More Reliable Than A Weatherman: Saint Swithun's Day

Saint Swithun was Bishop of Winchester from 30 October 852 to his death on 2 July 862. His historical importance as bishop is overshadowed by his reputation for posthumous miracle-working. According to tradition, the weather on his feast day (Today, July 15) will continue for forty days.

The name of Swithun is best-known today for a British weather lore proverb, which says that if it rains on Saint Swithun's day, 15 July, it will rain for 40 days.

St Swithun's day if thou dost rain,
For forty days it will remain,
St Swithun's day if thou be fair,
For forty days 'twill rain no more...
If on St Swithun's day it really pours,
You're better off to stay indoors.

In honor of Saint Swithun, today's Etsy Treasury is all about weather.

So chic. Weather Art Work on Vintage French Dictionary Pages from Wall Envy Art.

Rainy Day with My Umbrella Necklace. Love the sweet little raindrop beads on this piece by Lychee Kiss.

I totally dig the hidden skull in The Fantastic Mosaic Sun Card by Blue Moose Art.

The Amigurumi Happy Weather Mobile Pattern is an adorable DIY afternoon project by Amy Gaines.

 

The detail is so subtle and lovely in the painting Winter Rains by artist Kecky.

Beatles + Optimism + Jewelry = Perfection in this Glass Tile Pendant by Lyrical Lady.

 

Possibly the cutest rings ever. The Oh Happy Day/Oh Crappy Day Ring Set by Weasel Factory.

I just melt when I look at Rainy Day (Art Print) by Rosy Designs Online.

 

Each piece is painstakingly cut and positioned in this paper collage to create Lint Bunnie's stunning piece simply titled Weather.

And finally....

Because I am a sucker for vintage postcards I couldn't resist including this Sunshine Motel card from Roadside Photographs.

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Signed, Sealed, Delivered

It is no secret that I love paper. I collect books, magazines, quotations scribbled on millions of little scraps, greeting cards and even notebooks, post-it notes and office supplies. I used to count down the days until I could do shopping for new school supplies. I still love the smell of the library. Most of all - I love mail. Obviously not bills and spam, but letters and postcards are all too rare in this digital age and unexpected treats to find in the post box. 

I have boxes of postcards - vintage, touristy, handmade, photographic, advertisements and more. I seek them out at garage sales and flea markets and friends and family have taken to sending them to me when they are on vacation.  Here are some of my favorite postcards and postcard related finds:

I love vintage postcards like this one.

(Photo courtesy of Collectors Quest)

This is definitely on my list of crafty projects. A diy postcard pillow!

Great Tutorial from Shelter Pop on Manhattan Cleaning.

Retro postcards and travel postcards are so much fun. You can find a great selection at your local kitschy tourist trap.  I also love collage art and this postcard by Juliet Blaxland is a great mix.

Love letters are a lost art but a simple I Love You written on a beautiful postcard is easy enough to come back into style. I love the simplicity of this necklace by Fifty Acorns on Etsy.

If you have never visited Post Secret, you have no idea what you are missing. This popular site features postcards sent in anonymously with other's secrets written on them. It is strangely addicting. 

It's no secret how much I love burlesque and the Metropolitan Postcard Club of New York has an incredible collection of burlesque postcards featuring the original beauties of burly-q and vaudeville.

 

This one by Scarlett Beautiful just makes me laugh.

And finally....

In Chicago in 2007 Threadbare created the Postcard Machine at the Renegade Craft Fair. Check out their YouTube Video to see how it works!

How Can I Control My Life When I Can't Control My Hair?

Confession: While you are talking to me, I am probably thinking about your hair. Sure eyes are great and smiles are important, but nothing wows me as much as a woman with no split ends. Hair is a common theme in my life. As a child I bit my blonde friend with the hopes that my dark locks would lighten. My first paid, published article was based on that very event.  I have dyed my hair with Kool-Aid, Henna, Manic Panic and dye on the market.  It has been every color imaginable except green and blue and it has been cut in just as many styles. I like to sit in a stylist's chair and say, "Surprise me."  But enough about me, here are some other hair obsessed folks who have taken it to greater heights:

At the Imperia Vodka Hair Competition new heights wasn't an exaggeration.  Thanks to Natalie West for the pic!

I might add that Project Runway is another one of my obsessions and Chris March's clothing made with real human hair was one of the most unforgettable collections in the show's history. 

Of course no hair is more unforgettable than Medusa's head of snakes. Even she had to tame her mane as depicted in this great print by artist Nancy Farmer. 

"Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair" Art Print by 2nd Coming cracks me up. 

I also get a good laugh from this Vintage Novelty Hair Dryer.  I feel like you could really freak out the neighbors if they caught a glimpse of you aiming this at your head in the bathroom one morning...

In an ultimate act of patience and recycling, Beijing hairdresser Huang Xin celebrated the 60th anniversary of Communist China’s founding with a replica of the buildings and monuments around Tiananmen Square – all made entirely of human hair. Photo and info courtesy of Mental Floss.

And finally......

What you are looking at is hair.  The NY Times reports: "According to Matter of Trust, a San Francisco environmental charity, the ridged texture that helps hair sop up natural skin oils also make it effective at catching crude. The group began taking donations 10 years ago to create hair mats for smaller spills and have been in the national spotlight since the Gulf oil spill.  Learn more at Matter of Trust's web site.

Good Chemistry

Inspired by the above vintage child's microscope from Bella Lulu on Etsy, today I bring you a treasury of chemistry:

Totally unique home decor - it is a Periodic Table Table seen on http://www.scienceblogs.com/

I have fallen for this Love Molecule Embroidery by It's A Stitch.

Making science delicious - a Periodic Table made of cupcakes! (Seen on Geekologie)

The only time that an element might be called adorable is when it is crocheted by Prima and Plush. My personal favorite is Mr Ammonia (seen above). 

These vintage chemistry lab chairs would look amazing my house - I need to find out where to buy these! (Seen on Flickr)

Represent for your favorite element with Finest Imaginary's gold mirror chemistry necklaces. 

And even if you don't have any interest in chemistry, test tubes, beakers, vintage text books and other science paraphernalia can be used for gorgeous centerpieces for home and event decor:

Photo courtesy of http://www.sunset.com/

Photo courtesy of http://www.prebioticsoup.blogspot.com/

Photo courtesy of The Theme Factory of Philadelphia on Flickr.

My Art-Full Life - Home Decor

I love decorating and I love being crafty. Sometimes the two combine.  In honor of Friday's Living the Art-Full Life posts, I thought I would share with you some of the artsy-crafty goodness that I have been working on in our house:

This was a dark wood, vintage credenza style record player that was all busted up, but the player still worked.  Got it at a garage sale for $20 and created this:
 

Guitar Picks cover the two outer panels

Still working on the side piece. Not quite sure what I plan to do yet!

I also worked on creating a stained glass looking creation on my TV stand.  It is actually just black paint on the outside glass and colored glass painted inside to create the stained glass effect.

An old IKEA lamp became the perfect place to use all the leftover glass bead pieces I have been making over the years.

And below is what may become the newest addition to my site http://www.prettyusefulstuff.com/.  Just need to finish it and decide if I like it as a card or a print:

Are YOU living the Art-Full Life? Tell us all about it - we'd love to feature you and your work!