Make Me

Steampunk

I'm not sure what it is. I've read the Wikipedia definition. I've perused a couple magazines and read some articles, vistied some sites. I've asked at a local beadshop that sold gears and washers they picked up at Home Depot. Somehow, the essence of it escapes me. 

Thank God for Natalie Dee.

nataliedee.com

The Bestest Meal

Had the best meal the other night at Nine-Ten.  They have a prix fixe menu for $42 - starter, entree and dessert.  I had a scallops starter and they were perfectly cooked. I always like to order scallops when I'm out because I only know how to cook them to rubber consistency.

My entree was roasted chicken even though they had a cod special that sounded delish.  I'm glad I got the chicken because it was soooo flavorful! It was served with potato gnocchi, wild mushrooms and butternut squash puree.  I only just managed not to lick the plate clean.

Speaking of which, I went to dinner once with someone who actually did lick the plate!  In a restaurant!  I think I just sat there with my mouth hanging open. I didn't know what to say or do!

Dessert was the best though. I got fresh strawberries (extra fresh!) which was served with some sort of yogurt puree and basil sorbet. And O.M.G. that basil sorbet was out. of. this. world!  Seriously, it came from another plane of existence.

What I loved was the perfect biteness of it all. Each dish, with all its accoutrements, delivered a perfect combination of flavor even if you didn't think it would.  I've got to go back and try everything else on the menu!

Photography 101

Sunset on the Bay in San Diego.  Still learning about the camera.  I like the sunset photos I got because with different settings I got a number of different looks. 

This one is my favorite, I think.  I like how the halo around the setting sun has a greenish cast to it - hint of the "green flash" that could come. 

I've just recalled the number of photos I've lost when my hard drive took a fry.  No use crying over spilled jpegs, but I can't help but think of what I've lost.  But maybe I'll be better about loading them up the Flickr or Picasso in the future, eh?

On the photo front, I used to have a free Flickr pro account through SBC. I guess that was a trial thing. Now, to have the same privileges, it's $24.95.  Does anyone think it's a good idea?

CRAFT, Libraries and a Small Directive

I've gotten my first and last issue of Craft magazine. I'm sad that there are no more.  I've also gotten my first issue of Make magazine. I'm sad there is no more Craft magazine.  But, looking to the positive, I will embrace the Craft site and just bookmark the heck out of it.

There are loads of nifty projects on the site like these cute little bookmarks. They would make great little party favors.  I'm thinking of cutting out a few in anticipation of our Summer Reading Contest at work.

Speaking of the Summer Reading contest, I think it's starting earlier than usual this year - May 1.  I've already scoped out which books I was reading that aren't available at the library so I can finish those up before I start with the UCSD ones.

I also found a "new" library - the La Mesa Library. What a cool place!  AND it's open on Sundays! 

Can I mention again how much I love libraries?!  I'm always surprised that more people don't go to their local library.  I mean, how do you find what to read? If I bought all my books I'd have to make sure it was something halfway decent or I wouldn't waste my money. At the library you can just take it on home and if you don't like it, take it right back.

And the knitting books! Oh my! I love that I can check out any and every knitting book owned by the library.  And other craft books as well.  I think I've got about 10 checked out right now - everything from making jewelry from hardware pieces to knitting baby booties. 

Find your local library and GO!

Ennui + Me

So maybe it isn't just my crafty mojo I've lost. I've been a little half-assed in just about everything.  I'm slow in reading, getting stuff done around the house, making decisions, paperwork....It really all boils down to what I've been complaining about for months, maybe years. Too much clutter!

Today on PBS there was a special with Wayne Dyer and while he was yammering on about positive affirmations - not really a touchy-feely, airy-fairy kind a gal - I noticed a quote written in the background. Of course he didn't mention it, (or maybe he did while I wasn't listening) but it was something to the effect of clutter halts creativity. 

I used to think clutter was necessary to creativity. In fact,  I couldn't work on a totally clean desk.  But now (perhaps this comes with age) I find I need simpler solutions.  Meals, fashion, friendships - I can't do the high maintenance thing anymore. 

So, how to go about clearing out the clutter?  Here are some solutions I am pondering:

• Pay someone to do it
• Take a week off from work and just do it myself
• Throw it all away, don't look.
• Give it away
• Sell it and use the proceeds to by a laptop (inspiration and reward)
• ignore it all until the county comes with a big dumpster

The problem is, since I'm a bit of a clutter hider, I can look totally functional for a time. But then I start working on a project that needs 42 different items and I have to go through the closet and the boxes and the drawers. Then I don't finish the project right away (if at all) and the stuff all sits there.  Of course, a lot of you know the drill -- 15 other projects get started in the meantime and, BLAM! I gotta big mess on my hands in a month's time.

Maybe I should look for a 12 step program. 

Etsy Friday!

Here are some goodies I found in my favorites.  Just thought I'd share since it's been a while since the last Etsy Friday!

Roses!

I spent Saturday with my friends Johanna and Karen. Big day. Loads o fun.  We went to Fairouz for Johanna's birthday lunch where I may have eaten my weight in carrots. OMG! The carrots were sooo yummy! I also made the pig of myself over all the different cabbage dishes. This is why I like to stay away from buffets. I'm bad news. There's probably a picture of me on the front door so they can be warned not to let me in next time.

Then we went to the NTC Promenade to the Visions Art Quilt Gallery where we drooled over all the quilts by Elizabeth Busch. Criminy! That woman is amazing. Probably a little OCD, but amazing nonetheless!

We also stopped by the Watercolor Society Gallery where I nearly went apoplectic because some of the watercolors look just like photographs. It's insane.

Outside the center is rose garden. Karen and I took loads of pictures.

Then I had some fun with Mac Comic LIfe.  Cool, huh?

Next we went to Ceramic Cafe.  Karen and Jo painted. I made jewelry.  All was well until we started feeling all depressed and moody. They were playing the most depressing music ever!  It was like the theme song to every Lifetime movie playlist. We asked them to please, please, please switch over to another station (it was the Sirius Coffee House mix) and they promised they would.  However, when we noticed the 2 girls were actually singing along to each and every song, we didn't hold our breaths.  Even the recognizable songs were all done in that sad, acoustic way. Music to slit your wrists by, I called it.  There was a little girl at the next table who said, "It's Corinne Bailey Rae, but it doesn't sound right."  When I pulled out all my black beads and contemplated bringing back mourning jewelry, I HAD to bring out the iPod.  Sorry girls, but I needed a happy place ASAP.  I did share though - I'm not that callous. 

Here's the earrings I made for Johanna. She picked the focal bead in the center and then we just played around with them until we came up with the final product. The outer circle is shell. They are really lightweight and I love how they feel.  I accented with tiny goldstone beads. They pick up light well and look really special. I don't know what the focal bead is - ceramic, maybe? At first glance they look black and grey, but when you look closely, you can see yellow and red and orange and even a little bit of bluish green.  Accented with gold, I think the end result is quite lovely.

I like these "fill-in" earrings, although I get a tad obsessive about filling in the center so none of the headpin shows. Hard to do with an organic material - they aren't the same exact circumference.

And it doesn't make me proud to say this, but I think these earrings may be my first complete item of 2009.  Ho hum.  Maybe I just need more inspirational trips?

Your Hair is Neat!

So I played around with hair pins last December - even had a contest.  Made a few myself and really had some fun coming up with different things to add to the pins. 

I made a bunch of fabric covered buttons to attach and sold them at my craft fairs. They sold moderately well, but not all. So I have a bunch more left to sell.  I've put them up at my Etsy shop: hilari.etsy.com

Here's a sneak peak at my pins:

What Does Your Craft Room Look Like?

I'm always attracted to those self-contained craft supply desks you see at all the craft and quilt shows. They always make it look like keeping organized is just a matter of having the right system.

I came across The Original ScrapBox while I was popping around the internet because they are having a contest to win one of their storage desk systems. You can upload your photos or vote on submissions. The voyeur in me just likes to know that there are other messy, disorganized people out there.

In other news, I got my camera fixed this weekend. I dropped in December and nicked the battery door so it wouldn't stay shut without tape. I took it to one place and they were going to charge me $197 to replace the door. (Frankly I think they were just gonna take my money and buy me the same model camera on eBay and pocket the difference.)  It seemed stupid to fix it or to buy a new one, so I thought I would just have to live with tape.  I guess when the camera place realized I wasn't just going to plop down a wad of cash for a new camera, they gave me a card to Kurt's Camera which is just up the street from my house.  Two weeks and $28 bucks later, my camera is right n tight. Gotta love that!