{Music Monday} Music to draw...

My 4yr old is like a little, curious sponge & I find it fascinating. I bought, Here Comes Science (They Might Be Giants) for him when he was 1 in total anticipation for the day he would love listening to it. I forgot about it until I was cruising through the itunes library in our old computer a few weeks ago (we recently moved the computer into my studio). The album came with very cool videos to the songs as well & Sayer & I re-discovered them one rainy Saturday while we were in the studio together. It was absolutely the most timely & perfect discovery. While he loves the entire album (the solar system is also drawn frequently), he is particularly taken with the Bloodmobile. 

He listens, sings, & draws the song non-stop. When he watches the video, he pauses it - draws something- plays it - pauses it - draws - plays... you get the idea. He loves the "H" (for human body) encyclopedia at grandma & grandpa's house & uses our anatomy books when he is home as reference. He draws the insides of the human body whenever he gets a chance. It can entertain him for a long time. There are little pieces of paper, big pieces of paper & sketchbooks full of pictures around the house. I find the heart, lungs, & kidneys everywhere. He & Chris even made a human heart & lungs in clay the other day- they're just waiting to be fired in the kiln. 

Sayer always draws whatever he is interested in at the time, obsessively. For awhile, it was presidents & money. There were little pieces of green paper with George Washington or Obama scattered about. So, I'm always curious as to what I will find in his cubby at preschool. His teachers are awesome about encouraging individuality & his cubby is usually overflowing. Last week, while everyone else had soft, & fluffy cotton ball covered sheep puppets, this was Sayer's ... 

Wow, that's powerful music that can inspire such dedication. When I think about what is really playing in my studio these days... I have to be honest-  it's Here Comes Science most of the time (it is quickly changed when I have the place to myself). Sayer got to go to the doctor today for his yearly check up & had the opportunity to share all of his drawings, new knowledge & Bloodmobile love - so how could I not choose this song for Music Monday? Happy Music Monday everyone! What is on repeat in your ipod/stereo? 

{Vintage Inspiration} Elephant Love...

Every once & awhile, I run into something at a thrift/antique shop that makes me goofy with excitement & Friday I had one of those moments. I stopped by an old favorite antique shop that I used to go to all of the time - it had been awhile & I was on the search for some vintage hooks for a project. After I passed an awesome coin operated elephant, something spotted & happy caught my eye. I had to dig through some stuff to get to it but I'm glad I did. I had a gut reaction to this thing. It was an elephant toy box from the '60's & it immediately conjured up memories of the Dumbo & Teacup rides at Disneyland. I have a thing for elephants so I was extra interested in this treasure. The man who owned the antique shop said his kid's both had this elephant as a toy box but they weren't interested in keeping it when they were adults. I probably stood in front of this thing for about 15minutes - hemming & hawing. 

After some bartering, I found myself trying to cram this thing into my 2 door VW. It was pretty funny driving home with it. I smiled the whole way. Once I got home, I gave it a good wash down in the back yard then took it up to my studio with me. I was so excited to see Sayer's reaction to it & hoped he was tickled with it as I was.  I wasn't exactly sure where it was going to go- I just knew it needed to be in our house.  As I worked, I kept glancing at it - completely giggling. I loved having that thing watching me sew. I actually think it may inspire some new designs.

Sayer responded exactly like I thought he was going to- after all, he is my son. After a loud laugh, he opened the lip & hopped on in to hide from Chris. Then we took the elephant to his room. 

He wanted me to read him his bedtime story while he was curled up in it. He didn't stay there all night, although he wanted to. Instead he tucked in some of his favorite plush buddies with a pillow & a flashlight. When we put the lid on, the whole thing lit up like a giant nightlight. It was really cool. We have been moving that elephant around all weekend- filling it up & emptying it over & over. Sayer introduced it to my Eames Elephant- he said they got married. They look like long lost friends. Sort of cool that they were both designed around the same time. I think they complete each other. 

So, how was your weekend?