The Sea Within

Winter

2011-11-27T12:42:00.001-05:00

Originally uploaded by theseawithin

Winter has finally arrived. The hound loves it. I love it, too. Ask me again in February and I won't be so into it.

Kitchen

2011-10-09T14:34:00.001-04:00

Kitchen
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

my kitchen it pretty much all done! I love it!

A Serious Hound

2011-08-27T18:41:00.001-04:00

A Serious Hound
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I love this photo of Shooter.

Shooter

2011-08-02T22:05:00.001-04:00

Shooter
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

It's been a busy couple of weeks. I moved into the house I bought. AND more importantly I got a dog! A lovely coonhound mix named Shooter. I picked him up at a shelter outside Minneapolis this weekend. He is fantastic and settling in well to his new surroundings.

Technology

2011-07-17T19:37:00.000-04:00

In Sweden, you can buy candy from a vending machine by sending it a text message. In Thunder Bay, I received a letter from my lawyer addressed with a typewriter, my landlady is amazed I can receive emails via my phone, and I'm pretty sure my insurance office doesn't even have the internet. I didn't realize moving here would also involve time travel.

Sweden and Norway

2011-05-14T11:52:00.001-04:00

IMG_0411
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

Last month I had the most fabulous trip in Norway and Sweden. I am so grateful to my friends who hosted me. It was one of the best trips I had in a long time!

I miss...

2011-05-03T18:32:00.001-04:00

New Additions
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I miss the mantle in my Emeryville apartment.

I miss...

2011-05-02T19:43:00.001-04:00

Thread
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I miss my sewing room in my Emeryville apartment. Apart from the year round awful temperatures, I miss almost everything from that apartment.

2008

2011-04-06T11:08:00.006-04:00

Bloemfontein, South Africa.

I received this great postcard from South Africa through postcrossing. This postcard is awesome for so many reasons. It's from South Africa, which are not that common to receive from postcrossing. I also love that it's a vintage card.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

My traveling companion

2011-04-02T21:06:00.002-04:00

My traveling companion
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I realized I really needed one of those travel pillow/blanket things for my upcoming Scandinavian adventure. I searched and searched and nothing was to my liking. Until I saw this little guy! He's a comfy pillow when you unvelcro the straps under him, which you can also use to strap him to your luggage. He has a nice cozy blanket zipped up inside. The downside is that you can't use the blanket and pillow at the same time, but I plan on stuffing the pillow with a zip up or something because I know I'll need both! Check out Zoobies to see all their super cute travel friends. I really want the giraffe!

~2008?

2011-03-30T22:44:00.000-04:00

Chronicle postcard.

Another postcard from Dana. This postcard reminds me of Archie comics. Archie comics were the only comics I ever read. I also love it because Dana used a beautiful Audrey Hepburn stamp.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

I love foreign money.

2011-03-23T20:12:00.000-04:00

About a month ago I decided to jump on an opportunity to go to Sweden and Norway for a couple of weeks to visit some friends in April. I am ridiculously excited. I will be visiting the country that has furnished every apartment of my adult life. Today I picked up my Swedish and Norwegian Kroners from the bank. I am even more excited now, because one of the Swedish bills features Carl Linnaeus. How cool is that? Every country should have money devoted to a great scientist.

26 December 2008

2011-03-16T18:28:00.001-04:00

David Shrigley.

David Shrigley always has the craziest cards. The hotdog even has googly eyes. So strange.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

NYC

2011-03-13T12:43:00.003-04:00

Originally uploaded by theseawithin

Most of the NYC weekend was spent eating. I was on a budget, so I couldn't indulge in any Bloomingdale's or Anthropologie buys. Luckily, I actually didn't see anything I really wanted, even at Brooklyn Industries.
The morning was donuts from Donut Planet. They were delicious even though they were a bunch of douchebags that worked there. After we realized we hadn't gotten one of the donuts we ordered and told them, their only response was that they had sold out of that one. Hello, can you at least give us another one, we paid for it! Anyways, they were delicious and we did receive a different donut for the one that had sold out. The rest of the day involved eating a street pretzel, Momfuko Milk Bar's cereal-milk ice cream and cookies, tea from teany, and a perfect dinner at The MeatBall Shop. I don't want to know how many calories I consumed. Good thing I spent at least eight hours a day walking.

New York

2011-03-10T17:43:00.001-05:00

Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I had a fabulous weekend in New York recently. One of the days I spent with my penpal. We walked around the city all day. One of my favourite shops we visited was Fish Eddys. I wanted to buy a tonne of stuff there. I only bought 'Heroes of the Torah' coasters to send to a friend.

20 July 2010

2011-03-09T14:37:00.001-05:00

Henri Cartier-Bresson. Juvisy, France. 1938.

Another old photograph, so I'm bound to like it. I like this one because you can imagine they have been out fishing all day and are stopping to have their much needed lunch break. Looks like they brought a pretty good picnic.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

13 August 2008

2011-03-02T14:35:00.001-05:00

Franck Auberson. Squirrel.

As you all probably know, I love animals. I grew up in Manitoba, where we only had grey and red squirrels. I was really excited when I moved to Hamilton, Ontario in August 2009 because they also had black squirrels like this guy. Too cute.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

23 April 2009

2011-02-23T14:31:00.001-05:00

Gertrude Kasebier. American Indian Portrait. c. 1899.

I love this postcard. I love how old it is. I love how calm the man's face looks.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

12 February 2010

2011-02-16T14:25:00.001-05:00

William Kentridge. The Battle Between Yes and No. 1989.

This is one of Taina's favourite artists. I don't think I was aware of him until she had sent me postcards from him. I was lucky to see an exhibit of his when I was in NYC in April 2010. I saw why he is one of Taina's favourite artists.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

Blood Orange Strawberry and Rosemary Marmalade

2011-02-13T16:28:00.001-05:00

Blood Orange Strawberry and Rosemary Marmalade
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

It's done!
Paddington Bear knows what he is talking about. Marmalade is amazing. I can't wait to try more recipes from this book!

Marmalade!

2011-02-12T19:55:00.000-05:00

This past fall I made my first foray into canning. I made: pumpkin butter, pear ginger butter, crabapple jelly, pomengrante jelly, pickeled beets, pickeled carrots... and probably some other things that I can't even remember anymore. I loved it. I loved being able to reach into my cupboard for xmas gifts. So I haven't done any canning since the fall. Last week, my friend, Arjun, mailed me the most beautiful cookbook: The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook.

Arjun and I used to see the author selling her jam at the local farmer's market in Oakland. It was pretty great to see she had made a book. Receiving this book got me back on the canning kick. This book is lovely because it's organized to what is seasonally available. Although, as I'm not living in the Bay Area anymore, a lot of the fruit she uses will be harder to find here. Today I decided to try to make Blood Orange, Strawberry, and Rosemary Marmalade. I know it's not strawberry season here, but I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get blood oranges when the strawberries are in season here. I'm also not sure how much of a fan of marmalade I am. I can't remember the last time I had it. I remember wanting to try it as a kid because it was Paddington Bear's favourite food, but I remember not being too impressed with it. I make a lot of things because I like the process and aesthetic more than the food itself. Hence, making the jellies. I'd much rather have jam, but jellies are just so pretty to make. I'm sure this marmalade will be delicious. I'm not a big orange eater, but during blood orange season I eat them voraciously. Marmalade in this book is a two or three day process. This marmalade will be done tomorrow. If all goes well, I will attempt Lemon Pink Grapefruit Marmalade next weekend, as it is grapefruit season. I'm looking forward to the fall to try Cranberry Pomengranate Marmalade.

09 Sept 2009

2011-02-09T14:20:00.001-05:00

Joan Miro. Painting. 1933.

This is probably one of the first cards I got from Taina after I moved from the East Bay, California to Hamilton, Ontario.
This card reminds me of the summer I spent in Spain in 2000. I spent most of my time in Barcelona taking Spanish classes and exploring the city. I remember going to a different art museum almost everyday. There was an incredible Miro museum in Montjuic. I have a fabulous summer. I loved the art, the shopping, the food... I would go back to Barcelona in a second anyday.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

Love.

2011-02-06T00:28:00.000-05:00

I'm currently in love with this tattoo artist.

Incredible.

28 June 2009

2011-02-02T14:18:00.001-05:00

Fabric Cabinet.

I love this card because I love fabric. It makes me think of sewing and the piles of fabric I own. Taina liked the card for the same reason.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

Pyrex collection

2011-01-30T22:36:00.001-05:00

Pyrex collection
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

Taina asked me to show her a photo of my pyrex collection. I took a quick picture with my phone. I'll have to take a better photo soon. I have other pieces in use as fruit bowls and such or just in the cupboard because I don't have any more room here. I've been collecting pyrex for over ten years, I'd say. I've always been pretty fussy about only buying perfect pieces. I'm pretty sure one of the mixing bowl sets I inherited from my grandmother. The big red mixing bowl on the top I inherited from my Oma. I'm trying to narrow my collection to just the snowflake design. Otherwise, I'd have WAY too many pieces.

24 July 2010

2011-01-26T14:05:00.001-05:00

Lois Conner. Lhasa, Tibet, 2005.

I like this card because of it's odd shape. The background is also fascinating. It also came from the Rubin Museum of Art in NYC. I don't think Taina had ever sent me a postcard from there before. She said it's a small gallery that focuses on Himalayan Art.
What do you think?

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

20 July 2010

2011-01-19T13:58:00.001-05:00

Henri Cartier-Bressson. Sayan, Bali, Indonesia. 1949.

Another great photograph. I love old photos from different countries.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

Hound family.

2011-01-17T18:57:00.001-05:00

Hound family.
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

The hound family is growing. Two new hounds recently!

09 October 2008

2011-01-12T14:55:00.001-05:00

Brian J. Watson. Fly the Tube. 1977.

Even though this isn't exactly about air travel, it still reminds me of my growing up and my family. I think it's just the style of the advertisements. We always had tonnes of Air Canada paraphernalia at home.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

Ninety-nine

2011-01-07T18:00:00.001-05:00

Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I found this gem at Safeway yesterday. I'm perplexed. What does hockey have to do with tea? How can this company afford to have Gretzky endorse their tea? Does it actually increase sales? It's not like when he endorsed ProStars cereal, which every kid in the 1908s wanted. This is green tea. Weird.

04 May 2009

2011-01-05T14:53:00.001-05:00

Berenice Abbott. Snuff Shop, 113 Division Street, New York. 1938.

Happy New Year!
This card reminds me of going antique/second hand store shopping. I also love the lettering on the window. I love seeing old shops that still have kept the old lettering. It's incredible.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

22 July 2010

2010-12-29T10:50:00.001-05:00

R.Y. Young. The New Woman - Wash Day. 1901.

Enough with the holiday themed postcard posts! I'm usually sick of the holidays by October anyways... Another great photograph. This card is just fun!

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

Xmas Tree

2010-12-22T17:31:00.001-05:00

HIP_314682865.362306
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I wasn't planning on getting a tree this year. When I lived in San Francisco, I had a great glitter pink tree, but I left it there for my sister. I had to get a tire fixed at Canadian Tire yesterday. While waiting, I browsed around Micheal's. There had these great 'icicle' trees on sale for $20 (regular $60). I bought the minty green one. I may go back and get the pink one!

16 December 2008

2010-12-22T14:46:00.001-05:00

Maurice Sendak.

I love Maurice Sendak. Although I was a little disappointed with the Wild Things movie. It was good, just not as good as I thought it would be. I was also disappointed because I moved from San Francisco a month before there was a Maurice Sendak show at the Jewish Museum. I also like that this isn't a real postcard. Taina just cut the front off a Christmas card when she messed up the message inside. I've been known to do this myself.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

New App

2010-12-21T22:13:00.001-05:00

HIP_314679102.982663
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I know I'm a little late on the Hipstamatic app for the iPhone. I downloaded it tonight and I love it! Tonnes of fun.

09 June 2009

2010-12-20T18:24:00.001-05:00

Robert Doisneau. Picasso. 1952.

I always like seeing what artists actually look like. It's fascinating. Picasso always looks so cute. This card reminds me of my summer in Spain. I still remember visiting the Picasso museum.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

New Stuff

2010-12-19T20:58:00.002-05:00

http
IMG_2436
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I finally got some new bags in the shop. I had cut these out ages ago, but had been procrastinating actually sewing them. Today, Jessica and I braved the cold for some outdoor photos.

Etsy Front Page!

2010-12-16T22:37:00.002-05:00

16 December 2010
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I made the front page tonight. Woohoo! Not sure what I think about having my face on the front page, though!

11 January 2010

2010-12-15T14:44:00.001-05:00

Tim Burton. Untitled. 1997.

Another great postcard for December. I love any card with a dog, even if it's a dog breed I'm not too fond of. This card is just too cute.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

Moleskin cover

2010-12-14T19:47:00.001-05:00

Moleskin cover
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I'm thinking of things to make to expand my line on Etsy. I tried out this moleskin cover. I think I like it!

13 June 2009

2010-12-08T10:42:00.001-05:00

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. 1964.

This one is just strange and a perfect one for December. I love old movie posters.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

Echino Love

2010-12-06T20:22:00.001-05:00

IMG_4895
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I love this fabric. I'd love to own wallpaper with this design. Beautiful textured wallpaper.

09 June 2009

2010-12-01T14:39:00.001-05:00

E. McKnight Kauffer. Letter Mails by Air. 1937.

I love old graphics. This one is extra great because it's about mail!

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

November

2010-11-29T20:21:00.000-05:00

November was quite the month. I got through all of This American Life's episodes from 1999. If you remember, which I doubt you do, I'm trying to listen to every T.A.L. since its inception (1996). It's my This American Life Project. To get through one whole year in a month is quite incredible. It also means I have been doing a lot of sewing, since I really only listen to it when I am sewing.

Neckwarmers

2010-11-28T15:55:00.002-05:00

IMG_2306
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I decided to start making neckwarmers for the shop. The problem was photographing them. Luckily, my new friend Jessica was up for a photo shoot and she did a fantastic job. We have more shoots planned to do some much needed revamping of the shop!

New Echino

2010-11-28T09:38:00.001-05:00

Elephant and Giraffe
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

Well this isn't new echino anymore. I've just finally made something out of it. I have a huge backlog of fabric here that I really need to use. Then I can buy the real new echino, which I have been dying to do since it come out earlier this month.
I've been doing so much sewing this month I've almost gotten through 1999 of This American Life. Maybe it will be possible to catch up to present day.

25 August 2008

2010-11-24T10:36:00.001-05:00

David Lachapelle. Cher and her pretty pony. 1996.

How can this not be one of my favourites? It is just so weird. Cher, a pony, Brandy... if anyone gets this, please let me know. Of course, I also love Cher (secret...I've seen her in concert twice!), so even if it wasn't weird it would be one of my favourites.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

01 June 2010

2010-11-20T18:17:00.001-05:00

Henri Cartier-Bresson. Kampen, The Netherlands. 1956.

Another old photo, which I just love. This one in particular because it's from the Netherlands, where my dad was born. It reminds me of time I spent in Mexico because every morning the shop owners were washing the sidewalks in front of their store.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

05 August 2008

2010-11-17T14:33:00.000-05:00

Cindy Sherman. Untitled. 1979.

When I was in Grade 10 or 11, my sister, mom and I went to Chicago for a few days. We pretty much just checked out art museums and went to Forever Plaid. Well, that's all I can really remember. I particularly remember going to a smaller gallery where there was a Cindy Sherman exhibit. I had never heard of her before then, and since I have always really liked her work.

22 June 2008

2010-11-10T14:31:00.001-05:00

Salvador Dali. "But don't try to uncover my secret" 1954

My favourite part of this card it that it must have had a difficult journey as there is a part of the corner that somehow got ripped off.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

New Stuff (Finally!)

2010-11-06T21:35:00.002-04:00

IMG_4818
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I finally got my sewing space set up and was able to tackle some bags for the shop. I have loads Echino fabric that I can't wait to use. Stay tuned for lots more. You would not believe the amount of fabric I have here.

21 November 2008

2010-11-05T18:15:00.001-04:00

This postcard is just weird, which is why I like it. Who thinks of these things? I can't quite understand what is going on and why someone would create this and then sell it! I always try to imagine what goes on at the creative meetings at these companies when someone wants to make a card like this. Do they present this as an idea? and everyone agrees? I wonder what cards didn't make the cut.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

22 July 2010

2010-11-03T13:30:00.001-04:00

Joe Steinmetz Studio. Tupperware Home Party. 1958.

This card is another great photograph. I love the 1950s.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

22 March 2009

2010-10-27T10:21:00.001-04:00

Agnes Martin. Friendship. 1963.

I like this card because it's simple and yellow.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

15 August 2008

2010-10-24T11:04:00.007-04:00

Robert Doisineau. Young man on a tandem. 1953.

Received this card from Holland through Postcrossing. Another great black and white card. I wonder why this man is carrying a bicycle and riding a tandem by himself.

09 July 2008

2010-10-22T10:50:00.006-04:00

Stella Marrs.

Another crazy card from Melisa. Stella Marrs makes fantastic postcards. I like that they are usually black and white and red or black and white and turquoise.

22 July 2010

2010-10-20T14:17:00.001-04:00

Jules Bastien-Lepage. Joan of Arc. 1879.

Last July, I was in NYC visiting my sister. I spent one afternoon with Taina. We visited a lot of museums. While at the Met, Taina showed me this painting as it was her favourite one. It was quite incredible in real life. I like this card because it reminds me of a great afternoon I had with Taina. This was one of the first postcards I received when I moved across Ontario shortly after I got back from NYC.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

18 July 2008

2010-10-18T18:11:00.001-04:00

Jeff Wall. In Front of a Nightclub. 2006.

I never know who Jeff Wall was until I started getting his postcards from Taina. I just love his work. I can't really explain why though.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

23 March 2009

2010-10-13T14:13:00.001-04:00

Frances Benjamin Johnston. Stairway of the Treasurer's Residence: Students at Work. 1899-1900.

Another black and white photo that I love. I really like the subject matter of seeing everyone working on the staircase. I love how you can see them putting in all the detail. I also like this card because it has evidence of going through the postal system. There are some big scratches on it. I always like when you can tell the card experienced some wear and tear to make it to your place.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

World's Smallest Postal Service

2010-10-12T16:56:00.000-04:00

I don't think I ever told you about one of the coolest mail-related projects. It's the World's Smallest Postal Service. For a small fee, the wonderful Lea will write an extremely small letter to a friend for you. Wax seal included. It even comes with a magnifier! Of course, the first person to receive such a cool letter from me was Taina.
I was lucky enough to meet Lea at a party when I was living in the SF Bay Area. She is always doing really interesting art projects, so keep up with her site to find out what she's up to next. Her matchbox theatre is super cute.

08 August 2010

2010-10-10T11:13:00.003-04:00

John Derian postcard, NYC.

I love this card. I love writing desks. It also makes me think of the riddle: "Why is a raven like a writing desk?" which I can never remember the answer to, although I kinda remember that it doesn't have an answer. I have no idea.

Date Unknown 2008?

2010-10-09T18:37:00.001-04:00

Postcard from Melisa.

I received this postcard while living in California. It would have been more useful when I was living in Oklahoma! The place I was living in didn't have a basement. I was always worried about tornadoes. A big one went through the city I was living in a few years after I had left. Yikes! I was just as scared of earthquakes while in California. This is what happens when you grow up somewhere that doesn't have natural disasters.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

Impractical

2010-10-08T18:36:00.000-04:00

I rarely make impractical purchases. Yes, I shop a lot, but I feel I buy things that are usually worth it in some sense. I bought a white coat. Impractical, yes. But I love it! There is something glamorous about white, especially white coats. I don't buy white often because it gets dirty so easily and I hate it when things look grungy. I still somewhat regret buying my Matt and Nat bag in navy blue, when I could have bought it in white. I told myself that white was way too impractical for a purse. Now I own a white, wool coat and I absolutely love it. It may be awhile before I buy something white again, so I will enjoy this for as long as I can. I sure hope it doesn't get dirty anytime soon!

31 March 2008

2010-10-06T16:51:00.001-04:00

Andreas Gursky. 99 Cent. 1999.

This was another that was put up on my fridge the day I got it and stayed there until I left that California apartment in August 2009. I just love all the different packages you can see and how they are all organized.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

17 July 2008

2010-10-01T07:54:00.000-04:00

Jeff Wall. A Sudden Gust of Wind. 1993.

Happy October! October is my favourite month. Jeff Wall cards are some of my favourite cards. I also thought this one was a perfect card for the first day of October. The wind in the card reminds me of Fall.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

12 January 2009

2010-09-29T10:46:00.000-04:00

Katharina Fritsch. Madonna. 1981-1989.

I don't know why I like this one so much. Maybe because it's yellow. Anything with the Virgin Mary reminds me of my French-Canadian Roman Catholic grandmother, who always had many Virgin Mary figurines in her apartment, but she never had a yellow one.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

09 September 2009

2010-09-24T17:11:00.001-04:00

I also had this small set of postcards and sent them all to Taina. I bought them because I thought they were so neat. This one is a NYC hotdog cart. They were a set of five and only with things in NYC. I wish that had some of San Francisco. Taina loved them anyways and got herself a set to send me when she found some. I put the hotdog cart up because I love hotdogs from a NYC hotdog cart! Don't tell anyone.

21 August 2008

2010-09-20T18:03:00.001-04:00

Herb Ritts. Richard Gere. 1979.

This card is just funny. I've never been a Richard Gere fan. When I think of Richard Gere, all I can think about is Pretty Woman. What other movies was he actually in? Oh I remember he filmed a movie in Winnipeg with Jennifer Lopez, but that's about it!

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

March 2008

2010-09-17T12:34:00.000-04:00

Postcard from Dana.

Dana was the penpal I mentioned at the start of this postcard posting project. In Grade 4, I had a subscription to OWL magazine. That magazine was fantastic. One of the issues mentioned they would match you up with a penpal. I sent my information in and was matched up with Dana, who lived in the Vancouver area. It's amazing how much you can have in common and continue to have in common with someone you just meet so randomly when you are so young. We've both moved around a bit in our educational careers and keep in touch by sending a postcard or a letter every once in awhile. When I moved to Thunder Bay this past July, the first piece of mail I received was from Dana!

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

04 September 2008

2010-09-15T16:43:00.000-04:00

Kurt Wirth. Metropolitan, Swissair. 1956.

I have a nostalgic fondness for anything airline related. My parents were both flight attendants during the heyday and post-heyday of air travel. These cards always remind me of my childhood and my parents.

Marc Jacobs' Skirt and Miss Sixty's shoes

2010-09-14T19:57:00.001-04:00

Marc Jacobs' Skirt and Miss Sixty's shoes
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I like having a job where I can wear cute shoes and skirts again!

Spring 2010

2010-09-10T14:28:00.001-04:00

Annie Leibovitz. Photograph of David Byrne. 1986.

Postcard from Melisa.

I met Melisa in Grade 7, while we were both attending an all-girls Catholic school. I was lucky to leave in Grade 10, while Melisa became a "Super Sixer". We remained friends since then. After undergrad, I moved to Oklahoma, so that began some postcard sharing. We always send each other weird postcards and don't put much of a message on the back. Usually something short and/or silly.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

02 December 2008

2010-09-08T16:40:00.001-04:00

David Shrigley.

David Shrigley postcard collections have to be the strangest ones ever. Taina and I both have separate David Shrigley sets from Chronicle books. They are too funny and strange.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

24 July 2010

2010-09-05T10:55:00.004-04:00

Anne Taintor card.

I was so happy to get an Anne Taintor card from Taina. These were the postcards Alexis and I would always exchange, but I happened to misplace them. I'll check next time I am at my parents' house.
See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

22 January 2009

2010-09-03T16:20:00.001-04:00

Postcard from Alexis.

I met Alexis in undergrad. I think in our last two years. We had a lot of fun times in those years. She was my best antiquing partner. Whenever I'm back in Winnipeg, we try to go antiquing. We did some last Christmas break, which is when I found one of my favourite porcelain hounds. After undergrad, I moved to Oklahoma for grad school. Alexis gave me a set of Anne Taintor postcards from Chronicle Books. While in Oklahoma, I mailed her tonnes of these cards and I got a lot from her. I remember she liked to send Stella Mars cards. I can't remember where I placed all the postcards I received while in Oklahoma. They may be in Winnipeg... What I am saying is that Alexis probably was the one that got me started on sending postcards with that Anne Taintor set. Previous to that I had tonnes of stationery, but hadn't gotten quite into the postcard sets. Way to go, Alexis!
I'll actually be back in Winnipeg this weekend for Alexis' wedding! Congratulations!

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

15 April 2009

2010-09-01T12:22:00.001-04:00

Rachel Whiteread. Water Tower. 1998.

I'm not sure what I like so much about his postcard. I just do.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

12 March 2008

2010-08-30T17:57:00.001-04:00

Lucian Freud. Double Portraits. 1985-1986.

I love this card because of the dog in it. I really miss having a dog. Tell me about your favourite dog.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

15 July 2008

2010-08-27T10:42:00.000-04:00

Vintage postcard.

I received this one from Finland through Postcrossing. I love that it's a vintage card and of a dog! If you don't know what postcrossing is yet, check it out! I just love it. I recently started again after about a two year hiatus. It's so much fun.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

23 August 2008

2010-08-25T16:33:00.001-04:00

Yoshitomo Nara. dogs from childhood. 1999.

Taina and I had both bought the Yoshitomo Nara postcard book from Chronicle. I never minded when we bought the same postcards. I buy them because I like them, so it's always nice to get one back because I've had to send it away! I loved this Nara card because I just love her dog sculptures. Any postcard with a dog or animal gets on my favourite list automatically.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

22 July 2010

2010-08-23T10:38:00.004-04:00

Vintage reproduction shadow card from 1890s.

This just might be one of my favourite cards ever. I can't believe it got here in one piece. One of the fingers was a little bent, but that's it. I don't know who wouldn't want a shadow card in their mailbox. I'm going to have to practice my shadow puppets now!

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

09 August 2010

2010-08-22T09:44:00.000-04:00

Postcard from John Derian, NYC.

There is a serious lack of vegetable postcards. I love this card. I know I have sent Taina a postcard of dancing carrots. I don't believe we have exchanged any other vegetables. I also love this card because she got this card at John Derian. Blaire made reference to this store last season.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

04 May 2009

2010-08-21T14:22:00.001-04:00

Carrie Mae Weems. Untitled. 1990.

Black and white photography seems to be my favourite postcards. I've always loved this one, but can't really explain why. On the back Taina mentions that this is one of her favourite postcards.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

Fall 2009

2010-08-20T12:35:00.001-04:00

Postcard from Annie.
Annie is a good friend I met when I lived in the Bay Area. We met at an Etsy Meetup at SFMOMA in February 2007 (I think). We would usually go to other Etsy meetups together, big craft shows (Renegade, etc...), get some fries at Frijtz's, or just check out the Creative Reuse store in Oakland. When I moved back to Canada she would send me some beautiful hand made cards. Annie is a wonderful collage artist and poet.
Check out her stuff: Etsy Blog

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

15 April 2009

2010-08-18T16:30:00.001-04:00

Tina Barney. The Yellow Room. 1997.

I'm not sure why I liked this card so much. It might be the yellow walls. It also reminded me of this very small book my friend had brought on our bike trip in 1999. I can't even remember what is was called. It was a short story and and the book it self was about half the size of a normal pocket book. I thought it had something to do with a yellow room, but I really cannot remember. I'll have to ask her.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

19 August 2008

2010-08-14T23:51:00.002-04:00

Markku Laakso. Tango. 1998.

From: Finland

Okay, so not all the postcards I put up here are going to be from Taina. I'll include some others that I receive from other people. If I don't say who it's from, it's from Taina.
I joined Postcrossing a few years ago. It's a great way to get some mail. You receive an address of someone outside of your country (you can get 10 at a time). Once they receive your postcard they put it in the system and your address is given to someone. I got a lot of postcards of cities and occasionally some interesting ones like this one! The woman in this postcard is the Maid of Finland.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

The New Room

2010-08-12T16:56:00.000-04:00

As you know, well you would if you consistently read my blog, which I doubt anyone does, you'd know that I have moved. Here's my new room:

I'm really starting to like it. It has an amazing closet.
I still miss my old room:

Oh well. It had to be done and I do like my new one. Overall, I think there are a lot of things about this new apartment that I like better, so in the end it's all for the better.

11 June 2008

2010-08-11T11:47:00.001-04:00

Paul Gauguin. Still Life with Three Puppies. 1888.

I love this one because of the doggies, of course.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

Penguin Clothbound Classics

2010-08-10T10:04:00.000-04:00

I've been wanting to collect these books since they first came out. I think it's been a year or two now. So far, I have collected all the ones in the photo above. I think there are twenty of them now, and a third set of ten is coming out in the Fall. I'm not positive on that, though.

Coralie Bickford-Smith is the amazing artist behind the designs. Check out her website. I want her F. Scott Fitzgerald books too!

23 January 2008

2010-08-09T12:22:00.001-04:00

Jeff Wall. 2001.

This must of been one of the first postcards I received from Taina. I had never heard of Jeff Wall, but became a fan after receiving his postcards. Rereading it, I can tell it's early in our writing because she is asking me if Etsy is my full-time job and telling me where she works! I liked it so much I put it on my fridge. It didn't come off until I moved from California to Ontario in August 2009.

See original blog post about my postcard posting project.

New Table

2010-08-08T13:30:00.000-04:00

This is not to replace my kitchen table, but I couldn't pass it up. I found it in a shop on Ottawa St in Hamilton. It's in my new living room right now. It's too cute.

I'm a blogging fool lately. If you read my previous post, I am serious about my postcard posts. I already have written timed updates for every week for the next few months. I hope everyone enjoys seeing the postcards I have received! The first one will be up tomorrow and then on every following Wednesday.

Postcards and Penpals

2010-08-07T23:25:00.000-04:00

One day on the Etsy forums (in early 2008) someone posted a thread about penpals. They would match you up with another Etsy user as a penpal if you were interested. I have rarely turned down the opportunity for a penpal, so I quickly signed up. I am still in contact with a penpal I was matched with in Grade 4 from OWL magazine, so was hoping to find another great penpal. I've had many through the years, but none that lasted for more than a few years or so, other than the one I met through OWL. I don't think this match could have worked out better. I got matched with Taina who lived in NYC. I was living in the Bay Area, California at the time. We hit it off immediately as you can through letters. Here was the first piece of mail I received in January 2008.

In one of her first few letters, she mentioned that she would probably be using postcards more than letters. I was excited about that because I had a bit of a stationery obsession and had a few postcards sets from Chronicle Books. So since then we have been sending piles of postcards to each other. We would use letter stationery as well, since who can resist Chronicle's stationery sets, but the majority has been postcards.
We've even met in person! In August 2009, I moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Southern Ontario. The following December my sister moved from San Francisco to Brooklyn. This past April and July I drove out to Brooklyn to visit my sister. On both trips, I made sure to spend some time with Taina. Luckily, it wasn't weird and we had great times! Although, the amount of postcards has diminished somewhat, since I have moved back to Canada just because of the price of postage. We used to write whole letters, but use five or six postcards. That's easy to do when it's only 27 cents to send one! Oh, we still send plenty (I don't want to know how much the both of us have spent on stamps!) and are keeping the postal workers busy and hopefully they enjoy seeing all these postcards! Whenever I mailed my Etsy parcels I would usually have a stack of postcards with them. The postal worker always looked at them. I had this one really strange card with carrots dancing, he found this so funny and told me whenever there is a funny or strange card that comes through they all show them to each other. It's nice to think we are adding interest to their day!

I've decided to photograph some of my favourite postcards and put them in this blog. Since I know I will never remember to do this every week, I've taken photos of a bunch today and will time post them! Clever! Stay tuned!

Pyrex

2010-08-07T10:44:00.000-04:00

I have been collecting Pyrex mixing and casserole bowls for years. I am now getting more particular with my collection. This is really to prevent me from buying too much, just like how I only collect hound porcelain dogs and not every single animal Beswick makes. It would be out of control. I am sticking to one colour bowls and the snowflake pattern (I have too many of the other patterns) which I recently discovered. So far, I only have three pieces for this collection and I love them.

New shoes

2010-06-27T22:19:00.001-04:00

New shoes
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

It's always a good day when I get a new pair of shoes. I've had my eye on these Miss Sixty flats, but they were a little pricey. Luckily Browns was having a sale today.

New Hometown.

2010-06-12T20:05:00.000-04:00

Turns out, I have another move coming up. Thunder Bay, here I come. As much as I hate the physical part of moving, I do enjoy learning to love a new place. It's a beautiful city.

There's even a rap video about it!

Newspaper!

2010-06-09T20:34:00.000-04:00

I few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be featured in Carly's great blog. This caught the attention of a Hamilton Spectator reported, which led to my bags being in the paper! Online link here.

Books!

2010-05-24T13:16:00.000-04:00

I love reading, but sometimes I get in a rut and can't figure out what to read next. I usually end up rereading something that is already on my shelf!
Looking for great book recommendations? Check out Flashlight Worthy Books on twitter. He always has some great books to check out.
Right now I am reading Joyce Carol Oates' "A Garden of Earthly Delights". So far, I am really enjoying it. It's great to be back in a good book that I haven't read before.
What is everyone else reading?

Wallpaper

2010-05-23T19:46:00.000-04:00

I saw this amazing wallpaper on the great blog Indie Fixx. I really want to wallpaper a room now. I think I'd better do that when I have my own house. This is somewhat a blown up version of my problem with buying party dresses in anticipation of places I'd have to wear them, in which, I rarely do. Good thing I have a wedding this summer, so I can finally wear my Betsey Johnson party dress I bought a couple years ago. Anyways, now I am afraid I will start buying wallpaper for a house I have yet to own.

New Hound

2010-05-22T19:29:00.001-04:00

New Hound
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

I got a new hound today! He may not be one of my best finds, but there is something quirky about him! He may not be the same class as the Beswicks, but I think they will accept him.

Animal Kitchen

2010-05-17T21:26:00.000-04:00

As you all know, I'm a little obsessed with animals. I have the hugest collection of Berkley Illustration prints. My latest obsession of animal related items are the animal kitchen utensils from Boston Warehouse. I have been collecting these for a couple of years when I first found the whale ice cream scoop. I now own: porcupine dish scrubber, parrot peeler, hippo clip, swordfish bread knife, elephant hook, beaver whisk, woodpecker scissors and the hummingbird cream cheese spreader. They have three different hummingbird ones. One of the ingenious things is that they have three hummingbird ones. Each hummingbird is a different utensil, such as real hummingbirds have species specific beaks. I REALLY want the skunk duster and peacock broom and dustpan.
Here are some examples of this complete awesomeness:

New Echino!

2010-05-15T16:02:00.001-04:00

New Echino
Originally uploaded by theseawithin

This new echino came out a few months ago. I finally had time to make something with it. It took so long because I didn't really have enough fabric to do my usual pleated bags. The way the image is arranged on the fabric is different, since these are "cafe curtains" fabric. I just realized I should try a bag without pleats! I was really happy with how it looked. I think I will make some others.