Random Acts of Stationery: Stiletto Heights Steampunk

I remember about two months ago I typed "Steampunk Stationery" into the Etsy search function and didn't get a SINGLE FREAKING RESULT! Actually, I swear I've been typing that in there off and on for a year and all I got was that absolutely adorable Steampunk Shrew... but then again that probably wasn't on Etsy.

Needless to say, I was absolutely ecstatic when I typed "steampunk stationery" into etsy once again and ACTUALLY got a result... lots of results, even! From more than one vendor! Yay! It isn't what I'd call flooded with results, but even just one is more than enough to make me thoroughly overjoyed (and maybe a little sad, I had aspirations of selling my own... still do - if only I knew how to make stationery).

This post is all about the lovely Mixed Media artwork and stationery offerings of one Jennifer Gordon aka Stiletto Heights. Though her work isn't specifically Steampunk, there is something delightfully Steamy about the combination of old photographs and script (much of which appears to be from antique letters). I'm sure some of the photography is actually quite new, but she gives it an aged sepia/greened copper wash that is really quite stunning. Her artwork is romantically tragic seeming and I would just love to have a wall smothered in her prints. Actually I want this in my dining room, but that's an entirely different matter!

Her stationery selection is actually somewhat limited, but that selection is brilliant. You just really can't get a steamier look than these note cards:



So, if you're a fan of steampunk - go for it! Buy some birthday cards for your Steamy pals and, best of all, support an artist!

Random Acts of Me: Am I back?

I hope I'm back! I don't know if I am though, because right when I've settled into not having a job again and enjoying summer vacation, my boss calls to ask me back to work again! Oh Noez! Ok, so I'm really quite happy that I have employment, but I really was just about to start posting again. My new goal is find out how to juggle everything that I do. Of course, seeing as how I've added vegetable gardener, house organizer, and cross stitcher to the list of things that I do, I might very well fail MISERABLY!

Oh well, miserable failure makes for a much more dramatic story, don't you think?

Anyway, we'll see what happens! I've got a stack of six casual reading books plus one patio gardening book awaiting me, not to mention the cross stitch kit that's in the mail, so I better get to work not being lazy!

Bummer too - I was *really* starting to get used to sitting next to my pool every day!

Random Acts of Me: News of my death is grossly exaggerated

Hello world! I'm sure you all hate me as much as I hate myself right now for a number of reasons. Well, one big reason really - I haven't updated in ages!! Obviously I receive an EPIC FAIL on my resolution to post on here every day. I've even had to let Against the Nothing fall completely by the wayside, because now I don't even have time to read!

I'm trying to make sure I have a smidge of time for writing letters, but even that is proving difficult. Which is why I am here to tell you.. well.. why!

I got a job! It isn't particularly glamorous, but it is proving to be very enjoyable because I have a lovely coworker who amuses me all day long and that's really all I need to keep me happy. I don't even make very much money; I'm just happy to be working even if I theoretically don't *need* to work because my husband's job provides up with a nice living, I *need* to work so that I don't go insane and I was definitely beginning to feel my mind slipping into ennui (such a pretty word for such a dismal thing).

Anyway, so I will do my best to continue to post here, but I genuinely can't promise anything. I'm up and at 'em from 6:30 in the morning until about 8:30 at night - dealing with the kids and work and the house and everything else. By the time I get to sit all I really want to do is... well... sit! The majority of my blog feeds are filling up to ridiculous levels in the meantime, so I'm cutting back on that too! But not on the special blogs :) My stationery and my steampunk and my web comics and my friend's sites are all safely tucked away in my feed and they make me very happy after a (way too) long day.

This saddens me terribly because I just discovered I have a new follower! 365 Letters is written by Carla and she endeavors to write a letter every day this year! I can't compete with that, that's for sure! Anyway, I'm in love with her blogs now and would just LOVE to get a letter from her (hopefully she's reading this and sends me one)!

I would love to get letters from everyone who happens upon this blog, I really would! And I promise that those who write me will DEFINITELY get a letter back if they so wish. After all, April-May is still National Card and Letter Writing Month, so get cracking!

I promise I will do my best to at least post occasionally about my favorite topics so that this blog doesn't completely die while I'm working; it's only a 2-3 month contract at work and I'll need my lovely blog to come back to!

In the meantime - I hope you're all having a lovely spring!!

Random Acts of Stationery: April is National Letter Writing Month!

As much as it shames me, I have to make a confession: I rarely write letters.

I know! I know... I'm a terrible human being and should be banned from the stationery world for such a complete betrayal of the most basic tenet of stationery culture - it must be USED! I realize I have a collection that I never plan on using, but most of it I don't even like and the rest is antique and too precious to use. That's my excuse anyway. I think I'll use the stuff I don't like to make my own stationery.

But I digress. Starting April 1st it is National Letter Writing Month, at least some people say it is, and I've chosen to believe those people because it gives me a wonderful reason to write a bunch of letters and maybe even recieve a few. It ends on May 10th (Mother's Day!), so you have just enough time to send a letter to your mum! I fully realize that letter writing is not exactly a popular endeavor in today's busy world, but it really does show someone that you care enough to take the *time* to write them instead of dashing off a quick email or text message (this includes employers for you people that might be looking for work). Plus, there's something quite meditative and relaxing about taking that time for yourself.


Stationery Set from Ecrater

Now I will share with you Samara O'Shea's top five reasons to write a letter, because I totally agree with ALL of them:


1. The Test of Time - Provided you don't tear up your box of love letters in the face of a bad break up, you will have them your whole life. Your grandchildren can find them in the attic someday, and they'll then meet a young version of you who they never knew. Much of what we know of history comes from letters. Letters are a chance for all of us to leave a legacy.

2. The Sincerity Factor - Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of e-mail and the occasional text message, but they don't take much time. The people we love are worth our time and effort. A letter is a tangible testament to how much the recipient means to us or how grateful we are for something that person has done (a la thank-you notes).

3. Let the Language Live On - We have access to English--a lovely, complicated language--and we rely on short, clumsy acronyms and emoticons to express ourselves. Which would you prefer?

A text message that says: I Luv U

A letter that says: My dear Girl I love you ever and ever without reserve. The more I have known you the more have I loved. In every way--even my jealousies have been agonies of love, in the hottest fit I ever had I would have died for you. (Excerpt from a letter written by John Keats in March 1820).

4. I Hate Junk Mail - Don't you? A handwritten envelope found amidst catalogs and credit card bills is the equivalent of a still-cold canteen in the middle of the desert. It's refreshing and gives you reason to keep going.

5. Letters Save Lives - Amnesty International has effectively used letters to plead on behalf of human rights for over 40 years. The Global Aids Alliance Web site also asks its visitors to write letters to local government officials and heads of states. They offer e-mail as an option but suggest that printed letters send a stronger message. They provide form letters but also implore, "Please write your own letter--your words are more powerful than a form letter!"

In honor of National Letter Writing Month, it is my goal to write... well... I'm very leniant on myself so I'm just going to say... A whole BUNCH of letters! I have no idea how many, but lots! If you would like me to write you a letter you can email me at dark_honor at hotmail, I promise all you'll recieve is a pleasant letter, not any pornographic pictures or strange powders (unless you're into that kind of thing, but I'm pretty sure it's illegal anyway). I can't guarantee there won't be swearing though, I do swear a lot. I also recommend encouraging your goblins to engage in this event because letters really are an incredibly wonderful thing that everyone enjoys recieving - especially if they're from cute little kiddos (hopefully they're cute anyway)!

If you would like to write ME (which I would love for you to do because that would just be so much fun!) I got a PO Box just for the occasion!

Loopdilou
PO Box 1926
Aptos, CA 95001-1926

If you'd like me to write back you can include your address, if you don't then don't! Simple as that. I will share with everyone when I recieve your letters, however I will not include any details (so you don't have to worry about anybody else stalking you - just me!). Oh, and I only read/speak English so bear that in mind!

Of course, the most important thing is that you try not to be an ungrateful wretch and write your mother.


Outside: Don't Roll Your Eyes At Me, Young Lady
Inside: Thanks for helping me see things clearly. Happy Mother's Day
Available at She's So Creative

Once again, National Letter Writing Month starts April 1st and goes through Mothers' Day on May 10th! So get crackin'!

Random Acts of Stationery: Nastee Notes

Hopefully you all know by now that my favorite stationery is stationery with a bite. I like snarky, sarcastic... Too be blunt, I like my stationery a little bit nasty! So imagine my shock when I discovered that the woman behind one of my favorite blogs, Vanessa the Paper Chick, has a fantastic line of stationery called Nastee Notes! I think I'm in love! Vanessa, will you have my paper children?

Seriously! Stationery covered in expletives! OMFG! It's freaking brilliant! This post is quickly turning into a "We're not worthy" sycophantic rant, so I'm going to share a couple of my favorites with you.

From Vanessa's Real Nastee collection is the card I'm going to throw at my husband next time he asks me if I want to have sex and I *really* don't want to:



Love you lots, but get the fuck away from me.

If you're afraid the kids might be looking over your shoulder when you check out the shop, maybe you should just head directly to the Not So Nastee section. A little less swearing, but just as much snark!

For my sister (who I love to death, but she's such an easy target), perhaps this little gem (get it? Vanessa decorates with crystals!):


You're not the brightest bulb in the pack ...but at least you're pretty!

Vanessa - if I ever get up the guts to open my own Stationery store - you're going to have to be one of my suppliers. I fucking insist! :)

Meanwhile, if you like her stationery I recommend checking out her other products at Blue Sugar Press and Vanessa Cavaco Designs, because we can't all be nasty all of the time.

Steampunk my Holiday: Happy St. Pat's!

Honestly, this is actually just an excuse to share some fashion with you (as if I need an excuse). To me, St. Patrick's day is about two things: Booze and the color green. I have no idea how the tradition of getting pinched if you don't wear green started, but I think it's brilliant - Enforced fashion requirements! Brilliant! Rather like no white after labor day (or is that memorial day? whatever), if you don't wear green on St. Pat's you will face the consequences! Muwahahaha! (Sadly, this custom isn't allowed in many schools anymore, which is just criminal)

Anyway, I definitely have one way to turn your St. Patrick's day a little bit more Steampunk. First off, why not drink the original green booze? That's right folks - Absinthe! Mmmmmm... We love absinthe for it's torrid history, and because it was hugely popular during the Victorian Era. Plus, it's GREEN!



The next thing we cannot live without on St. Patrick's day is the shamrock! St. Patrick used the shamrock to illustrate the holy trinity when he brought Catholicism to Ireland. And though I think that's a bunch of blarney, it's still probably the most common symbol of the holiday. Luckily, the lovely people of Gizmodgery have created a beautiful four-leaf clover to give the wearer some good Steampunk luck!


Sadly, this product is sold out - but I'd keep an eye out for it for next year!

However, you really need to have a strong foundation for your lovely broach and that perfect bottle of absinthe, which is why I took a jaunt through Polyvore to find the perfect Steampunk outfit. And I did! Then I decided to create my own! WEEE! How fun!


Slighty Steampunk St. Patrick's Day - by Loopdilou on Polyvore.com

Ok, so it really ended up less steamy and more can-can, and less green and more black - but it's still hella sexy! I totally couldn't pull it off, but it would look awesome on a hottie. Someone out there please volunteer to wear this and take pictures, so I can drool and be seriously jealous!

In the meantime, Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone! Go get rip roaring drunk and dance a jig!

Steampunk my Purse

I was catching up on my feed from the Steampunk fashion Community and my eyes nearly jumped out of their sockets when I saw... PURSES!!

Though I have to admit I didn't even use a purse until about two years ago (I carried a wallet around in my back pocket, not very attractive), now I just love purses. I still can't actually afford any decent purses and use one that I stole from my sister, but that doesn't mean I can't go SQUEEE! every time I see one that I like. And I just happen to really like Steampunk fashion! Subtle Steampunk fashion anyway.

Ante Kovac isn't even American. Actually, I have no idea what country he's from. All I know is I can't read a damn thing on his website because it's all in some cyrillic (or something) language. However, since I can't buy anything anyway, his products are lovely to look at!

This is one of my favorites. All of his purses are made out of rich leathers and most have beautifully pronounced stitching. This one is adorned with a beautiful victorian style painting that adds that perfect Neo-Victorian Steampunk element that I cherish:



Quite a few of the purses have paintings, so I recommend looking through all of them to see if any catch your eye/match your style! Part of what is so amazing about his purses is the in the shaping. There is a cat and mouse purse, one that is reminiscent of two hands entwined, but what *I* really like is when he combines multiple purses into one greater purse, like this:



It's just brilliant! Purses are chock full of pockets anyway, so why not turn those pockets into seperate but combineable purses? My frugal side just LOVES that you can get three purses for the price of one!!



GENIUS! But not everyone likes rugged leather purses, some of us might prefer a purse that's a bit more high fashion. So how about a purse from Kate Spade? Just enough of the Marion Librarian look for me!



Now, if Kate Spade seems a bit pricey (designers tend to be) then you could always search for a bargain on Ebay. Foshizzle. Just throw "Steampunk Purse" into their search engine and VOILA! The selection isn't huge, but I definitely got all wobbly kneed when I saw this one!



SQUEE! Again, I just love the color and the Steamy embellishments aren't so over the top that I'd feel like an idiot carrying it around. Plus, wouldn't that go just fabulous with a fabulous pair of steamy shoes like these?



Wearing an outfit like this?!



I think I've died and gone to Teal Steampunk Heaven!

So go forth and find your Steamy purses! Keep Steampunk in the realm of reality and not cosplay (no offense, but I'm really NOT into the cosplay side of Steampunk). We can convert fashion one victim at a time!

Random Acts of Stationery: Zombies!

In today's Adventures in Etsy I decided to look for some zombies! Surely, I thought, there's no way they can turn zombies into cute and cuddly creatures (well, unless you're Shaun of the dead and you lock your bff up in a shed with video games).

But look! A cute zombie!!



Of course, *technically* that's a mummy - but beggars can't be choosers. Also, I don't recommend spreading around that zombies can be cute or everyone will want one (which is actually a more common theme in zombie movies than you might think)! That cutie pie was created by Blue Eyed Duck Studios and isn't the only cute thing they've got going on. The use of bold colors and strong lines actually reminds me of Mexican Artwork, and indeed she calls this 'Folk Art'. The cards are on high quality card stock (of course) and some are hand embellished after printing, which just sounds lovely!

However, I can't handle too much cute (of course) so here's another card that is technically NOT a zombie but is about zombies and that counts too. Plus, it's totally awesome.



Squee! I would be so flattered if I recieved that card, seriously! Or this one:



The former is from Pretty Messes, she has some very nice designs but the latter card is from Tina Seamonster and she's got a whole shop full of zombie goodness! I won't show it all but I'm definitely going to be buying some babies the shirt that says "Sometimes I worry about zombies"!

I'm not sure when an appropriate time would be to send cards such as these, but I did see at least one for Valentine's Day and one Birthday card. OR you could always plan a spontaneous zombie plague event and send these cards out as invitations! Brilliant!

To my loyal readers: "When the zombie plague comes, I will love you enough to put you out of your brain-eating misery."

Now show someone you care and send them their very own zombie stationery.

Random Acts of Meme: Your Blog is Fabulous!

My dearest Mulluane (who is totally fabulous because she likes to make me famous and is.. also just generally fabulous) has tagged me with this meme and I suspect it's because I say "FABULOUS!" quite often (I blame Ab Fab). However, it could be because I am fabulous!!



Now, I am supposed to list five things I am obsessed with and can't live without (though I suspect those things are obvious) because they're fabulous! Then I'll tag five other poor souls (who are FABULOUS) who must accept this most fabulous honor even if they don't want to. Because I'm cruel like that.

1.) Internet access. OMG I would totally die without you! *hugs her modem*

2.) Stationery!! Isn't that obvious? I mean, it's all I ever talk about!

3.) Books! I like to caress them *creepy smile*

4.) TV. If it weren't for USA I would have to kill myself every summer and winter break.

5.) Cigarettes - because I'm a disgusting addict and wannabe Euro-trash.

Now for 5 victims *evil grin*

Miss AmyTree of The Expatriotic Exptatriate because she's by far the most fabulous person I know and should totally post pictures of herself in her fabulous clothing. I want to move right next door to her and drink tea and vodka gimlets all the time whilst dressing in her fabulous costumes and yelling at teenagers.

The FABULOUS Duke of The World in the Satin Bag because Men can be fabulous too! Plus, i have a contract with him that says I must give him props at least once per month or be smited.

The most wunderhausen Kimber An of Young Adult Science Fiction because we share a similar passion for fabulous young adult fiction! LOVE IT!

Vanessa the Paper Chick because even if she doesn't know me she totally rocks the paper world with her blog of fabulous paper finds!

Last, but most definitely not least Mr. John Bierly is a most fabulous lover of movies and muses and he hasn't complained about me stalking him even once.

You may go now.

Drinking game - take a shot every time I say FABULOUS! You'll be drunk in no time.

Random Acts of Stationery: Spring is in the Air and so is Cutesy Crap.

I'm not sure what is about the lifting of winter and the coming of spring that makes all the stationery designers of the world go, "OOooooo! Girly time!" I think they're all rutting or something.

What does that mean? It has suddenly become even more difficult to find dark or snarky stationery.

However - it still does exist out there in non-cheesy forms (I'm not a big fan of art print cards), you just have to dig a bit deeper.

I was able to find a beautiful card at Sushipot's Shop on etsy. She creates stunning collages of vintage materials and then glues them to rich card stock. This is my favorite "dark" piece - appropriate for any mad scientist, denizen of hell, or your mom maybe:



I love the rich antique tones and grim anatomy of the skull. Suwheet!

Snew, whom I initially found because of her excellent retro rocket ship stationery, also seems to agree that anatomy is fantastically gruesome and therefore perfect for printing on card stock. Bravo!



But if anatomy is too much for your delicate constitution, then perhaps you'll consider purchasing something more subtly menacing. For instance, the cards of Betty Death 2 are very Hitchcockian and faintly Victorian. Her stationery is appropriately "grim" and "somber," which suits me just fine, thank you. I am particularly enamored of the card she describes as: "5 bright red birds adorn a bold black winter tree and the surrounding stark white sky. This card is potent, beautiful and exudes a murky mystery that is nothing short of captivating." Thinking of murdering someone? Why not send them this subtle hint?



I'm totally convinced Poe would have LOVED that card. And he's my hero so I love it too.

If you prefer something a little more... uhhh... straightforward, check out Goth Cupcake. She's my type of girl:



Simple, declarative statements are the BOMB! I think I'll send that to my husband next Valentine's Day 'cause I know he'll forget my almond roca AGAIN!

Last, but certainly not least, if you insist on having a little bit of 'cute' in all the stationery you send then I totally recommend the products of Mischievously Cute. She totally rocks the cute goth shit scene. Seriously.



(Honestly, I'm hoping I can steal her designs and print my daughter some t-shirts or something 'cause how CUTE are those little guys? I might be kind of a wench but I'm still a GIRL people! And, ergo, a total sucker for cute goth dolls) Unfortunately, Mischievously Cute only offers her designs in PDF files and doesn't bother printing them out herself. Though this makes good fiscal sense, it's a total bummer. I'd love to buy a set of cards with that pitiful panda on the black and pink checkered background. Life is such a bummer.

I can be so Emo sometimes.