Working on a story or novel? Here are some simple things you can do right now to jumpstart your writing efforts.

Yamaguchi on 05/31/06#

Ritch just sent me this article on UK crafting from the Guardian. To quote the venerable paper Never Mind the Bullocks.

Scott on 05/30/06#

Get your weekly dose of inspiration at Inspire Me Thursday. The site encourages you to "be creative, try new techniques, and explore new mediums." The current challenge is Word Art. Details on how to participate are in the right-hand column of the site.

Yamaguchi on 05/25/06#

The Minnesota Historical Society has an amazing archive for photographs that one can puruse and order prints from. My pal Ritch sent me this beauty by John Runk. Turns out John liked all sorts of fantastic scenes.

Scott on 05/24/06#

Jenny Vorwaller tipped me off about this cool project: "It Must Be The Colors" by Mecozy. The idea was to focus on a particular color when taking pictures each day of the week. Check out the results here: yellow; blue; green; white, brown or black; orange; pink and red. Very cool, a wonderful celebration of colors.

And of course this reminds me of Lolly's cool Project Spectrum.

With all the leaves growing and flowers blooming and cool spring clothes hitting the streets, it's a great time to celebrate and document and explore colors -- so break out those cameras or brushes or pens and get to work.

Here's a project idea: Take a picture of the brightest thing you see this week. You never know when you might stumble upon it, when it might flash before your eyes, so have your camera at the ready.

Yamaguchi on 05/24/06#

Wouldn't it be great if our trash could be crafted into the medium we need to convert arid land into fertile property with a structure? Waste away does it all: fertilizer and building blocks. Pure magic. Via Treehugger.

Scott on 05/21/06#

Check out Jeanne Williamson's Weekly Quilt Project -- not just for one year, but from all the way back to 1999! Here are the weekly quilts, year by year:

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Yamaguchi on 05/19/06#

We all love reading, and Abe books. What if we could share our books with the whole country? Borrow a book for $3.50, loan yours out to the collective. Send it in a postage paid mailer. Beat the consumer system. America's Bookshelf. From Treehugger.

Scott on 05/14/06#

If you're on the left coast and looking to get (or shop) crafty this weekend, stop by Felt Club (in LA this Saturday) or Crafty Wonderland (in Portland this Sunday). In addition to tons of cool handmade stuff for sale, Felt Club offers an array of delightful bake sale treats, while Crafty Wonderland offers a free DIY table hosted by Sister Diane of Church of Craft (this month's project is felt flowers, in honor of Mother's Day). Each sale repeats on the second weekend of the month year-round, and they're both open to new vendors, so apply online for upcoming shows if you're interested in participating. p.s. thanks for buying handmade!

susanstars on 05/11/06#

Back in her day, Dorothy Draper was America's best known decorator. Find out why at The Museum of the City of New York's current exhibit: The High Style of Dorothy Draper (through Sept 10th) or at least catch the cliff-notes version currently on display at Bergdorf Goodman's 5th ave windows... or at least check out the newly released IN THE PINK: Dorothy Draper, America's most Fabulous Decorator by Carleton Varney. Want more? Between Dorothy Draper and Carleton Varney there are countless decorating books sure to cure you of the white cube...

Ms.Burke on 05/09/06#