tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27104470506666888432024-03-13T21:39:19.552-07:00Books N StuffCrazy musings of a crafty bookstore clerk. Contained herein are thoughts on clothes, books, crafts of all kinds, food, pets, and anything else that crosses my mind.medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-33122448641915549462011-03-21T18:49:00.000-07:002011-03-21T18:49:58.712-07:00Meet Sir PercyMy best friend runs Project Cat in Tempe. She's got an adorable black kitten named Sir Percy who needs a home. If you know anyone who might like a new, fantastic kitten please click on the link!<br /><a href="http://syndicated.livejournal.com/projectcat_feed/50486.html">Meet Sir Percy</a>medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-80584770666699920542011-01-19T19:36:00.000-08:002011-01-19T20:20:08.119-08:00Teapots & Teasers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTevLXkPUWI/AAAAAAAAAM8/0rDED2JmUj4/s1600/feather%2Brose.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTevLXkPUWI/AAAAAAAAAM8/0rDED2JmUj4/s200/feather%2Brose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564108474478973282" border="0" /></a><br />So, I've been finishing up my projects rather late at night this week and so I've been too sleepy to blog about them. Therefore, I'm going to do a mega project blog tonight before bedtime. Sunday I made another hair clip.<br />Monday and Tuesday were devoted to finishing the green fingerless <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTevRj11qWI/AAAAAAAAANE/hQiJI_7u4Dk/s1600/dylan%2Bgloves.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTevRj11qWI/AAAAAAAAANE/hQiJI_7u4Dk/s200/dylan%2Bgloves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564108580853229922" border="0" /></a>gloves for Dylan. I ended up not making a third glove. He didn't seem to mind the wonky one, but he's got an open invitation to swap it out for a new one anytime he likes. Apparently, he has bigger fingers than I do, which came as a shock to me. I always think that I've got pretty big fingers. The thumb and the pinkey were especially tight, but he squeezed into them. If I make more I'll have to remember to add an extra stitch on all the fingers. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTevaLHoQfI/AAAAAAAAANM/HltPC1FMgIc/s1600/teaser.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTevaLHoQfI/AAAAAAAAANM/HltPC1FMgIc/s200/teaser.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564108728835785202" border="0" /></a><br />Tuesday I made this month's project for<a href="http://www.kitchensinkdyeworks.com/"> Kitchen Sink Dyeworks'</a> Badass Women's Yarn Club. This month's Badass is Lane Turbeville who works with Pathways, a United Way organization that focuses on homeless women and children. This is a super awesome program. If you want to know more about Lane and the work she does you can read about her on the KSD<a href="http://www.kitchensinkdyeworks.com/"> site</a> or go to the Pathways <a href="http://www.pathwayshome.org/">site</a>.<br />I love this month's yarn color! Seafoam greens and blues are some of my favorites. I'm also excited because I got to use the awesome buttons I got at the Bottletree Holiday Craft Fair. Luckily, Mercedes kept up with the name of the <a href="http://oruaka.etsy.com/">craftsman</a> who made the buttons because I've lost his card. Bad Sara! I also got one of his super awesome <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61073655/lovely-handcrafted-mahogany-wood-hair">hair clips</a> at the fair. I really love it because I've got a mess of hair and I'm always looking for something to put in it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Today I decided to return to my first love - jewelry. I made these simple, but adorable teapot earrings. The teapot charms are hollow stamped brass so they're very light. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTevhg7aKWI/AAAAAAAAANU/iFueaKGbqeU/s1600/teapots.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTevhg7aKWI/AAAAAAAAANU/iFueaKGbqeU/s200/teapots.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564108854949194082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTe07LWqLXI/AAAAAAAAANc/qJ6y3nt1pCs/s1600/octopus.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTe07LWqLXI/AAAAAAAAANc/qJ6y3nt1pCs/s200/octopus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564114793392647538" border="0" /></a>I've been getting more and more interested in the steampunk movement especially the costuming and the literature. <a href="http://www.gailcarriger.com/">Gail Carriger</a> and <a href="http://georgemann.wordpress.com/">George Mann</a> are two of my favorite steampunk authors. Gail posts lots of fabulous steampunk links on her <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/gailcarriger">twitter feed</a>. Especially those relating to tea and parasols. Back in November I made this hair piece inspired by the Order of the Brass Octopus from Gail's Parasol Protectorate series.<br /><a href="http://www.threadbanger.com/episode/THR_20080829">Threadbanger</a> helped me a bunch with my first attempt at a steampunk costume, which I wore to DragonCon 2010. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/steampunkfashion/pool/with/2872880791/">Flickr</a> and <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/steamfashion/">Livejournal</a> both have some great steampunk fashion ideas too. My bustle was a little out of <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTe2FBV6H7I/AAAAAAAAANk/9PTTbNWF7W0/s1600/iphone%2B628.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTe2FBV6H7I/AAAAAAAAANk/9PTTbNWF7W0/s200/iphone%2B628.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564116062015463346" border="0" /></a>control, but it was the first one I'd ever made. I'm debating making another actual bustle for next year or just going with a ruffled bustle on a new skirt. The skirts I made for this year were taken <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTe3NLg2nLI/AAAAAAAAANs/PC5SEnAXZCM/s1600/iphone%2B627.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTe3NLg2nLI/AAAAAAAAANs/PC5SEnAXZCM/s200/iphone%2B627.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564117301696306354" border="0" /></a>from deconstructed prom dresses I got at the thrift store. I'm pretty proud of all the gathering I did. this was my first project on my new sewing machine too! <br /><br /><br /></div>medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-6359171487150190212011-01-15T21:32:00.000-08:002011-01-15T22:12:39.872-08:00Seven at One Blow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTKFA-56O9I/AAAAAAAAAME/_Hx34Ph-ZTE/s1600/felt%2Brose%2B1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTKFA-56O9I/AAAAAAAAAME/_Hx34Ph-ZTE/s200/felt%2Brose%2B1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562654741688368082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Ok, so I'm not quite that good, but I have done several accessories in two days. My official 365 Accessories item from yesterday was a hair clip from Stephanie Lynn's blog: <a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2009/12/rolled-flower-gift-toppers.html">Under the Table and Dreaming</a>. I just used cheap felt from JoAnn's and <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTKELAVstjI/AAAAAAAAAL8/H_i-x0cGEM8/s1600/002%2B%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTKELAVstjI/AAAAAAAAAL8/H_i-x0cGEM8/s200/002%2B%25282%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562653814360421938" border="0" /></a>a hot glued it to a small hair clip. Today's official entry was a second rose for my friend Christel. I made her's with lavender felt. However, I made my felt rose at about 12:30 in the morning yesterday, which left me lots of time during the day to work on other things. So, I decided to make another pair of fingerless gloves.<br /><br />For those of you who are counting that makes 5 pairs in about two weeks. I was using bulky yarn and found a cute pattern over on Spindle and Wheel. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTKIN18JLdI/AAAAAAAAAMU/098X1W9dMPw/s1600/blue%2Bgloves.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTKIN18JLdI/AAAAAAAAAMU/098X1W9dMPw/s200/blue%2Bgloves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562658261154999762" border="0" /></a>I like the pattern, but they ended up being a little snug for the person I had in mind, so Christel ended up with those too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTKI6o6aahI/AAAAAAAAAMc/61ZTaBpMbg4/s1600/003%2B%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTKI6o6aahI/AAAAAAAAAMc/61ZTaBpMbg4/s200/003%2B%25282%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562659030752193042" border="0" /></a><br />Today's official item was the rose for Christel, but then I decided to take that a step further and made this little item...<br />The feathers just make it something special I think. But, that was done by 10 this morning! So, I worked on some wreathes for the store and then this evening I started... that's right! More fingerless gloves!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTKKV6ELC-I/AAAAAAAAAMk/ywIEvxkbGek/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTKKV6ELC-I/AAAAAAAAAMk/ywIEvxkbGek/s200/007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562660598724627426" border="0" /></a>This pattern is from KnitPicks and it's the same one I used to make Benji's gloves a few days ago, but for whatever reason they aren't fitting quite right with the change in yarn. I'm going to have to tweak the pattern to have some plain knit rows before we get to the thumb increases I think. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTKKx7ykoHI/AAAAAAAAAMs/lnTJGSHjT7g/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTKKx7ykoHI/AAAAAAAAAMs/lnTJGSHjT7g/s200/008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562661080224014450" border="0" /></a>I've got enough yarn to make two more gloves, so I can alter things on the second glove and then make an exact mate to it if I decide that it's worth it. I may be willing to put up with one wonky glove though.<br /><br /><br />Then, just for fun, before bed, I made the sweetest little clip. And on that note, I'm off to bed.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTKLGyliSOI/AAAAAAAAAM0/BRX6D4-HJ1c/s1600/rose.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TTKLGyliSOI/AAAAAAAAAM0/BRX6D4-HJ1c/s200/rose.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562661438530668770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div>medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-18677283646782807192011-01-13T22:53:00.001-08:002011-01-13T23:27:44.130-08:00Cheater (with bonus pets!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TS_0lrXZcYI/AAAAAAAAALk/Np2DmUC-uu0/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TS_0lrXZcYI/AAAAAAAAALk/Np2DmUC-uu0/s200/004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561932992959050114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TS_0B6aM0OI/AAAAAAAAALc/owExD79OfHY/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TS_0B6aM0OI/AAAAAAAAALc/owExD79OfHY/s200/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561932378522046690" border="0" /></a><br />So, days 5 & 6 are combined into one post since I was making a pair of fingerless mitts; one for each day. Once again, I'm using the Best Friend Mitts pattern from<a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.kitchensinkdyeworks.com"> Kitchen Sink Dyeworks'</a> <a href="http://kitchensinkdyeworks.com/badass-womens-yarn-club/">Badass Women's Yarnclub.</a><br />The first mitt got made Wednesday despite "help" from Kristen's cats Delilah and Henry. I was also generally having trouble. I messed up the pattern repeatedly, I forgot to change needles, I got all kinds of crazy math going on. I was already fudging things a little because I was knitting these in organic cotton instead of animal fiber, because the guy I'm making them for is allergic to wool. Since cotton doesn't have the same spring that wool does I was playing with the math to try to make them fit better (I'm not at all sure I succeeded.) But, by 10:00 or so I had the first mitt done!<br />Then Thursday rolled around and I started on the second mitt... and a nasty, sinus-y cold. Bleh. So I came home from work a little early thinking I'd relax with some Twitter and some knitting. About 10 rows in I started nodding off so I took myself for a nap. And woke up (semi) refreshed and ready to go. That's when the internet jumped up and snatched my attention span. I swear! That's what happened. It totally wasn't my fault. These three DIY/Decor blogs ambushed me!<br /><a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="UndertheTableandDreaming" src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/theliebertfamily/UTTD2.png" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.livingwithlindsay.com/"> <img style="width: 193px; height: 193px;" src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/dmdlnt/Template%20Graphics/LWL125x125.gif" /></a> <a href="http://thenester.com/"><img style="width: 195px; height: 195px;" alt="Nesting Place" title="thenester.com" outline="0" src="http://www.thenester.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/nestingplacebutton1.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TS_35rSwvAI/AAAAAAAAALs/61TbkMtDevg/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TS_35rSwvAI/AAAAAAAAALs/61TbkMtDevg/s200/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561936635071872002" border="0" /></a>So, after looking at awesome ideas for all sorts of things I realized that I was a little behind on my knitting. And, of course, my own pets wanted to help just like Kristen's did. Bela decided to help from my lap, while Callie stayed on the floor to better ensure full coverage of all possible yarn <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TS_5FmZXEhI/AAAAAAAAAL0/ZBrQSQbNO_Y/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TS_5FmZXEhI/AAAAAAAAAL0/ZBrQSQbNO_Y/s200/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561937939427430930" border="0" /></a>escape routes. I finished the body of the mitt by midnight, but (and this is the part where I cheat) the thumb took me until 12:30. But, I'm going to apply the Warren Ellis definition and say morning is whenever I get up and the day isn't over until I go to bed. So, really, it's still Thursday, Day 6 of my 365 Accessories. So there.medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-22336424119674369342011-01-11T21:12:00.001-08:002011-01-11T21:34:13.461-08:00The Owls Are Not What They Seem<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TS04o0wEY_I/AAAAAAAAALU/kmJSzATM8Zc/s1600/owl.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 324px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TS04o0wEY_I/AAAAAAAAALU/kmJSzATM8Zc/s200/owl.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561163388878611442" border="0" /></a><br />Sometimes, they're jewelry! <br />My iPhone doesn't like taking pictures in my house very much, but here's the necklace I made today. It's a commission for a friend. The blurry pendant is a small owl. All the stones are howlite and the small spacers are silver Swarovski findings. The stones & spacers are on black organza and the pendant is hanging from sterling silver chain. It's a sweet simple little necklace. <br />I had been planning to make an embroidered scarf with coins, but my technique needs some work first.<br /><br />I've joined a knitting swap over on <a href="www.ravelry.com">Ravelry</a>. I'm excited; my partner's name is Sarah and she lives in the UK. The swap I joined is the Happy Blue Year Swap so all of our projects are going to be blue. I picked <a href="http://www.kitchensinkdyeworks.com/">Kitchen Sink Dyeworks' </a><a href="http://kitchensinkdyeworks.com/store/#ecwid:category=546049&mode=product&product=1882325">Snakehandler Mitts</a> as the pattern for the first kit I'm going to send off. I especially love these fingerless gloves because I got to help beta test the pattern. That makes me feel special! I haven't decided on my yarn yet, but I don't have tons of money left to spend on it. (We're supposed to try to keep it under $20-$25, which is a shame because I've got a beautiful skein of a merino/silk blend that would be beautiful. Oh well. I'll think of something. <br />Now I've got to start another set of <a href="www.kitchensinkdyeworks.com">KSD's</a> Best Friend Mitts from the Badass Women's Yarnclub. I've got another friend who needs some warm accessories. I've got tomorrow's project ready to go!medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-18228007008723370342011-01-10T22:19:00.000-08:002011-01-10T22:41:06.628-08:00Day #3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TSv3o-_FEqI/AAAAAAAAAKs/Zp1hugPw4xc/s1600/gnome.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TSv3o-_FEqI/AAAAAAAAAKs/Zp1hugPw4xc/s320/gnome.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560810448393409186" border="0" /></a><br />Day 3 and I'm still on track. My third accessory is an iPod case made from fulled wool from a failed sweater attempt and the free pattern from LarkCraft's<a href="http://www.larkcrafts.com/needlearts/doodle-stitch-along-with-us/"> Doodle Stitch Along</a>. I added snaps & a belt loop. I'm contemplating a button, but I don't know. My interfacing is still caught up in the embroidery, but it's water soluble so I'll wash it out tonight.<br /><br />I managed to get this relatively time consuming project done thanks to the snowpocalypse that landed on Birmingham. Granted, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TSv3ug8HDLI/AAAAAAAAAK0/moxzlHTjzBU/s1600/gnome%2Bback.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TSv3ug8HDLI/AAAAAAAAAK0/moxzlHTjzBU/s200/gnome%2Bback.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560810543407107250" border="0" /></a>compared to winters in MA it's nothing, but an inch of mixed snow and sleet around here pretty much paralyzes the city. Alabama just isn't equipped to deal with icy roads. So, I got to stay home today and play with my toys. I did pop out for some brisk exercise consisting of shoveling my driveway. That was... fun.<br />I picked up Dad's dogs on Friday. So far they're getting along with my animals pretty well. Daphne has some joint problems and Tango has a skin condition, but they're sweet animals. They're both on diets now, which should help with all their problems. They each had (in their own way) hard lives before coming to live with Dad, so he pretty much let them eat whatever/whenever they wanted. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TSv4vD_gppI/AAAAAAAAAK8/gaxhXS-La6k/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TSv4vD_gppI/AAAAAAAAAK8/gaxhXS-La6k/s200/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560811652328236690" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is Tango. She lived with a lady who had over 20 dogs. They were all adequately housed/fed/cleaned, but with that many they couldn't get the amount of attention that they needed. So Tango is clingier than kudzu. If you call any other animal's name she'll show up. If one of the other animals is 2 feet from me she has to be 1 foot away. She'll sit on top of Daphne to make sure that she's closer. Right now she's got irritated skin, but we're going to the vet Friday to <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TSv52hxOlOI/AAAAAAAAALE/3FsJLnuENPM/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TSv52hxOlOI/AAAAAAAAALE/3FsJLnuENPM/s200/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560812880092108002" border="0" /></a>get it checked out.<br /><br />Daphne was a Hurricane Katrina rescue. She's about 8 now. She moves slowly and she's got some balance & joint issues, but she's a trooper. If you take them out without leashes Tango will stick close, but Daphne will lumber off much faster than you'd expect. She's a pretty quiet dog most of the time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TSv6-JkSSYI/AAAAAAAAALM/q9cTz3w4c_U/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TSv6-JkSSYI/AAAAAAAAALM/q9cTz3w4c_U/s200/012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560814110545955202" border="0" /></a>They're both sweethearts. Although, between the two of them and Ilsa, I've got to say, the bed is getting very crowded at night. I'm waiting for the morning I wake up with the three of them on the mattress and me on the floor in their dog bed. At least it's a big dog bed.medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-80439098823191963412011-01-09T16:26:00.000-08:002011-01-09T16:39:47.023-08:00Accessories #2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TSpSusZCTHI/AAAAAAAAAKk/p48fWfTi6ok/s1600/benjis%2Bgloves.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TSpSusZCTHI/AAAAAAAAAKk/p48fWfTi6ok/s320/benjis%2Bgloves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560347652085927026" border="0" /></a><br />Two blog posts in 1 day? The world may be ending. The ice storm coming down outside certainly seems to agree with that.<br />But, this blog is to announce that for the second day in a row... I have made something! I did indeed finish the first of the fingerless gloves I'm making for Benji.<br />As I said before, the yarn & the pattern both came from <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/knitting.cfm">Knitpicks</a>. <br />This will be the third pair of fingerless gloves I've made recently. The other two pairs came from the <a href="http://kitchensinkdyeworks.com/">Kitchen Sink Dyeworks</a> <a href="http://kitchensinkdyeworks.com/badass-womens-yarn-club/">Badass Women's Yarn Club</a> pattern for December. This is the best club I've ever been in. I get awesome custom yarn & patterns and each month part of my fee goes to an awesome charity. December's Badass was <a href="http://kitchensinkdyeworks.com/2010/12/14/meet-kris-badass-woman-for-december-2010/">Kris Crawford</a> who works to end dog fighting and to educate inner city kids on dog safety with all breeds, but also to teach them to respect the dogs. <br />I haven't seen a Badass Woman that I'm not proud of, but Kris's organization is especially exciting for me since my boss's son has recently adopted a female pit bull that was used for baiting in dog fights. He's named her Emma and she's super sweet. When he first found her she was hiding under his truck and in pretty rough shape. She's doing really well now and making a place for herself in the Little Professor pet family.medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-26536979754652094462011-01-09T09:24:00.001-08:002011-01-09T11:00:50.526-08:00Make Something Every Day<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TSnxDoWZOsI/AAAAAAAAAKc/af5uW8mjY9g/s1600/skull%2Bbrooch.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560240259638835906" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TSnxDoWZOsI/AAAAAAAAAKc/af5uW8mjY9g/s320/skull%2Bbrooch.jpg" /></a><br /><div>So, yesterday on the etsy<a href="http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/make-something-every-day-11501/?ref=fp_blog_title"> blog</a> julieincharge suggested that artists to try to make something every day. So, I'm going to try to make at least 1 accessory every day from 1/8/11 to 1/8/12. So, the first thing I made was a little hair clip out of a rhinestone skull brooch with feathers. </div><div>And, lucky for me, I posted it on Twitter & one of my friends bought it already!</div><div>Today I'm working on fingerless gloves from <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Mens_Convertible_Gloves_Pattern__D50601220.html">Knitpicks</a>. My friend Benji got the pattern & the yarn earlier in the winter and asked me to make them for me. I don't think I can finish the pair today, but maybe I can at least get 1 of them done. Of course, if the snowpocolypse happens then I could probably get quite a bit done.</div>medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-14237222603808475452010-12-07T21:38:00.000-08:002010-12-07T21:57:52.851-08:00GoneDad died last <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">monday</span> night.<br />That's a stark sentence to write. It's a stark thing to say over and over in all the phone calls that had to be made. I know this isn't anything new. People do this all the time. But now it's my turn. and I hate it, and I don't, and I don't really know what.<br />I'm keeping busy. I've tried to go, and do, and be around people every day for the last week. <img src="file:///C:/Users/User/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.png" alt="" />It helps.<br />I got a new tattoo Saturday, for dad.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TP8bvu33qhI/AAAAAAAAAJw/BvSiBaZU4bI/s1600/fluer.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TP8bvu33qhI/AAAAAAAAAJw/BvSiBaZU4bI/s200/fluer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548183772793907730" border="0" /></a> He'd hate it, and that makes it even better in a way. I told him I was going to do the last time I was in Memphis. He shuddered, and then said that I was an adult and I could do whatever I wanted. Then he shuddered again. He was obsessed with<img src="file:///C:/Users/User/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/User/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-4.png" alt="" /> the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fleur</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">di</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">lis</span>. He had key chains, ties, thumb tacks, pillows, sheets, soaps, and even toilet paper with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">fleur</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">di</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">lis</span> patterns. So... I thought it was appropriate. <br />I'm doing... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ok</span>. Some moment's I'm just fine and others I'm a wreck. That's to be expected too. The worst moments are when I forget for a second. Remembering is a lot like hell. But I'm glad he doesn't hurt anymore and I'm glad he wasn't stuck in bed during a long, slow dying. And he kept his sense of humor. He turned to look at me that night and said, "I'm dying."<br />"I know," I said.<br />He looked at me again, "No, I mean right now." It was the sort of twisted humor that we shared. Even the nurse got in on it. That helped a little. That he could laugh about it right at the end. <br />A while back, right after we found out that we hadn't beaten the cancer he said to me that "if 80% of people make it then someone has to be in the 20% and why not me? But if whoever I'm giving up my place for doesn't end hunger, or cure AIDS, or save children then we're going to have a long talk when they get to Heaven." I gotta say... that's fair. Whoever you are... do some good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">ok</span>? He deserves it.medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-504688168857241422010-11-16T22:49:00.000-08:002010-11-16T23:25:02.303-08:00Traveling Paper CranesThe cranes have started out. I've added India to my list of places that I hope to get pictures from My contact there is super busy though, so we'll see if she can fit it into her schedule.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TON72XtxyyI/AAAAAAAAAJA/f8gcYrcUtUs/s1600/memphis%2B060.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TON72XtxyyI/AAAAAAAAAJA/f8gcYrcUtUs/s320/memphis%2B060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540408140605016866" border="0" /></a>In the meantime, here are the first two pictures...<br />Laura with a crane at the Jack Daniels distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee<br /><br />Next, we've <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TON8uhLTF9I/AAAAAAAAAJI/EhXTVykpl3I/s1600/memphis%2B062.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TON8uhLTF9I/AAAAAAAAAJI/EhXTVykpl3I/s320/memphis%2B062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540409105217427410" border="0" /></a>got one of the cranes relaxing with the Peabody Ducks in Memphis, Tennessee. This picture was taken during brunch with the whole family before Dad's ceremony at Millington. I got another picture, but the brown duck was diving for food so we got a great picture of her little ducky bum.<br /><br />The Arthur Glassman Appreciation Day went really well. All three of Dad's siblings made it. In order, the siblings are: Herby (78), Graham (75), Francis (70), and Dad (62). Graham lives in North Carolina with his wife Margaret. Herby and his wife Marlene, and Francis and her partner Shirley all live near Atlanta. So everyone had long drives to come up and see us. My Mom's friend Kate also came to be with us. That much family was exciting, but <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TOOAL3-GmqI/AAAAAAAAAJY/AEwcBGcJ810/s1600/memphis%2B063.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TOOAL3-GmqI/AAAAAAAAAJY/AEwcBGcJ810/s200/memphis%2B063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540412908087188130" border="0" /></a>also tiring. There was so much to catch up on.<br /><br />(Graham & Dad at the Peabody)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TOOCopUuIDI/AAAAAAAAAJo/UHdzq4yD1jw/s1600/memphis%2B064.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib9ewmDf1o4/TOOCopUuIDI/AAAAAAAAAJo/UHdzq4yD1jw/s200/memphis%2B064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540415601394982962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /><br /><br /><br />(Daddy & Francis at the Peabody)<br /></div>medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-49410505086742206292010-11-12T17:46:00.000-08:002010-11-12T17:55:42.173-08:00MemphisQuick crane update. We are at 437 cranes!!!<br />My traveling Paper Crane Project is doing well. I've got cranes on their way to several states, the Virgin Islands, Equador, and Paris. I've got some of the smaller cranes sprayed down with a clear sealant and I'm going to try to get a few pairs of earrings made this weekend.<br />I'm in Memphis with Dad for the weekend. Dad worked as the administartor of a nursing home up here for ten years. On Sunday, his bosses are dedicating a wing of the building to him. All three of his siblings are coming in for it as well as lots of friends. <br />I'll post lots of pictures Sunday night or Monday when I get back home.medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-87455408754315420652010-11-08T14:27:00.000-08:002010-11-08T15:10:37.769-08:00Birthdays & Travel PlansSo, I haven't caught up in a while because I've been at Dad's house in Memphis for his 62nd birthday party. He doesn't have wifi and I love this blog, but I'm not updating it from my phone. <br />The current crane count is 412! This is so awesome. It's so awesome that I've come up with a new idea. I want to expand. To build upon our success! I want the cranes to travel to all 50 states! If you've already got cranes then take a picture with a) a recognizable landmark or b) a roadsign or c) something that typifies the state and email it to me, post it on my facebook wall, or tweet it with my twitter id in it(medusasmirror). <br />So far; AL, MA and SC are all accounted for, but I'd love to get multiple pictures from each state so don't hesitate to participate just because you're in a state that's already claimed. And if you've got friends or relatives in unclaimed states get the on board too! I'm going to need lots of help on this one.<br />I'll write more about the weekend with dad later.medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-85697761138111959322010-10-31T13:13:00.000-07:002010-10-31T13:31:54.881-07:00348 baby!So, as of today, thanks to one of Dad's AMAZING neighbors, we have 348 sponsored cranes. I've started folding them and I hope to drop them off this weekend when I'm in Memphis. One of my friends got some extra cranes today for her pre-school classroom. Totally awesome idea. <br />I've been thinking about projects. There are definitely going to be some crane mobiles and some crane earrings. I've had a request for miniature bottled cranes, so I'm thinking pendants with those. I need to go find some spray polyurethane to coat all the jewelry cranes so that they will hold up a little better. I also want to try some experiments... maybe a felt crane? or a plush crane? I'll have to try it and see what works.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21675280@N04/5133177984/" title="Hey there Little Red Riding Hood by medusasmirror, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/5133177984_d4bebe2e12.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Hey there Little Red Riding Hood" /></a><br />I sent Dad a picture of my Halloween costume for today (Little Red Riding Hood). He thought I looked cute. He's lost some more weight, but he seemed in good spirits. My aunt was visiting this weekend. They talked about a bunch of stuff this weekend. He told me, "Sweetie, I was shocked, but apparently you and I aren't the only ones with issues from childhood. Who knew?" I'm headed up there Thursday night for his birthday, which is on Saturday. <br />I'll post lots of project pictures as they start rolling out.medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-18630216175958475072010-10-28T22:55:00.000-07:002010-10-28T23:07:09.876-07:00Wow, you guys ROCK!!!So, as of 12:55 a.m. today I am at 260 sponsored cranes. <br />Let me say that number again... 260!!!!<br />This is less than 48 hours after the project went live. I am blown away by how kind and generous everyone is being. Thank you!<br /><br />So far, I've actually gotten 108 of them folded. I'm trying to stay pretty on top of things. I've got some ideas for projects to do with cranes that stay with me. Some of the first cranes to go off to their new home took flight (via the USPS) to Massachusetts today. Another tiny army of cranes will get picked up on Saturday. Remember to let me know if you want your cranes or if you want to leave them with me. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21675280@N04/5125394456/" title="Bucket o cranes by medusasmirror, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1326/5125394456_10593aeb4c_s.jpg" width="75" height="75" alt="Bucket o cranes" /></a><br /><br />Here's a peek at some of the origami paper I'm using right now... <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21675280@N04/5123685400/" title="Origami paper 2 by medusasmirror, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5123685400_60667e0d63_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Origami paper 2" /></a><br /><br />This paper was sent to me by a friend teaching in Japan. As far as I can tell it looks like most of it was screen printed or block printed. Some of the pieces are very textured. It's pretty cool stuff. So far I've used about a third of what's actually in the box. I've got a few random collections of "real" origami paper before I'll have to get creative. I figure around the 500 crane mark anything goes!medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-49647081587649652432010-10-27T20:52:00.000-07:002010-10-27T21:08:17.263-07:00So kindOk, you guys are being amazingly kind! I've got 30 cranes so far tonight. Here is a picture of the first 25 cranes:<br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21675280@N04/5121957015/" title="Paper cranes by medusasmirror, on Flickr"><img style="width: 313px; height: 417px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/5121957015_66b758569d.jpg" alt="Paper cranes" /></a><br />The background on my laptop, if anyone is interested, is a 1930's style Catwoman drawn by <a href="http://tednaifeh.com/">Ted Nafieh</a>, who is awesome. I've got 3 pieces of his art at home. <br />The last 5 cranes of the night are thanks to Melissa, whose <a href="http://melissatabor.com/">fashion designs</a> you MUST check out. She's amazing.medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-76326301821366728012010-10-27T16:37:00.001-07:002010-10-27T16:46:28.084-07:00Step OneOk, the first 5 cranes are folded! Only 995 to go to reach my goal! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21675280@N04/5121440303/" title="cranes by medusasmirror, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1108/5121440303_b76aacd9c9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cranes" /></a>medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-46480024046697168022010-10-27T15:50:00.000-07:002010-10-27T16:08:10.113-07:00The Paper Crane ProjectSo, my dad is sick. He's got terminal cancer. Sucks, but he's been amazing. So, in an effort to start raising money to cover the upcoming expenses I've started <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/medusasmirror/paper-crane-project">The Paper Crane Project</a>. Building off the idea that if you fold a thousand paper cranes you will be granted one wish I'm working toward a thousand cranes to help my dad live the rest of his life with grace and dignity. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21675280@N04/5121967462/" title="Dad, August 2010 by medusasmirror, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5121967462_994ffa0ed3.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="Dad, August 2010" /></a><br />People can sponsor cranes if they'd like to and I'm going to track my progress here. I just posted today and already I've gotten a donation from a wonderful friend from high school! So I've got 5 cranes to make this afternoon! If anyone wants their cranes I'm happy to send them, or I'll keep them and do something awesome. Possibly a paper crane chandelier that I can sell in my etsy shop later to help dad more. That would be pretty awesome. <br />I'll post some pictures of the first 5 cranes in a bit.medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-90719699892661300382010-09-23T18:55:00.000-07:002010-09-23T19:08:04.987-07:00SteampunkSo, I thought I'd jump in on the <a href="http://www.rikkidonovan.com/index.php/steampunk-challenge-2/">Bookkeeper's Steampunk Challenge</a> and try to find more steampunk books to read myself and share some recommendations of my own. <br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.rikkidonovan.com/index.php/steampunk-challenge-2/" title="Steampunk challenge"><img src="http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/5135/steampunkbuttonsmall.jpg" alt="Steampunk challenge" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />With that in mind, here is a short review I wrote back in July on the <a href="http://www.littleprofessorhomewood.com/sara">Little Professor page</a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://us.macmillan.com/theaffinitybridge">The<span style="color: black; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> Affinity Bridge by George Mann </span></span></a> </div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; font-family: arial,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I'm not sure if anyone noticed, but this book is BRILLIANT! The female character is sympathetic, the male character is flawed, but in an understandable way. There are shades of Alan Moore's "From Hell" lurking about creating dark, atmospheric pockets. The zombies are spine chilling and extraordinarily well conceived. I cannot wait for the next book. Literally. I can't wait. I may explode. (In point of fact, I special ordered it from England as it was released there over six months before it came out in the US). It could happen. So, just wanted to point all that out. I'll try to be sane again now.</span><br /><br />The book centers around Sir Maurice Newbury, and investigator for the Crown, and his new assistant, Miss Veronica Hobbes. There are automatons, dirigibles, and even zombies! An horrific dirigible crash along with several other well protected incidents have started to throw doubt on the reliability of the automatons. After all, who wants a clockwork butler that might strangle your guests at any moment? Sir Maurice and his unexpectedly feminine assistant have to get to the bottom of the mystery before any more tragedies occur. <br /></div>medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-62254221434717462132010-08-31T19:53:00.000-07:002010-08-31T20:00:48.184-07:00bustleas geeks so often do, this year I am making the pilgrimage to <a href="www.dragoncon.org">Dragoncon</a>! I've decided on a steampunk costume. Therefore, I needed a bustle! So, I found a handy-dandy tutorial over on <a href="www.threadbanger.com">threadbanger</a> and got to work.<br /><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="player" width="448" height="290"><param value="http://www.threadbanger.com/embed/player" name="movie"><param value="true" name="allowFullScreen"><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"><param value="video_file=http://www.threadbanger.com/embed/play/THR_20080829" name="flashvars"><param value="opaque" name="wmode"><embed src="http://www.threadbanger.com/embed/player" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="video_file=http://www.threadbanger.com/embed/play/THR_20080829" wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="448" height="290"></embed></object><br /><br />Here is my bustle in construction<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21675280@N04/4947291470/" title="Bustle by medusasmirror, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4947291470_78a7bd1bf3.jpg" alt="Bustle" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /><br />A spool of electrical wire, florists wire, and some ribbon and i'm all set!<br /><br />Then I made a ruched overskirt to lay over the bustle out of a size 2 prom dress I found at the thrift store<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21675280@N04/4947259352/" title="Bustle & skirt by medusasmirror, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4947259352_51c4d43439.jpg" alt="Bustle & skirt" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /><br />my favorite part is that the dress had a pocket, which is now right on top of my bustle. I can tuck fans, programs, mints, whatever I need, right on top of the bustle!medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2710447050666688843.post-41622646951302766862010-08-12T16:45:00.000-07:002010-08-12T18:56:20.089-07:00UpcyclingI come up with crazy projects. It's a thing that I do. My biggest ongoing project is the endless scarf. It has its own (rarely updated)<a href="http://www.endless-scarf.blogspot.com/"> blog</a>. My newest plan is to go a year without buying any new clothes. By which I mean clothes for which I am the original owner. The exceptions are a) my bridesmaid's dress for 'Liss's wedding in December and b) my costumes for the movie we're making. Other than that I can get things used clothes off ebay or from the thrift store, and I can make my own.<br />My first project is repairing a skirt that I've had since high school. The elastic wore out and there are several rips. All I'm doing is sewing it on top of a black cotton skirt that also has some holes. I'm sewing it on about 4 inches below the waistband of the cotton skirt so that it hangs a little longer.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21675280@N04/4887033280/" title="Skirt fabric by medusasmirror, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4887033280_3d8d120f7b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Skirt fabric" /></a>medusahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151727404247270890noreply@blogger.com0