Are you a Chuck fan?

Here's some early buzz about Choke - Chuck Palahniuk's latest book to be adapted to the big screen. Ever seen Fight Club? Yep, that was Chuck too. I couldn't be more excited to see this film. I'm a HUGE fan of Chuck's work.



In what they're already calling the best sale of the festival, Fox Searchlight has bought Clark Gregg's adaptation of Choke for a reported $5 million! The film had its world premiere last night at the Racquet Club Theatre, and Chuck Palahniuk was in attendance as the film got a roaring applause. The cast includes Sam Rockwell (as Victor Mancini), Angelica Huston (as Ida Mancini), and Kelly MacDonald (as Paige Marshall). The playlist also looks promising - with bands like Radiohead, The Fiery Furnaces, Rogue Wave, and Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah!. The director is Clark Gregg - it appears this is the first film he has directed.

Here's a quote from Alex Billington of FirstShowing.net:
" I caught the world premiere of Choke last night and certainly will confirm that it is one hell of a great film. It's no Fight Club, but it is a Chuck Palahniuk movie in its own right delivering a solid story with great comedy and a perfect performance by Sam Rockwell. It's not my own favorite movie of the fest, but I couldn't be happier seeing this get picked up by the best indie distributor out there. Fox Searchlight has put out some of the biggest indie hits - Napoleon Dynamite, Little Miss Sunshine, Juno - and now it's time for Choke!"





Word is the next book to be adapted is Survivor (another personal favorite for me!) from the director of I Am Legend, Francis Lawrence.

Etsy favorites 1.22.08

Left to right: (all under $40)

Grunge Chandelier Wall Decal Medium by Holly

Set of 8 Silver Rimmed Swank Tumblers & Set of Vintage Teacups by Deadbirdfinds

Bliss bracelet by LF Jewelry Designs

Leather Cuff - peace dove by Cuff Cult

Smile tumbler by WarauKoppu

Bride and Groom figurine by Melabo

Chiaroscuro Bunny Photograph by Justyn Hegreberg

CLOVERFIELD (no spoilers)

All I can say is YES! YES! YES!

Gotta love that JJ Abrams...

I B teasing U

Hmmm...wonder what this could be?

More info to come soon!

New addition to the family

Meet Milo our new male Beta fish. I need to find some large bamboo stalks for his new home. Know any place I can pick some up -- preferrably on the south side?

I-heart-vintage

**Update** I added some photos for La Luz and Hog Wild

My friends and I did some vintage-store browsing this weekend. We made a stop at some of the best shops in Austin: Homegirls, Hog Wild, Room Service (north), Austin Modern and La Luz. I picked up this lovely little ceramic casserole dish with lid by Oven Proof USA at Room Service for only $4.25. I collect vintage dish-ware and this will be great addition to my pieces (I'll show you sometime), plus, great price, huh?


All the shops have such a great selection of vintage finds.

Austin Modern, Homegirls and La Luz all have a well-edited selection and reasonable prices. Austin Modern had some great lamps. This set caught my eye (one of a set shown, around $120/set).



Photos from La Luz's myspace page:








Hog Wild and Room Service are more on the kitschy/rockabilly side of modern. It's so much fun to rummage thru their stores. They really feel like you've stepped back in time.

Photos from Hog Wild's myspace page:

Etsy favorites 1.21.08

Left to right: (all under $50)

Love bowl by Paloma’s Nest

Photographing instances of light Polaroid by Equivoque

Duck egg milk jug by Emma Litten

Vintage wallpaper box by When In Doubt Draw Flowers

Giclee print by Jenn Ski

Leaf Silhouette Earrings by Kate Szabone

Watching ring by Dillon Designs

My little bear turns 12...

Tomorrow, my only child turns 12. It's great and all, but I miss the "little girl" so much. We've been (really, just me) painting her bedroom - trying to give her a more grown up look. She's chosen the fun and trendy blue/brown color scheme. I still need to paint the horizontal brown stripe that will go along the top around the whole room. As you can see, even the ceiling is painted and let me tell you -- painting a ceiling is a pain! But it was worth it, don't you think? I'll keep you updated as it comes along.

Green and Pink before photos:

New Amy Butler

I'm not shy about professing my love for all things Amy Butler. Her work is amazing and it truly inspires me. I love her aesthetic and that her work is attainable and affordable. And she's done it again -- she created a new line for Rowan Fabrics that is truly gorgeous. Here's what she has to say about her new line "Midwest Modern" (due out in April) and a sneak peek.

"I'm so excited to introduce my brand new collection of quilting weight fabrics for Rowan! This line is inspired by the vintage modern spirit of my lifestyle book Midwest Modern. With luscious palettes called Ohio Sky and Pink and Orange Dahlias, the colors for this group come from beautiful summer days in my Ohio garden. The mix of organic prints are perfect for fashion, quilting and home dec projects, everything you need to create your own Midwest Modern style!"

My favorites:

And on a side note, Craft-O-Rama has just added a new sewing class based on Amy's "lotus tunic and cami" pattern. I think the tunic is adorable -- I could live in those all summer! The classes are in February and are two-parts (3 hrs each). Go here for more information.

My Etsy favorites: Art with animals part II

I'm not obsessed...NO....
OK, yes I am. I left out some really great stuff in the last post. I just had to share it with you!


Susie Ghahremani of Boy Girl Party
I was lucky enough to catch one of her displays at Giant Robot NY last August. Amazingly, her paintings are really tiny (if my memory serves me correctly, probably like 3"x2") and you can see, her work is full of detail. I don't know how she does it.
Dueling Bears


Nestlings, Nestlings
I was able to pick up a print of this sweet little painting.



Marmee Craft
Bashful Birdlings


Newsprint Bunny



Groundwork
Squirrel Tea



Ola Design (buy 2, get 1 free)
Look, deer


Field of Dreams



Pequod
Petunia


Little Lady Petunia of North Beach can often be seen attending to the needs of the less fortunate with the pluck and verve one could only expect from such a idealistic young terrier. “Of course, we Boston Terriers are known for having the most loving dispositions,” she says between enthusiastic licks of a beneficiary’s nose. “I mean, not to be catty, but what do I look like, a pug? Please.”

This reminds me so much of our little girl Boston, Zoey. She has such an attitude, but can be really sweet too.


Katrine K
The Balloon


The Wheel Barrow



The Black Apple
Wonders Never Cease



Berkley Illustration (very affordable)
Barn Owl


Powerful Owl



Mon Petit Fantome
Mr. Tuffy Misses You



Rosie Music
Kitten, home sweet home

My Etsy favorites: Art with animals

There are a few small farms near my home and I always look forward to catching a glimpse of the baby goats playing and frolicking. I could watch them for hours. Some day I’d like to have a little farm with baby goats, ponies…you name it (a girl can dream)! For now, I’ll have to live vicariously thru these little prints…making sure to greet my wee animal friends daily.

Kristiana Parn


Yumi Yumi
(You are going to kill me with cuteness)


Creative Thursday
(don’t you give me that expression mr. bear!)


Apak


Matte Stephens

New year...Looking waaaaay back

Hey out there...Happy New Year! I was rummaging around my files looking for rough draft posts that I could whip out real quick and I came across this scan of "Deanna's favorites" from 1990 (age 13). Before I look to the new year, I thought it would be kind of fun to look back at the Deanna from 18 years ago and see what's changed and what's stayed the same.

I can say that many things have stayed the same about me, which is sort of strange and cool. Some things are not relevant any more...like I don't have a favorite class or lunch. Ms. Sbelgio (hey Jr. Historians!) will always be the coolest teacher I ever had. Vanessa is still a very close and dear friend. Depeche Mode is not my favorite band, but I remember writing this after the Violator album came out. I was in 8th grade and this album introduced me to New Wave music. I was hooked. And if you know me well, you know I'm still totally in to french fries and cats (but, not together). I have to laugh about the 90210 and Steel Magnolia's reference, although, they are classics.

I believe that we are really our truest selves as young adults...a lot changes, but a lot stays the same. There's so much past in my present...