From the Studio - Summer = Low Tech

Summer is the PERFECT time to do something low tech like write a letter that requires a stamp, bake a cake from scratch, read a book, ride a bike, sit in a shady spot with your favorite friend or animal or make a paper airplane.

From the Studio - Low Tech

Designboom has a wonderful article on Low Tech and I thought they were in my studio/home when they wrote it.

Record Player - got one.
Cassette Tapes - got em' and until last year was listening to tapes in my car.
Radio - I love the radio. It provides peace.
Instruments - I have an acoustic guitar, I can't play worth a darn, but the sound of a man and his guitar makes my heart flutter.
Cameras - I've got my old ones, my grandparents old ones and my pocket Leica takes film.
Polaroid - I have three Polaroid cameras.
PDA - Note pads, little books and Moleskins are my friends.
Which brings us to Letter writing, Postcards and Typewriters, Designboom's words say it perfectly.
Telephone - I have my grandma's turquoise Princess telephone.
Video Games - I haven't played much since Atari.
Children Toys - I am all about simple beautifully designed children toys. Enzo Mari designed a wonderful wooden game, Sedici Animali and Herzensart makes wonderful textile creatures.

I am glad there are other low techies out there.

Not Michael or Farrah

This was a week filled with talk of death.

Although he was not in the category of famous to be known by his first name only, like Michael or Farrah, he was a special creative soul that lived to be 97.

I was lucky to meet him when a family friend invited my dad and I to a blacksmith workshop.

Philip Simmons a master blacksmith, whose designs include wonderful gates throughout Charleston, South Carolina and Brookgreen Gardens.

Here is Mr. Simmons favorite quote reminding us to live a full life.

"If you want your prayers answered, get up off your knees and hustle."

1969 a Good Year - Literature: A Child's Book of Poems

Copyright 1969, A Child's Book of Poems with pictures by Gyo Fujikawa, was one of my favorite childhood books. I remember my dad reading me the poems and looking at the pictures over and over.

Here is the one most visible in my mind and I can hear my dad say with a smile on his face and in his voice, "And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood,".

Happy Fathers Day.

I guess I have always been a romantic.

The Owl and the Pussycat

The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat;
They took some honey, and plenty of money
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
"O lovely Pussy, O Pussy my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!"

Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl,
How charmingly sweet you sing!
Oh! let us be married; too long we have
tarried:
But what shall we do for a ring?
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the bong-tree grows,
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood,
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.

"Dear Pig are you willing to sell for one
shilling
Your ring?" Said the Piggy "I will."
So they took it away and were married next
day
By the turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince and slices of quince
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.

Edward Lear

1969 a Good Year - Music: Johnny Cash

Released on June 4, 1969 Johnny Cash's recording at San Quentin Prison.

Play and share good music for your babies because a song stays with you forever.

From the Studio - A Specially Made Design is Born

Good news mama and papa are happy with little S's birth announcement!
It was a thrill to design, complete from start to send and to be a part of a very special event! Thank you B & E.
A Specially Made Design adventure is born!
If you are interested in "A Specially Made Design" please contact kim@twogirlsandatrailer.com