Studio Skulleigh

Moving house, figuratively

2010-01-08T19:29:00.001-06:00

I am going to move my blog over to my own domain, so that I can offer fun things like downloads from there instead of having to find a hosting solution to do it from here. I am not sure if I will move my old posts from here over, we will see!

To celebrate, I'm kicking things off over there with a free download! Go check it out!

http://www.evilwidgets.com/

Sita Sings the Blues

2010-01-04T19:33:00.001-06:00

I just watched the most enchanting, amazing movie. And it's free - it's under a Creative Commons license, so you can download it for free (but I am so buying a copy on DVD!). It's called Sita Sings the Blues. It's a retelling of the Ramayana, and the movie is a mix of animation styles that seem like they shouldn't work in one movie, but they do! I just love it - watch it!

The whole time I was watching it, I was doodling the Blues Sita (you'll see) in my notebook. She is going to end up in my art journal, I adore her!

You can watch the movie on YouTube or on Archive.org (or download it!). Here it is on YouTube:

Here's a link to the "official" site: http://www.sitasingstheblues.com/

The movie on Archive.org: http://www.archive.org/details/Sita_Sings_the_Blues

I'd recommend watching it on Archive.org, the quality there is better.

Enjoy!

Ravelry Pattern Update

2010-01-03T22:37:00.000-06:00

I apologize to anyone who has been trying to get my crochet and knitting patterns via their entries on Ravelry. I let my domain name lapse, and apparently it's been pornified. I have made them available as free PDF downloads directly on Ravelry, and sent in a request to let me edit my own patterns (for some reason I lost the ability at some point) so I can remove the old links.

You can find the patterns via this link:
http://www.ravelry.com/stores/leigh-cain-designs

12/25 - Art Journal Update

2009-12-26T14:17:00.000-06:00

Day 9 - 12 Tags of Christmas

2009-12-09T23:04:00.001-06:00

This one was FUN!

Day 5 tag - 12 tags of Christmas

2009-12-07T23:42:00.001-06:00

Yes I am behind! Lol.

Day 4 Tag - 12 Tags of Christmas

2009-12-04T14:42:00.002-06:00

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

12 Tags of Christmas - Day 2

2009-12-02T22:58:00.002-06:00

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.

Day 1 - Tim Holtz' 12 Tags of Christmas

2009-12-01T22:34:00.003-06:00

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 :)

Two New Videos

2009-11-29T00:18:00.001-06:00

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.

My Artsy Wishlist

2009-11-21T16:56:00.001-06:00

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

2009-11-21T00:32:00.002-06:00

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!

Misty morning

2009-11-12T07:45:00.001-06:00

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!

Journal made from Teesha Moore tutorial

2009-11-10T22:26:00.001-06:00

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

Belay that...

2009-10-30T15:47:00.001-05:00

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.

Whew! And wahoo!

2009-10-28T21:55:00.000-05:00

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!

2009-09-08T08:00:00.001-05:00

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.

That Man O' Mine - 8x8 layout

2009-09-07T14:16:00.001-05:00

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.

Books Read Since Kindlecation

2009-09-06T12:22:00.002-05:00

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!

Off to a wedding shower!

2009-08-29T14:42:00.004-05:00

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!

Diary of a Crafty Chica: Secret crystal footage!

2009-08-26T10:24:00.000-05:00

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

Photography Day

2009-08-17T10:29:00.001-05:00

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?

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

2009-08-10T13:51:00.001-05:00

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

Getting there!

2009-08-09T12:43:00.001-05:00

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?

Craft room re-org progress

2009-08-05T07:47:00.001-05:00

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?

Luck be a lady!

2009-07-29T15:14:00.004-05:00

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.

2009-07-29T09:21:00.002-05:00

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?

Scrapping

2009-07-19T18:12:00.003-05:00

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. :)

Watercolor Pencils & June Blythe Runway Entry

2009-07-03T17:18:00.002-05:00

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:

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!

Gulp, I made a video!

2009-06-26T14:13:00.003-05:00

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!

Working on getting my crochet & knitting patterns available again

2009-06-24T19:50:00.004-05:00

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 Thank You

2009-06-21T11:59:00.002-05:00

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!

Digital Scrapbooking Experiment

2009-06-04T22:34:00.001-05:00

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...

Elastic Waist Skirt, "Sew What! Skirts"

2009-05-24T17:42:00.001-05:00

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! :)

Wonderful Weekend

2009-05-18T09:57:00.001-05:00

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!).

Falling down on my plans

2009-05-15T21:14:00.003-05:00

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

2009-05-15T16:31:00.002-05:00

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

The Siren Song of the Sewing Machine

2009-05-13T13:41:00.003-05:00

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.

Summer plans & goals

2009-05-04T11:35:00.001-05:00

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?

Propagating Rosemary

2009-04-29T09:47:00.006-05:00

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.

Lunchtime Sanctuary

2009-04-28T13:48:00.002-05:00

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!

Marathon TV Show Watching Weekend

2009-04-20T10:11:00.003-05:00

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.

My Craft Room

2009-04-13T00:17:00.002-05:00

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.

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:

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.

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!

Corsage Pins

2009-04-12T13:33:00.001-05:00

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!

Spring Fever

2009-04-09T10:43:00.004-05:00

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!

RAWR! Me fight!

2009-04-08T14:51:00.003-05:00

This is kind of cute:

http://skulleigh.mybrute.com

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

Cold Snap

2009-04-07T09:26:00.001-05:00

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.

Playing Catch up

2009-04-06T09:00:00.003-05:00

So much has been going on!

I've been to a heavy metal music festival:

Welcomed new dollies:

And I enjoyed my 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? :)

Tea Review: Adagio "Fujian Baroque"

2009-03-25T07:40:00.007-05:00

From: Adagio Teas
Type: Black
Caffeine: Yes

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.

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

Weekend Fun

2009-03-23T08:59:00.003-05:00

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:

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:

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

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

I am definately making more of these!

2009-03-12T00:26:00.002-05:00

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.

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

2009-03-10T16:21:00.003-05:00

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:

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! :)

Whoops.

2009-03-03T07:38:00.002-06:00

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.

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

February BRC DONE! :)

2009-02-28T18:01:00.004-06:00

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:

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?

Working on the Blythe Runway Challenge - AA skirt

2009-02-25T07:17:00.003-06:00

Last night I worked on a prototype for the skirt for the outfit I'm making for this month's Blythe Runway Challenge. If you'll recall, I'm re-interpreting the outfit for the Blythe "Aztec Arrival Inspired." Here is the sketch I did:

It's a separate wraparound skirt and top, not a one piece.

I cut it out in a test fabric from a human pattern that just happened to print at the perfect size:

Tonight, I'll cut out the real McCoy, and move onto the shirt. I'm going to look for trim at lunch today.

A new lens, and new fabric!

2009-02-20T15:19:00.003-06:00

As I mentioned last Saturday, hubby ordered me a new lens for my camera. It arrived last night, and despite being pretty exhausted from a stressful week at work, I managed to snap a few pictures before falling asleep :)

This is one of my Blythes, Emme.

Hubs had told me about a trick he read, where with this lens where you can get macro shots by holding a magnifying lens in front of it. I tried it out. Here is one without the glass:

And one with:

It's pretty cool!

Also arriving yesterday was the pack of fat quarters that I won from Sew Mama Sew.

It was so fun to open and look at the 6 different prints! I have to admit the one on top is my favorite. I think it's going to become dresses for Blythe.

This one is probably my second favorite, but I don't know what I'll do with it:

Maybe a bag or box - they've posted some links to some good tutorials in the last week over on SMS.

This print is the most fun:

I think it is destined to be a zippered pencil bag for me. I always have a sketchbook with me these days, and a zippered bag with pencils and pens. I'd like to have a couple fun ones to switch between.

Next up is this print:

I am not sure what to do with this. The print reminds me of fishscales... hey, maybe a fish softie? That could be fun!

This is a sweet, versatile little print. Dolly dresses, I think!

And last but not least:

Perhaps more boxes or bags... not sure yet!

All in all, it was a wonderful package to open and go through :)

IF - Celebration

2009-02-17T23:17:00.005-06:00

A happy hedgie parties. Bad scan, sorry.

I reacquainted myself with my Prismacolors :)

Edit: I grabbed the code for the wrong size, oops. Fixed that now, so it's not quite so cramped.

Wahoo! I won fabric!

2009-02-16T10:05:00.002-06:00

I went to check the SewMamaSew blog this morning, and found out that I am one of the ones who won a Fat Quarter pack from their giveaway! That's such a great way to start the day! :)

And you can tell from my post over the weekend about sorting my stash that I sorely need more fabric ;)

Etsy Update - The House on Daisy Lane

2009-02-15T00:57:00.002-06:00

If you're a Blythe lover, please check out my Etsy shop!

Saturday in the Sewing Room

2009-02-14T23:25:00.005-06:00

Hubby surprised me with flowers last night:

He has also ordered me a new lens for my Nikon. I can't wait to get it - it's supposed to be good for macro photography.

I renewed some Blythe items in my Etsy shop, and got one of the new hats listed.

The day was otherwise spend refolding all the fabric in my stash so that I could get a better idea of what I have and get some ideas of what to add to the prize box for the Blythe Runway Challenge.

This picture doesn't show all of it really, there are more stacks behind and to the left :) I need to decide how to store it - by color, by theme, or some other way. I'm leaning towards by theme - fruit, Halloween, Christmas, flowers, geometrics, etc.

Before I started on the stash, I machine quilted my doll quilt - I just did straight lines following the squares - I set up a practice piece to try doing free motion quilting on, but my sewing machine was not cooperating. I didn't take a picture yet, because I'm still trying to decide if I want to add some diagonal lines to the quilting. Or add buttons to the centers of each square.

A little bird told me...

2009-02-09T14:35:00.005-06:00

I found a link yesterday to the pattern for this little birdie on the Sew Mama Sew forum:

His pattern is available on Spool Sewing's blog. He was very easy to make, I think I might put together a few more soon, maybe make a mobile like the one they show on their site. I like the "feet" stitched to the branches, that's so cute!

I finished embellishing the last of the series of crocheted Blythe helmets I've been making lately:

I'm going to call the yellow ones "Honey Butter" and the brown ones either Mocha Latte or Chocolate Mocha. Not sure yet. Next I just have to make sure I get good, clear pictures of them all, package them up nicely, and post them on Etsy along with a few other items that are waiting to be placed up there.

Sew Mama Sew also posted a purse tutorial that I'm wanting to try. I need to start cutting out my Blythe Runway Challenge outfit though! And the one for my local swap... and there was something else too... crud! I need more weekend! :D

Doll quilt progress

2009-02-08T01:13:00.003-06:00

I've got the top sewn together and pinned to the back and batting:

So now I'm just waiting for the next part of the tutorial to be posted. In the meantime, I need to decide what I'm going to use for the binding. I was thinking that the backing was going to be pulled around for the border, but I was wrong, on re-reading Part 1.

I started a doll quilt today

2009-02-06T20:14:00.005-06:00

I got the pieces cut out this afternoon:

Yes, those are my freakish toes at the bottom. :)

I'm following a tutorial/sew along at the site Sew Mama Sew. It seems pretty easy so far. I've done a small bit of quilting in my life - made a log cabin square and machine quilted it in middle school - I still have it, and use it as a hot pad. My mother was in a quilting circle when I was in middle and high school, so I've done a bit of hand quilting on other people's quilts. This is my first solo quilting project.

I cut the squares all from fabric left from other projects, except for the fairy and the women - I cut into fresh fat quarters for those :)

I should really be working on the Blythe Runway Challenge, but hey, procrastination is fun ;) And I've been wanting to do a small quilting project for awhile.

My fabric stash

2009-02-05T14:09:00.000-06:00

I just started following the blog Sew Mama Sew (there's a doll quilt tutorial there I'm soooo starting tomorrow). Today they had a survey, and there's a nice little fat quarter prize involved, so what the hey! :) Plus it will get me actually writing something substantial here.

* What do you usually sew?
Doll clothing (for Blythe dolls mostly), miscellaneous small projects, ren faire garb

* When you shop for fabric, what size cuts do you usually buy? (i.e. If you see something beautiful, but you don’t have a use for it right away, how much do you buy?)
If I really like it, a half yard. If I LOOOOOVE it, a yard. I make small stuff, don't need more than that! If it comes in fat quarters, I buy one if I like it, 2 if I looooove it.

* Do you buy on impulse or do you go out looking for something you need?
A mix - mostly, I impulse buy, but sometimes I have a theme for a swap that sends me out on a mission.

* Are you a pre-washer? If you are, do you wash your fabric before you need it, or only when you’re ready to use it?
I'm a pre-washer. I don't want dye staining my dollies, or anyone else's dolls.

* Do you iron it?
Yes, though not always immediately. I try to do it as soon as it comes out of the dryer.

* How do you sort it? (color, print size, collection, etc.)
Theoretically by color. In practice... not so much organization :)

* Do you have any special folding techniques?
I generally try to fold them to about the same size as fat quarter bundles tend to be folded to.

* How do you store your fabric?
Some of it is in the cubes shown here:

The rest is in the closet on a sweater shelf thing that hangs from the closet pole.

* What tips do you have for building up a well-rounded stash?
Have a mother who has been stashing fabric since before you were born. Raid her stash frequently.

* When do you say enough is enough?
When you start feeling uncomfortable and guilty. :D

* What are some of your favorite stash-busting projects?
Empire waist dolly dresses!

* Do you have a current favorite print in your stash? Let’s see it!

I have two yards. I love it so much I can't decide what to make it into.

* What’s your definition of the perfect stash?
Neat, well organized, so that when I'm ready to work I can just grab it and start working.

World's Smallest Postal Service

2009-02-05T08:07:00.000-06:00

Found via Nut and Bee:

The World’s Smallest Postal Service (WSPS) will send a tiny, tiny letter for you. The miniature wax seal is unbearably cute.

Nut and Bee themselves have some pretty cute stuff - I need to order more buttons from them :)

Read Coraline

2009-02-03T13:31:00.000-06:00

Browse Inside this book

Get this for your site

I found this linked from somewhere yesterday, and spend this morning and early afternoon reading it. It's a neat story, I can't wait to see the movie.

Illustration Friday - "Flawed"

2009-02-02T22:53:00.000-06:00

I can't decided if he's flawed but still loved, or was thrown away because he was flawed by someone who he thought would love him forever. Either way makes a good story, doesn't it?

I've been doing Illustration Friday since the first of the year, but this is the first I've posted. I hand drew this in my sketchbook, scanned it, and colored it in Photoshop. I'm rubbish at colorising in PS :) Next time, I'll just use colored pencils and scan it!

I linked to it on Flickr from IF, rather than here. Maybe next time.

Not a good day... can I start over?

2009-01-10T21:54:00.000-06:00

I am fighting allergies and a massive headache, I think my DungeonMaster is trying to kill our entire party and cursing my dice rolls somehow*, and I just broke the lid to my brand new teacup that I bought myself for my birthday.

I need to think up a quick picture for my Blythe 365 picture for today, and then go to bed and pull the covers over my head.

*Note: I don't actually think he's cursing my dice rolls, but I actually only managed to get a roll that hit like twice or maybe 3 times today. He may however, actually be trying to kill us all.

Reverse graffiti

2008-11-14T11:37:00.000-06:00

I found this through a link in my RSS feeds:

He's creating the skulls by cleaning the pollution from the walls.
I believe the police were taking notes, not ticketing him. I think the end result was the artist's aim - having the local government clean the pollution from the tunnel.

It's a really interesting concepts to me, and I love the comments on YouTube going back and forth about whether it was a shame that the art got cleaned off, or if that was the artist's aim.

Flipping and Marking

2008-11-10T21:00:00.000-06:00

I spent most of my weekend making plans for a "Crafternoon Tea" crafting party a friend and I are planning to host seasonally in 2009. The first session is going to be making spirit houses/shrines out of foam-core board and decorating them, a la Carol Owen. I've been flipping through my back issues of Somerset Studio magazine (one of which was an article from Ms. Owen, which I used to create a shrine of my own awhile back), and marking the various shrines published there for inspiration for the class/session/whatever.

The next step will be to get the foam-core boards and pre-cut the "houses" for the shrines. Basically making a kit for the base of the project. Then each person will assemble and embellish their shrine, by covering it with paper and other ephemera, and placing items within. My exacto knives are going to get a workout!

After the kits comes the menu planning :) I'm figuring tea, light sandwiches, and cookies; maybe scones and cream.

Tea Review: Adagio's Oolong #8

2008-11-10T14:05:00.000-06:00

From: Adagio Teas
Type: Oolong
Caffiene: Yes

This is a mild, understated tea that doesn't overwhelm. It blends into the background - but in a good way. Makes a nice evening cuppa - it doesn't overstimulate.

The scent is a bit... "weedy" if you know what I mean. After brewing however, it settles down and is barely noticeable. You do want to make sure the steeping time doesn't go too long - it gets a bitter as it steeps longer.

Tea Review: Capricorn Signature Blend (Adagio)

2008-11-07T10:31:00.001-06:00

From: Adagio Teas
Type: Black blend
Caffiene: Yes

I had my doubts about this blend, despite being its target audience - a Capricorn. It's an Irish Breakfast with vanilla and coconut. My doubt was directed at the coconut. I'm not a fan of coconut. However, my hubby added it to his order for me on a whim, so I was going to try it.

I actually like it, it's a nice wake-up tea, and the coconut is very subtle. I'm on my second cup of it, I had some last night and now this morning as I type. I'm taking it with sugar and milk, and it's quite enjoyable. Not as "Wow" as the Blood Orange tea, but definitely good.

Tea Review: Adagio's Blood Orange

2008-10-30T01:44:00.001-05:00

From: Adagio Teas
Type: Herbal
Caffeine: No

Ingredients: Orange peel, hibiscus flowers, apple pieces, rose hips, and safflower

I really enjoyed this herbal infusion. It has a pleasant, tangy citrus flavor. When I first sipped it, the first thought that hit me was that the next time I have a sore throat or cold, this is what I'm drinking. It would make a great "comfort" tea for those times.

The individual pieces in the tea are large, so I did add quite a bit of it to steep, because I was afraid I would not get a good mix of all the ingredients if I didn't. After steeping, the bits and pieces really plumped up and were quite interesting looking! This tea needs plenty of room to expand during the brewing process, so keep that in mind - one of those tiny tea balls would not do it justice.

For a sweetener, I used two packets of Splenda. It was just right.

I had some dark chocolate stashed away, so I ate a square of it while drinking the tea, and it was a wonderful pairing. Dark chocolate and orange go very well together.

I found myself wishing I'd brought some to work. Their website is right - it IS addictive!

Tea reviews

2008-10-29T12:33:00.000-05:00

I suggested to my wine loving hubby that he should review wines on his blog. So he's going to start doing that.

Hubby got me a couple tea of the month clubs for our anniversary, and I have a compulsive tea habit. :) So I'm going to take my own advise and do some tea reviews on my blog.

So coming soon... :)

I love Re-Ment

2008-03-19T23:28:00.000-05:00

I have their kitchen and fridge on order, plus about 4 sets... I can't wait to get them!

Bleah

2007-12-31T12:02:00.000-06:00

Well, my move to my own domain didn't work out as nice as I'd like. I just don't have the control I wanted over it, so if I don't have that, I might as well be here where it's at least easier.

Note for myself:
Lastest tequila I tried: Hacienda De Chihuahua Anejo Sotol
Very nice, very smooth. I'm glad I laid the money down.

Grrr... where is it?

2007-09-27T09:35:00.000-05:00

My Susan Bates H hook is missing! All I can find are the sucky Boyes ones! Wah!

Gotta start planning for the next crochet class. I think I'll show them how to make amigurumi pumpkins.

Teaching Crochet Today

2007-09-12T15:42:00.000-05:00

A group of people from work are having me show them how to crochet. It's after work today, hopefully it goes smoothly.

I'm going to spend some time tonight after work on clearing some more junk out of the upstairs front bedroom. I will go through the crap on the one table and clear it out, and maybe decide what fabric to keep and what to get rid of. And maybe I'll dismantle the sewing desk and put the pieces out on the curb. Trash pickup isn't till Friday though. But the neighbors can get used to the redneck-edness ;)

Dead Eye the Octopirate! And a little stash clearing...

2007-09-05T23:10:00.001-05:00

Dead Eye the Octopirate!
Originally uploaded by paperspirit

Well, I got the Octopirate all done now - his hat is finished! Yay!

I finished the body of a little bird while watching a movie with my firend Kat. She got some of my old straight needles since I don't use them anymore. I still have some other ones to get rid of. Not sure if I'll offer them as a lot on eBay. I could use a little pocket money :)

I'm going to try and clear out something from the house each evening so I can pare everything down in preparation for moving.

An amigurumi pirate octopus!

2007-09-03T22:42:00.001-05:00

An amigurumi pirate octopus!
Originally uploaded by paperspirit

The crocheting part is all finished. He turned out great - I love the peg leg :)

I may still make him a tricorn hat with a skull and crossbones, or maybe a red and white striped headscarf. Not sure yet.

Pink and white Octopode FINISHED!

2007-08-29T21:03:00.001-05:00

Pink and white Octopode
Originally uploaded by paperspirit

YAY!

I love her! I may make her some accessories, but I don't know exactly what as of yet.

Octopus in progress

2007-08-27T22:28:00.001-05:00

Octopus in progress
Originally uploaded by paperspirit

I don't know yet if I'm going to keep this or give it to one of the new office babies. I showed the pattern to my sister, and she coveted, so she may get either this one or another new one.

The Stash is catalogued!

2007-08-19T10:56:00.001-05:00

The Stash
Originally uploaded by paperspirit

Yay! Hooray! Celebration time!

All of my stash (except for the really small leftovers) is in Ravelry now! I should buy new yarn to celebrate! ;) No, not really, I'm trying to use some of this up!

Here's a picture of it all together in its 12x12 cubes.

Whew! Almost done cataloguing the stash

2007-08-19T02:33:00.000-05:00

I'm so glad I have a relatively small stash. I'm almost done moving my yarn downstairs to my room and getting it photographed and entered into Ravelry. All I have left is the Caron Simply Soft acrylic that's upstairs and a couple crochet cottons - Aunt Lydia stuff. I should be able to get it in soon.

Then, on to actual knitting and/or crochet!

Eeeeek-aaaaaa!!! - Oh, wait it's just a lizard.

2007-08-18T22:36:00.000-05:00

I went into my closet tonight, and suddenly I felt something scuttle across my foot. I drew in breath to start shouting in alarmed surprise, then something else in my brain said "wait that didn't feel like a bug."

So I gulp and hope it's nothing lethal, grab my glasses, and start looking at the floor.

It's a Mediterranean House Gecko, a common lizard in my area. Tiny, cute, little lizards, no harm at all. They get into the house fairly often, no big deal.

So I drop to my knees, chase him down, and grab him.

I step out of the closet triumphantly, telling Mr Leezard that he can't live in my house because he will not have anything to eat, thinking I'll just take him outside, look down, and falter.

I'm wearing panties and a camisole. Nothing else. I went into my closet because I was going to put some clothes on and go to Starbucks. How the hell am I going to put him outside when I'm nearly nude?

I decided to trust to luck and put him in the bathtub while I put something on. Thankfully, I think he was stunned, and he stayed put. After dressing, I scooped him back up and put him outside.

Whew!

I feel so shallow. I have shopped.

2007-08-08T10:35:00.000-05:00

I went shopping yesterday. I usually hate shopping. The girl genes that seem to make most women love shopping and makeup and shoes are defective in me. But I've been trying to rebuild my wardrobe and stop wearing only t-shirts and jeans all the time. So off I went - determined to find either a new pair of sunglasses, or jeans, or a skirt, or shoes.

Apparently, the fashion world has decided to align with my world for awhile - I like a lot of the clothes that are out now! There's a lot of hippie/bohemian influenced stuff out there.

I went into a Sunglass Hut at the new shopping center in Arlington. My god, there are some ugly sunglasses out there - they are like billboards with the designers' names on the earpieces in huge letters, and they are 200 bucks! But I did find a nice pair of tortoiseshell patterned ones from DKNY that were on sale for 50 bucks. I would have never thought I'd spend that much for plastic sunglasses, but these ARE very nice - they feel good on my face, fit well, look nice, and most importantly are pleasant to look through. The nice guy who waited on me was delighted to throw my 15 dollar cracked dime store pair in the trash!

Then I looked around at some other stores in that shopping center, but decided to wait on anything there - though I like a lot of the clothes at Coldwater Creek it seems like most of their stuff is dry clean only. So I hopped in the car and went to the mall.

I found some really cute Vans-style shoes with skulls all over them. They are made of awesome, though not comfy until I put some inserts in them. I also got some cheap black sneakers that are kind of punk-rock shabby. I found out that Bath and Body Works doesn't make Peony-scented stuff anymore. Blast it.

To round out my evening, I went to Walgreens to look for a diffuser for my dryer, and a new hairbrush. They didn't have any diffusers that I could find. I ended up going to that pit of evil known as Wal-Mart since it was the only thing open by then - yes, I violated my personal anti-Wal-Mart bias and gave them money. I ended up getting a new hairdryer since you apparently can't get diffusers by themselves - only with hairdryers. I also found some little camo ditty bags with skulls all over them. I love skulls.

Next payday, I HAVE to get jeans though - all of mine are getting worn out, and not in the "people want to pay good money for jeans with holes" places. I'm not looking forward to that. I'm picky about jeans, they have to fit just right or I'm not happy about it, even though I end up keeping what I get for a couple years as "backup" jeans when the one or two pair that I like the fit of are dirty.

I need to clean the shelves in my closet off so I can arrange my shoes on them. I think I'm done shoe shopping for awhile, except I still want a pair of black mary-jane style flats.

I am also on a quest for the Perfect White Shirt. One that is comfortable, resists wrinkles, and goes with jeans and skirts. And looks good on me.

I have makeup in my purse now. When did I become a girl?

Low Impact Week Update - Almost Through!

2007-06-07T12:09:00.001-05:00

I'm not getting everything I wanted done, but I have done some things, so I feel pretty good about it. My goals were:

Buy organic and local food
Call Earth Shoes to stop the double catalogs
Line dry clothes
No take-out if I can't recycle the packaging
Save shower water while heating for watering plants
Set up rain barrel
Take my bike for errands
Take shorter showers
Try a 100% recycled TP
Tun off water at kitchen sink
Turn off the TV for the week
Turn off the water when brushing teeth
Use cloth napkins and towels

How I've been doing:

I bought a mix of organic and non-organic. Nothing local, unfortunately. I did email Earth, and they removed the duplicate from the system. I line dried one load of clothes - I need to toss in another load tonight and string it around the house :) I have dried 2 loads in the washer. But hey, it was one less!

I ate out at lunch Monday - the Taco Bell run. Tuesday, a co-worker bought pizza and gave me a couple slices. I've been bringing my lunch otherwise. I ate my last frozen dinner last night - plastic dish there, but I can clean it and put it in the recycling.

I've been saving the initial shower water for plants. Didn't set up a rain barrel, but I'm still debating that one with the whole "water off the shingles isn't good for you" thing. I only have one decorative bed of plants, and it still has herbs in it, so I'm not wanting to put "contaminated" water on it.

I definitely took shorter showers - I'm known in my family for long showers, so that's good!

Didn't get to try a recycled TP - I'll do that when I buy it next - still had rolls to use.

Didn't really run water in the kitchen, because I've been letting the dishes pile up. Need to clean the kitchen!

Only watched 1 half hour show on TV this week (Creature Comforts - I'm an Aardman fan). Had the telly on for about 15 min Saturday morning till I figured out Real Simple wasn't going to be on - I've been trying to see if it's any good, but have only gotten to see one ep!

Turn off water when brushing teeth - been doing that!

Use cloth napkins and towels - only had one slip up on that! Yay!

(x-posted on LJ)

Low-Impact Monday - so far.

2007-06-04T14:44:00.000-05:00

I'm a bit miffed - I packed a lunch today, but had to run out of the office to go to the post office, so I decided to pick up something at taco bell. I figured it would have less packaging then the stuff in my lunch - it would be wrapped in paper.

In the plastic bag (which I will reuse) was ANOTHER plastic bag with the napkin, 3 pieces of paper, a wet nap, and a peppermint in a plastic wrapper!

I definitely will be packing my lunch the rest of the week!

Low-Impact Week Update (x-posted from LJ)

2007-06-04T13:32:00.000-05:00

My weekend was not as low impact as I'd like :(

Saturday:

I was invited to a baby shower, but the directions I printed out were incorrect, and I couldn't find one of the streets I was to turn off of. So I drove up and down the street 4 times trying to find it.

Then I was to meet a friend and haul a lawnmower for her since it wouldn't fit in her car - her directions were bad too, so we drove around a bit trying to find that place.

I did do a load of laundry that I air dried - yay!

Sunday:

I took my bike to a local bike shop and got a basket for the front, as well as tried to get my helmet fitted - but that was a wash as he said he'd never seen a helmet like mine :(

Then I went to a park and rode the bike paths there, went home, read some, and then rode my bike through the neighborhood some more.

Low-Impact Week (x-posted from LJ)

2007-06-01T12:06:00.001-05:00

Crunchy Chicken is "hosting" a Low Impact Week, check it out! It starts today. Um, today kinda snuck up on me - I meant to do this list earlier, so my week will start after work today and go to after work next Friday.

Basically, you choose something (or more than one thing) to do from each area of impact. There are some things I've already done (some all my life). What I'm doing here is listing the whole list, in case someone else wants to copy it.

I'm doing a ~~strikethrough~~ on things I'm not going to do
I'm changing things I already do to italics
I'm changing things I am going to do this week to bold.
--
1. Reduce energy consumption -
~~# don't turn the heat above 65 during the day and 60 at night (put on a sweater and dig out those blankies!); for our southern friends, set the A/C to above 90~~
# unplug appliances when not in use that still draw energy when off (like your cell phone charger)
~~# turn off the TV unless you are actually watching something~~
# use the air dry on your dishwasher instead of heat dry
# use only cold water in your washing machine
# line dry your clothes instead of using the dryer*
# turn off the TV for the week and do something else instead (read a book, visit with friends/family)*

2. Reduce water usage -
# take shorter showers and/or use a water saving showerhead
# turn off the water when you're brushing your teeth
# be aware of water usage when at the kitchen sink - turn it off in between tasks
# save the water in a bucket that is discharged while warming up the shower and use it to water plants or for other things*

3. Change your food habits -
# try to buy organic and/or locally grown food
# minimize pre-packaged foods and make more of your own from scratch
# use cloth bags at the grocery store instead of getting paper or plastic*
# don't get take-out if it means non-recyclable packaging*
# try eating vegetarian or vegan for the week (choose your level from egg/dairy acceptable to no animals products at all)*

4. Reduce your dependence on paper products -
# print out only what is necessary
# try out a a 100% recycled TP and tissue brand
# don't use paper towels; when you can, use cloth napkins or towels instead (e.g. public restrooms)*

5. Reduce your garbage output -
# recycle everything you can (for your area)
# donate used items to a charity (many have pick ups and drop off locations) instead of throwing them out or taking them to the dump
# compost your food waste and soiled paper products*

6. Reduce Single Occupancy Vehicle usage -
~~# carpool when taking trips or going out to eat with friends~~
# take the bus or other public transportation to work and on errands* - I'm going to try and use my new bike for this!

7. Do something that lasts more than a week -
~~# replace one bulb per day with a Compact Fluorescent light bulb~~
# take your name off of junk mail and mailing lists for catalogs you don't want
~~# sign up for an alternative energy plan if available in your area~~
# set up a compost bin for your food scraps*
# set up a rain barrel to capture water for watering your yard*
---
Some things I'm not trying because they aren't practical (for me) - like the AC thing - I can't put it above 90 because I've got Annie at home. I do have it set for 80 though, and I open my windows when it's below that. It's settling into summer here though, and the heat will start in earnest soon.

Testing...

2007-05-31T10:17:00.000-05:00