Sew La Ti Embroidery [Search results for wood

  • Old is the New New: Making Wood Work for Your Contemporary Pad

    Old is the New New: Making Wood Work for Your Contemporary Pad
    Wood materials

    A decade or so ago it would have been absolutely unheard of to see timber lining the external walls of a modern architect's latest creation. After all, wood was a material that had been replaced many moons ago and was only found on rotting barns... right?

    Like absolutely everything in construction, materials have the habit of forming a full circle. Timber was once the only material used, before technology allowed bricks and all sorts of other alternatives to replace it. Now, contemporary builders are turning to wood again with many under the impression that it releases an ultra-stylish appearance. Additionally, there is also the matter of sustainability and in a bid to stay on the green side, it goes without saying that timber performs much better than bricks and other products.

    Therefore, wood is in fashion. It might not be found on your latest set of Wimpy houses, but take to any contemporary street and you'll see plenty of it. If you're looking to replicate the effects of the material, read on and find out what considerations need to be made to make the most of timber and create another wood-cladded sensation...

    Which type of wood will you be using?

    This question could be rephrased; 'how much is your budget?'. A lot of the time, you won't have much say in the type of wood that you opt for and money really does talk when it comes to choosing a timber.

    Fortunately, there are plenty of varieties out there that have been deemed suitable to be used on outside walls. One might not be surprised to read that the likes of oak and chestnut are some of the most expensive options, but naturally provide the highest-quality finish. Down the scale we have cedar and larch, which are classed as softwoods but have the durability factor which makes them the market favourites. Then, at the bottom of the ladder we have pine and as well as holding the most basic appearance, this has the uncanny knack of deteriorating the quickest.

    This means there is plenty of food for thought. While you might love the appearance of pine (and trust us, you'll probably be in the minority), you've also got to realise that it will come under a lot of stress and need replacing at shorter intervals than initially more expensive options.

    How will the wood be implemented?

    We don't need to tell you how many advanced cladding techniques there are now available, you just need to take a look around here and see all of the different materials and styles that can now be adopted.

    As such, the world is your oyster when it comes to laying out your timber. It goes without saying that horizontal and vertical layouts are the most common, although don't be fooled into thinking that this is your limit. Some will opt for a diagonal approach, while others will overlap the timbers to create an embezzled effect.

    Another misconception revolves around the size of the material. Even if you're buying the whole lot of timber in fixed sizes, don't be under the impression that you have to stick to them. They can be broken down into smaller pieces, although naturally this will involve increased labour costs for the fixing stage.

    Who will fix the material?

    It would be fair to say that installing a cladded wall is somewhat different to building a brand new one out of bricks. You might think it looks easy - but we'd urge you to stop in your tracks. Wood is a material that can go drastically wrong; it can change shape, become affected by moisture amongst a whole host of other defects.

    This means that during the installation phase, the adequate provisions have to be made. The battens in which the cladding is fixed to can’t be spaced too far apart, as this could result in the timber bending. In other areas, a weatherproof membrane is a necessity, while openings must be left between each element of cladding to allow for any seasonal movement.

    The above paragraph really is the tip of the iceberg and it's not the sort of handbook you want to be taking to your own construction site. If any of the above sounds confusing, it's time to ditch the DIY job and take to the Yellow Pages.

    What is the finished article going to look like?

    And finally, what everyone has been waiting for - what is the cladded timber going to look like by the time it is in use as a fully functioning wall?

    If you happen to have used an expensive hardwood, there's every chance that you'll be looking to keep things as natural as possible and you might not even have to take out your paintbrush to preserve the material.

    However, as soon as the timber gets softer, it might be time to change the approach. Not only will you want to purchase some sort of product to tailor the appearance to your liking, but you'll also probably need a wood stain to protect your wood.

    The preservation of cladding becomes even more important if your property sits in an exposed location, without much natural protection. With regular masonry walls your main worry is penetrating damp, but when it comes to cladding you've also got to work to ensure that you're not regularly tearing down the wall coverings every few years just because the timber wasn't preserved adequately.

    And there we have it - the four considerations whilst putting together your modern wood-cladded dwelling. While it might seem a lot to take in, a lot of homeowners forget that one of the major benefits of cladding is that it can easily be changed. Admittedly, it’s still a relatively big job, but if you do want to freshen things up from time to time and can afford to purchase new timber, it’s undoubtedly possible and can provide a completely different image to your home.

    VIA «Old is the New New: Making Wood Work for Your Contemporary Pad»

  • Evan Rachel Wood's

    Evan Rachel Wood's

    To be honest,Evan Rachel Wood's only stood out to me before as that girl who used to date Marilyn Manson. Part of her problem was that like a ton of other actresses, the "True Blood" star sported shoulder-length (or sometimes longer) locks. Even an occasional color change or two didn't really differentiate her. But with Evan Rachel Wood new 'do, all of that's changed!
    Wood wowed at the "True Blood" Season 4 premiere at the ArcLight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood on Tuesday. The 23-year-old showed off a freshly cropped cut. (A gray vest and pants by Dolce & Gabbana, red suspenders, and Jimmy Choo heels completed the look ... but that's a whole other discussion.)
    "I'm constantly changing, I'm constantly growing," the actress told E! recently. "I think I'm a little controversial ... I just try and keep some mystery, so hopefully people can't really put their finger on it." Um, they certainly can't now! (S)

    VIA Evan Rachel Wood's

  • Heritage: We owe Greece a cultural debt, classicists say

    Heritage: We owe Greece a cultural debt, classicists say
    Greece may be drowning in €323bn (£172bn) of debt. But just think about what the rest of the world owes Greece.

    We owe Greece a cultural debt, classicists say
    It is the country that gave us democracy, the Olympics, philosophy, medicine, mathematics and some ruddy good stories. Surely you can't put a price on that.

    At least, that's what a group of eminent classicists, historians and authors believe.

    In a letter to The Telegraph, the philhellenes urge our readers "to remember the very great cultural debt that we owe to Greece".

    The letter has been signed by In Our Time presenter Melvyn Bragg, historian Michael Wood, Lastminute.com founder Martha Lane Fox, poet Professor Simon Armitage, novelist Victoria Hislop and a string of notable academics and writers.

    "Whatever the precise nature of Greece’s economic future, it is profoundly to be hoped that the Greek people will receive robust support from its European allies, including those in the British Government."

    Just think: where would we be if Achilles hadn't been shot in the heel or Odysseus hadn't made it home? If Archimedes hadn't been obsessed with circles? If Pythagoras hadn't preferred angles? If Theseus hadn't killed the minotaur or Icarus hadn't flown too close to the sun or Persephone hadn't made a deal with Hades or Helen hadn't launched a thousand ships?

    What would our world be like if Socrates hadn't talked of knowledge, Plato hadn't written about love, and Aristotle hadn't thought about science and ethics and logic and God? If Phidias hadn't designed the Parthenon and Polykleitos hadn't defined male beauty and Praxiteles hadn't sculpted the female form? If Hippocrates hadn't revolutionised medicine? If Alexander hadn't been so great?

    Surely such a rich cultural legacy is worth a measly €323bn.

    Then again, perhaps we would have been better off if Pandora hadn't opened that box...

    Read the full text of the letter here:

    Dear Sir,

    It is timely to remember the very great cultural debt that we owe to Greece, how valiantly many Greeks fought in WWII and how hard-working, frugal and family-minded the majority of Greeks have long been and continue to be. Whatever the precise nature of Greece’s economic future, it is profoundly to be hoped that the Greek people will receive robust support from its European allies, including those in the British Government.

    Prof Angie Hobbs, Dr Bettany Hughes, Martha Lane Fox, Tom Holland, Victoria Hislop, Prof Simon Armitage, Prof Michael Wood, Prof Paul Cartledge, Melvyn Bragg, Prof Chris Pelling, Dr Armand D’Angour, Natalie Haynes, Charlotte Mendelson, Prof Edith Hall, Prof Armand Leroi, Dr Michael Scott


    Author: Lauren Davidson | Source: The Telegraph [June 30, 2015]

  • Back from the dead: Astonishing pictures show how Japan is recovering just three months after tsunami

    Back from the dead: Astonishing pictures show how Japan is recovering just three months after tsunami
    By EMILY ALLEN
    ©The pleasure boat ''Hamayuri'' washed up on the rooftop of an inn by tsunami and a building have so far been removed in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on April 6, top, and on June 3, bottom.
    Japan's economy shrank 0.9 percent in the first quarter but recovery is expected between July and September
    Just three months ago Japan was plunged into chaos after a cataclysmic earthquake sent a merciless tsunami crashing through towns and cities up and down the east coast.
    The unforgiving tide of water obliterated tens of thousands of buildings, devouring almost anything in its path. Thousands of people died and hundreds of bodies have never been recovered.
    The heart-breaking images of families desperately searching for loved ones amid the rubble of their homes sent shockwaves around the world.
    Now, three months on, these images show the Japanese people remain undaunted by the havoc nature has wreaked on their homeland as step by step they rebuild their nation.
    ©
    A Shinto shrine gate and surroundings in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture three days after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami and the same spot on June 3
    But despite their progress, stark reminders of the work left to do means the resilience of this Asian country is still being tested.
    Headway in the clean-up has been made in the town of Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture where the pleasure boat ''Hamayuri'', which was remarkably washed up on the rooftop of an inn, has been removed, along with a building shattered by the the wall of water.
    Further down is an image of a Shinto shrine gate in the town three days after the March 11 disaster.
    The same spot on June 3 which shows thousands of tonnes of rubbish, which had lay smouldering in an almost post-apolcalyptic landscape, has been cleared, roads re-laid and power lines restored.
    Civilisation appears to have returned in Natori in Miyagi prefecture too. The first image shows a towering wall of ocean crashing through trees devastating homes and businesses lining the coast, tearing down power lines and drowning anything in its path.
    ©A residential area being hit by the tsunami in Natori, Miyagi prefecture, top, and the same area, with only one house remaining on June 3, bottom
    ©A parking lot of a shopping centre filled with houses and debris in Otsuchi town, Iwate prefecture two days after the earthquake hit and the same area picture on June 3
    Astonishingly just one house survived the wave and a lone digger is pictured having cleared away the once thriving community reduced to rubble. Hundreds of cars parked in the foreground remain abandoned and appear to be the only reminder of the devastation.
    Similarly, the striking image of a ship atop tonnes of rubble in the Kesennuma in Miyagi prefecture on March 20 was projected around the world and became a symbol of the disaster.
    The photograph shows grey smoke filled skies above a path of destruction, but three months on, much of the debris has been cleared, power lines restored and hope is on the horizon.
    A car park in a shopping centre, filled with houses and debris in Otsuchi town in Iwate prefecture is also back on its feet and signs of life are returning. Parking spaces are clearly visible where piles of wood, bricks, and vehicles lay strewn just a few weeks ago.
    ©A view of earthquake and tsunami-hit Kesennuma, Miyagi prefecture on March 15, top, and the same area pictured on June 3
    The final image shows local people walking through debris on a street in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture to get water 48 hours after the disaster. The same image on June 3 shows the massive tank which lay in the road has gone and a damaged house on the left side of the street has been cleared and restored.
    The 9.0 magnitude earthquake caused the worst crisis in Japan since the Second World War and left almost 28,000 people dead or missing.
    The clean-up bill is expected to top £184 billion and radiation fears from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant are still growing after four of the reactors were damaged leading to radiation leaks.
    This week, an earless bunny was born near the reactor in north east Japan raising concerns the radiation could have long-term side effects.
    Following the blast and initial leaks Japanese officials told people living near the plant to stay indoors and turn of air conditioning and also to not drink tap water.
    High levels of radiation are known to cause cancer and other health problems but scientists are not yet clear if the defect in the rabbit is linked to the blast.
    ©Local residents walking through debris on a street in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, to get water 48 hours after the disaster, top, and the same area on June 3 where a large tank and a damaged house on the left side of the street have been cleared away
    Japan's economy slipped into recession following the devastation and new data shows it shrank 0.9 percent in the first quarter of this financial year but experts say a recovery later this year as industry kicks into action.
    Industrial output rose one per cent in April from a record decline in March.
    Manufacturers are making progress in restoring supply chains and ecnomists are predicting Gross Domestic Project to begin expanding again between July and September.
    ©
    A view of earthquake and tsunami-hit Kesennuma, Miyagi prefecture on March 20, left, and the same area after the building and debris was removed on June 3
    Australian Red Cross - Japan Earthquake and Tsunami devastation

    source: dailymail

    VIA Back from the dead: Astonishing pictures show how Japan is recovering just three months after tsunami

  • Tree Felling 101 for the Lavish Property Owner

    Tree Felling 101 for the Lavish Property Owner
    The luxury villa

    It doesn't matter how big your house is (even if it's the size of this one), how much it costs or even how much you are worth — the same rules for tree felling apply to everyone.

    We're not just talking about the mechanics of lining up a cut and making sure it doesn't drop into your 24ft luxury swimming pool either, there is more to removing a tree than meets the eye.

    The above will not make pleasant reading for a lot of property owners, who will have been looking for an excuse to fell a cumbersome tree on their land for years. Yes, they can add privacy, but they can also prevent development whether this is in relation to your garden or the house itself.

    Therefore, if you are looking to rid your land of a troublesome tree, read on. The following checklist has been put together for any UK homeowner out there, but it's very likely that the same rules apply for most countries.

    Rule #1 — Are you even allowed to fell the tree?

    First and foremost, it’s all about legalities. You might own the most exclusive plot in town, but that doesn’t mean to say that you can do whatever you please with the tree. The UK has thousands of Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and this means that permission has to be sought before you do anything that will drastically change the tree. The fact that this even includes pruning will tell you that most of the time, the thought of felling one is absolutely out of the question.

    This is an occasion where bending the rules is pretty much unthinkable as well. It’s an offence to fell, or even do any work for that matter, on a tree protected by a TPO. Therefore, it doesn’t matter where you live, it’s generally not worth the aggravation and you’ll have to live with the tree for the foreseeable future (i.e., forever).

    Rule #2 — Is it going to cause half your house to fall down?

    In felling a tree, you also want to ensure that you don't fell your house. This might sound a bit over the top, but it really isn't. Additionally, we're not talking about the risks of the tree crushing your great big roof lights (although that's an obvious concern, as well).

    Instead, we’re referring to the perils of subsidence. It’s an insurer’s worst nightmare and a lot of the time it’s related purely to the actions of the homeowner. Remove a tree anywhere near your home and you’ve just allowed an enormous amount of water, which the tree was previously using, to re-enter the soil and subsequently swell it. This can cause a whole host of problems and in the worst situations, it’s not been uncommon for houses to have to be rebuilt.

    Rule #3 — Who will manage the whole process?

    Once upon a time the only option would have been to take advantage of a professional tree felling service, as it simply wasn’t possible to source the specialist equipment on a domestic level. However, there are now numerous companies offering arborist clothing and machinery and this means that the DIY approach is entirely doable.

    Whether you fancy getting your hands dirty is up to you. It will work out significantly cheaper to take this approach, although you’ll also have to factor in all of the calculations that are necessary when felling trees. On this note we should also remind readers that if you do get a calculation wrong, there’s every chance that one side of your house could be completely flattened. Therefore, make sure you read the appropriate literature before whipping out your chainsaw.

    Rule #4 — What happens next?

    No, this final rule isn’t like the famous part of ‘A Question of Sport’, but rather what is going to happen to the felled tree now? The answer to the above issue might have already covered it, as some companies will dispose of the tree for you.

    However, if they don’t, you have a giant piece of lumbar in your back garden. Unless you need wood for your stove, it’s a nuisance to say the least. Moving it in one go is probably out of the question, while even sawing it up into tiny pieces will be too much for some. Unfortunately, it’s something else that has to be covered and this is exactly why, no matter what type of house you reside in, tree felling is never a simple topic and there is a boatload of planning required before even considering it.

    VIA «Tree Felling 101 for the Lavish Property Owner»

  • North America: Archaeologists say climate change is destroying Arctic artefacts

    North America: Archaeologists say climate change is destroying Arctic artefacts
    Archaeologists say climate change is destroying the historical record of the Arctic people. The artefacts being received by the University of Alaska Fairbanks’s Museum of the North are more deteriorated than those unearthed decades ago, curator and professor Josh Reuther told KUAC, and he attributes that to the changing climate.

    Archaeologists say climate change is destroying Arctic artefacts
    A wooden mask recovered from the Nunalleq archaeological site
     in western Alaska [Credit: University of Aberdeen]

    The problem isn’t just being noticed by academics in museums — archaeologists have seen changes in the field.

    “It’s kind of a whole series of problems coming together at the same time to sort of create a perfect storm,” said Max Friesen, a University of Toronto archaeologist working on a dig in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

    Archaeologists say climate change is destroying Arctic artefacts
    From left, UA Museum of the North Archaeology Curator Josh Reuther and Kaktovik 
    resident Marie Rexford examine ivory and bone artifacts in the Barter Island collection 
    [Credit: Kelsey Gobroski/UA Museum of the North]

    “You have the potential melting of the permafrost, you have sea level rise, you have in some cases changing weather patterns.”

    Friesen said he’s alarmed by the rapid deterioration. Until recently, he said, organic artefacts made of materials like wood or animal hides, were abundant around the region because they were preserved by permafrost or silty soils.

    “It’s a very rich data base that’s being lost all across the Arctic,” he said.

    Source: Associated Press [June 14, 2015]

  • Snyder Delivers a Sucker Punch to Your Pants

    Snyder Delivers a Sucker Punch to Your Pants

    Sucker Punch

    Sucker Punch (directed by Zack Snyder)

    That Snyder, he sure is one stylish motherfucker. This image hit the net a few days ago via an Emily Browning fansite and is the first look at the bad-ass babes of Zack Snyder’s new film Sucker Punch. It’s scanned from a spread in Entertainment Weekly where they give an overview of the films appearing at Comic Con this week (insert jealous grumble here). Thoughts? If I wasn’t a straight woman, I would have a boner by now because frankly, it looks fetish-aboulous. It’s a shame Browning has had to revert from brown to blonde locks, but I’m willing to overlook that cliché in light of the general wickedness this film promises. So, in a similar vein to my overall wraps on Inception and Tomorrow, When The War Began, here is what we know about Zack Snyder’s Sucker Punch so far:

    The Plot

    Sucker Punch is a reimagining of Alice In Wonderland in the 1950s when a young girl, Baby Doll, is institutionalised by her wicked stepfather who intends to have her lobotomized in five days. She escapes to an alternative reality as a coping strategy, and in that universe she starts to plan her escape from the facility with her newfound inmate friends. Needing to steal five objects to achieve freedom, Snyder famously described the film to First Showing as “Alice In Wonderland with machine guns”. Apparently dragons, B-52 bombers and brothels also feature. Snyder came up with the story and wrote the script with Steve Shibuya, a former special-effects and tech whiz. It’s Snyder’s first original film without any source material from comics or previous films.

    The Business End

    Snyder, whose previous credits include the Dawn Of The Dead remake, 300, Watchmen and the up and coming animated owl flick Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls Of Ga’Hoole, is producing the film with his regular collaborator and wife, Deborah. Snyder has been an active filmmaker since 2004 and in that short time he has established himself as one of the few who can consistently deliver style and substance. He’s a visionary who pumps out films more often than the Octomum pumps out babies. It’s also good news that despite Warner Brothers announcing the film would be converted to 3D post-production, the Snyder husband and wife team have fought, and won, to keep their baby in 2D (the way it was filmed and intended). There will be no Clash Of The Titans-muddle here folks. Music is set to play an integral part in the film and mark the transition from reality to alternative-reality. The cast trained in 3 months to be able to perform the stunt and fight scenes before production kicked off in Vancouver from September, 2009 to January, 2010. Sucker Punch has a budget of $85 million.

    The Cast

    Emily Browning: Baby DollOne of my favourite Australian actresses, 21-year-old Browning stepped up to the role after Amanda Seyfried dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. Thank heavens for that, because as far as I’m concerned Seyfried has ruined herself with all the atrocious rom-com’s she has starred in of late. After a bunch of appearances in Australian TV productions and films such as Ned Kelly, Browning broke into the Hollywood market with her captivating performance in Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Followed by her role in supernatural thriller The Uninvited, Browning will be one to watch after Sucker Punch and her role as Lucy, a university student who becomes a prostitute in Julia Leigh’s erotic version of Sleeping Beauty due for release next year.

    Jena Malone: RocketReplacing Evan Rachel-Wood, who also dropped out over scheduling conflicts, is former child star Jena Malone. Having amassed an accomplished body of work, Malone is just another feather in the bow of accomplished young actresses at the fore of Sucker Punch.

    Abbie Cornish: SweetpeaWhat can you say about Cornish? Except that she is ridiculously awesome and my favourite Australian actress behind Cate Blanchett! Since her breakout performances in Australian flicks Somersault and Candy, with Heath Ledger, Cornish has gone from strength to strength in mainstream Hollywood blowing me away with turns in Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Stop-Loss and, her Oscar-deserving role in Bright Star. Mainly a dramatic actress, I’m looking forward to seeing Cornish in an action-flick where her attitude and beauty are just as important as acting chops. She has worked with Snyder previously, voicing one of the central characters in Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls Of Ga’Hoole.

    Vannessa Hudgens: BlondieOkay, so I’m not her biggest fan, but this is clearly Hudgens effort to make the transition from slutty Disney teen-starlet, to slutty Hollywood actress. But hey, if she shows some teeth in an action film I might be willing to overlook her previous efforts (hello there High School Musical and Bandslam). The jury is still out on her Twilighty-looking Beastly.

    Jamie Chung: AmberChung has proved herself to be a sufficiently meaty action babe after Dragonball: Evolution, Sorority Row and her decency in Grown Ups. Toting a lollipop and fishnets in this though, she’s sure to bring that hot-Asian chick flavour a la Lucy Liu amongst a largely Caucasian cast in Charlie’s Angels.

    Carla Gugino: Mrs ShulzThe lass with arguably the best natural rack in the industry (remember her topless scene as Lucille in Sin City?), Gugino plays a nurse in the asylum. Like Cornish, she has worked with Snyder previously, but as the original Silk Spectre in Watchmen.

    Others Along for the ride are Scott Glenn, Oscar Isaac, Jan Hamm and Black Dynamite himself Michael Jai White (above)! Woo! Exclusive clips from the film are being screened at Comic Con this week, so as soon as some lucky bastard who’s attending posts them online... as will I. In the meantime, stay tuned for Sucker Punch news, updates and trailers.

    P.S. By the time you read this I will be dead. Ha, just kidding, but my review of Inception will be posted above and therefore my online video review of Creation pales in significance. Alas, I’m posting it anyway - to watch click here. Connelly had really let herself go after her Oscar win. In semi-related news, my review of Inception is now the third most-read article on the Gold Coast Bulletin website AND it was only posted last night! Me thinks that gives plenty of juice to the `people regularly read and enjoy reviews’ argument.

    VIA Snyder Delivers a Sucker Punch to Your Pants

  • A little more about me | Art

    A little more about me | Art

    VIA «A little more about me | Art»

  • WIP Wednesday

    WIP Wednesday
    Welcome to a WIP Wednesday where i actually have a few things to share.


    seving


    First is my WIP. I have been working through the blocks of a Amy Smart pattern and i am loving it so far. I am hoping that it continues to go as smoothly as it has to this point(knock on wood). Last night i laid out all the strips, today i hope to get the whole top done

    seving



    And I wanted to share a few shots of my latest finish...which was a WIP until this past weekend when i stayed up way too late 2 nights in a row to finish it. These blocks were made using a jelly roll of Salt Air fabric and a pattern i found on the Missouri Quilt Company blog.

    seving


    It is backed by my new favorite fabric. I had thoughts of hoarding this one for the stash, to be used at who knows what point. I had mentioned this backing was coming in another WIP post. I hope it was not too anticlimactic! But i really do love it!


    seving


    I was going to just simply straight line quilt it....but i was getting too caught up in trying to follow the lines of the quilt....and as you can tell by looking at this quilt, following lines would not be easy.  I decided i was over thinking everything and ended up just going for it and free handing some wavy overlapping lines that i followed with my walking foot. The quilting might  be seen a little easier if you click on any of the pictures.

    I am really happy with it. This feels like it was a really productive week for me. I am getting back into a sewing groove and it is nice!

    Head over to Lee's and see what everyone else has made.

     WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

    Leslie
    Posted by Picasa
  • The Italian Association of Ceramic Tile Manufacturers

    The Italian Association of Ceramic Tile Manufacturers
    Italian Ceramic Tiles

    Confindustria Ceramica

    Confindustria Ceramica — the Italian Association of Ceramic Tile Manufacturers - has appointed us with the promotion of an integrated campaign aimed at enhancing the global perception of "Italian Ceramic Tiles".

    The project originates out of the need to redefine the product positioning, reviving its role as a main component in design, life style, fashion, new housing styles, and with a view to extending the industry targets by involving ever more competitive, creative consumers, who are strongly fascinated by trendy products.

    The Italian Ceramics means Infinite Creativity

    The campaign strategy and concept have been identified from the unique product plus: ceramics is basically the only type of tile with which a practically infinite range of shapes, colours, and solutions is possible. Following a target audit phase, in which an opinion poll and one-to-one interviews have been conducted, the campaign has further developed through an integrated project guided by PR actions and implemented in different communication channels: off-line advertising, events, TV, web communication, web portal.

    Several actions have been carried out over a period of about one year with appearances on TV channels, newspapers and magazines (editorials, web, TV, events) for a total of approximately 114 million contacts.

    Confindustria Ceramica is the Italian Association of Ceramic Tile and Sanitary Appliance Manufacturers — in charge of promoting Italian ceramic products both in Italy and abroad. In the past few years, ceramics has lost appeal versus its competitors: i.e. wood, stone, or resin tiles, deemed to be more prestigious and "trendy". Ceramics is considered to be a "poor", "cold", "uncool" products, suitable only for some specific settings (e.g., kitchens and bathrooms).

    Italy Has Always Been the Most Important Producer of Ceramic Tiles In the World

    The campaign aims to revamp ceramics as a creative, prestigious, and trendy solution. Ceramics has the right "credentials" to play a leading role in design, fashion, new life styles and architectural design: from all rooms in the house, to large buildings and public spaces.

    There are two main reference targets: namely "insiders" (architects, designers, interior designers) and an increasingly larger group of "consum-actors", who are creative, motivated, well informed and who want to play a leading role in creating their own world.

    In order to define the target’s needs: opinion poll by Eurisko and one-to-one interviews to some selected influencers.

    The Innovations Developed by Ceramics Manufacturers:

    The campaign strategy and concept have been identified from the unique plus that distinguishes ceramics from all its competitive products: thanks to a major product innovation developed by ceramics manufacturers, ceramics is the only type of tile with which a practically infinite range of shapes, colours, sizes, decorations, and finishings is possible.

    For this reason, ceramics is "Infinite Creativity", and it perfectly meets the needs of Consum-actors, who favour solutions that allow them to pursue an exclusive and personal style. Ceramic tiles and consum-actors are the perfect match.

    Unlike previous industry campaigns that were somehow self-referencing — our product is beauty and technology, — this campaign focuses on consumers (and industry experts) by fuelling their desire to play a leading role, while suggesting them that ceramics is the right product to fulfil it.

    The campaign has been implemented along two complementary planes: a PR action, aimed at prompting rational purchase motivations (brain), as well as a whole set of integrated strongly emotional actions with a view to consolidating the new product positioning: ceramics as a creative choice (heart).

    VIA «The Italian Association of Ceramic Tile Manufacturers»

  • Nepal: Quake deals heavy blow to Nepal's rich cultural heritage

    Nepal: Quake deals heavy blow to Nepal's rich cultural heritage
    Reduced to piles of rubble and splintered wood, Nepal's rich cultural heritage has suffered a devastating blow from a massive earthquake that tore through the country, experts said Sunday.

    Quake deals heavy blow to Nepal's rich cultural heritage
    Nepalese rescue members and onlookers gather at the collapsed Dharahara Tower 
    in Kathmandu on April 25, 2015 [Credit: AFP/Prakash Mathema]

    In the heart of Kathmandu, many of a cluster of temples and statues built between the 12th and 18th centuries by the ancient kings of Nepal have collapsed, killing scores and trapping others underneath.

    The nine-storey Dharahara tower, a major tourist attraction in the city's Durbar square with its spiral staircase of 200 steps, was reduced to just its base when the 7.8-magnitude quake struck at lunchtime on Saturday.

    "I had just bought tickets to climb the tower and was at its base when I felt a sudden shaking," Dharmu Subedi, 36, said from a hospital bed in Kathmandu.

    "Within minutes, the Dharahara had crumbled to the ground with maybe more than 100 people in it," Subedi told AFP.

    Quake deals heavy blow to Nepal's rich cultural heritage
    Durbar Square in Kathmandu, pictured on February 23, 2015 
    [Credit: AFP/Prakash Mathema]

    UNESCO was trying to gather information on the extent of the destruction, including at three palace-filled squares in the cities of Patan and Bhaktapur, both former kingdoms in the Kathmandu Valley, as well as in Kathmandu.

    "We understand the historic Durbar squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur have been badly damaged," Christian Manhart, UNESCO's representative to Nepal, told AFP.

    "Several temples have collapsed. Two temples in Patan have been completely collapsed, and Durbar Square (in Kathmandu) is worse.

    "Right now we are assessing the situation, and collecting information on what the damage is. All UN agencies have received a request from the (Nepalese) government for assistance," he added.

    Quake deals heavy blow to Nepal's rich cultural heritage
    People clear rubble in Kathmandu's Durbar Square on April 25, 2015 
    [Credit: AFP/Prakash Mathema]

    He said it was too early to talk about reconstruction of the monuments and how much assistance UNESCO could provide.

    Manhart said his office was also trying to determine whether another UNESCO World Heritage site, that of Lumbini, the place where Buddha was born more than 2,600 years ago, had also been hit.

    "We haven't received reports of severe damage in Lumbini, but we are still trying to collect information," he said of the site, some 280 kilometres (170 miles) west of Kathmandu.

    'Irreparable loss for Nepal' 

    In Kathmandu, residents were seen clawing through the rubble, using their hands, buckets and shovels to try to find those feared trapped in Durbar Square, which had been crowded on Saturday with local and foreign tourists.

    Quake deals heavy blow to Nepal's rich cultural heritage
    Kathmandu's Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was severely
     damaged by the Nepal earthquake on April 25, 2015
    [Credit: AFP/Prakash Mathema]

    Large piles of bricks, wooden beams and other debris were dotted throughout the historic square, where minutes earlier stood double-roofed temples and other monuments built by the Malla kings.

    The monuments are the "social, religious and urban focal point of the city" which has a rich history of Hindu, Buddhist and Tantrism religion and culture, UNESCO says on its website.

    "Kathmandu with its unique architectural heritage, palaces, temples and courtyards has inspired many writers, artists, and poets, both foreign and Nepalese," it says.

    Expert P.D. Balaji cast doubt on whether the monuments could be completely rebuilt, saying television footage showed extensive damage.

    Quake deals heavy blow to Nepal's rich cultural heritage
    A Nepalese man cries as he walks through the earthquake debris in Bhaktapur, 
    near Kathmandu, Nepal, Sunday, April 26,  [Credit: AP/Niranjan Shrestha]

    "What I can say is that it's an irreparable loss for Nepal and the rest of the world," Balaji, head of the history and archaeology department at the University of Madras, said.

    "Complete restoration is not possible on account of the extensive damage to the historical sites in Nepal."

    According to UNESCO, "two catastrophic earthquakes" in 1833 and 1934 led to some monuments in the Kathmandu Valley being rebuilt.

    Author: Paavan Mathema | Source: AFP [April 27, 2015]

  • Personal space from Rezon

    Personal space from Rezon

    Australian design

    The philosophy of design of Australian firm Rezon consists that the Scandinavian traditions with modern lines in necessity of frequent changes unite.

    Individuality & Simplicity

    Simplicity and individuality are keywords for any of products of series Kinnarps. Frameworks of simple aluminium panels allows people to create own spaces.

    The sizes of office space

    The sizes of panels vary depending on wishes of the customer. Height: 800, 1000 and 1200 mm. Length: 1 modules (346 mm), 2 modules (689 mm) 3 modules (1,090 mm), 4 modules (1,433) and 5 modules (1,776).

    Furnish: the Fabric, the Beech and a birch, white wood, orange and transparent acryle.

    VIA «Personal space from Rezon»

  • India: A golden makeover for an ancient Hindu temple

    India: A golden makeover for an ancient Hindu temple
    The ancient Sri Parthasarathy Swamy temple, one of the 108 Divya Desams (holy shrines of  Vaishnavites), is being restored to its ancient glory, just as it was when it was raised in the eighth century.

    A golden makeover for an ancient Hindu temple
    Renovation work underway at the Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Temple
     in Triplicane [Credit: P. Jawahar/Indian Express]

    The renovation work that began on January 26 has been going on in full swing, with the preliminary poojas for performing Kumbhabhisekham (consecration) expected to begin within a couple of weeks, according to the Agama Sastras.

    The work is under the close monitoring of HR and CE Minister R Kamaraj, while R Kannan, Culture, Museums, Tourism and Religious Endowments Departments Secretary, experts from Archaeological Survey of India, State Archaeological Department and Museum department are extending advice. All renovation works have been documented from the beginning.

    The renovation work is estimated to cost ` five crore, funded by donors. According to sources, the work is done in such a way that it would not require any structural repair for a century.

    Talking to City Express, P Kothandaraman, Deputy Commissioner, Parthasarathy temple, said all the 29 holy kalasams had been gold-coated for the first time. This was done in the conventional way instead of modern electroplating process, and used 364 grams of gold for this.

    “The electrical network has been replaced. The bulbs have been replaced with important LED bulbs. In accordance with our ancient practice, no electric light would be installed inside Karpa Griha (sanctum sanctorum). Once the consecration of temple is complete, the devotees can have darshan only in the light of ghee lamps,” Kothandaraman said.

    Along with the structures, the lily pond (Allikeni), which gave the village its name Tiru Allikeni, has been restored. According to the temple history, the pond is called kairavini pushkarani — filled with red Lily flowers.  It is believed that Goddess Mahalakshmi was born in this tank as Vedavalli.  For the past four or five decades, there have been no lillies in the pond. But soon, red colour lily flowers will fill the pond to suit its name.

    A golden makeover for an ancient Hindu temple
    A view of Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Temple, Triplicane
     in Chennai [Credit: The Hindu]

    Kothandaraman added that unnecessary structures built inside the temple over a period using cement and all the marble structures have been removed. In their place, unpolished granite (karunkal) levelled by hand push hammering would be laid in all parts of the temple, adding to its ancient eighth century look.

    As the woodwork inside the gold- plated Ananda vimanam atop the sanctum sanctorum of the presiding deity Lord Parthasarathy has been damaged over the years, it has been renovated using new teak wood. Instead of steel nails as is usual, brass nails have been used for the work.

    The two temple cars will be covered with unbreakable transparent glasses in their middle portion at a cost of `27 lakh.

    The karungal on the compound walls have been applied with an organic mixture called noogra paste imported from Afghanistan and another clay imported from Africa to ensure their safety.

    Another mixture called surya kavasam, a mixture of aloe vera, vasambu (sweet flag), kadukkai (terminalia chebula) and a few other herbs will be applied inside of all temple towers in order to protect them from termites and other decay.

    The 16-pillar mandapam (Andaal Neeraatta Mandapam) located on the Eastern side of the temple has also been  renovated. The lime coatings given during the past 10 decades have been removed using an organic material called devata.

    Dream Darshan

    The presiding deity here is Sri Venkatakrishna Swami also known as Geethacharya. Puranas say King Sumathy prayed  Lord Thiruvengada of the Seven Hills to give him darshan in the form of the charioteer (Sarathy) to Partha (Arjuna) during the Mahabharata war, rendering Bhagavad Gita. Lord Thiruvengada appeared in his dream and bade him to go to Brindaranya (Triplicane) where he would give him darshan in the form he wished. Sri Venkatakrishna Swamy is enshrined in the middle of the sanctum sanctorum, while Sri Rukmani Thayar and Satyaki are on his right and left. Elder brother Balarama is seen on the right side of Rukmani Thayar facing North and his son Prathyumnan and grandson Anirudhan are on the Northern side  facing south The Utsava Moorthi is seen with marks in the face caused by Bheeshma’s arrows during the Mahabharatha War.

    Author: T. Muruganandham | Source: Indian Express [May 21, 2015]

  • Promo-pavilion for the city of Żory

    Promo-pavilion for the city of Żory

    New pavilion

    In the Polish city of Żory Nobel prize winner Otto Stern was born. What is known about this place? Now visitors of a city, tourists, investors, partners can find out it directly on entrance, in new pavilion under the bright name “FLAME”. The author of the project — OVO Grabczewscy Architekci.

    Fire festival

    The city name, Żory means fire, a flame. For city building, it was necessary to burn wood, therefore such name. Traditions remain; in the summer the annual Festival of Fire here is held, on a city logo the small flame is represented.

    Art project

    It is obvious, that the pavilion building should cause associations with fire. The building consists of three independent walls which are imposed against each other. Their composition and an external covering copper gives rise to set of reflexions. Inside concrete designs are left untouched, the floor is laid by a black stone.

    In Pavilion two basic spaces. One — exhibition and the second — presentation. Under a glass floor the city breadboard model is located.

    Promo pavilion

    Breadboard model of exhibition hall FLAME

    VIA «Promo-pavilion for the city of Żory»

  • Picasso, Matisse and... Tim Burton!..

     Picasso, Matisse and... Tim Burton!..

    Johnny Depp

    Alice In Wonderland: Johnny Depp

    Weirdo. Loner. Outsider. These are some of the terms director Tim Burton uses to describe himself. You will notice `creative genius’ isn’t one of them, however, the term is being thrust upon on the quirky filmmaker thanks to Tim Burton: The Exhibition which opened at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne on Thursday. The show is an extension of an exhibition curated by the Performance Center Alexanderhoehe, Iserlohn (Germany), which attracted more than 850, 000 visitors and made it the third largest exhibit at MoMA ever, behind Picasso and Matisse.

    It is a remarkable feat for someone who is firstly, not a mainstream artist, and secondly, alive.

    “Most of this stuff was never meant to really be seen,” says Burton, sitting cross-legged in an ACMI room in his signature uniform of black jeans, a black shirt and black oversized cardigan. His famous curly hair frizzes out at all ends and his hands, fluid and always moving, add to its state by running through it as he describes the `freedoms’ of being labelled a weirdo.
    “As soon as society says you’re a weirdo, then you’re a weirdo, whether you like it or not,” says the 51-year-old.
    “After a certain time you just accept it and it gives you a sense of freedom because if you want to wear a bag over your head society will just accept it because they thought you were weird anyway.
    “Like when I was at Disney they thought I was weird, so I would work under my desk for half the day.
    “Sometimes if they couldn’t find me I’d just be in a dark cupboard working, like my private confessional.
    “So there’s an amount of freedom when you’re categorised a certain way. “
    Growing up in Burbank, California, Tim Burton was fascinated by the visual image and spent his formative years sketching, painting, animating and filming what he saw around him.
    “When you circle outside of society, when you’re kind of, you’re not in there, you’re looking at things,” he says.
    “A lot of it has to do with feeling out of society so you have a lot more observation.”
    These observations make up the first part of the exhibit, Surviving Burbank, and include, among dozens of sketches and early short films, a handmade book he submitted to Disney in the 1970s and the accompanying rejection letter. Several years later Burton achieved his goal and began working at Disney’s Burbank studios as an animator. Some of his early work for the company was as on family hits The Black Cauldron and The Fox and the Hound, which Burton physically shudders remembering.
    “I was never good at drawing foxes, especially the cute ones,” he says.
    “That’s why I can’t look at the exhibit because it freaks me out too much.
    “I know they’ve done a good job, but it’s like seeing your dirty laundry hanging up. “`Oh there’s my underwear from 1973 and there’s some dirty socks.’

    Personal embarrassment aside, the exhibition is an in-depth look at the creative processes and twisted imagination of Burton, featuring more than 700 works including drawings, early films, sculptures, concept art, installations, puppets, costumes and cinematic ephemera. The second part of the exhibition, Beautifying Burbank, follows Burton’s step away from the Disney studio and his first early film and animation works, including his rarely seen Japanese kung-fu version of Hansel and Gretel and better known works Frankenweenie and Vincent, the latter based around one of Burton’s great inspirations — horror movie icon Vincent Price.

    The final section, Beyond Burbank, looks at his feature film career, which has spanned over two decades. From his early works, such as Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands, to more recent films like Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street, Burton has made the leap from cult to commercially successful filmmaker. His latest film, Alice In Wonderland, has grossed more than $1 billion at the international box office and gone on to become the fifth highest grossing film of all time. But Burton is quick to write-off his recent success and says if spending half his lifetime in the movie-making business has taught him anything, it is that filmmaking is a `humbling process’.

    “I remember after making Batman I thought `oh, that was a success, I can go and do anything now’,” he says.
    “And so I went and pitched them Edward Scissorhands and they gave me a completely blank look.
    “Nobody wanted to do that and nobody wanted to do Ed Wood, so I had to go about it in other ways.
    “Then I remember pitching a musical version of The House Of Wax with Michael Jackson that he was into but they, the studio, were definitely not into.
    “It’s always a struggle to make a film.”

    Despite the many `challenges’ faced when trying to get a project off the ground, Burton says he has faith that everything works out for a reason. He cites the studio not letting him have Sammy Davis Jr play Beetlejuice as an example, because `it opened the door for Michael Keaton’ who also went on to play Batman in Burton’s two adaptations of the comic book superhero. Another near-miss occurred when, after three hours of auditioning, Burton talked a young Tom Cruise out of wanting the role of Edward Scissorhands, which was later filled by Johnny Depp, who has become a frequent collaborator and one of Burton’s closest friends. Failed projects and major successes go hand in hand for Burton, who says he has learned `not to regret anything’.

    “I don’t really regret, it’s always important not to,” he says.
    “Every movie I’ve done, whether it’s turned out or not, I’ve still enjoyed aspects of it, you know?
    “I mean I think the one I got the most slack with is Planet Of The Apes because that was messing with a classic.
    “But I still enjoyed seeing talking apes."

    One of the highlights of the exhibition is the 2.7kg costume Depp wore in Edward Scissorhands (above), which is stationed at the entrance to the exhibit along with one of the scissor hands on display in a glass cabinet. Other featured works which will have the legions of Burtonites, the name given to passionate Tim Burton fans, gushing is the famous outfit Michelle Phfieffer wore as Catwoman in Batman Returns, original puppets from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas borrowed from the Disney archives, costumes and sketches from Alice In Wonderland and the Burtonarium, a carnival tent buried deep within the exhibit which houses a light emitting sculptural work by Burton called Carousel (pictured at the very bottom).

    ACMI Head of Exhibitions Conrad Bodman says the `diversity’ of the exhibits represents Burton as a filmmaker and goes a long way to explaining his loyal fan base.

    “One of the things that Tim has always done is work across a range of film genres - action films, animated films, family films, horror films - and I think all of those types of films have different audiences and when you pull all those inspirations together in the one place, people want to come,” he says.
    “What we’re showing in the exhibition is a lot of original concept artwork for his major feature films and we’re kind of looking at the process of his feature filmmaking over the years.
    “People can see that often the hand drawn is the starting point for some ideas and then that turns into a visual reality for a whole process of development.
    “Tim still does a lot of that kind of drawing, painting and making puppets for himself and people will be fascinated to see that process in action.”

    Unlike many other filmmakers, Burton says he has been able to maintain his artistic integrity and stay connected to his creative roots by separating himself from the industry.

    “I don’t live in Hollywood,” he says.
    “I moved away many years ago and once you start doing things they try to treat you as a commodity, a thing.
    “You know, you spend your whole life to be recognised as a human being and then they try to tag you as a thing.
    “Like `oh, you’ve done this and that’s what we expect’ so I don’t go back and look at my films too much because I try not to become a `thing’.
    “I try to keep human... no person or people should be described as one thing.
    “I think everybody has lots of different aspects to their personality.
    “Some are dark, funny, sad, there are so many words for each person.”

    Considering Melbourne was originally to be called Batmania, after one of it’s founders John Batman, it seems appropriate that it is to be the home of Tim Burton: The Exhibition, which runs until October 11. Already ACMI has experienced a fevour amongst Burton’s Australian fans, with all of his public appearances selling out within 24 hours of going on sale and hundreds of fans queuing through Federation Square to be the first to enter the exhibit when it opened on Thursday and have copies of the exhibition guide signed by Burton himself. It is ironic that his work and films are so accepted by the society he once considered himself `outside’ of. It is a phenomenon best summed up by Burton’s partner and regular collaborator Helena Bonham Carter, with whom he has two children. In a book on the art of Tim Burton she says: “When I see him surrounded by flushed and hyperventilating young fans I feel it’s a triumph of the lonely misunderstood outsider child he once felt he was. Now he’s the most understood misunderstood person I’ve come across in the world.”

    In the meantime Burton says he is enjoying a lull between live action projects, while busying himself with a feature-length adaptation of Frankenweenie (concept art), due for release next year. He emphasises the stop-motion animated film is the only project he is working on and committed to, despite online reports which have linked him to adaptations of The Addams Family and super-natural TV series Dark Shadows, both which he blatantly denies were ever `considered’.

    “That’s why I never go on the internet because it always seems like I have some sort of evil clone out there that is doing all these projects,” he says.
    “I’m still recovering from the last one.
    “Whenever I read this stuff I get tired, I think `God, I must be busy’.
    “The studios often have a release date before they have a script, which is such a mistake.
    “I’m trying to get out of that and, you know, into this strange concept of having a script before you announce a release date.”

    P.S. I did the good Samaritan thing on Sunday and took some boys I babysit to see The Karate Kid. Considering what I endured sitting through that movie, karma better have a pet unicorn heading my way! And while you're in the laughing mood, you must must must watch the video clip for The Karate Kid theme song: Never Say Never by Justin Bieber, featuring rapping from Jaden Smith. Hopefully this is not an indication that Smith will make a rap song to accompany every movie he makes, just like his dad. But seriously, when you look young standing next to Justin Bieber then it's time to stop rapping and get back in the womb.

    Picasso, Matisse and... Tim Burton!.., 9 out of 10 [based on 461 votes]

    VIA Picasso, Matisse and... Tim Burton!..

  • Green House on Sentoza Island

    Green House on Sentoza Island
    House in Singapore

    House on Sentoza, Singapore

    Architectural bureau Nicholas Burns Associates has designed a private house on the island of Sentosa in Singapore. The residence is a series of open spaces, centered around a central axis. Wood, concrete, stone and steel — the main decoration materials of the house. But the main focus was on the nature around because out of the residence offers a magnificent view of evergreen jungle.

    House on Sentoza, Singapore
    House in Singapore
    House on Sentoza, Singapore
    House in Singapore
    House on Sentoza, Singapore
    House on Sentoza, Singapore
    House in Singapore
    House on Sentoza, Singapore
    House in Singapore
    House on Sentoza, Singapore
    House in Singapore
    House on Sentoza, Singapore
    House in Singapore
    House on Sentoza, Singapore
    Green House on Sentoza Island, 7 out of 10 [based on 326 votes]

    VIA «Green House on Sentoza Island»

  • thrifting, fabric, and a new bag

    thrifting, fabric, and a new bag
    Sewing I continue to go thrifting on Mondays and I keep finding awesome things. Yesterday it was a never been used vintage towel and the cutest tablecloth. I got all excited when I saw the tablecloth, I love the big flowers and the colors.

    SewingHere are some recent fabric purchases. I snatched up some of Anna Maria Horner's innocent crush, I love, love, love the star burst print. Those bird cages are from JoAnn's.
    I have been having a crush on gingham lately and found the grey and tangerine colors and had to have it.

    SewingI was near IKEA yesterday and had a bit of extra time so I went in to check out the fabrics and found this wood grain fabric, and some cute placemats to repurpose.


    Sewing
    I was excited and made up a couple bags like this with the placemats last night.
    They are kinda funky and I love it. The back of the bag is the same stripe as the handle. I originally was going to leave it kinda plain, and then decided it needed a little embellishment, so I made a flower pin to put on it.
    Now, I am off to cut out new bags as I have aquired a new pile of upholstery fabrics (for free I might add!) And I am so happy to have my sewing mojo back!



  1. You Know You’re a Mom When-sDAZE
  2. Thank Goodness for Bedtime
  3. Mom N' Me Monday- When Colton Joined the Pack
  4. You Know You’re a Mom When-sDAZE
  5. Tasty Tuesday –Pseudo Paella
  6. Will I Still Raise My Palm Branch?
  7. A Changed Heart
  8. Bittersweet
  9. The Other Guy in The Story
  10. The Perfect Gift