I Capture the Cupboard

I inadvertently took a blog break this week. I'm sorry to have left you high and dry! I assure you, I wasn't doing anything too fun without you. The only thing you missed was my unclogging two stubborn drains in my cupboard. And I cleaned the floors.

In all seriousness, I've been busy with work and reading {!}, the latter being something I've neglected quite a bit this past year. I finished Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle last night, and wow, I was completely moved. The last paragraph in particular. I'm not giving anything away when I say it; knowing that final bit is as good as it is might be a lovely thing to read toward. I was truly reminded of being seventeen and in love, a time as stunning as it was brutal. Cassandra, the narrator, writes the entirety of the story in a series of three journals, and I wish, in my year of heartsickness, I'd thought to do that -- though, in making that wish, I should probably also acknowledge that my experience wasn't half as interesting as hers and would've made a poor, poor novel {lots of hiccupy writing and tear-stained pages, to say the least}.

But, for the sake of a good time, let's just say my story was as compelling as Cassandra's. Next step: finding the journal to house it.

This floral journal by James Journal definitely seems fitting for the English countryside, but is it appropriate for the wretched feelings of an adolescent? Not sure ...

I love that this journal by Baghy uses a buckle as a lock. I'm not generally a fan of leather covered journals {does Moleskine count?} -- something about not being able to separate what I'm holding/looking at, from the animal who met an unfortunate end -- but this one seems old-school and classic, and really perfect for pretending my heart broke while I was living in a castle.

No journal round-up would be complete without a red book, tied tightly though gushing on the inside. This one from La Paperie is probably what I would've picked at seventeen, if not for its color {I wrote much of my depressive and lovelorn poetry in an orange faux-snakeskin journal ... not exactly inconspicuous}, then for some perceived drama in its knotted leather closure.

Ah, yes, a madras journal. This is it for me, friends. Something with a touch of cheekiness, a dash of nostalgia, and a fabric cover? Sign me up. This square journal from May Day Studio is exactly where I'd want to write the story of my first love and all of the dreadful feelings that ensued. Thankfully, I don't have to go back in time and write those chapters. Gosh, I'm really thankful for that. But, if I had no choice, I'd purchase this book, kiss Mr. Original a temporary farewell, and reluctantly climb into the time machine that would bring me back to seventeen.

Thank You!

Thank you all so much for your enthusiasm! What a wonderful way to kick off a new venture of mine. I'm still working out the kinks in the shop {can't quite figure out shipping -- USPS website seems to indicate that my goods would cost eight dollars a piece in postage!}, and would appreciate any and all feedback, plus tips you might have if you're an Etsy seller. My email address is right over there, in the sidebar. I'm grateful for your help.

* * *

In other news, I picked up a used copy of I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith, this afternoon. I'm very excited to fall into it. I remember seeing the film some time ago -- and being quite moved -- but I'm fuzzy on most of the plot. I think I'll really begin it tonight, before bed. What are you reading at the moment?

* * *

I'm completely itching to rearrange everything that's hanging on my cupboard walls. I've been digging simple compositions, and I sometimes feel as though I've got too much going on in such a small place {hence, I suppose, its museum cupboard-ishness!}. Would I be happy if I simplified? Hmm. I'm not entirely sure I'm sold on the concept. Still ...

Lotta

I've been flipping through this book these last few days, seeking inspiration from one of the best possible sources. Sometimes, just seeing how another person lives is a goldmine unto itself.

Leaves

I know it's officially summer and we're thrilled with it, but I have a confession: I'm more of an autumn gal than anything else and, while I'm delighted by my freckled shoulders, bare feet in grass, and the smell of sunscreen on Mr. Original, I adore the moment when the leaves go amber and pumpkin, and I can resume my quest for the best hot chocolate in town. Here's a little autumn indulgence for those of you who are like me.

Look here, here, here, here, and here.


{Poplar Print by MWilson}

To Shop Or Not To Shop, But Definitely To Make

I realize I've been posting quite a lot about shopping, and I want to clear up a few things, not so much for your benefit {you all graciously humor my Etsy habit} as for my own. I know many bloggers were working on a spending hiatus some time ago {some, bravely, still are}, and I so appreciate their efforts to spend more thoughtfully, mainly because it's prompted me to stop and think about what I really need and how I can realize and admire an object's beauty or appeal without making it my own. This has been invaluable for me, especially now that I'm no longer earning a graduate student stipend and am currently living on very, very little {I should add that I'm doing so happily -- honest!}.

Anyway, I want to clarify the nature and aim of The Museum Cupboard, again, for my own benefit. All of what I post here is posted because it inspires me in some way. I hope never to come across as encouraging mindless spending or suggesting that I am someone who has many material wants. Really, I'm trying to gather bits from all over this creative planet, arrange them in my cupboard, and then think about the spectrum of my own creativity and talent. I love seeing and showing you what people are selling out there because those items tell a story about a person figuring out his or her ability to make, and sharing it. I thank all of you for visiting me here and showing interest in my sources of inspiration and in the things I create.

Which brings me to this: I just recently tuned in to the blog, Mer Mag, and found that Merrilee and I share a penchant for handmade things like this:

This is a book made of scrap paper, something Merrilee found here, and was originally found here. This would be a delightful project, especially if all those scraps were collected from friends and family, and bound into a book with a lot of soul. Maybe I should solicit my loved ones for their scraps ... ?

Something Else, Heartfelt

A book of love letters from over the centuries, personalized by me. I'll include glassine envelopes with notes to my friend and her husband-to-be, pressed flowers, and suggestions for special date nights. These bits will be tucked randomly throughout the book. For example, Lewis Carroll writes to May Mileham, "Thank you very much indeed for the peaches. They were delicious. Eating one was almost as nice as kissing you: of course not quite: I think, if I had to give the exact measurement, I should say 'three-quarters as nice.'" Tucked into this page, I might suggest: Buy a peach. A ripe one. Bite into it, chew, and swallow -- then offer the peach to your lover, and suggest he do the same. Kiss. Repeat bite-kiss procedure. Debate which is best ... ;)

A Homemade Life

I'm so very behind on reading all of your blogs and commenting. I feel itchy because I feel I'm missing many things ... like hanging out with you all in your cupboards. Lately, life has been full of grading students' papers and having bad dreams about my students grading me {last night, I got a D+ from one of them}; listening to a heartbroken friend in a pitch-dark backyard, trying to convince her it will get better because it has to; needing, myself, to emote {with tears} rather often; and wondering {and worrying about} how another friend will cope, following her double mastectomy two days ago. There is a lot going on in these first couple days of sunshine after all that rain.

I just bought Molly Wizenberg's book yesterday, because I need to slow the heck down. I need to cook and bake for the people I care about and allow myself to nurture them, because sometimes, that's all there's left to do when things are crumbly and gaping. I've never been much of a cook. I use my microwave more than I'd like to admit. I eat when I have time, and don't when I don't. These are things I'd like to change, especially now that I'm in a period of transition in my life and could probably implement some {better} habits.

Do you have any tips? Words of wisdom? How did you develop a relationship with the kitchen?

Mine!

So, this one I couldn't put out there until I purchased it myself:

It's a vintage illustration page from the story, Wake Up, City!, written and illustrated by Roger Duvoisin, featured in the Weekly Reader in 1950 {he also did the book Petunia, in case the name's ringing a bell}. I think it's just too sweet. The colors and drawing style remind me of books I read as a child. Check out Olive Someday's Etsy shop for more.

April Showers

Nonstop rain throughout last night and into this morning. I'm thinking the rain boots will have to come out to play. Trying to finish the work I should've finished Sunday evening, but didn't. My motivation?

Getting to look at this book

... full of images like these

... later on, this evening.


{All original photography by Debi Treloar}

The End

Guess what, friends ... I just finished my MFA thesis! I wasn't particularly vocal about what it is I've been working on when I'm not loitering on your blogs--because this space is a different kind of outlet for me--but I can't keep this exciting part to myself. Last night, the final words were typed. Eyes were bleary. Copies were bound. I'm feeling pretty darn good.

Friday Night

Reading tonight. Unfortunately, not from these shelves. Soon enough, my priorities will shift again, and it will be wonderful to have a new set of projects in front of me.

Journal, Anyone?

So, I have a notebook obsession. I know I'm not alone. As I start my Saturday of {I hope} productivity, I thought I'd share with you some of the notebooks that have made the cut in the past {because, you know, with an obsession, it's all about hoarding ... some notebooks feel too pretty to write in and remain in the cupboard, untouched}. The five notebooks below are ones that have freed me -- have allowed my handwriting to grow loose and occasionally illegible, my sentence fragments to linger unfinished, and my best ideas to march forth onto the page.

Do you have a preferred notebook? Do you buy the same one again and again? Lined or unlined? Hard cover or soft? Give me the details.

Spade's an Ace

Remember those color combinations of two weeks ago? Well, Kate Spade has an excellent book that probably most of you have heard about, called Style. In it, she plays around with the unexpected and personal in both color and design. Here are a few great pages {click to enlarge}:

Tune in tomorrow for a new little project I'm thinking about ... There's a clue in one of the photos above.

The Love-Life of Animals

Found last year at a junk shop for $1. The illustrations are my favorite part! A few of the less scientific {and less lascivious!} ones would be great for a handmade valentine next February.

An Auction

The talented Leanne Shapton {of Elle Magazine fame} has written an incredibly innovative "novel" set in the form of an auction catalog. I'd read about this in the back of the most recent Elle and knew I had to get my hands on it. Shapton's book preps us for an auction -- to take place on Valentine's Day of this year -- of all the possessions associated with a now-ended relationship between {the fictional} Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris.

I just bought this book last night, so I'm loathe to flip through it too much until I really have the time to sit down and commit to a session of reading. But I thought I'd at least tell you about it. How fascinating to render a relationship using all of the physical evidence it leaves behind ...