Catholic Guilt

The 13th Project - Akina

On the 13th day
in the eleventh hour
from seeds once sown
a villain will flower
        Akina - Art, Fashion & Books

I've long been a fan of  Lang Leav.  Her work is simply indescribable, so when I received her newsletter, I immediately perused her site.  And as always, I want everything I see.  As an admirer of artists with a darker side, it's no wonder I'm drawn to her images of innocence which has wandered into the perils of darkness.  Following is an excerpt from a recent interview with the artist.

‘I am often asked why I create such sinister twists to fairytale characters. I remember when I was a little girl my Dad bought me a Fairytale book. It was a huge thick book – a collection of the complete and unabridged tales of the Brothers Grimm. The stories were contrary to the happy Disney-esque ones I was accustomed to. They were violent and often ended with children meeting gruesome deaths. I think I realised then that in their purest form, fairytales are dark. This irony really influences my work’.

Not only is her artwork exceptionally detailed and a feast for the eyes.  But Lang's attention to detail overall is breathtaking, just look at her packaging, the overall product is a work of art, from the illustration, to her expert choice of script, right down to the vintage details.  One word, LUST!

 

Giveth Handmade

In an effort to offset the naughty factor, one must perform good deeds.  Therefore, I'm a giver.  And what better way to give, than during the holiday season.  I don't know about you, but I don't really feel like I'm giving by running out the day before Christmas and snagging the last red spatula at William Sonoma and hoping my mother-in-law needs yet another spatula.  Ok, maybe she does need a festive red spatula for the yummy pies she bakes, but still, I feel slightly guilty at such a thoughtless act.

Last year I gave handmade, well tried anyway.  Handmade electric tools don't go far with the handsome handyman.  But this year is going to be different!   Different, because this year I publicly pledged to buy handmade!  (See, I even posted the banner on the left so I can be held accountable.  Must be the recovering Catholic in me...hmmm?)

A big thank you to the lovely Miss Lori Marie of Pretty Little Things for alerting me to the Buy Handmade website.  So, just say "NO" to spatulas and check out Miss Lori's Etsy shop. She makes holiday shopping easy with her fabulous handmade 'little things'.  So sweet and innocent...

Welcome

I know there are tons of blogs on the net and your time is precious, you'd not want to waste it on a blog that won't inspire you. 

Well darling, are you in for some inspiration.  I've named this blog Catholic Guilt for a reason.  As the banner reads, "...indulging in life's guilty pleasures, one sin at a time". 

So, fasten that seat belt and hold tight to your rosary beads, I hope to take you for a ride that's sure to end at the confessional and 30 Hail Mary's! 

So I did a little celebrating in honor of our journey together. Nothing like an Italian muscato for us girls who "...can't shoot whiskey".

*Lovely frame by Nancy Comelab - found at The Lilypad*