Pack Rat Magazine. The name you’ve come to love.

Let me level with you guys.  I’m pretty tired today so you’re probably going to get a series of shortish blogs.  Don’t hate me.  In fact… I think I’m just going to post all of the links in this one little blog.  Dont’ worry, I’ll get a good night’s sleep tonight, I promise.

First up is Pepika.  This is Amigurumi central for all of you who love the Japanese softies.  You can buy patterns, finished softies and there are even a few free patterns for you to digest, like this one for the “holiday chick.”

Next, try out Bodocus a.k.a. the Best Online Documentaries.  It is as the name suggests, a catalogue of the best free online documentaries.  There’s stuff on musician Jeff Buckley, Buddha, and global warming just to name a few.  They claim to have 659 videos available and sound like they are an excellent resource.

And finally, looking to be part of an on-going art project?  Check out Moleskine Project, a website dedicated to displaying doodles done in moleskine journals. Its goal it to give all artists, both good and bad, a place to showcase their work.  It’s about diversity and equality in art.  And some of it is pretty good too.  Like this Untitled piece below.  And that is that folks.  See you tomorrow!

Pack Rat Magazine brings home the bacon.

Go sit on your credit card before you check out this site.  Otherwise you’re going to give away the bank when you see these to-die-for home furnishings at Velocity.  So modern, so sleek, so innovative.  I could go on and on.  Obviously some of this stuff is not very Pack Rat ($85 is not a reasonable “sale” price for a pillow), but they do have a few things $30 and under, like the smattering of examples I offer to you below.  And like all great design, even the expensive stuff is inspiring, and some of it I’m sure you could replicate at home (including the $85 pillow).  So consider this worth while window shopping, if nothing else.

Pack Rat Magazine, high in potassium.

I have been sooooo excited to tell you guys about this awesome artwork I found from Tony Ariawan. I’ve been holding off mentioning him, because I wanted to write something about him in the February/March issue of the magazine, but unfortunately for me he lives in Indonesia and I have not been able to contact him But I didn’t want you guys to miss out, because his “Stop Haunt Me Everyday” photo collection is so electric and exhilerating. And he does them all on Photoshop CS2! Can you believe it? He has even posted a quick tutorial on how he does it on his website, Area 105. Just stunning.

Pack Rat Magazine knows how much wood would a woodchuck chuck.

Good morning you lovely people! Welcome to a brand new day full of possibilities. Valentine’s Day is coming up in two weeks and while we here at Pack Rat abhor the greeting card industry, we think it’s nice when people trade thoughtful gifts with loved ones. And what can be more thoughtful then something handmade? If you’re not quite sure what to make, try this tutorial for a gift can of goodies. Gift can did you say? Why indeed I did. More personal then the traditional box of chocolates, a handmade decorated can is not only sweet, it’s a load of fun for both the gifter and the giftee. And although the folks at Splitcoast Stampers have chocked this tutorial full of advertisements for their products, the same basic idea can be completed with things around your house, so don’t get intimidated. Happy crafting!

It slices, it dices, and it more than suffices. Pack Rat Magazine.

Okay, this blog I lifted word for word from the Museum of Civilization, Canada website. They have a fabulous article about the Indian street art called rangoli, along with a tutorial on how to do it yourself. Just visit www.civilization.ca

“In India, art is an important part of daily life. One of the most common ways in which people in India include art in their lives is by drawing rangoli, which are also known by other names like aripona, alpona and kolam.

In villages across India, women draw these designs each morning on their doorsteps, in the courtyards of their homes, or in temples. Using rice powder or crushed limestone, they start with a grid of small dots, then fill in the design with a series of lines. Rangoli not only add a touch of art and beauty to the home or temple, they also protect the family or holy place.

The designs are handed down from mother to daughter. Some of these designs are very old, dating back hundreds and hundreds of years. Flower and animal motifs are sometimes included in the designs, but geometric lines are the heart of rangoli designs. There are also many different styles of drawing, varying from region to region across the country.”