A Week at the Movies

Sadly, I spent most of the past week being very sick. I only made it in to work two days and despite spending a lot of time at home on my couch I didn’t blog, I barely read any blogs, I fell behind on email, and I hardly did any reading. It was that kind of sick where you feel unable to do anything but stare at your television and try not to plot the absolute demise of the co-worker you are fairly certain put you in such a tragic state and forced you to squander the little paid time off you had been hording.

So what did I do? Well, I slowly worked through the very long queue of Netflix movies I have been collecting for nearly a year. I thought I would give you a little review as some of them were wonderful and I would highly recommend!

Documentaries:

This is an absolutely stunning and breathtaking documentary that I cannot recommend enough. It was so beautiful; full of nature, landscape, history, and culture. This is a series of about 6 episodes and I was spellbound every minute.

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I have to admit I wasn’t familiar with Grey Gardens until the version with Drew Barrymore came out. I haven’t seen that one yet, but the original was… very hard to describe. Sad, funny at times, tragic, depressing, and yet still all the while: fascinating.

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Another documentary with stunning cinematography. Who wants to join me on an expedition to see the disappearing glaciers? Also some very troubling info on climate change… I hope you will watch it!

Dramas:

Anthony Hopkins at his understated best. This falls in the beloved category an old friend of mine would affectionately call “pointless English films”. It is slow, but moving. The story follows the would-be romance between an English butler and the head housekeeper at a beautiful English manor. It often made me think of another favorite, Gosford Park. I think it may be the same estate location? Anyway, I can’t believe I didn’t see it before now as it was just my kind of film.

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How did I not see this one before now? This could warrant a post all it’s own. (…and probably will eventually at Steam Spectre!) Turn-of-the-century boarding school students take an exquisitely romantic picnic in the Australian landscape and a few never return. The quiet mystery and horror is just what I love in my “scary” movies. The pacing reminded me of an M.Night Shyamalan film although the conclusion is… Well, if you haven’t already, I should just let you see it for yourself. It is adapted from a book which the author claimed till her death was based on fact… Creepy. Definitely a new favorite.

Just in case you aren’t convinced, let’s have a few movie stills shall we?

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I watched many others, but these were the most notable. I do think that the instant watch feature on Netflix is the most ingenious of inventions… I hope you all had healthier weeks and happy weekends!

Also: thank you to those who have ventured over to Steam Spectre! If you would like to follow me there as well I would be delighted!

Sepia Visions

I am pleased to announce the cutting of the virtual satin ribbon on a new project I have been working on. Gypsea Tree now has a companion blog: Steam Spectre! Steam Spectre is a place where I will revel in another treasured love which is all things Victorian/ Turn of Century. It will feature at times the lovely historic and at others the strange, unusual, and imagined fantastic. I hope you will enjoy visiting there and spread the word to any readers you feel may be interested.

Gypsea Tree will remain my main blog where I look forward to a New Year of posting. At this point I’m aiming to create richer content posts here at Gypsea Tree. When trying to hold myself to an “every-other-day posting schedule” I felt the quality of Gypsea Tree suffered a little. My new goal is to post once or twice a week, but to have lengthier posts and greater word content. I hope you will enjoy following the Gypsea and visiting Steam Spectre.

Have you all had a nice weekend?

Teatros de Papel

For several years I have been scheming and dreaming of constructing my own little theatre. Several years ago I saw an extraordinary miniature theatre in a shop window. It was an opulent little setting depicting a scene from an opera. Next to the piece was a little card telling the story of how it was made as part of a set for the artist’s niece. What a lucky girl! I have wanted to make my own ever since and when I stumbled across this web site, I nearly swooned. Although I don’t imagine constructing mine out of paper, I absolutely love these. You must take a journey over there!

{all images via Coleccion de Teatros de Papel}

What We Can Do

I don’t know about you, but I know that I have to do something. At this point the best that we can do is donate money. In the colossal scheme of this catastrophe it hardly seems like enough, but its something that every one of us can do to contribute. Check with your employer, many are willing to match your donation. Every single dollar can make a difference. No matter what financial situation you are in, if you are reading these words, you have a shelter over your head and electricity.  We can help.

If you know of any other great fundraisers or places to donate, I would love to hear about them.

Doctors Without Borders

The American Red Cross

Magpie Tendencies

The first house I lived in that I really remember had a crystal (well, most likely glass) chandelier hanging in the dining room. I was fascinated by it and I thought it was one of the most beautiful things in the world. I also thought that it must mean we were rich. This is quite laughable as we were most definitely not, and the home’s impractical eight foot ceilings  which housed the chandelier made it difficult to afford heating the place. However, I was too little to realize this and blissfully loved that chandelier. I have wanted one ever since. Now they seem to be all the rage, but that only means there are more to choose from and at prices I may eventually be able to afford! Until that time I have started collecting chandelier pendants from antique shops. My little brother started my collection and gave me some lovely pieces for Christmas. I have acquired a few on my own as well and I hung them all on my Christmas tree. However, I’m not willing to pack them away until next year so I’m trying to decide how to display them now. Any ideas?

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Who Needs Sunshine?

In the lovely Seattle area we experience quite a lot of rain and dreariness. I don’t mind it so much until the Holiday season ends and the long muddy trudge towards spring/ summer begins. Because we are also a creative lot here in the Pacific Northwest, it is essential to develop some solid coping mechanisms to battle the grey damp. Some escape to Hawaii, some buy special lamps to trick them into experiencing “sunshine”, and some obtain the world most delightful bumbershoots from Bella Umbrella! This brilliant little business rents and sells parasols and umbrellas. Some are vintage and others are stunning replicas. I think in approximately two weeks I will find it absolutely necessary to own one of these beautiful creations…

{all images via Bella Umbrella}

Forgotten Theatre

I had this wonderful dream a very long time ago about a theatre. I was standing in the back balcony looking down and it was old and mysterious. There was a  large tear in the ceiling and the dust particles hung thick in the stray sunlight. It was absolutely magical and I have always secretly thought that maybe someday I would stumble across that place.

I think this picture is so beautiful. It reminds me a little of that place in my dream…

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To Resolve

I am back. The New Year has begun despite how desperately I cling to the old. I can’t quite bear to take my tree down just yet. How lovely it is to have a tree gracing one’s living room! Why do we only do this once a year?

For whatever reason I’ve been reluctant to say goodbye to the holidays. I just love Christmas and this year it seemed especially short. If only it had lasted one week longer?

However, I also love new beginnings…

Do you like to make resolutions? I make them constantly and I am addicted to keeping lists. Writing things down and setting clear purpose helps me feel organized and encouraged. I love looking over my inspiration lists when I feel a little down. It always cheers me up again.

I’m sure I could write a list of resolutions a mile long, but instead I thought I would offer just three things to share with you all:

1. Embrace Creativity

No matter what form it takes, it’s essential to my state of happiness that I make creative projects a central part of my lifestyle.

2. Read more!

I’ve really gotten lazy since graduation and I have stacks of wonderful books I keep buying and not reading. Up next: Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in this Castle.

3. Open the Gypsea Tree Etsy Shop

I have talked, planned, and schemed about all of this for far too long. 2010 is the year the shop will open it’s doors!

How about you? What kind of plans are you developing?

Happy New Year everyone!

The First Gypsy Doll

This week has been a whirlwind of preparation. I’ve been shopping, wrapping, and baking nearly every moment that I haven’t been at work. I’ve also been making quite a  few things as well. I knitted several scarves, tried my hand at tutu making (it turned out SO very lovely I must say!) AND I finally finished my little gypsy doll for one of my dearest friends. As she has already been wrapped and opened I will share some pictures…

I actually started her around this time last year! My intent was to only use materials that I already had on hand and see what I could do. I only ended up buying the wire to hold her little limbs together.

I knitted her little shawl with embroidery thread and her skirt is embroidered as well.

Being the first, she definitely was a learning process. In the end I was pretty happy with her and inspired with future plans. Perhaps there will be more gypsies to come in the New Year!

My family holiday festivities begin tomorrow and I’m very excited! I hope you all have a beautiful and wonderful holiday.

Merry Christmas!

Winter Solstice

I wish you all a cozy evening on our shortest day of the year. I am baking bread and lighting candles…