started looking in thrift stores more often, so if you have not already I suggest you start ASAP!

Cheers,
Brad

>> >> >> Derick Melander

2010-04-15T08:00:00.001-07:00

I recently discovered the most amazing artist who uses all second-hand clothing in his sculpture installations.

He has some very interesting views about our relationships with the objects in our lives (specifically clothing). I enjoy the way he takes these objects out of their natural habitats and arranges them in such an interesting and beautiful way.

Check out more of his work here!

Cheers,
Brad

Vintage Bowling Bags

2010-04-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

Bowling bags are an excellent example of a great repurposed item. They come in a rainbow of colors, and they are built to last. This particular bowling bag was originally intended for those hardcore bowl fanatics who need their shoes and dual balls together and ready to go at all times. However it is now used as a tool-bag and a relatively good one at that. I could also imagine these would make excellent weekenders, toiletry totes, knitting bags, purses, etc. Granted bowling bags usually come with the ball, but the average thrift store clerk will most-likely not mind if you leave that half for the next thrifty bowler waiting to score a rad vintage piece.

Cheers,
Brad

Shake The Dust // Anis Mojgani

2010-04-06T23:02:00.000-07:00

This is for the fat girls.

This is for the little brothers.

This is for the school-yard wimps, this is for the childhood bullies who tormented them.

This is for the former prom queen, this is for the milk-crate ball players.

This is for the nighttime cereal eaters and for the retired, elderly Wal-Mart store front door greeters. Shake the dust.

This is for the benches and the people sitting upon them,

for the bus drivers driving a million broken hymns,

for the men who have to hold down three jobs simply to hold up their children,

for the nighttime schoolers and the midnight bike riders who are trying to fly. Shake the dust.

This is for the two-year-olds who cannot be understood because they speak half-English and half-god. Shake the dust.

For the girls with the brothers who are going crazy,

for those gym class wall flowers and the twelve-year-olds afraid of taking public showers,

for the kid who's always late to class because he forgets the combination to his lockers,

for the girl who loves somebody else. Shake the dust.

This is for the hard men, the hard men who want to love but know that it won't come.

For the ones who are forgotten, the ones the amendments do not stand up for.

For the ones who are told to speak only when you are spoken to and then are never spoken to. Speak every time you stand so you do not forget yourself.

Do not let a moment go by that doesn't remind you that your heart beats 900 times a day and that there are enough gallons of blood to make you an ocean.

Do not settle for letting these waves settle and the dust to collect in your veins.

This is for the celibate pedophile who keeps on struggling,

for the poetry teachers and for the people who go on vacations alone.

For the sweat that drips off of Mick Jaggers' singing lips and for the shaking skirt on Tina Turner's shaking hips, for the heavens and for the hells through which Tina has lived.

This is for the tired and for the dreamers and for those families who'll never be like the Cleavers with perfectly made dinners and sons like Wally and the Beaver.

This is for the biggots,

this is for the sexists,

this is for the killers.

This is for the big house, pen-sentenced cats becoming redeemers and for the springtime that always shows up after the winters.

This? This is for you.

Make sure that by the time fisherman returns you are gone.

Because just like the days, I burn both ends and every time I write, every time I open my eyes I am cutting out a part of myself to give to you.

So shake the dust and take me with you when you do for none of this has never been for me.

All that pushes and pulls, pushes and pulls for you.

So grab this world by its clothespins and shake it out again and again and jump on top and take it for a spin and when you hop off shake it again for this is yours.

Make my words worth it, make this not just another poem that I write, not just another poem like just another night that sits heavy above us all.

Walk into it, breathe it in, let is crash through the halls of your arms at the millions of years of millions of poets coursing like blood pumping and pushing making you live, shaking the dust.

So when the world knocks at your front door, clutch the knob and open on up, running forward into its widespread greeting arms with your hands before you, fingertips trembling though they may be.

Written and performed by Anis Mojgani

Owl Collection

2010-04-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Collecting is probably one of the best ways to keep your thrifting addiction under control. Picking one or two things to collect from thrift stores gives you an outlet and lessons the massive overflow of clutter in your home.

In our apartment we have a number of collections, my favorite of which is our owl figurines. We spot these little guys every now and then while thrifting, and they are rather difficult to pass up. I am not altogether sure why we are so attracted to them. Perhaps we secretly hope that their infinite knowledge will rub off on us. Most likely it is the "holy cute" factor as my wife would say (a la Elsie Flannigan). All I know is that their angelic faces are fun to have around the house peeking out from behind books or chilling on the top shelf. Mr. Bright Eyes (center, slightly to the right) greets me every morning. This collection is definitely here to stay.

Cheers,
Brad

Faux Bois

2010-03-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Trends come in and out of style, so keep an eye out for those items that are on their way back.

Faux bois is definitely an excellent example of reoccurring trends in the design world, and I have developed quite the addiction. My wife and I have had a bit of luck finding faux bois things that not only look rad but serve a purpose as well. Port-a-file created a beautiful line of faux bois metal boxes in traditional brown and also a rare sea foam green that are perfect for holding all kinds of stuff. Binders, bookends, clipboards, and trays are also on our list of useful faux bois finds. We have found a couple thermoses that sport the intricate design, and they look great re-purposed into unique vases.

Cheers,
Brad