Saturday, December 26, 2009

12/25 - Art Journal Update

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Day 9 - 12 Tags of Christmas

This one was FUN!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Day 5 tag - 12 tags of Christmas

Yes I am behind! Lol.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Day 4 Tag - 12 Tags of Christmas


Have not done the Day 3 tag yet because I am out of glossy paper!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 2

Better picture to come when I have light and time! And I'll talk about what I used as well when I didn't have the same supplies as what Tim used.


Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Day 1 - Tim Holtz' 12 Tags of Christmas


My take on Tim's first tag. Hopefully I can get a better photo taken of it soon.

It gave me no end of trouble, I tell you! I would love to remake it sometime, but a little neater!
I don't have any Stickles or Distress Crackle Paint, so I used UTEE on the tag itself, and some glitter fabric paint on the snowman! Improvised all the way :)

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Two New Videos

I had some requests on the Milliande Creativity Club site for more video of my 16 page art journal from the Teesha Moore tutuorials. It ended up being 2 videos - 1 of the journal itself, and one where I shared the tools I used to make it.




Saturday, November 21, 2009

My Artsy Wishlist

Milliande (see the link on the right) is doing a fun and generous Christmas giveaway - people are submitting their artsy wishlists and she will pick one (or possibly more) to have one item come true. I posted mine there, but I'm copying it here. Maybe I can point certain other people to it this way ;)

1. Subscription to Somerset Studio magazine
I love that magazine, and really need to get a subscription instead of buying it at the store!

2. Claudine Helmuth's Sticky-back canvas
I really would like to play with some - I've seen some interesting projects with it.

3. Inkssentials Craft Spinner for holding my Ink Blending tools:
http://www.scrapbookexpress.com/incrsp.html
Anything that will keep them organized is a boon!

4. Rock Candy Distress Crackle paint & Stickles by Tim Holtz/Ranger
I have been lusting after these for awhile, I really want to play with them!

5. Grungeboard - especially the holidays one, and the sets that are sheets you can cut into your own shapes
I love the very smell of that stuff, and it's fun to play with - I have a few sets, but always want more, more, more!

6. Golden Fluid Acrylics - I've heard so much about it, I'd like to try it

7. Watercolor crayons - I've never been able to find them in an art store around here, would love to try them! I have pencils galore, but they seem different.

8. Good video editing software for Windows - I'm getting frustrated with what I have!

9. Joe Miller Signature Watercolor Travel Set
http://www.cheapjoes.com/rd/24626_home_091116-jmwc-set.asp
It looks awesome! And so cool!

10. Leather or canvas map case/messenger bag that will fit my art journal/sketchbook, Kindle, small zipped case of pencils, travel watercolor set, my cell phone, wallet, and keys. Something worn and scuffed that looks like something Indiana Jones or some other adventurer would carry :)

Wish I were there:
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville FL
http://www.cummer.org/

I used to spend hours there when I was in college. I would love to go back and see if my favorites have remained the same, or if my perception of some of those works has changed over the years.

Video of Teesha Moore-style Journal

Here is a short video I made to show the beginning of my 16-page journal made from a set of tutorials done by Teesha Moore. I will be posting another video soon of the further progress. Enjoy!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Misty morning

It is Thursday, which is my Friday. It is a rosy, misty fall morning.
I am hoping for a quick workday so I can get home and work in my
studio. I have a friend coming over tomorrow afternoon so that I can
show her how to do rubber stamp embossing. I am looking forward to it,
it is always fun to watch their face when they melt the embossing
powder!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Journal made from Teesha Moore tutorial

I made this last weekend, and really enjoyed the process. I am slowly
adding borders to the pages. More pictures as events warrant.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Belay that...

Well, it turns out I DO have one of the bad Epic 6 machines. I picked up an alphabet die today, and it's not cutting it - at all. BUT the good news is that they said they would send me a new machine as soon as their shipment of new ones come in, and until those are in they will sent out a temporary fix - a sheet to put on my cutting platform. I'm not sure if it will help - I did try paper under it as a shim, and it really didn't make much of a difference.

But I will have patience - it cuts everything else beautifully and I'm still in love with using embossing folders in it!

And I was really impressed with Quickutz's reaction when I called them - they were up front about having problems, and promised a fix as well as a new machine. They also said that I would not have to pay shipping or sent the old machine back to them. As long as they follow through, I will be a happy woman.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Whew! And wahoo!

I've been wanting a new die cutting machine lately - my original Sizzix is just so limiting and klunky to use. I was looking into the BigShot and the Epic 6. The Epic6 is the one I was really wanting, but there have been a lot of reports of problems with it.

Well, I wandered into Hobby Lobby tonight, and found it for 50% off - that is 35 bucks! I couldn't resist, and at that price, even if it didn't work quite as well as I'd like, it was a risk worth taking.

Well, I got it and a couple other dies (I only had Sizzix original dies) and an embossing folder home, and tested it out - it works great! I'm so very happy!

And bonus - embossing folders are not expensive at all, and I LOVE the one I got- it's fabulous!

I should have some pictures of new projects up soon, so keep an eye out!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Maggie The Bear
Maggie the Bear - 8x8 Layout

Here is another layout I did on Sunday of a picture of a bear from our vacation in July. One of our stops was at Carlsbad NM, to a nice, small zoo we'd visited a few years before. All the animals there are rescues.

This layout is from Sketch #35 at 52 Sketches, 52 Weeks.

Monday, September 7, 2009

That Man O' Mine - 8x8 layout


That Man O' Mine - 8x8 layout
Originally uploaded by Skulleigh

I happened to see Sketch #36 at 52 Sketches... 52 Weeks this morning, and decided to use it for this picture. I had already chosen the background paper for the picture, but not yet picked out anything else. I just realized I need to add the date and location to it.

I really like that site, it has given me a couple of layout ideas already. I like going through the archives and choosing a sketch to use.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Books Read Since Kindlecation

Back in July, I got a Kindle 2, and I have been furiously reading since then. I love it, the convenience is amazing - I carry it around and I have an entire library on me, and I can buy a new book while laying in bed and be reading it seconds later.

I decided to tally up the books I've read since acquiring the device. Some of them were freebie bodice rippers. Don't lose all respect for my reading choices. ;) Not necessarily in order.

  • A Study in Scarlet, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
  • The Big Sleep, Raymond Chandler
  • Snowbound, Janice Kay Johnson
  • Stranded With A Spy, Merlin Lovelace
  • Kiss Me Deadly, Michele Hauf
  • Kiss of Midnight: A Midnight Breed Novel, Lara Adrian
  • The Wild's Call, Jeri Smith-Ready
  • Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris
  • Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand, Carrie Vaughn
  • Killing Joe, Marie Treanor
  • Living Dead in Dallas, Charlaine Harris
  • The Brass Bed, Jennifer Stevenson
  • The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, AN Roquelaure
  • Haley's Cabin, Anne Rainey
  • Killing Joe, Marie Traenor
  • Tumour, Chapter 1, Joshua Hale Fialkov and Noel Tuazon
Like I said, some of those were freebie romances. Some of them were teeeeerible. Some were in both categories.

I'm really enjoying the Southern Vampire Mysteries, by Charlaine Harris. I love The Big Sleep, and definitely want to get more Chandler books. I still have tons more freebies to eventually read.

The Kindle has really been worth it for me - I have read more in the last month and a half and I did the entire year up to that point!

So if you're trying to decide if you want a Kindle, I highly recommend!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Off to a wedding shower!


Outside Card
Originally uploaded by Skulleigh

I'm about to head to a friend's wedding shower, but I thought you might like to see the card I made for the happy couple's shower. It is inspired by a sketch at Get Sketchy.

I used:

  • paper from the Latte Stack from Die Cuts with a View
  • acrylic stamps from Fiskars
  • Distrress Inks in Antique Linen and Tea Dye
  • Colorbox Ink in black
  • black embossing powder
  • a Wilton doily
  • Making Memories brads
  • Offray ribbon.
  • Maya Road's Maya Mist in Gold
  • Fiskar's Squeeze punch flower
I hope the couple likes it! And I'm off! Have fun this weekend!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Diary of a Crafty Chica: Secret crystal footage!

Diary of a Crafty Chica: Secret crystal footage!

This is so cute - the CraftyChica is so delighted and excited over her new crystal stash :D

Monday, August 17, 2009

Photography Day


Railroad Tracks
Originally uploaded by Skulleigh

My husband wanted to do some work in his studio, which is a home recording studio, on Sunday. So that he wouldn't feel like he was disturbing me by playing loudly, I grabbed my camera and vacated the house for the day.

You can find a selection of the best of the photos I took at my Flickr account.

How did you spend your weekend?

Monday, August 10, 2009

I want this place! (Etsy film about the RISD Nature Lab)

Check this place out - isn't it completely awesome?

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Getting there!


Getting there!
Originally uploaded by Skulleigh

The current "major" work on the craft studio is done, and I'll take you on a tour very soon. I want to work in it this week and get a feel for whether there is anything I need to change in order to work more efficiently. But here's a sneak peek!

Anyone else revamping their studio? How is it going?

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Craft room re-org progress


Craft room re-org
Originally uploaded by Skulleigh

I was so very tempted to call in sick and work on the room today! But I was a good little worker and did not.

As you can see, I pulled everything off the cube shelving, flipped it, and kajiggered the two top cubes to the new top. I'm thinking of getting some bins that will fit in the cubes to hold my yarn instead of just plopping the skeins directly in there.

Like my vintage tablecloth on the center table? It belonged to my grandmother, but it is pretty age stained, so I wouldn't put it on a dinner table. But since it's already stained, I don't feel bad about putting it on my craft table, and it's pretty!

More (and better - excuse the cell phone pic!) pictures to come as I finish the current re-org.

Have you been busy in your craft room? How is your organization in there?

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Luck be a lady!

There are so many giveaways happening from CHA... I'm trying my best to win something, but no dice so far.

But maybe some good karma will help - check out this giveaway for a line of holiday papers from Making Memories.

And they are doing more as CHA progresses. So check it out!

This is what I'd rather be doing this morning.


This is what I'd rather be doing this morning.
Originally uploaded by Skulleigh

Here you see the sketchbook that I use for an Art Journal, my zip bag full of pens and various ephemera and supplies, my chain of mini-Sharpies, and my box of watercolor pencils. These live in my purse and go pretty much everywhere I go.

I'm art obsessed lately, to the point where it's hard to concentrate at work because I want to be making art.

Everyday I can't wait to head home and go up into the craft studio. I'd love to find a winning lotto ticket that would let me do it everyday, all day!

And I have big envy right now - the Craft and Hobby Association is having their summer trade show, and I so want to be there! There are a lot of companies blogging and twittering from there, and it's making me jealous!

I'm watching for giveaway contests from there, and entering ones that sound appealing. Wish me luck!

What would you rather be doing today?

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Scrapping


Belle 8x8 Layout
Originally uploaded by Skulleigh

I created a scrapbook page last night, my first 8x8 layout (I usually do 12x12) which I quite liked - it's easy to fill up a single 8x8 page with a single picture. It's scraplifted partly from a layout idea on the Stampology package that the stamp squigglies came from, and the first challenge in the book 52 Scrapbooking Challenges.

Sometime soon I'll post some scans of the art journal I did while a TAM7 - I got some great autographs :) Penn & Teller, Michael Shermer, Phil Plait, and Brian Brushwood among them. I loved handing it to Penn Jillette and hearing him say "Oh wow!" at the drawing I did of their "&" symbol they use. :)

Friday, July 3, 2009

Watercolor Pencils & June Blythe Runway Entry

I've really gotten into using watercolor pencils in my art journal. I now have 3 different brands in various colors, so now I'm getting an idea of what I like in them.

I had Crayola watercolor pencils for awhile, and never really used them that much. I bought a set of Prismacolors, and since it didn't have any flesh shades, I picked up some Faber Castell Aquarelles since that's what I found available as single pencils.

I am really liking the Aquarelles, when you wet them, the pencil strokes really blend away easily, where I don't think the Prismacolors do as well. The Prisma's take a LOT more water to blend - even more than the cheapie kid-aimed Crayolas. I think that as I use up the Prismas, I'll replace the colors with equivalents in the Aquarelles.

Off the topic of pencils, here is my entry for the June Blythe Runway Challenge:

Araminta the Protestor

Everyone got the same two fabrics and had to try and use them evenly. Check out the rest of the entries at the group - there are some AMAZING entries there!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Gulp, I made a video!

A little while ago, I made a video tutorial for an embellishment. I kept thinking I should reshoot it, it was just an experiment, but I'm trying to get away from perfectionism, so I just posted it today to YouTube. Please check it out and let me know what you think. I've got ideas for more, so we'll see!


Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Working on getting my crochet & knitting patterns available again

Special Delivery

I have three patterns that I've made available for free in the past, but I let my old domain, Flesh Eating Bunny, lapse. Now I'm trying to make the patterns available again. I am trying to figure out how to edit them in Ravelry. For now, you can find them here:

http://sites.google.com/a/theheadgeek.com/skulleigh/Home

Please let me know if you have any problems getting to them!

A better picture of Boo (57 of 365)

Sunday, June 21, 2009

A Thank You


A Thank You
Originally uploaded by Skulleigh

Not too long ago, I won a giveaway on the Blog "On the Dot Creations" of a set of fabric colored Bobby Pins from Tizzalicious.com. They arrived yesterday, so I thought I'd give a thank you/shout out, and play with my new webcam at the same time.

Aren't those bobbies cute? I love them! Thank you!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Digital Scrapbooking Experiment


Digital Scrapbooking Experiment
Originally uploaded by Skulleigh

I've heard of digital scrapbooking before, but never tried it because I assumed it was done in proprietary-ish software. I ran across a mention the other night of using Photoshop, and looked into it tonight. I found a free digital scrapbooking set on Two Peas in a Bucket, so I downloaded it and played around a bit. This is sized to be a 6x6 page if I decide to print it out.

I'm not sure if I'm a fan of digital scrapbooking, I would miss the tactile parts of the paper texture, and the shadows, and the cutting and gluing. It was kind of nice that there was no clean-up. :)

But I might try this again, maybe pick a particular theme, like doing all Blythe images as digital scrapping. We'll see...

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Elastic Waist Skirt, "Sew What! Skirts"


Elastic Waist Skirt, "Sew What! Skirts"
Originally uploaded by Skulleigh

Check out how I spent my Saturday night! I sewed my first "mundane" clothing for myself. I have make clothing to wear to our local Renaissance Faire before, but this is the first sewing I've done for everyday wear for myself. I'm very happy with how it came out. Now I'm going to cut some more fabric out and keep going! :)

Monday, May 18, 2009

Wonderful Weekend


All the swap outfits
Originally uploaded by paperspirit

All in all, I had a very nice weekend.

First, on Friday, as mentioned in my prior posts, I fiddled around with making some flower embellishments.

Then on Saturday, I went to Etsy Dallas' Spring Bash craft fair. It was fantastic. I managed to get one of the 50 swag bags, and it was EXCELLENT! Well worth the drive from Grand Prairie to Dallas alone - there were real usable items in there - 2 pendants, a ring, earrings, magnets, chocolate (woo!), a votive candle, soap, and MORE! I definitely want to make sure I go next year as well. This was the "First Annual" so hopefully it will keep going.

Afterward, I went by Joann and got enough fabric for 3 skirts (plus a little, just to be safe) along with zippers, matching thread, and interfacing for bags.

Once I got home, I prewashed my skirt fabric, and started working on the dress for my Blythe meet Sunday. We do swaps fairly frequently, usually with some sort of theme/challenge. This time, we were given a specific (different) fabric each, and assigned a person to make something for. I made the blue toile dress in the picture above.

On Sunday, I had a Blythe meet. We had brunch at Cafe Brazil, which wasn't bad. I received the outfit that my Heather Sky is wearing there (with the hat, skateboard, and pink boots) from Tess. I love what I got, and Mandy says she loves the toile, so yay!

Now the goals for tonight are to work a bit on the May BRC, and at least cut out the fabric for one skirt. As well as 15 minutes of housework (boo, hiss!).

Friday, May 15, 2009

Falling down on my plans


Kanzashi
Originally uploaded by paperspirit

I didn't get any clothing sewing done today, but as you can see, I was doodling around in the craft room. I don't have enough large enough lengths to make a skirt, no interfacing heavy enough for a bag... and I didn't feel like going to the store!

So I was looking through craft blogs and listening to podcasts. Sister Diane of CraftyPod is publishing a book about Kanzashi, and I decided to look for some how tos to see if it is something I'd be interested in. I found this Spanish-language site, SuperZiper, used Google Language Tools to translate, and ended up with a new hair barrette.

And by the way, when you read on E6000's instructions that it needs ventilation... believe them. I think I'm high now! :D

Ric-Rac Rose

Ric-rack Rose
Ric-Rac Rose
Originally uploaded by paperspirit

Sister Diane of Craftypod posted about these ric-rac roses and figured out how they were put together. I thought they'd be cute as embellishments on Blythe hats and/or bags, and such. So I tried my hand at one. It didn't turn out domed like the ones she found, but it is cute. I want some wider cotton ric-rac to try it out again.

And isn't "ric-rac-rose" the best phrase to say over and over again? If just feels good in the mouth :D

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The Siren Song of the Sewing Machine

My summer goals are coming along - in the case of the weight loss, well, and surprisingly fast! The sewing will hopefully swing into gear with the arrival of the two books I ordered.

I've only been on the "diet" for a little over a week now. My husband is exercising and losing weight with me, which is nice - he prods me to work out, and I prod him if either of us are dragging our feet, which has only happened once for each of us. I'm actually already seeing a difference - my jeans are no longer tight, my tummy is actually shrinking, my legs are getting less flabby and more muscle-y, and getting my wedding ring off no longer requires soap & water or the jaws of life! I swam for last night's workout (I've mainly been doing the treadmill) and I didn't feel bad about how I looked in my swimsuit! I could definitely look more svelte, but I wasn't feeling embarrassed to be seen!

The progress with the weight loss makes me even more excited to get my sewing books. As I mentioned last week, I ordered "Weekend Sewing" by Heather Ross, and "Sew What! Skirts" by Francesca DenHartog. They arrived yesterday. "Sew What! Skirts" seems like an excellent book from the read-through last night, and I am planning on making one of them this Friday. I'm still looking through "Weekend Sewing" so I'm not sure yet how useful it will be... but it's a beautiful looking book.

I can't wait for Friday - the machine and the fabric are calling me!

On the using my own shopping bag front, there's been a couple of times where I didn't have my bag with me, but I did use it today in fact.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Summer plans & goals


Rose
Originally uploaded by paperspirit

Hubby and I have vacation plans for July! I'm very excited - we will be going to a convention in Las Vegas that looks like a blast. It's called The Amazing Meeting, and will be filled with science-y types and skeptics. I can hardly wait!

But before July arrives, I have some goals I'd really like to accomplish:
- Lose some weight in a healthy way
- Make some new clothes (skirts and tops)

For the first goal, there are some mini-goals that I think will help me accomplish that:
- Cut out soft drinks
- Watch my portion size with meals
- Pack my own lunch for work
- Exercise at least 30 min/day

I do have a gym membership, and I need to actually use it. They have a pool, and I enjoy swimming. It's also easy on the joints, which I think is a good thing. I think that will be my primary non-walking/gym exercise, provided my suit still fits me!

I'm planning on using part of my lunch hour to walk at the parks around here, in order to get in some extra exercise as well as Vitamin Sunshine.

Losing weight at the same time as making my own clothing might make that challenging, but hey, I guess can always alter them if they get too loose! I'd really like to have a wardrobe that's more individual. I'm so tired of jeans and t-shirts!

For this goal, I've ordered a couple of books that I hope will provide some good ideas - "Weekend Sewing" by Heather Ross, and "Sew What! Skirts" by Francesca DenHartog. I also have some links I've saved to some online tutorials. I want to make at least 3 skirts and 3 tops for the summer.

Another worthy goal for this summer - get back into the habit of using my own bag for purchases. I've been lax in this lately. I'm good at refusing a bag if I don't need one, but when I do need one, I often have forgotten my own. But now I have a nylon shopping bag that folds up into a little teeny bag to keep in my purse, so now I always have a bag with me if I have my purse.

Do you have any of your own summer goals?

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Propagating Rosemary

Rosemary Plant

If you have one good sized rosemary plant, you can have two very easily.

To grow this small rosemary, I bent a young branch from my large rosemary plant down to the ground, covered it loosely with dirt, and placed a stone on top of it to keep it weighted down.

I waited for about a month, and then removed the rock and gently pulled it up to check for new roots. Once I confirmed the branch had its own new roots, I cut the branch from the mother plant close to the new roots.

I planted the new plant in it's new home, and ta-da! New rosemary plant! A year later and it has quadrupled in size.

Now to trim back the rosebush so it doesn't eat the little guy ;)

I've got another one "started" that I need to check on, and I'll be able to plant a new bush in my front garden.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Lunchtime Sanctuary

Someone at work mentioned to me that there is a Botanical Garden in the town where the company I work for is located. After a rough start to my workday, I headed over there at lunchtime.

It was lovely there - there are rosebushes blooming that are filling the air with their scent when just walking up to them.

That made me feel much better. I'm determined to go back with my camera soon!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Marathon TV Show Watching Weekend

I didn't get a whole lot done this last weekend. The weather was pretty gloomy Friday and part of Saturday, and unfortunately affected my mood a bit. But I did manage to do some straightening up in my craft room, and started cleaning the drawers out from the chest of drawers. I need to stop by the home improvement store and get some paint stripper. I've used 3M's Safest Stripper in the past with good results, so hopefully it's still a good product. I'll have to await a nice dry weekend, put down some plastic in the garage and do it in there, I guess. Then the question is, what color to re-paint it? :)

While puttering around in the craft room, I re-watched all of Season 1 of Bones, and about half of Season 2. That's one of my favorite shows, I just love the characters.

Didn't get any sewing done. I need to get some sewing machine oil and clean my Singer up a bit. It's been cranky lately, with the bobbin thread misbehaving. With a little cleaning and a new needle, maybe it will start behaving.

So I'll be off to the craft store at lunch, and when I get home, a little more puttering in the craft room. Perhaps I'll have some sewing soon to show off as an end result.

Monday, April 13, 2009

My Craft Room

My craft room is kinda messy. I planned on cleaning out the closet today, but ended up crocheting a hat and lazing around all day. I'm going to list off what I want to do in the room to give myself a checklist.

The pit of a closet
This is the closet. The horrifically messy closet. I have a lot of my fabric stash in the hanging thing in the middle, but it just ends up sagging. I am going to pull the fabric out of there and store it in the chest of drawers by the desk:

Craft Room Plans
The brown drawers on the left is what I mean. But I want to strip and repaint them. I'd like to hang some of these Ikea cabinets from the wall above the desk: Aspvik Cabinet. And make one of those ribbon criss-cross inspiration boards to hang below it. I also need to organize the white plastic drawers under the desk for paper arts supplies. I also need to come up with some sort of lighting solution. The lamp takes up too much prime space on the desk. Maybe strip lighting for under the Ikea cabinets.


Yarn Wall
I also want to get some organization going in the cube shelves. That's were I keep yarn, and some of my scrapbooking & other paper arts supplies, as well as my extra sewing machine. I want to put a window treatment on the window, and maybe get a taller bookshelf for the wall by the green banner.

Back over to the closet - there's tons of stuff in there that I probably don't need, and can be stored someplace else. But I am not sure what to actually keep in there, besides Blythe boxes :)

And the really big wanna for the room is paint and a wood floor. We shall see about that, though.

But that's enough about my craft room plans for now. I'm doing a giveaway of a Blythe hat on my doll Linden's blog. :) Head over there if you're interested!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Corsage Pins


Corsage Pins
Originally uploaded by paperspirit

I'm not sure how old this box of pins actually is, I it came from a house my mom and I cleaned out once for a realtor. I just love the vintage look of it, and it might even *be* authentically vintage. I know that the box is at over 20 years old now!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Spring Fever


Bunny
Originally uploaded by paperspirit

I think I need a vacation. I'm just itching for a road trip to someplace I haven't been before. I know that I want to take at least a weekend trip to Austin very soon.

The little bunny was a gift from my Mom & Dad a few years back. I love the little twisty ears!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

RAWR! Me fight!

This is kind of cute:

http://skulleigh.mybrute.com

It's a little automated fighter. No button mashing, just beating up opponents :D

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Cold Snap

The temperature took a little dip last night, but should be back up to 70 as a high today. Ah Texas... how your weather loves to confuse.

Bonus bear goodness :)

Monday, April 6, 2009

Playing Catch up

So much has been going on!

I've been to a heavy metal music festival:

Disturbed Concert

90/365 - Darn these fused fingers!

Welcomed new dollies:

The Wyrd Sisters

And I enjoyed my garden:

Poor thing

Out in the garden

I even worked on my doll quilt from the Sew Mama Sew sew-along. No pictures of that yet - I quit in frustration last night when my bobbin decided not to cooperate when I was getting near being done.

My car is out of the shop, hooray! And has to go back (boo) for a quick look-see - two switches aren't working. But I did take it for a drive and it seems to be working fine otherwise.

So that's what's going on at Daisy House. What's happening with you? :)

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Tea Review: Adagio "Fujian Baroque"

From: Adagio Teas
Type: Black
Caffeine: Yes

Fujian Baroque
Before brewing, it has a sweet, tobacco-ish scent. After brewing, it's got a nice light flavor, with no aftertaste. It's nice with sweetener and cream, but not really a morning tea, I think. It's too calm and unobtrusive - it does not really wake me up.

Fujian Baroque

As an afternoon or evening tea, I think it would be quite nice.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Weekend Fun

Had a nice weekend... got all the laundry and the dishes done on Friday. On Saturday, slept in and watched a movie (Bolt, from Disney - cute movie!), then went for sushi. On Sunday, we went for a bike ride around White Rock lake, took pics at a dog park, and then took a Sunday Drive in Dallas.

Some highlights:

In the dog park

In the dog park
Not my dogs - but aren't they CUTE?!

Got my 365 Blythe picture in Dallas on Sunday. Here's one of the shots from then:

Linden conducts

Dallas is such an interesting place. Event the parking garages can be cool!

Parking Ramp

Mural - Near Plaza of the Americas building

Here's hoping that this week will be as fun. :)

Thursday, March 12, 2009

I am definately making more of these!

Organza Flower

From a tutorial here: Reese Dixon: Organza Flowers.

I LOVE this! It was fun to make too! I picked up 4 colors of organza this evening just to make some. This was the first and only one I had time for tonight. It's going to become a hair ornament for the March Blythe Runway Challenge.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

I'd like a do-over on that last week please... maybe the last month.

You know, the last 4 weeks of my life have been a hell of a roller coaster. The company I work for got bought by another company with all the panic and craziness that goes with it (which is now settling down, and it looks like it will be a Good Thing), and then last week this happened:

Sooo... this has been my morning so far

A lady turned too wide into the street on which I was stopped, and hit me from the front of my car on down the side. My poor car will be in the shop for the next 3 weeks at minimum. The good news is that I'm ok - the damage is all on the car.

Onto brighter news... :)

The February BRC ended, and I got sort of an "honorable mention" for "Most True to Concept." :) The first, second, and third place entries sooo deserved their wins - they were gorgeous - check them out:

1st: WoolyRockers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/glamourfae/3327431490/in/pool-blytherunwaychallenge

2nd: Miss Armour
http://www.flickr.com/photos/glamourfae/3326593933/in/pool-blytherunwaychallenge/

3rd: Ro/wererabbit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/glamourfae/3327431234/in/pool-blytherunwaychallenge/

Now I have to buckle down and work on the March challenge tonight. I have the fabrics picked out, and an idea for a hair ornament popped up, so I think I have a theme! Woohoo! :)

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Whoops.

Note to self: believe the Google search results that tell you cotton/polyester blends will not dye with the same stuff you know works on wool.

Dying Mana Energy/White Dress Challenge dress: No go.

Dying = No Go

However, notice that sticky loop/Velcro appears to dye just fine.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

February BRC DONE! :)

BRC: Aztec Arrival Inspired Redesign

I'm happy with how it came out, except for the poncho.

I researched Aztecs a bit for this, to find how their women actually dressed. I doubt a woman would actually wear the headdress, that would be for a king, but hey, this is modern times! ;)

I staged her on some Day of the Dead-ish fabric, because I found out that the Day of the Dead actually came from the Aztecs.

A couple more pictures:

BRC: Aztec Arrival Inspired Redesign

Full Shot

If you're interested in history, here's a paper I found in researching that talks about Aztec clothing:

AZTEC GARMENTS: FROM BIRTH TO FULFILLMENT

Now for the clean up... and I still have other projects to start and finish up!

Anyone want to come clean my studio for me?