Taking Things Seriously: 75 Objects with Unexpected Significance by Joshua Glenn and Carol Hayes, published by Princeton Architectural Press; (August 9, 2007)

Ok ok I love this book. Such a little unassuming book, who would think that it contains the power to make you laugh, cry, think and discuss all within a few minutes. It is basically short essays about the objects that inspire us, that we love or hate and cannot part with. Artists, designers and writers have contributed their stories about their weird, strange and wonderful objects to motivate and energise our creativity.

The objects described in the book all have a past, sometimes seedy and embarrassing, other times sad and depressing, uplifting and funny and powerful too - always interesting. I flick through this book, back and forth, something catches my attention - the image or the title or maybe I want to read a short story or maybe a word pops out and grabs me. There is a pile of dirt - the writer says of it “I was hit powerfully with how much of the land is inside of me, how much it makes me who I am.” A black t-shirt with ‘love is not enough’ written on it - the writer says “My mum died eight months to the day after I made the shirt.” I love the story of the guy who kept an artichoke on his kitchen window sill while it went through the process of decay - now it is a dried up husk but is treasured more than the expensive antiques it is displayed with. And the story of the woman who bought an educational torso from a garage sale and recognised the woman who was selling it - the whole sad tale of this womans life was suddenly remembered. A needlepoint sampler with the word “thoughts” on it puzzles the owner. It was given her by her aunt and invokes deep anxiety everytime she looks at it - what could her aunt have been thinking when she made it - but it is the perfect combination of humble craft and philosophical expression.

These are just a sample of the 75 objects with their stories that are included in this wonderful thought provoking book.

Wendi wrote in: I just watched the first episode of the new season of Project Runway - yay! My husband and I decided to play along at home this season and I thought some WhipUp readers might enjoy playing too. If you don’t have the money or the time to make a full outfit every week - especially for some of the fancy event gowns that they make on the show join Project Barbie - Want to play? rules here.

If you enjoyed the book Craft Inc by Mateo Ilasco - or want to get yourself a signed copy or just want to meet the woman and talk business - you can see her at the following events and times. Today - Thursday, November 15, 2007 from 6-9pm Reform School, 4014 Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles - bring your business card because we’ll be picking one lucky indie business to win one month of free ad space on Design*Sponge. | FELT CLUB Sunday, November 18, 2007 from 11am-6pm Los Angeles City College, 855 N. Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles | CHRONICLE BOOKS STORE GRAND OPENING Saturday, December 1, 2007 1846 Union Street in San Francisco | CRAFT WITHIN REACH Thursday, December 6, 2007 from 5:30-8:30pm Design Within Reach, 1770 Fourth Street in Berkeley DWR Berkeley has invited over 20 local artists including myself for this holiday event. There will be a raffle, a DJ, snacks, hot cider, Hint Waters, Cellar Door Wines, and Craft magazine on site to spread craft cheer.

If you can get to the Denyse Schmidt sale - looks like it will fantastic - Sample Sale and Exhibition - Bridgeport CT studio Sunday, December 2, 2007 from 12PM to 4PM. A rare chance to view (and purchase!) unique, one-of-a-kind quilts from Denyse’s Denver Series. Arrive early to get the best deals on loads of samples and overstock from our Couture, Works and DS for Sarita Handa collections – up to 80% off regular retail prices. Save on stationery, books, and everything for the DIY-crafter – scraps, yardage, quilt blocks, kits and more. Visit our our what’s new page for directions and additional info. Refreshments will be served courtesy of Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion Magazine.

just a few hours left to post your entry at the whiplash forum thread remember the closing date is NOV 15 - winners will be posted up tomorrow. Thank you to everyone for entering.