*free music monday

One of many things I love about Amazon mp3 is their free music samples they release. Right now you can head to Amazon and get the Anti Fall Sampler 2009. It's a really good mix of alternative rock music for you to enjoy this week. For the most part you may not recognize many artist on it, except Neko Case, The Swell Season and Islands. But if you're like me, that's what I enjoy, new music from new artists.

One highlight from this free CD are the first track, The Swell Season - In These Arms, a rendition of Hey Ya by Booker T. As well as the final song on the CD by Jason Lyte - Rollin' Home Alone.

Download it now!

*tis the season

So we got this new machine, a Cricut, it is a cutting machine. You program in what you want it to cut, push a button and like magic it cuts. Heather came up with a fun Christmas craft. We started with some plain frames.
Added some red vinly and cut out some letters.

Removed the backs of the frames and super glued the glass to the frames.

Drilled a couple holes and added ribbon.

Stuck on the red vinyl letters and...tis the season!

I also found out the the Cricut can cut out snowflakes!

The hardest part was sticking the letters on the glass straight.

*my trip to space and back w/ U2

I had the privileged of seeing the USA launch of U2's 360 tour in Chicago at Soldier Field. If you haven't seen any of the images or video from this tour you will be blown away. It's an amazing spectacle to say the least. I found appreciation in its production value, lighting, stage design, etc. Plus it was one of my bucket list items to see U2 live. And it was awesome! It was definitely the best concert I have ever and will ever see when you consider all the elements. I like to be amazed by an awe inspiring spectacle.

Check out image of U2 360 at Soldier Field:

*word t-shirt from Veer

I must have this. New to the wonderful collection of Veer merch is this totally rad t-shirt. Not only does it use the all-inclusive, universally useful phrase "Word", but it also is a great design and color. $22 is a little expensive in my cheap-skate book for a t-shirt, but I may have to splurge on this.

*color pencils

What can you do with 500 colored pencils...make art with your art supplies? Have a look at Social Designer's 500 pencils. Put in this display case, creates a visual wall display for a creative space.
...how about a color roll-up

...or a color wave?

...only problem, you can't get them quickly or cheaply. Social Designer offers the pencils only by a monthly subscription, 25 pencils per month for 20 months! But if you have the time and the money, it is a sweet collection!

*dirt + art

While most people write "Wash Me" in the dirt on the back of a car, artist Scott Wade has taken that to a new level.

Check out more of his work DirtyCarArt.com