Three Things I Learned in Film School

1. Watch powerful, heart wrenching documentaries that make you thankful for being alive.

2. Be thankful for new TV shows to fall in love with. And don't be ashamed to love a TV show.

3. Never, I repeat, NEVER take life (or movies) too seriously. Thanks for that lesson, Joss Whedon.

You can take the girl out of film school, but you can't take the film school out of the girl. It's no secret that I love movies and TV. I think they are such a crucial part of our society, in so many incredible ways. Whether it means seeing a story that isn't easy to see, or losing yourself in a world created by a 30 minute TV show, or just plain taking 2.5 hours to have a good time and laugh/scream/yell in a big dark theater with a bunch of strangers. It's valuable and it's meaningful. It is also a productivity sucker and escape-mobile, but if we balance it all out, we'll gain so much from the magic that is media. 

If you don't know, I have my BFA in film production, my AA in creative screenwriting, and I taught media art and film production for several years, while in college and there after. Mostly to angsty middle schoolers, the best breed of child. I plan on writing more about it on the space, so if there is anything you want to read/see let me know. I guess that means time for more vloooogs, dontcha think? So this is my introduction to a new minor-focus on this space. I don't review movies or shows, I don't think anyone really wants to know why I thing. But I do want to share more of the things I love, and media-related content. 

xo,

Beca

Isaiah Toothtaker + MURS // New Video + Tumbleweeds Sighting

Isaiah Toothtaker - Hyperbolic Chamber Music from Мишка Bloglin on Vimeo.

This totally made my day. I finally got a chance to check out our friend Isaiah's new video "Hyperbolic Chamber Music" and not only is it a super good video + song guess what we discovered?! MURS is sporting a pair of Tumbleweeds Clubmasters! We made these custom for Isaiah almost a year ago with Javelina tooth inlays in a dark ebony wood. Isaiah let MURS wear them for the video and we are so so hyped! You can see more from Isaiah HERE and HERE.

We're bringing Clubmasters back in a big way for spring, so be on the lookout so you can get a custom pair too!

xo.

Our Tumbleweed Holiday

This holiday was pretty unconventional. We usually do the tree/presents/Christmas morning type holiday but because we have an almost empty house, it didn't seem appropriate to go all out for Christmas. I kind of missed it, but next year when we are settled and not in the middle of moving 2400 miles, we will go all out for Christmas. I didn't really celebrate Christmas growing up after my parents divorced, so I absolutely love it now. I love everything about it. Especially giving presents. I'll do a blog post tomorrow about our presents, they were pretty good this year! We just didn't wrap them or anything. Ha!

So, this year, we were so lucky to have Doug's Dad and Stepmom and her sister and husband come visit us for the holidays. It was really special having family in town and getting to play tourists for a few days. We ate so much food and went to all the cool spots in town, including the cliffs, our favorite place to take visitors. I shot this super short little video, and think it's pretty magical to look at...

+ T H E C L I F F S +

+ F O O D +

We did a lot of eating out this past weekend. Probably for the best since we don't have anything to eat in our house except Ramen and left over pizza, and all of our dishes are packed away. It was pretty neat going to the San Diego staple restaurants before we moved. If you are ever in San Diego, make sure you visit Phil's BBQ, Tower Two, The Fish Market and Anthony's Fish Grotto and The Waffle Spot at Kings Inn.

+ T H E M U S E U M S +

We went to the Maritime Museum and the Midway Museum while the family was in town and we got to take a little boat tour of the bay, visit ships and subs, and go on the Midway Aircraft ship.

It was really a wonderful few days. We didn't do any work, we ate A LOT of good food, and on Sunday, Doug and I spent Christmas together going to the movie theater, our yearly tradition, and eating cheese pizza and pumpkin pie in bed. I learned my first song on my new violin (Doug's Christmas present to me, more on that later) and we had such a relaxing weekend, I feel so refreshed and ready to get really busy moving/cleaning and filling the last of this years orders.

How were your holidays? Tell me all about them! I loved reading about your Hopes/dreams/goals for 2012 in my last post. Hope you have a great Monday! I'll be back tomorrow, or later today with photos of my new violin! :)

xo,

Beca

A Video about Durability

We made a video today about the durability of our sunglasses and we are excited to share it with you.

We get our frames from a wholesaler, to keep consistence and affordability. Sometimes, we get a frame that has a defect and the frames will crack after a few uses. This has happened 2 times out of the 80 pairs we have made, but if it does happen, we will make you a new pair, no questions asked, but after watching this video, we hope you can see how durable the frames are!

We still, of course, suggest keeping them in a hard case when not in use, and please don't throw them against your neighbors garage door! They'll just last longer!

xo,

Beca & Doug

Small Victories

I don't have very much substance to share today. I have had a really productive and successful day. Remade honeycake for Passover and it came out beautifully. Had a lot of success with Pâte à choux, which I don't care what anyone tells you, is not a simple feat. At least not for me. The shells came out WAY big, but incredibly delicate and airy. The white chocolate was a little chaotic for some reason. The assistant put it in a paper pastry bag which I wasn't happy about, but used it anyways. Stupid. Next time I know better.

I also cut and dyed my hair tonight. It's really dark brown and I welcomed back the baby bangs I owned for so many years, except with a slant. I don't know how I feel about it all yet. I'll take better photos tomorrow. I'm totally exhausted. Can't you tell from this horrible photo??

I'll leave you with a video that I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

xo,

Beca

Video Blog Tutorial

I've been challenged by Danielle to create a video blog tutorial for our Spring into Summer Blog Feature. easy enough, right! Wrong. I really wants to challenge myself to go above and beyond to create the ultimate blog tutorial. I spent a lot of time working on this little doozy today and I hope you love it!I hope, most of all, that it inspires you to to make more video blogs! (I may decorate cake for a living, but a piece of my heart will always still be in film school.)

And just because I have been asked, I use a Sony Handycam HD with a Opteka .45x HD 52mm Wide Angle Lens. I edit using Windows Movie Maker right now, but in the near future, I am going to be getting a mac book pro. Eventually. With Final Cut Pro. I have been asked to do some freelance editing recently and had to turn the job down because I don't have FCP anymore. (Due to some unfortunate events during and after film school, my computer, flat screen monitor and HD camera no longer belong to me.) I am really excited to start building that collection back up. ANYWAYS! Here is my video blog tutorial. I'll tell you right now, there are some awesome awkward pauses which I am known for, and my weird accent, in full force.

Some resources!

For Elsie's Video Blog Tips, click HERE.

Katie at igobykatie always has great video blogs.

You can watch my first, second and last video blogs.

Danielle just did the cutest video about some of her thrifting finds.

You should also check out this really simple Basic Video Editing for Movie Maker and imovie. (They're kind of cheesy, but take it with a grain of salt!)

Don't forget to have fun!

xo,

Bec

Monster's Adoption Story Video Blog

Hiya pals! Remember a long time ago when I wrote up Ollie's adoption Story? Well, it's been a long time, and I promised to follow up with the other pups...well..I forgot. I totally forgot, until I started seeing all the really cute videos and blog posts about dogs and remembered that I should have done this years ago...okay, maybe months ago, so anyways, it's Monster's turn.

Here it is. In video, nonetheless.

Whoa. Look who has serious bed head!! (It always looks like this!) I still feel like such a kook when I make videos, but I hope you enjoyed Monsters adoption story and a little about him. Also, I should have taken notes or something before I made this because it took me like 8 times and by the way, do you love how Charlie kept trying to get into the video? And seriously, his face just keeps getting stranger as the video goes on.

I hope you liked my video and monster's goofy face. What's your pups adoption story? I'd love to hear about it! If you make a video with your pet, send me the link!

Beca

Rainy Day Blues

I think I have been kind of personally absent from this blog lately. I mean I have been consistently posting, but not anything that has a smidgen of my voice to it. I have been really distracted with focusing on my home (ie, reorganizing, cleaning, putting new bed together, not doing laundry, spending money we don't have, you get the picture..) and honestly, I have been feeling kind of down. I think it's the weather, because everything else in my life is incredible. I was hired yesterday as the pastry chef at the deli, which is such an incredible feat and I am really proud of my persistence and hard work to get it. I have a great boyfriend who does everything for me, and loves me more than words can express, my dogs are awesome, our shop is rad. I just feel bummed.

In order to get myself out of this mood, I straightened up my little work space.

It didn't really work, but this is where I work.

We got our business cards in the mail from Moo and I am in love. They are so pretty, and I am so glad we went with the recycled paper. I love the way it looks and the way it feels.

I got this really pretty southwestern fabric from the thrift store this morning and made a little envelope bag to see how I would like it. It's prefect. I want to make little bags for bows and arrows merchandise. I also got new eyelets at the leather shop this morning, and they're too big for my hand press. I am frustrated with that, but don't want to get a new hand press. Everything seems more stressful and frustrating than it really is.

Our old roommate from Tucson Shawn in visiting us this weekend and it's really good to see him. It was fun living with him in Tucson. We always ate chicken wings and watched TV marathons. It was a good last few months in the pueblo.

Speaking of Tucson, my friend Isaiah put out a new video and it's really rad. I like the song, and the imagery and the editing. I can't say enough about it.

I am training some new people at work tonight and tomorrow who have been hired to replace me. I hope that I can get through this weekend. I also hope that it stops raining. I swear that is what is making me so depressed. I am cold, and everything is soggy and damp. It's depressing. I could never live in the northwest.

I am going to get my hands busy making dog collars! Whaaat!? Yep. I'm going to give it a go. Let's see how they come out. There is a little sneak peek at how the first one looks above.

xo,

Beca

Somebody Loves Me

Last night, I got off of work early, rode my bike home like lightening through the dark, flew into the yard, dropped my bike and burst through the door only to be greeted by a couple of these beauties.

I have been "collecting" Russian stacking dolls since I was a kid. I still regret selling a few in the shop...but I still have quite a pretty collection. Doug got off work early yesterday and picked these up for me as a surprise. The big one in the back and the two medium sized ones. The big one is a music box. I. am. in. love. He also picked out the two strawberry ones. Even more in love. (Sorry the photo isn't great, I am feeling really lazy right now.)

And to top the night off, he took me to Gulf Coast Grill for dinner. Holy holy, it was incredible. For the first night in a really really long time, we didn't worry about bills, we didn't worry about work, we just enjoyed an incredible southern dinner and each others company. Doug had the Seafood Pan Roast -clams, scallops, shrimp & oysters sautéed in a sherry cream sauce served over rice & topped with crabmeat. I had the Cornmeal Crusted Fish and Shrimp with bleu cheese crispy potatoes & jicama slaw. It was SO good. I didn't take any photos, I didn't do anything except eat and talk and be totally freaking in love. It was such a good night. If you live in San Diego and want to try a new restaurant, Gulf Coast Grill is definitely worth the expense.

This morning we woke up early and drove to Spring Valley swap meet. It was kind of a bust. I mean, we got some neat stuff for around the house and stuff, but nothing really for the shop. I did find two globes for $2 each, and the guy felt bad for asking that much. I almost cried. I am not going to list them in the shop, I really like them, so I guess I am going to keep them. At least for now. I'll take photos of them when I don't feel like such a lump. I'm just so tired from working a billion hours this week and grumpy because I know I have to go back in at 5.

Enough complaining, I'm sure everyone is sick of hearing it. Uh, here's a pie I made last night at work. I think it's pretty. I'm also the messiest baker in the world, probably.

Alos, I put some items in the shop on sale today. Including this globe, this clock, and this ring. I will also be putting some other items on sale tomorrow.

I wanted to post this song today too. After my last post, and feeling the winds of change, this song always gets me pumped.

Have a great Saturday. I have lots of new jewelery to make since I got more hardware in the mail yesterday and have an order to ship out!!

xo,

Bec

Video Blog Vol 2. and Hamantaschen Recipe

My second video blog about a project I have been working on, some sweets and a cute pup.

And in case you were wondering, there really is such a thing as too much Hamantaschen. This is what my station at work looked like for the better part of the afternoon today.

Purim is next week, and we just got an order for 500 more. Looks like my tomorrow will look the same, as I'm working a double, first in the bakery and then the night in the deli. I hope it goes by fast, I want to go to National City for the swap meet on Saturday. I am really looking forward to it, 1) because we're going to shoot a new video, and 2) because it's been raining the past 2 weekends and we haven't been to the swap meet at all.

Also, if you feel like making your own Hamantaschen, here is a super good recipe.

This yeilds 24 small cookies.

-3 eggs

1 cup of granualted sugar

3/4 cup of veg, oil

1/2 cup orange juice

2.5 tsp vanilla extract (clear, if you have it)

5.5 cups of all-purpose flour

1 tbsp baking powder

Combine eggs, sugar, oil, vanilla and juice. Add dry ingredients and mix until stiff.

Chill dough over night. This is very important, if you don't so this, your dough will bake weird.

roll out your dough until it is a little under 1/4 of an inch thick.

Cut out rounds using a jar lip or cookie cutter.

Scoop 1 spoonful of your favorite preservative into the center. We sell a lot of poppy seed and prune, but I wouldn't touch the stuff. I like cherry, apricot and I bet peach or blueberry would be good.

Brush on egg wash to outer round. Pinch the edges to create a triangle. Make sure you pinch them tight or the preserves will seep out and it will make a mess.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Enjoy!

xo,

Beca

Give Away Winner

Congratulations!

Allison, please email me at tumbleweeds{dot}shop{at}gmail{dot}com.

Please come back in an hour or so, and check out the newest additions to our jewelery collection, Bows and Arrows.

xo,

Beca

One More...Just Breathe Video

I told you I was excited!

Just Breathe, a video collaboration between Doug and I. He shot all the video, and I did the editing. So. Much. Fun!!!

Have a great night!

(by the way, i actually was a lot more productive that I thought today...which is a good thing...)

xo,

Bec

King Tide Video

I had so much fun taking the video camera along with us on our favorite weekend tradition to Sunset Cliffs. I haven't been behind a video camera in something like 4 years and haven't edited together footage in just as long. The resolution is bad, but I'll figure out how to upload it at a better quality. In all my years in film school, I never once uploaded a video to youtube. When I was teaching middle school, I learned how, and I taught my kids how to upload videos and all that. But, relearning how to export and figuring out resolution is going to be a new adventure for me. So, here is my little video. It was really fun, and I can't wait until the next one. ***EDIT*** I discovered that uploading my videos on Flickr is much better than youtube! muuuuuch better. Hooray!

I hope you like it and yes, we got soaked by that unexpected wave! We had to go home to change before the zoo, it was that bad. But we didn't stop laughing about it all day. I am going to do a shop update in a bit, so see you then.

xo,

Beca

What I Wore (to the zoo)

We went to the zoo this afternoon while the skies parted for a few hours. It has been raining so very much, and it makes me so sad. But, it was beautiful and sunny and we walked around the zoo. Our favorite weekend tradition. I don't know what's going on with the weird scrunching of my shirt, but I think it's from sitting on the skyfari (which was horrible...we took a video with our flip camera of us freaking out, it's hilarious but we both decided that we'll never go on it again! We both hate heights, if you must know...)

What I wore:

Scarf and sunglasses: Thrifted

Watch: Nixon, a gift from my #1

Bag and shoes: Target

Shirt: Thrifted for $2.00!! Originally Billabong

Jeans: Levis skinny jeans that are falling to pieces...I need new jeans.

Hair bow: Friendship Bow

I have been having so much fun editing video tonight. I seriously forgot how much fun it can be. It's been something like 4 years since I have even touched a video camera, so be kind when I'm done with it!

Teen Mom 2 is on and Doug is so rad, he lets me watch my garbage TV even though he hates it! Ha! I'm going to do some work on the shop tonight since I got the night off. I'm working tomorrow morning, which is kind of laaaame, but I'd rather have the night to spend at home tonight and tomorrow night, than be at home during tomorrows rainy day. I also have some new gems on Monday in the shop.

Have a good night!

xo,

Bec

Sneak Peek

This is just a sneak peek of what I am going to be working on today!

Notice the video camera!!

Funny face!

Avoiding getting soaked to the bone by the insane king tide.

I love the cliffs, and I have a renewed love for using the video camera again. I got so burnt out after film school. But, here we are, 5 years later, with a heart full of excitement and ideas!

We're off tot he zoo for a few hours and then I am going to be editing video and will share with you my new little project later tonight or tomorrow.

xo,

Bec

Six Confessions

Onto the bandwagon via just about everyone, here are six confessions. Buzzing like bees in the blogosphere.

1. I am the messiest, most disorganized person you will ever meet, but I am really working hard on keeping our house organized and clean. This is new though, and it really is a struggle for me to keep things in the right place. My mother always said it was because I have higher priorities than a clean, organized house. I am starting to prioritize it now though.

2. I'm totally obsessed with miniatures. I love everything that is tiny, including doll houses and miniature art. Last year (or two years ago..I can't remember) we went to the miniature museum in Tucson, oh it was love!

3. Our dogs are my whole world, next to Doug, that is. I can't imagine my life without a houseful of pups and sweeping dog hair and the click click of dogs nails in the hardwood floor. I even love our dogs when they take up half the bed and when they snort (like all Bostons) and snore, and even when they stink . I love these boys.

4. I love junk food. I love junk food more than you'll ever know. I love pizza, and potato chips, and coca-cola, and sour candy and mac&cheese, and hot dogs and just about everything that is horrible to eat. Did I mention chicken wings? I have to say though, I am not a big fan of chocolate.

5. Not only am I lactose intolerant, I have an insane allergy to milk. A bite of ice cream or a teensy drink of whole milk will put me in the worse place ever. My throat swells up, I puke, and I could die. So yes, death by milkshake is a reality. I always sneak a little creamer into my coffee though, and battle the itchies like crazy, but it's worth it.

6. My grandparents house is my favorite place to be in the world. My grandpa built it from the ground up and it is big, beautiful and full of good memories. I hope we get to visit them soon!

I can't tell you how excited I am for this video we're planning on making this weekend. It's going to be so much fun. I love that Doug is always down to help me with any project and vice versus. I am so lucky that I have someone I work so well with.

Today is going to fly by, I hope. I only worked a few hours last night, it was so dead. Maybe tonight will be better. Happy Friday.

xo,

Beca

Curiosities Closet Vol 5

I'm dying from the stomach flu.

On TUesday, we went to bed at 10:30 because we were exhausted (Doug worked a 12 hour day, and I wasn't feeling so great). It was impossible to fall asleep because there was a wild mockingbird in the tree outside out bedroom window mimicking car alarm noises. It was horrible. I love birds, I have a parrot of my own. His name is LeRoy and he lives with my Mom in Phoenix, but I don't love squawking car alarm noises outside my bedroom window when I am trying to fall asleep.

I finally fell asleep (albeit woke up 100 times to the whistling) but around 2:30 in the morning, I woke up puking my guts out. SO gross. I hate being sick. I crawled back in bed and curled up in a little ball. Got up a few more times, and finally fell asleep for about an hour. Of course, when we got out of bed, it was pouring rain. Of course! Doug works downtown, and I work uptown, and we both had to be at work at the same time, so there was no way he could take me to work, so I pulled my raincoat tight, stuffed my hair under a beanie and off I went on my trusty bike.

After stopping twice to dry heave, I finally made it to work, got the hiccups that lasted for an hour, worked a 7 hour shift and whined as much as humanly possible. Rode my bike home, curled up on the couch (lots of curling going on) and fell asleep. My trusty American Bulldog home alarm system woke me up when our friend Jason from Tucson was at the door. Ollie is so good, Jason didn't even knock, and Ollie protected our house. Once he saw who it was, he went back into puppy mode, but it is so good to know my boy protects our home.

Jason brought us a bunch of food (like baklava, butter, strawberries and roast beef!) from a catering job he was working on and I helped him transfer some skate footage to his flash drive. I guess my film school experience helps out sometimes (speaking of, get ready for a short video from us this weekend! I am so excited about it!!!)

Anyways, I made halibut with a white sauce and green beans and potatoes for dinner, and could only eat a little tiny bit, but it was so good! We hung out on the couch, watched TV, and I re-learned how to do granny squares! Exciting, I haven't crocheted granny squares since high school. **EDIT** Here is a great link by the Purl Bee for a Granny Square Tutorial!

Okay, so on to vol. 5 of the Curiosity Closet, all about color! Is it spring yet?

This pretty crocheted afghan made from granny squares from losabia's flickr.

This video by Modcloth (for some reason it won't let me embed it, but click on the link, it's really cute!) and these tights.

I'm pretty sure I have blogged this before, but I am SO in love with this room originally featured in the Swedish magazine, Skona Hem.

Paint chip origami by laylaloustudio

Aqua and Silver Pow Wow Princess Mocs from Darlingtonia. I also really like Katie's blog and everything in her shop. If you remember, I used to work for a small moccasin workshop in Tucson and I really liked it but unfortunately it was too far from our house and cost too much for me to drive there and back every day. I'll share some photos of the hopi's I made at the bottom of this post, but here's some pretty shoes by Katie!

And finally, this dress. Yikes. I may just have to buy this.

Okay, well. I guess I have a lot to do today. I should get started! Have a great Thursday. I can't wait until this weekend and the little video we're making for the blog/shop.

xo,

Bec

ps. Here's a photo of some moccasins I made a while ago (this was a in progress photo.) I like making shoes, it was a really fun experience.