(0) I recently tweeted the following:
Well. There’s that.
(1) 01.31.2012
There are four main things about today’s vlog to keep in mind:
(1) I have insomnia. Chronically. I also have bouts/episodes of clinically diagnosed depression. Jenny, The Bloggess, has taught me much about acknowledging and being verbal and open about these things. Because they don’t make us less or more. They’re data points on our map of shit we deal with. If you’ve never read The Bloggess, before, I suggest a few starters: Copernicus, the Travelling Red Dress, or Chewpa-what? After you watch my video. OF COURSE.
(2) This video will take up 8.5 minutes of your life. More if you pause the time lapse portion. In which case it’s your own fault. I’ve apologized before for the length of a vlog. Today I’m just going with “Welcome to 8.5 minutes of sheer, sleep-inducing bliss! I’m that kind of gracious video hostess!” Also, I don’t have enough time in the day to edit it down and not lose my bet.
(3) I really should have been drinking beer at 6:10 in the morning. It would make the entire video make that much more sense.
(4) I meant what I said at the end of the video: help me name my new machine.
In non-vlog-related news, I recently started reading stuff over at xojane. It started with their Show Us Your Bellies article, which I went all agaga apeshit over. And they’re doing it again with a Morning Faces segment. I’m submitting my morning mug shot. Multiples, in fact. And I’ll be doing a vlog post on it next week. I recommend you do it for the funsies and the reality.
On to the video. MEET MY SEXIEST SEXY TOY. Yes, you may think whatever you wish of that. I have a d12, sometimes a d20, in fiber nerd.
(4) 01.24.2012
Finally.
The vlog post is done. A mere 8 hours 40 minutes late. The pro-portion of this is that I know now how to change settings between time-lapse video and regular video. The cons of this are I have a bit of a hate on for my webcam and it’s “amazing’” software.
Of note:
* I did eleven versions. The 11th is what you see there. I hate it not being the original. But when the audio won’t sync up with the video, I’m not going to use it. And I *love* Milli Vanilli.
* My friend @vlynne3 and I extended our bet due to my inadequate planning. You can read our chat conversation that pertains to this below the video. We have until February 3rd, midnight. Also, she makes an appearance in the vlog!
* You will hear me state that I wanted this video to be five minutes long, six at the longest. Know that I have failed. I did, however make it at the 6.38 mark. We’ll call it even.
* I added music!! It’s “The Dirty Boogie” by The Brian Setzer Orchestra.
* I started the time lapse recording at 1 frame per 10 seconds. Later on, I did 1 per 4 seconds, which makes it easier to see and not go so fast. I mean, I want the video to go fast to begin with, but not needs to buy cialis over the internet fast.
* In totally non-related video-posting news, I did some fabric purchasing for some new things I’ll be making. I also had to order some flex steel boning. I love ordering that stuff. It’s great for any supporting garment, but it also makes me giggle like a little kid.
yes, yes it is.I LOVE MY FRIENDS.
(1) 01.17.2012
I know that my personal deadline for my vlog is each Tuesday. Even though I’m only on episode 2 (*snort*), I’ve already procrastinated. As a result, I’m writing this at 5:30am on Tuesday morning while my “expertly edited” vlog is converting. When it is done, I’ll upload it to youtube and get less than two hours of glorious sleep.
All my fault.
At least I got some catnapping in while the kid did some schoolwork.
At least I spell checked my vlog text words.
At least I think I did.
Either way, I will somewhat apologize for the state of this vlog. I did do a lot of research and… stuff.
What I also this weekend did was tweet a lot, do a lot of house cleaning/purging/organizing, play a lot of Lego Pirates of the Caribbean with the kid, go see Puss In Boots with kid and friends, played my new Star Trek: TNG Deck Building Game (AND WON, bitches!), had Brinner And A Movie night here (Singin’ In The Rain still rocks my world), and in general, dicked around. Which is why I recorded my vlog at 3 in the morning on the morning I’m supposed to post it. Because I said I would. And because I also win at procrastigame.
You are welcome.
I’ll amend with stuff I’m supposed to amend with later.
If I’m not in a coma.
(3) 01.10.2012
Welcome to the 2012 blog.
Meaning: I’ll actually be blogging. Or, more accurately, vlogging. For which, I apologize beforehand. It’s so much easier to show y’all stuff than it is to take photos and write concise things. Though, after watching this first video, I fully acknowledge that my ability to record concise things is just about as nil.
So I think that means I’ll be doing both blogging and vlogging.
This first attempt at a video tells you NOTHING about me. Except that my brain likes to pause and restart with, “Hey lady, you’re doing a flipping vlog, remember to say hello. AGAIN.”
Things to know about my Tuesday Vlogs (and all my blogging in general):
1. For better or worse, each one will have zero script. The only preparation will be “Oh, here’s something to talk about.”
2. As an intro to me, I sew, knit, dye, and make jewelry, love sci-fi, fantasy, British television in general, and yoga. I may or may not talk about any of that. I may also find a way to talk about all of that at once.
3. They may or may not suck. I will attempt to persevere on the side of “not suck.”
(0) (0) 
February 1, 2011
Tuesday
Double-you, Tee, Eff 2011? Literally. W.T.F.
I have heard non-stop reports of sickness across the Columbus area, not to mention in other parts of the U.S. I’m sorry y’all – this blows. To all those healthy homes, stay that way. Even in our own home, we’ve got three kids who are on-again-off-again sick. Yay. A wohm who has been feeling nauseated coupled with her vertigo/inner ear issue since the middle/end of last December. Woohoo. A papa who hasn’t been getting enough sleep, got a bit of the ick, and just ate some chili that didn’t “keep well”. Ew. And myself, who has been sick for 9 days now with a heinous cold-turned-migraine-turned-effing-ear-infection. Sweet.
And that’s just this house. Tonsillitis, flu, head colds, people getting hurt in the ice… and that’s just Columbus. I would totally hug all the sick if I didn’t want all your damn germs.
2011, I’m glad to see ya, but yo, lay off the sick, wouldja?
Anyway.
Lots, and I mean LOTS of dyeing going on in the studio. And by studio I mean garage. Lots and lots and lots of photos. Some absolutely gorgeous pieces, plenty of delightful ones, and some that just need work. However, that’s for later this week. Today being February 1 marks the beginning of the new monthly challenge for the Sketchbook Challenge!
The new topic is “Opposites“. But, I did have six, well, five additional pages for the month of January, “Highly Prized” and I wanted to share those first. It’s not that they are anything amazing or special, it’s just that, shit, I’m sketching again. And I recommend to any of you with even a few minutes in the bathroom (you know what I’m talking about), to give it a go if you miss it, or want to just try it. It feels so good even if I’m not doing anything spectacular.
Page 9 & 10 – A dirty chai. Mmmmmmm! And then, my daughter helped, by drawing on 25, give or take, pages “to help you draw better, Mommy!” Indeed! So, instead of removing those pages, I worked with what was there.
Page 11 & 12 – My fantastic cat, Skunk. She’s the perfect lap cat. Love her. And then, my daughter helped, by drawing on 25, give or take, pages “to help you draw better, Mommy!” Indeed! So, instead of removing those pages, I worked with what was there. I used a portion of her drawing that looked just like a large tooth – so coinciding with the first loose tooth she has!
Page 13 & 14 – A sketch from a photo I took of my kid. I was going to draw her live, but was met with adamant refusal. And another drawn-on page by my daughter. Third of 25 or so.
That was it for the month of January. Now, on to February sketches. And, if you want to see what other artists are up to, I highly recommend going to the Sketchbook Challenge’s Flickr Group.
And now, I’m going to resume watching the season finale of BBC’s Merlin.
Deal.
(1) Wednesday
January 19, 2011
Sleep dep makes me a piss-poor writer. But a funny sounding person. Thanks, friends. I think, in my case, sleep deprivation is the number one reason I don’t get something done. Sewing while sleep deprived can be done but, I totally don’t recommend it. Same with dyeing, or using sharp objects.
So I’m writing about what I made over the holidays. And, if you are so inclined, leave a link in the comments about what you made. I’d love to see it. I like making things. Obviously. I sewed, I knitted, and here’s what I did, starting in November…
…table runner! It’s long, reversible, washable, and pretty! It can be used for Thanksgiving and Christmas (or any time inbetween when the prints suit, or, you just feel like it). Also, I’ll be posting directions on how to do one of these puppies yourself (it’s super, super easy). What I really like about this is the velvet in the center for the centerpiece or main dish. The velvet is brown for the “Thanksgiving” side, and red for the “Christmas” side.
Then, came the countdown-to-Christmas/advent calendar. I made 24 reversible stockings in three different sizes for trinkets, candies, and 3×5 cards for service day. In my calendar, I have three purple stockings for the service days; this year, the first purple stocking was to donate books to the library for them to give to other kids, the second was to make cookies and take them to our neighbors (which we did in 14 degree temps, ack), the third we wrapped new presents and gave them away to kids who really needed them.
Then I knit a pair of fingerlesss gloves for a friend who needed them. Badly. The color was so perfect. The yarn was a gift from another woman I highly admire, but it suited the recipient to a tee.
I made this 60″ long by 8″ wide scarf for a gal who loves purple, roses, and elephants. And, hopefully this scarf, now, since I’ve incorporated it all into it. If not, alas, my heart will be utterly and forever broken (just kidding. sort of.), but I learned how to do a bit of quilting. It’s easier and harder than it looks. I’ve also learned that scarves look really dumb just hanging there when photographed. Hmph.
Another pair of fingerless gloves were then knit. I had the horseshoe cable in mind for this person from the get go but couldn’t find a pattern that suited it, so, I made up my own. They came out so well. It’s a JoAnn yarn, but it had a wool/cashmere blend that was delicious. Speaking of, want to test the pattern? Comment and I’ll send it to you.
I also knit this Florida Gator(ette)s hat for my friend’s niece, though it was a bit big for her so her brother ended up snagging it. It was fun, but I find that my embroidery on my knits requires some fine tuning.
Then, for a tea-loving Hawkman fan, I knit this tea cozy. Again, I think it turned out well, but covering all that space with yarn, and embroidering it was hard.
I knit the same person this tea cozy last year – and here I stranded the yarn instead of embroidering or duplicate stitching it. I like the freedom of the embroidery, but lack the ability? patience? to do it well, just yet.
? Where is my photo, sir?
There was also an OSU tea cozy, but I haven’t gotten a photo of that yet.
Anyway! My daughter and I also cut and pressed these candles together for three different friends (I’m missing a photo of one set). Harder and easier to make then I thought. Leaves the hands smelling so good, and so soft. I love that beeswax can be cut into any shape and then simply pressed into a platform to stand up. Awesome.
Oh, and I also knit these convertible fingerless gloves/mittens. Worst. Pattern. Ever. In terms of readability. But they came out awesome. Especially the green lantern embroidery on the front. IfIdosaysomyself. Hmph.
There was this Toph costume (You know, from the animated series Avatar? Come on!). Though I didn’t get it done in time for Christmas, it was done in December. I started this in November. Did the pattern myself. But I had some construction issues – like how to make the top cross over and stay closed. How to make it big enough to grow with the kid, but not be huge, or worse, too small? How to make the green sleeves look like they’re inset into the top without making another top entirely. It took about four pattern revisits, and cutting out the sleeves and pants a second time to get it right. Plus an additional eight hours after I finally had it constructed. But, wow, it came out alright.
I also made another child a batman hooded cape – but the hood was seriously waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too small for this kids’ noggin. Even though the internet told me it would fit. He wasn’t available for measuring (that’s my defense). When he was available for me to physically measure, I cannibalized the cape and turned it into the cape and top you see above for his birthday (which was a mere 11 days after Christmas, thankyouverymuch). The new cape fits, even has dimensional bat ears now, a cool-as-hell scalloped hem (it’s Batman, yo!), a tie that also has velcro to stick to the top (a concern for the dad), and a yellow Batman sigil on the back. The top is HUGE, but I bought it and then made it so that if he ever wears it, he can stick his thumbs through the buttonholes I put in the cuff of the sleeve, which I covered with black knit to look like gloves. I also added a yellow hem with loops for batarangs, and put the original batman logo from the way-too-small-cape onto the top. Pretty bad ass if I do say so myself. However, the boy? He utterly disdains to wear it. DISDAINS, I tell you!
All that to say, man, I hope I can get more made for this years’ Christmas if I start earlier. Like, now. I also love learning new things that can and cannot be done. It’s a gift in and of itself. That and saying “Shit!” every few minutes when I’m really trying to get something done. It helps. Totally.
What’d you make this year? Show and tell!
(3) Thursday
January 13, 2011
Here’s the start of my own sketchbook from the Sketchbook Challenge I talked about Tuesday. It’s not much, but it’s a start… it’s been a while since I’ve made the time to sit and just draw for the hseer pleasure to draw. I’ve missed it! But I also noticed I was still listing – a tendency I have when making new things, or, hell, just doing anything in general. I’m excited to keep going. Remember that January’s theme is “Things You Highly Prize.”
Here’s the journal I decided to use. I already owned it, and well, damn, it’s pretty!
Here’s what I started with. Just doodling. I’d love to learn henna. You’ll be seeing a lot more of that. I also write a lot when I’m working on a design. It’s bizarre now that I’ve realized when designing, I write more than I draw. I love coming across this challenge – having a good…reason? excuse? to make time to do art for the sake of art.
So, the first thing I draw when I think of something I highly prize? Duh. I have two other sergers but haven’t drawn them yet. Besides, lots of other things I value. It’s nice to just sit and think about it.
Or, I can just list them! Boy, I love my lists. So I drew a stylized peace symbol and wrote around it all the things that I value, or prize, because of the way they make me feel. Peace-ful. Or, full of peace. And I value that.
Then, I was sitting looking at my new thrift store shoe finds. $8.50 on three pair of shoes. In my size. And all incredibly, and I mean incredibly, comfortable. I drew a pair that I’d worn already – the pink and brown leather wedge Mary Jane heels by Hot Kiss. See all three below – awesome! The black pair are Unlisted and, wow, they are beyond comfy, which means to me, wearable. Not to mention incredibly sexy. The red pair are Hush Puppies, another pair of oh dear lord my feet love these fabulous shoes. 
But I digress. I value a pair of shoes, that fit well, feel like I’m wearing nothing, and look great, more than I thought I did. 9 1/2′s – 10′s are hard finds. I also know that I’d value being able to draw shoes and feet well. Perhaps it’s time to practice that more.
By the by, ignore the sewing detritus all over the floor. I was too busy admiring my new shoes to vacuum after the last week of sewing.
Be glad I didn’t add more shoe pictures.
(0) Tuesday
January 11, 2011
When Friday and Monday’s blog post are on Tuesday… which is due to a variety of factors. Brinner (breakfast for dinner) and a movie. Feeling like pooh. A birthday party. Sick kids and sick adults – on repeat (the biggie here in being behind in a lot of things). And Slipstream game night. And solidifying our homeschooling schedule. And fixing things I made, and making other things. I’ll just call my schedule a solidifying work in progress.
Like this site.
Like this blog.
But at least it’s all getting worked on. Just sloooooowly. Much more slowly than I would like, but faster than it was. In any event! What I was going to post about last Friday wasn’t a Finished Object (though I have a gazillion of those, some with tutes included), but something I’ve begun participating in: The Sketchbook Challenge.
Every month features a new challenge for you to work on in your sketchbook. This month, January, is the theme of things you find Highly Prized. And it can be anything important to you. And you don’t have to be a media artist – you can simply enjoy sketching, or just participate to have a creative outlet, you can sew, knit, dye, make jewelry, work in an office, be a painter, a mom, a dad, whatever. Just flex those hand and creative muscles. There are also sponsors, prizes, and a cool Flickr page to upload your sketchbook pages to (which you can also show off on your own site/blog).
I’ll post some photos once I’m not too lazy to get off my ass and get my camera, take photos, copy them to the computer, resize, and blog about. Which’ll be tonight after bedtime for the littles. Until then – join in! Sketch, post, blog, or just take a look at everyone who is joining in. It’s pretty rad.
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