“Yes. Can I have a pound of the beef grinds, please?”

Oooh. The first time I saw these paper lampshades from Seattle artist Jil Smith years ago, I wanted one. More precisely, I wanted to learn how to make them myself. Like, right then. Aren’t they cool?

I still want to learn how to make these …. hm …. hm ….. hmm …..

Anybody know how to make the frames??

Wow. This is so great.

When we were in Thailand 3 summers ago, I bought this huge, colorful, hand-drawn map of Bangkok full of nifty little details. I saw it, fell in love with it, had to have it. Today, doing some searches, I stumbled across the artist’s site for these very same maps. Now I see she has one of Chiang Mai — where we spent most of our time — which I simply must have, too!

Just take a look at a little corner of her Bangkok map. It’s fun and gorgeous and alive. (Oh, she has some fabulous greeting cards, too.)

Neato-japeeto. I want her to travel everywhere — everywhere, I tell you! — and draw maps so that I may buy them and look at them and fondle them.

From a new site I really like — because I love paper! And other people’s paper!

I love that this isn’t just a list; it is a list! And that the gathering dither suddenly overflows into an Irish brogue: 2 big bags o’ pretz/chips/etc.

Hahahahaha.

So …. during a slow summer afternoon last week at Boheme, I did this to the back of one of my writing journals — you know those composition books that are all black and white and marbly-looking? Yeah, it’s one of those:

I challenged myself to use only what was on hand at the coffeehouse — paper bags, coffee filters, register tape, newspapers, food coloring, coffee for dyeing papers. Oh, and glue. Yes, I keep a glue stick in one of the drawers. Then I gave myself half an hour, just creating what came out of my fingertips first, raw, wrinkly, whatever.

So. Hahaha. There it is. A mixed-media rough draft of sorts.

There’s still time to participate in The 2007 Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest! Hahahahaha.

Here are a couple of pictures of last year’s winner and runner-up:

Okay. Laugh if you must, but I am eating this up! I think it’s fun and creative and amazing. I mean, just look at the detail on these two gowns — all from toilet paper! I love it. Plus, I know Nightfly’s getting married soon and I don’t want him to miss out on an opportunity.

And, uhm, may I say congratulations on your spectacular toilet paper cleave, Bride #1.

More photos here.

Contest closes July 31st.

And you thought TP was just for flushing. Sillies.

You Are Paper

Crafty and creative, you are able to adapt freely to almost any situation. People tend to underestimate you, unless they’ve truly seen what you are capable of. Deep down, you’re always scheming and thinking up new plans. Your mind is constantly active. You are quite capable of anything you dream of. You can always figure out a way to get what you want. You can wrap a rock person up in your sheet of trickery. A scissor person can sneak up and cut you to pieces. When you fight: No one can anticipate your next move If someone makes you mad: You’ll attack them mercilessly when they’re unprepared

Hahahahahahaha! So deeply dumb. I love it.

Please be advised re: my sheet of trickery.

From artist Laini Taylor, these paper doll adornments, each one with a quote to match its theme. I looooove them. So fun.

Go check out her site. Click around. There are lots and lots of these. Can’t you see one hanging from a bedpost or a mirror?

Look at these!

Gorgeous paper quilts from Anna Velez.

Ooooh! This is a happymaker! It makes me want to BE paper, just so I could be that beautiful and that colorful.

Go click around and make yerself happy.

Pappy.