pass it on…

I was a witness today. I saw it spread around me in the office. The news of a celebrity’s death. It was a strange and amazing thing to see information spread. Heath ledger’s dead, a guy on the other side of my desk said. Shortly followed by voices that echoed those words across from him. This was a little after 4pm and as the hour went on. I heard those words said counterclockwise around me. I heard it said as a coworker came out running to the offices to the left of me. It was the first time I have been witness to such a clear example of news spreading.

Now I am not into celebrities, I’m just not. I am curious at times but all in all they do not occupy too much of my thoughts or speech. Anywho disclaimer aside, As the news literally spread around me, I googled it. I had been looking forward to the new Batman movie and knew he was the new Joker. I clicked on the news link up top and it had only 2 links listed concerning his death. One was from a NY based online news site and the other from a gossip site. Then in the course of I would say 10 min as I refreshed and read these posts. The number of links increased from 2 to 4 to 9 and so on. Links from news sites in Australia & Kansas City to sites like the Gothamist. And again I was so blown away at how visible the chain of news was.

Oh and now I too am adding to that chain. Heath Leadger died today at the age of 28. Who will you pass the news on to?

read more at gothamist.com

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my backyard…

Ah there is nothing more lovely than Green Wood Cemetery at night…no, really. Now for those who know us, know that we are not at all goth nor are we particularly morbid. This is just one of those places that’s just breathtaking and an oasis for us in our neighborhood. Like I say to people, I feel very at ease there, it’s like my backyard…only full of dead people. See we live a couple of blocks from the cemetery and often go for walks in there, but they close the grounds at 5pm and this is the only way to visit it at night. Once a year they have a night tour during a full moon, and many people go (this year there were definitely more people than last year). See them all (pictured above) attentively listening to Jeff Richman (in the top hat) who conducts the tour. Oh and see the gothic chapel in the back, that’s where we got married almost a year ago. Ah memories.

Though everyone is encouraged to bring a flashlight, it’s really quite unnecessary. The light of the full moon is bright enough to see by but being in the city, people tend to forget that. So next year for all of you that decide to go…please turn off your flashlights and if it’s too scary for you then please don’t shine them into my eyes.

green in Waterford, part 1…

Well I didn’t get any work done this weekend. I was bad. I opted to go gallivanting to Connecticut instead. And boy am I glad we did! Not only am I relaxed and rejuvenated but we bought some great fabrics for plushes (Labor Day sale at Joann Fabrics) and we got to pick and bring home lots of tasty veggies from Justin’s grandfather’s (NuNu) garden. Boy what a garden!

We picked all this (pictured above) and there has been a harvest like this, if not more everyday. We have here some heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cherry peppers, Italian frying peppers, cucumbers and eggplant. It was really impressive to see, pick and taste those cherry tomatoes. No middleman.

What is even more impressive is that Nunu is in his 80’s and does all this gardening by himself. He gets manure from his son’s horse and he makes his own compost. Which he uses to grow all the things I’ve mentioned plus lots of lettuces, beets, squash and carrots (which he feeds to the horse). Ah full circle. We were so privileged to have been allowed to share in its harvest and consumption.

Here are some more pics from the garden:

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we’re back …

Another Comic Con has ended and as usual it was a frenzy of toys, art, comics and people. So very many people.

I wanted to thank all the lovely people that bought Mr. Ika. I met some of you and I was so humbled by your kind words. Considering the almost non-existent promotion I did for my new plush line, I did well and am happy.

I’ve been meaning to blog but just have been so tired and busy since getting back from California. So this is just a quick little something for now.

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comic con international…

We are on our way to San Diego after spending 3 days in LA with friends. It was nice to have some down time. A little walk on the beach, some shopping, a studio tour and lots of great food. The California sun is relentless and the white hot light has made us crave the more comfortable indoors of the San Diego ComicCon. ComicCon starts this wednesday (preview night) and runs through to sunday. Comic Con isn’t just about comics. Oh no, it is a great showcase of toys, animation, movies and all the wonderful things that might be associated to said things. If you have any interest in those things then you must come at least once to ComicCon.

So after many late nights sewing and assembling our toys in our humble Brooklyn home studio, we are now ready to promote our toys and meet some great people as well as partake of all the events at this year’s con. We are selling Mr. Ika Plushies and Pop Prolifics BUSHMAN exclusively at TOY TOKYO, booth #5335. So if you are going to the con this year stop by and visit us!

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baby BOOM …

It seems that all around me people are having a baby. Friends, Family, Coworkers, and friends of friends … everyone is having a baby! Is it just because I am getting to that age when my peers start their families? Is it another baby boom? or is it more apparent to me because being newly married, one can’t help but think about whether or not to have a baby. Or maybe I’ve been thinking about it because I’ve been in and out of so many baby stores in the last few months, buying clothes and toys for baby showers and birthdays that I can’t avoid thinking about it. I have to say that though I may not be sure if I would want to have a baby, I know that I like to shop for baby things. There are some truly wonderful designs out there and it’s made me want to try my hand at it. Hmmm I wonder how a Plush Play baby line would do?

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all work and no play …

There really isn’t enough time in a day. It’s funny too that I don’t recall feeling that way until I hit my late 20’s. Now when I sit down and start one of my projects by the time I look up from it, the day is already gone. I really find it difficult to blog for the same reason. Not enough time.

Well the weekend for me was spent making a couple of Mr. Ikas and taking better pictures of the things I’ve made. I’ve also started sketching out some designs for prints for a baby, like onesies and room decor. I updated the etsy shop. Mr. Ika is on there now. With a full-time job though I find it really difficult to do all the things I have brewing in my head. I don’t know how people do it successfully.

So without further ado, Mr Ika is in our etsy shop now.

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grand opening …

Our etsy shop is finally open! Hooray! Please come on by and visit us. In the next few weeks we’ll be updating the photos (cause they could be better) and adding new products. We’ll also feature some items that we will be selling at the San Diego Comic Con. More on that later

Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive and encouraging as we embark on this new endeavor. Love you all!

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