a valentine and other stuff
I cut this for Pete for Valentine's Day. But he hasn't seen it yet. Honey, stop reading.
After a total sugar freak-out I am limiting my intake to weekends only. And not all binge-y either, but a normal amount. It all started with the caramel corn incident, which I will blog about very soon. It's a lot of words to type. And then the chocolate experiment, also forthcoming, and then ice cream cake. Ugh. I have had so much sugar lately my eyes hurt. So I need a break. But, I did make brown rice pudding for breakfast, but I don't think that really counts exactly.
I got the new Alison Krause/Robert Plant album and it is really good. I kept hearing it was—and it is. It's very restrained so I was happy because he does get all Robert Plant on a few songs. He's like William Shatner, you know? You just can't keep the Shatner in. I love hearing this album and then imagining Robert with his jeans all freaky low ala The Song Remains the Same. Not that I really like this image, it's more like I find it very amusing. My mom saw a part of that movie and declared his jeans "obscene" which is hysterical coming from my mom.
Gorgeous valentine, Amy! Hmmm... so can sugar overload take any credit in contributing to the incredible creativity you have? Maybe my intake has just been too low... LOL
Posted by: Katherine | February 05, 2008 at 11:03 PM
That's a very beautiful design. What size is it?
Posted by: Lisette | February 05, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Wow! Amy, this is gorgeous! I was planning to do the heart from emailorder 8 for Himself, so hopefully that will turn out pretty too.
Posted by: Claudia | February 06, 2008 at 03:30 AM
What a beautiful Valentine! I'm totally cracking up over comparing Robert Plant to William Shatner. WIll have to give that album a listen; sounds great. And I'm with you on the sugar overload. I'm giving up sweets for Lent.
Posted by: Mary | February 06, 2008 at 03:37 AM
So lovely! Thanks for the heads up on the album. I am totally clueless as to current music so I rely on others to keep me posted. I'm going to go buy that one right away.
Posted by: AmyDe | February 06, 2008 at 04:02 AM
Gorgeous. Think I'll steal your idea, if you don't mind.
Posted by: Elaine | February 06, 2008 at 04:05 AM
Ha ha, Amy--'he gets all Robert Plant on a few songs'--but that's what I like about him! Actually, I love Alison Krause, too, I just can't imagine them together, so I will definitely have to listen to this. Your comment about the jeans and Grammie also made me laugh, part of why I love to read your blog. That, and the creativity and inspiration. The valentine is so lovely. Lucky Pete!
Lynn
Posted by: Crosspaws | February 06, 2008 at 05:06 AM
Your cut-out is so sweet and beautiful! I'm amazed at how good you are at this craft; though you seem to be good at everything you make!
Posted by: Melissa | February 06, 2008 at 05:26 AM
I have that album, too! I was very surprised when I listened to it and it took me a while to like it. It grew on me, though. Alison Krause has a beautiful voice.
Posted by: Lisa {milkshake} | February 06, 2008 at 05:30 AM
Super paper cut..I've yet to try it...teensy bit nervous of the me and sharp blade combination ! Loving that album as well...yes, old Planty gets to let rip a bit (in a restrained sorta way)Great stuff :)
Posted by: asti | February 06, 2008 at 06:09 AM
right there with you on the sugar. right there.
Posted by: emily | February 06, 2008 at 06:26 AM
That paper cut is beautiful!!! :)
Oh... sounds like you've been cooking up all kinds of yummy goodies!! hehe. I can't wait to read more about the caramel corn... YUM!! :D
Posted by: Casey | February 06, 2008 at 07:13 AM
Fantastic papercut!
I am with you on the sugar overload. Ugh. Everytime I eat something laden with sugar I think... this is it. I am going into diabetic shock. No, I am not diabetic, but I still really think that.
Posted by: Crystal | February 06, 2008 at 07:14 AM
We have brown rice pudding around here for breakfast occasionally. I make it with sweetened, vanilla almond milk and don't add any more sugar, so I convince myself it's good for us.
And I really like that album too. We'd listened to it a lot and when my 9 year old heard a Led Zeppelin song on the radio asked if it was the Gone, Gone, Gone guy.
And, I love your paper cut. Just beautiful!
Posted by: Wendy | February 06, 2008 at 07:22 AM
I am really enjoying the RP/AK album-- I particularly like "Polly Come Home." I love me some Robert Plant...obscene jeans and all. (Fingers crossed for a Zep tour in the fall after the RP/AK tour!) Ugh...sugar...I've been making those chocolate cocoa cookies with peanut butter chips and they are so yummy and fudgy and brownie-y. And after about three (or eight) of these little gems I am cursed with a wicked sugar hangover. When will I learn??
Posted by: hayley | February 06, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Raising Sand, the CD of which you speak, has got to be one of my favs. I was giddy when I first heard it. What a dream combo, huh?
Posted by: Kari | February 06, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Don't you just love Alison Kraus??? I am a way frugal girl, but I can spend some cash on AKUS music! Good luck with the sugar thing. That's a toughy.
Posted by: Snippety Gibbet | February 06, 2008 at 09:56 AM
I remember swooning over pictures of him in low jeans when I was 12- not realizing at the time that they were from when my mom was 12. *sigh* here's to Led Zepplin.
Posted by: Ani King | February 06, 2008 at 10:16 AM
I would love to see your brown rice recipe. i have yet to find one that satisfies. Thanks.
Posted by: Ericka B Traven | February 06, 2008 at 10:30 AM
after one very large piece of birthday cake (and the ensuing crabbiness) I have sworn off sugar.
Posted by: meg | February 06, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I can't believe you compared Robert Plant to 'The Shat'
Must be the sugar.
Lovely Valentine!
Posted by: Cassandra | February 06, 2008 at 10:59 AM
I'm with you on the sugar OD...my kids' birthdays are only a couple of days apart, so I am completely sick of cakes!!
Posted by: Lisa | February 06, 2008 at 12:27 PM
overdosing on sugar is dangerous.
Ugh!
Nice Valentine design. What r u gonna do with it?
Posted by: Pomegranate | February 06, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Ohhh, love the papercut!
I never would have imagined Alison and Robert together although I am a big fan of both. While waiting for the album to come out, I found an awesome interview with them on youtube. I'll send it to you if I can find it again.
Posted by: Heather | February 06, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Lucky hubby. What a piece of ART! :)
Posted by: Carolyn | February 06, 2008 at 01:54 PM
I hadn't even heard they had done an album.. I got it for christmas.. and I can hook you up with a link later of the top ten rock crotches....of course Robert Plant is no. 1!!!!
amazing valentine!!!
Posted by: jan in nagasaki | February 06, 2008 at 02:00 PM
ohhh.... those hands are tickling this little part inside of me, how lovely this is! !
Posted by: jenny | February 06, 2008 at 03:08 PM
omg laughing at the jeans! I do like it when he gets all Robert Planty. Hhmmmmmm
Posted by: Chelsea D. | February 06, 2008 at 03:42 PM
There is an excellent interview of Robert Plant by Terri Gross of Fresh Air. She also interviews Steven Tyler and the lead singer for Judas Priest (that'll take ya back). All the interviews are a riot.
Posted by: Lisa | February 06, 2008 at 05:17 PM
this may be the funniest thing you've ever written...i laughed for about 15 minutes!
are you sure you want to cut back on the sugar?
Posted by: Pamela | February 06, 2008 at 06:41 PM
What we need is Shatner and Alison doing Zep’s Immigrant Song, like in a crazy messed up zombie Tortelvis kind of way.
Posted by: kronk | February 06, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Hi there! I am totally sure you are aware of this artist, but with your recent papercuts I was sure you would appreciate his work! http://www.petercallesen.com/
Posted by: Kelly | February 07, 2008 at 03:55 AM
Very beautiful Valentine!
I need to limit the sugar myself. It is hard with Valentine's right around the corner, though :)
Posted by: Mellissa - wondermommy | February 07, 2008 at 06:23 AM
What a lovely paper cut out!! It is so beautiful! Hope all is well, have a happy Thursday!
♥Lisa
Posted by: Lisa M | February 07, 2008 at 06:43 AM
your plant/shatner comparison is really great... thanks for putting it into words. :)
Posted by: punchanella | February 07, 2008 at 08:48 AM
LOVE the papercut!
Posted by: lera | February 07, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Beautiful cutout. How do you do that...cut all those little spaces out! Very stunning. I recently saw a book 'Paper Cutouts'. Have you seen this book? I was thinking of ordering it..it has 45 designs. I think I will....after seeing your work I'm intrigued.
Posted by: Alice | February 07, 2008 at 09:16 AM
Your papercut Valentine is stunning!
I love Robert Plant and will have to look for that CD.
Posted by: June | February 07, 2008 at 10:15 AM
have you seen this? http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/artwork/rob-ryans-this-is-for-you-042305
Posted by: Stephanie | February 07, 2008 at 11:36 AM
So beautiful. What a wonderful gift.
Posted by: Lauren Hawley | February 07, 2008 at 11:45 AM
I love all this paper cutting you've been doing. It's so inspiring.
Posted by: Zylo | February 07, 2008 at 01:04 PM
I love your comparison of Robert Plant and William Shatner. Sadly, we have a William Shatner album - as a joke ofcourse. Also, Spock also had a solo career way back when - we have just one song by him but it's a real doozy.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 07, 2008 at 02:09 PM
What a beautiful valentine! At first I saw the floral shapes at the bottom as hungry baby birds with their beaks open reaching up towards the their hand-holding (uh, human) parents. I wondered where the third bird-baby was : ) I'm sure you weren't planning to make a Valentine Rorschach test!
Posted by: Jessie B. | February 07, 2008 at 06:46 PM
What a lovely valentine. As for the brown rice pudding, I'm curious if you have a good recipe?
Posted by: Maria | February 07, 2008 at 10:09 PM
um so yeah... let's talk about the caramel corn for a second, k? Can you please stop sending crack cocaine disguised as caramel corn into work with pete?
That is all.
Posted by: AJ | February 07, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Gorgeous design!
Posted by: AJ | February 07, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Love the papercut - so pretty.
Posted by: Dyan | February 08, 2008 at 07:51 AM
"Can't keep the Shatner in"...You make me laugh!!! I just love that! Love the piece you made for your husband. You are so multitalented!
Posted by: Claudia | February 08, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Ha! I had a total sugar freak-out last month and did the same think.... hope yours lasts longer than mine (all of four days) :)
Posted by: SeaBird | February 08, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Oooh! You're Valentine looks beautiful.
I tried my first paper cutting project last night and my lines are all jagged, not sure if it was the knife or the cheap pad I'm cutting on... or maybe it's just me. How in the world do you make your lines look so smooth?
Love your blog, always stoked to see a new post.
Posted by: Just Jaime | February 08, 2008 at 06:34 PM