P.S.

Go and see Enchanted if you haven't already. It's light and upbeat, the singing's not annoying and there's a healthy dose of romanticism and chivalry as well. It's the perfect antidote to the Christmas Shopping Binge!

Did someone say "adventure?"...

Yes they did and its a good thing, too. I am so in need of an adventure! Mom's gone to Bernina in Chicago with Sue Nickels, Dad has work, Robin has school and I'm at home with Super Piper the Wonder Puppy and all she does is sleep all day. Not much fun but that's absolutely my fault. I've been working on a project for the last 2 days while catching up on my Project Runway and movies I've DVR'd from TCM and I've been no fun for her, either, hence the exorbitant amount of sleep she's been getting. That's where Holly comes in.

Thanks heavens for Holly! She called on Tuesday night - before my two day project overdose (more on that later) - and called to see if I wanted to go and explore the Daiso Japan shop with her today. My answer: "Heck yes!" I am more than excited to go and check out this shop I've heard so much about from the lovely PamKittyMorning. When I met Pam at Market in Utah she was introduced to me with the post script of "You know, PamKittyMorning... Pam. Kitty. Morning. (expectant pause) The one who told us about Daiso Japan!" And then it clicked. Pam is so much fun to observe and be around because she is such a kick in the pants! She described Daiso to us as a "crack house for Hello Kitty Lovers." And that's high praise coming from this lady! Make sure to check out her blog and her thoughts on Daiso Japan. I'll be back with my full report Saturday morning!

Have a charming Friday!

Many Happy Returns, Little Brother...

Today is the day my little brother, Robin, turns 16... 16! Robin and I usually celebrate this day by pulling him out of school. Hey, he got me out of school the day he was born so I figured returning the favor once a year is the least I can do. Usually we'd be going to go see the newest Harry Potter flick. I pull him out of school, we stand in line for the first showing of the day, and we sneak food in. (Which is actually nothing compared to what my girlfriends and I sneak in. Coldstone, anyone?) But since it was released during the summer this year we have had to find another option. And that has yet to be discovered. Maybe sushi, maybe a different movie. I did, however, make him a cake today. From scratch. Including the icing. I absolutely love this boy.

Oops!

I didn't realize that it had been 4 days since I last posted anything. Things have been so busy here at the studio that I've barely had time to come up for air! But it was so nice last night to be able to sit and do nothing while I watched Pushing Daisies. Such a cute show! And Lee Pace and Anna Friel make it so easy to watch the show as Jim Dale - of Harry Potter audio book fame - narrates. If you haven't taken the time to peek at it, well, I think you should. It's the best hour on TV this season.



I'm off to lunch with Annie and Holly of Eat Cake Graphics. Check her out, too! We're doing a podcast while we eat! Pictures to come!

Hope you all have a charming afternoon!

"Yes... A Thousand Times Yes..."

You might not think that Pride & Prejudice has much to do with Quilt Market. Well, you would be wrong. I never travel without my Lappy, I always make sure my DVD arsenal is well stocked, and that means having P&P on hand. We (Mom, Holly & me) watched it the night before we came home from Houston and, believe me, we needed the escapism. There's something about getting lost in a good book or movie isn't there?

Anyway, we watched it and all three of us were cooing like doves over Matthew MacFadyen's Mr. Darcy. And honestly, what's not to love?

This version of P&P is so different in that it focuses on the intimacies between parents and children, sisters, friends, suitors and their intendeds, and - ultimately - husbands and wives. I love the BBC/A&E 1991 version of Pride & Prejudice. It's the ultimate, almost word-for-word representation of Jane Austen's most popular work. This was the version that introduced me to all things fine and proper. All things romantic and civil. And to some who call themselves "Jane-ites" it is their Holy Grail and I am not about to take that away from them. Especially since I love my sister-in-law!

I love this newer version because it's lacings aren't done so tight and it allows some room to let the characters fully develop into the emotional and vulnerable personalities I envisioned as I journeyed through the book and so needed to see on screen. It made them just that much more real to me. Makes me care so much more about the goings-on of something so trivial. And it really makes me think that people were really more like that than the prim-and-proper counterparts represented in its predecessor. In my humble opinion, I think Ms. Austen meant for her work to be just as much a charicature of the society in which she was part as much as it was meant to be a narrative about the life around her.

I just love this film. Plain and simple. And I am more than happy to sit down and watch it with anyone that asks. Everybody needs a little bit of Elizabeth and Darcy sometimes. And sometimes, that's the best medicine.

A Conversation Between Two 15 year-olds...

"Dude, listen to this: 'My get-up-and-go just got up and went"

"What?"

"My get-up-and-go... just got up... and went"

"What does that even mean?"

"IDK, my BFF Rose?"

Pause... and then chuckling. Chuckling!! Even some coming from me... and then my patented synchronized eye-roll and head shake.

All of this while they play Guitar Hero III.
Charming...

So much to think about!

Ok, so I had some idea what elements I wanted on my blog when I first started, but being the "point-and-click" expert that I am I cannot figure out how to add them to this thing!

I've been trying to figure out how to add those cool little lists of blogs I read, etc., for the last hour! And I am not computer illiterate, people. I was playing on a Mac Classic at age 3 and Mario taught me how to properly utilize the keyboard when I was in junior high. I can format a document in Word and enter my payment info into my Amazon.com account. I know my way around these things. Really, I do!

I guess it's a quick trip to book store (who has ever heard of a "quick trip" to the bookstore?!) to pick up a brand spankin' new copy of Blogging for Dummies. I am now walking out the door with my head hung in shame. Charming, huh?...

Welcome to Funky Charming!

My name is Kirsten and I will be your guide for the duration of this post! A little about me: I am 26, I live in San Jose, and I am a quilter. I sew, design patterns and teach. My favourite show on the DIY Network is Stylicious and I am addicted to What Not to Wear. I am Funky Charming. Welcome!

Funky Charming came about out of necessity. I was designing patterns under SimpleArts - my mother's company - and I needed a way to differentiate my patterns from hers. So Funky Charming was born as a division of SimpleArts. I debuted my first pattern under the FC name in Houston at International Quilt Market in October. Yay!

This Funky Charming blog will most definitely be about quilting and anything thus related, but it will also be about me and my adventures in and out of the world that is quilting. It is my goal to post at least once a day so I hope you enjoy it and I hope you come back often! And please feel free to leave comments!
Until then...
Have a Charming Day!