Lisa Hoffman

New Banner!!!!

For my friends with those "readers" that send you a single post in an email, thus allowing you to do an end run and NOT go to a Blog site......fuggetaboutit!.....come over to my Blog. You HAVE to see the new banner that my pal Matt Wood created!....I design, he waves the magic wand and POOF!!!!...there it is. Jealous? ...well have I got news for YOU? Yeah, I DO. Soon. Stay tuned for more details.

Good Stacks

This is a good month to Attack the Stacks. Here in usually-dry Colorado, we can no longer boast that although it's cold, ..."it's a DRY cold...." .....cause it's NOT. Not this year. It's humid and the wind is raging. The next day it's back up to 60. People are sneezing and staggering as they try to regain their climatic equilibrium. Pull out the down jacket. Put it away. Oy. In the meantime, let's curl up and read while we dream about that NEXT project. The one on the art table, or outside (maybe not) or the manuscript waiting on the Mac. The stack that you see above is what I'm reading NOW....

Above^ This is what's simmering on my coffee table.

The stack above is one that you might trip over pretty much ANYWHERE in my house. I found a great site that's probably old news to you: GoodReads. It's an on-line community (yes, ANOTHER one) that allows you to post & rate books that you've read, are currently reading, intend to read, and your review if you so desire. You connect with friends and look at THEIR info. I've only posted some artbooks so far. Lazy. I need to get ON it.

Hey, while I have your attention (do I?), I have to mention that I have a brand-spanking-new banner finished and waiting to be Blasted Up There. Maybe around the end of the week. The fabulous Matt Wood once again makes my crazy ideas a reality. Stay tuned.

 

Open up, here's your Daily Dose....

...wait though, it's actually GOOD news!....one half hour exercise A WEEK???? well, oKAY. if you have less than 10 minutyes to watch this well executed chat by Mike Evans and illustrator Liisa Sorsa (her drawing is BRILLIANT) you'll feel way better. Oh, but one thing to remember is this.....regarding the term "Screen Time", we all think "T.V.", but as far as your health goes, THAT INCLUDES COMPUTER SCREENS. Ah, not quite as dismissive now, are we? At first you may think: "oh, I already KNOW this stuff...." some you DO, but the newsflash re how little time it takes is new. And cool. And inspiring. I love my readers and I want us both to THRIVE. Go see:

 

Ta Da!...the evolution of a Solution

Motivated by my friend Michelle's genius Street Team Challenge, I decided to turn a "to-do" into a "Ta-Da!"

Problem-o Numero Uno.....See Below. Too much Washi Tape. Can't find the one that I'm looking for. Why? It's always at the bottom of a box! by the way, that IS Lotta Jansdotter washi tape in the box. Frannie shoved it into my Hanukkah bag this year. kiss kiss kiss. I digress. The Problem:

I was kvetching to my ever-handy Handyman Paul that I have NO wallspace to add anything that would hang and get stuff off the table but remain EASY TO GRAB. Like the patient guy he is, I was assured that there was NO cause for anxiety. We talked. He designed. He hit the lumberyard. He hammered & sawed. I screamed with joy. Have a look. Fairly useless Wall BEFORE:

Paul keeping his hand-wringing client Happy. "....you just stay over there and relax..."

Did I mention that he has a soothing South African accent? He does.

OKay, now for the AFTER and the "Ta-Da!!!" below:

Yeeee-HA!. Okay, so now I have to say that MY "Ta-Da!" is really Paul's "Ta-Da!". Here comes the accent:

"....well done YOU!".

Maybe not pretty, but pretty functional! No holes in the brick. Good.

And Happy New Year to my Readers....You are the Creative Juice. The Faithful Minions of Generosity. Thanks. Thanks and Thanks.

 

 

 

The Porcelain Unicorn and Happy New Year!

My friend Faun sent me this link and it seemed the most inspiring way to connect and start our New Year. The studio is now squeaky clean and creativity can now resume. Whew. Thank you all for joining me on this Blog. I hope to keep you entertained and amused. Maybe not "Seth McFarlane" amused, but amused nonetheless. By the way, did you know that in addition to being a genius writer and annimator, Seth is a musician and vocalist? He shares a voice coaching duo with Barbara Streisand. I heard him sing today on FRESH AIR and almost passed out. Okay. That's my tip for now.

Go watch this quick film. Legendary British film director Sir Ridley Scott launched a global film making contest for aspiring directors. It's titled "Tell It Your Way". There were over 600 entries. The film could be no longer than 3 minutes, contain only six lines of narrative & be a compelling story. The winner was "Porcelain Unicorn" from American director Keegan Wilcox.

 

How about a little Pick-Me-Up?

This is just about the time that we realize the Holidays are close. Very, very close. Lists, cards, gifts, MAILING gifts, ordering and making making making. All this woven into your usual daily tapestry. How about a little break?...

Next up, the story of how I'm ONE degree of separation from THIS adorable, smart young actor. I've suggested that they rip down the billboard and cram it into a giant scrapbook:

His movie is due soon and a close pal is going to the Red Carpet Opening and After-Party with Thomas (the star-boy), Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. Yes, I'm a Jealous Wreck but I've given her VERY strict instructions regarding the observation of EVERY detail. Holiday Joy, Dear Readers!

Marcel the Shell 2

I've been immersed in studio purging for DAYS. Don't ask but here's a hint: Clorox, a shop vac and Micky's clan. That's what I get for keeping birds in my studio (yes, they're in a cage). I WILL say that the assault seems to be over and there is about 50% fewer things occupying MY Wallstreet. I know, and right at HOLIDAY time. So after the daily exodous of stuff into my trusty pickup, I cheered myself up by visiting the brilliant Roz Stendahl's Blog. Lord have Mercy, this woman's talented. I found this little video on her Blog. It actually made my laugh and feel less overwhelmed, so I thought that Thanksgiving might be a great day to post a creative get-away. Maybe I've inhaled too much clorox, but I think it's magical....

 

More from MIchael

If you read my previous post, you know that I'm loving this book. I found a new video today that gives you a better look. Is it possible to buy or make small, deeply personal gifts BEFORE the Holiday crush?....I try every year. We'll just have to see. Enjoy this clip weather you're going to sweep up the book or not:

 

Come and get it!

Now HERE'S a fabulous combination: Superstar illustrator, designer and friend of this Blog, Maira Kalman and brilliant writer Michael Pollan, author of THE OMNIVORE'S DILEMA, and more. As soon as I received my copy of FOOD RULES, I used the back of my arm to swipe every other book off my table and dove, head first, into this charming and informative little book. Few things make me happier than looking at Maira's work, paintings that appear in books (hers as well as others) as well as her Blog for the NY Times. You can also enjoy Kalman tee shirts and all the visual goodness that she and deceased-but-ever-present-in-the-design-World husband, Tibor Kalman brought to us in the form of M & Company. Pretty much COOL TIMES TWO.

Reimagining FOOD RULES by adding a few, (and Maira's work, of course!) has kicked the reading experience up a few zillion notches. The rules are familiar and fun: ...if it came from a plant, eat it. If it was made in a plant, don't. Also: ...have a glass of wine with dinner. Add beautiful and FUN illustrations and you have the perfect package. Here's Maira's painting below, in response to Michael's asking her to illustrate the book: "...I said two things, first, YES. Absolutely YES. Second, that Cheese Doodles had a beloved place in our family history..." 

I wanted you to see Michael on Stephen Colbert's show. It's from HuLu so you may have to sit through an ad. Sorry, but it's worth it. Happy Seasonal eating, reading and giving! 

 

Use UP that stuff ....

I've promised myself that I'm going to burn through that fabric stack in creative ways, if it takes me til the end of time ....which is likely. Especially since I only sew straight lines. Here's one way to do it:

Above?...typical pile of cool fabric. WHAT was I thinking??!!! okay, from THAT, to this:

...which is useful for wrapping packages. I just sat down in front of a movie with a rotary cutter and slashed. Next step?...stitch. And stitch. And stitch. The sizes don't line up and I barely trimmed the hanging threads. VERY zen. My mantra?..."who cares? now really, who cares?.." very liberating.

package ready for shipping. Lotsa fabric used?...yes, mission accomplished. I just chop off the length of "string" that I need for each package. Ready for the Holiday season?...no, I'm not either...