Thoughts

This blog is such a mess, so I've decided that I don't mind posting random epiphanies as they come.  Who knows...it might help someone out?  Anyway -

I've always been taught to avoid problems, to take the safest route away from situations that I might come to regret.  That seems like generally decent advice.  Who wants regret, right? 

However, I've recently realized that there are some problems that won't go away unless you confront them face-to-face, to truly understand why you're suffering to begin with.  Perhaps it's just a personality quirk, but I answer most of my own questions mid-trauma.  It becomes a 'why didn't I figure this out before' moment, rather than a 'I shouldn't have done that at all' regret.   

DIY Lampshade

One of the projects that I've been working on is a custom lampshade from newspaper/magazine cut outs.  I found a few old mags from my grandfather's collection - mostly Women's Day and the like.  A few of the ads were rather funny:

Obviously, smoking was very popular.  "You've come a long way, baby."

The idea is fairly simple and you'll only need a few materials.

What You'll Need:

1. Glue (I used a combination of hot glue and Mod Podge)

2. Newspaper/Magazines

3. Scissors

I attached the newspaper background with hot glue.  Given the texture of the lampshade, Mod Podge wouldn't work.  I think cut out magazine clippings and glued them down with Mod Podge:  one layer underneath and one over the top.  I also covered the newspaper with a layer of MP, which made it delightfully shiny!

The most difficult part?  Keeping all of the random edges glued down!  I'm going to go along the bottom with tape, if necessary.

And yes, that man is asking:  "Heard any good pickles, lately?"

Apartment Therapy

Perhaps my current obsession with Apartment Therapy has something to do with my rather morose mood - because nothing makes me happier than DIY lampshades and quirky knickknacks.  I've been particularly fond of pale walls and furniture, blending together in a beige haze.  Salmon and mustard tinted accessories aside.

Unfortunately, I've put myself on a rather stringent budget due to economic hardship, so there's been little room for retail therapy.  It's a good thing that I can turn most junk into an interesting conversation piece.

I'm hoping to take some decent pictures of what I've been up to by tomorrow.  I still have a bedroom overhaul to complete, included mattress swapping, so we'll see how it goes.

Here are a few ideas that I really 'dig' -

DIY Inspiration: Stacked Table Shelving

7 Doormats You Can Make for Yourself

Moo Lamp:  Peta-Approved Taxidermy

I don't know if I could pull off the "Moo" look, though....

mia

As you all could probably tell, I've been absent for a bit.  I've finally succumbed to the weight of searching for a decent job and beginning an intriguing "part-time" gig.  The bills are piling up and there's really not much I can do about it, so my creativity is suffering.  Hopefully I can manage my time wisely and have a new project to showcase.

Until then,

xoxo

D'aww Interwebs: Pretending this is tumblr

Blurb from "In Those Moments"

She was a complete conundrum; though, admittedly, he never had extensive experience with women to fall back on. The ladies of court from his past were delicate, tittering complexities in equally delicate dresses. He remembered watching them in confusion, trying to understand their gestures and coy smiles. The language lessons of the schoolroom never covered these. When he reached adolescence, his eager questions about his female counterparts were met with little interest. However, it was explained that beauty was non-negotiable in a future bride. A prince deserved the best of what was offered. His needs and desires came first. Being surrounded by the aesthetically pleasing was simply a part of that. And as he watched the girl while hidden in shadow, even he had to admit, much to his embarrassment, that her form was certainly pleasing.

Belle, as her father called her, was reclined on the ample ledge of one of the large windows, looking out over the expanse of dense forests that hid his castle from outsiders. One of her hands rested lightly on the glass, as if trying to reach out and make a connection with something in the distance. Her eyes, their color unknown in this light, would lower and blink rapidly before returning to gaze ahead. Her other hand would occasionally brush her cheek. Human body language had become so foreign to him throughout his isolation, but the adept sense of smell his cursed form garnered was more than capable of making up for what he lacked. When the sharp scent of salt filled the air, he knew the girl was crying.

Strangely, there was beauty even in that. Plump droplets finally made a noticeable appearance, clinging to her eyelashes, yet she made no move this time to wipe them. It irritated him that someone could possess such attractiveness in a moment of weakness, especially when that person also seemed to be completely unaware of her own general magnetism. She was obviously striking, even under such peasant garb. He recognized it. His servants recognized it. Yet she gave no thought to it. For someone who gave his appearance great thought every day, her nonchalance was extremely unsettling. Sometimes he wanted to take her in his hands and –

"Who's there?"

Mint Tea Writing Genius (Commas Where?)

I'm sitting here drinking tea (because tea, like coffee, makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something) and pondering the next chapter that I've been meaning to write.  People have asked writers how long it generally takes them to produce a chapter, or an article, and so forth.  I can't say that I have a straight answer.  It really all depends on my schedule (how much time I've set aside for writing) and my mood.  Famous, money-making writers will say that you should write every day, even if you don't feel like it.  That's probably good advice.  But, given the amount of things that I don't want to do YET still have to do, I feel that shirking my authorial duties occasionally is quite fine.  I can't write all the time.

Mint tea is really the most delicious.

I currently have five different stories floating around in my head, so you have to imagine how chatty it gets up there.  Every character has a different voice, and keeping them separate isn't so much of a problem, but keeping the tone of the story they're in is.  Consistency is key and sometimes it takes me a while to relocate after spending so much time working on a different story.   

Hopefully Chapter 9 will only take me two days instead of two weeks. 

Art Schooled

While cleaning my sister's room (we're ripping up carpet!) I discovered a few drawings from my youth.  I was quite the artist.

Anyone recognize anybody?  Need a hint? 

From top left:  Squirtle, Link, Heero Yuy, and the shark from Jaws.

Tea Dying Failure

If you remember correctly, I purchased a skirt from Goodwill that had a fun and quirky pattern but was colored rather Easter-y for my tastes.

I attempted to dye it using tea, which I read could work because the fabric wasn't that dark.

Unfortunately, it didn't work.  Perhaps the type of fabric was wrong for tea-dying, or the tea wasn't dark enough when I made the attempt.  I have to say that the skirt did have a nice lemon scent afterward.  You win some, you lose some.

I broke down and bought red dye, because it was the best available in my area.  I might mix dyes and go brown, because I wanted a neutral to begin with.  We'll see.

Has anyone been successful with tea-dying?