klose encounters

follow your bliss

[saddlebums]

Original Artwork Board Track Racer Items

Thanks to those who have shown interest in my board track racer artwork I’ve set up a Society6 shop (society6.com) where items featuring the images can be purchased. Society6 will take orders, print, and ship the items directly to you. I get a few crumbs for each item sold, but I really had to do very little except reconfigure the artwork for each application. Since these images are not doing much for me now except — as Homer Simpson said about trees — “just standing there like jerks!,” I figured, Why not? I get to keep the rights to the artwork for future projects.

Visit society6.com and search “Saddle Bums” (yes, in quotes).

[kloseencounters-blog]

Motorcycle fanatic? Check out my pops original artwork on society6 at http://society6.com/artist/saddlebums

[c0ntemplations]

My heart swings back and forth between the need for routine and the urge to run.

(via thatkindofwoman)

[theonion]

[kloseencounters-blog]

Finally! Something I can get behind!

[kloseencounters-blog]

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.” ― Ira Glass

[kloseencounters-blog]

On the Waterfront

Moving on up! After 2 years in our tiny apartment on 106th and Columbus, Eric, the pups and I are packing our bags and heading further uptown to Riverside and 150th. Nearly 1000sq ft, a dishwasher, multiple closets, and all the prewar detail... I didn't know this was possible in New York City! And with only a 5 minute stroll to the subway, it only adds 10 extra minutes to my commute. Done, done, and done.

As soon as we saw the space a couple of weeks ago we knew it was the one. And the best part is that I get to decorate all over again! PROJECT! I've been digging through the abyss of craig's list in search of the perfect items to adorn our new home. Perhaps a mid century modern credenza for the tv, a marble top coffee table, bentwood dining chairs..Just a few things I've got my eye on. Only problem is that all of these items require money. All of which I gave away when we signed this lease. Time to get thrifty!

[kloseencounters-blog]

A boy and his tail.

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A boy and his tail.

[kloseencounters-blog]

Please disregard the bad iPhone photos but here is the finished product! My Danish inspired stools are amazing. The walnut seat really darkened up nicely with the cherry stain and poly coats. With all materials I paid $100 to make 4 stools. What a bargain! A nice addition to our little apartment indeed.

[kloseencounters-blog]

18 Reasons You'll Never Get Over Ben Covington From "Felicity"

Noel Crane who?

Be still my beating heart. Oh if you are a true friend then you know my undying love for the WB drama Felicity. Although I was pretty young when the show was on air to actually understand those college years, I revisited the show while I was in college and fell in love all over again! Yes I do own all four seasons on dvd. Ben forever!

[kloseencounters-blog]

Nesting Stools Progress

So in my last post I neglected to post any photos of the process. Honestly taking photos was the last thing on my mind so the quality and quantity of these images are not superb (except for the ones of my pups of course). The seat tops still need to be stained but so far I am so excited about the results.

During the process of finding the right wood (walnut), I realized that the planks where not wide enough to fit the diameter of the seat tops. So once we got to the shop we knew that we would need to cut the boards and glue together. Luckily most of the grain lined up perfectly to create a seamless appearance.

Next step after the glue dried was to cut the circles and dish the center. I would go into more of how this was done but I was not present for this step. Basically my cousin used lots of machinery, so unless you're a master carpenter.. get someone to help.

Check out that stool! Isn't she oh so pretty?! Granted it still needs to be stained. But I am so in love! The seat ended up being thicker than the original danish inspiration but I am ok with that. Those ikea legs really hold up nicely.

And just for fun I had to throw in a pic of my pups. The light was so perfect this morning that I just couldn't resist! Aren't they the cutest?

[kloseencounters-blog]

DIY Danish-Inspired Nesting Stools

By no means would I consider myself a DIY-er. More like find a kick-ass project I want to attempt and just ask my Dad for help. He's a pretty handy guy (i.e. my barn wood headboard). So when I saw these Danish nesting stools a while back on one of my favorites blogs, SF GIrl By Bay, I bookmarked them for another day.

Well that day has come. In two weeks I'll be hosting my 2nd annual "Friendsgiving" in my tiny abode, which is pretty short on seating let alone space. Then I thought back on these stools and thought that they would be the perfect solution... simple, stackable, and space-saving.

After some research on these here interwebs, I realized that simply buying these stools was out of the question. $299 for a starting bid on ebay? (and that was only for two) No thank you. And the abyss that is Craigslist was of no help.

So then I headed on over to ikea to see if they had anything that might resemble this modern and simple design. In comes the Marius stool. The dimensions were right, the legs were great, but that plastic seat was not okay. So I instantly call up my handy man aka Dad and see if rigging up some wooden seats to attach to these existing legs would be doable. Not a problem!

I shortly roped in the help of my cousin Adam who is no stranger to getting his hands dirty and conveniently works in a shop with all kinds of wood working materials. Score!

After a big indecisive session at the lumberyard, I finally landed on Walnut for the seat top. A crowd pleaser with beautiful grain, and just in my budget to keep the project for four stools under $100.

So excited to see how these stools come out! I wasn't of much help in the wood shop, but I did oversee the process which counts for something right! Hopefully this weekend I'll be staining and putting on the finishing touches. Details to come!

[kloseencounters-blog]

Afoot and lighthearted I take to the open road, Healthy, free, the world before me, The long brown path before me leading me wherever I choose. Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune, Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing, Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms, Strong and content I travel the open road.

Excerpt from “Song of the Open Road” by Walt Whitman

[kloseencounters-blog]

Tumblr Gets Deep

As a tumblr reader, every once in a while you'll come across some hilarious comments and posts. Hey you might even contribute to these threads. Here are a few gems that really go deep:

• "Tupperware? More like tupperWHERE THE FUCK IS THE LID?!"

• "Dogs are perfect napkins because they just think you're petting them."

• "While you wait for the waiter, in that moment do you not become the waiter?"

• "It's weird to imagine important people as kids. Like Obama probably wrote 'boobs' on a calculator and laughed."

Those are just a few of my favorites. For a great laugh check out more from the list at this link. Best thing I read all day.

http://www.pleated-jeans.com/2013/08/22/tumblr-gets-deep-24-pics-5/

[kloseencounters-blog]

A few weeks back I ventured down route 95s with my boyfriend and dogs in tow for a much needed vacation to the charming city of Charleston, SC. A place that exudes southern charm and hospitality, I was blown away by the beautiful homes and the secret gardens nestled between them. A city deep-rooted in our nation's history, it was such a nice breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Time seemed to stand still, the air smelled of fresh rain, it was just idyllic.

Outdoor brunch at Poogan's Porch. Shopping on King Street. Beautiful homes on quaint streets. Waterfront dining at sunset. It was all a dream. Part of me thinks that this city gal may be cut out for the slower pace of Charleston.

[kloseencounters-blog]

This weekend marks the first wedding within my group of friends. Heading down to Atlanta to share in Rahqwan's special day with friends who have stood the test of time. Nothing like celebrating love with people who make you laugh no matter how much distance has grown between you. We may all be living in different parts of the country but true friends last forever. Here's a toast to the happy couple and to an amazing weekend ahead!

[kloseencounters-blog]

I’ve been trying to hold my tongue about this but the cat is out of the bag! Err or dog? Either way I’m so excited to announce the newest member of the family, Charlie! Now I’ll have two doxies running the house and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Penny is in for a treat because this little guy is a character. Can’t wait to finally bring him home next week. It’s a slippery slope this dog thing. One turns into two. There’s no hope for me now.

[kloseencounters-blog]

Take me back to the shores of Miami. Sand between my toes, wind in my hair, sunshine on my skin. Days melt into cool nights. Sweet paradise.