Rudo Y Cursi - film review

Rudo Y Cursi is a comedy about two half-brothers in Mexico who are spotted by a talent scout and rise from rural obscurity to become professional footballers. I'm not into football at all but I really liked this film. It was great for a Friday night; very funny and I don't think i've read as many subtitled swear-words before! Which is entertaining in itself, in a juvenile sort of way. I do like Gael Garcia Bernal (who played Tato, nicknamed Cursi, above left) which is one of the reasons I wanted to see the film.

The story starts with them working on their banana plantation, with Cursi playing his accordion in any spare moment he gets, and Rudo (played by Diego Luna) struggling to make ends meet to support his family. From desperate poverty, they are lifted to stardom as professional footballers (Cursi was a striker and Beto/Rudo a goalkeeper) in different teams, which adds fuel to their ongoing resentments with each other. However, their rise to fame isn't long-lived or simple, and they each go through their own life-changing journeys.

What I think was particularly good about this film was some great acting, from Bernal and Luna and also Guillermo Francella who played Baton, the talent scout (Francella is apparently big in his home country, Argentina). I really warmed to Tato and Beto because like many of us, they have high goals, but their human weaknesses (lust for one, gambling for another) quickly and cruelly bring them back down to earth.

I'd recommend Rudo Y Cursi for anyone's Friday night entertainment, football fanatic or not.

Now I'm Just Being Greedy!

Etsy treasuries are like buses, you wait ages for one to come along and then two turn up at once.

But that's part of the pleasure of putting them together, it's a game of chance... ;-)

Here's the two treasuries I created (above was made in 'treasury west', the second is in the 'main' treasury):

First treasury (theme: ladybirds)
Etsy shops, from left to right:
Mad Tea Party Furniture, Queen Artist, Mama Runs With Scissors, Bohtieque, Lucky 17, Elizabeth Jewelry, Owlishly, Lagoa Designs, Amber Alexander, Elvyess, Agatka, The Fetching Hound

Second treasury, no theme just things I like
Etsy shops, from left to right:
Louise Broomhead, Tim's Sally, Green Post, Ninainvorm, Sugar Elf, Hydra Heart, Owlishly, Tree for You, The Secret Nest

I hope you liked looking at all the lovely items!
Joey x

Bunnigami! Simple Origami with Bunnies Part 2

Here's the second part of my origami instructions with bunnies! This week there are two pictures; the first are diagrams of origami symbols which are commonly used in origami books written in different languages, the second is the first model you can make: a paper cup!

I hope you enjoy them! :D

Next Thursday: a masu box! Please come back next week...

Joey x

Etsy Treasury - Wimbledon Special!

Tennis is one of the few sports on telly that I can actually watch. So with Wimbledon on this week, it's inspired me to make a treasury on Etsy to commemorate it! Don't you think these things are lovely??!

Why don't you take a closer look at these items and the Etsy shops they're from?

First row, l - r

I really love Sea Pinks little embroidered pendant, the stitches look immaculate.

Sugar Elf's strawberry milk cow is just too sweet for words and I could cuddle that cow to death!

The lightness and simplicity is what attracted me to Nature Mandalas' strawberry flower print.

Debi Birkin Designs' pattern for a strawberry badger is wonderfully detailed - who could be against badgers after seeing this?

Second row, l - r:

Now, if I was a little girl still, I'd want to wear Kitchy Coo Kids' strawberry blouse every day, it's so cute and bright.

Zibergirl's strawberry and cherries print dress looks lovely, the fabric and the style is fabulous.

A strawberry brooch from She Likes Cute is going to brighten up any outfit with its cute smile.

I really like crocheted baskets, and I love the colours of Jane Box's strawberries and cream container.

Third row, l - r:

Melissa Sue's strawberry/bird creatures are wonderfully other-worldly... unexpected and cute. I really like her photo of them as well, eating strawberries, the little cannibals! :D

I love lampwork beads, it's something I wish I could learn. Upsy Daisy Farm's glass beads are wonderful! Imagine them on a lovely bracelet together with turquoise flower beads and other lampwork red beads... just what I'd like.

I really like the simple elegance of this strawberry notecard from The Paper Peony. Cute for grown-ups.

I think all of Ume Crafts' felt patterns are wonderful but I especially like the cake ones... candy for the eyes only.

Fourth row, l - r:

Dinky Daisy's little wristlet is so neat and simple; cute, but too elegant for kids.

How could you not fall in love with Owlishly's little amigurumi crochet patterns of little folk?

The idea of a two-part stamp from Corrabelle is so clever! I love rubber stamps, I've made a few but nowhere as neatly as this.

I like La Pomme's little monochrome strawberry for its cosiness, it makes me feel contented just by looking at it.

Oh, and here's a bunny brooch I made wearing a strawberry dress. I'll be making another of these because I think she's so cute!

So enjoy your strawberries, either real or hand-crafted! :D

Joey x

Bunnigami! Simple Origami with Bunnies Part 1

Hi!

I've finally got around to posting the first of a series of origami instructions which i've drawn by hand and illustrated with bunnies. Well, what else? If you've been to my Etsy shop, you'll know by now that I have a bit of bunny fixation. :)

I'm going to be putting a new set of instructions here every Thursday, so make a note in your diaries if you'd like to join in the origami fun! Follow me on Twitter if you need a reminder! http://twitter.com/joeysdreamgardn

Joey xx

JOY!

Yippee! I've been featured in an Etsy treasury today! I love it when that happens, it feels so special, it really makes my day! Thank you to Theresa of Utile Mud for including me in such a colourful collection! :-)

Read her interview on Etsy here: Featured Seller: Utile Mud

Theresa makes wonderful ceramics by hand. I love this beautiful pink and brown bowl especially, it reminds me of a conch shell with the flesh-coloured pink inside juxtaposed with the rougher exterior.

Ok then, time to carry on sewing methinks!

Joey xx

Bunny Giraffe brooch - first step

Bunny Giraffe brooch - first step, originally uploaded by Joey 7.

I've finished the very first steps in making a new brooch - I've cut out felt (using templates which I drew myself), and ironed on felt appliques using Bondaweb. The felt is backed with mediumweight Vilene iron-on interfacing for extra strength.
The next step will be to add a brooch pin to the back and add features to the face.
More to come soon, so watch this space!

Joey x