As promised I have few snapshots of my work space.
The photos don’t really capture the craft anarchy.
I didn’t want to broadcast my mess.
I have been having fun the last three weeks discovering new techniques and playing with new yarn. This week I complete a few dolls to post online and start sewing linings and totes (more on that later).
Sometimes children are creepy. Especially if the children drive their nannies to suicide and cause baboons to attack.
Which brings me to The Omen.
The first time I saw this film I was sure that it would be cheesy and unmemorable.
Boy was I wrong.
The film reminded me of my days of babysitting. I remember the tantrums. The cacophony of screams and babbles. I remember how my body ached to be free from the children.
I remember all of these things because the most significant element of this film is how neither parent is able to bond with their child. He becomes alien to them.
_4.jpg "still from The Omen (1976)")
I could sympathize. I didn’t always have a bond to the children.
The horrific things that happen in the film feel plausible. What I mean to suggest is that you could easily watch this film from the view point that both parents are loosing their minds.
What if the child is a healthy normal child of no dark origins. In that instance this film would represent the story of a crumbling family.
It is that doubt that eats away at Gregory Peck’s character. His struggle is what really gives weight to this story. He loves his son.
There are some utterly frightening moments that give this film immediacy.
Take for instance Mrs. Baylock. Her performance was amazing. Somewhere between her clipped responses and her deep voice lurks pure evil.
This is a fantastic movie.
If you want to really question your faith you can look up the story of the making of the movie.
Or watch the documentary on the collector’s disc. There were a lot of ‘fatalities’ and accidents that befell the creators of this film.
I am pressed for time. I have a lot of work, a lot of prep, and a lot of deadlines coming up.
Which is to say I will be watching a lot of movies. I will make time for a few TV shows like say: Project Runway, The Rachel Zoe Project, South Park, Pushing Daisies and Hell’s Kitchen.
But the thing I am most excited about are the horror movies. I have a lot of movies lined up on my Netflix queue.
Gotta admit I’m kind of scared.
I like horror movies. I prefer to rewatch the classics for Halloween but…I am a little terrified of foreign films.
American horror movies are predictable. For me I can glean very little enjoyment out of American films. Its the foreign films that scare the crap out of me.
I think the loss in translation has little to do with it. Truly successful horror movies…could scare you without dialogue…so I would say that foreign filmmakers are fearless when it comes to what is put on screen.
For now I want to focus on one of my few favorite American thrillers:
Blood Simple
The movie was not what I thought. The director’s, Coen brothers, have a special place in my heart. They carve out humor in the most surprising places and they can build terror into the mundane of settings.
This film was for me reminiscent of Hitchcock. What startled me is how realistic it felt.
The characters in this movie are ordinary and without charm. Initially I could not relate to them. There is a catalyst. And one character has to make a difficult choice.
What happens in the aftermath is pure chaos.
It is a truly bittersweet journey to the end of the movie.
I could not help but think that this film was most disturbing because it feels as though it could happen now. It is as though you read about this same incident in a newspaper.
I know I said I would start out with Blood Simple but it was not meant to be, Netflix took it off-line on Oct. 1, I will have to postpone until next week.
I must stress that some films do not age well.
Take for instance, The Lost Boys.
As a kid this movie gave me nightmares. Okay maybe that is an exaggeration. I was afraid of my window. Weird? Vampires linger outside of windows…ever close to gaining entrance to your home.
That is a trip for any kid afraid of her own shadow.
I had held this movie up as a cult icon. Boy was I wrong.
The vampire phenomenom is not my thing. I like a good zombie flick. The vampires are all touchy feely. I don’t need the drama. I want to see a horror movie for the action not for the melodramatic close ups.
An enjoyable turn of events is how all the male vampires seem to be really into non-vampire guys.
The guys had some pretty steamy chemistry.
***The title is a misnomer…no horror today, just vampires vamping it up.l***
At one time I had a very active blog. I have made a big change and have become more productive with my knitting and sewing.
Sure I blog less but that loss of time has resulted in some very good things, take for instance these works in progress:
These are just sneak peeks. There are several new items going up in my shop this Friday.
New photo shoot tonight…endless hours editing for Thursday.
I am very excited about October. I have a few new goals for the blog.
I figure instead of saying I am busy I should show what I am currently working on, like above, and I also miss talking about movies on this blog.
I love October.
Every year I spend the whole month watching horror films. Some people like roller coaster rides or skydiving me I just need a quick jolt of fear and I feel right as rain.
The blog isn’t named crafty horror for nothing.
I will be going through cheesy cult horror films, foreign frights, and gory flicks through out the month.
My first film will be my favorite Coen brother’s movie, Blood Simple.
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FACT: Most of my blog titles are lines from movies. This one is from Sixteen Candles.
I used to be obsessed with movies. I was a student filmmaker. Movies were my bread and butter. My sustenance.
Now a days I have little to no investment. Take for instance, Sex and the City 2.
In my other life I would have scoured the internet in search of my favorite movie critics. I was so easily shaped by the opinions of others.
This past weekend I went to go see Sex and the City 2. Did I read any reviews? No.
After having watched the movie I went to go look up a proper review. It was quite cruel. I have my own opinion about this movie but I do not feel that those sort of reviews were appropriate.
I will say this, the movie was not a contender for an Oscar. There was one moment in the film that was remarkably honest and it was a great scene.
My suggestion for this summer.
If you want to see a movie, don’t let anyone talk you out of it.
I keep mentioning my shop in passing. Right now I’ve got a few knits waiting for some finishing details. They’ll be ready for the shop come Monday.
Such as this little cutie right here:
For now the shop is being invaded by coffee cozies like this:
The plan is to churn out a couple of these everyday for the next few days.
I wish there were more hours in the day. Oh well it is what it is.
Well now I’ve got a roast to cook and maybe just maybe some mashed potatoes, roasted carrots and yams.
Have a great evening.
Aww. I woke up this morning and there was no basket waiting for me.
Hmm.
I know some bunny shaped Peeps that are gonna loose their heads.
I will post an Etsy shop update later today after some appropriate Peeps carnage.
Guess who forgot about St. Patrick’s Day?
Every year its the same drill, celebrate the 16th and forget all about the 17th.
Before leaving the apartment I decided to create a quick little greenie.
A pin that would defy all would be pinchers.
Its sloppy, last minute, and fun.
The project is pretty basic.
Scribble a little four leaf clover on a scrap of paper. Cut a circle out of a non-fraying fabric. *Used a bit of vinyl* Find some green felt and do your best to cut a clover.
I tried pinning the paper to the felt. It was a bit unnecessary. But to each their own.
I sewed the felt to the vinyl and glued the pin back to the felt backing. *You don’t need felt backing I was just snatching up bits of fabric and making a general mess.
Finished Pin
All told I spent about 20 mins on this sucker. Is it a beauty, eh. The pin is actually meant for the dark of the night. Its a going out pin.
A conversation starter.
Monday my brother and I went to my favorite store to pick up some groceries.
Whenever I leave the apartment I try to remind myself to bring my own bag. There are a lot of good “eco” reasons to have a reusable bag but I am not that noble. I bring my bag for two reasons, first my bag is a lot wider and sturdier than any paper bag and second I am trying to avoid the look of judgement in the eyes of the other shoppers.
If you’ve ever visited a Trader Joe’s store you know that if you bring your bag you will be offered a little raffle ticket. Which puts your name and number in a raffle for a new reusable bag. Sounds like fun but not really. I do not enjoy the hassle of putting out personal information on a very tiny ticket every week or so knowing full well that I have not nor will I ever win.
I’m a little jaded when it comes to that ticket.
This Monday my cashier offered me a raffle ticket. My brother muttered, “Why bother. We never win.” She was taken a back by the comment.
The cashier turned around and said, “If you want you can have some flowers.” She was referring to the abundant left over Valentine’s roses. We said no but she insisted that we should take our pick.
I always shopped at Trader Joe’s for the great food but the gift of flowers that really melted my heart.
As I reflect on the incident it reminds me of an article by Seth Godin about the power of a gift. He has a point. The gift was not an incentive. The kind actions of one person left an indelible impression of the good people who work at the store.
Crafty Horror 