I've tried to fight it for about a year now.  But I'm now ready to admit that my love of the Twilight books makes me no less a person.  They're fun and engrossing, kind of a Harry Potter meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  And though I'm no longer a 16 year old, I can relate to the feelings of alienation and insecurity experienced by the main character.

There I said, and I do feel better.

The fun things is that I know I'm not alone enjoying the saga.  As evidenced by the email I received from my good friend Lauren:

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past couple years, or you're acquainted with absolutely no girls between the ages of 9 and 14, you know there's a new, shall we say, popular vampire franchise dominating the prepubescent fantasy lives of our younger friends and neighbors. Although its name is escaping us right this second, we're pretty sure it has something to do with a time of day. Hmm, what's that name again?

Oh well, no matter, we're not here to talk about that thing, we're here to talk about our thing, Gnap! Theater Projects' upcoming fall show, Dusk: Improvised Tween Erotica, a loving parody/homage of said other new popular vampire franchise. In the style of previous Gnap! loving parody/homages, expect smart comedy, incisive storytelling, and highly attractive people never consummating their most molten passions.

We're pretty sure this is the perfect show for people to come see on Halloween, and we're pretty sure that our show goes up right before that other series has a new movie coming out. Not that we even pay attention to those guys.

If you're in Austin, why not get in a good gothic laugh?

Gnap! Theater Projects
Fridays and Saturdays, October 23rd through November 21st, at 8 PM    
$10 general admission, $5 for students; tickets available at http://dusk.eventbrite.com/
Salvage Vanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Road, Austin, TX 78722
 http://www.gnaptheater.org

We have all been busy bees this summer, and as a result the fall's harvest is quite robust.  It's fantastic to see people following their passion, and being rewarded for their efforts. 

Just in time for fall, and peak leaf viewing season a new store is opening in Beacon this weekend.  Clay Wood and Cloth will offer a variety of hand-made items from local artists.  Located on Main Street in Beacon, just up the hill from Dia, it adds another must-see to any road trip this season.

And to add to the fun, they're kicking it all off with a big party!

Clay Wood & Cotton is your source for the best handmade items for your home. We look for artists who combine beauty with utility, and who put a sense of fun into their work. Come and check out our selection of unique handmade goods for the whole home. Wooden spoons, aprons, and dish towels for the kitchen; napkins, placemats, and dishes for the dining room; art prints and pillows for the living room; plus stuffed friends for your little ones. Can't make it to Beacon? Our online store is opening soon! www.ClayWoodandCotton.com Clay Wood & Cotton is a collaboration of Kristy Reichert of Beacon Bookmarks, Kristen Couse of Cakehouse, and Kelly Kingman of BeaconCitizen.com Directions to Clay Wood & Cotton can be found here.

If you're in the Talahasse area this month,  check out the spectacular exhibit at the 621 Gallery. 

Cindy Stockton Moore explores the fragmented landscape and reveals painting as a process of artifice and intervention. In these imagined scenes, nature is a site for transgression and transition: both geographically and psychologically.  The current exhibition consists of three distinct series that also incorporate my personal connection to the North Florida region.

The exhibit also features the work of Daniel Kariko and John Raulerson.  For those of us who can't see the exhibit in her person, Cindy has documented this installation on her website.

'Restricted Geography' is running at 621 Gallery through October 25th.

I've thankful for many things (I can't put a number on it, for fear of sounding like the Spanish Inquisition from that Monte Python sketch).  Among the awesome things in my life are cross-stitching and the radical crafts community. 

I've been making things for ages, in a bit of a vacuum.  Friends are supportive and inspirational, but for years I felt like I was alone in my interests.

But the Internet doesn't allow lonliness for long.  Crafting communities like Made It Myself, the American Craft Guild and Craftster offer forums and information for crafters.  I've met so many people with AMAZING creations through these sites.  Building my own business, I am no longer alone with my questions and issues. It's also great to share tips with others.

My absolute favorite on the Internet for sharing has to be Flickr.  Because I express myself mostly in visuals (though I seem to have developed a voice as a writer), it acts as my photo diary.  I'm able to share the pictures I snap around my neighborhood and in my travels.  By joining groups I'm also able to get feedback on my creations.  This has proved invaluable. Flickr also hosts an amazingly robust needlework and embroidery community.  I'm constantly amazed finding new artists and what they make. 

Yellow Springs Arts is part of this stitching community.  They're hosting a Radical Craft Show in September and feature one of my Fortune Cookie Designs on their blog.  No longer in a vacuum, I've reconnected with old friends, maintain established ones and have found some very cool new people.

Eryka Peskin is moving from NYC to California, so she's got to get rid of EVERYTHING, and SOON!!! So she invited her friends, Joanne Morton, Jennifer Joyce & Florence Wang to join her in an afternoon of sharing abundance and making some cash!

Proceeds of this sale will go to Red Tent Womens Project & The MPL Project

Books, furniture (bookshelves, night tables, lamps, etc.), Moroccan ottomans, DVDs, CDs, kitchen stuff, decorative pillows, African art, art photos, and ever so much more.

Magic Passion Love readings will be available - what are you waiting to manifest? Are you ready for the life you desire? Eryka is - -that's why she's taking the leap to the West Coast! 2009 is the year to shine! Come share your best year yet with us - we'll be happy to encourage you!

When: Saturday, June 27, 11am-4pm
Where: 338 4th Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn, between 5th & 6th Avenues.

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 About the beneficiaries:
The Red Tent Women's Project is a women's community organization dedicated to empowering and educating women and girls of all backgrounds.

The MPL Project creates, promotes and shares the ideas of Magic Passion Love thru use of art, social events and creative parties. Magic Passion Love (MPL) is a renewable, sustainable energy source found within all of us. When used, life feels good...when shared, WOW!
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