FIRST OFF: I haven't been posting on this blog as much. 1. I'm kinda tired of managing this myspace blog thing, but I will try to post every so often and 2. I have been regularly updating on my actual blog. So, if you are one of the few people that really dig my blog, please check it out over there. Sometimes i can't post certain things like my google reader lists on this blog, so it makes things just a little bit more difficult...anyway....

Thought I would do a fun list of sorts today of 5 sites you really need to check out!

Craft Critique
I've been visiting this great blog called Craft Critique. They seem to really be on top of stuff on there...new products and whatnot. They also do thorough research on all types of craft products, not just scrapbooking stuff. It's a great resourceful site.

Betsey Johnson
OK, so I perused around on Betsey Johnson's site today. I love her jewelry so much. I remember first hearing about her back in middle school, when she had a "Get a cool look for under $50 at K-mart" featured in Seventeen. I always loved what she did with that (I remember her teenage daughter Lulu was always the model). Anyway, I don't know why I haven't been visiting this site more often, in fact. If you know of any other quirky designers that is in this vain, please let me know. I'm not the most fashionable of people (I mean I keep up on some stuff, but it's hard not being immersed in that world. Must.sign.up.for.more.fashion.feeds.

Your Face Blog
I love this fun illustration site called Your Face. Artist Damien Weighill does some really original and fun drawings with basic photographs that people send in. I actually sent him mine, but I doubt he will ever get to it. I'm sure he gets hundreds of requests daily and has to weed through them to find just the right one to draw. He has the craziest, most off the wall ideas. I love the randomness.

Culture Soak Blog
I found this great Bluegrass region blog called Culture Soak. It's really nicely designed and doesn't fixate itself totally on Lexington, but it also deals with cool design, photography, and art all over the world. I love posts like this lego photo reenactment, Polaroid Mirror, and one that led me to this bad design police link Hilarious!

Marketplace article..."Knit 1, Pearl 2, Point & Click"
Heard today on Marketplace this story about the decline knitting shops that were booming just 2-3 years ago. Considering that I don't knit and haven't visited a shop or talked to a knitter in depth, I had no clue as to what was going on with this industry and the downturn of the popularity of local knitting shops. Looks like more people are going online or turning to other venues for their supplies. If you are a crafty pro, you should def. check out this article. Very insightful.

I hope you guys have a chance to check out atleast one of them to be inspired and possibly learn something new! Until next time Swellions!

Alexa